you're HIRED!

*hand gesture* Who needs to be an apprentice of the Donald? Not me! :) I will probably continue to do "freelance" work on the side as my schedule permits because it is so lucrative, but thankfully it will no longer be my main source of income. I can't divulge any more information than that at the moment, confidentiality blah blah blah. Suffice to say my weekend started off nicely.

Back on topic, I think the first season of any reality show is usually the best. I never watched Survivor or American Idol after the first season. Real World has gone downhill. I don't even bother with copycats/spinoffs (The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Super Nanny, etc.) Like most movies, the sequel (or trilogy, or um, quadogy? etc.) just doesn't deliver. For instance, I thought Scream was pretty cool but the 2nd and 3rd weren't as good. I am not into 'fantasy' type movies like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter or Star Wars so maybe those are the exception and get progressively better because they always seem to generate a lot of buzz. Even the Meet the Parents sequel fell a little flat, because it relied on a bunch of gags from the original.

You know what I will tune in for next season if they bring it back? Project Runway! I love PR like a fat kid loves cake. I'd probably watch a spinoff of it on a different station, too. It is interesting to see the designers create garments in such challenging circumstances. I do wish that one episode would give them ample time to complete one challenge, to show who is a procrastinator and scrambles to finish by the deadline and who uses their days wisely. But of course that would never happen because they have a production schedule to adhere to. I also wish they wouldn't eliminate designers every week and would base their score off everyone's final portfolio. ha ha, this is becoming diva's PR diaries lately, but I can't help it. The show consumes me, dammit!

mcwinner

Yay! I skimmed the recently announced Oscar nominations and saw that "Super Size Me" is in the running for Best Documentary. This really was an awesome movie and reinforced why I have avoided McDonald's like the plague for almost a decade (which is a long time given I am only 24!). I admired Morgan Spurlock's huge commitment to showing how truly disgusting a Big Mac is.

If you prefer the written word to motion pictures, I recommend "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser. Similar content in a book format.

IMDB rulez

Movies that are utterly silly, but worth seeing if you are totally bored or in need of some potty type humor. Normally I prefer a mature plotline, but the following campy films have managed to tickle my funny bone:

-Eurotrip
-Dodgeball
-Dumb & Dumber
-Wayne's World

If you like a more refined type of satire:

-Zoolander
-Clueless
-Legally Blonde
-My Cousin Vinny
-Mean Girls

If you would rather see true cinematic brilliance, I recommend the following:

-Run Lola Run (this got a shoutout in VH1 "I love the 90's Part Deux btw)
-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
-Traffic

If you like to cry:

-What Dreams May Come
-The Hours
-My Best Friend's Wedding

work it girl, do a twirl

pic_runway_ep6_austin
Originally uploaded by fabdiva.

This charming confection was crafted by my hero, Austin Scarlett of ProjectRunway fame. It is modeled by the lovely Melissa, who looks far more mature than 16!

I concede that Austin's antics were slightly over the top the past couple episodes, but he more than redeemed himself on last night's show.

From schmoozing effortlessly with the Page 6 reporter, to capering on the dance floor with Robert, to making himself prettier than Wendy, to faux-fighting with Jay, Austin is unarguably the best.

discontinued*

I have this strange tendency to develop a penchant for products that end up being taken off the market. In hindsight, as I composed this list, I realized I'm probably better off without some of these items and maybe my taste isn't as refined as I thought. Some of them I've outgrown, some are plain unhealthy, but I clearly recall the panic I felt when I first had to seek a replacement for each one.

FOOD PRODUCTS
1. Sizzlean - ah, no childhood pancake breakfast was complete without this meat.
2. Taco Bell's bacon taco - this tasted better than it sounds...and I'd get straight up bacon in the tortilla shell, no other filler.
3. Checker's Western Bacon Champ - a hamburger patty with slices of bacon, onion rings, and barbeque sauce. Those teases at Checkers brought it back a couple summers ago then took it away again.
(apparently I have a bacon obsession)
4. Claussen dill relish - perfectly chopped pickles, not your regular yucky watery relish.
5. Ragu Chicken Tonight sauces - The Cacciatore and Country French, my dad would prepare the former and my boyfriend's mom the latter and each were shockingly tasty.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS
1. Bath & Body Works is a double offender - Peach Nectar lotion and Sparkling Green Apple shower gel. I probably wouldn't use either now but it sure stung at the time!
2. Clinique is also a repeat perpetrator - Chubby Sticks and Liquid Lipcolor w/ SPF 15. Yeah, fuck you Clinique. Your bonuses suck now, too! Why do we have to spend almost twice as much for a gift with purchase of the exact same cosmetics you made years ago? I'm glad I started to branch off from Clinique and discovered other brands, though.
3. Revlon Streetwear line - decent knockoffs of pricier trendy cosmetics in colors and finishes best left to teenagers, and the highlight of many an otherwise undesirable trip to Wal-Mart during college. ;-)

