i have thumb thing for you...

A couple of weeks ago I was in Seattle...and whenever I'm there, I go to two of my favorite book stores.

First, there's BLMF Books (figure it out), or as they call it up there, a "literary saloon." The owner is always there and always reading! I'm pretty sure he's read every book in the store, which has shelves and shelves of used books, and even some haphazard stacks that look like they're ready to topple over. I usually am able to find classics in good paperback editions here.

Then I head down to Pioneer Square, usually with a bag of fresh-roasted cinnamon almonds from the market, to Elliott Bay Books. I love this store and it always surprises me with a book or two I never knew I wanted. They sell new and used books, always have authors scheduled to visit, and even have an underground (literally) cafe.


When I was there a couple of weeks ago paying for my books, I noticed these "Thumb Things" on the counter. "How totally useless and stupid and unnecessary," I immediately thought. I mean, I have never in my life thought, "Dang, this book is so tough to hold...I wish there was another way!" But then I tried one on...stupid inventions are usually intriguing, after all. And it actually does make holding a book easier. So...although I am sure I could have gotten along for the rest of my life without a Thumb Thing, I did purchase one. I think they're lamely cool. Check out their website here.

Alright...time to go read...

The OC Fair

The OC Fair is coming soon! Read my article about the fair in the July issue of The Gazette here.

So...meet me at the fair?

Travel Tips Part II

Last year after my London trip, I posted some travel tips. I feel like I learn new things after every trip. I just got back from Alaska and Seattle (post coming soon) and thought I might share some more of my learnings...these are a few more logistical sort of things to think about if you're planning on a trip this summer. You don't want to be what the French call les incompetents, do you?

1. Packing--bring the good stuff. I love dressing up on my vacations. Obviously, your wardrobe will be determined by what type of trip you are taking and you need to pack what's appropriate. But, listen...I have pictures in Pisa wearing a Green Day shirt and Birkenstocks. And I have pictures in front of Buckingham Palace in a pretty dress. Bring nice stuff! Trust me...that T-shirt with the hippo on it that says "hip" shouldn't be worn in front of the Eiffel Tower. (I would know.)

2. Mentally prepare yourself now for Starbucks stores in airports, and remember that not only are the prices jacked up, but your Gold Card is not accepted. It's such a shame, I know. I was very disconcerted at LAX when I was forced to pay full price for my latte. It's not even about saving the thirty-five cents...it's the rejection of the belonging to the establishment that is kind of spirit-crushing. So, just be ready for that in advance so you won't be as crestfallen when purchasing your delicious beverages in airports.

3. Footwear--the white exercise sneaker look is unecessary while traveling, unless you're planning on running a marathon or something. I know when you're packing, you think, "I need comfortable shoes...I'll be walking a lot." This is true; however, "comfortable" and "not ugly" are not mutually exclusive concepts. Also, Tevas are only appropriate when climbing rocks; don't wear them in airports (You're outdoorsy. You have a North Face backpack and a Nalgene. I get it.). Lastly, Crocs are not okay. Anywhere.

4. Toiletries--There are so many incredible products that come in travel sizes! Check out Target--they have travel tissues, mouth rinse, deodorant, hairspray, medicine, shave gel, toothpaste, even mini lint rollers. And everything's a buck. I love buying new toiletries and lotions for trips. So treat yourself to some new products and save some packing space.

5. Don't buy crap on your vacation. Of course you want souvenirs, but don't buy lame stuff that loses its cool as soon as you leave the place of purchase. My pal Hayley comes from a family of serious cribbage players (a game I will never understand), and she bought a wooden cribbage board in Alaska. I collect books from museums and Starbucks mugs, so I look for them when I travel. Buy souvenirs that are things you like or use at home. And remember...it's nicer to have one or two pricier but higher quality souvenirs than a bunch of cheap junk that you won't even have in a year.

6. Pack a few Power bars or Luna bars on your trip. In Europe, I'd eat half a bar almost every mid-day--walking and exploring takes a lot of energy. I've found myself in many places (stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel for three hours, on a train in the middle of nowhere, on buses, etc.) where food wasn't available but I was able to tide myself over with a Luna bar. Plus...I mean, have you had a Luna bar? They're delicious!

7. Things to do before a trip:

Get a manicure and/or pedicure. So, you're going on vacation and stressed out about all the stuff you need to do before you leave, right? Calm down and get your nails done the day before you go. I swim and type all the time, so I love getting a manicure before a vacation because it actually lasts!

Update your iPod. Make playlists for the places you're going and make sure your iPod is charged.

Think of which books to bring. This is always one of the most difficult packing decisions for me. A trip is a chance for me to dive into a book I haven't been able to get to yet. Be bold...pick a big book!

