Weekend Reads: Snapchat Hack, Terrible Words & Feeling Feelings

It's cold as a frozen tundra outside in DC right now - I believe Capital Weather Gang called it a balmy 2* with the wind chill. I thought this article explaining wind chill was pretty interesting...and only further confirmed my decision to not go outside today. I'll be working from my couch, under a blanket, sporting a turtleneck sweater doing calls and answering work emails. When I do finally make it out - there better be amazing pasta at the end of that jaunt. Until that time - the weekend links...

11 hit songs originally intended for other artists.

I have a couple British friends, so this list of 10 great things about Brits tickled me.

The 39 worst words of 2013 according to one grumpy grouch over at Mother Jones.

Was your data leaked in the Snapchat hack?

Can I buy you a coffee? One man's attempt to explain to other men what it's like for women to get hit on.

One woman's quest to save the lost art of conversation.

The Wolf of Wall Street's daughter wrote an open letter to the makers of the movie and it gets awkward.

Where do you feel love in you body? Hint: it's not your heart.

The 1-3-5 rule of to-do list writing and #GSD.

All LinkedIn with nowhere to go. If one of your career goals is to get more active on LinkedIn this year, think twice.

"...because men aren't supposed to be happy; they're supposed to do well." In the ongoing debate about finding happiness in our work, the conversation is very different for men than it is for women.

12 habits of healthy happy people who don't have a shit about your inner peace.

3 classic sci-fi and fantasy movies you can watch on YouTube!

The Washington Post's 2014 in/out list is pop culture gold. Out: This is everything. In: You do you. Amen!

How To: treat a woman when she's drunk/passed out on your couch.

I reached into the depths of my iTunes this week looking for untouched music to listen to while I ran errands and rediscovered my Gaby Moreno collection. About half her album is in Spanish, but even if you don't understand a word of it, you'll appreciate the ambience it creates. Have a warm weekend, lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnN1AgAuk9A&w=560&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Fashion Choices, Otters & Karl Lagerfeld

I'm writing this post from my bed in Phoenix, AZ with a very sad Small Dog in my lap. The little guy knows I'm leaving (as evidenced by my neatly packed bag) and is trying to squeeze every last drop of cuddle time and affection he can get out of me. It's sweet, but for anyone who has a dog and has seen that "where are you going!?!?" face, it's a little bit desperate in the most heartbreaking way.

Great dating advice from a 103 year-old woman: "Don't be afraid of a woman who knows how to drink, play cards, eat, and show you her zest for life. She will take you a lot further than some skinnie minnie with no personality. You'll have great things to say to each other and great stories to tell when you're old."

How America gets drunk. DC likes to make out in bars apparently?

This take down of Love Actually made me laugh.

A cacio e pepe recipe that will get you through some cold winter nights.

Shake an otter's hand!

What words were invented the year you were born? 1982 = downloadable.

Karl Lagerfeld: Sociopath or Genius?

Women executives in The New Yorker from the thirties on.

Tell me your grocery store and I can tell everything about you.

AskASlave.com (before you go getting offended, read the About page.)

People are going bonkers and naming their kids weird stuff. 

What you wear at work (and in life) matters, we know that already. But what does it say when you buck social norms and wear whatever the hell you want? As author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us, it's not so easy a decision to make for women:

"Because the sad truth is that when it comes to appearance we start off with men as the standard, as the norm. If a man is getting ready for a business meeting, he doesn't worry about looking too masculine, and therefore not being taken for granted. If a women is getting ready for a business meeting, she has to worry about looking too feminine, and what it says and whether or not she will be taken seriously."

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! No video this week, as I'm hustling to get ready for a plane ride back to DC, but have a safe and restful weekend!

Weekend Reads: Baking For Singles, Santa & Hollywood Screenplays

I'm already back in Arizona for the holidays but I brought with me a chesty cold. It's not so bad, forcing me to actually lay in bed, relax and read my book. I'm looking forward to some time with friends and a weekend project with my mom. We're going to digitize the family photos. Oh, Throwback Thursday, here I come!

"Because the truth is, rarely does a response make something better. What makes something better is connection." This video explaining empathy is the best and everyone should watch it.

The Deported. A great story about what happens after the U.S. returns illegal immigrants to Mexico.

For all your airport time coming up - how to torture people who talk too loudly on their phones.

If you want to remember a moment - don't take a photo. Totally counterintuitive, no?

A gift guide for the tasteful alcoholic in your life.

Your Friends and Rapists. It's a long read and quite intense but it'll get you thinking about rape culture, gender bias and the decisions women face every day regarding our sexuality.

Shameless plug: Nick Barron says I'm one of the five best blogs he reads! I'm in good company, check out my compadres. 

The Santa brand book has my PR/Marketing/Advertising friends nodding and laughing.

Kids in third world countries read our first world problems. Yikes.

15 stories I think need to stop being written.

The Black List is a running list of all the very best screenplays that didn't get picked up this year by Hollywood.

How a working-class couple amassed a priceless art collection. 

A gift guide for the 30-something in your life. Ahem. :) No, but really, I want these. 