CLOTHING
1. Gap lowrise flare jeans and flare khakis - the khakis were part of my uniform at one point, so it really sucked when Gap stopped selling those. The jeans I don't mind so much because I like to mix it up with different designers, except I'm hardpressed to cite any other designer who makes jeans I don't have to hem.
2. Esprit - ok, technically this line was yanked, then resurfaced via website, but I don't think that counts. And it is a shame because their clothes fit me PERFECTLY and were nice quality and I miss the instant gratification of going to a store to try them on and purchase them on the spot.
3. Victoria's Secret jelly boobie strapless bra - sorry I don't know the real style name/number, because the writing on the tag is now illegible *sniffle* The Very Sexy strapless bra doesn't cut it, ok? It gives my chest a funny shape and isn't as comfortable.
4. Target Swell underwear - Cynthia Rowley, if you're reading this, please make more! Pretty please? Such cute patterns, soft cotton, in 2-packs for my convenience, an absolute steal. If you've graduated to a fancier manufacturer, I'll follow you there...

Now before you start feeling totally sorry for me, I should admit my weird preferences have worked surprisingly in my favor a couple times. I fell in love with Starbucks Toffee Nut lattes, which were a seasonal item, but now they are always available. Likewise, I used to loathe Panera, until I tried a Smokehouse Turkey Panini. Of course I prepared for a letdown because this particular sandwich was supposed to remain on just Panera's autumn menu, but it has become a permenant fixture. I hope I didn't jinx myself by sharing that info.



*Inspired by the lovely Jodi

my day is made

This morning before I left the house, I could not find my prescription sunglasses. I'm pretty organized and they are usually in one of two places, so I couldn't imagine where else they could be. I started rummaging all over, running up and down the stairs, even venturing out to my car for a quick search. My patience wore thin and it was still pretty early so I decided "fuck it" and donned my regular glasses, even though I knew the sun would be so bright later it would make me squint uncomfortably.

I stopped to soothe my nerves with a vanilla soy latte. Prior to exiting my vehicle, I decided to explore my center console one last time, and unearthed my precious shades from under a mini stack of CDs. whee! I'm not sure how I managed to miss seeing them initially but I was thrilled. I began worrying I had left them at the gym and somebody stole them. I know they're prescription but theives would just see them as cute unattended eyewear and maybe not understand the function until later if ever. You might think I'm paranoid - but this is the same gym where someone stole my drugstore face cleanser, even though most people who go there could afford whatever skincare they desire. At any rate, I was so relieved and thrilled I wouldn't have to go through the hassle of replacing them. I was also happy I could put my concerns about premature wrinkling and crows feet due to excessive sun exposure aside for now. Honestly, I marvel about these sunglasses every time I wear them. My vision isn't terrible and I really just need it corrected for distance (driving, movie screens, blackboards) so they are perfect for morning jaunts to the gym (where I prefer to see everything in soft focus) or when I need to run a quick errand and can't be bothered to fiddle with my contacts. It really IS all about the little things. Such a good feeling to find something you thought was never to be seen again! :-)

insufferable

My last post regarded whether or not one should bite one's tongue when confronted with something distasteful. I think the deciding factor (to speak up) was the fact I may never see the person my comment was directed at again.

It is harder to make the choice if you know you will encounter the person repeatedly. For instance, I'm sure we all know a friend-of-a-friend who is a total asshole, and your friend seems to be oblivious to that fact despite considerable supporting evidence. In that situation, unless you have major balls or relish causing drama, you probably should silently endure the person. After all, they aren't technically YOUR friend and if you're lucky you might only be forced to mingle with this person in mixed company where other nicer souls can distract you. Who knows, maybe every now and then the asshole is tolerable.

Now what happens when the asshole does something to piss your friend off? You risk alienating the friend if you commiserate and say something along the lines of "I always thought that person was an asshole!" because what happens if those two make up? Then YOU look like the jerk, even if it is the truth, your friend will remember and wonder if you are two faced and secretly hate everybody. At the same time, you kind of want your friend to see the light and realize how horrible the other person truly is. Sometimes bitches just need a smackdown, right?

So basically either way you are screwed. You can deal with the asshole OR look like one yourself. Two very unsatisfying options.

rewind

Do you ever say something and wish you hadn't even bothered? Even when you know you were right to speak up? *rolls eyes*

my new gay boyfriend

austin
Originally uploaded by fabdiva.

Oh how I love him! Hopefully he wins Project Runway. Austin's designs thus far, though not all something I would wear, have been extremely creative. I also like a handful of the other desingers, but none match him in personality. *swoons*