Prepster

tank: Costco, jeans: j brand from Nordstrom, blazer: Forever 21, shoes: Pour la Victoire from Shoefly, Accessories: Aldo necklace from LA, bejeweled bracelet, giant black cocktail ring (sad panda), gold swirl earrings from Express

Um, so... a moment of silence for my black cocktail ring... On the way to work this morning it fell out of my pocket along Mercer and was lost forever (unless I somehow find it, but I'm gonna stick with lost forever...for now).  Back to the obscurity from whence it came (found in a bar bathroom, lost on the street)... We had a good few (2?) years together and now... no more. *le sigh*

Dinner with the fah-zha will be cut short tonight because I am called for rehearsal at 930 (BOO!) to work on my monologue... I know I need to work it, but honestly?  ONE DAY'S notice?!  Blearg!  It's fine.  That still gives us about 3 hours together, but I am a little sad panda that that is probably all I'll be able to see of him... Stupid crazy-ass rehearsal schedule and him only knowing a few days ahead of time that he was coming into town!  Bad timing!  Le suck!

But I also get a massage tonight (THANK THE GODS!) and I need it so badly it's just kinda sad.  My left side is completely inept at this point and my neck is killing me!  Hopefully, I will feel rested and rejuvenated after it's done because right now I am just exhausted (after 2 giant cups of coffee)!  This work (extra-hard!) all day and rehearse all night thing is starting to get to me.  AND I just over-scheduled my weekend (as I do), so the relaxing will be minimal I'm sure... Oh wells.  I'll sleep when I'm dead, right? (And I'm good so long as I don't get sickie... No more sick days!)

Bangs now fully cover my eyebrows and are constantly in my field of vision.  Starting to think sweeping them to the side may be best bet.  May experiment tomorrow...

The Bag's the Thing

MICHAEL Michael Kors XL North/South Hamilton Tote

Oh, me likey!  It's a much darker color than I thought it would be, but it's still brown, just with this great grey undertone.  And it is so roomy.  And TONS of pockets (a great space for my keys).  Plus, I love all the hardware.  It reminds me of this old pink & red bag I thrifted back in college only bigger and of much better quality.  The only issue I can foresee is that there is really no way to prevent rain from getting in.  There is a snap, but no zipper or anything... I guess an umbrella will always live inside the purse this fall/winter.

Excited!

Alfalfa Sprout

tee: thrifted, trousers: Lux for Urban, shoes: bdg for Urban, pashmina: (not pictured) stolen from a party in college (don't judge!)

OK, seriously?  What is with that ONE piece of hair?  Come ON!  I look like I have a side alfalfa (yes, I know his was front & center and slicked to a point, but STILL, the point is: it looks ridiculous and so does mine...). I almost re-took them, but I was running late (forgot to grab my DAMN apple too!!!! BOO!  And it was a honeycrisp!) and well, I kinda enjoy the ridiculocity (new word) of the hair, so I kept it (but mostly it was the running late thing...).  Yesterday I talked to my director about my hair.  He is gonna let me know ASAP if I can cut it or not.  If not... the BANGS will GO!  They don't ever look good right now and it's driving me insane!

Blearg! Anyways... This week is eating my soul. It's like, by the time I get off work all I wanna do is curl up in a ball and pass out, BUT I have 4-hours of rehearsal (which, don't get me wrong, I totes heart once I'm there) and the 16-hour days are sorta killing me...  PLUS, I just found out I'm called at 9 tomorrow!  My one day off!  When I'm getting a massage and then hanging out with the fah-zha while he's up from Panama!  I don't wanna cut that short!  But, I suffer for my art (I do, indeed) and will make it work (a la Tim Gunn) if need be. I just wanna spend time with him before he disappears back to Central America and I have to head down there to hangout (still thinking Feb, if I don't get cast in anything)!

Plus, last night when I got home the roomie was already asleep, so I couldn't make my hummus and now I have no lunch (forgot the apple, too dammit!)... And she wasn't awake yet this morning either... I am seriously thinking of trying to stop home before heading to rehearsal tonight, but I'm nervous about the timing... we will see how ambitious I feel this evening...  Looking toward the weekend (and my massage tomorrow!)...

Vogue: October

Some of my fav looks from this month's Vogue with the lovely, talented, effortlessly beautiful and gamine Carey Mulligan on the cover.  She has some great quotes in there about stage acting vs screen acting that I totes hearted as well!  All from "The Talented Miss Mulligan" (October 2010):

--"I want to be in Glee, but I’m told I’m not famous enough to be a cameo yet."

-- "I don’t want to look like an actress; I want to look like a person.  Normal people don’t go to the gym six times a week."

--" I never said I wanted to be a lead actress; I never said I wanted to be a film actress. This need to trump everyone bewilders me. I’m only 25. I’m not better than anyone. I just want to watch other people and learn to be good."

