And What a Year it Was...

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As that great band from Chicago sang some years ago, it's Only The Beginning.

Xmas Gift

My pal C made these for me for xmas from swarovski crystals and sterling silver. They're unmistakably preppy pink and green but they have another style that I can't completely put my finger on. Goth? Romantic? I don't know what it is but I do know these are me to a T. Anyone who's been reading Preppycrat regularly has probably figured out when I do mention my own personal style, there are undertones to the preppy. Maybe it has to do with being a brunette with fair skin, a bit of goth can be flattering when you're a brunette. Maybe it's the 80s New Wave influence and color set against a black backdrop in clothes, shoes and jewelry - a look I always was complimented on even when the colors were the most vivid reds, jades, royal blues. Maybe it's that conversation I had with friends in NYC a few years back where we mused over the thought of a bermuda bag made out of black rubber and snapping to a metal frame instead of buttoning to a wood frame. Maybe it's all of these and more - sometimes what we wear is our life story. Anyway I'm wearing the earrings now and loving them, and thinking of the creative, cool person who made them for me. xoxoxo's to you, C!

But What Will the Bidens Wear?

There has been alot of happy speculation in the blogosphere about what the Obamas will wear on Inauguration Day and to the balls later that night. The Preppy Princess has been closely following what the Obamas and their daughters might be wearing on the big day and night and she has links to that eye candy that is the WWD slideshow of potential looks for President Elect and Mrs. Obama and their daughters. No doubt all of them will look great - all four of them wear clothes well.

I'm curious though about that other couple the day will be honoring - the Vice President Elect and Dr. Biden. It's pretty obvious the Vice President elect cares about dressing well and judging from the article from the November 2008 edition of Vogue, Dr. Biden likes clothes as well. Though I wish I knew both of them personally, I don't, but I think it's safe to say she is probably looking forward to choosing a gown for the inaugural balls and will want one that's fashionable but ladylike and flattering - hey, if I ran 5 miles daily, I'd want to show off my figure too.

I'm guessing the Veep elect will wear a business suit with a blue tie, a combo he's been wearing quite a bit of lately and that works for him, then at the balls, a traditional tuxedo. I'm thinking his wife might be interested in looks similar to these:



This Badgley Mischka is a gorgeous color and unfussy, elegant style.



Ah, red. And the interesting thing about this gown is it also skims the body but the sleeves make it ladylike, a little more "serious" and less Hollywood. Not that Hollywood is a bad place but the Inaugrual is not the Oscars.

Both lovely choices, but then I saw this from a designer called Helen Morley:



And thought that this would be the look I'd love to see Dr. Biden wear. When I went to the Helen Morley website and saw a simpler version of the gown above with a lace bolero - I wish I could have uploaded the pic but dratted Flashplayer kept me from doing so - I was convinced all the more. Her designs are beautiful without being froufrou, grown up without being dowdy or sack like. And the shapes are simple enough that anyone who's preppy at heart would feel great in them. I would love to see Dr. Biden in a gown from this designer, and for more people to get to know Helen Morley's clothes.

He Went to Jared

Seriously. Here's an excerpt from the latest Communications Workers of America update:

A leading economist who has been a tireless advocate for working families and unions has been appointed by Vice President-elect Joe Biden as his chief economist and economic policy advisor.

Jared Bernstein had been at the Economic Policy Institute for 16 years, reporting and analyzing a wide range of economic developments and their affect on America's middle class and workers.

Bernstein frequently slammed Bush economic policies in articles posted on popular blogs that include Huffington Post and Daily Kos. During the campaign he wrote about why John McCain's wealth and his attitude toward it matters:

"I don't care how much money our president has (though the seven homes thing really does seem beyond the pale given today's housing climate). But I deeply want him or her to understand the economic plight of those with less, and the evidence regarding the policies allegedly designed to help," he wrote last August. "To listen to McCain, and to do so while poring over his policy agenda, really does suggest the dangerous degree to which he's out-of-touch."

This is wonderful news for me to hear as a union activist and what's icing on the cake is Jared is a blogger too. Joe proves again why he was a smart, smart pick as Barack's running mate and now Vice President elect.

Nordies Rack Lunchtime Run

There's a Nordie's Rack 5 minutes from work so I regularly troll there for all things Lilly for the Elder and Younger Preppycrat Princesses. I saw no Lilly there this time and was honestly saddened to see a particular item in the racks; a pink pair of velour pants size 4t with the word 'Roxy' written across the right bum cheek. The velour look and words written across the bum are awful enough when you're an adult but the messages this sends when worn by little girls is downright scary wrong - Bratz dolls are frightening enough, actual little girls dressed like Bratz dolls unthinkable.

But here's the good news - I saw some cute Hartstrings separates for kids including this:

Price was $14.99 at my Nordies Rack. It has Elder Princess Preppycrat written all over it but alas, was not in the size I expect her to be in come next Summer.

They also had this cardi in navy blue:

Which looked a lot nicer than this green version - I just can't find the navy version on the net, drat!- but it was also not in Elder's size. I did, however want to pass this along to any of y'all who have preppy kids and want to help Santa bring them clothes for the holidays via our friends at Nordie's Rack.

Handbag Update

It arrived! My new Cole Haan bag is a bit more of a yellow green than in the pic, but will still look great with my coats and clothes. The size is roomy without being overly so as it's slim vs wide. And a nice thoughtful touch, especially with so many website hassles/delivery issues of late, and the wet weather in the DC area yesterday, was putting the cardboard box the bag came in into a plastic bag.

I'm very happy with the experience and the product!

Un-freaking-Believable

I am sorry peeps, it's an unoriginal title to an unoriginal post about someone we're probably all sick of already. And I try not to further saturate anything that's oversaturated. Really, I do.

At least it's not Sarah Palin this time, it's worse. One of our own who Should Have Known Better.

I am confused, angry, and disgusted by the hopefully soon to be ex governor of Illinois' actions. If he weren't so profane and indignant in the tape recorded conversations, I'd swear he had a death wish, or wished to take down the Democratic party. But he is profane and in your face which I guess makes him incredibly full of himself, stupid or both.

Ironic that I would have to do this now having been outside the political fray for years and even when I was in it, was only on the outskirts. But here it is, call it Preppycrat's Laws of Politics:

#1) If it looks bad it IS bad. Ask Bill Clinton about this. Monica wasn't bad in and of herself, after all the bumper sticker is right "When Clinton Lied, Nobody Died" But it sure looks bad for Democrats who want to answer the other party's charges that we lack family values.

So...if something really IS bad, you're even more burnt toast than if you did something that looked bad. What Blago did IS bad, and it's on the tape.

#2) What you say and do can taint those around you who are associated with you by geography or party affiliation. Again, Bill is a culprit here. It's widely believed that were it not for Monica, he and Al Gore might not have fallen out and maybe Gore could have won the 2000 election. Yes, I still feel it was basically stolen from him. But - here's the trillion dollar question - what if he had won by more percentage points? Maybe he would have if Bill hadn't done... well, you know. Then maybe the SCOTUS wouldn't have tried to steal the election.