8. Things you should pack but might not think to pack:

Souvenirs from your hometown, to give to friends you make on the trip...something small and simple like postcards or keychains. In Ireland, I made friends with Debbi from Australia and she gave me a stuffed kangaroo that I still have...what a fun idea. In Alaska I gave postcards to our dinner servers thanking them for taking care of us. People will appreciate these!

Phone, iPod, and camera battery chargers. These are kind of "duh" things to pack, but they're easy to forget.

Umbrella. I'm only suggesting this because when I don't pack one, I am caught in a downpour and have to buy one in the street for $5. And when I bring one, I never need it. So bring an umbrella...because then you won't need it.

Extra-strength Tylenol. Throw a few pills inside the inner pocket of every purse/bag you bring; don't worry about the bottle.

9. When packing, put nicer/more delicate clothes (blouses, cardigans, dresses) in freezer bags. They'll protect your clothes and also help keep them wrinkle-free (less friction). I LOVE packing my stuff in plastic bags...the stuff in my suitcase is always clean, compact, and organized.

10. Relax. All this stuff about packing and preparing...it's fun! An important part of trips for me is the anticipating. I love thinking of what to wear and pack, researching where I'm going, and making iPod playlists for museums and airports and cities. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by details, but remember to have fun now, and you will.

Happy vacation....

Nordstrom Fail

Alright. Well. Cool.

I'm off to get another black sandal. For my left foot.

We're 'Saurin...

When my brother and I were kids, my mom would drive us out to the desert toward Palm Springs to visit our cousins pretty regularly, and we’d always drive by “the dinosaurs.” But we never stopped to visit them; they only signaled that we were “almost there.”

So last weekend when my parents and I went to the Cabazon outlets for a day of shopping, I pleaded that we stop by the dinosaurs to fulfill that childhood wish. These dinosaurs are classic roadside kitsch! They’re the world’s biggest man-made dinosaurs. (Official website here.) Why wouldn’t you stop to visit them?! I mean, yeah, their paint is faded; they’ve definitely seen better days…but they demand at least a raised eyebrow or a ten-minute stop. Respect, people! They’re movie stars, after all! You might remember them from such cinematic gems as Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure or The Wizard, starring Fred Savage, Jenny Lewis, and Christian Slater.

There are two main dinosaurs, the apatosaurus (formerly known as the brontosaurus) and the T-rex. As I stood inside the gift shop located in the belly of Ms. Dinney (the apatosaurus), I couldn’t help but think “This is why twitter was invented” as I quickly texted “I am currently standing inside the biggest man-made dinosaur in the world” to 40404. In the gift shop you can even snag a pamphlet discussing creation, science, and evolution. The owner of the dinosaurs is a Christian whose motto is “By Design, Not By Chance.” Bible verses can be found throughout the gift shop. The only problem about the pamphlet is that it disputes evolution by arguing that dinosaurs exist today—“In just the last hundred years there have been thousands of sightings reported of creatures described like one dinosaur or another.” Wait…what?



Thanks, Mom and Dad, for stopping at the dinosaurs for me! (And Dad…sorry that you missed the first exit and we had to drive about four miles until we hit the next one so we could turn around…WORTH IT!)

Speaking of Fashion...

I saw this shirt in a fashion magazine and realized that it's from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store! This is a plain T-shirt with a trompe l'oeil necklace printed on it. You can buy it here. (Just so you know, we'll be the same if you buy one. At least give me credit when people ask you about your amazing shirt.) I love that the design is based off of a collar necklace that was found in an ancient Egyptian tomb. Necklaces like this symbolized Egyptian royalty and decadence. Royalty and decadence on an awesome printed T-shirt? Yes, please!

Pair this baby with some skinny jeans...


Some cute strappy sandals...


Some oversized sunglasses...


A big luxe bag...

Grab a latte...and you're good to go.

See...museums are awesome, even if you don't like art!

Check out the MET Museum here!

MEMO

TO: Men of Orange County, California...and the world

FROM: Lisa Birle, fashion-concerned citizen

DATE: 19 May 2009

SUBJECT: Clothing Suggestion

It has come to my attention that many males do not put much effort into their clothing. In the eloquent words of Cher Horowitz from the 1995 film Clueless, "So okay, I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair - ew - and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so."

I understand that fashion is less of a concern for men than women. However, I find it difficult to accept the fact that society's standards dictate that females must dress in a way that often requires much preparation, effort, and sometimes an elevated level of discomfort. Men, however, adhere to much lower standards when it comes to looking good and choosing what to wear; comfort, mobility, and just plain cleanliness are often the only criteria that dictate their fashion choices.

