In Defense of Daytime Drama

Have you ever watched any Soaps? I’m guessing there’s a better chance you’ve made fun of the daytime dramas: how they are so ridiculous, so over the top, so dumb? I’m here to plead a case in defense of daytime dramas. I think there are some things here we can learn from these shows, so maybe I can sway your opinion just a bit if you are a nay-sayer.

My soaps of choice are 'The Bold and the Beautiful’ and 'The Young and the Restless’, also known as B&B and Y&R respectively. I started watching Y&R in 1986 when I first started college. In our dorm we would all gather at lunch and watch the insidious and salacious antics of our favorite characters. It was a fun, bonding time back then.

I took a break from Soaps, for…22 years, life and career got in the way, but then I started watching them again in 2009.  To my delight and surprise many of the characters were still on the show!! I loved Jill Abbott and Victor Newman back then and I still love them now. Now I also have a few new favorites like Adam Newman and Steffy Forrester.

I think it’s great that these shows value their long-term characters and particularly the women who have a loyal fan base, but guess what, they aren’t young and ‘classically magazine’ hot anymore (By the way I think they are more beautiful, I’m just speaking from a western societal perspective). But these actors are still as talented and as riveting and as fun to watch as the young actors. Movie starlets have until about age 25 it seems to make their big screen career happen, otherwise they become too old. There’s a few exceptions to this age cap like Julia Roberts, Helen Miren, but they are not the norm. The same goes for prime time TV and the life-span of actresses who seem to be predominantly young hotties.  I love that daytime drama honor and reward their aging female actresses. In my shows they have such strong, powerful, confidant roles. They are often leaders in business, lawyers, doctors, or talented musicians, or coveted fashion designers. I love even more when these actresses are involved in some sexy storyline where they show their confidence in themselves and their bodies with their sexcapades.

I also think these long time actors are almost more fun to watch because their characters have literally been developed upon decades of material. The writers do a great job keeping the characters authentic and not forgetting their 6 past husbands or 5 kids from different fathers, or their crazy twin that died. That’s not easy to do. Another bonus is if you have a favorite character that dies, the writers can find some clever way to resurrect them.

The writers also do a great job resolving issues fairly quickly. The boyfriend finds out she cheated in 2 weeks. The romantic tension is resolved in one week of episodes. The villain gets imprisoned in a month after this wrongdoing. Things move fast. Sexual tension is resolved. Doesn’t it drive you crazy the underlying sexual tension in some of your favorite prime time shows, that goes on and on? Well they have to keep that tension going or there would be no show. (Think Moonlighting, that didn’t work out so well after Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepard closed the deal).

Daytime dramas also address relevant, important and topical issues on a regular basis. Issues such as Leukemia and bone marrow donation are brought to light. Or Homelessness and how you can help. Domestic Abuse and how to get to a safe place. Very often they run PSA’s at the end of the show directing the viewers to the non profit website. I applaud the producers and I am grateful that they use their shows to draw attention to these important issues.

On a lighter note, I also watch for fashion and styling tips; best hair, make-up, clothes and accessories anywhere on television, hands down! Watching Soaps is better than buying fashion magazines. The looks are current and I love how courageous the actors are at changing their looks up on a regular basis.

TV can be an addiction though and can be a monumental time waster. How many times have you started watching an episode of Law & Order, to realize you have already seen this episode but you keep watching it anyway? So ridiculous, but it has happened to all of us.  There’s so much bad TV, and bad reality TV. I think Daytime Dramas should replace reality TV to be honest. I think it’s less staged and with better content. What about some of the other networks that have a ‘Real Something’ that is just one big commercial promoting some product, book, or other show, It’s very off-putting.  Again the only selling I’ve seen on a Soap is in promoting a cause.

I think there is cross generation appeal to the Soaps, and I’d love to see them around for decades to come. The future of Soaps are at risk, at least the who, how and where is in question. There are some terrific people out there who are better informed than I and are very passionate about the future of Soaps. They are filming a documentary called ‘Soap Life’, so they can show the world the importance of keeping these shows alive, hopefully to be released this year:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nypstv/soap-life-a-documentary-on-daytime-drama

Finally, I enjoy the Soaps and fashion so much I started a blog about it. If you haven’t already please check it out www.soapsstyle.com.  Soaps Style is meant to be entertaining, and fashion centric, based on the fashions of The Bold and the Beautiful.  Thank you!

Anyhow, back to the shows.  You should try one out for fun and see for yourselves if you like it, learn something from it, or just have some fun watching.

Thanks for tuning in! Run well, pdub

Some wardrobe shopping & organizing tips, really, I'm serious

I pass unto you some tips I have learned over the years in keeping my wardrobe fresh and accessible. This is more of a hodge-podge of info (I love the phrase hodge-podge, I need to look up the origin), than it is a thoughtful piece. A little break for everyone.

