Home Sweet Home

Who’s about to return to the world of paying rent, buying groceries, and doing her own dishes? That’s right, ladies and gentleman. I’ve found my new digs. Minus the paying rent part, I’m pumped!!!

  

The new place is in a fourplex, but I’m going to have to figure out something else to call it. “Hey, you should come over to my fourplex!” is just weird. Anyone who knows me knows how much I like to decorate, and a new place equals lots o' decorating. Especially this place. It doesn't have shiny new appliances or walk-in closets, or a remote access garage. But with a little paint and a lot of Clorox I think it’ll be even better than any of that stuff and feel much more like home!!

Pros:

• Location – Still in uptown but just enough off the beaten path to feel a little less like I’m in college and a little more like an adult.
• Rent – Better than my last place!
• Character – Think hardwood floors, cool archways, etc.
• Size – I thought my last place was a pretty decent size, but this is even bigger! 1,000 square feet for just little ol’ me!
• Neighbors – I haven’t met them yet but have heard about them and think they’ll 1) be fun and 2) watch out for me.
• A gut-feeling that it's just what I've been looking for. ;)

Cons:

• Driveway – It’s semi-steep, made of gravel, and bound to cause several flat tires. Oh, and my car bottoms out every time I drive out.
• Closet – All that’s in my bedroom is a coat closet. That’s it. There’s a bigger closet in the living room, though, so I think I can use that for my clothes. Or something…
• Kitchen – It’s ugly. That’s really all there is to it. I’d love to paint the cabinets white because they’re the most offensive part, but I’m trying to tread lightly with the landlord so he doesn’t get freaked out by me. End of day, nothing a little Anthropologie can’t help. =)
• Guest parking – It’s just on the street, and supposedly Zipperz – the gay bar just down the road – really draws a crowd on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Guess I’ll have to work my guest schedule around that.

I realize the con list looks longer than the pro list, but I’m blaming that on longer explanations. Overall, I’m super pumped and think it's going to be really awesome. I can’t wait to unleash the Doak-girl-decorating-crazy on it!

The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Every day I get the 4A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies) Smart Brief. Basically it's a daily update on what's happening in the ad industry. Today's Smart Brief had links to the top 18 TV spots of the year, as voted by The Cannes Film jury. The number one spot? Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like." I remember I first saw it during previews in a movie theater, and the entire theater was cracking up. Watch it. 

Here are a couple other good ones that made the list:

• Gatorade, "Replay"
• New Cinema Film Festival, "Crying"
• Puma, "Hardchorus"

Funny Girl

Last week I got a Daily Candy e-mail alert that Heather McDonald – a comedian who’s regularly on Chelsea Lately – would be performing at a comedy club in Dallas. I didn’t reeaaaallly know who she was, but I recognized her face from the show (which I love) and figured it might be fun. So on Saturday night, Lizzi, Sarai, and I went to see her and it was H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. Like, so awesome. I haven't been to a ton of other comedy shows, but a couple, and this was by far the best. There were two warm-up acts – both were pretty good – then Heather came out and was A-mazing. She did a bunch of impersonations, including: Drew Barrymore (my personal fave), her husband's Asian ex-wife (hilarious), and Celine Deon (creepy, but hilarious too). She'd also throw in random high-kick here and there – just out of nowhere. What?!?! Definitely well worth the $10. Check out her reel here.

Intern Season

'Tis the season for interns. Apparently we have a bunch of horny men at The Richards Group, because they get excited for "intern season" when lots of SMU girls parade around the office (and walk up the stairs) in their not-even-close-to-work-appropriate skirts.

Over the years there have been a few exceptions to my disdain for interns, but only a few. My overall complaint is this – they can't/don't/won't do what you ask them, you have to check all of their work then either re-explain what they need to do or (if you're smart) just do it yourself. Even I feel bad for the ones who get me as their mentor. ;) 

Last year I had an intern named Llama. She was not particularly helpful, but her name was pretty entertaining. Now I'm working with a girl who just left me a note that said, "I thought we have a meeting with you at 2pm." Sigh. I thought we not. 

Oh, Volvo

Two car-related topics:

1. I got my first flat tire on Monday night. Who saves the day? USAA, of course. At this point I'm pretty sure that if I say much more about USAA y'all are going to think I'm being paid, but they're great. Again. Still. Always and forever, I'm thinking. I called roadside assistance, they were there in 20 minutes, they towed my car to the tire shop. Done and done.
2. I've been watching next to no television lately, but I had the TV on last night as I was doing some work when I heard a Volvo commercial. Since I drive a Volvo, I tuned in. That and because there was something really strange going on. Robert Pattinson was in the commercial. Now don't get me wrong, he's nice to look at, but never have I wanted to disassociate myself with driving a Volvo until I saw this. I know some of you out there are Twighlight fans...or Twilies or Lighties...or whatever y'all call yourselves, but c-o-m-e o-n. Seriously? Somehow Twighlight and Volvo are a mismatch for me. Right? The targeting just seems a bit off. According to a branding trade e-mail I got today, a Volvo rep has said about the campaign, “This campaign reflects Volvo's belief that there are more important things in life than your car, like the rich experiences a car brings and the people you bring along for the ride.” Dislike. 

It's Gettin' Hot In Here

A few weeks ago I joined the Groupon craze and made my first purchase two weeks in. Sarai and I both signed up for a one-month unlimited class pass to Dallas Bikram Yoga for $20 (usual price? $180!). When there’s a good sale, I can always count on Sarai to be whipping out her credit card right by my side.