Unfortunately, this might taint Barack as well. Lord knows, he's kept his distance from Blago but the problem is :

#3) Even after Sarah Palin, Republicans still generally are covered with teflon and Dems are covered in velcro. I shudder to think what the Repugs would have said if Joe Biden's daughter were having a baby with a man who she wasn't married to. Bad things just don't ever seem to stick as much to the repugs as they do to the Dems. And it's already starting, in the last 5 minutes our buddy Rush has added items that have shown up in Google news linking Barack to Blago. It's already starting and the poor man hasn't even been sworn in as President.

This is the LAST thing he needs right now. F**k you very much Blago. Orange might not be the most flattering color to dark haired men with green eyes, but you'd best get used to wearing it. For a very long time.

Merry Xmas to Me

This was completely unplanned, but sometimes the Sirens lead you to the Holy Grail not to your demise. The sirens of Cole Haan that is; first the email Siren offering 30% off of sale items, then the Free Shipping Siren, and last but not least the Sale Siren herself. Yes, good things come in threes.

I bought the bag above and think it will be a keeper - unlike many bags in this shade it's made of plain ole leather, not a patent, or an ombre, or a faux snakeskin. I think this will keep it looking good from year to year whereas had I bought a green patent bag, not so much. It's a large enough size for all of my crappe. I'm in a green groove these days because emerald is back after a few years of being impossible to find anywhere. My coloring is on the very cool side, dark brown hair and fair skin, so any green with yellow in it makes me look...green. Not stylish, not very preppy either (the point is to hold one's liquor well not the opposite). But emerald is one of my fave shades and maybe what's happening is though I swear not to buy more stuff, subconsciously I think I fear this shade will go away again for another several years.

Best of all? It was $425 originally, then marked down to $229 but thanks to the sirens, I paid a grand total of $183.71.

The code for online shopping is DECSALE30 and yes, if you want to hit the Brick n Mortar store, their sale styles are an extra 30% off too.

What are YOU Thankful For?

The Preppy Princess would love to know, and if you tell her you have a chance to win some really cool stuff including the apron above. If you mention the Great Preppy Giveaway on your blog, you win bonuses you can gift to anyone you want. These include Marjorie Hart's book Summer at Tiffany and the very stylish and preppy Laguna Beach Apron from the Preppy Princess Shoppe.

While you are at Preppy Princess' blog, check out her her updates on the Obamas and what they might wear to the Inaugural balls. She has a lovely Isabel Toledo sketch of the Obamas in evening finery and some simply beautiful dresses Michelle Obama might wear. You might also want to pop over to the Shoppe and see the lampwork glass jewelry in beautiful bright Preppy pinks blues and greens (I'm a sucker for glass jewelry).

Shop For Shelter December 3rd Alexandria

Yahaira at Tu-anh has let me know that this is happening next week in Alexandria and all to benefit the Carpenter's Shelter of Alexandria. Here's the info:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, 2008
The Westin Alexandria
400 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, VA 22314-5700
6pm-930pm

A number of area boutiques, designers and artists will have their creations at this sale. When I explored Tu-anh's site, I was intrigued by the little beaded clutches and the polished to professional section particularly because I need to polish my own look up a bit from the uber casual of my workplace to something more authoritative for the union meetings I'm regularly going to. Finding ideas on how to do it while not looking ridiculously overdressed at my workplace is always a challenge. Tu-anh appears to have worked with people of all ages, with all kinds of wardrobe challenges, men and women alike.

If the good cause isn't enough, and the unique variety of vendors isn't enough, discounts of up to 70% off will be taken. Complimentary goodies include: delicious gourmet tastings by The Westin Alexandria’s very own star-Chef Nadine Thomas, jazzy holiday music by DJ Saborinquen, "how to wear red lipstick the French glam way" by tu-anh, hand-writing analysis, palm readings,
and a "strike-a-pose" photoshoot by Charles Martin. Cash bar will be open all night and
plenty of street parking or in the Westin’s garage for only $8. A large portion (50%) of
proceeds will benefit Carpenter's Shelter. Make your holiday season magical by giving to
the less fortunate.

Advance ticket purchase: $10 At The Door: $20
To purchase tickets, visit www.tu-anh.com/save-the-dates.php
Brought to you by: polished by tu-anh
In partnership with: The Westin Alexandria & Carpenter’s Shelter
Sponsored by: Steven Gaffney Company
Carpenter's Shelter, Northern Virginia's largest homeless program located in Old
Town, aims to end homelessness through services, education and advocacy. The
shelter's programs include a day shelter, a hypothermia shelter, an 80 bed long-term
residential shelter, a community outreach program to formerly homeless families and an
Education Fund.

More Tyson's Galleria News - Harolds GOOB

More from Tyson's Galleria, Harold's is going out of business. My impression of Harold's was always reliably Preppy, but overpriced. But now this may be the time to pick up a few sweaters, handbags or other items.

For Preppycrat readers not located in the DC area, you can find a store locator for Harolds here. There are also stores in Palo Alto California and various places across the Southern US.

Happy bargain hunting and shopping.

Art With Flowers

With the financial woes hitting Tyson's Galleria mall, my wallet still not fully recovered from Princess #1's 5th birthday party, and given that I have barely posted about anything Preppy, or shopping related lately - here is a post about my fave store in the Galleria, Art With Flowers.

If you are looking for something unique in the way of gifts for the home, fragrance for yourself or your home, or in need of flower design that's just a bit different than what you'll find at most florists, Art With Flowers is the place for you. You'll find fragrances from L'Artisan, Floris London, Apothia, and Serge Lutens. They also have candles from Burn, fragrance infusers from Alora Ambiance, and Linari, skin care from aesop, and body care from Ahava. Be sure to check out the eclectic selection of books and CD's in the back of the shop and for that sweet tooth, some chocolate bars from Vosages. Their Mo's Bacon Bar might be the most bizzare candy you've ever heard of but the taste? Think chocolate pretzels, that nirvana of sweet and salty and you have the idea.

There is so much more to this shop, too much to list, more fragrances, scents for the home, candles, glassware, decorative plates and bowls, one could easily spend an hour or two browsing and sampling all the fragrances and just enjoying the waterfall in the front window and relaxing vibe (yes, Preppycrat has plopped down on the cushy sofa in the back). Be sure to stop by often, Bill the owner of Art With Flowers, makes sure to keep his selection fresh and rotates lines and items in and out.

Art With Flowers is on the third floor of the Galleria, opposite the food court.

YES WE DID

It speaks for itself because mere words cannot.

Homestretching....And a Wild and Crazy Prediction

Down to the wire now, and you heard it here first. A few days ago I said West Virginia would be the big surprise. After reading this article from www.huntingtonnews.net I still say that first of all West Virginia will not be called right at 7:30 pm when their polls close or even 8pm. The reason will be voting machine malfunctions and a much tighter than expected race that will later in the evening finally be called for Barack.

No West Virginia won't be cobalt blue but it will be a shade of baby blue in the end. It bears remembering that unions are a huge presence there, and Democrats outnumber Republicans in registered voters. Turnout has been huge so far. Sooooo....yeah, WV will return to electing a Democrat for Prez tomorrow.