I love fashion, and I love to be creative in managing my wardrobe. I am also frugal when it comes to shopping, I love a deal. I like to invest in quality pieces that will be timeless or at least make it through a few seasons. I like to mix designer with lower end brands if the look makes sense. I love updating my wardrobe with accessories vs spending tons of money to try to keep up with the trends. I shop at your traditional brick and mortar stores, but also quite a bit in the onlines world.

A few things about online retailers: First of all I love them. Don’t hate me for saying that. I always try to support the local boutiques, but if they are failing in keeping me informed or being reasonably priced, then I’ll take my business elsewhere. I will pay more at a boutique as long as the service is there. You all read my service related blog post and I stand behind it. However, I do love some of the discount designer retailers that offer great selection, great service, and exceptional price. Apart from Zappos.com who just rock with their service, 365 day return policy, no charge shipping either way…my two favorite websites are:

www.gilt.com

www.hautelook.com

Next, I approach my shopping with a plan. Staying current doesn’t mean taking a look off the runway, but finding elements and incorporating them into your current wardrobe. For example, pastels and pops of brights are it for spring. I decided I wanted a yellow top, so it made my search online much easier knowing generally what I was looking for.

I also have favorite brands and designers. For example I love James Perse T’s, they are so soft and yummy, but so expensive. I saw on the Gilt calendar that James Perse was a featured designer coming up in 3 days, at 11est, so I was going to make sure I was ready to look through the items within a reasonable 4 hour period of time from when the sale first launches. I mean they sell this stuff at 20% of the actual retail. It’s awesome, but you have to act fast! By the way I scored 6 Threads for Thought tanks for $6 each the other day, which normally retail for $42 a piece. New tanks were on my spring wish list, so I triple scored getting the tanks, in modern colors, by a brand I love, and at an amazing price. Check those off the list! Items on these websites are current too. I found my birthday purse (last November) on Gilt the other day for waaaaay less than what I purchased for from my local boutique. I was kind of bummed, but I got over it, and at least we supported local.

Another thing I’m pretty excited about right now, is that Toms have come out with ballet flats. You know Toms? For every pair you buy, they donate a pair to a child in need? I just bought a pair of two-tone flats which are super cool and can be worn with anything, and I feel good about the purchase.

Go to www.toms.com

Apart from these shopping tips, I have these random tips that I think I are totally useful, recycle friendly, and inexpensive. Check these out:

Sick of your boots flopping over unto each other, and can’t see them? Easy solution, roll up paper bags and place them down the shaft of the boot. Voila.

Have a ton of small evening bags, clutches or large belts with no way to see them or get to them easily? Buy a hanging shoe rack and put your items in here instead. You can see them, and it’s much easier to mix and match into your wardrobe. 

I love bangles, and I used to keep them in drawers and would often walk out the door and forget to put one on.  The solution? I bought a $10 paper-towel holder and stack them on display on top of my vanity. I can decide which one I want to pick with my outfit as I’m getting ready. And when I’m not, they are a pretty mix of color as my room décor.

Do you have some off shoulder, soft fabric or large neck items that keep falling off the hangars? Wrap some elastic bands over each end and they won’t fall off anymore. I love this tip, it used to drive me crazy things falling off hangars.

Shoe bags. Great for off course keeping the dust off your shoes, but if you have a bunch hanging around they are fantastic for travel. I use mine for lingerie bags, holding my curling iron, or holding bangles and accessories.

Finally, get rid of stuff that doesn’t fit, is dated or (gasp) isn’t age appropriate anymore, or doesn’t fit with your lifestyle so much. I no longer have a need for a monster wardrobe of chic power suits, so it was time to say ‘au revoir’ to these pieces. Some I donated to charity, (check out Dress for Success in your area if you have suits to donate), while some of my other designer suits I am sending out for consignment. I am trying a local consigner, as well as talking to these folks who are getting a lot of good feedback:

http://www.shopedropoff.com/

Hope these tips are helpful. I’m already way under budget for my spring wardrobe wish list which I am jazzed about. If I move a few suits in consignment it may mean my fall wish list may be getting a little longer.

Happy shopping and organizing! If you have any other fun helpful hints I’d love to hear about them. Thanks for reading,  xo pdub

One Morning, 3 Perspectives

• I was expecting my Marimba alarm sound, instead I get an early wake up call with my water bottle getting knocked off my bedside table. A little annoyed.
• Why isn’t she getting out of bed, I’m hungry.
• Silence

• I throw on my fleecy pants and get the food out of the cupboard, careful not to put too much in
• Glad she is finally feeding me. I’ll let her know later, but for now why won’t she get out of the way of the bowl. I’m so hungry
• Silence, *coffee making process in process*

• Tea time. Happy
• Ate too much. *Puke *
• "Ah come on!," Racing to clean up

• Sigh, not so happy, puke was on the carpet, inches away from the easy to clean floor
• Ah much better, kinda hungry again
• “Really? This is how we start the day?”

