Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Typos

I'm not a total grammar snob. Really, I'm not. I may cringe at the sight of a typo, but I'm also aware of the fact that we're all human and no one is perfect. People make mistakes and I accept that. But sometimes it's quite ridiculous where typos will show up.

Case and point: a well-known fashion magazine. I won't specifically mention the name, but I will say that their recent cover had a very poorly Photoshopped cover of Gwyneth Paltrow. As I sat getting my pedicure last Friday I picked up this magazine and started reading. Just because I'm a journalism junkie, I tend to read the masthead and the Letter from the Editor. Well, this letter from a well-known editor-in-chief had a typo! The word sculptural was written as scupltural. I do not understand how, in a day of spell check and copyeditors, this typo made it all the way to print.

Such is also the case with road signs, storefronts, and other highly visible catchphrases. GB sent me this article from the Chicago Tribune about these two guys who have been going around the country with Sharpies, Wite-Out®, red pens, and more trying to fix typos. Their mission, says the article, is "to raise typo awareness." How great is that! And they're known as grammarphiles.

A comma really can make all the difference in the world. That's like the book Eats Shoots and Leaves. The wrong comma placement can make it like this panda bear eats, then he shoots (at something presumably), and then he leaves. But without commas, it is implied that he merely consumes shoots and leaves.

While these two guys (known as TEAL - the Typo Eradication Advancement League) go around the nation trying to better the grammar of the world, they aren't always met with happy, compliant storeowners. In fact, many just scoff at TEAL and make it out like the error is no big deal. (But it is!!!)

I don't believe that TEAL is trying to be snobby at all. One of the founders, Jeff Deck, says that he wanted to use his talent for the good of others. That's amazing. That's always the way I feel and I've often spoken about the problem I have expressing through a cover letter or resume that I actually have this typo-spotting ability. It's crazy but I love it! It certainly makes sense why I'm part of the Comma Crew!
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Grammar of Love

"Y-O-U-apostrophe-R-E means 'you are.' Y-O-U-R means 'your!'" - Ross, Friends

So Flavor Flav picked the right gal last night on the "final season finale" of Flavor of Love 3. We can only hope that after seven children and three reality TV dating shows, that it will be the final one (although I love the drama). Thing 2 totally loved him (even though I still can't grasp the concept of kissing him…). I was all prepared to discuss Flay-vore Flayyyvvv, however, I'd really like to talk about the "romantical" evening Black said she was having.

I first heard the word "romantical" when Lo Bosworth told Lauren Conrad that she thought that the dinner they were having at a posh L.A. restaurant was romantical. That's not a word (unless you consult Urban Dictionary, which is hardly an authority)! And it's driving me crazy. Say romantic or magical - but not romantical. From time to time, I'll say it mockingly (mainly because I can't stand Lo). But I know it's not a word!

I've heard the word so much lately and as I watched Flav last night, I heard Black talking about her evening. Where did this word come from? I realize that mainly uneducated people have been saying this on "reality" TV, but being as grammar-obsessed as I am (and I know I'm not perfect - although I'm pretty close haha) I cannot stand it.

Perhaps we need to educate our young ones a little better so they don't make up words or use poor grammar. Or maybe I just need to stop watching reality TV…

Photo: VH1.com
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Monday, May 19, 2008

Making Up Eyes

Eyes are the most important part of the makeup process. They may take the most time to perfect, but they are certainly the most important. Think about it: when you're having a conversation with someone, they are most likely (and hopefully) looking at your eyes. That's why eyeliners and shadow shades are the way to go. And defying the standard is sometimes a good idea.

For years I have been going against the typical top-lid eyelining standard. I don't use a regular thin pencil (my fave for the inside of the bottom lid is Prescriptives' Softlining Pencil). I use a thick one (Cool Effects by Maybelline). Now you might wonder how it's possible to get a thin line with a thick pencil.

I cannot recall where I came up with this technique. Perhaps I read it in a magazine or perhaps I decided to break the rules and do my own thing (I often enjoy experimenting). But by taking this pencil, holding the corner of my eye, and just getting as close as I can to the lash line, I can form a perfect line. Anytime I try to use a thin pencil up there, I cannot seem to make a line like this - it tends to come out more jagged and disconnected, at which point I try to fix it and end up with a super thick line that is no good for daytime wear. So I save my thin Prescriptives pencil for the bottom and if I'm running out, I make sure that I at least wear this.

Shadows are my favorite part of getting ready. With my blue eyes I like to use shades of purples and browns to bring out the color. Pop Beauty (from London, sold at Sephora) has a great collection to help you create the perfect look. Their Eye Cake (pictured, at right) is a palette of five shadows that can give you options in blending and highlighting. I've been in love with these for more than two years now and they are a staple in my makeup collection. They even have a Makeup Wallet that can be matched up with girls by eye color.

You can easily create the work-appropriate look or jazz up your face with a funky nightglow that's sure to make your eyes POP.


Photo: Sephora.com
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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Photoshopped!

As you may be able to tell, I've had a slight obsession with Sex and the City for years. Yes, I own all the DVDs and I know each episode by heart. So when I came across an article in Time Out New York about how SATC ruined NYC and is played out, of course I was intrigued.

The cover of this week's TONY is our four leading ladies (pictured, above), with tape over their mouths, and a headline reading "No Sex". The picture was a familiar one to me - one that I perhaps had seen when Ms. Carrie Bradshaw had her new 'do. I began my Google Image Search to confirm my suspicions - TONY photoshopped our narrator's hair, from short to long (pictured, right).

