Mad Men Yourself

If I were in Mad Men...

Have a bit of fun: madmenyourself.com 

XOLily

Malawi's New President

Malawi, a small country in southeastern Sub Saharan Africa, has been a multi-party democratic government country since 1994.

Since then it has had three presidents. Their current president, Joyce Banda, was elected April 7th after former president Bingu wa Mutharika died of a heart attack.

"Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda" is her formal title.

Bingu wa Mutharika was seen by some as dissmisive of human rights, and toward the end of his life there was great unrest in Malawi over high cost of living, poor governance and many other issues.

Protests had become common over the last year and living in this poverty stricken area was just getting harder.

Protests in the streets of Malawi.
Photo from nyasatimes.com

Now Malawi has a new president, and the question on everyone's mind is: will things start to look up?

Banda wasted no time in firing the police cheif of Malawi, who had been responsible for unnecessary arrests and instilling fear in the peoples of Malawi.



"The human rights climate will definitely improve. There's a great atmosphere of being free in our country. People can speak their minds and that's what we were looking forward to," said Malawian human rights lawyer, Wapona Kita. 

 Banda promotes women's right, education and business.
Photo by Stephane de Sakutin.

Banda is the first female head of state in Southern Africa and only the second on the continent in modern times. 


Banda studied at Cambridge and Colombus University. She got into politics in 1999 and was elected vice president of Malawi in 2009.


She has been greatly involved in humanitarian work and founded The Hunger Project in Malawi in 1998.


She has five children and is married to Richard Banda, retired Chief Justice of the Republic of Malawi. 


Joyce Banda is an inspiration for women and for other small countries. Though it's still to early to tell whether or not she will bring some peace to Malawi, she will hopefully do her best to promote human rights. 


What do you think about this new president? 


XOLily


PS: Read more about Joyce Banda.

Five Things

1. Pink Martini live with the Seattle Symphony.

2. Coral dress by Diane von Furstenburg, found at Nordstrom.

3. Watching Mad Men and wishing I had their clothes.

4. Poppy by Coach. (The perfect summer fragrance)

5. Going to see the tulip fields, a sure sign of spring.

XOLily

Haiku Wednesday: Facebook Etiquette

I have decided
to give facebook etiquette
in the haiku form.

     1. Always remember
         facebook is not as private
         as you think it is.
   
     2. Do not be afraid
         to unfriend or hide someone.
         They might never know.
   
     3. Opinions are fine,
         but arguments cross the line.
         Keep it to yourself.

     4. Be appropriate
         and careful about your posts.
         Everyone sees it.

     5. And do not forget,
         facebook can't replace real life.
         Go get some fresh air.
       
       
XOLily

My Day at the Trend Show...

My adventures at the spring
Nordstrom Cosmetic Trend Show.

At 7:15 this morning I stepped off the bus on the corner of 5th and Pine, right across from the Seattle Nordstrom.

The streets were relatively empty, and as I walked to the east entrance of the store I pretended I was on my way to a secret and highly elite meeting.

I approached the clear glass doors, and a Nordstrom employee stuck his head out asking,

"Are you here for the Cosmetic Trend Show?"

I nodded and he ushered me in with a smile.

I was greeted immediately by well dressed and smiling employees who handed me my goody-bag and instructed me to go to the third floor.

 I grabbed a complimentary coffee and muffin and took my seat in the front row (it pays to be early), noting the beautiful coral background of the runway.

Once it started, the show went by fast. It was a "Beauty Getaway" that highlighted glowing skin, sun-dressed eyes and splash-glam lips.

Nordstrom spring fashion trends. 

Spring
Coral
Bright
Fresh
White
Gold
Flowy
Sparkling

Were just a few words I jotted down on my program during the show.

My favorite dress from the show.
By Willow and Clay.

Some bold color-blocking.

After the show, we all went down to the first floor where the cosmetics counters were ready and waiting for us.

Chaos ensued.

If you ever walk into Nordstrom one day and it looks like this, you
 have just walked into a trend show. Leave immediately.

Most ladies set up an appointment to get their makeup done, but I didn't want to be tied down with a time (especially since I never carry a watch or any other time-keeping device.)

I walked around and collected all the free handouts, occasionally trying things and watching a couple demonstrations.

While doing this, I secured a couple tricks to succeeding at a trend show:

1. Say yes to everything.

(At the Philosophy counter a man in a pink shirt asked me, "Would you like me to test the hydration of your face?" while holding an instrument that looked scarily similar to a pregnancy testing device.
So, I smiled and said, "Why not?")

2. Don't be in a hurry. Take the time to listen and learn. That's what you're there for, right?

3. Everyone working there is trying to sell you something. They will make their product sound faaabulous, dahling.

Eyes done at the Bobbi Brown counter.

Nails shellaced with CND nailpolish.
(Supposed to last for two weeks!)

In the bathroom on the 5th floor.

I got my nails done in the Nordstrom spa, which is on their special fifth floor. (You have to take the elevator up because the escalator only goes to the 4th floor)

I spent at least ten minutes in a super luxurious bathroom, where I proceeded to sample all of the complimentary hair and perfume products they had on the counter.

The view coming down on the escalator.

And so, after spending more than a couple hours on the cosmetics floor of Nordstrom I emerged, blinking in the sunlight, on Pine Street.

I smelled like a combination of about ten perfumes, I had coral nails and coral lipstick (Noticed the coral trend yet?), sparkling eyes, a glowing face and shiny hair. (I also had a goody bag full of freebies!)

Taking a deep breath of not-very-fresh city air, I headed in the direction of Tiffany's.

Because there is nothing better than the calm and relaxing atmosphere of Tiffany's after a long morning at the Nordstrom Cosmetic Trend show.

