Things I Love: February 27, 2010

February 28, 2010 – 2:46 pm

Note: Darlings, I have been on a blogging slump for the past few days. My deepest apologies – but with all the family activities and with free time, my brain atrophied and my typing fingers grew still! However, in the next few weeks expect some new content, as well as a lot of discussion about writing and publishing! Now onto the things I love love love this week…

Credit: We Heart It

Listening: Sugarcult, Palm Trees and Power Lines && Start Static – I had completely forgotten about this band, but they bring back some amazing memories of high school! Also bringing back some high school memories, Dashboard Confessional, My Chemical Romance, Smile Empty Soul, Stone Sour, Buckcherry, and Savage Garden.

Reading: anything by or about Emily Dickinson, Susan B. Anthony, and Debbie Harry. 

Credit: We Heart It

Loving ♥ ♥ ♥
♥ My new ankle boots – chic, sleek, and oh so cute. I love them so much that I want to wear them with just about every single piece of clothing I own. 
♥ Writing two new poems. Still in the revision process, but I think once I trim the fat, they will possibly be convention-quality. Maybe next year? Definitely. 
♥ Susan B. Anthony – can we talk about how much this woman rocked? In case you didn’t know, this woman was amazing and is a true hero – even if you aren’t American! 
♥ The same goes for Emily Dickinson – a classic American poet that can teach all women a thing or two about passion and writing. She gets portrayed as a sickly spinster a lot, but in reality, she was a passionate, creative, and educated woman who wanted to dedicate herself to writing, so she feigned illness in order to avoid social events and spend more time writing. 

Credit: We Heart It

♥ Let’s talk about how awesome the above picture is… I am so jealous of those sleeping bag jumps! It makes me want to go on a road trip with my besties and recreate this photo in a multitude of landscapes. 
♥ Cupcakes. I can’t think of a single person who doesn’t love cupcakes – they are tiny, adorable cakes that can mean a multitude of things. Love. Acceptance. BFF. Simple joy. They are the perfect treat. 
♥ My nephew. He will be a YEAR old on March 1st. This time last year, I had literally just returned to college after my February break and had had one week of Spring term when he was born – and I had to book a flight ASAP and get home to see him. He was so small, so cute. It seemed like my sister was pregnant longer than this year! However, it has been one of the best years of my life – not only was Chase born, but I had the internship of my dreams with CollegeFashion, I was published in my college’s literary magazine Naked Street, I was accepted to NULC twice, and I started Locked Out. 
♥ Sunshine. It has been mostly sunny for the past week and I love it. Skirts without tights, flats without socks, tank tops without cardigans (okay, maybe not that far!) Either way, it has been sunny enough to shed a layer or two and I love it! 

What do you love this week? 

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Ellie Goulding – Lights (March 1st 2010, Parlophone)

February 28, 2010 – 2:32 pm

glittery ‘n junk

I’ve been following the happenings and progress of Ellie Goulding for some time now, watching her go from a young girl from Hereford with a head full of modest songs to pop-princess stardom of which the likes of Little Boots and various others have achieved in a relatively short time.

Produced by 21-year-old Starsmith, AKA Fin Dow-Smith, a Surrey University grad, he worked with Goulding over the last year to inject a bit of pop electro into things. And it’s quite a move from the original tracks I heard all those months ago. This is definite a commercial album, but it seems to have a little more soul and passion than most. Plus, this girl can actually sing, which is always good in today’s sea of auto tune.

Goulding has had a fair wack of success so far, with the first single Under The Sheets creating waves in the music world, and she even got chosen for the BRITs Critics Choice, and put on any ‘Top 10 of 2010′ list you can think of.

One of the nice things about this album is the mix of delicate electronics elements, like interesting vocal looping and reversing, shifting between down tempo verses to big, dance lead choruses, all backed up by Ellies huge vocal range, which she makes full use of

Wish I Stayed was one of my favourite tracks from the original EP, and although it has been re-recorded for the album, I still prefer the original, as the whistles-and-bells version seems to draw away from the tender, low key feel of the original recording. The album is a good mix of the big singles like Starry Eyed, to the heart-felt The Writer, which has a killer intro. The only criticisms I could make on this album would be that they do start to sound very similar, in terms of song structure, but if they’ve got a system going on, then why change things up?

Watch out for Fins debut-solo album, coming out in the next year, which is sure to feature some great electro numbers.

The single, Starry Eyed, is out through the various places now.

