Just lay back down your pretty head

A reason to look forward to Super Bowl this Sunday? (Besides a chance to see the hunky Tom Brady in action wearing very tight pants...) The notoriously brilliant advertising during commercial breaks, of course! Check out this Pepsi commercial starring Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg and Tony Romo, which has hit YouTube this week and will air during the game.





I love Justin. I just can't help it! Word is that he did all of his own stunts for this too! Oh, and speaking of Tom Brady, bounce over to matthewgood.org and check out this hilarious entry posted by Roy El Saghir.

I could be akin to a shark

I doubt things all the time.
I wait too long.
I let things go.
I procrastinate.
I back away and make it hard on myself.
I let tears fall when they shouldn't.
But not for too much longer.
I'm working on it.

I don't know how to live with anxiety (or maybe I don't know how to live without anxiety)
and there's been a lot to be anxious about recently...
with money
with work
with relationships...


A while ago, a friend told me a story about sharks. I learned that they are missing the enzyme that produces anxiety. Today, he reminded me of that story and assured me that I could be akin to a shark, that I have the ability to let things go, to think in the moment, to exist in the NOW and to not worry about what scares me most.
That I can stop my worries, be less analytical about my care for people, and stop guessing how the future will unfold.

I guess I needed to be reminded of all this.

Photo: Da Sauce on Flickr

"Positivity combined with relentless motivation is a smart way to get the most out of life"

I realized today that I have never done a tribute post of any kind to one of my favourite women of all-time. This little lady is not only a bright ray of sunshine, she's also got a unique (although often criticized) style that's all her own. She's had more hair colours and styles over the years than we can count. She has re-invented herself and her look time and time again. Whether she's going for casual cool in vintage tees and Ugg boots, in bare feet with daisies in her hair or rocking high-octane glamour, Drew Barrymore's quirky style is always infused with that vibrant and fun-loving spark that has made her Hollywood's sweetheart. Casual, cool, sexy, glam and let's be honest, at times down right awful, Drew wears whatever she wants and I have a great respect for her because of it. My favourite thing about Drew is that she dares to be herself in an industry that seems to be trying so hard, every single day, to rip young girls' self esteem to shreds and turn them into carbon copies of someone else. She marches to the beat of her own drum and wears whatever she feels comfortable in. For somebody who has literally grown up in the business, Drew seems amazingly well adjusted, down to earth and just so...real. Her cute, warm and fuzzy films grace my collection of movies that I will watch over and over again. Her happy go lucky nature is infectious. Miss Barrymore's positive approach to life inspires me. I heart Drew. Here's a little look-see at Drew's ever changing style through the years.

“I’m such a workaholic and so on fire all the time, it bewilders the s--- out of me…If you’re interested in something, you have to act on it. When you get ideas, don’t just let them be fleeting thoughts that flow into the universe, so that later you look back and think, ‘God, I wish I had done something about that.’ Just go for it and never be afraid.”



**Photos are not property of Work In Progress. All images in this post have been taken from various websites and stockpiled in the archives over the years. If your photo has not been credited and you would like it to be, please e-mail me.**

I always thought I'd be a mom

Photo: The Sun

Happy celebrity news to share! People reports today that one of my favourite babes, the lovely Gwen Stefani is expecting her second child. Stefani and her husband Gavin Rossdale welcomed their first child, Kingston, on May 26, 2006.

In an August 2007 interview with InStyle, Stefani called Kingston “the best thing that has ever happened to me” and said she was eager for another addition to the family. “Obviously I’m in a race to have another, but I don’t want to do it while on tour,” Stefani said at the time. “I can’t wait to get pregnant again. It’s so fun and consuming and romantic.”

Photo: Faded Youth

Perhaps I have babies on the brain this week post Sunday baby shower...either way, the Rossdales are one of my favourite celebrity families and I couldn't be more excited for them!

