Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Copenhagen Cyclery: New Obsession in My Life!
There are many things I miss about my daily life in Amsterdam, one of the biggest are the bicycles. (As you can tell by my header)
Dutch bikes are unlike any other bicycle in the world. Built with stainless steel, the craftsman ship that goes into these bicycles is unbelievable. They're built with the idea that this is like some one's car, an everyday vehicle.
Yes I'm lucky enough to live in the #1 bike city in the country, but its different to be a hipster swerving through lanes of traffic on a 10 speed than on a beautiful Dutch bike cruising through the bike lanes over canals. Its called elegance.
When I found Copenhagen Cyclery on apartmenttherapy.com this weekend I was reminded I gushed over this adorable bike shop while I was in Chicago this summer. Its as cute in person as its site!
To find an entire shop dedicated to these beautiful bikes was like when I first found my Looza pear juice in Lund's. Priceless
Now who wants to shell out the $750 to buy the Batavus Old Dutch Step Through for me?
Where else in the world have you built a life for a while and what was your favorite reminder moment of that life?
Dutch bikes are unlike any other bicycle in the world. Built with stainless steel, the craftsman ship that goes into these bicycles is unbelievable. They're built with the idea that this is like some one's car, an everyday vehicle.
Yes I'm lucky enough to live in the #1 bike city in the country, but its different to be a hipster swerving through lanes of traffic on a 10 speed than on a beautiful Dutch bike cruising through the bike lanes over canals. Its called elegance.
When I found Copenhagen Cyclery on apartmenttherapy.com this weekend I was reminded I gushed over this adorable bike shop while I was in Chicago this summer. Its as cute in person as its site!
To find an entire shop dedicated to these beautiful bikes was like when I first found my Looza pear juice in Lund's. Priceless
Now who wants to shell out the $750 to buy the Batavus Old Dutch Step Through for me?
Where else in the world have you built a life for a while and what was your favorite reminder moment of that life?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Winter Travel Tax Break
On Grounhog's Day I officially cracked, another MN winter had finally gotten the best of me and no mood lamp, fake tanning bed, or pina colada (no matter how much rum) was going to cure this.
It was time to take drastic measures and book a very unplanned and unsaved for trip somewhere south. Luckily I have fabulous friends and family who've made the smart choice to live south so I have a built in resort for moments like this.
Options for my runaway included: Savannah, LA, San Diego and Miami. Savannah presented itself as the most affordable flight, as I've wained back and forth the last few weeks deciding whether to pull the trigger or blow all my airline miles I've decided Minnesotans need a Winter travel tax break.
The ultimate reward for surviving yet another winter in one of the coldest places on earth.
Think about it the majority of us plan a winter break or spring break to somewhere warm just to survive these horrific 6 mos. Its the only way to make sure you don't turn Angelina Jolie, Girl Interrupted style.
Now my mother, the CPA, brought me back down to earth when she reminded me that the state would need to profit off of this so the tourism would have to stay in state.
A few days later I determined the loop hole, Winter travel tax breaks would only be rewarded to airlines based in MN.
So Sun Country, Delta (I guess we'll count you with the merger) please start petioning to make this happen...I need to feel temps above 50 and I miss some fabulous friends.
It was time to take drastic measures and book a very unplanned and unsaved for trip somewhere south. Luckily I have fabulous friends and family who've made the smart choice to live south so I have a built in resort for moments like this.
Options for my runaway included: Savannah, LA, San Diego and Miami. Savannah presented itself as the most affordable flight, as I've wained back and forth the last few weeks deciding whether to pull the trigger or blow all my airline miles I've decided Minnesotans need a Winter travel tax break.
The ultimate reward for surviving yet another winter in one of the coldest places on earth.
Think about it the majority of us plan a winter break or spring break to somewhere warm just to survive these horrific 6 mos. Its the only way to make sure you don't turn Angelina Jolie, Girl Interrupted style.
Now my mother, the CPA, brought me back down to earth when she reminded me that the state would need to profit off of this so the tourism would have to stay in state.
A few days later I determined the loop hole, Winter travel tax breaks would only be rewarded to airlines based in MN.
So Sun Country, Delta (I guess we'll count you with the merger) please start petioning to make this happen...I need to feel temps above 50 and I miss some fabulous friends.
Grammys: Fashion Police
We're in the final stretch of awards season, the Grammys, the one red carpet during awards season that seems to have no rules didn't disappoint in crazy fashion.
Everyone seemed to be on the French couture train, which I was loving. Givenchy, Jean Paul Gautier, please bring more!
Here's my favorites and worst dressed of the night:
Grade: B+
Credit: Arnold Turner/WireImage.com
You knew where I was going with this, how could Gaga not be my worst dressed of the night.
