welcome to elaney!

Everyone has them.  The inexplicable day when everything you put on looks. completely. horrible.  Your skin tone looks weird; your hair looks bad.  No one else will notice these subtle changes, but you are instantly and acutely aware of how much more attractive you were a mere 24 hours ago.  Clothing Crisis!  What to do?  You can’t fight them, but you can prepare.  Have a very plain outfit ready.  Jeans, black top.  J.Crew kind of day for us.  Looks like the same for Jessica Alba.  What do you do?!

“A high maintenance woman don’t want no maintenance man.” – Toby Keith, quoted frequently by [insert brother who cannot be named on elaney]

After being called high maintenance lately, and being completely taken aback, we proceeded to think of all the reasons why we are so not.  Listed them.  Argued the point.  Called it a day. (Cue Carrie Bradshaw like reflection) then later that day, we got to thinking about high maintenance women.  What it means to be hm, characteristics, etc.  And we were forced to admit something to ourselves….elaney girls might be a little high maintenance.   So we  created a checklist that you can review to rate yourself on the HM Litmus Test and compare against our answers:

• When you get to spin class late and all the bikes are taken, even if you don’t like it show on your face, do you sort of think you should still get a bike? Yes!  We were here before NY Resolutioners!!
• Do you remember every detail of the day you got your first nice bag and did it kind of change your life a little? The days brings a smile and a gentle hum of “Louie, Louie…”
• When you were growing up, did your parents do things like let you blow out a candle and read “The Night Before Christmas” every night before bed since your birthday and Christmas were your favorite days of the year?  Uh, didn’t everyone’s parents do that?
• Even if you aren’t afraid to get dirty, like the outdoors ect., do you find yourself talking about these things ad naseum so that everyone in your life is fully informed?  But, aren’t people interested in that…?
• Do you get a mani or a pedi at least once every two weeks?  Is it so bad to think your nails look better painted?  The polish change is only $5!
  
• Can you leave the house without makeup?  Yes!  Finally…
• When you expect to see people you know?  Bah!  No way.  Do you know how many times eMum has said “You never know when you might meet someone?”

Verdict:  in moderation, even a little HM is okay.  :)

There is a lot out there about how annoying people can be on facebook, how ridiculous the  self expression is, how people might lose their jobs if they talk about how much the hate work anymore, etc.  However, this article is pretty funny…check out GQ’s 18 People You’re Scared of on Facebook.  If you have to pick one you are the most like…who is it?

We’ve gone back and forth about whether or not to have the interns write up a NY Resolution post (there is a draft of one saved if anyone is really interested); however, this year we’ve felt a little weary of reinvention.  To quote the best resolution we’ve heard in awhile, “My New Year’s Resolution is just…more of the same.”  And while we aren’t approaching that conclusion with the same complete satisfaction and off the charts self-esteem, we’ve stumbled on the same end result.

That said, we do think there is always room for self improvement, and if you don’t know exactly what it is, here’s how to tell when you’ve arrived:  elaney’s Three Signs of a Well Differentiated Individual.  Don’t know what it is about this combo, but if you stumble across someone that does all three – they have their act together.

1.  Doesn’t use artificial sweeter (no diet coke or splenda)
2.  Is finished with their work out by the 7 am hour on Monday through Thursday
3.  Listens to NPR

The 12 days of Christmas begins tomorrow, so we’ve decided to give the interns a “planning” day.  In the meantime, tighten your own message (while the interns tighten theirs) and shop these fab tights from We Love Colors.  $12.50 too tight for your budget?  Enter DAILYCANDY as a promo code and get 30% off.

We hope that you either (1) know or (2) assume how we might feel about Monogrammed Bumper stickers.  And that is that they are lame. So so lame.   Wanna paint yourself into a personality corner?  Pop one on your car.  They make pointed political bumber stickers seem like vague smiley faces.  If you put one of these stickers on your car, we can pretty much tell you everything you need to know about yourself.

So that’s why when Reader Willy sent in this pic, we had to share.  Glad to see there are still some people with customized pink bumper stickers that are cool.