Elizabeth Newlin – Arizona Real Estate Agent

If you’ve watched Project Runway on Bravo at all this last season (and if you haven’t, you should), you know that there was quite the uproar (OK, maybe it wasn’t an uproar per say, maybe more like an upmeow, I guess) over Kayne, the super-gay pageant dress designer who used to be fat, and his ‘taste level.’ Kayne stayed until the final five, if I’m remembering correctly, and even won a couple of the challenges, but was constantly being labeled tacky and overdone. The other contestants, and ultimately the judges decided that he just didn’t know where to stop.

This discussion of Kayne made me sad and a wee bit uncomfortable, because I loved almost all of his stuff and frankly, I think they might question my taste level too. Which is funny, because I’m not known for loving ruffles or bright colors and feathers and God forbid I be caught dead in anything even resembling a pageant dress.

When I was in seventh grade my ‘friends’ passed around a slam book. I think we got the idea from a Sweet Valley High novel, and honestly, we should have known better because I’m pretty sure that Jessica got voted biggest floozy and Elizabeth most giant nerd ever and everyone’s feelings were hurt even in the book. But despite all of that, being the obnoxious young teens we were, we made up categories ranging from prettiest to smartest to worst hair and passed it around writing names under each. But the time it got to me I was horrified to see my name unanimously under Worst Dressed. It was a whole drama and Rene’ Peru stuck up for me and it was the reason she and Arwen Rhan (yes, her parents were huge fans of Lord of the Rings even before it starred Liv Tyler) weren’t best friends anymore. Anyway, looking back, it’s not totally surprising. I have a unique sense of style. It comes from my mother, and her mother before her and my siblings each have their own variations of it. We like clothes and we like things that are different. When I was 13 I didn’t really know how to channel this and often ended up in the no-man’s land of Hawaiian print shirts with striped pants and whatnot.

I don’t think the slam book incident took away my desire to be different, but it certainly made me take a hard look at what I was wearing and just be much more careful in general with my fashion choices. I still made several quite unique decisions with prom dresses that will live on forever in pictures (what? A denim halter with rhinestone buttons, a white tulle skirt and silver platforms isn’t what you wore to your Jr. prom?) but I think I really made myself be more conservative than I really wanted.

I was thinking about all of this today when shopping at American Apparel down on Mill. It’s a weird store. It has really cute basics in all colors, but also totally bizarre stuff you might not touch with a ten foot pole. I came upon these leggings and was just totally amazed:

The conservative, doesn’t want to be openly mocked, side of me was aghast, but the 12 year old who likes sparkle and anything shiny or outrageous is still convinced that with the right shirt dress or skirt and top over them they would be awesome. And of course I’d have to have the right event… Man do I wish sometimes that I was that girl who could wear anything and no one would question me. That mod girl who rocks the black nail polish and the pink hair, or the super hippie who always wears her hair in braids, the old lady in the fancy dress at the grocery store. I want a style all my own and people to look at me funny if I show up in a simple jeans and sweater set, because it’s just not me. But to achieve that, I’d have to not be afraid of people voting me worst dressed, wouldn’t I?

Some day, I hope to be confident enough in myself and who I am that when I see something fabulous, be it copper lame’ leggings, or a poofy black lace skirt, or rhinestone studded tennis shoes, I buy it and wear it, and don’t give a thought to who might laugh at me when I do. Maybe even someday I’ll wear them all together (talk about the crazy old lady in the grocery store).

Did anyone else read this article today on AZCentral.com?

It brought up several questions for me:

1. Is there really such a thing as ‘Old Money’ out here in Arizona? We live in a state where anything built in the 1950s is considered ancient. So when we talk about the distinguished rich out here in the west, are we talking about the people who’s grandparents made their money vs. the nouveau riche whose parents were the ones who struck it rich? Anyone else see this as a silly comparison?

2. Does this mean that we can now expect pink fluorescent lights and orange hummers to line the streets up to the Biltmore now?

3. Why on earth do I care? Was it just a really slow news day or this ‘article’ have any sort of journalistic value at all?

Do you ever have those days where people aren’t returning your phone calls, you’re wearing your most uncomfortable pair of underwear and even carbs don’t make you feel better? I’m having one of those days. Everyone and everything is irritating. So I tied up my loose ends at the office and went home and threw on the shirt I just bought last week from this site (pretty much my favorite site ever):

It suits my moods so well that I’m already feeling better (plus I changed my underwear).

“Hmm, something’s different, right? I’m not sure what it is, but something’s a bit… bluer? Or, prettier maybe? Oh, wait, I know, more functional!!”

Yep, all of that and more. My webmaster signed me up to participate in the Spring 2006 CSS Reboot a couple of months ago and has been working feverishly since then (OK, so he’s mostly been working feverishly for the last three days) to put together Version 2.0 of www.elizabethnewlin.com. The whole point of the ‘Reboot’ is to get a bunch of people together who have websites and have them relaunch their new looks and functions on the same day. The website does a whole Before and After screen capture thing, which you would know, if you clicked on the above link, if the CSS Reboot site was not, ironically, down. It’s ironic because my poor husband was up literally almost all night finishing the site because he did not want me to get blackballed for signing up and not being done on time. Sad, but true. What are you going to do?