--“When I was fifteen, I’d had vivid dreams of acting with Judi Dench—it was never Tom Cruise, always Judi Dench. I’d wake up and go, ‘Not real!’ and then I’d cry. The first day of Pride and Prejudice, there was Judi Dench.”

-- “the best nights were when I’d come offstage with no memory at all of what had happened. I don’t know what happened to the audience—but I believed every single second. You can get completely lost in The Seagull.” 

God, I love her!

Carey Mulligan on the cover(!) in Chanel

Carey in Dior dress & vintage hat

Carey in Dior jacket (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!) & same vintage hat

Carey in Givenchy lace dress & corset and that same hat

Jeremy Renner!!!! with model in Burberry Prorsum

Renner with model in Dries van Noten

Renner with model in Sonia Rykel

Indian Summer

tunic: Zara (gifted), leggings: American Apparel, boots: Chinese Laundry (gifted), sweater: (not pictured) thrifted, accessories: cocktail ring, bejeweled bracelet

Bangs. Driving. Me. INSANE.  I dunno what day this is, but the second I get a chance to chat with my costumer and figure out if I can cut my hair or not, I will do SOMETHING with them because right  now... they are just chillin' in my eyes and it's pissing me off!

Last night at rehearsal we were talking about the cowboy boots + skirt combo and how cute it can be, so I decided to rock it today (with some leggings too, it's not as warm as it was yesterday).  It is still pretty humid outside though, kinda nice.  Like the Indian summer is making up for our average 58.9 degree summer (yes, that is the true April-August average temp--I call some BS on that "summer" weather!  But I said no more whining about the weather, so...) and I am just hoping it continues to be this nice and muggy and humid (suck it, Jess!) because I heart it!  Of course, Annex holds heat like nobody's business so by the end of rehearsal I was a sweat monster, but I vote sweaty over freezing anyday (GAH!  Flashback to Lear rehearsals in that freezing basement in Belltown, huddled by a heater--HELL!), seriously, it sucks.

More 4-hour rehearsal-ing will ensue tonight, but I feel like I have so much more energy today it is sorta ridic.  No idea why.  Slept better, maybe?  Hey, good thing about this insane schedule of mine is that my insomnia seems to have retreated back into the recesses of my mind!  w00t!  That, at least, I can be happy about.  I'll take it!

I am forcing myself to read the final book in Hunger Games trilogy slowly because I know it is the last one.  Also, I got confirmation that the rights have been purchased to turn them into a movie (BOO!)...le suck.  They are so good I don't want someone to water the violence down for a PG-13 rating, but... I'm sure they will...  I am still about half-way done with Mockingjay already, though... SO GOOD!  Suzanne Collins just might get me to stand in line with the kiddies to get her John Hancock in November... she juuuuuust might...

Also, new purse arrived!  Expect a Michael Kors related update soon!

Little Boy Blue

blouse: H&M, sweater: thrifted, trousers: eight sixty from Nordstrom, shoes: Dollhouse from DSW

Yesterday was a lovely lazy, rainy day and I spent it catching up on TV & sleep and loved it!  Stayed in my PJ's all day and went to bed early.  If only I could have extended that through today, but no.  I had work.  And a very important audition!  I had my audition for Brecht's Threepenny Opera at Seattle Shakes today and it went super-well!  All parties there (the casting director, director of the show & music director) all seemed uber-impressed and congratulated me after I finished my song, Weill's "Stranger Here Myself"!  *le sigh*  I really hope I get a callback!  I super wanna do that show!  At least that was a good first step...

Rehearsal for 4-hours tonight and then seriously crashing out.  I forget how much it takes out of me to have an audition in the middle of the day.  The thought of rehearsing after work tonight is not exactly making me happy, but I know that the second I get there, it changes.  This show (and my character, in particular) is so high energy, that I get pumped up even if I'm low energy when I get there...

Also, I have gotten SO many compliments on my shoes today!  I need to wear these more often.  They are so cute and fun and I just forget about them.  But in weather like this, they are perfect.  Plus, they are really comfy since the heel is so chunky.  I need to remember to break them outta my closet more that once or twice a season...

Also, my new Michael Kors purse is supposed to arrive tomorrow!  w00t!!!

Let's Do It Again

jeans: current/elliot from Nordstrom, tank: kimchi blue for Urban, sweater: Parfait from Nordstrom, shoes: Seychelles from Nordstrom

Heading out to meet with Patrick on the Hill after his show gets out, so I changed into something a little bit cuter...  Not sure what we'll do but I cannot wait to see him!  w00t!!!

No plans for tomorrow yet, probably gonna just hangout and do nada and honestly, cannot WAIT!  It's supposed to be warm but rainy so a lazy day at home might be exactly what I need.

Green with Envy

jeans: current/elliot from Nordstrom, tee: Threadless, sandals: Steve Madden from Nordstrom Rack

Rocked it at rehearsal today!  Those four scenes just might be my favs and I had a lot of fun with them.  Plus it was a great excuse to get outta my house and enjoy the absolutely GORGEOUS weather today!  Plus, I mean, how fun is it to have a few more hot days to wear sandals before the winter weather kicks in?  Heart it!

