EVERYONE HEAR THIS

Pack it up, pack it in.

We're beginning something a little slicker over at

http://www.romanceinthedressingroom.wordpress.com

See you over there!

-a.

Thursday Mornings

It's a fact that this photo has been used innumerable times throughout the history of this blog.

But

It's also a fact that it nicely encompasses two of the great beauties of this world - coffee and note-taking.

And in that vein, let us delve into the joys of {Thursday} mornings. Whether you've got a morning off, or merely fantasize about the idea on your a.m. commute, here's a little list of à-faires for your cozy bed-in.

To-Do

Wake up at completely out-of-character time.

Hit snooze thrice - minimum. Savour those extra minutes of shut-eye. Mmmm, bliss.

Take your time getting out of bed, and either cover up your skivvies with a parka for a jaunt to your closest coffee dealer, or slip on a robe and make yourself a cuppa. Bring this coffee back to bed, and plug your lappy-tappy {child-speak for laptop} into its charger. Add to this melange a couple magazines and whatever it is you eat for breakfast {Peek Frean's Digestive Biscuits! The chocolate side is so melty-delicious with something warm to drink}.

Settle into your GoogleReader and while away the hours.

Stay cozy, chéries.

How to Perk Up

Peanut M&Ms and Arizona Green Tea

Done.

"If you have any idea what's good for you..."

SUPERBOWL 44!!

Fasten your seatbelts because this year's superbowl is going to kick the eyebrows off last year's.

Text by Claire Webber

It all starts at 6:25 EST, when the New Orleans Saints battle the Indianapolis Colts. Here are a few football facts for you to shout out when watching the game and wanting to impress:

Key Players

Drew Brees- Quarterback (guy who throws the football)

Saints

He was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2008, and a very skilled player.

Reggie Bush- Running back (runs with the football)

Saints

He's highly talked about and runs at the speed of light.

Peyton Manning- Quarterback of the Colts, and the love of my life.

Peyton is the best quarterback in the league. There's nothing he likes more than a challenge, and that's exactly what he'll get tonight when facing the Saints.

Matt Stover- Kicker (guy who kicks the ball through in between the yellow sticks)

Colts

He will be the oldest player to have every played in a Superbowl game.

Other Important Colts

Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Jeff Saturday, Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne.

Things to Shout

"HE COULD! GO! ALL! THE! WAY!!!" (when someone is running with the football)

"FIRST DOWN, YEAH BABY!" (when they make it to the yellow line)

"HOLD 'EM HERE BOYS!" (when the colts are playing defense)

"GO COLTS" (at any point in time)

The Saints are favoured to win tonight, but I strongly believe otherwise. The Saints have never won a superbowl and have a lot of heart and skill going into this game. As a predominantly offensive team, they will be sure to bring a great performance.

The Colts had a nearly perfect season, but go into the game as the underdogs. Their offense is top-notch and their defense will surely be able to match the Saints. With several injured players, the Colts will have to work the field tonight to make up for their losses.

My money is on the Colts and if you have any idea what's good for you- yours will be too.

Regardless of the outcome, Superbowl 44 will be a great game.

Showdown starts: 6:25 EST (7:25 for us Haligonians)

Half-time show: The Who

GO COLTS GO!!!

Lookit Me

Does one need to have "a look"? Is there merit in always looking not the same, but vaguely reminiscent of the last time your pretty little face popped up on the scene? Without having collected much interest on my style bank account, I'mma throw my two cents in. Maybe un peu bold or premature, but it's important to have thoughts.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes, a hundred times yes. You're not "boring" if your captive audience can quickly and easily pick up on your style trajectory. (Big fan of the word trajectory right now). In fact, it makes it easier for swarms of adoring devotees to spot you in the pulsing madness of your posh entourage.

And don't forget the elderly. Your dear old aunts, uncles, grandparents and godparents are all quite interested in you, your life, etc - and you're only making their life easier by making yourself recognizable to them. Ha!

Thirdly, it makes shopping easier. Having a "look" does not restrict or limit your style choices, it merely guides them. For instance,

"Ohh, aren't these mounds of gold chains and baubles absolutely positively to diiie for?!"

[Let us assume that, yes, they certainly are "to diiie for"]

"But since my closet is chock-full of only silvery-type accessories and bits. Ergo, save those goldilocks for the three bears.