Anyway, the site still needs some big tweaks and has several things that will eventually be much more awesome, but for now, check it out. I think you’re really going to like some of the new functions. For instance, you can now search the MLS directly from my site! Awesome, right? And keep your eye on the listing of the week. I’m always able and happy to show anything that appears there.

And let me know if you see anything that just doesn’t work right. We’re still in the buggy stage. Version 2.1 to be released soon!

I have to make a small deviation from my usual path of real estate, kids, recipes and crafts today to mention something that is totally freaking me out: my best friend from 6th and 7th grade is on The Apprentice! Check this out:

This gorgeous gal and I, back when she was Roxy and I was Liz, spent most of our time ditching band practice (we both played the clarinet), manipulating our sixth grade teacher, Mr. Smith and fixing the computers in the other sixth grade classrooms so that everyone else could also play Oregon Trail. In seventh grade we locked ourselves in a practice room in the chorus classroom for a semester and recorded, from memory, the entire script to the movie Heathers. She was always brilliant, assertive (and if you know her you know that’s the understatement of the year) and hilarious. I’m so proud of her! So far she has been the epitome of grace, intelligence and composure on the show. I’m totally rooting for her!

OK, let’s take a second to reflect: Today it was 77 degrees in sunny Phoenix. I wore a tank top. Ben went swimming at the hotel pool with his grandma who’s in town visiting. This weekend I switched out our down comforter for a light ’summer’ sleeping blanket. I was thinking it’s time I put away my tall boots; it’s gotten to be a bit inappropriate to wear them.

Now let’s think about the New Englanders. TWENTY-SEVEN INCHES OF SNOW IN CENTRAL PARK?! REALLY? So why is living in New York so awesome? I’m completely missing it. Ah well, I can’t be bothered with such confusing logic. I have pool sides to languish beside and margaritas to drink.

Say it with me people, “I LOVE LIVING IN ARIZONA!”

The finalists for the 2006 Weblog Awards are up! Yep, there are actually awards for things like Best Craft Blog. I found them yesterday from another site I read daily, and am fully entertained by their existence. Especially amusing to me is the fact that several of the blogs I read regularly are nominated, but so are a few of the ones Jason is always talking about. Which just goes to show you that the Bloggies cater to quite a varied audience.

Anyway, the reason you should check the Bloggies out is to find out what you’ve been missing. For instance, I realized that I do not have a food blog I read daily, which, considering how much I love food, is a major oversight. Now I have the five finalists to choose from. I also plan to check out some of the Best Designed Blogs for ideas to update the look of my site (coming soon!). There really is something for everyone. Go on, head on over.

It’s been a wild weekend here at the Newlin house. The quick rundown is:

1. I held a poker party Friday night at our house. We played Texas Holdem with a $10 buy in. It was very fun (except for the fact that I did not win). I meant to take pictures of the food so I could post all of the new recipes I used, but in the chaos of getting everything done on time I forgot. Here’s a quick one, however, that is my new favorite easy cheese appetizer:

Baked Brie with Garlic

Ingredients:

Brie (I bought a 2.2 lb one imported from France from Costco)
2 heads of garlic
Drizzle of olive oil
2 loaves of long skinny French bread

Preparation:

Slice the top of the heads of garlic off. Drizzle them with olive oil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or so. Remove roasted cloves from the head and mash together in a small dish. Place Brie in a glass pie plate and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted. Serve with sliced French bread. Spread garlic on bread and then cheese.

2. The kids have been sick again, again, again again again. I know it’s just the season, but man do I hope we’re almost through with all of this. Ben had strep throat and Gray had the usual (pink eye and ear infections). I’m feeling a bit like it’s all my fault because last week was the test run for a new day care center we are doing twice a week. I have gotten to the point where I need some time a couple of days a week to get stuff done without the kids. But then of course, they immediately came home with stuff. I swear, parenting is 50% guilt.

3. My sister ran in the PF Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon and kicked serious tail. It was her first marathon, though she was a world-ranked swimmer in high school and college. She ran 3:41 and ran 10 minutes faster during the second half than the first half (which tends to mean that she went out too slow and could have done the whole thing faster). I’m just amazed at what a natural athlete she is.

Anyway, this week has been crazy with the sick kids, but the antibiotics have kicked in and I’m back in the saddle now!

Is it just me, or do Anthony LaPaglia and Captain Feathersword look an awful lot alike:

OK, maybe you can’t tell here, but if you ever get to watch an episode of The Wiggles, check out that jolly, feather-toting pirate. The resemblance is eerie… and they’re both from Austrailia… I think Mr. LaPaglia is moonlighting between episodes of Without a Trace, is all I’m saying.

This is for all those people working hard, with no end of the week in sight.

10 sites to entertain your brain (AKA, ways to kill time):

1. One of my personal favorites for snarky commentary on current shows.

2. Ever wonder what your personality type is? Take a 72 question quiz and see how you stack up again the presidents and other notable Americans.

3. To be a fashion icon you have to take risks, and sometimes those risks fail.

4. When you just need a little mindless fun.

5. You may not agree with all of his political viewpoints, but you have to admit, this man is clever.

6. Tell me I’m not the only one who likes to browse recipes when I’m bored…

7. Anything and everything you could ever want to know about who played what in which role.

8. If you don’t know what a blog is, you have no business surfing the Internet. Go here for a list of the best.

9. Mmm… shopping for deals…

10. One of my new favorites. Gotta love tea cozies with irony.