XOLily

All of my freebies:)

Michelle Vs. Ann

Lately the presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have been focused on one thing: women.

Many people think that the deciding factor for the 2012 presidential election will be women's votes.

 Right now the women are in favor of Obama. According to a recent poll, 51 percent of women voters support Obama, compared to the 37 percent that are for Romney.

It seems fitting that with a major focus on the women of America, we should pick out two in particular to study: the candidate's wives.

We'll begin with Michelle.

The blog Mrs.O is dedicated to Michelle's many fashion styles.

• It has been said that Mrs. O has become the new Jackie O, however, Michelle's personal style is much more unique than Mrs. Kennedy's. 
• Michelle wears many different designers, never getting stuck in the same look for too long.
• Mrs. O has worked a lot with trying to get rid of obesity in America. 
• Michelle works out for at least an hour every day. (It pays off, too! Just look at those arms.)
• Michelle's two daughters Sasha and Malia are following her footsteps in having a fabulous fashion sense.



Michelle has no problems color-blocking.





Classy black and white dress
with bold red heels.

All together, Michelle Obama is a very good example of a modern woman. 

And now on to Ann.

• Stylewise, there's not much to say about Ann. She always looks classy, but she doesn't have the boldness of Michelle when it comes to being a fashion-icon. 
• Ann Romney has suffered with multiple sclerosis for the past 14 years and has dealt wonderfully with the disease. 
• Ann is an inspiration to everyone for accommodating to a life-altering disease.
• She has five boys and has worked as a full time mom, which makes it easy for her to identify with the modern woman (but only if the modern woman has a millionare husband like Ann does.)
• She also has two cadillacs, one for each house.  

Always very business-like, Ann
often wears classy suits.

Ann is the perfect example of a stay at home mom.

If Mitt wins, Ann may have to step it up, stylewise.

Michelle and Ann are two very different, very modern women. 

Who do you think is a better fit for the position of first lady?

XOLily

PS: Tomorrow's post will be all about the spring Nordstrom's cosmetic trend show, which I will be attending tomorrow morning. (SO excited!)

Five Things

 1. After school shopping trips.

2. Lavendar manicure with a sparkly ring.

3. Ralph Lauren's new Big Pony for Women fragrances. 

(They smell good and look cute!)

4. Grapefruit, my recent favorit fruit.

5. Twitter convos with my friends. 

(And also the fact that I learned how to take screen shots!)

XOLily

Haiku Wednesday

Already Wednesday?
The weeks are going quickly.
Is that good or bad?

Warm, calloused fingers.
Melody left in my head.
Practising cello.

A soft voice whispers
in the corner of my brain,
"One year 'till freedom."

XOLily

Five Things

1. Easter Cupcakes! 

2. Being able to study outdoors.

3. Healthy lunches.

4. New running shoes.

5. Beautiful blooming tulips.

XOLily

Haiku Wednesday

School is so tiresome,
but it's so necessary.
To learn is to live.

These warm sunny days
give me a taste of summer.
I just cannot wait.

Running start problems.
All the cute guys are too old.
And I am so young.

XOLily

Goodbye Mr. Sweater Vest!

Santorum giving his goodbye speech (sweatervest-less).
Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Rick Santorum pulled out of the race for the republican presidential nomination today.

"We made a decision over the weekend that while this presidential race for us is over for me, and we will suspend our campaign effective today, we are not done fighting," Santorum said at a press conference in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.


With Santorum out of the race, there is no doubt that Romney will win the GOP nomination.
Santorum did not endorse Romney, but he made it clear that he wants Obama out of the oval office. 


Now that the race is pretty much between Romney and Obama, we can rest easy knowing that our future president will not be wearing a sweater vest. 


XOLily

Masterpiece Thatre's Latest Classic.

This April, Masterpiece Theatre released a new mini series version of the Dickens novel, Great Expectations.

It is a new and very different interpretation of the novel.

This adaptation of the story is perfect for someone who hasn't actually read the book (like me, although I did read the Wikipedia version).

The filming is artistic and sets the haunting mood of the story.

It also has a very modern feel, which keeps it interesting. Many period classics can drag on for ages and never go anywhere, but this adaptation keeps one glued to the T.V. screen, unable to miss a second of the story.

Though the adaptation did not follow the story completely (we can't have everything!), it was still very entertaining.

Booth is also a model for Burberry.
(Ya don't say?)

The main character, Pip, was played by masterpiece actor Douglas Booth. He made Pip very likeable, but that could just be because he is so attractive.

He did a good job at showing how confusing it might be for someone to become suddenly wealthy.

Anderson was previously in Masterpiece's
Bleakhouse as Lady Honoria Dedlock.

Miss Havisham was played by Gillian Anderson, who did an excellent interpretation of the crazed character.

Not only did she look incredibly creepy (and continued to get more creepy-looking throughout the story), but her actions and voice were also quite eerie.

Anderson gave Miss Havisham an ethereal presence and manic tendencies, and she fit the description of being a fragile butterfly pinned to a wall.

Miss Havisham puts on her wedding veil
before she burns to death.

Her harsh beauty fit the character perfectly.

At first I was unsure of how Vanessa Kirby was portraying the character Estella, but as the story went on I realized she was doing quite well.

She had the proper amount of coldness, but also showed her slight weakness for Pip.








The ending of the story, which is different in every film version, was well done.

It didn't give away too much, but left one with a feeling of hope that maybe Pip and Estella will get together after all.

Because who doesn't love a happy ending?

XOLily

Five Things

1. New orangey-red J.Crew dress

2. Eternal Optimist nail polish by Essie

3. "Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination" by Helen Fielding.

4. Old postcards. I got them a while ago, but am now
trying to decide how to use them as decor.

5. Cupcake Royale: "Legalize Frostitution."

XOLily