Q & A Revealed!

Exclamation point! Sounds hang-onto-your-pants exciting, no? Thanks to all three of you - clearly my readership is just as skilled at rule-flaunting as I am - for allowing me the opportunity to talk about myself even more by answering the questions you asked here. I'm throwing in a few of my own, since it's totally normal to conduct Barbara Walters style interviews with yourself, complete with flattering lighting and softball questions. So without further ado . . .

"Is the 'Sex and the City' sequel rumor true?" courtesy of me & apparently everyone else who is more interested in this than asking me questions about myself (??)

The situation isn't as clear as we or Kim Cattrall had hoped, apparently. See here.

My guess is that Carrie er, Sarah Jessica Parker is either (1) holding out for more money; and/or (2) trying to drum up more press about a sequel that is clearly inevitable given the money the first one made. More news on this as I find it.

"What do you like to do on the weekend?" courtesy of the exceedingly sweet Adventures of a Southern Newlywed

As little as possible. Perfection is a Sunday afternoon on the couch reading at least 3 newspapers, 2 novels, and 3 magazines while the Anonymous Husband watches some professional sport.

Truth be told, in addition to the usual family & friends stuff, I am often lured from my couch for one of two yuppie pursuits - food or the arts**. The AH and I are big eaters, as long-time readers will recall, and tend to frame both weekends and travel around the opportunity to check out new restaurants. Occasionally we'll even cook - meaning I twiddle around a boiling pot of water and complain about how much I miss In-n-Out while the AH actually makes good food. In fact, just last night I made a pumpkin cheesecake, and that isn't only because I'm a dessert fiend.

*"arts" being liberally construed by me to mean anything from catching up on Tivo'd "Real Housewives . . ." to going to the movies to seeing an actual play with, you know, thespians and such. It is construed by the AH to mean "anytime the Big 12 is playing a football game."

If I had, say, the trophy wife existence I so richly deserve, I'd resume my childhood and college-years hobby of competitive horseback riding. I miss it every day, but have some of those Life Goals (like seeing a bit more of the world) to attain before making the considerable time investment required to get back into showing horses. That being said, if anyone is looking to give away a pony, please contact me immediately at legallyblondemel at yahoo dot com. Thanks very much.

Although I tend to talk about Pretty Things on these fair web pages, in actual fact I'm far more inclined to save up for a fantastic meal or travel or, you know, an interesting experience. For example, I just bought tickets to the David Sedaris reading here instead of the J. Crew cashmere that's on-sale and causing my AmEx veritable palpitations. This is not intended in any show-offy manner, or no more than I usually intend, but rather just to say it isn't all about the Pretty here at the Pretty. Not entirely. Just mostly. I'm very grateful for the wonderful adventures and opportunities I have.

"What is your favorite beauty product?", courtesy of the appropriately, wonderfully titled Happy Daily.

It's been a while since I've complained about my eyelashes, hasn't it? 10 minutes, at least? It's one of my favorite things to complain about - and that's a long list o' favorites, dears - but I've had less of an opportunity since employing the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Shu Uemura, not any other brand. Believe the hype.

(credit: Nordstrom)

You can keep your 34Ds - OK, that's a bald-faced lie, as I would stomp across a field of babies for those as well - so long as I can flutter actual lashes in daintily feminine manner. Or as the AH might put it, "Do you have something stuck in your eyes?"

"What do you miss most about our dear home state?" from my fabulous blog friend and fellow "The Office"-fiend "The Shabby Princess".

This is nearly disqualified for being an unfair question, since anyone who has actually been to California knows how incredible it is. What a weird, wonderful, outrageously gorgeous place it is.

So I'm going to pull a sappy choice - cue the John Mayer music - and say I miss my friends* the most, which has the added benefit of being true. I can hop on a plane and get my beach fix in anytime, but I cannot replace you girls.

*Should these wenches start misbehaving, I reserve the right to immediately change my answer to In-n-Out Burger. And the 15th Street beach in Del Mar. And not having to dress around the weather.

"Death is NOT an option - Jon Hamm or John Slattery?" because I'm writing the question and can therefore brazenly re-write the rules.

Um, yes.**

**Love you, AH.

"Why don't you post pretty pictures of how you've decorated your house for Halloween/ Thanksgiving etc. like so many other bloggettes do?" courtesy of me.

Um, because I am so very busy seeking out the best of retail for you, my readers, that I've simply run out of time to post about my homemaker-y skills. Yeah, that's it.

So truth is, I'm more than a little afraid of stores like Michael's (a craft store for you non-Southerners/Texans) and things like bedazzled turkey tablescapes. I may watch the occasional Martha for comforting entertainment purposes, but I am just a failure when it comes to being crafty in the non-diabolical sense. If you want help with schemes like "How do I passive-aggressively annoy my co-worker for my own personal entertainment?" or "How do I pry the television remote from my husband's cold, unfeeling grasp without declaring all-out war?", then I'm your girl; otherwise, you're on your own with the sequined gravy boats.

This isn't to say I don't admire the heck out of you crafty types, and it's not that I'm opposed to a tastefully crafty home. Cold-hearted as I may be, I'm all about the Christmas decorations myself - it's just that my own personal holiday decor is straight outta Pottery Barn, SG (sans glitter) style.

********

Anything else? Should we talk more travel & food here? So long as it doesn't involve glittering gourd decor, I'm open to your suggestions . . . but back to our regularly scheduled retail in the meantime . . .