[Via http://mediatopposts.wordpress.com]

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Oh no! Poor Speedy!

February 26, 2010 – 4:08 pm

Hello everyone,

Now I know some of you will say that I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill but before you come to your conclusions let me ask you:

Does this look like a racist?

Well apparently according to WB producer Anne Lopez, Speedy Gonzales is a racist and that the WB is going to send the Mexican mouse to some stereotype sensitivity training and give him a new lease on life with George Lopez providing his voice.  I don’t know what Speedy should feel more despondent about; the allegations of racism or a little to no talent hack like Lopez (who proudly lays down the race car to stay on TV) replacing the voice that Mel Blanc gave him.

Speaking of Mel Blanc…

I suppose when Anne Lopez says the following she is calling legendary voice talent Blanc along with legendary animation directors, Chuck Jones, and Friz Freleng racists. “We wanted to make sure that it was not the Speedy of the 1950s – the racist Speedy.”

As an animation enthusiast, who owns many classic cartoons on DVD I am greatly offended.  Though it may be true that cartoons often employ stereotypes it is even handed with who gets lampooned.  Foghorn Leghorn is a loud mouth southern rooster.  Bugs Bunny is an obnoxious Brooklyn born hare, and Sylvester the Cat (who always gets bested by Speedy) has a speech impediment. None of this is mean spirited.  It just makes the cartoon….dare I say it…Looney.

People like Ted Turner, and  this Anne Lopez disgust me.  Literally the sounds of their words causes my stomach to churn.  They claim to love classic cartoons but then they go about stripping away what made them funny, as well as a serious part of American pop culture.  If you hate censorship in any form you should be outraged by these people’s intentions.  In fact I would go as far as to say that these false claims of racism is as damning and damaging as uttering the N word.   But what of the word “racist” anyways? Its been so overused it has no real weight.  In today’s world if your even just a little bit of a red blooded American it is automatically assumed by a portion of this country (mostly Hollywood, liberal Washington, and New York press) that you are in some way or form a racist.  Well nuts to them!  Who are they to judge when they turn their nose up at their  neighbors in red states, thinking that they’re better than the rest of us? Well they don’t have one thing that the rest of us has and that’s common sense.

More than likely, the WB cartoonists added Speedy to further expand the Looney Tunes’ audience and not constrict their aging franchise to just the children of the klan, as some people would have you believe.

Let me ask you another question: What ever did  Speedy do that earned the shame of hispanics, and guilt stricken caucasians alike?  He always came out on top, at the end of every episode, getting the best of all who chased him. He was a success and a superstar which is certainly more than you can say about George Lopez.  Seriously, as an amateur cartoonist in my own right,  it would eat at me to no end if my characters, my art, came under such baseless attacks.  It is alarming that no one other than fans have voiced their outrage. Warner Brothers should be stripped of their rights to their beloved Looney Tunes since they are failing to defend the legacy of such cartoons, that in the golden age of film, did their part in making Warner Brothers a household name.  What’s worse is that their own producers have joined in on the bashing.  Nothing would please me more to see Bugs and company drop some live dynamite into these creeps’ trousers.  (Just saying…No I don’t really endorse personal violence…if you can’t tell…only joking…and yes I do realize old cartoons are mere drawings on celluloid and not real…Just thought I clarify that for some people.)

How far will this politically correct insanity spread?  What’s next? When ever they show a Tom and Jerry cartoon they’ll have Whoopie Goldberg introduce the cartoon explaining its context and racism?  Oh wait they already did that with the release of the Tom and Jerry Collectors series on DVD.  Incroyable!

Now as I leave you I have one last question to ask: Are any of these stereo-typed characters considered racist?

The French Lover whose a Skunk.

British Agent with Bad Teeth

Italian Greaser who Lives in a Garage

Big Money Texans/Southerners/Rural Folk-They lie, stab, cheat as all white rich families do.

Carlton was picked on because he liked Tom Jones, Polo and Cardigan Sweaters.

Barney Fife: Hollywood’s template for southern local yokel.

