The Skinny

Hey, that could be a photo of me up above, (but it's not, and she's plus size).


Remember about 4 or 5 years ago when "skinny" jeans first reared their ugly head? Most of us cringed, but then a brave or foolish few tried the trend. I remember seeing these stuffed looking women and feeling a bit sorry for them, like they were fashion victims, and why would they want to do that to their bodies? Myself, I bought one pair. They fit great but I never wore them in public. Fortunately, the trend seemed to fade. I packed up my one pair, and most of us returned to bootcut/full leg bliss and pretended it never happened; we never really considered wearing tapered, unflattering pants out in public.

But the fashion forward have pressed on. And now? Skinny jeans are everywhere. They are officially in style, widespread. At high schools everywhere, everyone is wearing them-regardless of their body type. The slender and plump alike wear jeans that are suctioned around their calves and ankles. What's more, I'm starting to like the way they look. I'm willing to over look their flaws. (Such as emphasizing thighs and hips or playing up the "tomato on stilts" look.) When I see bootcut jeans now I think they don't look as stylish and the bottom of the pants look excessive. (And don't even think about wearing flares.) One more way to know they're really over with? Think of all the frumpy, "I'm a mom" women you know.... even most of them have replaced their mom jeans with a dark wash bootcut. That's the last nail in your coffin bootcut.

I can hear you all protesting, a little sob in your voice, no, no it can't be. Skinny jeans are just so unflattering. Everyone will see my thick calves. Relax, we'll all get use to it. And in another 12 to 15 years flared jeans will start showing up again and we'll think they're ugly, but because we're older and wiser now, we'll smile and enjoy the ride.

In a related note, I was asked this:
Dear Alisha, What's the difference between "skinny" jeans and tight jeans?

Uncomfortable

I'm pretty sure my husband asked that question. But my answer is tight jeans are tight around the waist and skinny jeans aren't. Besides that, it's a matter of taste and judgement.

Oh, what finally won me over to skinny jeans was the shoes. There are so many (strange) styles this year that only look good with a narrow leg. I like the way jeans look tucked into tall boots and I think they might even be flattering if done right. I'll do a much-needed boot post another day.
See these ridiculous shoes? They just wouldn't look right with a fuller leg.
To build confidence in us all, the featured photos besides my own feet are plus sized models wearing skinny jeans.

Classy, huh? Just when you thought I was being sweet.

Polly Party

New Years 2001, getting crazy mormon style

I think this next question is very important:

Dear Alisha

I want to throw a Holiday party of about 4 couples. However, our network of friends is quite extensive and intertwined. How do I go about inviting just a few with out damaging friendships? Should I just invite everyone and have a sloppy party that everyone can come to? My heart is set on a small and intimate but is that even possible?
HELP!

Polly Party

Dear Polly-Go-Lightly.

I can tell I already like you, you like to throw parties. With out a doubt I have this to say: THROW THE SMALLER PARTY! Why?
~Your friends are mostly likely grown up, understanding adults. If they aren't it's time for them to learn.
~These same friends probably do things with out you from time to time.
~ One should not throw a (large) party out of guilt! (unless it's for me)

Now here's where I get preachy. Large parties have their place, each year I attend a large Christmas party that I look forward to all year, but small parties have many exclusive benefits (like a credit card?). Here's what I mean, with a smaller party you can put more detail into the party, as hostess there isn't as much crowd management but more time for you to sit down with guests, and you can serve dinner (there is dinner, isn't there?). Also when one is invited to a smaller, more intimate party, one feels specially chosen and more likely to reciprocate.

If you are concerned, you might want to drop the hint to you specially chosen guests by saying something like "join us for an intimate evening" (and try not to make it sound suggestive) or maybe mention that it will be a small party when handing the invite. If I was invited to a dinner party (please!) I would know not to go blabbing to everyone we knew about it because dinner implies not a large crowd. Are we clear? I think I know who you are Polly Party, and if I find you throwing a large party, I'll tell on you.

For inspiration I included a few party photos. I've thrown a lot of smaller parties but it's hard when you're the one hosting to make time to take photos. So next time you're invited to a party I throw, take my picture!

My question to you is What size Party is your favorite??


Don't be mistaken by the calm faces, my Grandparents, Great Aunts, and parents know how to party it up!


Me at an Easter themed dinner party. (really I just think my hair looks good)

Think Inside the Box

I've had a couple of questions along these lines:

Dear Alisha
Similar to your post from "Trying to be Jolly", we also give gifts to friends and neighbors. These gifts are usually baked goods--but GOOD baked goods (okay, maybe not as good as yours, but still....). Anyway, I need help in the packaging department. How can I best package these baked goods beautifully...and affordably too??

Pinching Pennies

or
Dear Alisha
Where do you get your darling baking/confection wrapping and presentation items from?

Mine looks like 2nd grade crafts

So to answer, I buy most of my packaging at The Decorette Shop in Tigard. Located in a run down strip mall, it's a treasure trove of baking supplies inside. First some philosophy: I like the food/treats to be the star, so I keep things simple. I don't want it to look like a craft project, but some simple ornamentation can enhance the appearance of the goodie. (Funny, I don't mind the word goodie, while I sicken at the word "yummy"). Nor do I want any part of the gift to look to "handled".