The Kristin Davis Collection at Belk

Chief amongst the myriad reasons I so loved the character of Charlotte on "Sex and the City" was her always feminine, ever classic wardrobe. Well, maybe after the impossibly posh Park Avenue apartment, that is; as Miss Austen so accurately noted in my favorite book, high-end real estate is a rather delicious way to a woman's heart.

In any event, upon hearing that Kristin Davis was putting out a collection for Belk stores based upon Charlotte's her own wardrobe, I was tentatively excited. After Sarah Jessica Parker's "Bitten" collection, which We Did Not Care For, and The Movie, which is another post entirely, I learned to apply a critical eye to these post-"SATC" marketing opportunities.

(credit: Belk)

So let's examine the hard evidence, shall we? Tragically, there is no Belk near the Pretty, so we're force to rely on the online exhibits:

(credit: Belk)

(credit: Belk)

(credit: Belk)


Charlotte Kristin, like Pretty, looks best in a defined waist, so We are rather partial to these. And let's take a look at the accessories:

(credit: Belk)

A very basic black boot, but the construction and material (leather) look good. And:

(credit: Belk)

A more affordable, wearable take on the berserk Prada shoes the magazines are all on about this season.

(credit: Belk)

(credit: Belk)

Very basic & only PVC material, but an affordable work tote in some pretty fall tones.

Overall, this looks like a decent line for discount, work-appropriate basics, but I'd prefer some in-person reconnaissance - readers, have any of you seen this line in person? Anyone near a Belk and willing to conduct research, in the name of helping le blog world?

Adventures in Vanity, Weekend Edition

With the Anonymous Husband away, I've enjoyed a particularly productive SSB weekend. Amongst other fun, here's the Narcissistic News that's fit to print:


Photofacial: As part of my quest to be Prettier Than Everyone Else, I went for one of these facials today, which are meant to be helpful for us fair, freckly, paranoid about aging sorts. I decided to bump things up a notch facially, but not quite as far as we did that one time with the acid peel right before a South Beach bachelorette party. Trying to get into Nikki Beach looking like you've made it to second base with a meatgrinder isn't an experience I'd wish on anyone; my peelage was so bad that I had to be hidden behind our Boob Buddy to make it past the bouncers.

But I digress . . . given the scary-looking instrument thingy and numbing cream involved, the photofacial was surprisingly pain-free. Afterwards, I felt slightly numb and warm, as if I had a nice tan on my face. I am assured by my aesthetician that there will be no down time; we all know what (baldfaced liars) wildly optimistic sorts these ladies often are, but so far, I only have slight darkening where the freckles are meant to disappear and a wonderful, taut (not Nicole Kidman Botox-attack taut, just pleasantly firm) feel. Has anyone else done one and/or happen to know if my face will fall off in a day or so?

Shopping: Because I believe in following through on my promises, I also implemented my Economic Stimulus Package to great effect. Behold the following on-sale, tax free, coupon-discounted finds at Banana:

(important note: not sure why this model looks so gastrically distressed in manner of stern algebra teacher; this is actually a wildly flattering top for those of us hoping to emphasize the chesticles. Back to the point - this one comes in a number of great jewel tones & Tory-esque patterns.)

(white eyelet blazer, to be added to my burgeoning "Texas air conditioning protection" collection. Was $60 off the original price before the additional discounts. Lots of good summer picks on sale right now.)

I also investigated the fall Lilly line and was impressed with the daywear. Because we also believe in having a Pretty Savings Account, appearances notwithstanding, I displayed massively impressive self-restraint and put these on the list for next month's purchases:

(both the Chanel-esque cardigan and the completely adorable top beneath. Tough to see, but the top has this wonderful snaffle-bit pattern and squared off neckline.)

(loving the horsey, Betty Draper-esque trend. This is one I can feel good about; although I may be a poser about a lot of things, riding horses isn't one of them. Although if I stopped buying nice clothes, perhaps I could once again afford an actual horse . . . )

Over at Neiman's, we again displayed monumental self-restraint amidst the impressive sales that were going on, and just noted the strength of the Milly and Theory collections in particular:

(Yes, it's 1,500,000 degrees here at present. Yes, I want it anyways.)

(Did all that tomato red at the Oscars kick this off? Whatever the reason, bravo.)

And this little handbag started flirting with me from across the cosmetics department. Intrigued by its siren call and beautiful frame, I approached tentatively. After some small talk, I informed the handbag that with its trendy violet color, it unfortunately fell into the Fall Fling sort of purchase, and that I'm more in the market for a Lifetime Investment Bag at that price point. Marc Jacobs, you nearly lured me in again, you saucy minx!

September "Vogue": In further proof that the universe sometimes gets things exactly right, the ginormous September "Vogue" appeared in my mailbox the very same day AH departed. I could have used his help to lug the beast inside, unfortch, but all 798-pages and I somehow made it directly over to my couch.

Don't let yourself be put off by the inexplicably awful cover - the ever-hilarious Fug Girls dissect this in detail here - because there's some good stuff inside, including:

• Attention Power Preps: according to Cole Haan, loafers with actual pennies in them are back - in fun colors and patent leather this time. BF-J will never speak to me again if I purchase these, having made me take a blood oath to burn my loafers years ago, but those of you not under a Fashion Fatwa might be able to enjoy:
  

• An excerpt from Candace Bushnell's (the original "SATC" author) new book is included. From the passage, it looks promising - there's even a self-deprecating Mr. Big joke - but I've been fooled by Ms. Bushnell before. In stark contrast to the TV show, I tend to find her written characters a tad one-dimensional even while they are compelling, but I'll surely fork over the $24.95 only to prove this to myself again.

I'm off for a restorative SSB merlot . . . hope you all had an equally fabulous weekend.