Lovahs, I leave you with this informative and hilarious video on baking holiday cookies. I hope everyone has a restful holiday, and if not restful, I hope you come back with some great stories! 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU9xceWy8aU&w=560&h=315]

Stories I Hope Go Away In 2014

2013 was the year you didn't even have to be an avid news consumer to catch on to the fact that every news outlet wrote a series of the same damn stories, often multiple times each, throughout the year.

Here's a list of stories or hooks that I would be elated to never read again in 2014:

• Why Miley/Beyoncé/someone with a vagina isn't really a feminist
• Women having it all, not being able to have it all
• The virtues of getting up early (Is it just me or is the hour I'm supposed to wake up getting earlier and earlier?)
• Anything about millenials ever again
• The benefits of taking time off (And that MUST include not being tethered to your iPhone.)
• Someone's account of their day, week, month or year off of social media
• How social media is ruining everything
• Habits of highly successful people
• Habits of very creative people
• How blogging is dead - actually anything tech related being dead
• [insert food item] Day!
• Journalists waxing poetic about journalism - how it's dying, it's not dying, it's under appreciated, it's still appreciated
• DC navel gazing (#ThisTown)
• Navel-gazing in general

The list is not exhaustive and, as always, I reserve the right to change my mind. What stories are you tired of reading, friends?

Weekend Reads: Dapper Criminals, Holiday Hosting & Lady Inspiration

What a long week! Even with the random snow day (that resulted in...no snow) the days seemed long and the week even longer. I'm ready for some cookie baking and some bourbon drinking and general lounging. And then probably a few hours of work at a coffee shop cause things just refuse to slow down! I hope you all get to relax a bit...

My friend Nikki has the holidays on lock down. Here's her guide to no-stress hosting. And she has a great mashup of party playlists and gift lists for every type of party you're going to this season.

Introducing! Corporate Boards for Her!!

Whoa - is this networking, or are we on a date?

Dapper criminals.

24 ways to be a gentleman (or woman) in modern society. Spoiler alert: have manners and common sense.

This ad in the Philippines shows us the double standard at work where women earn monickers like aggressive and bossy but men are leaders.

Ladies, time to get them dollas! Here's Ann Friedman's guide to knowing your worth and asking for it! 

Thinking about your New Year's resolutions? Maybe try a few of these 30 things to stop doing yourself.

The Verge has a list of 50 innovators and gamechangers from a ton of industries. Totally worth a look and a twitter follow.

WestJet airline made people's wishes come true...and me cry.

I downloaded this jam last week and have been playing it on a continuous loop since. If you see me laughing like a weirdo on metro, this is why lovahs. This is why.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2nLU&w=420&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Weird Twitter, AZ Holidays & Star Trek

That right there folks is an original Frijolita's Mom ipad drawing. (Arizona holidays...in case you were guessing.) I'm having it printed, framed and it's going up in my new apartment. Oh, did I mention I upgraded to a fancy new one bedroom last week!? It's kind of great. It's also a lot of space and sometimes I marvel at it and sometimes I don't know what to do with it all. I'm a nester, so empty or un-cozy space is like kryptonite to me. While I go browse my 58234th furniture sale, here's some links to get you through the weekend!

This long read on "weird Twitter" is...well, weird. But also gives you a peek into the most interesting and funny people on the platform.

Valleywag seems to be appalled by a networking and professional development group geared toward women charging for membership. Full disclosure: I'm a paying member and it's been the best networking of my life. Related: The gendering of technology work. Of course, when women do something, it's somehow less than, salacious or appalling. Ridiculous.

Famous book characters you just want to slap! Lookin' at you, Jay Gatsby.

The most common sentences used by young adult authors. 

What does it even mean to be a needy girl?

Ever heard of revenge porn? Here's the dude who's king of it, and the woman who's fighting to shut him down.

#SelfieNation and the age of internet self obsession.

Unintentionally funny lines from Star Trek. "Get this cheese to sickbay!" Mmmm I love a good out of context quote!

Related: Star Trek TNG texts from last night.

What young, gay men have forgotten about HIV/AIDS.

This baby dinosaur fossil reminds me of my favorite book when I was little!

YouTube commenters are famous for being nonsensical and often crass. A female YouTuber with a STEM channel reads sexist, ignorant comments on her channel aloud and makes everyone look even sillier.

Avocados should be extinct?! What!? Nooooooo!

How to handle people who want to fight with you on the internet.

I love my home state of Arizona. Recently, the Grand Canyon filled with fog making it an eerie, almost mystical sight.

What does your favorite color say about you?

Two dads discuss their gay sons on the train one evening. Heart...melting....

Dogs are such funny little beasts. This one remembers his favorite song from puppyhood and sings along.

Have a lovely weekend lovahs - no video for this week but I promise some fun jams next week!

Weekend Reads: Mexicoke, Goldie Blox & Girls Who Read

I'm down for the count, I over extended myself and didn't get enough of that precious shut eye. When I made it my New Year's resolution to get more and better sleep I never thought it would turn me into a total baby! It's a good thing, most of the time, but enough nights with not enough sleep take a harsher toll on me than they used to. Aren't I too young for this? Maybe not. On to the weekend reads...