Virginia will be blue, a deep blue. Florida is getting lots of attention and assumption that older people won't vote for the young guy with the funny name. But....many of Florida's voters are old enough to remember the Great Depression. Do they really want their kids and grandkids to get stuck with another one of these? Hell no. I think that's what's driving them to wait for hours to vote.

My Dad was right when he said we're living on a credit card and our kids are going to have to pay the bill. Tomorrow we say enough is enough and start paying as we go.

Barrackville West Virginia - Barack Country?

From Christina Bellantoni of The Washington Times comes the video above. She speaks to a number of people in Barrackville West Virginia about the economy, the war and the election, and who they plan to vote for. The full article can be found here. The video is over 7 minutes long but worth it and eye opening. Listen to Patrick Powell - he's not a guy in a vaccum. No he doesn't speak the Queen's English (or American) but he gets it. So do the other people in Barrackville and check out those Obama/Democrat signs.

You heard it here first peeps - West Virginia's going blue this year. It'll be a baby blue not a royal blue, but it will be blue.

Stylish, Preppy and Quite Democratic

It's about time I quit spending so much bandwidth and time on that woman and started talking about a different woman who like her husband isn't getting enough attention, Dr. Jill Biden.

Make that wasn't before a week or so ago. There is a gem of an article at www.style.com the online home of Vogue magazine that has a

wonderful picture of the 4 generations of Biden women and an excellent article on Dr. Biden. The article and photo are also in the magazine itself. Among other things, Dr. Biden runs 5 miles a day, has multiple graduate degrees in addition to her doctorate, and truly likes clothes but also within reason, in the article she talks about much she loves one of the suits she's purchased recently because it not only looks great and fits her well but it's a price an "educator can afford."

She seems to favor classic looks on the campaign trail, alot of suits, scarves, and wore Ralph Lauren for the Vogue photo shoot. A preppycrat muse if there ever was one.

Not Stylish, Not Preppy and Definitely UNdemocratic

Courtesy of www.politico.com, we have found out that Sarah Palin has spent approximately $150,000 on clothing, hair and makeup for herself and her family since early September

OK, let's parse this. Ms. Josephine six pack has spent three times the annual income of the average middle class family on clothes, makeup, hair since the beginning of September. That's about a four or at best five week period.

John Edwards's $400 haircut was less than one tenth the $4716.49 spent on hair and makeup by the Palin clan. And as far as anyone knows, he paid this out of his own pocket (edit - he paid for it with campaign money but later reimbursed the campaign for it). The RNC funded the entire $150,000 for Palin's clothing and accessories.

I'm one of the lucky ones - "Doc" and I now have a weekend place in the country. We paid about one sixth of the amount Palin and co spent on clothes, etc. And for a second house.

Similar outfits can be had at a variety of places, to wit Ann Taylor Loft, where you can have this outfit for less than $500 including the cute black patent leather tote and the ankle boots.

Here at one of Michelle Obama's favorite stores, White House/Black Market is a leather jacket similar to the one pictured on Palin, above. Yes, it's black, not red. But from this store one can be sure the quality is good and the price is certainly reasonable for a good leather jacket. From Banana Republic, a black suit with royal purple blouse, and finally from Victoria's secret, a suit in a pretty cocoa brown, and also from Vicki's Secret what is more of a power play than a vivid red suit?

I haven't even had a chance to pop over to www.target.com, or H & M, or even places like Penney's that offer up cute Nicole Miller for Penney's separates. But these are just a few outfits that are similar to clothes Palin has worn on the campaign trail yet all a fraction of the cost of what one would pay at Nieman Marcus or Saks where many of her outfits were purchased. One need not spend money at high end stores to be stylish or look authoritative. Unless one maybe really doesn't have any style.

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers (and sisters)

Keith Olbermann at his white hot righteous best. Who can blame him when we have seen a whole rash of alarming actions by the dark side? First GOP incumbent Michelle Bachman's charges that Barack Obama's anti America
then the now infamous McCain robocalls, and now this.

Jeffrey Dahmer started out by killing helpless animals. Congratulations, extreme right wing, you now have something in common with him. And Cubbins rest in peace.

What Did I Tell Y'all? Bus Tour Reduced to 25 minute Pit Stop

Dudes, it happened as reported by Paul Hogarth at http://www.beyondchron.org/ a Bay Area news site. Here are two relevant exerpts:

But now Palin continues to be the gift that keeps giving—as a much-hyped West Virginia campaign swing to bolster the McCain ticket got cut short after she brought out more protesters than supporters.

And this one:

Consider West Virginia, where Obama got slaughtered in the primaries after voters candidly told the press they wouldn’t support a black candidate. Late last week, Republicans announced that Palin would kick off a bus tour of the state—a move widely perceived as a sign of weakness for the Republican ticket. I had expected more of the rallies we’ve seen in the last few days (where Palin whips up her party base into a racist frenzy) to be all over West Virginia.But I was wrong. Palin’s West Virginia tour lasted exactly 25 minutes, as she literally did a pit stop before going to Ohio. No speeches or press availability—just a “wink” to her supporters. The campaign had planned a rally to greet her, but only twelve people showed up. But she did inspire a few Obama rallies in the state. Over 100 people gathered at the United Mine Workers headquarters to express support.

HAHAHAHA...I think That Woman knew she would get run out of the state on a rail, so she just made a pit stop instead.

Now THIS is Gonna Be Good

That Woman is going to be going through West Virginia on a bus tour. You might be thinking this will be her pulpit but stay with me here, I speak as someone whose mother grew up there, whose grandparents lived there and I still have cousins who live in Tucker County.

West Virginians aren't stupid or all married to their parents and/or siblings. West Virginians are actually at the crossroads of the energy issue right now because natural gas companies are looking to tap the coal beds that stretch from north to south and that might well have something in them, something that could help solve our dependence on foreign energy sources. One might think they would be rushing to lease out their land especially when companies come calling with seemingly irresistible contracts and offers to lease. Not so fast; there are at least two citizens coalitions that have formed to help landowners decide how to proceed, this one and one more that does not have a website yet (the one my kin belong to) but the last meeting was so packed they had to move it to a larger location.

If this isn't enough, wind power has arrived in West Virginia, yes turbines, these are about 20 minutes away from my grandparents' town.

My point? West Virginians aren't stupid, they also know a thing or two about energy being affected by coal plants shutting down and giving the go-ahead to turbine farms. They have consistently voted Democratic over the years.

They might run That Woman out of the state on a rail. You heard it here first.

Even a Preschooler Can See The Intellectual Dishonesty

Back to this topic again - God knows I wish I wasn't back to this place but my almost 5 year old made a comment a few days ago when we were channel surfing and found a repeat of the VP debate, which of course I stopped to look at.