Now, why would they do this, I wonder? Is it because Sarah Jessica Parker is now older and they wanted her to look younger? Personally, I never liked that look on SJP because I did think it made her look a wee bit older. So were they trying to take her back to her original days of SATC, circa 1998? Were they trying to make it seem as if the girls had never left us (even though the article seemed to be more of an attack on the show)? Why not just use a picture where her hair was long? There are lots of those from the olden golden days.

To me, Photoshop is meant to make slight adjustments and should only be used to doctor something if it won't be extremely noticeable. I know that I'm crazy when it comes to discovering little details and the average person may not realize the difference, but someone did. And that someone is me! Once something is out in the open, it probably shouldn't be manipulated.

And as another note: while SATC may have ruined NYC for some, I still think it's the greatest place in the world. Even if those tour buses weren't around, you'd still have tourists running around trying to find these televised locations. I dislike tourists just as much as the next native New Yorker, for their slow pace and their inability to navigate the City streets. But you're just jealous that you didn't come up with the money-making idea of tour buses first.

Hopefully, the movie doesn't disappoint…

Photos, respectively: PerezHilton.com, HBO.com
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Drama

I watched the season finale of The Hills last night and honestly it didn't really do anything for me. I love the show, despite knowing that it's edited and partially scripted, blah blah blah. However, nothing new happened last night. In fact, the Aftershow was better than the actual finale.

We already knew that evil Lo was slowly driving a wedge between Audrina and Lauren. And that's where they left it, with a single tear streaming down our heroine's face. And as if we didn't know that Spencer and Heidi would reunite into Speidi (I've seen the pics from the Correspondent's Dinner!). But really, how dumb do you have to be to throw away your "job" when your controlling boyfriend follows you to Las Vegas?

Give me a break. You didn't make up with him when he brought you roses at Crested Butte and you freaked out because he was talking to other girls, but when he rudely interrupts you during an important work meeting you forgive him? Please. Oh well, at least the deliciously diabolical Stephanie Pratt was there too for entertainment purposes.

I enjoyed the Aftershow, however. And of course was ever so excited at the previews for Season 4. Why can't I stop watching? I think it's hilarious and ridiculously not reality, but I love love love The Hills! The music choices are especially perfect. I just feel like the finale could have been a little more exciting.

I would also just like to say how excited I am for the Super Sweet 16 Exiled show they showed a preview for last night. Those spoiled girls who got everything they wanted and more, including a stint on TV, now are sent away to remote destinations in Africa, Peru, Thailand, India, and more. I love it! One girl started crying because they were leaving her there all alone - well if you're alone sweetie, who's filming you? You've got the big bad camera crew to protect you. Do we think, though, that this experience will really change these girls for the better? People never change…

Photo: MTV.com Aftershow
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Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Brazilian Genre

I went to Esperanto with Steph last week in the East Village and I had a very pleasant experience, despite the waitress messing up and being a tad bit rude. I suppose I can forgive this with the good food and sangria, and the fabulous live Brazilian music I heard at the restaurant.

Since then, I've been on this Brazilian music kick. It's different than anything else, combining jazz, tribal, and soothing sounds all into one genre. I have no idea where to find a compilation of some sort of this kind of music. I've only come up with one song so far that I'm completely obsessed with - Um Segundo by Bebel Gilberto. It really defines exactly what I've been looking for throughout the past week. With that in mind, I've been able to use that song as the example in my daily Pandora choice.

It's funny the effects that music can have on you. I love the way I feel when I listen to this Brazilian genre even though I may not always understand the lyrics (though my Spanish background does help me a bit). I imagine myself in a posh restaurant in Rio, dressed in my chicest outfit, with my Louboutins on my feet and my cocktail in hand. My dream man comes walking toward me to sweep me off to a beautiful beach in Ipanema. (Hey! I did say this was an image!!)

So, then, my search is on to add to my already-crazy iPod of Marc Anthony, Madonna, Finger Eleven, 50 Cent, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, and much more - I told you it was strange. Don't worry, mine's usually not the iPod of choice for a big event of shuffling songs. iPods are unique and that's the story I'm stickin' to!

Leave me some Brazilian music suggestions!!
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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Nude Shoes: The Perfect Accessory


OK. We all know I have a shoe obsession. My dad actually told me I was sick yesterday when he realized I had another pair delivered. And he wasn't kidding, exclaiming that I needed help. But these were necessary because, if you remember, I had expressed the necessity of a cute black leather shoe - especially one that would be comfortable when I went out on the weekends - a default, if you will.

As I scan my closet, I realize that I'm pretty much set now, save a few pairs of summery shoes TK. However, I've realized that I'm really into this new nude shoe phase that seems to be all over the magazines. Now, I'm pretty tall. Despite this fact, I absolutely love to wear high heels because I really think they finish off an outfit and make you stand out. I have long legs to begin with, but nude shoes really have that ability of elongating your stature. I love that.

It's so great to me when you can use fashion to manipulate an appearance or enhance it in some way. That's the way I feel about makeup. I've had some guy friends tell me that they think makeup is stupid and solely serves as a mask for women. And while that may be true for some ladies, I like to think I use makeup to enhance the features I already have. The right purple or brown shadow can look lovely on my lids, while really heightening the blue in my eyes. And dramatic eyes aren't necessary for the everyday escapade, but are perfect for a night out at the club.

It's all in how you use these tools to put yourself together. Your appearance may be ruined with the wrong shoe, the wrong accessory, or a clown face. It's always good to find those neutral accessories that can be used in pretty much any situation. And that's what nude shoes do. They are moldable to almost anything and can really enhance your look. I think my dad may be raising his eyebrows again soon after he realizes that I've gotten myself a new pair of shoes!

Photo: Christian Louboutin heels in Sand
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