Ever and always a George Takei fan, he now brings us: The Gay Bachelor.

Quoting lines W.E.B. DuBois and Notorious B.I.G., David Swerdlick shares why he loves being a black man.

If you love politics, or just love watching politics, you should be plugging this list of 50 influencers to watch into a Twitter list right now! Disclosure: my friend Liz Mair is on the list and she's awesome!

10 types of writers block and how to overcome them.

Soda taxes are no fun, especially when Mexico considers one that could kill famed glass-bottle Mexicoke!

We all have our beef (ba dum chhh!) with food, and apparently so did Duke Ellington. He was a voracious lover of food, concerned about his appearance and held on to some old food habits from his less fortunate days.

16 cities foreign governments warn their citizens about in the US.

Sometimes a girl just wants to be little spoon. Don't worry, you can hire someone to do that for you.

Uterus...crying...omg...so...cute!

Goldie Blox are building toys for girls. Watch the video and then vote for them so they win a Super Bowl commercial and spark that inner engineer in girls all across the country.

All the deaths in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

"See. Some guys prefer asses. Some prefer tits. And I am not saying I don't like those bits. But what's more important, what supersedes, is a girl with passion, wit and dreams. So I like a girl...who reads."

2 states everyone is fleeing. Not shocking.

Shameless plug: I was in 1Chicklette's Twitter Spotlight this week!

Star Wars v Star Trek.

Ryan Gosling has been gypped again!! And he did so many things that were kinder and more interesting than Adam Levine!

I shudder to think how much bad coffee we're all drinking in The United States of Starbucks.

Well that's useful: how to clean a spice (or coffee) grinder.

I love you honey, but you have clothes like a f*&^%ing d*ckhead. Oh Kenny Powers.

The skater girls of Afghanistan.

It's that time of year again! Beaujolais time! But Jason Wilson tells me we should be drinking cru instead.

If you're feeling a little bouncy this morning then Tegan and Sara will help you start your weekend of perfectly. Have a good one, lovahs! 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e9NSMY8QiQ&w=560&h=315]

Photo credit: Me (Alejandra Owens)!

Weekend Reads: Twerk Free Zone, Holiday Bullshit & Food Slot Machines

I'm ready for a wicked snow storm and it looks like DC is going to hit 70 next week. What is that crap!? I have a pair of fuzzy boots and some scarves in my closet that would really love some wear time. Until I get snow, there's links...

Even if you don't know what an API key is or what JSON stands for, it's fascinating how much information is hidden in just one tweet.

And on that note, how much is your twitter account worth? I add up to a cool $5,624.

Why the hell does your drink cost so much?! 

A step by step guide to winning Price Is Right. 

Don't have a menu planned for Thanksgiving yet? Saveur's Thanksgiving slot machine has got you covered.

Alternatively, I'd just cook everything Rivka of Not Derby Pie is making!

Your friends play a bigger role in your happiness than you thought.

We Americans are kinda weird.

www.holidaybullshit.com from the fine folks who brought you Cards Against Humanity.

Do you help make innovation happen at work, or are you trying to stop it. Consider.

Everyone learns in different ways, but learning by doing always seems to be the best. A social media scavenger hunt at work recently inspired a whole crew of aspiring social media strategists!

Depression around the world is...depressing.

Ryan Gosling Mad Libs for your next girls night in.

Thanksgiving in Mongolia. Warning: this is a heartbreaking and graphic story of epic proportions.

Another shameless work plug: the latest episode of Takei's Take is up and this week George is chatting with Ann Friedman about the future of journalism.

Lilly Allen Lilly'd the internet this week with her signature straight talk and eye popping bluntness with her new song Hard Out Here. Warning: NSFW lyrics and video.

 9 things extremely successful people do after work. 

Amanda Cohen eviscerates Howard Chua-Eoan's lame defense of his Gods of Food issue of Time.

"...why would women be on a chart of 'The Boys Club' because then it wouldn't be a chart of 'The Boys Club' and would, instead, be a chart of 'The Boys Club with Also Some Icky Girls in It Ew Gross This Club is Hereby Disbanded.'"

Some food world nerdery: a fabulous Q&A with Rene Redzepi of Noma fame.

What does a newspaper "without sound" look like? Behold, the power of photography.

Sorry I'm not sorry for posting a Miley Cyrus video, lovahs. There's no twerking, no cut up basketball jerseys, just Miley flexing her vocal chords while she covers Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray. You'll like it. I promise.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93CZ6oFR8Q0&w=560&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Museums, Dating & Scandal Crushes

TGIF lovahs, am I right? When I started my career as a young public relations professional, my boss had all sorts of anecdotes, idioms and analogies to explain a PR girl's life. One of the many was, "One day you're up, the next day you're down." Nothing special about that, but it was always followed by a mini-speech about appreciating those highs because the lows are inevitably not far behind. This week had all sorts of highs and lows from all walks of high/low life and I never really have fancied roller coasters. You'll find me at Bibiana having a big plate of pasta and some red wine this afternoon...

