The Dark Side

Help create awareness for energy reduction by powering off from 8:30-9:30pm local time this evening. 

http://www.earthhour.org/

What will you do in your hour of darkness? I think I will take a leisurely walk with the dog around the neighborhood. Or perhaps light a few candles and zone out for a bit.

Let's all go dark for 60 minutes. I mean, if Times Square can do it, we can.

In Rainbow Land

Perusing THIS & THIS write-up, I came to the conclusion that it...

The Rainbow Land Museum / Flickr: 22723747@N07

...could very easily have been me.

What I haven't concluded is if that would have been a good path or a bad path.

At least I know it would have been colorful!

Google Will Know

On a whim, I decided to have Google/the internet display some stereotypes about Minnesota by seeing what are the most common inquiries. All you have to do is begin typing the question in the search box and see what pops up. I got the idea after watching a similar segment on The Daily Show.

I talk funny? I hate bordering states?

Hm, how about where I've resided for over a decade.

Ooh, this is addictive. I kept going.

I started to type Oregonians, but I got distracted by the immediate output.

The game proved difficult when I couldn't figure out how to describe people from certain states. For example, what would you call someone from Ohio? What about Delaware? Illinois? Connecticut?

Why does the internet have so many questions, but not always all of the answers?

Google that.

Spring Warm Fuzzies

What do you know, as soon as I declaim that spring has arrived and let's all devour free macarons, we have another snow storm warning for next week and macarons now cost money again.

Gotta be honest: it really has been a rough, drawn-out winter. There was no reprieve. And this coming from someone who actually enjoys the seasonal snow and cold.

In college, I had a roommate from Portland, Oregon (she was on a constant quest to correct East Coasters of the proper state pronunciation: Ore-gen, not Or-eh-gone). One morning, I found her staring out the dorm window wistfully, wrapped in a homemade quilt. It was a misty, cool, and grey morning. Quite depressing, really. She turned to me, eyes wide and sparkling and happily sighed, 

"Oh Lu, it feels like home!"

That same feeling overcame me when the temps dropped way, way, way low this winter. There is never a bluer sky than on a frigidly cold day. I love it. It brings me back to my Eagan days, driving along Cliff Road in January wearing sunglasses because the florescent white snowbanks reflected the sun so powerfully.

An NYC cold one

Also, heavy snow fall. Fluffy, pure, powder that makes everything look like a Christmas card, Trapp Farm Park becomes ideal for tubing, and kids rush out to the nearest cul-de-sac to begin construction on an epic snow fort.

That being said, this is the heart of NYC, not the heartland of Minnesota, and that feeling of "home" was quickly replaced by my understanding of what cold and snow mean to this city:

Winter Wonderland? Guess the trash isn't being collected.

Here in New York, you have wind tunnels that make you believe your life is in danger for the one block you must cross to safety. Once the snow melts, horrors are revealed below. Nightmare inducing horrors. Oh, and curb slush puddles. They are always, always, deeper than you could possibly imagine. I watched a women sink down to mid-calf in this doozy.

Basically, 4 months of the experience doesn't give you the warm fuzzies.

So when you beg for spring but the realization hits that there may still be bundling up weather ahead (hey, it SNOWED during my May graduation ceremony), you might as well look cute. These knits easily transition from chilly to brisk, but also lure you out of hibernation mode.

Hoping there isn't a bad word hidden amongst these letters (I love anything letter-themed)

White/Letter Knit Sweater - H&M

Loving the unusual sleeve length and the v-back:

BR Monogram V-Back Pullover - Banana Republic

In hopes that everything is coming up roses:

Pins and Needles Roses Sweater - Urban Outfitters

Come sail away:

Collection Featherweight Cashmere Sailboat Sweater - J.Crew

A stripe of color cutting through the gray:

Shae Diagonal Stripe Long Sleeved Sweater - ASOS

If you truly wear your heart on your sleeve:

We're Young at Heart Sweater - ModCloth

Southwestern flair:

Southwestern Style Sweater - Forever 21

It's all good:

C'est Bon Pullover - Madewell

What will you miss about winter? How do you transition to spring?

Happy Spring!

It's here. SPRING! It happened.

Well, kind of. On the calendar.

Anyway, Happy New Season, everyone!

Did you know today was also Macaron Day in NYC? I had no knowledge of such an event until my friend Casey (of Dazzle & Delight) posted on Facebook. What a treat. As New Yorkers, we have to put up with smashing our body parts up against strangers during our commute, constant urine aroma on the sidewalk, wind tunnels that make a Minnesotan complain, and inflated prices on just about everything. Every day.

So when there is a certain Thursday where you can just pop into a bakery and someone hands you a free, colorful, and delectable dessert, one must rejoice (and partake).

