Lampshades Not Included

I love that Fashion Week Daily interviewed reps at all the magazines to find out where their holiday parties are, including juicy tidbits of insider information on the revelries. Seems a bit to me like asking the popular crowd where their after-prom parties are, but I love it just the same!




And now for the superlatives to continue the high school theme, because I know you care:

• Best Coworker Bonding: Domino is having a "bring-your-own-ornament" party to decorate the chicest slash cutest Christmas tree ever. Post pictures on the web site when you're done, so I can copy verbatim, okay?


• Most Intimidating Dessert: The six-foot tall cupcake tree at Hearst Corporations' "All that Glitters" party.


• Class Clowns: CosmoGIRL! staffers are being encouraged by EIC Susan Schulz to wear silly hats. At least it will keep them from that inexplicable urge to put a lampshade on their head after the fourth martini (although, sidenote: it seems oddball headwear is continuing with its It Girl status.)


• Sassiest Invite: Glamour's invitation features a model sporting Dior supported by four men in tuxes reading, "Men in tuxes to carry you home, not included." Now that you've suggested it, Glamour, that's going to be my transportation of preference.


• Most Paranoid: The New Yorker staffers did not release the date of their party for fear of "psycho stalkers." They'll be eating BBQ in the Flatiron District while talking about how much better they are than you.

Have fun at your respective corporate holiday shindigs, but not too much fun. If you feel you need it, read these tips that lead off with a story about a young PR professional who vomited in her VP's lap in the cab ride home...oh the horror!

Have Yourself a D.I.Y. Little Christmas

Apparently, crafts are now just as cool as knitting was a few years back...even though sewing is the "new" knitting.

This month, Blueprint's unique gift wrap ideas encourage a little more creativity and less red and green. Unfortunately, their links aren't working too well right now, so check back a bit later.

There's a really great section on how to use layers of colored tissue paper and confetti, as well as rubber stamps in contrasting colors.

If you're feeling nerdy and are at all computer savvy, you can also try this Word clip art idea to make your own wrapping paper. I don't really think using a highlighter pen to give it some extra pizazz sounds very festive though. I mean, a neon yellow snowflake just doesn't say "Happy Holidays" to me.

What about glitter paint or some nice watercolors? Or you could be brave and try to run pre-printed or colored paper through the printer. Just be sure to watch the thickness and make sure it doesn't get wrinkled...that's a headache in the making, for sure.

If you're feeling like you want to support the handmade scene, check out the handmade holiday cards at etsy.com. The cost won't set you back as much as you think, most cards are around $1.00 to $3.00 each. Or you could just get some inspiration there and use the site to get some ideas to make your own cards.

My favorites are like the linocut cards by Rainy Prints, especially the Santa, this funny owl, a little more grumpy of a message and this labrador reindeer.

And you really can't find gems like the "Happy Hanukkah, Hooker" card to the left at Hallmark. You just can't. If you're wondering, this crafter also makes a "Merry Christmas, Bitch" version.

Wonder if Britney would like that one this holiday season?

So I'm running on the treadmill at the W in Los Angeles yesterday morning and I had an interesting thought - is our love for technology starting to turn us into heartless animals?

Why, you ask?

Well, the lovely W Hotels have treadmills that allowed me to watch CNN while I sweat. So, as I'm heading into my second mile, up on the screen flashes the headline "Consumers Place Computers at Top of Holiday Wish List." That's fine. Sometimes I kind of want a new shiny model of my 2005 Dell desktop that hums at night, but I'm not going to cry about it.

However, what I found most disturbing is the ranking of this list and that it has changed quite dramatically over the past year.

Let's do the visual thing.

2006
1. Clothing
2. Peace and Happiness
3. Money
4. Computers

2007
1. Computers
2. Peace and Happines
3. Big-screen TV
4. Clothes
5. Cash

Wow. The American Apparel and Footwear Association must be super bummed..."Clothes" is having a bad year.

I really love that the Consumer Electronics Association commissioned this survey. I'm in public relations, I get the whole "survey" thing. But now, more than ever, I feel disenchanted by the American public and its values. This quote makes me feel dirty inside:

“The fact that they want computers over clothing and peace and happiness is amazing,” said Shawn DuBravac, the CEA’s economist. “It’s a testament to what the tech industry has done to empower the consumer.”

Empower? Just because consumers have jacked up priorities and like tangible objects more than things money can't buy?

I, like most 25-year-olds who aren't complete luddites, enjoy me some technology every day. I can't go without my Blackjack, my laptop (work mandated...that's why), my iPod, etc. without some sort of minor meltdown. However, if someone said to me, "If you want the world to be harmonious, your smart phone and all its accoutrements and accessories are out the window," I would say to them "Screw it - this crappy thing can't stay charged worth a damn anyways!"