I could be a great star, still I'm far from happy

Photo: iano50 on Flickr

I was awake for hours last night, unable to fall asleep, my mind racing. Today hasn't started out well. I woke up 16 minutes after I was supposed to be at the office because my power had gone out during the night and thus, disturbed my alarm. I jumped out of bed (the one morning that I didn't set my Blackberry alarm for back up!) and rushed around like a maniac. Miraculously, I made it to work quite quickly despite the blanket of snow covering the city this morning. Thankfully it was a mellow day to roll in a little later, as the snow had held up the majority of my co-workers and I had no meetings scheduled. Perhaps I needed that extra sleep and should just be grateful...(I did, and I am).

I stumbled upon an interview that Rufus Wainwright did, about the way he writes.

This answer was pretty.

Are there any particular emotions that are easy to write about?

Love, certainly. When you have a crush on someone,
when you're moved by someone's physical presence,
lyrics come like Mount St. Helens, songs come out of your ears!
The human personality is so gorgeous,
so above and beyond what any of us could create,
that you have to write in awe of it.


Rufus.
Sing me to sleep tonight,
I know you will....

Sundance Wrap Up

Photo: Who What Wear

Along with the weekend, the Sundance Film Festival has just drawn to a close in Park City, Utah. Almost as exciting as hearing what films are getting buzz, is watching who attends, what dramas unfold, and getting to see who is wearing what. I love the casualness of it all. I enjoy the offbeat looks that are often seen at this event as much as the quirky films that are released for the festival. Red carpet gowns are thrown aside in favour of scarves, cute jackets, boots and good denim. Beanies, hats and toques are worn a plenty, as are layered sweaters and shirts. The bottom line is, it is cold, so whatever it takes to keep warm while looking good is what works. Perhaps it's the departure of the Hollywood crowd's typical west coast style in Los Angeles for warmer and cozier looks that appeals to me. Plus, the warmer looks are the ones that I can relate to this time of year. No flip flops for me in January in Vancouver. It's all about the boots.

As far as particular films getting hype at this year's festival, Smart People sounds like a definite must-see. Starring three of my faves: Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Quaid and Ellen Page, this flick looks like a serious winner. Click over to see a preview at Buzz Sugar.

Another of my favourite things about Sundance is getting to see all of the adorable photos that come out of the traditional photobooth. Check out this post from Pop Sugar to view some of the fun shots that were taken this year.

This is just the beginning of a big season for film and awards. Academy Award nominations were released last week, find a complete list here. I have seen many of the films that are up, as always, it's my goal to see all of the major films that are nominated this year. Oh, how I love award season and red carpet events!

I never look forward to Sunday nights

Photo: ricmcarthur on Flickr

In tears, with a friend's arm neatly tucked in mine-telling me that it will be okay and these feelings will not last. I hope he's right.

These tears, they come one by one...I can feel each one fall separately down my cheeks. It's like an overpowering surge of a million feelings combining and falling from my eyes. The headache that won't go away. The stress that's pumping through my veins. The need for gravol to fall asleep.

And I don't know what to do about it...
about all these ideas...
about starting new,
about feeling far away.

I'm curled up so tight that the bones in my shoulders look like they're going to poke right out through my skin... Is this what this is supposed to feel like? Knots- that tightness- that ache where the butterflies live...

Beautiful blue

Today I hit the highway (despite the crazy, snowy conditions from Burnaby to Surrey) bound for Fort Langley. Jenna and the salon crew hosted a baby shower for my friend Beeuwke, who just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Stave Gordon on January 5th. With baby's first skate shoes in tow, I wouldn't have missed this celebration for the world.


Beeuwke has been among other things, my co-worker, hairdresser, boss and friend. In many ways, Beeuw was always like my cool, older sister. Through the years, she has given me advice, taken me on many downtown Sunday shopping sprees, cut, curled, styled, highlighted, coloured and extended my mane. She has been my confidant and concert buddy (I couldn't even venture a guess at how many times we've seen Bif Naked together!) She's the kind of person who will drop everything on New Year's eve, in the middle of the night, to come and pick up her friend Jenni, who is stranded downtown with no way home (yes, that's a true story). I was by her side when she got her first tattoo, she held my hand when I got my belly button pierced. She's been there through too many dramas and crises to remember and has proven that she's somebody I can count on time and time again. I watched her get married in June to a man who makes her happier than I've ever seen her.