I also got a new manicure (in candy apple red--oh yeah!) because honestly, I just think Candy needs to have bright red nails.  It's a character choice and I like it!  Then I wandered around shopping.  Ultimately looking for a wig and black shorts for my Halloween costume since the rest of it arrived in the mail the other day (w00t), but finding this amazing alice + olivia dress that was SUPER on sale, just not on sale enough to buy it... le sigh...

Last night I did end up going to Docot In Spite of Himself and holy CRAP it was hilarious!  I was literally laughing throughout the whole show.  So glad I was able to see it before it closed.  It was so nice to see an entire cast having fun onstage.  Plus, it was was so over-the-top and clearly improvised so that when actors broke it just made it better.

Horse of a Different Color

shirt: H&M, vest: WOW Couture from Mod Cloth, jeans: bdg for Urban, shoes: Linea Paolo from Nordstrom, Accessories: black & silver bracelets, long black beaded necklace, metal feathered earrings, giant black cocktail ring

I feel like since I completely forgot to wear any accessories yesterday, I am kind of overcompensating today, but I'm OK with it.  They all work, so it's a good thing.What you kinda can't see is that the vest is totally sequined!  I heart it!  Despite the fact that it scratches the shizz outta my arms... I still heart it!

Badminton Royale was completely and utterly ridiculous.  And come on!  Mirror Pond for $1?  Loves it!  The costumes and team spirit and cheers?  So funny!  Glad I went.  Also, glad they decided to move it all inside... that could have been miserable, even though the weather did clear up around 4...  But definitely fun times.  And nice to see a TON of people I haven't in a long while... le sigh.  It all begins again.

I still have plans to see a show tonight... I just don't know which one yet... Def leaning toward Doctor In Spite of Himself, but it depends on if they give a TPS discount and if they have any tickets left (it IS a Fri night, after all...) and they've been getting great reviews (minus the Stranger).  Who knows though, if that doesn't work out I might just curl up with Catching Fire or Freaks & Geeks and do nothing... THAT also sounds loverly.

Saturday I have le yoga, then rehearsal, then... another plannless evening.  Maybe another show?  I have to kill time and keep myself awake because Patrick & I have plans to hangout after Glass Menagerie gets out that night (I'd go see that, but Sara and I already made plans to see it once her show closes)!  HOORAY! I misses my lover from the summer!

Also, after hearing how cute yesterday's pants were from multiple people, I no longer think I resembled either a sausage or Jessica Simpson.  Thanks for the ego boost, peeps!

Super 70s

tank: Bellatrix from Nordstrom, sweater: Halogen from Nordstrom, jeans: j brand from RueLaLa, shoes: Very Volatile from DSW

OK, so to be honest, I'm not quite sure about these jeans.  They are new and I bought them online and I probably should have bought them one size up, but I was thinking (and now HOPING) they might stretch.  I am actually quite terrified that I look like this in them (DEAR GOD, PLEASE SAY I DON'T!), so... really hoping they stretch...  At least they're a darker denim, right?  God, I don't wanna look like a sausage...  I do feel epically tall though.  And, according to Vogue, lengthening the look is HUGE this fall, so I got that going for me!

Seriously, in need of the weekend... counting down.

New: Purse

Michael Michael Kors XL North/South Hamilton Tote

This beauty should be on its way to me soon!  As I prepare to return the AMAZINGness that was my Tory Burch Dafina Tote which lasted me 2 months and never got old, I can only hope that this Michael Kors bag can live up to its predecessor.  Also it's the first non-leather bag I've ordered, so I hope that I don't kill the shizz outta it... I have faith!

Fallin' Slowly

shirt: Papaya, tank: Costco, jeans: bdg for Urban, boots: MIA from Nordstrom Rack, accessory:  jeweled bracelet

First day of off-book rehearsal went surprisingly well (with all of my 6 or 7 lines, but STILL!) although I am a little nervous for tonight since we're doing scenes we haven't worked yet, and, well, it's hard to be off book for something you don't have in your body yet.  At least, it is for me... I have high hopes though.  The show is so well-written (thanks, Rachel!) that it's pretty easy to memorize.  Plus, these are some FUN scenes!

Another funny thing, we rehearsed at SCT yesterday and there was totes evidence that someone had been practicing for OtB's Badminton Royale in our rehearsal room!  There was a net, a print out of a regulation badminton court and 4 rackets.  I was amused.  People are really taking this thing seriously this year!  I just hope the weather cooperates because I'm not sure if I can motivate myself to go and cheer in the rain...

I did end up at yoga last night and was supes excited I ended up going.  I am plenty sore today, but all in a good way.  Plus now I can go do whatevs I want tomorrow and not feel guilty.  w00t!  I def got to yoga RIGHT at a SUPER good part in my book though, so I almost skipped it to sit somewhere and read, but I sucked it up and went to yoga knowing that my reward would be some french fries from Dicks before rehearsal (worth it!) and I got them.  And they were good (been craving some since mama wouldn't let me get any when we stopped at DQ on the way home from Walla Walla...)!