Until my kid wise beyond her years said "Turn that off! I can't stand her hyperbole!!!" I was stunned, then scrambling to remember what hyperbole means. It was one of those moments where I instincively knew but if someone were to come up to me, I wouldn't be able to phrase it. So I looked it up and below, from Webster's Online:

Etymology:
Latin, from Greek hyperbolē excess, hyperbole, hyperbola, from hyperballein to exceed, from hyper- + ballein to throw — more at devil
Date:
15th century
: extravagant exaggeration (as “mile-high ice-cream cones”)
— hy·per·bo·list \-list\ noun

Again, the chills ran down my back at just how damn perceptive my eldest offspring is. Then a couple of days later Palin started levelling the now infamous charges that Barack Obama pals around with William Ayers, who was active in Weather Underground during the 1960s and therefore he's a terrorist sympathizer if not a flat out terrorist himself. A quick
fact check from CNN clarifies this, like everything else Palin says as at least hyperbole if not flat out BS.

And how funny the word "hyperbole" is so associated with the word "devil" when That Woman has driven supporters at rallies to behave like mobs of rabid animals.

Palin power my ASS, say hello to People Power on November 4th. Maybe not so coincidentally that's the day my daughter turns 5.

Well Gosh Darn, It's a Noun, a Verb and a Shout Out!

Unfreaking believable. Is she at the MTV Music awards or running for Vice President?

On another note, I am glad Joe Biden had a chance to remind voters that for the first few years he was in the Senate, he was a single father and he understands how tough it is to balance a full time job and family. I think this won him alot of hearts and his command of the issues won the minds of the voters.

Because I've Neglected the Preppy

Part of Preppycrat, here's a breath of fresh air from the elections. Over Labor Day weekend, we had a friend from Manhattan visit for the weekend. We had a free morning, it was a beautiful day and we decided to go for a drive to a place that was as different from NYC as it could be, the Virginia horse country.

Middleburg has unsung glories. Amongst the upscale restaurants and pubs, antique stores and art galleries we found an excellent second hand store, The Middleburg Humane Foundation thrift shop. The draw here is the riding boots - not for equestrians and equestriennes only! MHF has brand new boots, all leather, beautifully made for $50/pair. Who would have thunk it?

Another treasure we found was the Salamander Touch, a gift shop selling everything from funny and unique greeting cards, to jewelry and leather messenger bags, to Blue Q gifts, and for the men several scents from Royall Fragrances. You can even find something for the kids here from the Guess How Much I Love You line of baby care products. "Doc" is thrilled with his Royall Spyce cologne and the little princesses love Guess How Much I Love You lotion. Mommy loves that it's paraben free.

And my pal from Manhattan? She had a blast, loved being in the country and seeing the men and boys walking down the street in their polo jerseys only added to the exoticness of the day.

We're planning on going back when she's in town again.

Sometimes Real Feminists Wear Ties

And I'm not talking about those horrid 1980s floppy bow ties us poor women had to wear so we could be imitation males in the workplace. Thank G*d those days are gone.

What I am talking about is that 4th person in the mix in Campaign 2008 who, for liking to talk, isn't getting much attention, Joe Biden. Many people hope he lets That Woman do most of the talking in the debate tomorrow night. Including me. Many hope he refuses to pile on about who he knows and what he's done in his 35 years in the Senate lest he seem condescending. Others hope he treats That Woman exactly like he would another man because fair is fair if she is going to accept being John McCain's running mate and enter the bigtime. And everyone is saying women could make the difference between us having a President Obama or a President McCain (I'm choking as I type those last two words, yuck).

With that in mind, here's advice I have heard touched on here and there but only indirectly. This year, the running mate more interested in women, who's done more for them is not the woman, it's the man. Also, the nominee who's been a single parent is yep, the guy, not the woman. "Doc" stays home with our kids and I am eternally grateful. But even though he does, it's hard enough finding that work/family balance. Sometimes my girls want Mommy. Only Mommy. So I can only imagine how hard it must have been to commute 2 hours each way from a new job with huge responsibilities back home to his two kids under the age of 5. After having lost his wife in that car accident. In his book "Promises to Keep" Joe says he had a lot of help from his sister Valerie and his mother but again, there had to be lots of times the boys wanted and needed their Dad. He also said in the book that he asked his staffers to put his kids through to him when they called regardless of where he was or who he was meeting with. He gets it. I hope tomorrow night he lets everyone who is watching know that he gets it. He need not discuss That Woman returning to work three days after having a child with Down's syndrome (I'll do that and bash away because to me it's not bringing her family into the spotlight, it's bringing her callousness and judgment into the spotlight).

I know damn near every woman watching who's wrestled with work/family balance will nod their heads knowingly if Joe discusses this. And I wonder what That Woman will be able to say in response. It might be another deer in headlights moment.

Dave Made Me Do It

Ok, I fibbed. The last entry I made wasn't the last salvo on Sarah Palin. I really believe each one is the last and really mean to promise not to blog about her anymore but I just can't help it. She's Campaign 2008's train wreck, hell she's this year's mid air collision between two jumbo jets. And I'm only human, I can't resist looking. Then Dave Letterman jumping into the fray when McCain went awol on him

So here it is, the inevitable Top 10 List - Why I'm more qualified than Sarah Palin to be the Republican Vice Presidential nominee:

10) My ex husband's ex boss lived a block away from Observatory Circle so I know if I ever got lost I could find my way back to my house.

9) Everyone knows to avoid the water in Mexico but I know not to drink the water in Paris either.

8) At the neighborhood mongolian bbq recently, I impressed the cook with my selection of noodles and veggies and no meat. So I could probably find something to eat if I went on a state visit to a part of China where meat is not eaten frequently.

7) I've been huntin' with "Doc" (my hubby) and we even took the baby. That's right on a hunting trip. Hunting ghosts in Gettysburg.

6) I don't look like Tina Fey but I do look like Mare Winningham, only with darker hair.

5) "Doc" in a past life worked in a building where the residents were mostly Russian, and he speaks it passably.

4) I don't speak with that Fargo meets Alaska accent but people tell me once in awhile I do sound veddy british (I lived in the London 'burbs briefly as a kid)

3) I actually READ periodicals. Neener, neener neener!

2) I have British Gifts as an active application on my Facebook account.

And the #1 reason I'm more qualified to be the Vice Presidential nominee:

1) That time I had to make a pit stop but it was too late because we were boarding our plane in London. I waited, and went...after the plane landed in Baltimore.

My Last Salvo on That Woman - Don't Steal This Look!

What is up with the lipliner outside the edge of her lips?

I know I know, meow, hiss, put the claws away Preppycrat. But still, she DID agree to be McCain's running mate and if she's going to put herself out there front and center her looks are fair game. The looks and sartorial style of the gents have also been fair game.

She's attractive, she doesn't need the overflowing lip color look. Or those shoes.

From Night, Into Day

I know it's a chunk of time but please play the video of McCain on the view, then this one of Joe Biden in Wooster Ohio. The contrast is amazing:

Officially Sick of Sarah Palin

And sick of the mainstream media coverage of her but thank gawd for the women of The View. I wanna be Babawa Wawa when I grow up.

I sincerely believe this is required viewing for everyone, women, kids and the men who love them.

Still More ID (Intellectual Dishonesty)

I've made it an acronym, that's how much I'm finding. Might as well save some keystrokes.

This is from the Wall St. Journal, no bastion of the liberal left, copied in its entirety and not behind a cut. Do as I say, not as I do, again. What on earth would she end up doing with the federal budget if she, a self proclaimed small government politician, did this to Wasilla's?