I think this was the best news to come out of the week: a national science fiction museum is in the works! Donate to help make it happen. Please!

Amusing doodles. I've never seen a stapler look so scary!

This is controversial one. What happens when a woman thinks (or knows) she doesn't want to have children? Some very silly things are said. As someone who's on the fence, I struggle to find answers that make others feel okay about my on-the-fenceness, but this sassy line made me giggle: "Thank you for your genuine concern regarding the status of my happiness, Deepak Chopra." Maybe let's just let people make decisions? Not everything requires a discussion.

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is the world's premier hot air balloon festival and makes for one gorgeous time lapse video.

A breaking news matrix to help you decipher real news from bullshit. 

What your favorite Fall outfit says about you.

Woo me to befriend me!

A cheese plate infographic that you should print out and put on your fridge.

Want to be happier? Screw being positive.

What 'no' means. (And doesn't mean.) (Seriously, step back and calm down when you hear no at work guys.)

Laurie Anderson, wife to Lou Reed, wrote a touching farewell on Rolling Stone.com. Tears: 

Like many couples, we each constructed ways to be – strategies, and sometimes compromises, that would enable us to be part of a pair. Sometimes we lost a bit more than we were able to give, or gave up way too much, or felt abandoned. Sometimes we got really angry. But even when I was mad, I was never bored. We learned to forgive each other. And somehow, for 21 years, we tangled our minds and hearts together.

Time magazine anointed the Gods of Food this week. And women were scarce...unless they're a pastry chef. Shame on you, Time.

Aziz Ansari brings the truth again, this time on dating. My only edit: the whole process can just stop after GIF number five most of the time.. 

Fuck Chip Wilson and his "some women shouldn't be wearing our yoga pants" ideas. Everyone looks great in yoga pants.

A 4 year old asked a lesbian, "Are you a boy or a girl?" She gives the best answer. And shares a lesson about closets. Spoiler: everyone's living in a closet of some sort.

What your Scandal crush says about you. (Gratuitous Scandal hotness.)

up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A 

Have a wonderful weekend, lovahs! May there be bacon and sticky buns in everyone's future!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qphknagXqA&w=560&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Beware The Internet, I Am The Walrus & News Smugglers

This shirt from Buy Me Brunch had me cracking up. Think I can get away with wearing it under a blazer to work? A blazer makes the internet demon more professional, right? Maybe on a Friday. Okay maybe only on a Friday when working from home. This has to be the weirdest link round up to date...hang in there with me...

World's largest ball pit + photoshop = weird but hilarious.

Men in love walk slower. Great, now I have to keep track of your pacing?!

Sleep is so important and now science tells us why.

mmmMMMmMMm ENTJ are you?!

Quistic is the latest start up to come from Penelope Trunk. Online learning mixed with her brazen style of advice giving...I'm all in! 

How did it get ok for people to be late to everything? Seriously, it's not cute.

Don't know the answer to something? Please don't say "I don't know."

The truth about baby carrots.

There's your age, and then there's your fitness age. Here's a calculator to help you figure yours out.

That age old DC conversation starter, "What do you do?" Is also, apparently, the best way to kill a conversation.

40 ounces to freedom.

Never say goodbye. (And keep a box of tissues next to you.)

World's most dangerous job? Syrian "news smugglers" - going where other journalists won't.

The week's song is a real oldie - in multiple ways. I'm a huge Oasis fan, even if they are huge jerks. They famously claimed to be better than The Beatles. Which, come on, is just laughable. But I do enjoy their cover of "I Am The Walrus". Please don't think less of me lovahs. Have a wonderful weekend!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Z2vQDqpVw&w=560&h=315]

Photo: Buy Me Brunch

Weekend Reads: FOMO, Raptors & The Zombie Apocalypse

I'm exhausted. I've been going pretty much non-stop since I got back from LA last week. I can hear my mom in my head, "You always do this to yourself. You don't have to do everything!" Except, I hate canceling fun plans with friends! And then there's me...forgetting to write down all my commitments in my date book. Sigh. Speaking of missing out on fun plans...

Fight the FOMO! Ask yourself these four questions before you wonder what you're missing.

What your drink says about you.

10 words to cut from your writing. Even if you just write emails.

Do you have the guts to live a life that sings? Honestly? Sometimes I don't.

Google autocomplete tells us exactly what the world thinks of women.

Gee, those raptors from Jurassic Park have really evolved.

The science of the zombie apocalypse in two minutes and 18 seconds.

All these covers of Katy Perry's Roar with sick kids are just too much for me. All the tears.

Garance Doré's guide to shopping at Zara. Quite helpful.

Ever wonder just how big a threat cyber attacks really are? This near real time Google map of DDos attacks will give you pause.

Know what's really, powerfully sexy? 

Tomorrow night is Dinner With Marcella and I've been told to dress like my favorite Italian. Is this too much? Perhaps. I think I'll just go with this look.

This week's video is an awesome study in what happens when technology, music, DJing, design and performance art come together. Also...beat boxing...cause it's cool! Have a wonderful weekend, lovahs! Stay warm!