PS I wanted to correct the title of the second Hunger Games book I talked about in the last post (already fixed it there).  It is actually called Catching Fire.  I am stupid and didn't check... So, for future reference now you know.

Also, just to let everyone know, I am doing a little experiment with my (long-ass) bangs.  I am going to see how long I can let them grow before SNAPPING and cutting them all off... We'll call this Day 1.  Plus, today is the first official day of fall, so it seems fitting somehow...

A Little Help From My Friends

tee: thrifted, sweater: Halogen from Nordstrom, jeans: j brand from Nordstrom, shoes: Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstom

Man, seriously, barely made it through last night. If it hadn't been for the brilliant suggestion by my director (go eat. Pho. At Ballet) and had I not listened, I probably wouldn't have.  But I did (PHO CURES ALL) and I was able to hang around reading (my newly purchased) second book in The Hunger Games trilogy (Catching Fire) and memorize some lines only to learn that they forgot to call someone they needed in the scene and we were all let go early... meh, oh wells.  At least I felt better.  Less lethargic. Food, who knew?

I did, as you can read, break down and buy both the second & third books in The Hunger Games series in hardback, but so far, definitely enjoying Catching Fire, so no complaints and from what I've heard Mockingjay is also supposed to be great.  PLUS, since I bought them at Elliott Bay I got a free ticket for me and a friend to go to the book signing in November.  I don't know if I'll go (waiting in line with all the kids & their moms isn't exactly my cup of tea), but who knows?  I might fall in love with the books and decide it's worth it... Or I might give it away to someone who wants it more...

Tonight I am debating yoga.  I brought all my stuff and am planning on going, but I am not sure about the whole work to yoga, shower, rush to rehearsal thing... I might just go home and enjoy a few hours off... But no decisions yet. I'll keep my options open.

Today is the official "off book" day for the show and surprisingly, I think I'm pretty close to being completely memorized.  The few scenes we have yet to block are a little vague, but for the rest of it?  I am ready to try it! Tonight we start running chunks of scenes and I really love this part of the process.  You get to see how everything fits together and really run & refine it all.  It's where you completely lose faith that you will be ready on time and then **poof** it (usually) all comes together at the last minute. And it's where you really get to know your cast.  Heart!

Wind Me Up

tee: Hollister, sweater: American Eagle, pants: jolt from Nordstrom, boots: Chinese Laundry from DSW, accessory:  giant cocktail ring

Not much to say about today (that I didn't already say last post), except I look so exhausted it's just sad.  Hopefully, I can make it through the rest of the work day and rehearsal tonight (CURSE the split rehearsal!  I am called from 6-7 and then have a break until 930... I guess I'll memorize some lines... and be exhausted... blearg!)... Hopefully...

PLUS, seriously, what's with my hair?  I am epitomizing "bed head" today.  Just, ya know, not on purpose... blearg.

Green It!

tee: Rubbish from Nordstrom, pants: jolt from Nordstrom, shoes:  Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstrom, scarf: gifted from my nana

Breaking the Code was great.  Bradford Farwell played Alan Turing so ridiculously believably that he completely became the scientist.  I have never heard anyone successfully master a stutter onstage, they always come off contrived, but Farwell nailed it.  Everything about Turing made him both instantly likable and extremely arrogant, but of course when you're that brilliant, it's an understandable conceit.  The play itself was a little long (although I just think I hit a wall at 2 hours 15 minutes no matter how good the show is), and extremely cerebral (sometimes the mathematics can be overwhelming), but Straw Shop attacks the difficult script with dexterity and finesse.  Sheila Daniels (love her!) direction keeps it moving even when it gets head-y and the moments land because of it.  When you have that much talent onstage, it makes sense that the show is so good.  Every actor has a moment to shine and they all shine brightly.

About halfway into the first act, I could not shake the fact that I wished Dad was in town to see this show with me.  All the mathematical language and the beginnings of computer science seemed like it would be right up his alley (that and maybe he could have explained some of the more "math-y" sections to me).  This show made you want to be smart enough to understand everything in it!

Right after Breaking the Code, I went over to the last Smörgåsbord at Balagan's current space (GAH!  Such a fun final(-ish) show!) and literally fell in love with this one band's music.  Love how that happens.  The night continued with the Cider House pt 2 peeps over at Terry's house until the wee hours and then I crashed at home and slept like a LOG.

The plan on Sunday was to go to the Puyallop, but when Dani texted my at 930, it was still nasty out and we decided to skip the Fair and just hangout and watch the Seahawks game (GIANT BOO!) and relax at her place.  It was fun.  I think after the craziness of the day before it was what I needed, but I was supes disappointed to hear Patrick say that the weather held and they didn't get rained on once!  Oh well...  We'll find another Sunday to head south and watch mutton bustin'(YES!), eat fatty foodz and ride rides!