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Artist vs. Poet

February 26, 2010 – 3:55 pm

Artist vs. Poet EP
Lisa Marie
Runaway
Assurance Closure
Infallible
All In

myspace

download

[Via http://feedtheriot.wordpress.com]

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A☆Teens

February 26, 2010 – 3:51 pm

(2004) Greatest Hits

1. Mamma Mia

2. Upside Down

3. Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)

4. Floorfiller

5. Dancing Queen

6. A Perfect Match

7. To The Music

8. Halfway Around The World

9. Sugar Rush

10. Super Trouper

11. Heartbreak Lullaby

12. Can’t Help Falling In Love

13. Let Your Heart Do All The Talking

14. The Final Cut

15. With Or Without You

16. I Promise Myself

Download

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Why Modest PLUS??? My Mission & Tyra’s TOO : )

February 26, 2010 – 3:48 pm

I started this blog for a number of reasons. As an outlet from my day to day work. As a way to talk about the styles and fashions that I love. But to also go beyond modesty as a mode of dress in order to emphasize it as a way of being a contemporary woman.

As a larger women negotiating in a society that beats over the head with thinness in the disguise of health I wanted an outlet to be unabashedly POSITIVE about body image. Although I love most of the fashion and style blogs (modest/non-modest and Muslim/non-Muslim) that I read I find that many times people are writing from perspectives that centralize certain body types and marginalizes others. I also find myself bristling at body negative comments that undermine women in various posts and within commments.

In addition the visual imagery that some bloggers use often normalizes excessively thin bodies. For instance, I find that many fashion and style bloggers may feature plus size clothing items but they do not make sure to actually show plus size models or non-thin bodies. What makes this more interesting is that the majority of women-outside of the fashion industry-are actually the size of what constitutes a plus size model in the fashion world. So in actuality we are feeding ourselves myths of beauty that negate our actual reality.

I have made the conscious decision to show a variety of body types and skin colors on this blog-thin, curvy, plus-size, short, tall, disabled and able-bodied. I will show thin models but I will also show larger models. I will make sure that my images are ethnically diverse. I don’t think it is healthy to segregate people based on arbitrary distinctions.
I am committed to spreading positivity through this blog. I will not say negative things about women’s bodies. While I will promote healthy living I will not concentrate on fitting into any cookie cutter mold but on promoting healthy eating and movement.

Beauty comes in all different sizes, shapes and colors. It is time that we stop saying this as simple rhetoric and start living it as a reality. Our daughters and little sisters need to believe this because they will face a harsh world and they need the strength and backbone to stare hatred down.

I was reminded of this watching this clip from Tyra. Let’s do our part.

[Via http://modestplus.wordpress.com]

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Goot

February 26, 2010 – 3:32 pm

Arranged Noise
A Major Change
Self Portrait
Alive
Scared
A Lot To Learn
Stay For The Weekend
Change For Yourself
Brighter Skies
Doctor’s Orders
Sad But True
Geo
Chasing A Dream

myspace

download

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For the best smoked salmon crepes – go downtown!

February 26, 2010 – 2:31 pm

I be in possession of known this little gem for years now and I have introduced the whole of my friends to the delightful smoked salmon crepes. Located in the downtown shaded walk (the Steven Avenue Mall, 202A – 304 – 8th Avenue SW), Fresh Crepes is to have ~ing found in the smaller food court on the first floor, onward the corridor that links the Bay to the rest of the shopping bruise. It recently changed owner, but I am a consistent customer and always order the same thing: smoked salmon crepes, no onion. So in great part, it has been the best smoked salmon wrap I’ve had in Calgary. I like that the crepes are made up~ the spot and that all the ingredients are fresh. And that you be possible to be picky and ask for “less sauce, more salmon, ~t any onion”. My favorite crepe is around $10 (probably the greatest in quantity expensive on the menu). I’ve also tried and perfectly liked the black forest crepe; yummy but I’m not a full fan of whipped cream that comes from a can… All in completely, I have my favorite crepe there every time I’m downtown.

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Day 53: Interval training

February 26, 2010 – 12:16 pm

Since I started cycling last year, I often hear how beneficial interval training is to a workout routine. I’ve not yet incorporated it into my routine, but I plan to give it a try. Intense bursts of activity followed with short rest periods in between allow for the body to more quickly build stronger muscles. I’m not a morning person, so I have a very difficult time making myself get up and do a decent length workout at 5:30 a.m., which is when I’d have to start in order to be finished, showered, dressed and get to work on time. I try to make time to work out after work in the evenings, but it seems like life just gets in the way. If this type of training enables me to squeeze in a good workout in a shorter amount of time, then I’m all for it. Prior to my rotator cuff injury, I used to do a DVD kettlebell workout which was based on the Tabata method: 20 seconds of maximum intensity, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated without stopping for a total of about 12 minutes. It was exhausting, but a very enjoyable workout. (Which had nothing to do with my shoulder injury, by the way.)

