Monday, December 19

Before I'm 30


Until I was 30, I dated only boys. I’ll tell you why: Men scared the sh*t out of me. Men know what they want. Men own alarm clocks. Men sleep on a mattress that isn’t on the floor. Men buy new shampoo instead of adding water to a nearly empty bottle of shampoo. Men make reservations. Men go in for a kiss without giving you some long preamble about how they’re thinking of kissing you. Men wear clothes that have never been worn by anyone else before.

Okay, maybe men aren’t exactly like this. But this is what I’ve cobbled together from the handful of men I know or know of, ranging from Heathcliff Huxtable to Theodore Roosevelt to my dad. The point: Men know what they want, and that is scary… What I was used to was boys.

Boys are adorable. Boys trail off their sentences in an appealing way. Boys get haircuts from their roommate, who “totally knows how to cut hair.” Boys can pack up their whole life and move to Brooklyn for a gig if they need to. Boys have “gigs.” Boys are broke. And when they do have money, they spend it on a trip to Colorado to see a music festival. Boys can talk for hours with you in a dinner at 3am because they don’t have regular work hours.

So I’m into men now, even though they can be frightening. I want a schedule-keeping, waking up-early, wallet-carrying, picture-hanging man. I don’t care if he takes prescription drugs for cholesterol or hair loss. (I don’t want that, but I can handle it. I’m a grown-up too.)

I know I’m only marginally qualified to be giving advice. I’m not married, I frequently use my debit card to buy things that cost less than three dollars, and my bedroom is so untidy it looks like vandals ransacked the Anthropologie sale section. I’m kind of a mess.

I did, however, fulfill a childhood dream of writing, producing and acting in television and movies. Armed with that confidence, alongside a lifelong love of the sound of my own voice, I’m giving you this bit of wisdom: When you turn 30 – maybe even before – a fun thing to try is dating men. It’ll be like freshly ground peanut butter, times a million.

An excerpt from “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” By Mindy Kaling

Wednesday, December 7

Redefine Scandal


My passion is getting younger generations to participate –
which is selfish, in a way, because giving is the path to happiness. 

Every time I come back from Haiti, I’m really happy. If we can make giving cool, can make volunteering cool, we can start some kind of revolution. I’d like to refocus everyone’s attention away from the Kardashians and on to Doctors Without Borders or aid workers.

Let’s redefine scandal. 

Scandal is not who so-and-so is dating; scandal is the fact that 1.2 million people are still living in tents in Haiti, and cholera is rampant because the Nepalese U.N. soldiers dumped shit from their Porta-Potties into the river. That’s a f-icking scandal. 

If the average 15-year –old was hearing about that instead of so-and-so’s plastic surgery or cheating in Hollywood, I’d feel better about our future. 

[Olivia Wild]

Friday, November 18

Nifty Note


Saw this on the store front of the Nordstrom department store. The tone in which it’s written fits my style and mood this season perfectly.
Hope you get a giggle out of it too -


At Nordstrom… We won’t be decking our halls until Friday, November 25.
Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time.

From our family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving!


Wednesday, November 2

Bite that Apple

Steven Jobs (February 1955 – October 2011) was an American businessman and visionary widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer era. He was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc.

Some of his most enlightening quotes...
  • My model for business is the Beatles. They were four guys who kept each other's kind of negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. That's how I see business: great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people.
  • You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do... Don't settle.
  • Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
  • We make tools for people. Tools to create, tools to communicate. The age we're living in, these tools surprise you.... That's why I love what we do. Because we make these tools, and we're constantly surprised with what people do with them.

Thursday, October 20

Katy du Soleil

Katy Perry's inspiration - It started with the influence of rockabilly girls she saw in the swing-dance classes she attended when she was 13. "I loved the way they commanded attention - they looked so cute and cool and sophisticated and well manicured."

She then went through a brief "punk rock" stage ("I was dating boys in bands, drawing on my jeans, and making my own T-shirts") and proto-emo phase in the late '90s "with a short black pixie haircut and barrettes and all that," she says. "I loved Shirley Manson and Gwen Stefani and Alanis Morissette. those were my girls."

Right now, she's going with a "Bettie Page meets Wonder Woman meets Doris day meets Judy Jetson meets Natalie Wood meets Daphne Guinness meets Chloe Sevigny kind of look." [Elle 2011]

Monday, October 3

Clothes Swap

Clothes Swaps are my favorite parties to host. Of course, this was stemmed from when I fasted from shopping for Lent. That time spent wandering around stores had to be channeled elsewhere as I refrained from purchasing clothes, shoes, and accessories for 40 long days and even longer post-crazy day at the office-nights.  Now, I host a couple of these each year amongst my girlfriends and donate the extras to local charities.