The result of crazy times this weekends means, of course, that I now need another weekend to recover, but alas, I am at work... exhausted.  And I think I have rehearsal every night this week, too, so no early nights... blearg.  Next weekend I shall take it easy!

You Win Some...

shirt: Gibson from Nordstrom, jeans: j brand from Nordstrom, shoes: BP from Nordstrom, accessory: ring from Panama, bejeweled bracelet,

After a looooong day at work yesterday I was able to go home and take a few hours' break before heading out to Five Gold Rings (in the POURING RAIN).  And the time off?  Lovely.  The rain?  Not so much... the fact that the rain made a repeat appearance tonight on my way to Breaking the Code?  SIGNIFICANTLY less than awesome... blearg.  The rainy season is upon us.  I wasn't quite ready to let go of the small semblance of a summer that we encountered, but the weather RIPPED it from my arms.  Flooding it into fall...

FGR was interesting.  The lead guy (the father) was definitely not as strong as I had wanted him to be.  Not strong enough to carry a show, but the brothers were great!  And one of the women too.  GOD, she was good (in the part I was cast as...ironically), but the other girl?  Oh god, HURT me to watch onstage. Poor posture, poor (over-)acting, no empathy.  She took a part that you are only supposed to like and turned it into something unlikable.  Unknowable.  Alien.  Everyone else found some connection, but hers was completely lost.  Plus, the whole show needed to lose about 15 minutes of time.  I mean, the amount of time everyone took for their "moments" onstage?  All about 1-2 minutes too long.  Cut or shorten those and you have your 15 minutes.  And I think that is direction more than anything. And generally, that's what the show needed, direction, a focus.  I didn't know or identify with who they were or where they were coming from and due to the heightened language this made it extra difficult to understand.  It needed tightening and I hope it happens in a few weeks.

Then we all went out and I lied like the liar that I am and made new friends and reconnected with old ones and had TONS of fun in Ballard, which will forever make me think of Reefer Madness.  I talked about my (completely conceptual) one-woman cabaret, too.  Good night, some progress...just wish the show had been more solid.

Today I did some hot yoga this morning (slightly hungover) and then headed to a coffee date with Sara, which, despite its brevity, was completely lovely.  I just wanna spend more time with her every time we hangout.  Then, I Freaks & Geeks'd it until it was time to head to Breaking the Code at Straw Shop...

To Be CONT...

Steely Gaze

tunic: Michael Star from Nordstrom, leggings: H&M, boots: MIA from Nordstrom Rack, accessories: necklace & cocktail ring

Oh Candy is BACK!  And I missed her.  It was great to get back onto the stage too.  I realized as I was there that my last two rehearsals (waaay back in last week or even farther) had not been on the stage either!  So really, it had been a loooong time since everything had glommed together and she is so much FUN!  Seriously, fun.  Plus, I was able to tell Rachel how easy her lines are to memorize and I think she was really appreciative... Aw... Loving this show!

Also, last night at FFOK I made a new friend.  He is one of the FFOK Court Jesters (since I am the Princess, he's MY Court Jester) and his friends had bailed too, so we hungout.  It was a strange FFOK.  I think the rain kept a lot of the regulars away, but I was there!  And I sang Que Sera Sera (belted it!  Take that Doris!) and I Put a Spell On You (again, I know, but it's so much fun!) and right as I was getting ready to take off the bartender came over and asked me if I was gonna sing any Chicago and it took me a second, but I realized he wanted me to do When You're Good to Mama.  I told him next time, for sure.  It was adorable.

Tonight I am heading to the opening night of ECS' Five Gold Rings (which I was cast in, so it will be interesting to see what part I would have been) down at the Ballard Underground and then I'll probably stick around for the post-show party to hangout with all the peeps I rarely see (and Dani).  Then tomorrow nuthin' but yoga, a possible lunch date with the former Lady C, Sara, and then Breaking the Code at Straw Shop that night.  And Sunday Dani and I are doin' the Puyallop!  Excited to eat fattening foodz (yoga for sheezee on Sat because of that) and ride some rides and hopefully catch some mutton bustin!

Sensibly Numb (take 2)

jeans: bdg for Urban, tee: Zara, tank: Costco, booties: thrifted, sweater: (not pictured) thrifted

OK, so I have NO idea what happened to the formatting on that last post, so here I go again!

Woah!  There have been some shake-ups at work.  And they all happened yesterday.  And all in my department.  One person is leaving for another job, one is taking a sabbatical and two were let go. All of this means that by the end of this month the media department will comprise a total of 5 people.  And I will be the only assistant.  Wow... But I talked to my mama last night and I'm not going to freak out or stress about it because there is nothing that I can do.  Whatever happens, happens (as she quoted), but I am going to start craigslist-ing for a new job... Somehow, I feel like this change might not let me take off the 2 weeks I want to in February to go to DC, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter(!!!!!!!!!!) and Panama to visit the fah-zha and that... that's a deal breaker, ladies!