In an article today on MSNBC.com, an exercise expert at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology “. . . recommends people try four sessions lasting four minutes each, with three minutes of recovery time in between.” The article went on to mention that, “when compared to people on a normal exercise routine, like jogging, research has shown those doing interval training can double their endurance, improve their oxygen use and strength by more than 10 percent, and their speed by at least 5 percent.”

What’s not to like about that?

Do you incorporate interval training into your exercise routine? If so, what kind of payoff have you experienced?

Today’s starting weight: 152

Food journal:

Breakfast:
– Chocolate, peanut butter, banana smoothie (fat free chocolate milk, reduced fat peanut butter) = 353 cal.

Lunch:
– Panera smoked turkey sandwich on country bread = 620
– Iced tea = 0

Dinner:
– Salad with ranch dressing = 163
– Soft pretzel = 483
– Iced tea = 0

Snacks:
– Fat free chocolate pudding = 60

Thanks for visiting. See you tomorrow.

[Via http://cyclingproject365.wordpress.com]

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REASONS I WANT TO LOOSE WEIGHT

February 23, 2010 – 4:21 pm

Because I want to be able to walk to the mail box.

Because I want to be able to help my Grandma garden

I want to be able to cook dinner or do dishes without sitting in a chair

Because I want to be able to walk around the mall without getting short of breath and wanting to cry.

Because I want to be able to walk around the park for events or street fairs without wanting to die before I am half way done.

Because I want to be able to walk on the beach in the sand.

Because I want to play in the waves and be able to walk out through slushy wet sand.

Because I want to travel by plane.Because I want to be able to drive long distances without my knees hurting so badly.

Because I want to be able to sight see when I travel.

Because I want to be able to fit into booths in restaurants.Because I want to not have to worry I will get too big for my car.

Because I want to be able to drive safely without a seatbelt extender.

Because I want to be able to sit in any chair without fear of collapse or getting stuck.

Because I want to be able to ride amusement park rides (I haven’t been able to since I was 16)

Because I am tired of having to squeeze through tight spots and ending up with bruises

Because I want to have a lap not just a knee.

Because I want to be able to sit on the floor without having my legs strait out in front of me.Because I want to be able to get up off the floor and not look like a fat 2 year old with my butt up in the air.

Because I want to be able to get in and out of a swimming pool using a ladder.

Because I want to be able to cross my legs not my ankles.Because I want to bend over without making an umph noise.

I want to be able to trim my toenails

I want to be able to polish my own toenailsI want to be able to shave my legs

I want to be able to put on my shoes without just slipping my foot into them

Because my cholesterol was too high.

I want to be in as good as shape as my grandma at least.I want to not sweat with the least amount of effort.Because my triglycerides were too high.

Because I want to be able to ride a bike.

Because I want to be able to go walking around the neighborhood.

I want to be able to actually swim laps not just float

I am tried of being the fattest person in the room

I am tired of being the fattest person I know personally.

I am tired of being the fattest person in my family (both sides)

I am tired of Hurting so badly

I am tried of every step being an effort.

I want to be able to buy clothes in plus size stores not just catalogs

I want to be able to buy clothes in any store.

I want to have more choice of what I can wear.

I don’t want to HAVE to sew my own clothing.

I am tired of bathing suits that look like knee length dresses when wet

I want to keep walking

I want to dance at all

I want to someday have my knees replaced

I want One Size Fits All clothes to actually fit me

I want to be able to wear rings and not have it look like I am retaining water.

I want to be able to wear bangle bracelets

I want to feel healthier

I want to be healthier

I want to enjoy my life more

I want to know I can change my life

I want to know I am strong enough to fix what I destroyed (my health)

I want to not always get so much sicker than everyone else

I want to be able to buy a pretty braI want to be able to use a regular tape measure (not a quilting one)

I want to be able to shop in any store for anything

I want to be able to shop in a store without a motor cart

I want to be able to stand in line if I need to.

I want to be able to weigh on a normal medical scale

Because I want to weigh on a regular home scale

I want to actually see something through to the end

I want someone to be able to hug me and get their arms all the way around me

I am tired of being bigger around then I am tall

I miss my cheekbones, I have nice high cheekbones and you can’t see them.

[Via http://trinaxxl.wordpress.com]

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