Who's Got the X Factor?

I'll admit it: I'm a bit of a talent show junkie. Ok, maybe more like a full-blown addict. With shows like American Idol, X Factor, and So You Think You Can Dance showcasing ridiculously amazing talent, it's hard not to get swallowed by the whole phenomenon. It's reality television without the scripted drama; just REAL people with REAL talent taking to the stage with the entire world as their audience. It's hard not to be mesmerized when you live in a time where it feels like everything has been contrived, produced and then packaged to sell. Sure, producers and record execs will be banking on these future stars, but for now, we can just ogle them as the newbies they are and cross our fingers that their feet stay planted firmly on the ground.

I had to post a video of the incomparable Rachel Crow, who's rendition of Etta James "I'd rather go blind" had me spell-bound. With a voice resembling that Michael Jackson baby voice we fell in love with back when the Jackson 5 reigned supreme, and tons of SOUL thrown into the mix, it's hard not only to believe that Ms. Crow is only 13 years old, but that she also was so shamefully let go of on the show. Ms. Crow, I think I may just wait to turn on the radio dial for upcoming smash hits. For now, I'll just hit the replay button.

As I Slip Into the Black of the Night..

Just a quick post, featuring a fun outfit a friend asked me to post. I'm no swankheights (lub ya girl), but I think I clean up pretty nice, lol. Teacher by day, gatinha (portuguese for "little cat") by night. Had a blast wearing this to the my work's annual holiday Christmas party where we partied hearty like it was 1999.

(wearing a canary yellow Asos dress, blazer by Zara, boutique necklace and CK pumps )

(make-up shot)

(dedicated to KIBOS: hope you liked it, babe!)

A Dilemma for the Christmas Shopper.

With the Holidays blushing just around the riverbend and the stockings runneth empty, the frantic feeling sets in, that old, familiar "oh-my-god-can-i-just-hire-a-personal-shopper-and-be-done-with-it!" refrain. It's not that I don't love shopping --any fool who knows me can obviously take note that the piles of pretty boxes that arrive on my doorstep courtesy of Mr. Brown are not for the roommate or 'chirren'! It's just that I get slightly feverish when it comes down to whipping out the Visa for others, and not out of selfishness, mind you. With so much out there in Purchase Land and consumerism at an ironically rampant high, the dizzying array of choices damn near incites a case of the runs (and I'm not making pantyhose references, here). With so many appetizing options, it's hard not to get dumbstruck eyeing the mere display case of the store, with heels fastened in retrograde to just get.the.hell.out.of.the.goddamn.mall.

With that said, I've turned to the aid of the almighty online gift gods, who make shopping a snap and a mere mouse-click away. And that, I've mastered all right. If there's anyone who knows how to blow $700 bucks in 8 minutes snap, it's me. It's easier to diminish feelings of sartorial bliss-turned guilt when you don't need to exit sulkingly out of a packed mall with dozens of shopping bags digging as assembly line of grooves into your forearms; it's like the high, without the buyer's remorse. (That is, until you've checked your latest bank statement and wondered where the last 3 zeros went) So in lieu of culling myself out of my snowflake jammies and five-toe socks, I've decided to make a virtual visit to the following 3 mega-retailers that ease the woes of mall-phobes like me:

1) GROUPONICUS. Let's face it: I'm famous for adding fortune to Groupon's steadily rising stock share. With at least a dozen groupon vouchers sitting in my inbox (ranging anywhere from at-home tanning- who said I can't fake abs in the winter!- to a really rad midnight ghost tour on a tree acre farm), I can easily claim to be a devotee of the Fortune 500 company, whose +50% off discount on a bevvy of deals make that itch to push "BUY" so downright unrefusable. Grouponicus, the catchy and aptly-monikored spinoff of Groupon, features a ton of big-ticket items just for the holidays that are so savvy, they make you wanna yell WOWZA, click click click, and then call it a day. With everything from power tools, Omaha steaks and a retro Radio Flyer toy tike delivered all to your front door at just a fraction of retail price, who seriously can resist?!