So, I am in transition.  But I am excited for some things that remain the same.  Like tonight I have my first rehearsal since I went on vacation and I am uber-excited about getting back into Candy.  PLUS right after, I have a little FFOK business to take care of!  A few songs and then home early, methinks.  My Stoopid Insomnia (which is how it will now be referred) has left me all sleepified and shizz... blearg.  But not too tired for FFOK.  NEVER too tired for FFOK!

Eye of the Beholder

skirt: H&M, tights: gifted from Urban, boots: Report Signature from Nordstrom, tee: kimchi blue for Urban, sweater: Express, necklace: Aldo from LA

Well, I rocked it at yoga last night.  And it was great.  Just had to inspire myself to get there, I guess (phad thai helped).  Also, weird to take 2 showers in one day... One of those things that makes you go "I feel like I already did this", which of course, you have.  It's just strange.

I couldn't sleep again last night (heart beating outta my chest again--AWESOME).  BOO!  I really hate my insomnia.  I knew I could have taken something, but... I just hate doing that.  Although I'm pretty sure that watching a rousing sports movie right before bed did not help in the sleep department (Invictus--very good!). But still!  After working all day and then having my ass handed to me in yoga?  I totes should be allowed to get a good night's sleep!

No plans again tonight.  I'll probably just hangout at home post-work for a bit and then head up to the Hill for my friend's going away drink at Rosebud later on.  I feel like everyone is taking off and leaving Seattle and... I'm not.  I know it's in the cards, but I just feel like as long as I am consistently working in this city I just don't know if it makes sense to leave...Although those 9 months last year really sucked.  Another bout like that and I might just up and leave... (I mean, I WAS working, just not in full productions.  Staged readings, concerts and workshops do not a show make).  For now, though, I am more than happy here.  I just hate that "here" is the city where I grew up...

Anyways, check out how light/reddish my hair looks?  Crazy!

Back in the USSR

shirt: Banana Republic, sweater: Fossil, jeans: bdg for Urban, shoes: Linea Paolo from Nordstrom

Blearg.  Back to the real world.  The daily grind.  Real life.  No phrase makes it better... I am back to work.  Oh well, without work how do we know what is vacation? (Oooh, existential!)  Anyways...

It actually wasn't that bad coming back.  No real fires to put out.  Everyone covered everything perfectly for me, so it felt like I could just slide back into the rhythm of things... You almost wish it wouldn't work so well without you though, ya know?  Like if it just CANNOT be done if you are gone it makes you indispensable (and yet, unable to take time off...hmmm...).  In some ways it's kind of nice to be back to real life.  At lunch I was able to memorize lines (or rather, realize that they are already mostly there--hooray!) which I conveniently managed to procrastinate while on vacation... Plus, I always enjoy making funny faces and mouthing bizarro things in Starbucks.  They think I'm crazypants and I LIKE IT!

I am totes debating going to yoga tonight.  I even gave myself a little incentive (phad thai from Mai Phim if I go), but I am STILL unmotivated... We will see how I feel after work, but... it's not looking good.  A relaxing night at home just sounds too appealing. Plus my back is killing me from that massage yesterday.  I am actually not sure if the massage made it better or worse... Oh well, I have a doctor's appt on Fri to get an extra 6 or so massages.  It would be nice though, to get back into working out.  Lazy vacations, like the one I just had, make motivation difficult.

Spa Day

tee: Bitten by SJP from Steve & Barry, pants: jolt from Nordstrom, sweatshirt: lululemon, booties: Chinese Laundry from DSW

Wow, to put it mildly: today was relaxing.  Seriously, relaxing.  Lindy, mama and I all had a spa day!  Full of facials, massages and mani/pedis.  LOOONG day of treating ourselves and it was nice to have one more "vacation" day before I head back to real life (BO-RING) tomorrow. The thing I really need to start working on is my lines... whoops!  Should have been working on those for a while, but vacation=do nothing, right?  Right???

Home Sweet Home

leggings: H&M, shirt: American Apparel for the ballet studio, shoes: Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstrom

Today was the loverly drive home from Walla Walla.  All 4.5 hours of it.  BUT we stopped by DQ on the drive home.  Blizzards--YES!  I heart my mama for suggesting it.  But now that I am home... boo that means my vacation is almost over...

At least tomorrow we have a 3-girls spa day.  Facials, massages and mani/pedis!  w00t!  Excited to have one more relaxing day with my fam before going back to the daily grind...

Vacation Creation

tee: Threadless, jeans: bdg from Urban Outfitters, vest: Macys, shoes: Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstom

Today, ah!  Second full day of vaca, lovin' it!  Again, we got a supes late start and it was great.  Went shopping downtown Walla Walla and hit up a few wineries on Main Street (yeah, that's the actual name of their main street downtown).  It only took like an hour or two to hit up the entirety of the downtown area.  It was fun times.  Low key.  Good.