Lastly, fashion is fickle. "Having" a look does not mean "Chaining oneself to" a look. Wear what feels right.

Ha!

Here we go!

Something isn't working here. As in, with this blog.

So.

It's being re-imagined. Please be patient (whoever you are) as Romance heads in a new direction. And please also look forward to a new energy being poured into something similar to this blog. Yes? Yes. Everyone wish on their next wishchip that something wonderfully inspirational and motivating invades the downtown area over the next few days.

Love always,

RITDR

Cordially Cara

Heading home for the holidays to meet your latest beau's parents? Yikes. Bonne chance.

For some concrete advice with a good dash of humour, Cara Lehocki is back at the keyboard again, bringing us more tips and tricks for mess-free living... or at least making an attempt at it!

How to Meet the Parents.
By Cara Lehocki

Well it’s that time of year again, Christmas tunes are playing on the radio, snow is falling outside, and our exams are finishing up as we prep ourselves for another Christmas. This season could typically be a stress free break from all things academic and give us an opportunity to bake a few treats a la Martha Stewart style. For some of us this may be the case while some of you are in mere panic mode mentally preparing yourself for what could be the most uncomfortable social setting, yes I am talking about meeting his or her parents for the first time.

So you met a cute boy or girl in one of your classes, things have been going well and guess what...they want to take you home for Christmas to meet the good old rents! I have been there and let me tell you I tried to do everything right but ended up doing everything wrong. Last Christmas I dashed around town trying to find the perfect outfit, wine, chocolates and homemade card (which I remade and destroyed four times until I was satisfied with its level of perfection). Then I drove my nerve racked self over to the boys house (for his protection we will call him McDreamy). I was in that house less than 5 minutes when I somehow managed to smack my teeth into McDreamy’s chin, split it open so deep we had to go to the emergency room and spent the entirety of the evening in the hospital getting McDreamy’s chin stitched back together(for those of you wondering we were just dancing and goofing around in the kitchen. Ha!). We missed the dinner they had made for us and we missed the Christmas concert they had bought us all tickets to. My worst fear happened- I ruined Christmas, Yes I really did.

It is always nerve racking the first time you meet the parents so follow these few tips so you don’t do what I did last year..ie-make a horrible first impression.

Dress Appropriately:
This is not the time to show off your curves or new micro mini skirt. Don’t change your style but air on the side of conservative yet fashionable.

Easy on the Wine:
One tends to over drink when they are nervous. There is nothing worse than someone asking you a question about your family and your response is “Oh yes I would LOVE some more wine”. Remember they are trying to get to know YOU, not the silly sloppy you.

Contribute to the Conversation:
It is not enough to look cute and act sweet. Show them you are intelligent and opinionated, they want to see what attracted their son or daughter to you.

Bring a Gift:
It doesn’t have to be something crazy or expensive, just a small thank you for the meal, generally wine or a dessert works well.

Stick Around:
Always offer to help clean up and try not to run away after the meal. If they want to hang out with you to play cards or watch a movie do it, plus it may help ease your nerves and allow you to feel more yourself.

Now I am clearly no expert as my invitation to McDreamys Christmas family affair 2009 is still pending, and my title to this day remains “vampire girl” which I may never be able to redeem. But Despite my self-deprecating humour all I wish to do is pass the little wisdom I have accumulated from experience to those who find themselves in similar positions.

I bid you good luck on all your Christmas pursuits!
Cara “Vampire Girl” Lehocki

Sleepover- Beauty Queen - Makeover Party

Let's get nostalgic.

With finals slowly drawing to a close, girls the country over are beginning to rejoice. For it's home to the warmth and love and comfort of your mama's kitchen, and no more excuse is necessary for a slumber party. Whether you're takin' a load off from your studies or gathering the gals at your parents' place, 'tis the season of the slumber party.

A few reminders to jog your memory, if perhaps a little out of order

1- Breakfast

Waffles. Or pancakes. These are obligatory, unless you're a group of celiacs, in which case I'm sure someone in the group has a gluten-free solution up their sleeve. Waffles/pancakes are perfect with just a little maple syrup and butter, but are also the perfect blank canvas for other fruits and miscellaneous deliciousness.

Like...

bananas

strawberries

chocolate

corn (I'm serious)

bacon (again...)

nutella

icing sugar

EVERYTHING

2 - Chick Flick

Clueless is the best one. This is not a subjective statement. But I suppose if you've just recently watched it and sort of want a break, there are other options.