Humanelectro + "∑(SIGMA)" from Ryo Fujimoto on Vimeo.

Photo: Me! (Alejandra Owens)

Weekend Reads: Sexy Coffee, Motorcycles & Whiskey

I had one of those super inspired work weeks. In case you missed my tweeting and Instagramming, I was at the YouTube Space in LA while we shot new episodes of Takei's Take for AARP. Of course, meeting George Takei was a HUGE highlight but I also got to meet Felicia Day, Hannah Hart and Ann Friedman. These are ladies who rock my world in so many ways I can't begin to explain. Basically, I'm feeling grateful and blessed to have a job that I love, but also one that puts me face-to-face with people who inspire me so much. But enough with my gushy work week...we have two week's worth of links to catch up on!

What does your Facebook page say about your personality? Spoiler alert: anime = introvert. Baseball = emotional stability.

I never get why people move in together or get married without talking about their finances. Heres's some things you should be discussing.

Three words: imaginary. Dating. Disorder.

This long-read on 4Chan is maybe the best thing you'll read about the internet, on the internet, for a while.

People complaining about their organized travel tours. Sample: “On my holiday to Goa in India , I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don’t like spicy food.”

Wanna swig whiskey like a pro? Here's what bartenders are drinking these days. And on that brown liquid note: someone stole $26,000 worth of Pappy Van Winkle. I loathe that person/admire them.

An ode to pour-over coffee. With a sexy coffee GIF included.

Every relationship you've had, summarized in 5 minutes.

Fuck the patriarchy! Men sitting on motorcycles like women.

Ladies, your sexed-up video game avatar is ruining your self esteem. 

College men, stop getting so drunk. Please and thank you.

All the spaceships from all the science fiction shows/movies ever. Is Serenity too small to appear?

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson's new movie) looks like someone got drunk while script writing. And I like it.

 I leave you with Wake Me Up by Avicii. It was the official soundtrack of our Vermont trip! Have a wonderful weekend lovahs! 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrbM1l_BoI&w=560&h=315]

Photo via TheDonutProject.com.

Weekend Reads: Lists Of Shame, Trapper Keepers & Chocolate Salads

 

I love twisted, self-affirming logic. Kinda like how when I oversleep on a work day I tell myself it just means I'm better equipped to handle the stress of the day! Right?! I'm totally right. And that totally didn't happen this week. Whatever, people. Not to brag, but to brag, I finished FOUR partially-started books in September. Each of the books I had started in the last year but let sit unfinished for some stupid reason or another. I spent a lot of time at home this month (which is not the norm for me) and it's been much nicer than anticipated. How many books can I read in October? Only The Doctor knows...

Delusions of Anthopologie. Could it get any more spot on? When I close my eyes I dream of patchwork quilts and quirky furniture!

Food can be healing, that's no surprise.

Is your marriage ruining your career? As someone who really looks forward to getting married, reading this one was quite a punch in the gut.

DC has some great date spots. EatMore DrinkMore rounds 'em all up for you.

Do you ever ask yourself why stupid people are so confident? There's a name for it. Also, stupid people have no idea how stupid they are. It must be nature's way of giving them a chance at survival.

A Jedi mind trick that makes cover letters easier to write? Sign me up!

I love my to-do list, but I guess it could also be considered a list of shame?

6 things you should do you in your 20s to make your 30s awesome. I agree with all of these. I'm only 31, so I'd like to think there's some time for me yet, but yes, do build muscle. It really does get harder to be fit as you get older...and fast. Way faster than you'd think.

History of the Trapper Keeper. *click, snap*

Katy Perry's new single seems like a good way to start the weekend, no? I'm having a friend over tonight for happy hour on my couch. Which is awesome cause the cheese plates at my couch happy hours are WAY bigger than the cheese plates anywhere else ;) Have a great weekend, lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4D5egXVqSg&w=420&h=315]

Photo via saboskirt on Instagram.

Weekend Reads: Khan, Hiphopopotamus & Kimchi Hate

Current status: on a train, bound for New York City. Current plan: stuff my face at Mission Chinese Food and walk it off on my way to Big Gay Ice Cream. Then waddle happily to the train and go to Long Island to hang with my friend. There'll be bad TV watching, wine drinking, beach strolls and maybe even a rib eating competition which I'll be goading my friend's boyfriend to enter. But...on to the weekend reads first...

Coffee. It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to make the perfect cup of coffee.

It's not that I don't like Miley Cyrus, it's just that I can't handle her tongue. So this doo wop version of "We Can't Stop" makes me happy. Less cringey, more jam-y.

ICYMI: surviving Whole Foods. It's brutal out there folks. Can't a sister get her chickpea chips in peace!?

Do you hate the word yummy? So does Ruth Reichl.

Even if you just watch the first 60 seconds, this lip sync-off between Jimmy Fallon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Stephen Merchant is 100% worth it for the laughs. Merchant's commitment to rapping is enviable.

Kate Middleton got major press for not hiding her post-baby body. This photo project takes it to the next level. Photographer, Ashlee Wells Jackson, snaps mothers and their children in nothing but a bra and undies - in all their post-pregnancy glory. Let us all be freed from unrealistic expectations by brutal honesty!