She may be the running mate but she's only a heartbeat away.

Feel free to forward to anyone you want, dear readers.

Palin's Hockey Rink Leads To Legal Trouble in Town She Led

By MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS September 6, 2008; Page A5
WASILLA, Alaska -- The biggest project that Sarah Palin undertook as mayor of this small town was an indoor sports complex, where locals played hockey, soccer, and basketball, especially during the long, dark Alaskan winters.

The only catch was that the city began building roads and installing utilities for the project before it had unchallenged title to the land. The misstep led to years of litigation and at least $1.3 million in extra costs for a small municipality with a small budget. What was to be Ms. Palin's legacy has turned into a financial mess that continues to plague Wasilla.

"It's too bad that the city of Wasilla didn't do their homework and secure the land before they began construction," said Kathy Wells, a longtime activist here. "She was not your ceremonial mayor; she was in charge of running the city. So it was her job to make sure things were done correctly."

Ms. Palin cited her mayoral duties as partial evidence of her executive experience. Dianne Woodruff, a Wasilla city councilwoman and critic of Ms. Palin's performance, agreed.
"If people are going to be voting on her based on her experience as Wasilla's mayor, then they should know how she did in the job," Ms. Woodruff said, "the good, the bad and the ugly."
online.wsj.com/article/SB122065537792905483.html

More Intellectual Dishonesty

This is horrible. I wasn't aware of the republicans holding a "so called" tribute to 9/11, until this morning because I refused to watch the last night of the republican national convention. But I'm aware of it and of Keith Olbermann's reaction now, and my hat goes off to Keith for apologizing to the country for MSNBC showing it. I truly believe he didn't realize this part of the program was coming and was as shocked and sickened by it as anyone, except maybe those on the dark side.

Watch the "so called" tribute to 9/11 at your discretion and please PLEASE tell me what this has to do with going to war in Iraq. And tell me how they can say the war is being won when Osama is STILL at large.

Each time I visit my parents' gravesite in Arlington, I see the wall of the Pentagon that was hit on 9/11 and I see more troops "coming home" from Iraq and grandparents burying them. I remember I was in NYC less than 48 hours before the attacks and in the basement of the WTC the Friday before. Again, my blood runs cold.

It is morally wrong for grandparents to have to say goodbye to grandchildren, and for parents to have children taken away from them for a pack of lies. If that's not offensive enough, it has to be the absolute height of intellectual dishonesty.

Where is Bin Laden? The question remains 7 years later.

Intellectual Dishonesty

Though I'm adamant on this blog being about ideas and style and not me personally, from time to time I will refer to my parents in this blog because they have shaped alot of my ideas. They were older, grew up in the 1930s and both served our country in World War II, Dad then married to his first wife enlisted and fortunately for my half brother and sister who were small at the time was sent to a battleship in the south Pacific, far away from active conflict. Mom had yet to meet my Dad and was one of the many single women who came from all over the country to work for the government when the war broke out. She was an editor at the State Department and when the time came for restabilization efforts in Manila and Okinawa and people were needed to go over there, she went. They loved this country and unfortunately both are gone now, but as a testament to how much they loved America, both are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

We frequently had dinner table conversations about politics, especially in that intense period around 1971 and 1972 where my Dad would complain of President Nixon's habit of "wanting to make one thing perfectly clear" or saying something was "crystal clear". How could he talk like that when he covered up *something* in Watergate, when he may well have erased tape? He would always then go on to say he was intellectually dishonest.

I wonder what my Dad would say today to a Republican party whose candidates for President and Vice President make Nixon look like a completely transparent, open guy. Much has been said about Sarah Palin these past few days but what makes me the angriest is not the family issues but the intellectual dishonesty.

In her acceptance speech last night she spoke of being a maverick, of saying thanks but no thanks to the Gravina Island Bridge, also known as the Bridge to Nowhere. She spoke of refusing to take congressional monies for many things. But what's this? And what would be done, could be done with $91 million dollars. Probably a LOT for teenage mothers.

Even The Heritage Foundation has spoken out against this project. The same group that on its homepage touts Sarah Palin's proposals and grasp of energy issues.

This is intellectual dishonesty at its best, never mind the many MANY other reasons these people do not and MUST not represent our country or be given responsibility of any kind. When I contrast this dishonesty, and her acceptance speech last night with Senator Biden's acceptance speech at last week's DNC, I am as proud to be a Democrat as I have ever been.

Family Values Part 2

The Obama/Biden campaign is declaring children off limits and I agree they should be. My kids aren't teenagers yet but I've seen plenty of my friends struggle with raising them. It's not easy, some never outgrow being teenagers and some do, but have to learn the hard way...alot, before finally becoming adults.

That said, I feel my post about Palin leaving Trig, her 3 day old baby with Downs syndrome to return to work speaks of HER, not of her child. As one of my friends put it over the weekend, a woman isn't even fully recovered from childbirth 3 days after, it takes weeks, not days. And that's assuming the baby does not have health issues. What does this say about Palin's willingness to bond with her new baby? Isn't a primary family value taking time TO bond with a new baby? Most reasonable people would think so. Some of course can't afford to stay home with our new babies for very long and have to return to work, or else. But from all indications, Palin did not have to return to work 3 days after Trig was born.

Most of us regardless of our political beliefs would argue Hillary Clinton is a very very ambitious woman. Those on the other side have done it blatently and brought her daughter into their arguments. But I could never, ever see Hillary leaving a 3 day old baby to go back to work. If anyone feels otherwise, I say look at Chelsea Clinton, Oxford educated, by all appearances a great daughter, and a successful human being.

I think this is the real issue, you just can't say you're for family values if you willingly abandon a baby 3 days after its birth to rush back to work.

What Family Values?

Ok, so Sarah Palin had her baby with Down's syndrome which is admirable when many were telling her not to. She is staunchly opposed to abortions. Who isn't really? The difference is us reasonable people believe in access to birth control so there ARE fewer abortions. But I digress....

But IMO returning to work only 3 days after the baby is born is definitely NOT a family value. Suppose the tables were turned and she was, say, a senator from Delaware who had lost her spouse in a car accident. I somehow could not see her going through the hassles of commuting to and from home each night after work to be with her kids if she had someone else to look after them. Not if she's willing to walk away from a 3 day old newborn and to top that, one with Down's syndrome.

The mind boggles. The mind remembers Barney Frank's quip about life beginning at conception and ending at birth.

Do we REALLY want someone like this a heartbeat away? I don't. I'll take the guy who can and has changed diapers but who's also stood up to Slobodan Milosevic.

I'm a reasonable person.

Lavender Moon Soap Company

I dithered on whether to blog about this find - was fragrance and bath really relevant to a preppy, political blog?

I decided that yes, it was. Because every preppy I've met, whether they're a sporty prep wearing a polo shirt and chinos or a more upper east side kind of prep in an LBD or business suit, cares about the total package. His or her hair is nicely styled, maybe simply, maybe in a way that needs more maintenance but on him or her it looks just right. And he or she usually prefers some sort of fragrance. It's usually a just showered kind of scent, could be citrusy, on women maybe a light floral. Sometimes it's a more intense spicy fragrance but never applied in a heavy handed way. Most of us modern preppies need to work so we can live in the (nearly always) ONE house we own and don't want our coworkers or fellow commuters to be overpowered by fragrance.