Remember that 80 percent of the time, we wear only 20 percent of our clothes. So go through your wardrobe and jettison anything that's one of the four S's: stretched, small, smelly (ew!), or stained (sure, you could clean the stained and smelly pieces, but the idea is to let things go).


A tip for my shopaholic fashionistas – Don’t buy new hangers. When you add a new piece to your wardrobe, put an older one in a bag to give away. Start this recycling habit now. Your closet will thank you.

And on a side note: What’s the point of labels on clothes? We automatically remove price tags but keep these little info tags on the seams. When you think of it, it’s practically a cumbersome birth certificate that announces – who the design parents are, the warehouse hometown, size at delivery, and a bonus tip for suggested cleaning maintenance. Besides that, it’s really not necessary! Let’s start a revolution. Go through your wardrobe with scissors in hand and do as Uncle Joey used to say: Cut. It. Out. 

Friday, September 23

Brotherhood of Tight Pants

I’m a fan of tight jeans on women!

My high school years were during the nineties, and my friends and I often talk about how we got ripped off… every generation but ours had a tight jean phase.

We had the TLC phase, where the ladies were wearing baggy Gerbards and loose overalls with one-strap. Which, you know, is not without its charms. But we certainly never got that supertight, high-cut shorts, Dazed and Confused look.

– Andy Samberg -

Wednesday, September 7

Author Possibilities

I’ve been asked to do it. Heck, people assume that I already do! It’s time though – I need to WRITE again. An English degree was fairly easy for me because I like to read. Creative Writing was a class that I excelled in, but my writing pursuits have hardly progressed since.

Well, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to get starting on something. Baby steps toward a book series, perhaps? Here it is September, and I have done absolutely nothing. To get started, I sought inspiration from the great author Flannery O’Conner. Here are some quotable gems…

  • Everywhere I go, I'm asked if I think the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a best seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.

  • It is better to be young in your failures than old in your successes.

  • Writing a novel is a terrible experience, during which the hair often falls out and the teeth decay.

(sigh) Alright. Okay then. I think that’s a good enough start for now!

Monday, August 29

Maybe Baby

There used to be 2 response options to an invite: Yes or No. With Evite and FB events, Maybe is the go-to reply. Over-replying on this wishy-washy word can undermine decision making, fray relationships, and suck the excitement out of events. It’s a verbal equivalent to a slap and a cop out. 

* Using Maybe to keep your plans open until the last minute also denies you the enjoyment of anticipating a party or event. When you look forward to something beforehand, research shows that you have more fun! Say what you really mean instead of automatically going with Maybe. It’s more respectful of the person who invited you. – Belisa Vranich, PsyD

**When you tell someone Maybe, they often think you’re saying that they’re not important enough for you to commit to right away. Over time, it can damage trust. – Gerald Goodman, PhD

Let your Yes be YES, and your No mean NO. The Maybe box for any of my invitations is forever scratched out and not a valid option! I won’t enable lukewarm flakey tendencies anymore. Show some respect, and make promises you can keep. Any future lukewarm Maybe babies will be spit out!

And if you need Biblical back-up, just reference - "Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37 NKJV)

Friday, August 12

Socially Annoying

My bank wants me to "like" them on Facebook. I'd rather eat a bug.

I have no problem with my bank. They do a fine job with my money. The tellers are friendly and professional. But I don't want to see their inane, boring updates about yet another way to charge me interest.


To me, the ideal relationship with my bank is they handle the business I've given them, and I never think about it. It's not a social relationship. It shouldn't be one, and it never will be one.

Social media operates a lot like real life. Those who go on and on about themselves don't keep getting invited to join conversations.


If you're going to interact with donors, you need to figure out what they care about. Social media aren't a giant free classroom; they're more like a party. And be prepared to learn that your issues are not as universally exciting to people as you think they are. If you go in the way my bank does trying to educate and inform, you're an irrelevant and annoying party-pooper.

Well, stop it!

Is your nonprofit acting like my bank? Trying to be people's pals on Facebook and other social media so you can talk about yourself to them? In my case it's not going to happen. They can approach me by every social media channel in existence. They can have stalkers hang out in front of my house. I still don't want to be their pal, and I don't want to waste one more second of my time than I have to interacting with them. 

Apparently, though, the bank would like a more intense relationship.