Work Brag Alert!!! My super cool, super smart and super talented co-worker, Nicole Shea, launched an AARP YouTube show with George Takei. It's everything you want it to be and more.

Hashtag, OMG! Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon show us how hashtag silly we sound when we hashtag talk in hashtags. #Hashtag.

I spoke in front of my largest crowd yet this week! This little trick helped me quell my nerves!

I've never laughed harder than when I heard Hiphopopotomus for the first time. All the reasons we miss Flight of the Conchords. Come back to me, Bret!!

Like, people really say like a lot. And it's, like, one of the most annoying things ever. Let's all try to stop saying it so much.

Star Trek art never gets old! An artist turned all 80 original episodes into movie posters.

Speaking of Star Trek...Khan almost wasn't in Star Trek Into The Darkness. Some argue that for such a minor (and yet, iconic?!) character, his appearance in the reboot was odd. Whatever, I'll take Benedict Cumberbatch any way I can get him!

Iconic tweets that gripped the world. They're gripping, no doubt.

10 things Chef Jason Vincent hates. Chief among them: the "man's world" kitchen mentality. Or as Vincent says:

Fuck you! Can you sense a running theme? I would like to buy you a beer, prop you up on a stack of phonebooks front and center in our kitchen and let you watch the women throw the fuck down like you will never be able to. They work harder on a Monday than you do on New Year's. Then, maybe, you can run back to your swinging dick shithole and finally be able to cook yourself out of a Happy Meal. And good luck with the kimchi.

It's not that he hates kimchi...he just hates your shitty kimchi.

I'm headed to Vermont in a few weeks and more than slightly obsessed with leaves changing colors. Here's the science behind why they get all purrty like that!

Speaking of fall, it's decorative gourd season, motherfuckers!

Halloween talk has already started. I hate, hate, hate dressing up. Or maybe not - but only if I can go in one of these crazy pagan ritual get ups!

Have you ever tipped more than 20% on a bill? Way more. Like, $200 more? These guys did.

Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian Mckellan's friendship is an awesome display of undying man love.

While I jet off to New York I'll leave you with Paolo Nutini, a crooner who's swoon-worthy lyrics give John Mayer's a run for their money. Have a great weekend lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffJ8xcfqOX0&w=560&h=315]

Photo credit: timmelideo via Etsy.

Weekend Reads: Sick Day

Oh you guys, I have a cold. It's kinda like life is just pummeling me with sad or stressful things lately and this is the universe saying, "DEAR GOD WOMAN WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST TAKE A BREAK AND RELAX!!!!" Fine! Fine. I'll sit here, sniffly, sneezy and looped up out of my gourd on cold medicine.

So while I sleep (and probably snore like this little dude) and shuffle around the house in my "sick mumu" and socks, here's a very, very limited version of the weekend reads for you guys. No reason all of us should go without something to stimulate the brain, no?

Is it dusty in here? 28 moments that prove dreams come true.

How to talk about wine. Hopefully without looking like a jerk.

If you don't understand Syria still, maybe The Hills can explain it to you. And if that's what it took to pull it all together for you, I urge you to read or watch more news. Please.

There's so much chatter about extroverts and introverts, but what's the science behind what makes people more one or the other?

Space frog got all the attention this week, but Earth is still really fuckin' cool.

I JUST learned that 2Chainz has a cookbook. (OMG where have I been?!) Grub Street has the best lines from it. My fave:

"If wearing a four-finger ring, carefully place it on a side table before starting to cook." —Garlic mashed potatoes, step one.

That's all I got folks. I'm gonna go eat some hot and sour soup and watch Highlander. Because that's what sick people do.

Photo Credit: 1.| 2.

Weekend Reads: Cookie Monster, Alex Baldwin & Mystery Cities

At present, I am laying on the couch with my left ankle propped up on a pillow with an ice pack and a kitchen towel wrapped around it. Only after a three mile run and an hour long pilates class would I find myself tumbling down stairs at my pilates studio, ankle popping audibly, keys and phone flying in the air. Thankfully, I can walk on it and it seems to just be a bit tender. Nothing awful or permanent, but put it on the list of crap a person just doesn't need in their day. While I lay here, you can be reading cool shit. Meanwhile, can someone send a gorgeous man to feed me grapes or something? This literary map of London is beautiful and adds to your winter reading list!

So few Latin artists make a successful crossover to the US, English speaking audience. This article on Brazil's, Anitta was an interesting study in what goes into making a crossover and exposed me to a new kind of music!

The internet is such a bro-y place. Follow more women on Tumblr, wouldya!?

No one expects you to be a foreign policy expert, but all this Syria talk should have you thirsting for more information. The Washington Post's series, "9 Questions You're Embarrassed To Ask" is a good primer on a number of countries and conflicts.

8 ruined cities that remain a total mystery!

Global alcohol consumption, visualized. Stereotypes and jokes abound!

How long is the perfect nap? I say two hours, but apparently experts feel differently! Hm!

Hilarious or awful: Alex Baldwin will host a Friday night culture and talk show on MSNBC starting next month.