3 - Makeover makeover!!

A slumber party just isn't a slumber party without someone's face being plastered with makeup. Bump it up a notch by mimicking your favourite runway look/Vogue spread and busting out the camera for a photoshoot of your own.

4 - Other Obviousness

Truth or Dare

Prank Calls

Not Slumbering

Heart to Hearts

Secret Telling

...YouTube...maybe.

If you're reading this, and really care about womanhood, please send me your favourite Slumber Party tales. It'll only take you a second, I promise!!

Facebook, email, comment this post! Just do it!

Have a gorgeous night!

Ohhh come c'est belle!

Check out Fulvia Farolfi's oh-so-gorgey-porgey makeup stylings.

Purrrrfect for sleepover-beauty queen-makeover-party ideas.

Cliquez ici, svp.

Singin'

Baby takes to the stage this weekend in Seussial The Musical - all your favourite Seuss put to song and dance! Head off to the hinterlands (Aldershot, last stop on the Lakeshore West GO route) for Aldershot High School's musical.

Three performances- tonight, tomorrow, Saturday. See you Saturday.

-a.

All That Glitters...

Proving once more that some of the very best ramblings come outta Canada's best (arguably?) city (ahem! Toronto! duh!) Kayla Huffman and Maddy Aubert have gathered the very best and most interesting bits of fashiony goodness just for you!

Take a look at Gold Faced Betty - guaranteed you'll be glad you did.

Lash Out!

Looking for too-good-to-be-true, yet oh-so-natural lashes? Look no further, ladies, than your trusty Q-tip.

You heard me.
Next time you yank that mascara wand outta the tube, run the bristles over a Q-tip to remove excess, and coat your (curled!) lashes. Now, curled means with a curler. Regardless of how curly those lashes might already be, this tool is quipped as pure magic by too many pros for you to go all diva here. Suck it up and curl. Squeeze over lashes real real close to the eyelid, and repeat as many times as you can moving slowly outward.

Mascara - wipe then swipe.

Now take a lash and brow groomer to run through your lashes, just to make sure, and of course to brush out your brows. Nothing says sophistication quite like a well-kept brow.

Voilà!

Playing Spy

At it again - forever peeking into the beautiful lives of the more fabulous humans among us, I've come across another home to loooooooove.

Have a quick taste of the good life at photographer Dan Martensen and model Shannan Click's home in upstate New York, as featured on TheSelby.com

Saturday!

There are lots of things to do on Saturdays.
Obviously.
Try these on for size, and put some spring in your step as you hit the town tonight with the knowledge that you are a productive, forward-thinking, on-top-of-the-world kinda gal.

Homework (ew!)
It sucks. It sucks on weekdays. It sucks more on weekends. But sometimes learning is fun, and being knowledgeable is always stylish. So just crack down and do it.

Coffeeeeeeeee
Whether you need it to clear that muddled head of yours after a night of tomfoolery, or just simply parce que, coffee dates are great solo or in a pack. Should be accompanied by great thought/conversation, and consequent journalling of feelings, emotions and clever witticisms.

Or! Brush out your fringe, grab a bag, a scarf, a pair-o-mits, and head off to market! Pick up some yum-o somethings to eat for the week, add a bouquet of flowers and you're the picture of perfection. Really hammer the message into your captive audience with a radiant smile as evident above. [Photograph borrowed from Sart... obviously...]

This. Girl. Is. So. Cool.

Emi Kameoka, fashion assistant for Vogue Hommes Japan, was photographed for theselby.com - and a worthier subject can ne'er be found! Check out the photographs and do a little of your own googling - this chick is très cool.

Hello, Sunshine

If that bright, bright sunshine is tricking you too and you've dashed out into the chilliness, beach bag in hand, click here for some serious summery throwback tuneage. Courtesy of Laura Staios.

Tans or sandy toes, unfortunately, not guaranteed.

A Fortnight

RITDR darling and amie-extraordinaire, Emma Pickard brings us some some absolutely gorgeous photographs of her absolutely brilliant idea -

It's fort time!

Keep scrolling for some serious loveliness.

Beautiful

Cliquez ici, SVP!

A Rose-y Glow

Neat!

Get Outside

Before this happens again.

And while you're at it, pick up a few leaves to make some of these lovey little guys.