by Nancy Colasurdo on May 17, 2009
It was almost worth watching the “60 Minutes” interview of Vogue editor Anna Wintour just for the sight of Morley Safer squirming in his chair at a fashion show. But overall, it was a better piece than it might have been with another journalist because Safer is clearly an outsider in the fashion world and therefore gave us a fresh, non-reverential take on an icon.
Truly I find Wintour fascinating because she is unapologetic about being who she is.
“I like people who represent the best of what they do and if that turns you into a perfectionist, then perhaps I am,” Wintour tells Safer after he reads a list of qualities attributed to her from her unauthorized biography.
She also called the trademark sunglasses she wears at fashion shows “armor” and admitted that she may be trying to make up for not being academically successful (she dropped out of high school at age 16).
When he asked her about her “alleged” portrayal in The Devil Wears Prada, she noted it was entertainment and an exaggeration, but one couldn’t help note that the intimidating entrance to her office is awfully similar to the one in the movie.
With daily makeup and hair styling and an (alleged) annual wardrobe budget of $200,000 provided by Conde Nast, the impeccable and driven Wintour is doing something right.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 17, 2009
Every so often I get the last elliptical machine in the long line of them at my gym when no one else is around me. That’s when I don’t have to worry about my tunes spilling over and I can get into a special little zone.
This morning, happily in that situation, I incrementally cranked up the volume on Liza Minnelli’s “New York, New York” — the terrific Liza with a ‘Z’ version — and let her transport me to a different place. When Frank Sinatra does this song, it’s more relatable and it was my anthem for a while before moving to my urban lifestyle, so it holds special meaning for me.
But Liza’s is a whole different thing. It might as well be a different song. It’s a show-stopper. When you think the song is ending, she’s just warming up for the real finish. Goosebumps every time. What a mighty force she is.
Those little town blues are gone, baby.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 16, 2009
I am ever thankful that some years ago I learned discipline around food and now know how to enjoy and savor the occasional treat. It makes it all the easier now that I live just steps from two Hoboken bake shops — Sweet and Crumbs — specializing in cupcakes.
Sweet has been in town since last summer and I have visited three times since then. The coconut cupcake is nothing short of sublime. The chocolate with peanut butter butter cream frosting ranks way up there. And, well, how do you leave out the red velvet? And Sweet has minis, so you can sample.
Now there’s Crumbs, a chain whose dreamy reputation preceded it. I tried a Reese’s cupcake and it was very good, but very big. Almost too much.
Here’s what I came up with. If a Sweet cupcake is like a perfect dish of quality ice cream, then a Crumbs cupcake is like an ice cream sundae loaded with gooey stuff. It’s a matter of preference.
My edge goes to Sweet. Hard to top sublime.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 15, 2009
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 15, 2009
This Game Plan is sort of a cross between ‘what I did on my … ‘ and a clearing of my notebook from Branson, Mo. Conversation Among Masters (CAM) is an annual intimate gathering of coaches who have An Ongoing Coaching Conversation.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 14, 2009
I’m still trying to process tonight’s Grey’s Anatomy. Skillful acting bringing to life crisp writing. Crazy good TV.
High. Low. High. Low. High. Low. Shocker.
Boom. Mortality.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 13, 2009
From the minute I saw the press literature in a hot pink envelope I knew I’d be writing a Game Plan column about Poker Prima Divas, a business started by Ellen Leikind to get women in the game that she calls “the new golf.” It’s a terrific concept about Working with the Hand They’re Dealt.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 12, 2009
My former life meets my current life in this piece called Break Free by Trenton Times writer Sharon Schlegel. Sharon and I were co-workers at the Times over a decade ago and she is a terrific writer and person. In this column she writes about my buddy Mary Carlomagno, who recently did a reading of her book at the Barnes and Noble in Princeton (my old hangout!).
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 11, 2009
Never found Wanda Sykes funny. Still don’t.
Never found Rush Limbaugh entertaining. Still don’t.
Always enjoyed a little finesse in my comedy. Still do.
by Nancy Colasurdo on May 10, 2009
Still reeling from my 7-year-old nephew, the Google-ing machine. He loves to watch Van Gogh’s Starry Night set to music on YouTube. He is also well-versed in something I am not — classical music. He hears a melody and knows Beethoven from Mozart from Tchaikovsky. Definitely doesn’t get that from Aunt Nancy. And he knows their first names. And he can spell them all. It’s mind blowing.
He is also more proficient with a mouse than I will ever be.
My education for the weekend.
