Project Runway

Has anyone else been watching the sixth season of Project Runway on Lifetime? I had my doubts about the network switch and about the show's move to Los Angeles (it was previously filmed in New York). Although I don't really like the coastal switch, I have been pleased with the show so far. It's been a little heavy on the celebrity appearances with Lindsay Lohan on the premiere episode and Rebecca Romijn on the most recent, but I like a lot of the designers and the challenges have been fun.

My favorite designers this season are:

Shirin Askari

Althea Harper

Louise Black

(Images courtesy of Lifetime)

Of course, this could change weekly! I hope you watch so we can discuss.

Print Will Never Die

Well, I made it through my first week alive (barely). This semester is going to be insanely difficult, as I have way too much on my plate already. Nonetheless, it's really exciting because it's my last year and I'll be doing a lot of really fun things.

In case you're interested, my readings for this week include:

A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad
Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen
Fantomina, Eliza Haywood
Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan

Along with my English classes, I am also taking an Anthropology course entitled "The World at Play." We'll be discussing humor, laughter, and why people find different jokes funny. It should be really interesting!

As you can tell by my reading list, I probably won't be around much! I am still doing my internship, which is tons of fun. On Friday, I met someone who used to intern at the magazine and is now working in publishing in Moscow. If only I could be so lucky! He discussed the state of the publishing industry with me a bit and, although he believes there is a rocky road ahead, he assured me that I should ignore the recent "get out now!" philosophy. It was really nice to hear some encouraging words, especially after the doubt I've recently had regarding my plans.

Back to School

It's getting to be that time again. In just a week, I will be returning to Jefferson's University for my final year.


(Image courtesy of UVA)

I'm dreading it a bit. I am worried about juggling work, a full course load, and an internship. I know I'll be ridiculously busy between the papers and the reading and rushing back and forth between tutoring, classes, and the magazine office. It will be a chaotic semester, but I hope it'll be an enjoyable one. I know once I'm walking along the lawn, watching the little squirrels burying their nuts and sitting in my classes listening to professors lecture about Jane Austen or Chinua Achebe, I'll settle in just fine.

Until then: panic. I've got books to buy, tutoring training, internship orientation, and a whole bunch of other time consuming tasks that I must accomplish before next week. Wish me luck! And don't hold a grudge if you don't hear from me for a while.

On a Lighter Note

Hugh Dancy was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night.

(Image courtesy of kissfendi.com)

Along with promoting his new film, Adam, Hugh also discussed this strange project he is working on in which he and others photograph the carpeting in various airports across the world. They document their travels (and the carpets) in Carpets for Airports. Check it out! It's interesting to take a look at the strange, often tacky airport carpets around the world.

Wednesday Confessional

I've had a bit of nothing-to-do time in between my summer internship and the start of my fall semester. It's given me just enough time to freak out about my future. It's frightening to be facing my final year as an undergrad. It's going to be a busy, overwhelming year.

As I'm thinking about life after college, I feel like I have direction, which is actually new for me. It's a nice feeling, but I am also worried that I am headed into a dying industry. I shouldn't say dying. Publishing is a rapidly changing industry. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It could actually be exciting, as I will be part of these changes. At the same time, I am worried for magazines. Many people are saying that the future won't be in print, but that magazines will be transformed into purely digital media. As someone who loves magazines, - loves holding them in my hands, loves filing them away - I fear the prospect of losing the aspects of print media that I cherish. Robert Sacks (www.bosacks.com) says that "It's the publishing model that is dead, not print" (from NYU-SCPS Center for Publishing). I suppose this is comforting. Nonetheless, it's certainly scary to be stepping onto shaky ground and into the unknown.

I've been reading all of this advice from "how to take away as much as possible from your internship" to "how to apply for jobs and pitch stories." It's frightening. Am I here already? It's becoming a little too real for me. It's also showing me that I have a lot of decisions to make. What aspects of publishing do I want to focus on? If I want to be a writer, what sort of publication do I want to write for? What experience do I really need? I'm hoping that the coming academic year will provide insight (and answers) to these questions.

I apologize for the 'heavy' nature of this post. It's certainly not necklaces and headbands.

Happy Monday

Sorry to continue gushing about Marion Cotillard, but I just had to share this adorable video from The New York Times Style Magazine. I think the small errors she makes when she speaks English are endearing. I just think she's beautiful and sweet and...there's just something special about her. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I do!



If you like this video, it is just one of a series called T Screen Test Films. There's a variety of actors featured, including Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Natalie Portman.

To Die By Your Side

Chance and I finally got to see (500) Days of Summer. We both thought it was delightful, but a bit melancholy. Zooey Deschanel is so cute and loveable and Joseph Gordon-Levitt has a heartbreakingly sweet face. I was so pleased to find this silly video featuring the two cutie-pies for "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?," a song from Zooey's collaboration with M. Ward, She & Him.


(Video courtesy of YouTube)

Enjoy the rest of this gorgeous Saturday!

Intern Thrills

My last day of my summer internship was on Wednesday. Fortunately, I extended my internship through the academic year, so basically I just have about a two-week vacation. I guess it's a good thing - I have things I need to do to get ready for school - but I'm going to miss the magazine for the two weeks I'm not there!

I went to the bookstore the other day and got one of the greatest thrills ever! I saw the August-September issue (the first that I've ever worked on) on the shelf with all of the other magazines. It was very exciting.

This is what the issue looks like:


(Image courtesy of albemarle magazine)

It is so wonderful to have a tangible thing to show for all of the work I've done over the summer. I can't wait to get back to the office and work on more issues of the magazine!

Wants: Hair Edition

Now that I have short hair, I feel the need to accessorize. I did some online shopping and could only find a few headbands that stood out.

Peacock Feather Headband:

(Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters)

Flower Headband:

(Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters)

Any suggestions??

Mad Men

I was reading The Girls in the Beauty Department (Glamour's daily beauty blog), and I discovered something super fun: MadMenYourself.com. In order to hype up the new season's premiere, Mad Men allows you to create a '60s version of yourself.

This is sort of me:



This is cool '60s me:



and this is a combo between real Chance and '60s Chance:



You should try it! It's strangely fun!

Today, I Like

Meryl Streep.

I saw Diane Sawyer's interview with Meryl on Good Morning America this morning. She was promoting Julie & Julia, which comes out on Friday - I can't wait!


(Image courtesy of www.wireimage.com)

I am always so impressed by Meryl Streep. I have an immense amount of respect and admiration for her. She has a fantastic view on life, beautiful kids, and a career that anyone would envy. She's one classy lady.

Changes

So, I had long hair a couple of days ago.



I decided to cut it and donate my hair. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite long enough for Locks of Love. So, I donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Next time I grow it out, I'll make sure Locks of Love gets it.


(Don't mind the Goldfish - just a workday snack)

I definitely encourage other people to do this! There isn't really any reason not to. My long hair really grew on me and I ended up loving it. Nonetheless, I'm glad that my getting-ready time has basically been cut in half! It's a win-win.

Please consider donating your hair too!