The Metaphorical Magpie

Friends on screens large and small

It's not often that you can see your friends on television, so I was excited to see this clip of my old pal, Amy, who is now features editor at This Old House magazine. We worked together in a newspaper photo department about 15 years ago. She's just returned to work after having a gorgeous little girl and made a big splash on her television appearance today giving excellent tips for working around the house. I really like the one about saran wrap.

Going even further back in time, when I lived in Ocean Grove, my friend Tiffany and her then husband, Michael, used to live blocks from each other and spent many an evening traipsing back and forth to each other's houses. Michael was often cooped writing a screenplay while Tiffany and I cooked dinners and worked on our photography. They parted ways a few years later, Michael moved out to California and became a filmmaker. A new film that he wrote, Greta, should be coming out soon. It stars Hillary Duff and Ellen Burstyn. Set in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park, I am very curious to see it when it hits the theater.

One lump or two?

I've had this Flight of the Conchords song, "Sugar Lumps" in my head for days on end so now I am going to pass it on to you! There is something about this dorky duo that makes my little nerd lovin' heart do a few thump-da-thumps every Sunday night when a new episode airs.

Are all the boys from New Zealand this adorable?

Out but not down

One of my former video journalist colleagues had the chance to visit Top Chef contestant, Ariane Duarte, at her Montclair restaurant, CulinAriane. Interview with her here.I'd like to get into her restaurant sometime soon to check it out. It sounds like she was inspired from collaborating with the other chef-testants.

Booted reality tv chef back to reality in Montclair

All the mavericks in the house put your hands up... la la la la la la

Tina Fey has been killin' it with her Sarah Palin impersonations on Saturday Night Live. Now Amy Poehler has busted onto the scene with a hip hop song. The real Palin was on scene to get freaky and let her head bob. 

Crossing my fingers for Leanne

Although this Project Runway season has been a bit boring, I have been hanging in there to watch every week. I can't help myself. Listening to Suede go on and on about himself in the third person was decidedly not fierce.  Yet there were some moments to savor. Towards the end, things got so uncomfortably ugly between the remaining contestants, you wold have thought Ricky Gervais scripted the show.

At the beginning of the season, I liked Emily and Kenley for their aesthetic. Stella for her riveting  personality Emily got bounced too early.  Kenley's annoying laugh and sucky attitude made me like her less and less. Although, that feather dress she designed as a wedding gown was super pretty I have to admit.

Tonight, I am fully devoted to Leanne Marshall winning. Here is some link love to other posts devoted to Portland's finest:
Spotlight on Leanne on the Etsy blog, The Storque. The post feature Etsy picks made my Leanne herself. It's interesting to see what she gravitates toward. The items are often whimsical.

Etsy Finds: Ode to project Runway's Leanne Marshall which features items available on Etsy that are in line with her architechtural design sense

Her Etsy shop, Leanimal , which is currently empty since she's been busy getting her collection ready.  You can browse the items she has sold in the past and hope she'll be making more of them available soon. Like the Cesare vest. I love the hidden pocket. The Claire tunic, which is probably not suited for a girl with hips like mine but it is undeniably adorable. Obviously, I can't resist the Rachel dress, which has a cool ruffle and bow at the neckline. The Bella coat just gives me shivers of happiness looking at it.

Now when she gets back to updating her shop, I hope she whips up something for those of us that are a bit more, bootylicious shall we say, than her regular customers.

There is a Style Poll over on the Project Runway page on Bravo. Leanne is at 53% right now. Kenley has 27% of the vote and Korto was trailing with 21%. So it seems I am not alone in loving Leanne best.

Go Leanne!

And for a little shameless self promotion: check out the video I made on hopeful future Project Runway designers at Fabricland in North Plainfield, NJ.