Might I call upon you to try something new, XYs? I know this might seem far-fetched. I know that this might be a big step for you. I know you might not be able to find these items at Abercrombie or Target. But...have you ever considered sporting an ascot or cravat? They are quite dashing, you know. Chuck Bass wears ascots when he plays basketball. (I mean, yeah...he's a fictional character. But that's not the point.) I'm not asking you to wear one while playing basketball. But what about at a night to the theater? During tea? While playing cricket?

Oh, wait. That's right. This is 2009. And Orange County.

But still...they just look so good!

Here are some examples of cravats and ascots. (Oh, and I can help you tie an ascot if you need it.)

And yes, I've noticed that some of these photos are of movie characters based on 19th-Century English literature. And no, that does not stop me from asking you to mimic their fashion choices.

Velvet...nice, J.T....nice.

Mr. Darcy. He's the best.

Becks...looking good, as always.He looks like he's going to kick ascot...

Only Johnny Depp can pull a look like this off...

Love James McAvoy in "Becoming Jane."

I mean, come on.

Hoping you'll consider my proposition...

Regards,

Lisa

Let Me Explain...

I’ve retitled my blog several times. Unfortunately, it has had a few uninteresting and uncreative names. But I love the name “Impressions” for several reasons.

First, one of the greatest novels in the history of the world, Pride and Prejudice, was originally titled First Impressions, which I love, because the book explores the consequences of judging people’s character based on first impressions, which are often incorrect!

Second, when Claude Monet was criticized for giving his paintings monotonous titles (Entry into the Village, Morning in the Village, etc.…), he said “Just put ‘Impression.’” Monet’s interest was in reflecting his visual perception of nature…his impression of things.

So, there you go. That's how I came up with the title "Impressions." And really...that's exactly what my blog is about. I love that the title “Impressions” references both Austen and Monet…literature and paintings…books and art…things that I love with all my heart.

I'm Yours

Dear Jason Mraz,

I know you screwed up. And screwing up is okay...just not when your mistake is recorded on an album that I listen to every single day of my life. I mean, did you think I wouldn't notice?

I love the song "I'm Yours." In fact, I probably sing along to it two or three times a day in my car. Loudly. I enjoy the carefree, summery feel of the song and singing the word "love" over and over again. But I absolutely hate hearing...

"It's our God-forsaken right to be loved..."

I know you meant "God-intended right." After all, those were the words you used when you performed the song on SNL (I liked the straw fedora you wore on the show, by the way. I'm looking for something similar.).

So, my question is...why didn't you record the song with the proper lyrics? Laziness? Time or money constraints? Indifference? Would you think no one would notice? Because that screwed-up sentence dramatically changes the sentiment of the message you are trying to communicate with the rest of the song. "God-forsaken" would imply that our right to be loved has been abandoned by God. And we all know that you cannot separate God and love; that's just silly.

I mean, I still like you and all. I'm just letting you know...I notice these things.

I'm Yours,

Lisa

Death...and Life

Sometimes....infrequently…once in a while…I find myself in Walmart on a Saturday night, grabbing a box of movie candy, a DVD, a magazine, or something else just as frivolous but necessary for the instant gratification and entertainment that the evening requires.

And a Saturday night at Walmart is always so profoundly depressing. (Nothing against Walmart. I am not above shopping there. It’s just that depressing things about it are magnified on weekends after 9pm.) The fluorescent lights present the place with all the charm of a prison. The outdated pop songs being pumped into one’s ears create an eerie enough mood that one might wonder if they’re in a B-horror movie, their predator waiting for them in the parking lot to follow them home. The floors reek of generic hospital floor cleaner, as if vomit had just been cleaned up on aisle five. No smiley-faced sign indicating a price cut is met with a smile from me, for no bargain is worth being at Walmart on a Saturday night. And the people. “Have they nowhere else to go?” I wonder. But I cannot pass judgment. Although I feel like an outsider, I’m there, too, standing in the checkout line with the rest of them, feeling like a Death Eater is sucking my soul out of me. (Not to be dramatic or anything.)

Now, try to think of a place opposite this one. A place that is life-giving, engages one’s heart, hugs one’s soul as he enters its doors. Of course…the bookstore.

I went to a bookstore last night...and I felt so alive and happy. (No Death Eaters.) I loved hearing the coffee being made amidst the soft jazz music, and smelling the books, and thumbing through them, and looking at their covers. I felt a sense of belonging. I felt camaraderie among the anonymous kindred spirits around me, knowing that we could have interesting conversations. I heard novels saying, “Pick me!” Plays calling, “Lisa! Hi!” Collections of poems shouting, “Over here!” Never is my self-control at its weakest. I’d spend any Saturday sitting there with a coffee and a good story.

So, Walmart, next time I need some Junior Mints before my 10pm movie, can you just dim the lights a bit, play some jazz, throw some retro book cover posters on your walls, and smell like books and coffee? Because that would be really great for me…