2) AMAZON.COM: Another internet phenom which has ruled for what feels like millennia, I've gotta say, Amazon.com, you've never let me down. Besides the rockstar ustomer service and what feels like an endless array of products and services, I love Amazon's simple approach to consumerism- make the buyer happy and he'll never letcha down. Ohhh, I've bought stationery, I've bought books, I've bought CD's and MP3 downloads, you name it, it's gone somewhere into my revolving door of goods and thingamabobbers. I mean, how do you say no to wireless Bluetooth headphones. For God's sake, that's just genius! And a kitchen mixer- what you say, for about 200 bones? I'm SOLD!

3) FINDGIFTS.COM: And finally, findgifts.com, just about the coolest site one can peruse for stretches of time. I think I've lollygagged over just about every gadget and gizmo this nifty site features. A romotee-controlled R2-D2 robot, gravity-defyer head spa for men, mini USB-powered refrigerator- this is better than that skymall shit! I think I've about hit the roof on this one, ladies and gentleman.

(man's new best friend)

Look at the stars. Look how they shine for you.

While it may appear that I've lost touch with parts of the social stratosphere (i.e. facebook, texts, etc.), be assured that my days are well lit by the love and joy that are my students. While I don't divulge a great deal of the day to day accounts with my rambunctious second graders, there are the countless untold stories, jokes and unforgettable exchanges that mark my days as a teacher living in New Orleans. It is the most important and rewarding thing I've done to date- literally giving of blood and flesh to raise a motley crew of classroom denizens into altruistic, critical-thinking, purpose-driven citizens. I love and cherish every moment of it, all the crazy, 'what-the-hell-am-i-doing!?', unpredictable, completely redeeming, heart-warming lovely bits. A few of the latest, below:




Golden Bears, Future College Class of 2022.

The Majorettes.

When it's rainy and cold and lil' sis is visiting from far and away, what better than to indulge our inner girliness with an impromptu dress up sesh and photo shoot? I was happy to play makeup artist, wardrobe consultant and photographer to the extraordinary Gina, who played lil' Ms. Star, and who, I must admit, worked the camera like the diva that she is. This is no fashion blog but I've gotta say, my page dazzles just a bit more with stardust now...

twinkle, baby.

The majesty of the trees.

And we are thankful...

When you're far from home, there's no better place to celebrate the holidays with than friends and family of dear friends, especially when it's as classy an affair as the Turegano's annual Thanksgiving gala. With sisterface in town, Annette and Bernadette's Aunt and Uncle opened up their warm hearth and poured wine glasses by the liter, shared old-time memories and served up a delectable feast outfitted for kings and queens. I have to pardon myself here, as I forgoed the 'traditional' (by the South's standards, anyway) meal enjoyed yesteryear with the William's brood- a full on affair of gumbo, crawfish bits, dirty rice and other Southern treasures- and instead made way for the good ol' fashioned Yankee way of doing Turkey day up, complete with stuffing (or oyster dressing, as we folks call it), mashed p, sweet potatoes covered in marshmellowey goodness, and of course, a generous dollop of cranberry medley. Ahhhh, my palate was thanking me, as was the belly, evidenced by the generous bulge making its way over the loosened belt. Til next year, mazeltov!

FAMILY.

The Colors of the French Q.

With sisterface in town for the first time, it was wholly necessary to introduce her to Nawlins' in proper style. Nothing beats a whole day excursion, kicking off with Old Mama Leah Chase's Dookie Chase's mean ass fried chicken and read beans 'n' rice, followed by a lazy streetcar ride downtown by way of New Orleans illustrious St. Charles Ave. Add some street art gazin' and impromptu magic shows and voodoo jinx, a pit stop at Cafe Du Monde for their powdered sugar beignets and iced coffee and plenty of live court-side brass band music, plus one adorably mischeivous pup! in the mix, and you've got yourself a slice of Nola bliss, extra butter, please. Such good times with baby sis, romping all ova town with that Big Easy swag.

Bay Grays.

I can't imagine a more perfect day than hanging out in the San Francisco Bay with someone who's more than just a friend; we may not share blood lines, but Kibos and I share a sisterhood unlike anything else. I had the fortune of visiting California on my Thanksgiving break and despite bleak skies and that immutable fog, we took to the streets and indulged in shopping, noshing on the city's best and giving our dermis some much needed soaking at Kabuki spa in Japan Town. Didn't matter that the sun took an early hiatus; we brought our own sunshine, capturing a few shots along the way. Here's to a perfect afternnon, with one of the loves of my life.