It's Raining, It's Pouring

June 28: busy day! 

So far, I drove down to Mazda (a good 20 minutes away) to get my windshield wipers replaced and door ding fixed - but I ended up not being able to do either. After, Jillian and I made Chad a care-package. He's at Sabra right now - we miss him! We sent him a bunch of good stuff, and the best: Classy! We were so excited to send it, so we hope he's just as excited - or more - to receive it!

Right now it's raining cats and dogs outside in the "Big D!" Me and my dog, Lucky, are watching the weather on NBC. I don't like this weather - at all - and neither does Lucky, he's crying. 

On the bright side, tomorrow is New Music Tuesday on iTunes. For those of you who don't know, every Tuesday iTunes gets new music. It's great; I look forward to every Tuesday.

Stay dry, Dallas.

Emily

Trying It Out

So Clay and I are sitting in Grand Lux waiting for our table, and the wait is a little long - so I figured I'd blog!

Mom, if you are reading this, you're probably wondering how I'm blogging away from my computer...I downloaded BlogPress from the App Store. It's totally worth it though! This way I can blog wherever I am - how convenient.

Well, our buzzer just went off. I'll blog later - gotta order!

Emily

Happy Birthday, Clay!

Second post of the day, but that's okay. I have a lot to cram.

Today is Clay's birthday! He's finally 18 - legal! He's at the casino right now, and from what I was told, he "banked" $30... Happy birthday, Clay!

I hope you have the best birthday, ever!

Emily

Vogue At The Gala

This month's issue:
-Fall Fashion Preview
-Eat, Pray, Dance. A Night Out With Oprah and Lady Gaga (amazing combo)
-Up In The Air: The Return of High Hair
-French Bombshell Marison Cotillard Ignites Hollywood
-Wake-Up Call: The Link Between Cell Phones and Cancer

What is it? Vogue - of course.

I got the July issue today. I stopped by 7-Eleven to pick up a slurpee (which sounded so good in the burning heat) and at the check-out, from across the doorway, I saw Vogue. It stopped me in my tracks just as Vogue stopped Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City The Movie in her tracks when she was in the store talking to Miranda. It felt like deja-vu - only it didn't happen to me. So I left the 7-Eleven with my sunglasses and wallet in one hand, my slurpee in another, and Vogue between my arms. Again, I felt like Carrie Bradshaw walking down the streets of New York, the scene after she bought Vogue even though she "really didn't want to buy it, but it was one less copy on the shelves." But then again, I was only walking out of the 7-Eleven at the Preston and Frankford intersection - nothing close to the streets of New York.

The article, reported by Jonathan Van Meter, "Oprah Goes Gaga" is truly one for the books. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala was hosted by Oprah, Anna Wintour, and Patrick Robinson of Gap. The article featured in Vogue, revolves around Oprah getting to know Lady Gaga at the event. It included many, many designers and icons dressed in their own designs, as well as singers, actresses, actors and reporters. The collage of photographs taken from the event is exciting from a fashion perspective. Included is Carolina Herrera in Carolina Herrera, Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage, Doris Fisher (Gap founder), Jessica Biel with Justin Timberlake in William Rast, Katie Couric, Jude Law, Usher, Verg Wang in Verg Wang, Donna Karan in Donna Karan, Gwen Stefani with Bono and Gavin Rossdale, Blake Lively, Sean Combs (Diddy) with Pharell, and the list goes on and on.

"It was fabulosity overload," says Oprah of the night. "You just can't get any more fabulous than that. I really did feel like Cinderella at the ball." (from "Oprah Goes Gaga")

Red Carpet Photographs

(Vogue.com)

The Red, White, and Blue Carpet

(Style.com)

Just from reading July's Vogue, I was amazed by the Gala.

Run into your closest 7-Eleven and grab a copy.
Keep reading Vogue.