Everyone seemed to be on the French couture train, which I was loving. Givenchy, Jean Paul Gautier, please bring more!
Here's my favorites and worst dressed of the night:
Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine in Givenchy Couture. Amazing French couture at its best. Looked stunning on her and wouldn't have worked on anyone else, absolutely sets off her hair color! Loved one of my favs of the night and she killed it on stage.Grade: B+
Credit: John Shearer/WireImage.com
Julianne Hough in Malandrino. She looks youthful, polished, sweet and sexy all at the same time. Loved the easiness of the hair and the fact that she stayed away from a ton of jewels. She looked great!
Grade: A-
Credit: John Shearer/WireImage.com
Lea Michelle in Emilio Pucci. This is how Grammy red carpet is done. She looks so diva, rock star fierce! Absolutely loved it and was a great departure from the demure gowns we've seen her in at the Globes and SAGs.
Grade: A+
Credit: John Shearer/WireImage.com
Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier. If there is ever a red carpet to pull this dress off on, its the Grammys. She always looks stunning in Gaultier and only she could pull this off. Loved her hair with it!
Grade: B
Gwyneth Paltrow in black jumpsuit. I'm not normally a Gwyneth fan but she killed it in this sleek black jumpsuit and loved her earrings (they were the perfect accessory to the Cee-Lo performance). She looks the definition of a hot rock star's wife! Keep the fierceness coming Gwyn!
Grade: A-
And now my worst dressed of the night...
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Wire Image
You knew where I was going with this, how could Gaga not be my worst dressed of the night.
A freakin' placenta egg that she was "incubating" in. WTF?!! I've reached my Gaga saturation after last night.
You're not original Gaga you're just copying everything from the 80's (which doesn't need to be replicated, trust me).
Stop copying Madonna, Grace Jones and David Bowie.
Express Yourself is a way better song, Grace Jones was way more outrageous with her style and Bowie is way better of an entertainer than you'll ever be.
Forget Best Actor going to Colin Firth this year, it needs to go to Ryan Seacrest for being able to keep a straight face and not rolling around on the ground in a fit of laughter during that interview...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
No shelves yet...but a colorful rug!
Top Chef, girl time with wine and Spanish class took priority over a 2nd shelf attempt last night. In exciting room news though my beautiful rug came and its the exact burst of color I need in my room!
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Shelving units are not my friend
I'd post a picture to give you an idea of what I'm dealing with, but then my landlord may have photographic evidence of me destroying the walls.
So the last step of my redecorating project is putting up the shelving units for my collection of photographs and it might as well be climbing the final peak on Everest.
I never knew how much an 1/8" could matter so much, but I guess in construction projects it does.
Damn my preference for The Container Store, in my attempt to not purchase anything from IKEA for this project.
Thanks Kel for all your crafty help, let's attempt 2 goes better than last night.
I'll keep you updated...
So the last step of my redecorating project is putting up the shelving units for my collection of photographs and it might as well be climbing the final peak on Everest.
I never knew how much an 1/8" could matter so much, but I guess in construction projects it does.
Damn my preference for The Container Store, in my attempt to not purchase anything from IKEA for this project.
Thanks Kel for all your crafty help, let's attempt 2 goes better than last night.
I'll keep you updated...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Superbowl Ads: Best & Worst
I know I'm a day late on getting this post out, but work and ad league bowling came first.
The Superbowl is always a favorite day in my group of ad friends for many reasons. We all make our mom's most beloved appetizer dish (thanks mom for the spinach dip!), drink our favorite beer, mute the game and critique the ads.
This year was a little different and more intense thanks to mine and Suz's beloved Packers making their first appearance since we were tots. No muting the game this year, just four hours of straight glued to the screen ready to take it all in. GO PACK GO!
Also an amazing new ad drinking game was invented that night: everyone gets a category (beer, cars, tv/movies, snacks, internet companies) and when you're category is on you have to drink (only ad geeks would think of this).
I was blessed with cars and considering 38% of the ads were cars you can imagine how I was feeling by the time Glee came on.
Anyways onto my review of the best and worst of the Superbowl:
Best of Superbowl XLV
Volkswagon: The force & The beetle (Deutsch, LA)
I'm clearly not alone in my love for "The Force" 21 million others and counting agree its adorable its funny and it hits all the right notes. Many question if it will sell Passats, or if its more about the adorable Darth Vadar. ROI is too soon to tell on this, but I think if anything its gotten everyone talking about the VW brand again. Loved The Beetle commercial too.
Top of mind brand awareness is the point of Superbowl commercials.