And can I just complain for half a second about beds/pillows that are TOO soft.  I mean, I sleep on an effing futon.  I am used to and enjoy hard beds and the one I am sleeping in right now?  WAAAAY too soft.  I seriously am having trouble sleeping on it.  Between that and the fact that it is SOOOO ridic quiet?  I miss my hard-ass bed and loud-ass apartment.  But, what can I do?  Small town vacation=quiet nights...

Other than that though... totes lovin' vacation!

Wine Not?!

shoes: Sperry Top-Siders from Nordstrom, pants: jolt from Nordstrom, tank: matty m from Nordstom, scarf: gifted from India

Today was the first full day in Walla Walla wine country and it was super low-key.  Got up late, hang out, watched a movie, went wine tasting (OMG, so good!  I think I bought 7 bottles in only 3 wineries) and then went out to dinner.

It was amazing.  Good times.  Love vacation!

boots: Steve Madden, bolero: H&M

Road Warrior

leggings: H&M, tanks: Costco, sweater: Cardigan NYC, boots: Steve Madden

Getting ready to head East toward the wine tasting land of Walla Walla!  Dunno how many posts I will be able to get in while I am on vacation...so I had to make sure I got one more in before I headed out on the open road with the fam!

Rehearsal last night was so wonderful that I literally cannot wait until I get to see more of this show.  The scenes I'm not in, the thing as a whole... Gah!  It will totally be a great show.  Excitement!

Six whole days away from responsibility, here I come!

One-derful!

tank: Costco, sweater: BP for Nordstrom, jeans: bdg for Urban Outfitters, boots: 
Blowfish from DSW

Yeah, it's a bad pun, but it accurately describes my one day work week!  And how excited I am that I get to go on vacation with the mama and seestor!  Cannot wait to get a few days off to enjoy some time off (with some wine), family (with some wine) and all around relaxation (with wine--see a theme here?).  Happiness!

I feel like I should probably mention that Spin the Bottle on Fri was pretty effing amazing.  Watching Brendan Kiley get pie'd in the face was EPIC.  He was so awkward... LOVED IT!  Also, got to see some peeps I haven't for a while, mainly Carrie of Condo-ness.  Gah! I miss her!  But I think we're gonna go on the Annex retreat together, which would pretty much ROCK... just sayin'  Also, got to hang out with Dani & B, who I miss like crazy!  Never see people anymore... as I have fallen back into the routine of "I can't, I have rehearsal"... as per ususal.  And don't get me wrong, I LOVE IT, but it kinda feels like I never get to see people.  Although, since most of my friends tend to be fabulously talented theatre people, they totally understand and, in fact, have the SAME problem. How we ever see anyone is a mystery to me (oh yeah, it's at OTHER theatrical events...)!

Poor Carolyn really hurt herself during the final dress of R&J and her ab muscle was hurting her too badly to come out with me on Sun, so Jess and I wandered over to Mars Bar to find, oh yes, KARAOKE.  Which, apparently, they have every Sun night (and I knew that somewhere in the back of my brain, but since it was a holiday Mon, I didn't think about the fact that it was Sun...).  Poor Jess.  She was a good sport.  I won't drag you again, dahling, I promise.

Seriously, counting down...

Sparkle & Shine

jeans: bdg from Urban Outfitters, tank: the addison story from Nordstrom, heels: Dolce Vita from Nordstrom

Although I had nothing at all to do today I thoroughly enjoyed my day!  Cleaned up my apartment a little bit and am thinking that I might decorate a bit tomorrow.  But I am about to go to meet Carolyn at Mars Bar to grab a drink or something and maybe with my roommate as well.  Excited to get out of the house!  And also to hangout with Carolyn again...

Woof!

jeans: Levis, shoes: bdg from Urban Outfitters, thermal: UW 

Yesterday, I went to rehearsal (THIS PLAY IS GONNA ROCK!) and then meeting up with Dani for the first Husky game!  We lost, however, we played well.  Still no running game, but we looked like we had some defense, which I can't wait to see more of.

Dani and I then went on and grabbed some dinner at Von's and went onto Amber in Belltown where we met up with Mikaela.  Fun night!  I love hanging out with my ladies.

Fashion Faux Passable MAKEOVER!

I meant to mention this in the last post, but the blog has gotten a MAKEOVER!  So, for all of you email readers, you should check it out!  It's much more fashion-y now.

Love it!

Dog Days of Summer

dress: Zara, belt: H&M, boots: Mia from Nordstrom Rack, scarf (not pictured): gift from grandma, bracelet: coral from Hawaii

It's the last nice day (probably) and oh am I enjoying it! I am in a little dress and rocking the boots and totally just enjoying the heat for what will probably be one of the last nice days of the year... I always get like this at the end of summer (especially at the end of a craptastic summer like this one...), but in about a week, when I get to break back into all my scarves, hats, gloves, boots, tights, socks and coats then I get all excited again.  I get a whole new wardrobe whenever the weather changes!