Whether you know it or not, you negotiate every day. How are you doing with the most important person in your life?

wherethefuckshouldigotoeat.com. That is all.

It's SXSW panel picker time. Are you looking at the ratio of male to female speakers and panelists? You should! Diversity on stage means a much more interesting and engaging conversation. Here's 48 lady centric or lady represented panels you should be voting for!

He's an alcoholic dude with an eating disorder.

I recently finished reading Caitlin Moran's "How To Be A Woman" so this letter to her daughter had me laughing, teary eyed and of course, affirmed my love for her.

Tom Hiddleston teaches Cookie Monster an important lesson. (Good god he's attractive!)

Ladies, we put a lot of effort into becoming experts in the men we love, but do we ever put so much effort into becoming experts in ourselves? This clip - part comedy, party spoken word might make you stop and think a bit. My favorite line: "Study hard, bitches! You've got a paper due Monday morning titled 'My Man Wants To Be Treated Like A Man But Won't Act Like One!'" Have a fabulous weekend, lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnhC3Bq8wug&w=420&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Coffee Jitters, Rudeness & So Much Science!

Three day weekend + no plans = me. I'm sticking around town this weekend, which I actually think will be great. If I can sneak in a couple non-laundry-and-cleaning-the-house activities I'll call it a win! Mostly I'll be catching up on sleep because apparently, a 24-hour trip to NYC can completely put me down! Don't mind this little old lady, I'm just gonna go take a nap now...and continue to power through this stack of books I have to read! But first, links for you...

New Yorkers (DCers, too) aren't rude. You're rude.

One of my favorite good bad movies is League of Extraordinary Gentleman. (Featuring Sir Sean Connery OF COURSE!) But who would you put in a modern day League? Not sure how I feel about Jacob of Twilight...

Do you keep a commonplace book? I'd never heard the term, but am familiar with the concept. It actually sounds like a fun project to start this weekend!

Do you ever get the coffee jitters? Clearly, I do.

Things I didn't need a study to tell me: my success makes my boyfriend feel bad. *dramatic tear* Whatever.

The female face of farming. It's still a boys club, but there are women doing some seriously hard work out there.

Space! The final front...nope. Earth still has some mysteries and beauties left to be discovered.

Science is cool, no? Science in six seconds is even cooler!

Want to find meaningful work? Time for a stone-cold evaluation of yourself and what you want.

ICYMI: Domino Magazine is coming back as a quarterly mag! Yay!

30 seconds of Captain Picard saying "Engage!" Because, why not?

Clothes for little girls that aren't all pink, purple and ooops! I don't understand math!

Still can't figure out a trick for remembering affect vs effect? This article will not help much, but it's fun to read!

I love Penelope Trunk, even when her opinions aren't all that popular she makes you think about challenging behavioral norms. This week she's up with 5 things you need to unlearn to be successful at work. #3 and #4, yes!

I love me some MC Lyte and her new song Cravin' seems like the perfect end of summer jam. Have a great weekend lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gprxdz1RwiQ&w=560&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Oreo Lies, Yelp's Death & Hoo Hoos

I'm looking forward to the weekend something fierce, guys. I didn't sleep well all week...and for no good reason! I need to rest up because next week I'm off to New York City for a couple days and there is more than enough work to get done. I'm looking forward to sleeping in, reading magazines, leisurely enjoying some coffee on the couch. I guess I should work out? Meh. On to the weekend reads:

This one's for my office gals: the secret pile of shoes we call keep at work!

Always go to the funeral. Which was a difficult, but thoughtful read.

Photos of the Hell's Angels in 1965...before their bad reputation got even worse.

Ugh, this one's for my DC ladies: the 10 DC guys we've all dated. Make that ugh squared.

Zabars, my favorite place to buy coffee in NYC, and Kate Spade, my favorite place to magically lose money, have teamed up for the cutest tote/gift bag ever!

How many cups of coffee a day is too many? Mom, this is for you and your (our) 13 cup a day habit!

Oreos lies!!! Double Stuf is really only 1.86 stuf!! Feelings.

PR guy and angel investor, Peter Shankman thinks Yelp is going to go out of business in the next two years. A girl can dream, no?

It was another bad week in the world of women in technology. First, Marissa Mayers' Vogue debut was met with excitement! Consternation. A shit ton of girl-on-girl shaming. Are smart, powerful, successful women also allowed to be beautiful, well-dressed and, gasp!, even sexy?! My friend Jenna summed it up best: women can be smart AND attractive. Get over it.

Then, Wired ran a list of 101 reporters, writers and thinkers in six different industries that we simply must be following. Except there were only four women on the list. Apparently, in all of the world of writers, reporters and thinkers there are no women who add value and insight! Huh! Crazy! Huffington Post gives you a list of 28 to follow.

A Softer World is one of my favorite webcomics. It's appropriately angsty, true and acerbic in a funny way. (Tip: scroll over the image for the punch line.)

Fictional couples that made us all tear up. So true. *tear*

Whiteboard art that'll make you pause before you erase. (Including a beautifully perfect Firefly.)