Long story short, I got back from my third class tonight and have mixed reviews. I was really, really, really worried going into the first class. Passing out or vomiting both seemed like pretty viable options. Fortunately, I made it through the entire 90-minute class, in 105 degrees (umm, yeah, no typo), and kind of liked it! Enough so, that I went back the next day for round two and enjoyed it again. The nice thing about having been a couple times is that you know what to expect because every single class is the same length, the same postures, the same order, etc. Let me tell you – I start praising God or Bikram or whomever I’m supposed to be praising once we move into the mat series, because that means the end is near.

After being out of town for the weekend and having a client dinner yesterday, today was my first venture back. I already had early evening plans to get frozen yogurt with some people at 7pm, so I decided to give the 8:15 class a go instead of the 6:30. At this point you might be thinking – What? Frozen yogurt before 90 minutes of hot yoga? Is that smart? Well, the short answer? No. To be honest, I don’t know if it was eating too close to class (I definitely just had a little bit of fro yo, knowing I’d pay if I gorged), just being tired after a long couple of days, or it being the later class, but today was T-O-U-G-H. Whereas I was sort of proud of myself for getting through the other classes without taking a seat to catch my breath, that was definitely not the case tonight. I fully sat out for one posture. And I enjoyed it. Well, I didn’t enjoy much about anything tonight, but the breather was definitely much needed.

I’m being sort of whiney about it now, but I will say that I definitely feel good. I’m not generally a huge sweater when I workout, but there’s not a person that leaves that class not drenched from head to toe in their own sweat. Sort of gnarly, true, but also a sign of a good workout. I just tried taking a picture of myself on my computer as visual proof that my cheeks are still bright red a good two hours after class ended, but that ended up being scary, so you can just take my word.

All in all, trying out hot yoga (Bikram Yoga for you purists), has been a fun little pursuit for me, but the jury is still out. I’m glad to have an excuse not to go tomorrow or Thursday, but hopefully I’ll get re-energized and make it back at least a few more times in the next two and a half weeks. 

SPICEE CHIKIN

Chik-fil-A is a client of The Richards Group, and from time to time our entire agency reaps the rewards of that relationship. Like this Wednesday. Chick-fil-A brought boxed-lunches for all 600-something of us, complete with the new spicy chicken sandwich, chips, brownie, and lemonade! Oh, and don’t forget the cows. Yes, THE cows. Be jealous. I know. I guess the idea was partly to feed the agency, partly to feed the media. Free food, live music, giant cows = fun times. And at work no less. Oh – don’t forget to try the new spicy chicken sandwich yourself. AVAILABLE MONDAY, JUNE 7. Shout out.

Wicked

Last night my mom and I went to see Wicked at Fair Park. Unlike myself, my mom can actually tell when someone has a great voice, and she thought the whole thing was pretty fabulous. So although my review has no credibility, I also give the performance two thumbs up.

Those people do some major dancing and prancing and running around the stage for 3 solid hours. We were discussing how many shows they put on per week and I just confirmed – 8 performances, Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with a couple of matinees thrown in. Week after week after week. I can’t even imagine.

Memorial Day Weekend

What's not to love about a 3-day weekend? It's a no-brainer, really. This past weekend was my first true weekend of summer (the season of all seasons), and it didn’t let me down. Anyone who knows me knows that I love (love love love) swimming. I also love all things related to summer  – pool parties, grilling out with friends, sundresses and flip flops, cold fruity beverages, etc. It's all good. And I had a bit of it all this weekend. Sally and DJ were in town for a wedding so I got to see them; Lindsay and Brice came out to play; we checked out the new J. Black's Dallas (which has a great patio), and I got to be at the official summer opening of Anne & Mark’s pool. Fun times all around. 

Girl Got Her Hair Did

I have to admit, this is not even really worthy of a post, but assuming I look back at this blog as a journal of sorts one day, it seems worth mentioning. Here's the story – for a long time, I’ve thought it would be fun to dye my hair blonde, but for whatever reason I never have. Then, about three weeks ago, I  – with a little urging from my mom and Lizzi – went for it. 

Round one didn’t go so great, so I went back for a redo the next day and ended up in a better place. I have to say – as someone who'd never died my hair before – it was pretty weird changing it up. I went to Austin right after I had it done and told all my friends that I felt like a prostitute (which I did), and that they should call me “Honey” (which they did not). Flash forward 3-weeks and I’m feeling much better about it. In fact, I think next time I go I’ll have her beam me up a little blonder. Anne has already assured me that she'll let me know when/if I go too far. Fingers crossed that I'm able to self-moderate so that day doesn't come. I'm not counting on it. In the meantime, I'm going to work on convincing people that I'm still a "natural" sort of girl. The whole thing still freaks me out just a bit.

Newlyweds!

I feel like I haven’t been a very good blogger lately, so back I am. New month, fresh start. I’ve also noticed that my recent posts have been a little long, so I’m going to take a shot at several quick-fire posts to cover off on recent(ish) happenings.

And what better place to start than where I left off? I wrote my last post just before hitting the road for Austin to see LB and Brian tie the knot. Since both LB and Jackie have already recapped the weekend’s events, I’ll let them do the heavy lifting. Long story short, it was the best, most fun wedding weekend I’ve been to in awhile. And I’m not just saying that because the vast majority of my readership includes the bride and her guests. (For the rest of my readers – all three more of you – I’d like to add a disclaimer that family weddings fall into a completely different non-competitive category.) 

The weekend was – from start to finish – a blast. I think a big part of that has to do with LB and Brian being such genuinely good people and having good people as friends (if I do say so myself). Good people make for a fun weekend. Good people make for lots of dancing (to the point of good people turning into sweaty, gross, not so cute anymore people). Good people are creative in the photobooth. Good people like Laura and Brian – the cutest little newlyweds around!