Today, I had the pleasure of meeting her son Stave for the first time, who is such a little bundle of joy. I must say, motherhood looks damn good on her!
Those who know me, also know that I have a fear of holding newborns. Something about how tiny and vulnerable they are makes me incredibly nervous. I'm always terrified that I'll break them or that they'll just start screaming uncontrollably as soon as I touch them. After the first year, I'm happy to swoop in and babysit but until then, no can do. Somehow Beeuwke convinced me to hold her little man today (photographic evidence to come). He was such a little angel. I couldn't be happier that I got to have a little cuddle time...it wasn't even scary at all once he was in my arms! (He didn't cry either, just for the record!)


I want to wish Beeuwke and Brian congratulations and all the best in their adventures in parenting!

Anywhere I lay my head

Photo: People.com

I came across this report today, which excited me:

"Scarlett Johansson will release her debut album, "Anywhere I Lay My Head," on May 20. The 23-year-old Nanny Diaries star spent five weeks recording 10 covers of Tom Waits songs and one original track in Louisiana last spring. She has displayed her vocal talents previously, singing The Pretenders's "Brass in Pocket" in Lost In Translation and performing on stage with Jesus and Mary Chain last April at the Coachella Music Festival. Johansson collaborated on the album with producer David Sitek, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zimmer, and Celebration organist/guitarist Sean Atanaitis. "
Source

Being that I'm a serious fan of both Scarlett J. and Tom Waits, the idea of this upcoming release is very intruiging to me. In fact, before my tired head hit the satin pillowcase last night, I watched Lost In Translation for the millionth time. It's one of my favourite movies ever. Mission accomplished too, because I had sweet dreams of travel in Japan instead of anxiety ridden dreams about work. Nevermind the fact that I am at the office right this minute.

Tonight, I am taking a break from the grind and letting loose. Dinner with Kristina and then off to Danielle & Chad's engagement party on Granville Street.

Blast from the past

I will be the first to admit that my job has been consuming my life as of late. So much in fact, that for the last week, I have had dreams about it or the people I work with every single night. I'm not complaining (it's far too early in the game for that...) but I need everyone to understand that the hours I've been putting in leave little time for much else. I decided last night that I needed to delve back into some reading before bed time, to clear my head of thoughts about work and hopefully allow myself to sleep peacefully once again.

I picked up a book that I have read before, and loved...there are only a select few books that I will re-read over and over again. This is one of them.

My blog is not the only thing that I have been neglecting these days; but I have been feeling guilty about the lack of updates (and certainly appreciate the traffic flow despite my neglect.)

So due to the fact that I still don't have time to update with new content, and because my creative juices are too tired to flow freely right now, I am resurrecting the old review that I wrote back in 2005 about the book that I have picked up to read once again. The book is a winner. Here were my thoughts about it at the time:

Photo: Jamie Boud
After reading rave reviews of the book Envy The Rain by Jamie Boud, I clicked the link to "preview" it. Within seconds, I was drawn into the story. I was so taken by the main character. I wanted to keep reading but it was only a "preview." Then I was desperate to read the whole book right away. Immediately, I ordered it online and was tortured for days, waiting for it to arrive in the mail. When it finally came, I devoured it instantly. I read the entire book from beginning to end and literally could not put it down. It is a story full of real, raw human emotion, much of which I could relate to all too well. It's a story of heartbreak, about the struggle to open new doors and the pain of being forced to close old ones. The main character, Drew is captivating. I love him. I am so fascinated by deep and complex characters. Jamie's book is rich with an interesting and unique cast of characters. This story of lost love and lost innocence is so elegantly written. The emotions are so real that you feel like you're going through every moment with him. Thanks for the amazing read, Jamie!
Coming to the end of the book tonight, was bittersweet... I've enjoyed getting to know the characters so much that it is difficult to say goodbye.
Check out Jamie Boud's site The Known Universe and his book Envy The Rain--both are definite must-reads. Jamie Boud is one cool guy.