Emily

Happy Father's Day, Papa

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there! My papa, my grandpa, was like my dad. Every summer we went on trips together to Washington D.C., New York, Santa Monica, California, and Miami, Florida. Unfortunately, he passed away January 7, 2009. He died of esophageal cancer - his third cancer in 15 years. He was a fighter, that's for sure. He's missed everyday, and I still feel as if he is on his usual business trip to China - one of the many he goes on. No one can ever, ever replace him. He left behind a wife, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, two brothers, hundreds of friends, his company, and a legacy that will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Papa. We miss you in the big D, little A, double L, A, S - and that spells Dallas! (That's one of the many, many songs he sings)

I miss you so much, Papa. And I love you even more. I love you more today than I did yesterday, and I'll love you more tomorrow than I do today - toot toot.

Oh Papa Wapa, how I love you so! I wanna pinch and hug you, and never let you go! Hey! I ended it with a big 'hey' - just like you tell me to. :)

Emily, your Stinky

We Welcome You To Camp Sabra, We're Mighty Glad You're Here

Country roads, take me home...

To the place, where I belong!

Camp Sabra, Rocky Mount, MO, 65072

Song Session Song Session OOoooo AAhhhh

This is the camp playlist that a Camp Sabra Camper can't live without.

That's exactly where I want to be right now. In the Lake of The Ozarks with all of my camp friends. It's my favorite place, ever. In summer 2007, I started going to Sabra. So I have not been going as long as some of my other friends, but that's okay. That summer, I was in the unit of Older Habonim (for kids entering ninth grade). In Older Hab, we took a week trip to Arkansas. It was so much fun. Of course, if I had a blog at the time, I would've been able to elaborate more. But it's three years later, and my memory is not too sharp. Pictures keep the memories in tact, and from the pictures I have, and the times I still remember, I absolutely loved Older Hab.

Before you look at these pictures, remember that this was three summers ago.

  

The following summer, was the best summer of my life - by far. It was the year of Masada (the unit after Older Hab). Masada is the last year to be a camper at Sabra, so it's the best trip. Two weeks in the Colorado mountains is what Masada's all about. Not in order, we visited Telluride, Boulder, Camp Hale, Vail, Breckenridge, and many other cities. It was the adventure of a lifetime, and if you have the opportunity, you should take it because it truly is life-changing. In Colorado, we went rock climbing in Camp Hale (a campground used in WWI for bomb testing and training), white water rafting at Buffalo Joe's, hiking for two days up a mountain, hiking on several trails, and many other things I can't think of at the moment. Thousands of memories were created that summer and 'til this day, I'll keep on saying: Masada '08! Masada '08! (our cheer when we walked around camp, so that everyone knew Masada was coming their way)

Miss you, Sabra!

Emily

Poseidon On A Summer Night

So tonight was an early night for me. I got home at about 11:15, or so. Now that summer has settled down, there's not much going on. That is much different than the first week of summer when there was something happening every, single, night.

Anyways, getting back on subject, tonight I saw Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical at the Dallas Hub Theater with my friend Kimberly, her friends Alexis and Daniel, and her parents. It was a very funny spoof of the original, and the songs were very amusing. The drag characters were great, just as the rest of the actors and actresses. My favorite was the Jewish couple - played by a man and a man dressed as a Jewish grandmother. 

Dry humor, humorous songs (example: "Panties" sung by one of the women), and elaborate costumes made the show an "upside down musical."

When we stepped outside of the burning hot theater, composed of about 30 or so seats total, we talked briefly with the actress who played the lobster. She was very kind in mentioning that all of the actors and actresses were sweating excessively due to the lack of air conditioning in the facility. 

I've never been to such a play, and I liked the unique experience; next time, be sure to bring a fan. That's the only advice I have. Other than that, the show was great. Congrats on a successful performance!

Pardon the saturation in the picture.

Emily

The Season Comes To An End

Tonight was a night to remember for the L.A. Lakers, and the Boston Celtics as well. Millions of viewers watched as the Lakers won the championship, once again. It was a devastating loss for the Celtics, but they too played their best and made it very, very far.

Back in the day, third grade to be exact, my papa starting taking me to Mavs games here in the big D. Our family, all true Mavs fans, have had season tickets ever since I was in third grade - 2002. 8 years later, our love for the game is still strong. We've witnessed the trade of Michael Finley, who went to the Spurs and now plays for the Celtics, Steve Nash (my all time favorite), who now plays for the Suns, Jason Kidd (coming to our team), Josh Howard (my favorite after Nash left), and many, many other players. It's been a roller coaster, but the game is just as fun. Nowadays, I enjoy going with my Nana and Unkie (my uncle).