Various places I've discovered in the past year have had little attention but are either right in the suburbs, or not far away. Lavender Moon is such a place. Located in the Creekside Shopping Center in Winchester, it offers a variety of soaps, bath gels, lotions, bath teas, even gifts for the little ones. I bought the Hydrangea and Fabulous scents. Fabulous is indeed worthy of its name, citrusy but with a floral hint. Hydrangea is a shower fresh floral, very grown up and not sweet but not heavy either, a nice compliment to a preppy look or to wear in the office.

It's a huge plus that the packaging has a preppy but sophisticated sensibility too, featuring various sizes of polka dots and trimmed with polka dot ribbon...in lavender and black. It's also a huge plus that yes, for those of you who can't make it to Winchester, there's an online store.

I can't wait to go back for the soaps. Lovely and indeed fabulous.

Let Warner Be Warner

There's worry that Mark Warner's keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention won't sound quite the right note, that it will be too bipartisan, not meaty, not angry.

I say count to 10 folks, be patient, the Democrats are warming up and Mark Warner being from Virginia, a decidedly purple place, is going to sound just the right notes for tonight. This is strange territory, it's not quite the North or the South, and not quite Red or Blue anymore (though I'm hoping like mad it will be a BLUE violet after November). And he is trying to get a job, that of US Senator from a decidedly purple place.

What's more we are a big tent. Unlike the Dark Side, we can and should have diversity not just in terms of race and gender, but in how we get things done and get our message across. Everyone has a purpose in this.

After this warm up, the zingers will come. Tomorrow night in prime time.

Biden Now More Than Ever

This is many things; alarming, depressing, interesting and I truly hope the spokesperson quoted in the article isn't playing down tensions when he says the freeze on Russia's NATO activities is a regional issue that needs to be sorted, and not a global issue.

As that old song "Anticipation" is going through my head and I'm checking email way too often for that promised first heads up from the Obama campaign, I'm going through all of his possibilities in my mind and thinking of all the crap that's going on in the world. I like them all, they have great credentials and all seem to work well with other people but THE one person who has the right combination of qualities keeps being Biden. He's fiesty, he knows everyone in DC and many leaders overseas, he's smart and knowledgeable, and Barack's said it himself, he needs someone with experience who could if - God forbid - need be, take over as President himself.

Hillary despite her gaffe about sniper fire, is knowledgeable as well. But Biden is more so, he's been working in foreign policy since 1972.

Him sitting down with the Russians and Georgians would not only be interesting theater, it might be just what they need to resolve their differences sanely, and safely. The world needs this.

Obama/Biden 2008

I know, I've changed my mind about this one. At one time, I wanted Barack to pick Hillary as his running mate. However, with the exception of certain extreme trouble makers (who are quite possibly not even Democrats to begin with so who cares what they think anyway) I believe Democrats are uniting behind Obama already regardless of who he chooses as his running mate. And I think there would be poetic justice in Hillary becoming the next Attorney General with all the BS charges levelled at her and her husband in the 1990's.

Then there's the situation in Russia and Georgia. It's interesting to me that Senator Biden and not any of the other potential running mates was the one to travel to Georgia over the weekend. Despite there being an official ceasefire, unofficially it appears that Russian forces remain there.
I love Tim Kaine, being a Virginian myself and want to see him remain as my state's Governor. But of all the picks, it's Biden who hands down has the foreign policy experience and contacts overseas. Plus, he knows EVERYONE in Washington.

Can Biden be blunt (or more) at times? Sure, but let's be honest, the US's rep overseas has gone to hell in a handbasket, and understandably. He has the foreign policy chops to help Barack fix it.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Kermit was right, and probably didn't even know just HOW right on so many levels.

I've always considered myself an environmentalist. Maybe it comes from having parents who were older and grew up in the 30s when nobody threw anything out because you might have to use your food money to replace it. Maybe it's from being a 70s era kid who grew up seeing those green, white and yellow striped ecology stickers and patches everywhere. Maybe it's a reaction to Reagan and both Bushes. Who knows.

My first rude awakening came in the 90s when I was working on Capitol Hill and attended a Congressional Research Service seminar on the environment. My first handout was entitled "Make Your Environment Dirtier: Recycle More"

WTF? This is a seminar put out by a supposedly nonpartisan organization?

I never had a chance to look into why we were getting this tripe, or complain about the swagger and bias of the CRS staffer who gave the seminar. I wanted to but time is time. Fast forward to a few days later when I'm rinsing out the recyclables. And rinsing, and rinsing. Then finally giving up and letting the jar soak. And wondering if this CRS dude had a point.

A few years later in Grad school economics class I was handed an article about how low flush toilets actually generated more water than the "conventional" kind. Again, I figured what innovation comes from economists? They tend to want the status quo. But I started seeing they were right about alot of these so called "low flush" toilets. I now use the "old" bathroom at work and avoid the other where I have to flush the "low flush" toilet several times.

The latest is the proliferation of books on how to live a green lifestyle and many have great ideas on how to do it, like using natural materials to clean around the house and how to find products that have been tested on people, not animals, but that are safe for the whole family.

But you might want to consider buying a used copy, or if you want to buy new and support your local bookstore, how about buying it and circulating it amongst friends? If you have old, not eco friendly cleaners around the house, use them up then get or make new ones. Instead of organic cotton baby clothes, maybe buying some new with tags off of Ebay. If you have old jewelry that's broken and not resellable, donate the bits and pieces to a crafty friend or take on a new hobby and get some fun new accessories nobody else will have.

We don't need to stop buying stuff and enjoying new stuff completely. How fun would life be? How good would that be for our crummy economy? We can reuse more though, or share what we don't need single items of for ourselves. And rethink what we buy for kids, they really don't need all that stuff.

Really. My eldest got a secondhand play kitchen set for Christmas a few years ago and we finally got rid of it because it had become completely worn out. Instead of getting her alot of little things, I have this in mind for her birthday.

Having fun, and buying less but better...priceless.

THANK YOU LA!

Story that is, and to Stevie Wilson specifically. What a wonderful piece you wrote about my lil old blog and about Knits, etc my unsung find in Tyson's Galleria.

Mega awesomeness. Both coasts covered. Yes, DC does have style and though new to the blogging scene I truly hope to uncover it

Michelle Obama + Trufflebeads = Landslide Style

Today's Daily Candy For Washington DC has an article on a great accessory idea; Trufflebeads. These are made by Zulu women in South Africa and come in a number of styles and jewelry types; earrings, bracelets and several necklace styles. Their colorways range from blacks with greys and golds to more multicolored styles like this.

They would be a great addition to Michelle Obama's pearl necklace with shift look, updating the preppieness of the shift with some color and worldstyle. And of course supporting the Masai women at the same time. There's style with substance for you.

Being one of those "cosmopolitan preppy" types who tends to black vs navy, yours truly is eyeing this bracelet. Would add much oomph to a twinset or simple shell with straight black linen skirt.