• Have to get ready for workout, gotta change. God I look fat. * walk around the apartment trying to get all my gear together. Tripped over cat *
• Why does she keep walking back and forth? I just want to thank her, and snuggle. I guess I’ll just keep following her.
• She’s looking good. Good coffee.

• * Go to gym*
• *Crying at door *. Why would she leave? I miss her. Maybe if I bring her my favorite toy to the door she’ll come back. * cry *
• “Oh my god STOP! She’ll be back soon!”

• Why do I do this, I think I’m gonna puke, gotta get back into shape
• Fine, whatever, I guess I’ll go sleep on her spot on the bed
• Ah peace. Let’s see if I can get some work done

(one hour in between and the three feelings are respectively)

• Suffering yet Motivated
• Sad but Tired and Cozy
• Content

• Walk into apartment. “Ahhh! thank you for the present at the door!”, I love my cats so much. ‘Hey honey how are you I love you.” 
• HOLY CRAP SHE’S HOME! *tear down the hall to meet her * I love her
• I like it when she’s around. ‘Hi honey, I love you too, how was your workout?”

 Have a great weekend! with love from Pdub

Tighten up in 2012

Tighten up, tighten up, tighten up, is replacing aum, aum, aum, as my new mantra for 2012. I’ve been thinking about my resolutions for this year, and realize my items are more categorical in nature. Here’s where I’m at with my category tightening:(btw, many of these are already well into action)

1.     Tighten the Budget: So yeah, I am using coupons, and proud of it. Anyways, as far as the tightening process goes, Step 1: to analyze where we excessively blow dough Step 2: stop with the stupid spending in those areas.

2.     Tighten dat ass: and all my other body parts. Two days a week lifting, 2-3 days cardio (stationary, treadmill, walking), one to two yoga classes. On it! Not easy getting ‘back’ into shape.

3.      Tighten up my poker game: I don’t mean go back to being a super nitty tight player. However, improving my tight, aggressive game is what I’m talking about. I also need to work on my player –by- player strategy more when I sit down at the table. And hey variance, thanks for the tough love character building in 2011, but please show me some sweet, sweet love in 2012. Thanks in advance.

4.     Tighten up my daily habits: I’m gonna get up, and I’m gonna do them. Meditate, sun salutation (yoga in case you’re wondering), core, neti pot, vitamins. Set the stage for an amazing day and the happier me. Everyone benefits.

5.     Tight spaces require tighter organizing. This also appeases my OCD tendencies. I love to clear clutter. We have a small downtown apartment with two big people and two amazing (usually) cats. It is constant work to keep organized and tidy.  We also have 3 storage units here in our building that are calling my name to come and get rid of stuff and organize. Big project. Requires assistance from my man.

6.     Tighten up Diet: I’m working on eliminating meat from our diet 100% for all the reasons people become vegetarian. I love animals.  I want to be healthy. I love our earth. I hate big slaughterhouses that abuse animals and ruin our environment at the same time (watch Food Inc you’ll be with me, oh and 9 BILLION animals are slaughtered in the US each year…how gross, and think about that stress on the environment). As a result, I am testing out cooking some regular, rotating menu options that are healthy, tasty, and vegetarian. I have also been figuring out price per serving too, which is taking the diet/ budget/ health thing a bit overboard into crazy town, but I’m having fun with it.

This blog post is like a personal contract to myself now as well as to the wwworld since I’ve posted it. So who do these ‘tight’ categories essentially serve? Well the short answer is myself, and my boyfriend.  Seems selfish right? Not really. The bigger picture answer is an overall improved ‘me’ which will allow me to be a better contributing person overall. This is stated best here by one of my favorite yogi’s:

“…we live in a toxic world, so one of the main goals of yoga is purification. Establishing and developing boundaries of all sorts is one of the first tasks – physical, psychological, and spiritual boundaries. Cultivating good/ pure things within yourself while keeping the toxic out, or at least at bay, is the main practice. Basically maintaining the pure/impure boundaries between you, your space and the world. Then, as you evolve a little, you try to become a filter, taking the bad/impure in and transforming it into good/pure. Thus making your own space ever expanding, and creating more purity rather than just maintaining boundaries.”

He continues with “It all sounds good of course, but it’s a bitch to go through and consistently practice. We homo sapiens think too much, bitch and moan, rather than just doing. We waste so much energy on thinking about what we should do, or about what is bad rather than acting on our Good intentions.”

This has been a similar theme in my blogs before and I’ve had some great comments back from several of you about your own personal struggles trying to be your best you. I apologize for any repeats. I am repeating a bit however because I want to take this opportunity early into the new year to clearly set my intentions for 2012: to tighten my personal ‘categories’ by practicing ‘yoga’ everyday. Bet some of you didn’t realize that you already practice yoga without ever even setting foot onto a yoga mat.

And yes, I also realize that tightening my poker game is a stretch in my self -improvement efforts…but I think there’s an argument there.

Namaste to everyone! Looking forward to a tight 2012! Much love, Pdub.