Also, did you know that there is a part of Manhattan where within 6 blocks there are 3 different macaron establishments participating in the giveaway? I mean, not that I know firsthand...

God I Hope I Get It

I've taken a break from the casting world for a bit, but my email hasn't. Here are some gems that I've received over the past few months. 

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
BEE KEEPERS	Principal	Male or Female / 5 to 99 / All Ethnicities	Casting for Bee Keepers - Nation Wide Legendary Wilshire Studios is casting for their next big hit. We are looking for some great characters in the Bee Keeper world. This new unprecedented series will follow and document the life of a Bee Keeper. Are you a Bee Keeper with an amazing story to tell? Do you know a Bee Keeper that is a big character? Are you a in a family of Bee Keepers that America needs to see? If so, we want to hear from you and possibly have you star in your own show. Please include a brief bio on why you think you’re perfect for this experience:

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
WITCH (ANY LEVEL)	Principal	Female / 18 to 30 / All Ethnicities	THE WITCHES OF SALEM Award winning production studio is casting a new and unprecedented docu-series about the lives of Salem Witches. Are you between the ages of 18 to 30? Do you practice Witchcraft, Voodoo, Hoodoo, Santeria or do you have the ability to contact the other side? Are you and your friends members of a coven? Do you have an interesting life outside of Witchcraft too? Do you have a story to tell and want to share your side with the world? Please include a note on why you fit. No note = No submission

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
Real Women/Talk Show Guest	Principal	Female / 25 to 55 / All Ethnicities	Do you constantly wear mascara? Do you put on more than enough and you think it looks great? If so, we’d love to have you on our show! The Dr. Oz Show is looking for women that wear a lot of mascara! Do you wear it all day, every day? Message us now with your story!

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
Daredevil Brainiac	Principal	Male or Female / 20 to 40 / All Ethnicities	CASTING Daredevil Brainiacs for a fun TV show! Do you love science experiments? Do you have a PhD or working towards one? Do you put scientific principles to the test by using yourself as a guinea pig? Are you willing to do anything in the name of science? We are looking for an eccentric, qualified scientist to be on this wacky and fun television series.

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
Psychic Hairstylist	Principal	Male or Female / 18 to 99 / All Ethnicities	SEEKING PSYCHIC HAIRSTYLISTS FOR EXCITING NEW TV PROJECT Are you a psychic with sensational hairstyling skills? Do you use your gifts to help people feel beautiful inside and out? If you have extra sensory and hair talents that you are eager to share with the world, then we want to hear from you! *** An acclaimed television production company is searching for mediums, clairvoyants, and other highly sought-after psychic professionals who are also fierce hairstylists. We are especially seeking individuals with dynamic personalities and genuine stories to share for this new unscripted series now in development. To be considered, or to nominate someone, please write to us at with the following information [**if you are nominating someone else, please be sure to include their contact info, as well**]: • Your full name & any nicknames • Your city, state & country of residence • Brief cover note discussing your psychic & hair styling history • A few current photographs of yourself • The best phone number(s) at which to reach you Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
Looking for women who use corset training or the corset diet.	Guest-Star	Female / 20 to 50 / All Ethnicities	Looking for women who have used a corset to lose weight or make their stomach thinner. If so please send me your information to be on the number 1 doctor show in NYC.

Role Role Type Gender/Age/Ethnicities Description/Note Transgender Woman Lead Male or Female / 18 to 60 / All Ethnicities A Transgender woman with some rapping ability

Role	Role Type	Gender/Age/Ethnicities	Description/Note
Do you have a weird addiction to lotions, gummy vitamins, lip gloss, etc?	Principal	Female / 25 to 45 / All Ethnicities	We are seeking women with big, fun, over the top personalities for our Nuts or Normal segment! Do you have a weird addiction to lotions, gummy vitamins, lip gloss, etc? If so we want to hear from you! Must be available Wednesday, November 6 in the afternoon!

"I Want the Gold"

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is my favorite leprechaun YouTube clip of all time:

The amateur sketch is the best.

Cookie Shots

How were these not in my life already?

Taste Test: Dominique Ansel’s Cookie Shots

OK, so someone (not it!) needs to figure out how to make these babies at home. I can't think of a more important task at hand.

Then again, if I am able to replicate the shots in my own kitchen, I may need to use this:

The Kitchen Safe

Forward and Light

Do you know what is so special about this picture?

It was taken at 6:30pm...

...and there is light! Sweet, in your face, all-encompassing light.

Spring is almost here, folks, whether you can figure out how to re-set your microwave clock forward or not. 

It's funny how the difference in light can really change your disposition, both physically and mentally. It's like I got a shot of hope and get-go in my arm.

It feels like there are good things to come.

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” -C.S. Lewis

So buh-bye, winter!

(no offense)