Unsung Spot for Preppy Sweaters

From time to time I will blog about stores in my area and before I do, will make sure that they haven't had much attention, if any, from the blogosphere. I found one on a trip to Tyson's Galleria a few days ago, Knits etc. I'd walked by this store many a time on the way to my friend Bill's store Art With Flowers on the third floor. But this time something caught my eye, a pink A line knit skirt with a solid underskirt and an overskirt that appeared to be the "car wash" style but was actually strips of solid knit sewn over transparent knit. Ahhh, perfect for my company's holiday party later this year (last year I'd made the mistake of shopping WAY too late for it and dammit, the perfect dress was not available in my size). But not in pink...in black. On I go into the store and what finds! Almost everything was on sale, and I found a nice selection of sweaters in classic styles, v necks, cardigans, shells, all in the $25-$50 range. Knits etc carries a variety of scarves, handbags, dresses and yes, the skirt I wanted came in a number of colors including black. The handbags were all in the $85 to $135 range in pleather vs leather if you are looking for manmade options, and nary a magnetic closure on the bags that I could see but pushlocks and zippers. Nice because I'm in that camp that swears the magnetic closures on bags ruin ATM and credit cards.

Knits etc, is on the second floor near the Sur La Table store.

Going, Going, Gone to Benefit the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

No doubt you've seen this if you're an Obama supporter. How would you like to own it?

A very dear online friend has forwarded me the following. You'll want to hurry if you'd like to bid on this and the profits go to a very good cause:

[ Los Angeles- July 14, 2008] Shepard Fairey, the contemporary artist whose irreverent works have deconstructed the meaning and methods of propaganda, ironically became the creator of one of the most potent political images in recent history - the OBAMA "HOPE" poster. The image found such immediate resonance with Obama supporters that it became ubiquitous throughout the primary campaign and across the web. Now, at the request of Russell Simmons, Shepard has donated one of three fine art versions of the poster to the charity auction, Art For Life, an annual event which benefits Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. This piece is approximately 4 foot x 6 foot in size and is a mixed media stencil collage on cotton rag paper. This "HOPE" may be the only fine art piece of this image available to the public, and is one of only three in existence. The Art For Life auction ends Tuesday, July 16 at noon. Then the online budding is closed and the highest bidders are invited to bid by phone during the live auction on July 19. Entering the online auction is the only way to enter the live auction. The online auction can be found here:http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001LiaiJ4zbqxoDJIIp_lNbq23y2Nu7-8xfVhapPrRB29puP1-36IqZT8n9QTE5H5XWw0letU78fqYYE9Ntn13sdqQzGeSXCNRs3gRSAK6QfoosMwyvw3X4CSTqUHYXWzVx6DvvXqOJVCrqp8pFuD29Q90nJCQzKx-9UCpcqcSokmsoPQmGLWI9ne9_iWV82nnxaQ0FtFyAmVwhDNdlCie7kNvKkalOQkymaC6bsCbuE94854XR4eWmYZsHvna_ZK1i ABOUT SHEPARD FAIREY Born in Charleston, South California in 1970, Shepard Fairey is a contemporary artist, graphic designer and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scene and became known initially for his "André the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign, which morphed into a multi-decade street art project called "OBEY" which redefined the reach and meaning of fine art in public spaces. Fairey graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 with a B.A. in illustration. Fairey created a series of posters supporting Barack Obama's candidacy for President in 2008, and he sits on the advisory board of Reaching to Embrace the Arts, a not-for-profit organization that provides art supplies to disadvantaged schools and students. Shepard Fairey currently resides in Los Angeles , California where he helms the design and branding company Studio Number One. For more information please visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001LiaiJ4zbqxqPGWEe0iRKLy8H5BEgqh_FFIa6y4IAFHpfg9fi4YqIsYuI3Ti1HuTMCE_FSQle0ZzSsDsuJGWiWyIb5Ipxjyv8y_TfjjPNNIaXyLr5Vgl-Gg==ART FOR LIFE EAST HAMPTON HISTORY ART FOR LIFE Art For Life East Hampton is Rush Philanthropic's primary outreach to friends and supporters. Through this event, thousands of children are served by helping them acquire the skills needed to build a successful life. This benefit is one of Rush Philanthropic's most important annual fundraising efforts, attended annually by a sold-out audience of more than 750 leaders in the entertainment, arts, business, and philanthropic communities. After eight sold out successful years, ART FOR LIFE is poised to make its ninth year even more exciting. The evening will honor exemplary individuals for success in their respective fields and good works to better the community. ABOUT RUSSELL SIMMONS / RUSH PHILANTHROPICRussell Simmons is responsible for bringing the culture of hip hop to world through the record companies, management concerns, clothing brands and production companies he has founded, ranging from Def Jam to Phat Farm to Def Comedy and Def Poetry Jam television series. Simmons founded Rush Philanthropic with his brother Reverend Joseph "Run" Simmons, the former lead rapper of Run DMC, in 2000. It's primary focus is bringing children arts education, sponsorship and mentorship in the arts so that they can experience the transformative effect of creative expression. Simmons has been involved in the Obama campaign since he endorsed the Senator in March, 2008.

For high resolution photography or other media related requests contact:

Evolutionary Media GroupYosi Sergant / David Scharff
http://us.mc366.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=yosi@emgpr.com / http://us.mc366.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=david@emgpr.com323/658-8700

Polyvore - Exquisite Time Waster

This site will be my undoing......

Fall 2008 Fashion - Hell Freezes Over?

At least according to Robin Givhan in this article from the Washington Post. In her view, many New York designers' collections seemed to have run out of new ideas and featured recycled shapes and textures like wide legged trousers and tweedy suits. Fortunately she found exceptions.

More evidence of Hell freezing over, a European fashion designer has chosen none other than Barack Obama, as her muse for her men's Fall 2008 collection.

A male politician from the US as the major fashion inspiration for a major designer's collection. Evidence either Hell has frozen over or maybe the beginning of more style entering into how politicians dress.

One can hope it's the latter. Here's to hope and change!

District Sample Sale

Is happening now. More details, list of participating stores and designers, and info on the Fall 2008 sample sale here . Marimekko is one of the featured stores and I especially like their take on the classic LL Bean canvas tote shown above.

One of these days I really need to get to their store in Silver Spring, MD

Who Am I? Why Am I Here?

Kudos to anyone who remembers who said that, and it harkens to the political side of my blog, not the preppy side.

So who the hell do I think I am to be starting a blog when zillions literally have done the same? Simple, I scrounged around the internet and saw that believe it or not nobody else had quite the same message. Yes there are shopping and style blogs aplenty and political too but nobody's quite intersected them yet. Until now, here.

See style does have to do with the political. Time and again, it is said how Europeans get it, how they make their look work with carefully edited clothing and accessory choices. They know what's in their closets, wear it regularly and nothing is wasted. Things don't hang there forgotten about or unworn. This ties in very nicely with the concept of being kind to the planet in general, not wasting things, not trashing things. This is a major message the Democrats are putting forth this year.

So it might not at first seem to be related, but it is. Reducing, Reusing and Recycling can make for great, great style. Having a carefully edited closet full of things to wear means you put it on and go knowing you look good. You use and wear it out. And if not worn out there are kids or friends to pass it along to.

