Hats

Hats make me happy.  Hats can actually tell you a lot about a person because one can take on a completely new identity simply by wearing a different hat.  Here are some personas that a girl can adopt based on the hat she is wearing.

1. The Mysterious Woman

Nobody rocks a floppy hat (hiding the eyes of course) like Brigitte Bardot.

The Mysterious Woman's most notable aspect is her big floppy hat.  In her efforts to keep her identity protected, she forgets that her hat is actually an attention grabber.  Why she decides to frequently wear oversized sunglasses in addition to this headwear, I cannot say.  Although it does add to the mystery and intrigue I suppose.

2. The Classy Lady

Audrey Hepburn--the epitome of class.

This large hat is not to be confused with the floppy hat worn by The Mysterious Woman.  The Classy Lady knows the importance of wearing a hat that matches the rest of her outfit while simultaneously enhancing her beauty.  While wearing her hat, The Classy Lady frequently wears her hair in a demure chignon in order to show off her pearl earrings and freshly applied lipstick.

3. The Super Sleuth (a la Blair Waldorf)

Blair's sleuthing ventures seem to require headwear.

The Super Sleuth recognises the stupidity of wearing a large floppy hat.  She knows that to truly blend in, she must wear a hat that is versatile.  This hat can easily be perceived as stylish, casual, and dressy depending on what she is wearing.  And don't think that The Super Sleuth can only be active in the winter!  This hat comes in summer styles as well, simply by substituting wool for straw and velvet for silk and flowers.

4. The Athletic "Bro"

Jessica..do you even like the Dodgers?

An excerpt from a conversation with an Athletic "Bro": Yeah, I'm friends with all the guys.  No it's not like that I swear!  See..I don't even care what I look like.  Don't we all wish we could rock this baseball hat, messy hair, and jeans look and still be surrounded by men.

5. The Perfect Kate Middleton

She can pull off any hat.  #jealous

The Perfect Kate Middleton is a very rare breed.  In fact, there is only one girl in the world who has this persona, and that is Kate Middleton herself.  Nobody rocks The Perfect Kate Middleton because nobody is anywhere near as perfect as the beautiful duchess.  (Yes, I love her.)  Those who aspire to achieve this look look silly unless they are (1) British and (2) attending a function--wedding, lawn party, polo match, etc.--where this headwear is actually acceptable.  Even those who are British and attending such an event (like, say, a royal wedding) fail miserably. The Perfect Kate Middleton knows the importance of keeping the hat minimal.   Some of her new relatives clearly do not.

6. The Frat Star

 Aren't you like in a sorority?  

Trucker hats were like so 2005.  The Frat Star knows that these hats are perfectly acceptable if they are neon with your sorority's name (or even that of a frat) emblazoned on the front.  And of course The Frat Star pairs her trucker hat with a fratty tank and sunglasses. Oh and don't forget...it's all about the hat's position.  You have your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, duhhh!

7. The Hipster

The Hipster cannot be limited to a definition or a label.  Obviously.

8. The Enchanting Traveler

Perhaps it is my obsession with Paris, but I think that the French are such alluring people.  It is because of this fact that girls who wear berets have been dubbed The Enchanting Travellers.  Berets are associated with the exotic French, old men, and Blair Waldorf.  It is not often that a girl can pull off the beret as well as those three examples.  The key is to make the headwear a staple in your wardrobe.  Wearing a beret once a year is not #casual.

9. The Cowgirl

The Cowgirl can be divided into two categories: The Poser Cowgirl and The Authentic Cowgirl.  The Poser Cowgirl has never set foot near a horse, much less near a cow.  Her cowgirl hat is typically clean and in a shade that a guy would not wear.  (Think pink)  Sparkles are a must.  The Authentic Cowgirl views the cowgirl hat as a necessity to protect her face from the sun as she is out on the farm with the cows or riding her horse in the rodeo.  You won't catch her in a sparkly hat.  She prefers to wear her dad's old cowboy hats.  They are worn in and more comfortable.  Dirt doesn't faze her one bit.

10. The Animal Lover

Fun and Youthful Headwear

The Animal Lovers have taken over this year.  While sporting genuine animal fur is an absolute no-no, it is "cool" to wear fake animals on your head.  It's like decapitating a stuffed animal and tying its head to your face.  What does PETA think about that?  Oh well, trends are always contentious.

xoxo, m

The Bachelor

Watching ABC's The Bachelor makes me happy.  Not because I believe that the couple at the end will find a happily ever after (I wish they would, but most don't), but because I don't think there is anything as funny as watching twenty-five girls fight over one guy.  And of course because of the fact that so much of the show is staged.  I have been watching this show ever since the handsome naval officer Andy Baldwin was the season's heartthrob and let me tell you...it gets better and better.  And the guys get sketchier and sketchier.