I most often buy plain box in white, pink, or natural cardboard. These are only $.65. The nice part about a plain box is the reveal. The receiver opens and gasps, "...for me"?

Then there are window boxes, they are a little harder to find but at the Decorette Shop they are $1.05, cheaper than most other places. At Micheals they are sold in the candy making section. The window tantalizes the receiver with what awaits. See lemon and amaretto bars peeking out?

On a sad note: if you look at the above photo, the cranberry cashew bars on the right are sitting in white SQUARE baking cups. Their simpleness made them perfect for almost everything and I bought and used them in bulk. Here's the sad part-they are no longer being made. Trust me, I've checked. A fill in is the square, fancy low cups on the right. They're not as versitile and cost more.


These are my go-to bags for cookies, they cost $.45. Note the spectacular cookies threw the peek-a-boo window.

Then finally, this is probably your cheapest option: the clear plastic bag. It can be used in a variety ways. Here I cut an attractive piece of paper to show off a giant sugar cookie (man, that cookie was goooood), tied with a nice ribbon. A bag of bags runs around $2, so they're cheap.

Here's a little one with a single cookie, folded over with cute paper and stapled:

And here it is housing caramel apples:

Just remember, the food inside has to be good. Please, no corn syrup covered cereal or stale cookies. (I'll still eat them on a rough day.) And don't skip me this season because of this post!! Does anyone else have any easy ideas?

My Day in the Sun

Dear Alisha,

Are you trying to copy Janalee and have a funny/insightful/pioneer-y blog like hers?

Signed,

Doubtful

Dear Doubtful, Okay it was me that asked that question!!

No, I could never compete with Jana. I don't think writing is a strength of mine, I'm much better in person. But millions of other people have boring blogs so why not me too?! (For the record, I had the ask-a-question-box first but was doing nothing with it and Jana asked if she could put one on her blog, like I owned the idea.) That said, I have a different, less patient more showy personality and it's... My Day in the stupid Sun.

Let's try another question WARNING: this one is really boring.

Dear Alisha,

To mitigate concerns regarding the confidentiality and integrity of the data communicated over our wireless local area network, is it really cost effective for a small business to implement full IEEE 802.1x mutual authentication or should we adopt 802.11i and focus on strong encryption algorithms, such as temporary key integrity protocol (TKIP) and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)?

Thanks

Glen in Coolidge

Dear Glen

If you are that concerned, maybe you should use a wired network.

Trying to be Jolly

Let's take a question, shall we?

Dear Alisha,

Christmas is around the corner. Our family likes taking small gifts to

our close friends and neighbors. I know homemade edibles are the typical

gift, but don't we already get plenty of sweets around the holidays? Plus I

hate baking. Do you have any non-food gift suggestions - things I can make

in bulk at a reasonable price?

Signed, Trying to be Jolly

Dear Jollies,

I'm so glad you asked!! I love that you're looking for a small gift other than mediocre baked goods. As much as I love them, I'm always sweeted out each Christmas to the point that I swear I'll never eat another cookies again. Right about that time the doorbell rings and a dear friend drops off a tub of corn syrup and candy covered breakfast cereal and we start all over again.

That said, don't be angry, but my first few suggestions are still edible:

~Fresh salsa-with or with out chips. Someone please do this!!! When I'm sweeted out from my own baking, I'd love to have something fresh, involving vegetables, that won't require dirting up my already in use food processor.

~Something pickled or canned. Sure you're cooler if you pickled the asparagus yourself, but you could buy it (or olives, pickles, etc.) put your own label on it, and the receiver would enjoy a non-sweet delicacy at their convenience.

~Simmer Sauce. Don't turn away! Aren't we all looking for different ways to get excited about chicken? Once again, you make it yourself or try a few from a store like TJ's and then pick your favorite and make your own labels.

~(non-edible) Christmas Ornaments. Duh.

~(non-edible) Faux cookie Christmas Ornaments. Like these

They're felt and you could deliver them on plates or single packaged like a cookie. It's the packing that would really sell it.

~(non-edible) Christmas CD. I've had friends deliver a favorite holiday song. Very thoughtful, I really meant to listen to it.

Finally, let's hope our comment room has some ideas. Come on! I'm not crafty! You should have asked this question to someone like Rachel D.!

Hair at Night

Don't be scared! It's not as bad as you think. A few nights ago I was trying to sleep but kept coughing and went into the bathroom to find Justin hacking away at his hair with texturizing sheers. Amused and alarmed I warned "cutting your own hair (hap-hazzerldly) will not turn out good"! He said "you're not even going to be able to tell". Hair covered the counters and floor like freshly fallen snow. This picture just shows the bulk deposited from scissors. The next day I checked-out his hair, and yes, it still looked overgrown and thick. Had I not happened on the scene, I never would have known. He would have cleaned up 90% of the hair and I would have been left to wonder.

Oh, and this is the first of what's sure to be many posts on hair.

Odd Things At Target

Seriously. I can't wait to play with these after the kids go to bed. Justin will be Edward and naturally I'll be the Barbie that looks just like me!! I feel like I can really relate to her...

Only the lonely.