Yesterday was pretty darn epic.  Yoga was so small and she knew all of us so she definitely worked us HARD.  My obliques are yelling at me a bit for sure.  Then I had my first real staging/blocking rehearsal and WOW this show is gonna be GREAT!  It is so much fun already and seriously, Candy is ridiculous.  I am loving her.  At the meet-and-greet Dan said something about how every character has a line (or a few) in the play which really outline their position on life and the theft and last night was the first time Candy gets to say hers.  And she says it A LOT.  All different variations and wordings, but basically it boils down to: "I love this money!" And I do.

 I can't wait to get the real money and really feel her excitement throughout... Yesterday we were using all these bags of shredded paper and... they kinda got everywhere.  I even found some on my floor when I got changed for bed late last night... It was ridiculous, but super nice to have "business" to do onstage throughout the scene.  It was a good rehearsal (although I think anytime a director tells me "I like it when you play with his chest hair" that counts as a good rehearsal).

After rehearsal I wandered downstairs (literally, RIGHT DOWNSTAIRS) to FFOK where I got to hangout with new people and some of the regulars too. But no one that I really knew was there... so at one point everyone I was sitting with got up and left me at the same time, so I turned around to try to join in at the table behind me and as I was about to introduce myself and one of the guys (before I even said my name) goes "It's Gina!"  I am totes known at FFOK...  Then (finally) I got to sing some musicals "When You're Good to Mama" and "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" (thought of you on that one, Dad & Pam!).  I truly heart FFOK...

Super excited to get off at 1PM today and then wander over to Steph's to look in on the kitteh and take a little rooftop nap?  Perhaps... then I think I'm gonna wander down to Costco to pick up my contacts and meet my Mama at the M's game!  Good night off from rehearsal and the start of a great 3-day weekend!

Ruffles and Lace

tank: Forever 21, sweater: Mod Cloth, jeans: current/elliot from Nordstrom,
shoes: bdg from Urban Outfitters

Oh man, this dialect stuff is harder than I thought... I seem to either go into Georgia style slow drawn out drawwwwwl or else into the Texan clipped twang and North Carolinian?  Somewhere in between the two (with an emphasis on any "o" and "r" sounds)...  Although it did give me a GREAT excuse to call Kristi!  She's gonna email me some dialect stuff and help me out if I need it.  PLUS I miss her, so YAY good excuses!

Today is the insanity that is work, yoga, rehearsal.  Should work out, though.  I believe in me.  If I could make it to ACT by 730 last week, then I can DEF make it to Annex by 8 tonight.  And then FFOK!  I love first and third Thursdays!

Tomorrow is a short work day (YES!).  We get off at 1PM and then I have M's tickets with my mama at 715 that night.  I also might head up to Annex afterwards and hit up Spin the Bottle.  I kinda feel like I should now that I am an Annex-er, plus Brendan Kiley is gonna get pie'd in the face and I kinda wanna see that.  That and I have a few friends who are performing... Yeah., I'll probably end up there...

Saturday I have rehearsal from 12-4 and then am meeting Dani at Auto Battery on the Hill to watch the FIRST HUSKY FOOTBALL GAME!  Super excited!  Also, really hoping we get outta rehearsal a little early so I can make kick-off!  And then... the next two days off?  I have no plans.  Jess & I might clean our apartment, maybe hang up a few more posters, etc... make our it look like we actually live there and such... but yeah.  Nothing else to do.  I might try to knock a few things off of my to-do list, but generally I got nothing.

Also, super amused by the look on the left.  I look like I am on drugs.  Not sexy, Gina...

The Infamous September Issue

Oh, Vogue... Why must you be so stingy with what you share on your website?  There are no links to articles, except the cover article.  Definitely nothing for your article "Va Va Boom", extolling the virtues of the Victoria's Secret models on the runway in the fall shows.  Nothing but this behind-the-scenes video from the shoot... And this Nordstrom spread on your Fall Must-Haves. W Magazine shares (oh, how they share!), but alas, you are your own entity.  And a very miserly one at that.

I did find a few pictures and I will share them here... Just not all the ones I had wanted...

50's styles (and a BUSTLE!)

Nick Cave for Vogue--LOVE!

Sweaters are the new black for Fall

Karlie Kloss in Dior cape & vest

Total Domination

tunic: hawk for Urban Outfitters, sweater: Lux for Urban Outfitters, leggings:  Bebe, boots: Chinese Laundry from Norstrom

There is nothing quite like a good night's sleep in nice, clean sheets to make me realize I really should do my laundry more often... I now have clean clothes and am so excited to wear some of those items that have been living at the bottom of my laundry basket for the last few months...

We have a dialect workshop tonight (North Carolinian--yeah, it's JUST as hard to place as you think it would be...) and I can't wait to get some more guidance on where I should be heading with this character (linguistically, at least).  I think that working specifically with the voice will definitely help Candy take shape.  Tomorrow, I start actual script work and then Saturday I have four whole hours of rehearsal!  And then hopefully, a little Husky football with Dani!