Sometimes I'm in the mood

Image credit

At the end of a long and busy week, I just wanted to relax and not think about any of the things that could potentially stress me out tonight. So Cindy B. and I hit up Kimono Japanese Restaurant for some quick eats before heading down the street to the Granville Cinema to catch a showing of I'm Not There.
Being that I'm a huge fan of Bob Dylan, I had been dying to see this movie.
I loved it. Cate Blanchett is a genius. The movie itself is a masterpiece of complexity.
Nothing I can say about this film will really be able to capture the true brilliance of it.
All that I will say is go and see it. Here is a little preview courtesy of YouTube :

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes

At a time when so many Hollywood babes are looking pretty Trailer Trasherella, I want to highlight one of my favourite ladies in the biz. On the plane yesterday, I flipped through a pile of gossip rags. I was struck by how lame so many celeb's personal style is these days. One woman stood out to me, who is easily a runner up on my "style idols" list. Kate Hudson is fresh, cute and wears just the right mix of seventies vintage and classic sophistication. She's a hippie with a heart of gold. She rocked the cover of this month's Vogue magazine. Kate inspired me to buy my first pair of Ugg boots six years ago. Over the years, she has continued to be someone whose style I admire. When asked if she has a stylist, Kate responded, "I have a really close girlfriend who helps me out. It's more like a partnership because I love clothes. I'm not interested in people telling me what to wear. I'll wear what I want, when I want." Whose style would she most like to emulate? "Kate Moss and I have one thing in common. I think we are both the kind of people who wear what's on the floor (laughs). We just hop out of bed, put on a bunch of stuff, leave the house and don't think about it. I guess that's considered boho."
Whether she’s on set in a t-shirt, jeans and Ugg boots, or walking up the red carpet in a designer dress, Kate always looks fantastic. There's something about the way she wears clothes that makes women's eyes snap open. Most women put their clothes on and look at themselves with varying degrees of doubt: Is this OK? Will this do? Hudson has no doubt, only desire, and it's feverishly catching.



Photos courtesy of Just Jared and Popsugar

Minus forty two is damn cold!

Photo courtesy of Vangruvie on Flickr

As a born and raised West Coast girl, I didn't even know what to pack for my first trip to the prairies. Ugg boots, DC snowboarding jacket, warm gloves, scarves and tuques. I managed in Saskatoon. I was cold, but I could handle it. We jumped in a cargo van and drove to Regina, where it got a little colder. Yesterday, we flew into Winnipeg. Walking to the restaurant for dinner at 9pm after we finally got settled in the hotel, I actually thought that I was going freeze to death. Mark and I were both near tears (which would have frozen on my face had I actually cried, I'm sure!) I wouldn't have been surprised if my nose and ears had fallen right off. I certainly had no idea what that kind of core chilling cold would be like until I felt it. Thankfully, we are staying in one of the nicest hotels in the city. I'm on the 29th floor and in a city this flat- you can actually see the entire city from up here. Looking out this morning, it's beautiful.

I'm not sure if I knew what to expect of life on the road. It's busy and exhausting and I feel a little disconnected from regular life. Despite having my laptop and blackberry, and though I am technically connected in so many ways, I kind of feel like we're on a whole other planet. E-mails and notes from friends are collecting in my inbox, which I have loved reading but have had no time to respond to. Almost any down time is spent doing paperwork or organizing for the next showing or entering an order. In fact, this is the first chance I've really had to sit down and write anything personal at all. In truth, the whole experience has been super fun despite the intensity. Meeting new people, visiting new places. It's all very exciting. Glamourous at times, and completely the opposite at others. It is HARD work. There's no doubt about that. I have cuts and bruises and probably some new muscles. Let me tell you, hauling bags (especially for the biggest season of the year) is no easy task, least of all at the end of a long day.

Today will likely be our longest and most strenuous day of the week. We're both entirely beat, but we know that a plane will be waiting to take us back to Vancouver tomorrow, back to our own beds, back to regular life. At least for a little while.

Mellow yellow

A mellow weekend is exactly what I needed. Only having two days at home before the next stretch of my road trip has been a good opportunity to catch up on my sleep and slow down the pace a bit. I spent as much time snuggled up in my bed as possible.


To start off the weekend, Cindy and I hit up The Alibi Room for a few cold ones and chilled out to the beats of my buddy Mark, who is the dj there on Friday nights.

A stop at Joe's Grill with my parents this morning and then home to pack, pack, pack.

