Thursday, April 21, 2011

Charities and Opera Houses

Is it considered a shameless plug if it's for charity?  I think not.

I am extremely excited about this: in2books


in2books is an incredible volunteer literacy program I signed up for (thanks for the amaze balls suggestion, Cara!), that connects adult volunteers with 3rd-5th grade students from under resourced communities via ePals, an internet pen pal program.  In a nutshell: You read 5 books selected by the students over the course of a school year, and write a letter (an email, in our super advanced society) about said book to your student pen pal, discussing the themes and important issues in the story they have selected.  It's a super easy way to help out and make a difference in a child's life - a child who may not have had the opportunity to read as many books, or be able to talk about what they're reading.  Each book is chosen from a different category (Realistic Fiction, Social Science, Biography, Folktales, and Science), and each title is chosen by the students themselves.  How great does this sound?  Great, right?  It's great.

In other news: I went to the Stephen Schwartz tribute concert tonight at the New York City Opera, aptly named "Defying Gravity".  It was also, in fact, amaze balls (overused in tonights entry, yes).  While I was already in love with the adorable Kritsin Chenoweth (especially after working with her at the Drama Desk Awards - another story for another time) and her impeccable comedic timing and spontaneity, and while I was also already obsessed with Raul Esparza's wet-my-pants-amazing voice, I now have new found admiration for Victor Garber, Ann Hampton Callaway (who, for the record, wrote and sang the theme song for The Nanny, what?!), Lauren Flanigan, and Todd Wilander.  OH, and Stephen Schwartz, who finished up the night playing and singing "For Good" with the fabulous Ms. Chenoweth, who cried her eyes out as the song progressed.  And was I not completely floored by Esparza and Garber's Godspell medley (shout out, Godspell cast - it was incredible and made me miss you), and Esparza singing Defying Gravity himself?  I believe I was.  Holy Bazooka Joe, Batman.  The best $12.00 I have ever spent (aside from the $1.75 Happy Meal toy I purchased at McDonald's today, don't judge me).

Friday, April 15, 2011

"The Latest Silly Man Trends"

Nope.  Absolutely not.  I am not on board with the latest fashion "trend" pouring out into the streets of Manhattan.  I put trend in quotations for the following reasons: 1. It's thoroughly disturbing, 2. I refuse to acknowledge it as being such, and 3. If you are my friend, and I see you partaking in this eyesore?  We will not be friends any longer.  I'd say this is the epitome of an instant deal breaker.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: Meggings (not to be confused with Jeggings or, my personal favorite, Pajama Jeans).

Don't get me wrong - I am all for equality and freedom of expression and professing your inner fashion diva, but this?  I just got used to skinny jeans.  Regardless of your feelings on the matter, I feel as though we can agree on these guidelines:


1. The outline of the male member should be obscured while wearing meggings (ladies - same for you and your camel toe.  I mean, let's get real.  No one wants to see that).

2. The wearer of said meggings should not be seen also wearing tacky sweaters.  Not okay.

3. You should try your hardest not to look like a medieval cartoon while wearing said meggings.

I don't even think body size is an arguable issue - even overweight men can have killer legs, so it's a moot point.  Regardless, this doesn't settle (what should now be) the age old question: Is it ever acceptable to wear meggings, even if you look good in them?  Sorry men, most would say no.  As much as we women enjoy your thicket of sex, I don't think anyone wants to see it wrapped in spandex.

New York Fashion's article describes it magnificently and with dead on accuracy:


Stylesight has been noticing a lot of men in leggings lately, and kindly e-mailed us the above snapshots. Apparently meggings have been pouring into the streets of New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo since last year. Men wear them year-round as a fun way to practice layering, mix up everyday proportions, and stay warm. It was only a matter of time before men discovered what Lindsay Lohan discovered about leggings long ago — that they are awesome, extremely versatile, and even more fabulous in leopard print. Well, it's probably too soon to confirm that last part, but men will inevitably branch into new colors and patterns. All kinds of meggings have been popular on the men's runways for seasons. Because whatever women fall in love with, men will inevitably fall in love with some years later, like manpris, mirdles, or short shorts, to name a few. And of course increasingly tight pants are sweeping through the male community faster than you can say, "Can Zac Efron even sit down in those?" Meggings offer the stretch he needs. 


Men, take note - if you must partake in this hideous fashion faux pas, wear your meggings to your hearts desire.  I beg you, just keep it locked up under the bed with your teddy bear and porn.  Maybe not even there.