Perfection.  Look at that smile.

Let's start off with Andy.  He is actually perfect.  He went to medical school, runs triathlons,  and volunteers in Africa.  In fact, his website describes him as a "Doctor, Triathlete, Humanitarian."  That translates to: He is ambitious, sweet, and super hot.  The girl he chose, Tessa, dumped him shortly after. WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?!

Yeah, he casually lifts weights (shirtless of course) amidst rugged terrain.  It's the ideal photo opp...didn't you know?

I absolutely loved Brad Womack's season.  Brad is a successful bar owner (with a twin identical brother!) and ended up rejecting both girls in the final two.  I completely respect that.  If he knew that his relationship with either would not last, why succumb to the drama and propose?  (Although he was on last season and didn't stay with the beautiful Emily Maynard..)

All Shane is thinking about is how she might actually get an acting gig after this.  And Matt just looks smug.  Guess he finally got his All-Amerian girl.

Then there was Matt Grant, a "global financier" but all you really need to know is that he is British.  Accent and all.  Obviously, I thought he was great.  Until he chose Shane Lamas, a tacky bottle blond who aspired to be an actress.  Oh Shane, there is no better free publicity than displaying your acting skills as a girl smitten with Matt.

Torn between two lovers. Melissa (L) and Molly (R)

And then we had Jason Mesnick, the single father from Seattle who got rejected by DeAnna Pappas (who was in the final two Brad's first season).  I loved Jason during DeAnna's season.  He was so dorky and sweet and you could tell that he really loved her.  When he proposed to Melissa Rycroft, I could not have been happier.  She was great with Jason's son Ty, seemed really smart, and appeared to be the better catch overall.  Then things got messed up.  At the "After the Final Rose" episode, Jason and Melissa were sitting on the couch and he broke up with her.  On national television.  She gave the ring back and the runner up, Molly Malaney, was brought out.  Jason told her that he still loved her and asked her to take him back.  Which she did, obviously.  I mean...who wouldn't want a guy with a receding hairline, a child, and one who just dumped his ex five seconds before on national television?   The couple ended up getting married, so I guess it worked out.  Whatever.  Melissa moved on too.  So there.  The bottom line is..Jason was too weak to stand up to the producers when they told him he had to break up with her on screen.

Yes of course I am going to fly this plane.  Right after I throw flowers onto the red carpet for the entering bride.  This season is On the Wings of Love after all.

The last contestant before Brad's return was the dashing pilot Jake Pavelka.  He was rejected by Jillian Harris four episodes before the finale, and I thought she was crazy.  Evidentially she knew what she was doing because he turned out to be a complete psycho.  He chose Vienna...I'm not even going to talk about her.  Runner-up Tenley was my favourite, but I am so glad she escaped.  Reports were circulated that Jake was abusive and on the "After the Final Rose" episode, his temper was revealed.  Crazy boy.

Clearly Ben loves his wine.

I am not a fan of this season's bachelor, Ben Flajnick.  I think the reason is rooted in my belief that he looks like the tennis player Rafael Nadal, who I really don't like. (I'd marry Federer in a heartbeat)  On The Bachelorette, he played the fun and unassuming boy, but on The Bachelor he is an arrogant guy who acts like he is doing a favour to all of the girls by being himself.  CUT YOUR HAIR BEN.  YOU AREN'T EVEN ATTRACTIVE.  Okay, my apologies.  Updates to this season will come at a later time!  And with all of the crazy girls in the house, this season is sure to be entertaining.

xoxo, m

Hello

Nothing brings a California girl down like her first winter (incidentally also her first time seeing it snow) in New England.  I've learned from my winter depression of last year and have resolved that when I go back to school next week, I will not let the weather bring me down.  Instead of succumbing to my snowy day routine of last year, which consisted of skipping class (I think--hope--it was a large lecture class?) and burrowing under my covers to watch the latest episode of Gossip Girl or 90210, I will post happy things onto this blog.  There are many things that make me happy.  British accents, for starters.  Although I'll confess..I am not discriminatory toward Irish, Scottish, or Australian accents.  Will and Kate make me giddy.  Taylor Swift loves to sing about my life.  Cupcakes (red velvet) and macaroons (pistachio and salted carmel) are the best.  There is nothing better than an Italian sunset.  Or looking at the Seine River on a warm summer night.  I believe that happiness is contagious. I hope you will catch mine! :)

xoxo, m