And in a few hours, on to the next adventure...

All the kinks to iron out, all the people to meet, all the sleepless nights.

Oh, the fun I will have!

I'm LOVING it!

This has been, without a doubt, the busiest week of my life and yes, this is only the beginning. I just walked through the door of my apartment. It's after midnight. The first leg of my first road trip is officially in the books. I'm exhausted, my body hurts from hauling bags and being on my feet all day long, my voice is sore from talking so much, but I have a huge smile on my face because I'm loving it! I really, truly am. I spent this week on the island for my first set of showings. I feel very in my element. How nervous I felt last week seems silly now. But it's a testament to how much I want to do an incredible job. It's crazy and hectic and go, go, go...but I thrive on it. I love meeting the people. This all feels so right.



Plus, the hotel that we stayed at in Victoria was absolutely amazing. My suite was massive with an insane patio overlooking the water, the most comfortable king sized bed I've ever slept in and a marble bathroom with a giant soaker tub. It didn't matter that I'd been up since 6am and was showing until 11pm. You better believe that I made time for a bubble bath in that tub.

I'm too tired to elaborate further at the moment. I'm happy to get to sleep in my own bed tonight before taking off for the next phase of the selling season on Sunday. The prairies are up next! I'm quite sure that I've never been this stoked in my life. My future has begun.

Prayers for Bif Naked

Photo courtesy of Marcus Ewers on MySpace

I heard the news today that one of my favourite rockers, Bif Naked has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I am in the fight of my life and I'm lucky to have the support of my husband, Ian, and many friends and family members,'' she said.

Naked said she found a lump two weeks ago during a breast self-exam.

"I went into my doctor for a checkup and he immediately sent me for tests, including a mammogram, which indicated a high possibility of cancer. From there things have gone at what seems like light speed: biopsy, blood tests, cancer clinic. It's been two weeks from being completely healthy to cancer patient with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy scheduled.''

Some might say that her lifestyle isn't reflective of your typical rock star. She is a live food vegan -- basically eating only whole foods and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables -- who keeps a stringent work-out ethic that includes yoga.

In her interview, she made a point of warning other women that cancer is "non discriminatory.''

"Even those in great health can be subject to cancer as a diagnosis,'' she said.

"I urge all women at every age to self examine and go for scheduled mammograms. Early detection is the best tool in the fight against cancer.''

[source]

Bif Naked is one strong lady. She is most definitely a fighter. She even has the word “survivor” tattooed on her arm. Bif's confident lyrics and strong attitude have been inspiring me for as long as I can remember. Thoughts and prayers go out to Bif Naked, her family and friends. We love you, Bif!

Little Miss Open Heart

Photo courtesy of janoid on Flickr

Sometimes this thing just happens...
Ben Harper uses a description that I can relate to:

it's kind of like love and it's kind of like being tired and also kind of like when you first meet someone- your heart does this thing.... (it makes room.)

That's how I've been feeling.

Sometimes all it takes is letting your heart make a little room.

Last night I was at the video store looking for something mellow to watch and fall asleep to. I was beyond excited to discover that there is a movie version of my favourite book, The Hottest State by Ethan Hawke. I first read this book years ago, I think I was about 15. I have since read it over and over and over again. This poignant novel changed me somehow. It touched me. It also made me fall even more madly in love with Ethan Hawke. Yes, he has been my Hollywood dream man since Reality Bites and Before Sunrise. The thought of him still makes me weak in the knees.

Photo courtesy of Blog Decine

The film version of his book was actually adapted, and directed by Mr. Hawke himself. In all honesty, I was disappointed. I liked this story in my imagination much more. I always find that when you read a book, and see the movie- one is going to hit you harder than the other. It's inevitable. I always like the book better. And if you see the movie first, then your imagination isn't free to run wild while you're reading the book.
On a positive note for this film: it has a sweet soundtrack and I have a total crush on Mark Webber, who plays the lead role. He's in babe in all the right ways. For me, this story just didn't translate as well in film, even though Ethan wrote the screenplay.

Novel- highly recommended.
Film- take it or leave it.

I also recommend Ethan Hawke's second novel Ash Wednesday.

My heart is gold. What will you give me for it?