"Express Not Repress!"

Well: I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I have discovered a new all-time favorite movie, the bad news is that it came out in 1995, and I'm just now getting around to watching it. And no, it is not some indie flick that I happened upon while digging through piles of documentaries in some hole-in-the-wall bookstore downtown. Actually, it's something much less cool, and a chick flick at that. It's French Kiss, actually, and you can stop your hating this instant!

I can't even tell you how much I love Meg Ryan- or at least the 90's version of her. I mean come on, those facial expressions? She makes me laugh so hardily it's obnoxious. My poor roommates have to suffer through two hours of piercing laughter every time I watch this- which has been way more than is acceptable in recent events. Anyway, it's funny to see Meg's frump-tastic 90's outfits showing up again now. Cuh-learly, fashion designers love this movie too. So who's judging now? Hm?

ciao!
Mandi

Aunty Em!

Tornado Legs abound. Probably what happened is everyone read my blog and gained confidence and now they are showcasing those tornades for all to see. Well, what can I say. I'm changing the world, one twister at a time.

                                            His & Her Tornadoes

                                             Tea Party Tornadoes

                                             Pregnant Tornadoes

                                          Famous Tornadoes

                                        Oliver Twist Tornadoes

                                           Old School Tornadoes

                                               Pop Culture Tornadoes

                                        Dreamy Tornadoes (Hey, boo)
                                                    
Wearing my Moto's like a cyclone,
Mandi

The Memoirs of a Frizz-Head

Long, long ago, in a far away land, I was six years old and had dreamy fairytale hair. At least that's how I like to remember it- like a slow-motion glamor shot, with winds blowing and hair billowing. Anyway, the problem was that I started looking like Mini-Rapunzel, and around that same time my mother was getting into the short haircut thing. Cute bobs were happening everywhere and she wanted me to be a part of it.

The horrific events that took place next went a little something like this: snip,snip,snip, explode. That's right, my hair exploded. It was like the Grinch's heart, only on my head. My fairytale hair turned into nightmare on hickory street (that's where I grew up). I mean seriously you guys, it was a giant triangle bob! After the explosion, my mother felt so bad for me that she decided it needed to be shorter. Yep. The next thing I know, I'm sitting at the salon with not one but three- yes, three people attempting to cut my hair. I walked out of the salon that day with a haircut so terrible, it hurts to even say it. I went from giant triangle bob, to a muffin-shaped pixie cut. Dear friends, I redefined the muffin top.

So I think it goes without saying that for the last 20 years I've been growing it out. With the exception of a few minor hiccups in there: one other really bad hair cut and one incident with red hair dye, which ended with me looking like the Little Mermaid. Trust me, you don't want to be a part of that world. Life is not better when your hair is redder, take it from me. Unless, of course, you are a natural redhead and in that case, good for you, sister!

What I'm trying to say here is that if you have crazy-explosion-triangle-muffintop-syndrome, I have a secret treasure for you. We all know about the revolutionary power of the flat iron, but what many do not realize is that you don't have to spend $200 to get the fairytale hair that you love. The Remington Wet 2 Straight flat iron is only $30 dollars and it works 2x faster than the Chi or Paul Mitchell. I promise! (It works best and quickest if you blow dry your hair first, obvi.)

 Go ahead, friends. Whip your fairytale hair back and forth!

Yours Truly,
Mandi

10 Million Strong... And Growing

Once upon a time, I was sitting in the salon getting my nails done...

 

Mrs. Oleary's BBQ

when overhear the woman next to me complaining about how her nails took forever to grow. Me, being the nosey person that I am, said, "I take prenatal vitamins and they work wonders for my nails and hair." She in turn said to me, "Oh I had heard that. Congratulations, by the way!" Then I realized she thought I was pregnant because I took prenatal vitamins. I was momentarily mortified. Then I realized that in no way did I  look pregnant. Seriously though guys, vitamins will do wonders for your hair and nails. Plus even adults can take Flintones and really those are like breakfast candy!

 

xoxo, Shanna

Nearly 30

Tomorrow I am turning the big 2-6! This shuttles me into my late 20s which make me nearly thirty! When did I get so old?! I have so many things I need to do before I die! In honor of my impending birthday I have whipped up a little list of things I would like to receive.

Lomography Diana 

Rasmus Booties

 

Lord of The Flies T-Shirt

 

Kate Spade Hand in Hand Bangle

J. Crew Feathered Tippet

Timex Field Watch

These are just a few from an ever growing list. Really though guys, to quote The Beatles, "All you need is love."
xoxo, Shanna

1990 And Late

 The British are coming! And so are the 90's! But mainly just the 90's. I realize this is old news but we need to talk about it. This morning I saw something that said "Guess what we have for 2011? The Skort!!" I read that and then suddenly without any warning, I was in fifth grade again. I was wearing a denim skort and vest combo, with a florescent pink and blue tie-dye shirt underneath, and a giant pink scrunchy in my hair. Oh lamentable day! 

But not really, because I basically rocked that outfit. Honestly, this 90's thing is having two affects on me: excitement, as it feels like home to me, and depression, as this is how I know I'm getting old. Nevertheless, the time has come for all of us to conjure up the Stephanie Tanner and the Kelly Kapowski that lies within, or at least within those of us born in the early 80's.

I think that if we are really honest with ourselves, we might find that there are some seriously repressed 90's impulses residing deep within our hearts, and now that these pegged-pant, chunky-socked, stirrup-wearing ghosts of our past are being unleashed, it is important to take note of a few things.

•  Don't go overboard. The scrunchy should stay in the past, along with belly shirts and bangs that contain more than one layer. However, that is only my opinion and I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Urban Outfitters had other plans.

• Maybe don't wear all your 90's throwbacks at once. Moderation is the key, as they say. 

• Do not let yourself get so into character that you start saying things like, "Not!" or "Sike!" or "You got it, dude!"

 Rock on,

Mandi                                                    

Moral of the Story

A few days ago, while flipping through a more recent issue of InStyle, I stumbled upon the most beautiful thing my eyes had ever seen. It was this dress:

I realize that this little Chanel Couture number costs more than I make in a year and I have nowhere to wear it at all because I sit at a desk all day and usually come to work with no makeup on and some hoodie found on my bedroom floor. The thing is, Cinderella was basically a maid who was covered in soot all day and she wound up at a ball wearing a pretty dress and glass shoes. GLASS SHOES! Did I mention that she marries a prince in the end? (sorry if I just spoiled the story for anyone) What I have taken away from this classic tale is that once a woman can obtain one expensive outfit she can then obtain a man who can buy her even more expensive outfits. Also, true love, obviously.
xoxo, Shanna