Bridgestone: Reply All (Agency: Richards Group)
So brilliant because if you're in the working world you may have had this terrifying moment. A great spot utilizing witty humor instead of fart jokes.
Honorable Mentions:
Chevrolet: Tommy (Agency: Goodby & Silverstein)
Funny and an easy get that a man's Chevy is as reliable as his best friend.
Chrysler: Born on Fire (Agency: Wieden & Kennedy/Universal McCann)
I think Chrylser may have read my blog post and taken a few notes. Thank You. This spot is two years too late, but thank you for finally saying it (you could have done it without Eminem).
Hyundai: Deprogramming (Agency: Innocean)
Anytime you bring digital jedi Jeff Bridges into an ad like this, I'm going to have a soft spot for it. Clever messaging about compact cars and steering away from the traditional car spot route.
Worst:
Groupon: Tibet (Agency: Crispin Porter & Bogusky)
Don't get me started on the ridiculousness of this ad. I dont' agree with Ad Age's review one bit. It makes no sense and is straight out offensive to causes that involve real people's suffering.
Best Buy: Ozzy & Bieber (Agency: Crispin Porter & Bogusky)
Yes Bieber and Ozzy are funny together, but I couldn't tell you for one second what the ad was about or what product Best Buy was promoting. I was too distracted by creepy Bieber.
HomeAway: Smush (Agency: Vendor)
That terrifying fake test baby was reason enough to put this ridiculous ad on the worst list.
Skechers: The Break-Up (Inhouse)
The Kardashians are my guilty pleasure, but this ad was just so over the top, make me want to vomit up my cheese curds I think I headed for another Stella two-thirds through.
Those are my thoughts on this year's Superbowl. What did you think? What was your favorite ad?
The Superbowl is always a favorite day in my group of ad friends for many reasons. We all make our mom's most beloved appetizer dish (thanks mom for the spinach dip!), drink our favorite beer, mute the game and critique the ads.
This year was a little different and more intense thanks to mine and Suz's beloved Packers making their first appearance since we were tots. No muting the game this year, just four hours of straight glued to the screen ready to take it all in. GO PACK GO!
Also an amazing new ad drinking game was invented that night: everyone gets a category (beer, cars, tv/movies, snacks, internet companies) and when you're category is on you have to drink (only ad geeks would think of this).
I was blessed with cars and considering 38% of the ads were cars you can imagine how I was feeling by the time Glee came on.
Anyways onto my review of the best and worst of the Superbowl:
Best of Superbowl XLV
Volkswagon: The force & The beetle (Deutsch, LA)
I'm clearly not alone in my love for "The Force" 21 million others and counting agree its adorable its funny and it hits all the right notes. Many question if it will sell Passats, or if its more about the adorable Darth Vadar. ROI is too soon to tell on this, but I think if anything its gotten everyone talking about the VW brand again. Loved The Beetle commercial too.
Top of mind brand awareness is the point of Superbowl commercials.
Bridgestone: Reply All (Agency: Richards Group)
So brilliant because if you're in the working world you may have had this terrifying moment. A great spot utilizing witty humor instead of fart jokes.
Honorable Mentions:
Chevrolet: Tommy (Agency: Goodby & Silverstein)
Funny and an easy get that a man's Chevy is as reliable as his best friend.
Chrysler: Born on Fire (Agency: Wieden & Kennedy/Universal McCann)
I think Chrylser may have read my blog post and taken a few notes. Thank You. This spot is two years too late, but thank you for finally saying it (you could have done it without Eminem).
Hyundai: Deprogramming (Agency: Innocean)
Anytime you bring digital jedi Jeff Bridges into an ad like this, I'm going to have a soft spot for it. Clever messaging about compact cars and steering away from the traditional car spot route.
Worst:
Groupon: Tibet (Agency: Crispin Porter & Bogusky)
Don't get me started on the ridiculousness of this ad. I dont' agree with Ad Age's review one bit. It makes no sense and is straight out offensive to causes that involve real people's suffering.
Best Buy: Ozzy & Bieber (Agency: Crispin Porter & Bogusky)
Yes Bieber and Ozzy are funny together, but I couldn't tell you for one second what the ad was about or what product Best Buy was promoting. I was too distracted by creepy Bieber.
HomeAway: Smush (Agency: Vendor)
That terrifying fake test baby was reason enough to put this ridiculous ad on the worst list.
Skechers: The Break-Up (Inhouse)
The Kardashians are my guilty pleasure, but this ad was just so over the top, make me want to vomit up my cheese curds I think I headed for another Stella two-thirds through.
Those are my thoughts on this year's Superbowl. What did you think? What was your favorite ad?
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