When I first started going to the games, I would get my face painted and get cotton candy after I finished my pizza. My papa loved going to the games with me, and everyone else he took as well. I know if he were here today, he would have some words to say about the Mavs - and jokes as well.

Congratulations to the team who did not let their fans down, yet again. Good job, Lakers. But I'll always be a Mavs fan at heart.

Nana and I at Game 1 in the Playoffs against the Spurs at the American Airlines Center.

Go Mavs!

Congrats again, Lakers. And better luck next year Mavs. I'll be there.

Until then,

Emily

Fame In An Unordinary Way

Many talents such as singing, dancing, analyzing, etc can make people famous by watching a simple YouTube video.

Prime example: Justin Bieber (who I'm a huge fan of)

He started his musical career on YouTube with the help of his mom, who is a single parent, and wanted to share her son's talents with other family members, so she posted videos of him singing on YouTube. Discovered by Usher, an artist known for his single "Yeah!" (a personal favorite) and many others, Bieber was swept off his feet into the life of fame, music and a Range Rover (his birthday present from Usher). 

Justin Bieber's Channel on YouTube 

If you're a true YouTube fan, you've probably seen Glozell, Single Ladies Gone Wrong, Charlie Bit Me (which my friends showed me tonight), and probably a few more. 

Glozell - first off, might I mention that she is hilarious. She analyzes songs by Ke$ha, Justin Bieber, and she even makes up her own songs. With an inappropriate, and unclassy taste, Glozell brings humor like no other to the table. If you need cheering up on a blue day, search Glozell and you're bound to laugh.

Glozell's Channel on YouTube 

Single Ladies Gone Wrong is a video my friend Jillian and I found two nights ago while waiting for our friends to finish getting ready to go out. It is a video of a lady dressed up in a clown mask, dancing to Beyonce's hit single "Single Ladies", and she all of a sudden swings her head down to hit the TV. Although this is very unfortunate, it has a bit of humor in it when you actually watch it. But my best wishes go out to the poor lady who hit her head - you did have a lot of views on YouTube, though.

 Single Ladies Gone Wrong on YouTube

Charlie Bit Me is the video I saw tonight for the first time. I had been wondering why my friends were always talking in a British accent saying "Charlie bit me. That hurt me Charlie." And now I know. The video is adorable. And very entertaining to reenact I must add. 

Charlie Bit Me on YouTube 

Well, next time you're bored and want to visit YouTube, I suggest you take a look at those. You're bound to laugh at at least one of those three. 

Until tomorrow

Emily

One Word: Classy.

That's just what Derek Blasberg has created himself, and those who read his book, to be. His guidebook, Classy, is by far the best book I've read in a while - keep in mind my 11th grade English class read an assortment of classic novels this past year. With humor, intellect, and class, Blasberg has reinvented the world of manners. Comparing a lady to a tramp, the book clearly sets the two stereotypes apart. The book is said to be "exceptional advice for the extremely modern lady."

When forced to run into Borders with my mom a few weeks ago, I went straight to the magazine section, picking up the latest Bazaar, Vogue, and Nylon. But while on the phone, I wandered off into the Young Adult section where I found the recently released, The Carrie Diaries. (I'm a major SATC fan) A few shelves away was the book Classy - which, with it's clean and attractive cover, I immediately picked up. And now, I am sitting here, telling you how much I adore my new favorite book. 

Classy by Derek Blasberg on Harper's Bazaar

The page is interesting for Classy-lovers. I advise all to at least go look.

Picture Credit 

So next time you're wandering around Borders, Barnes & Noble, or online at Amazon, take a look at Classy - if I love it (which reading books is not a hobby of mine), I'm sure you will too.

E 

Just To Start

So I'm sitting here, trying to figure this out. I think it'll be a good blog jumbled with an array of posts. (hint hint at the title) I want to write about fashion, journalism, West, and the Arthritis Foundation. I know this isn't much for now, but we'll see where this takes us.

Emily