today’s debate // 9

11.30.12

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! Today’s debate is inspired by one of my favorite DIY pals, Kelly, who says that there’s a little debate going on in her house right now, too. It has to do with ye olde holiday tradition of putting up lights. Guys, when it comes to the lights on your house or tree, how do you like ‘em?

Oooooh, tricky and serious, right? (Slash totally frivolous, but that’s how I like it.) Anyway, what’s your position here? I grew up with multicolored lights on the house and white lights on the tree. So to this day, that’s how I like it. Wait, that’s not true at all. I actually love white lights on the exterior of houses, and I think it looks so classy and gorgeous. And if I were putting lights on a house this year, they’d be white. BUT! When I see colored lights on a house, it instantly makes me feel like I’m 8 again and I get very cozy. It’s kind of a down-home feeling.

So where are we here, people? Whites? Colors? A little bit of this and a little bit of that? Kelly is dying to know. xoxo

P.S. How do you like that fancy illustration I made? I’m super proud of my new Illustrator skills, and it’s all because of Alma at Nicole’s Classes! If you are jonesing to learn a new skill on the computer or your camera, take one of these classes. Just do it. It’s awesome.

Today’s Debate // 8

11.2.12

Now, you know I never get political here on the ol’ blog, but I felt it appropriate today to skim the surface just a bit! I hope all of you are exercising your voting rights this coming week — I sent my trusty absentee in a while ago and it felt good. But I have to say, I never, ever tell anyone who I vote for. I was pondering that the other day and I thought it would be a great debate! So….

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! When it comes to voting, do you share your opinions? Or do you keep it on the downlow?

Voters. We Like Ike.

Now, before we get too far into this debate, let’s be clear: I’m not asking you to tell me who you’re voting for. For heaven’s sake, I don’t want to know that! That’s like asking how much you weigh, and my dears, I’m far too smart for that business. I’m just curious — do you feel comfortable sharing the information with the people around you?

I find myself surrounded by bunches of highly opinionated people. People who, whichever side of the political debate they’re on, for some reason assume I’m on the same side. And truth be told, it’s a little uncomfortable. So whether I agree or disagree, I almost always keep entirely mum about my political opinions or voting choices, because I’m really not a fan of talking politics.

I do, however, have a certain level of respect for those folks who put their choices out there with no fear of judgement or controversy. I think there’s something kind of brave about that, and it certainly takes someone who’s ready to defend her beliefs. So where do you stand? On the downlow, or loud and proud? xoxo

today’s debate // 7

10.26.12

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! Today I want to know how you like to spend your Halloween.

Trick or Treaters. Girl.

For the last few years, we lived in NYC and so I would avoid going out on Halloween at all costs. There’s something about Halloween in the city that just makes people bonkers, so I’d usually plan something in with friends. But I think this year Mr. Lovely and I might actually figure out a costume situation and hit the town, to see what an LA Halloween is like.

So how do you like to spend your Halloween? Do you get all kinds of dressed up and hit the town? Do you stay home to field adorable little trick or treaters? Or maybe you have some little ones of your own who have some trick or treating to do. I’d love do know what you’ll be doing on Halloween! xoxo

today’s debate // 6

10.12.12

It’s Friday, and you know what that means…

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! It’s been a good week, so let’s get a little deep, y’all. Up for debate today: How do you deal when it comes to confrontation?

Hug. Kick.

Are you a peacemaker or a pot stirrer? Are you comfortable with confrontation? How do you roll when an uncomfortable situation comes your way?

I wish I could say otherwise, but I’m a peacemaker through and through. I literally feel a slight tinge of physical illness when I’m involved in a confrontation (which is almost never, because I avoid them like the plague). I placate and try to keep everyone around me happy so that confrontation just never arises. Do I think it’s healthy? Nope. But there it is.

I know girls on all parts of the spectrum, though. I’ve literally seen girls make up stories right in front of my face to get a rise out of someone or to make another person look bad. I mean, right in front of my face! Just to cause some intrigue or create bad blood. It boggles my mind! I also know a few gals who live in the sweet spot — they don’t seek out confrontation but are able to handle themselves like champs when confrontation finds them. I admire those girls. I always want to be one of those girls.

So which girl are you? Do you crave drama and love seeing it happen? Or do you try to squash confrontation? Peacemaker or pot stirrer, I’d love to hear your stories! xoxo

today’s debate // 5

10.5.12

Happy Friday, y’all! You know that Fridays are even more exciting to me now that we get to have our little chats every week about the day’s debate. And it’s even more apropos now that the Presidential Debates are going on, too. (Although we’re the ones tackling the really tough issues, like whether Red Vines or Twizzlers are better…)

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! With all of the technology available to us now, I’m wondering which you prefer:

Phone. Typewriter.

I have to admit it: I really dislike talking on the phone. It’s hard for me to have conversations where I can’t read facial expressions and body language, and I just don’t like it! There are obviously a few close friends and family members that I can chat easily with over the phone, but otherwise — I’m not a “catch-up-on-the-phone” type of gal. I love brief text conversations, but I guess if I had my choice I’d really just choose to have an in-person conversation. (Although another benefit of texting is that if someone gives you information like when and where to meet up, it’ll always be in your phone and you don’t have to write it down.)

Anyway! What about you? Are you a gal who loves a gab fest over the phone? Or do you have thumbs of steel and an emoji vocabulary that puts everyone else to shame? How to you like to communicate? Let’s debate! xoxo

today’s debate // 4

9.28.12

Hey hey hey, it’s my favorite Friday tradition! Thanks for all of your input on last week’s debate — it made me feel like not such a loser. Today, a topic near and dear to my heart, because it’s got to do with the DIY world.

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! When it comes to new stuff, how do you roll?

Seamstress. Shoppers.

You all know that I’m a total DIY fan, but I do have to say that there’s a point of diminishing returns on making everything yourself, especially if you’re doing it to save money. At some point, it’s just easier (and cheaper) to go out and buy a shirt, ya know? The other side of the whole thing, though, is that a large part of why I DIY is simply for the pleasure of it. I like to see a project come together. I like to have made things with my own two hands. It truly gives me a sense of accomplishment, and then things are not just things; they’re things that I created.

So where do you lie on the spectrum? Do you DIY at all? Or do you only DIY? I’m really interested to hear about this one! xoxo

today’s debate // 3

9.21.12

Y’all, this column is becoming one of my favorites of the week! I love talking to you all and hearing your opinions — it’s so, so cool to get to know you all better. Up today, a debate about which I have a pretty strong opinion.

Welcome to Today’s Debate, where we weigh in on the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between! Today we’re talking about what you like to do with your weekends, so give it to me straight!

Couch. Bar.

Let me drop a scenario on you. It’s Friday night. You’ve had an awesome work week, and now you have some fun stuff lined up for the weekend. Your friends are getting dolled up and heading out to the bar/restaurant/club to eat/drink/dance/look for boys/be crazy. Do you:

a) Get fancy, head out, and get your party on?

b) Make dinner, pour yourself a drink, and settle in on your comfy couch with TiVo?

You can bet, 100%, that you will always find me on the couch. And that would have been my answer before I was married as well, for that matter. I love being social, but I really love it when it’s on my terms, not in some loud bar where I can’t even hear my partners in crime. Invite me to the beach? Yes. To a show? For sure. Ice skating, hiking, cooking class, theme park? Yes and yes to all of them. But there’s just something about the bar/club scene that I can’t do. I just can’t do it.

So who of you are on the couch with me, and who of you are out being fabulous? I’m super curious about this one. (And by the way, yes, I know I am a grandma.) xoxo