I cannot believe that 2013 is almost over. I can barely remember anything because it's been such a whirlwind. I mean, I had a baby, started a business, and everything around both those things have been an absolute blur of angry toddler, stressed parenting, and more intense joy than I could ever imagine.
When I started watching Sons of Anarchy last year, I noticed the voice of the singer used near the end of a few episodes was very familliar, so I texted a friend and asked, "Who is singing?" She shocked me by telling me it was star of the show, Katey Sagal! What I didn't know was that Katey, while being a famous and accomplished actress, is also an accomplished singer.
Gisele Bundchen posted a photo last week of her getting ready for an event while breastfeeding 12 month old Vivian and lots of mamas online seemed a little peeved about it. I think the whole thing is silly, and wanted to talk directly to you about it, so, here I am, in my messy house, ready to share.
Last week, I got a chance to visit the set of the Steven and Chris show, as they've really ramped up the look for the holiday season. It was fun being in a studio talking about all the gorgeous decorations and helping me feel festive since we are in the middle of moving (next week, FINALLY) and I don't have a tree or an inch of decorations up! The set is a take on Santa's workshop and the guys were really excited to show all the gorgeous pieces to me.
I recently decided to start some new traditions with the kids. I have decided that going to theatre over the holidays will be something we do as a family, but I also want to get them actively involved in creating gifts and sending cheer throughout the season, too.
I'm a big sucker for all the gorgeous cards we give and get—via old fashioned post—over the holidays, but I've gone from sending several hundred to sending only around 30, almost all of which come with their own photo of the kids sitting with Santa or in a Christmas-themed photo.
I'm starting to really love video blogging, guys! This week, I talk a bit about Kirstie Alley's interview on Howard Stern and Nigella Lawson's stunning courtroom admission—a follow up to a post from last week.
By now, we have all seen the terrible news that actor Paul Walker died this past weekend in a fiery car crash in California. Anyone dying before their time in such a violent way is never good, and I can't imagine how scary it would be to be in such a crash. But we are living in the internet age, which means that for better or for worse, things are online fast.
As Nigella Lawson's divorce starts to play out before the courts, some new allegations have come to light. Her two personal assistants—who she has previously thanked in her books—say that she is a daily habitual drug user and that she bribed them to stay quiet with the use of her soon-to-be-ex-husband's personal credit card to the tune of 300,000 pounds over the last 10 years.
For those who aren't up on modern feminist lingo, The Bechdel Test was created by feminist cartoonist Alison Bechdel in her comic Dykes to Watch Out For and works this way: for a movie to pass this test, it needs to have at least two female characters who converse with each other about something other than men. Sadly, most movies don't actually pass the Bechdel test (think about movies you love, now think about if the female leads talk about anything other than men).
Lady Gaga has been on a media binge, talking to media near and far about Tuesday's musical release: ARTPOP. While I've heard a few songs (I like the collaboration with R. Kelly and Gypsy), one thing that stuck out for me was her openly discussing the amount of pot she has smoked. She even has a song on the album called Dope that is about her kicking her habit so as not to lose those closest to her. I especially enjoyed her Howard Stern interview last week.
I've been thinking a lot about traditions lately. Henry is almost three and now that I have two kids, I want them both to have memories of doing something as a family over the holidays. I'm big on experiences and I love live theatre and music. So, this year, we've decided to start a family tradition of taking the kids to a holiday show. But not just any holiday show—a Ross Petty's holiday show.
There have been a number of stories in the news lately about Justin Bieber as he tours the world and apparently just has sex with girls. But not just any girls—exotic dancers and prostitutes, who are in turn outing his escapades.
I cannot believe that I actually am about to blog about people in blackface in 2013 and it not be a historical piece about the racial inequality that black men and women have (yes present tense included) had to deal with for hundreds of years. But, to get everyone up to speed as to why this is a pop culture issue, and why we are still talking about this, a little history (in super brief):
We've all seen campaigns where people ask celebrities to be their date for prom, or a banquet, or other formal event with moderate success, but what if you just want to meet someone because you know it will make a good photo op or it's just a lifelong dream?
A few weeks ago, I got an invite to sample new product from a company run by actress Jessica Alba and author/environmentalist Christopher Gavigan called The Honest Company. I knew nothing about it, but I was interested as soon as I saw the word diaper (we were planning on doing cloth with Lauchie the same way we did with Henry, but he seems to get a brutal diaper rash from the cloth diapers).
I swear. A lot. Like, a whole hell of a lot. The common refrain around our house (via Matt) is, "HEY! Watch the eff bombs!" I know I have a problem. But for some reason, I always thought I was just being "me." But I think I got stuck swearing so much because this has basically been my cultural upbringing (NSFW DUE TO LOTS OF SWEARING):
I am actually a huge fan of Barbie. She showed me from an early age that I could be absolutely ANYTHING I wanted while also still being a mother (I had a pregnant Midge that I adored as a child) or anything else I wanted. Sure, her body is strange, but Henry's favourite toys right now are a tow truck and Boots (a talking purple monkey with a giant head).
Happy Friday, everyone! Trying out something new this week. Check out this vlog and leave me a comment below on any of the stories I mentioned. I'm especially interested to hear your thoughts about Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes. But not for the reason you might think.