Because we all know genuine prep involves classics that are worn and loved. - Mom's alligator bag, a pal's Burberry raincoat that she is setting aside since she no longer needs it, beloved jewelry handed down through the years.

That's who I am and why I'm here.

Brava!!

Hillary Clinton has conceded to Barack Obama

This may have been one of her better speeches. I sincerely hope Mr. Obama when the dust settles decides she is the person with the grit and the experience in the DC fishbowl to stand beside him as his running mate. I hope he doesn't listen to the conventional wisdom. Much of what's been said of her I feel is simply untrue and the making of many who still plainly and simply fear womanly strength. For no good reason. I feel what's been thought of her is also wrong. A person having a strong personality and delivery can put public service ahead of ego. They aren't mutually exclusive.

Are Bill's and her finances of concern? Yes. But do we already know most of what there is to know about them? Again, I think yes. Is it worth setting those concerns aside so a win can be had and a mess cleaned up with a shovel instead of a broom?

YES. YES WE CAN.

For Senator Obama

here is a breaking news story that says Hillary will run with you if it helps the Democratic party.

It would. Please remember roughly half of Democrats backed her in this long and often contentious race. Please also remember that maybe, just maybe the race was so tinged with racial and gender overtones because really, the two of you stand for very similar things. More than you disagree on. And maybe that was about the only big thing that was different about the two of you.

If you ask her to run with you, you will be unstoppable in the General election, you will have a strong tenacious ally to help clean up the messes of the past 8 years - someone who has been in the Washington DC fishbowl and knows how many sharks are waiting in it for you to have a weak moment. And you will be showing the country and yes, even the rest of the world you really are different from the rest and truly are an agent of hope and change.

Thanks, a loyal Democrat

More on Mike Turner (10th Congressional District VA)

Mike is going to be on NPR/WAMU's The Politics Hour Friday May 30th. If you don't have a chance to listen the NPR/WAMU website will have a transcript an hour after the show airs.

And Taking Place on the West Coast....

A candidate named Richard Hobbs is running for Santa Clara County Supervisor in California and Karita Hummer, an activist I met via the John Edwards boards is helping him to get elected. I ganked the item below with her permission :-).

I'm not putting it behind a cut because it's relevant to Democrats everywhere, we all need to start working from the ground up...whether we live in Santa Clara County, the environs of Washington DC or on a farm in Iowa. This is THE key to reclaiming our country and helping clean up the mess the Shrub, Darth Cheney and their subordinates have left for us.

Excellent read follows:


Why working down ticket, at every level, is important to taking back our Country.
by: Karita Hummer
Sat May 17, 2008 at 03:08:52 AM EDT

I am working on behalf of Richard Hobbs,, candidate for Santa Clara County Supervisor, because he represents the kind of leadership in local government that will help us build the kind of infrastructure we need in the Democratic Party to really turn our country around.I just came from a successful art fundraiser for Richard Hobbs here in San Jose in which artists donated art work that was auctioned off so that proceeds could go in to the campaign of Richard Hobbs. Richard Hobbs is a local candidate that is very reminiscent of John Edwards himself. An attorney, a populist whose passion is economic justice and opportunity, a human rights advocate, concerned with the quality of life here in our own valley and everywhere, an environmental steward, and someone utterly committed to transparency in government so that the common good and interest is always protected, he is truly a community activist that thinks globally and acts locally, and will be the kind of leader we not only need now, but will be valuable for us for a long time to come as a leader with a great future.At the Art fundraiser event tonight for Richard, I met a person from the local school board. When I told her how active I had been in the Edwards campaign, and how I now saw my effort on behalf of Richard Hobbs as actually a seemless effort, she quite agreed. She pointed out that the Republicans had known how to do this building at the local level for years and had set about building such infrastructure at every level of government and governance from the 70's on.Karita Hummer :: Why working down ticket, at every level, is important to taking back our Country.I invite you to take a look at Richard Hobbs web-site and see if you don't agree that he is really a prototype of the kind of leader we need to be developing now, so we can really hope for a future that addresses the common good throughout the land. See if you don't agree that he is exactly the kind of new blood we need among leaders in government to restore our principles, values and dignity and justice for all people. Visit:http://www.hobbsforsupervisor/....One other tip for local fundraising for local campaigns. The Art fundraiser combines politics and art very well. Artists donate quality work as a contribution to the candidate and donors have the benefit of supporting their candidate and getting a lovely painting to grace their home as well, a talking point for friends and family. Further, with an art piece in one's home, that was a donation to such a worthy candidate, it remains a tangible reflection of how you chose to support a candidate whose values are in such synchrony with your own. The painting becomes a tangible reminder of what civic engagement means to you.For more information on Richard Hobbs, go to:http://www.hobbsforsupervisor/....

Karita Hummer, Edwards Democrat

Richard Hobbs for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, A Candidate who thinks globally and acts locally! A Candidate for now and the future. For innovation in meeting the common good! A prototype candidate for down ticket, for a very strong Democratic Party in to the future

How to Get Vera Into Your Life (Even if you ARE old enough to remember Leisure Suits)

Like many faithful preppy types, I adore Vera Bradley. But I am old enough to remember leisure suits, platform shoes and other relics of the Disco era. In my experience not all, but many women my age steer toward other handbags and accessories. I guess it feels weird seeing kids born after the Disco era carrying Vera handbags and other Vera accessories. And we want something else.

But at the same time I'm a busy Mom with a "Mom wallet" that weighs almost as much as my 8 month old daughter (wish I was fooling ya but sadly no). My solution? This, sans the strap:

Enter Vera into my life and even my back and shoulders thank me.

Now to tackle the handbag itself. That weighs about as much as my 4.5 year old.

Mike Turner Gets the Edwards Treatment From Virginia Media

It was enough that John Edwards had to quit the Presidential race back in January because in large part, he was ignored by the media, both progressive and mainstream, and unable to generate enough money to stay in. But there's more, Mike Turner, candidate for Congress in Virginia's 10th District has the endorsement of the Virginia Chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America, yet he appears to be my neighborhood's version of John Edwards. A Google search barely produced any results, a Washington Post search didn't produce any.

How can this be? He's being challenged in the June 10th primary by Judy Feder, the candidate who is getting the press, and the glowing reviews in the blogosphere and the cash. But one thing she didn't get was the win against incumbent Frank Wolf in 2006, the year the Democrats finally regained control of the House after the long dry spell of the 90s and early 2000s. She not only lost, she lost by 16 points. In a year the Democrats regained control of the House after 12 years.

Mike Turner is the person I will be supporting in the June 10th Democratic Primary. Why? Not just because the Progressive Democrats of America are backing him - though that says alot to me - it's his background in issues that are the major trouble spots in our country right now. He supports A responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq that will bring them home quickly, but safely. He backs this up with experience serving in Operation Provide Comfort under Wes Clark and Norman Schwartzkopf. Mike has served as National Director of Housing Counselling at the National Foundation for Credit Counselling, and he supports a single payer health care plan.


Please join me in lending Mike your support on June 10th. You can find out more and get on board to help Mike here