2,600 slang terms for your hoo-hoo. Or your nana. Or you lady bits.

Shameless plug: ICYMI, 8 tips for brand blogging like a pro.

I love J Crew's fashion videos. They give you a peek into their fancy, fashionable world in such a soothing, accessible way. This one on monogramming, doesn't disappoint. Have a great weekend, lovahs! Whatever you do, take some time to breathe.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bciu_vfRwbg&w=560&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Fake Relationships, The New Girl

See that picture up there? Yah, that was my refrigerator on Sunday after hitting the grocery store and the market. The idea? Eat a lot of veggies and healthy stuff after some time at the beach stuffing my face with nachos and orange crushes. A detox of sorts! I've eaten most of it, but I've also had pasta more nights this week than not...which is certainly not part of a sensible detox plan. Right? Argh! On to the weekend reads...

I'm not a fan of picking generational fights, but this list of 20 things 20-somethings don't get was pretty spot on. Some even applied to me!

Homeless dogs are far more prevalent in other countries than they are in the US (in Russia they even ride the subway!) so these kids took some balloons and made sure they did not go unnoticed. The result? A tearjerker.

Married, but not exclusive? I'm having the hardest time wrapping my mind around this concept.

Being a parent is hard. Raising a daughter, I'd argue, is even harder. How you talk to her about food, her body, weight - it all matters. A lot.

And let's not even get started on talking to our daughters about sex! This dad says he wants his daughter to have awesome sex!

There's a reason I love The New Girl so much: I totally relate to it (not sure what that says about me). And here's 27 quotes that have me nodding or smiling in agreement.

Imagine Shazam, but for wine. There's an app that let's you identify wine for purchase based on a pic of the label. Downloading...

Art inspires a lot, and in this case it inspires food.

Want the secret to success? Legendary (m)ad man George Lois gives it to ya straight.

See, people that make things like this are why it's hard to raise daughters. No one needs a "market value test" to determine how datable they are. We're all datable. Period.

What your Saturday night activity says about you. Oh my.

Science fiction v Competence Porn. When did we stop embracing the fantasy of making the improbable possible? Related: Ryan Britt at The Awl ponders the problem with Elysium and why our science fiction movies hate science fiction.

It's no secret that sometimes it just costs more to be a woman, but have you considered there's a cost associated with securing our safety? #2's mention of living in more expensive neighborhoods that are safer is a common theme in my life.

Have you ever mourned a relationship that never really quite happened? Ugh. Haven't we all.

I have such a girl crush on Ellie Goulding. Her cover of Tesselate, Anything Could Happen and now Burn. How can you not love this stuff!? Enjoy your weekend, lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGyEd0aKWZE&w=560&h=315]

Weekend Reads: Asteroids, Friend Love & Cheeses

Guys, I don't know what was up with this week but man was it weird! I arrived at work yesterday to find an empty spot where my computer once sat. Yep! It was stolen. I spent most of the morning un-syncing all sorts of services and apps, changing passwords and generally panicking about the security of my online identity. Now that everything has a new password I feel slightly better, but I'll be watching my credit reports like a hawk for awhile.

A quick note before we get to the links though: the idea of being interested...in anything...is an increasingly predominant theme in my life. People ask how I "know all this cool stuff" or chalk up my tid-bit sized commentary on just about anything to the fact that I "work on the internet all day." Well, no. I'm an interested person. I get it from my parents! My dad reads the newspaper daily (with a recent upgrade to The Wall Street Journal, even!) and my mom is a voracious reader, who's diving into social media on her own accord because she...is interested! It even came up during our dating and love hangout at work. When conversations stall at networking events or over the dinner table, I always wonder, what is this person interested in, and why aren't they talking about that?! Bottom line, it's time to get interested in something, anything! And hopefully share it with the people around you. Now, onto the weekend reads...

This is a nice compliment to that map of all the wineries in the US - all the distilleries in the US! Prohibition whaaaaa!?

I feel like I'm in school again! Bill Nye the Science Guy ponders, could we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?

Star Wars vs. Game of Thrones. I watched/listened to so many Game of Thrones comicon panels/interviews. My head is swirling with fandom.

What if country flags were slightly more honest?

20 songs that are 20 years old. And thusly, I feel old.

If you think your horoscope is creepily on point, just try The Secret Language of Birthdays.

This is a super sweet web comic: I think I am in friend love with you.

Shameless work plug: AARP Media interns are documenting the creative process behind our media properties! Tune in.

Tears of the week brought to you by a 97-year-old, legally blind man who creates beautiful art in MS Paint.  And yes, I bought Woods In Avon for my office.

The best way to deal with Twitter haters? Tell them you love their passion.

As a huge Sex and the City fan, I found Emily Nussbaum's piece on the show's fading reputation quite good.

We would like to talk to you about cheeses.

I don't have a song for you this week (because I'm still listening to Ciara on a continuous loop) but I do have my girl crush, Rachel Sklar, talking lady power, money and awesome work advice. Have a great weekend, lovahs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GMg9Nzcgn4&w=560&h=315]

Photo credit: I Can Read.