… From ‘How to be a Boring Pest on Social Media’ by Jeff Brooks

Tuesday, July 26

Clever Bio (abridged)

Hi! I'm Jayme Dee.

Bio's ordinarily bore me so if you don't mind, I'll spare you the drabness and try to maintain a certain level of wittiness along the way... 

I enjoy long walks in South Central Los Angeles. Since I attend the University Of Southern California, I am lucky enough to roam the streets so close to my abode. Might I add, I keep pepper spray and a pocket knife on me at all times.

I hate cats. Sorry for all you cat enthusiasts who build shrines for your felines but I just don't like them. They are sneaky, conniving, mini lions I tell you.

My guitar is my best friend. But really. I have no friends other than my guitar.

Amy Winehouse is my idol. Except for the cocaine addiction, binge drinking, rehab, tattoo's, abusive relationships, jail time, etc etc. Other than that, she's great!

I don't like flowers. or nail salons. or pink. YUCK.
I love initiating awkward situations. They make me feel happy for some obscure, unknown reason.

I would kill a man for anything chocolate. A day without chocolate is a day without sunshine. When no one understands me, chocolate is there to listen. My favorite food (other than chocolate, but that is more like an element necessary for life) is watermelon. If you're thirsty, it quenches. If you're hungry, it fulfills. What a perfect combination.

Break my heart. I'll write a song about it! I think that sums it up ♥


---> Hear sweet acoustic covers and originals:
Jayme Dee
- http://www.youtube.com/jaymedee333 

Monday, July 4

Rewrite History


Abigail Gossett once said, "The problem with history as it is taught in our schools is this – it is dry facts and figures. There is no self, no emotional connection. When you see an army in a history book, you see a thing… a machine with thousands, if not millions of little parts. Perhaps it’s time we changed the way we write the history books. Maybe that personal understanding of what it was like is what it would take to foster a craving to learn and not repeat the errors of before." 


I feel the same way when I reflect on something so monumental as Ruby Bridges in this picture. She was only six years old during the American Civil Rights struggle in the early 1960s when she became the first African-American child to attend an all-white school in the South. For this, she had to live with threats to her life on a daily basis and face teachers unwilling to instruct her. She is captured for all eternity in Norman Rockwell’s famous painting; he depicted her on her first day of school, surrounded by U.S. marshals as a result of the court-ordered desegregation of public schools in New Orleans. Going to kindergarten with the federal law enforcement agency at your side: This was her reality.

Rosa sat...  so Ruby could learn. Ruby learned... so Martin could march.

Saturday, June 18

Eloquent Corrie


The resident American Coast Theater Company at my alma mater was honored to present the West Coast premiere of "The Hiding Place" this Summer. Upon watching it, I renewed my admiration for its author and heroine Corrie Ten Boom. Here are some wise quotes that we must all remember:
  • There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.
  • Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty.
  • Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.
  • Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings...It's something we make inside ourselves.
  • Some knowledge is too heavy...you cannot bear it...your Father will carry it until you are able.
  • What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.
  • Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.
  • If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.
  • Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.
  • Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.
  • Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
  • When you are covered by His wings, it can get pretty dark.
  • His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus, keep me in your will! Don't let me go mad by poking about outside of it!
  • It is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.
When Corrie went through heartbreak, her father had these words to share - "Corrie, do you know what hurts so very much? It's love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill the love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or, we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel. God loves the man who broke your heart--even more than you do--and if you ask Him, He will give you His love for this man, a love nothing can prevent, nothing destroy. Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way. God can give us his perfect way."

Wednesday, June 8

Lullaby Song

What if your Blessings
come through raindrops
What if your Healing
comes through tears
What if a thousand Sleepless nights
are what it takes to know you're near...

What if trials in this life -
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise?

(photo of Brazilian musical genius CeU)

Monday, May 30

Bachelor Intervention

I've been watching The Bachelor & The Bachelorette on ABC since the beginning! It started off with being the only show my college roommates and I agreed to watch together back in 2000. It was the dawn of the Reality Show era as well, so we suspected that this genius concept was probably just a fad. Fast forward to years later, I still consider this estrogen-fest a guilty pleasure and take notes on the creative dates, dressy outfits, and random displays of affection that are depicted. 

My tenure as an avid viewer pays off. During the first show of the season, I create a list of the potential spouses that I think would be a good match for the Bachelor/Bachelorette. I then check that list throughout the season like it's my Fantasy Sports league or brackets. My picks are always among the Top 3 with eventually one being chosen. If there were a prize for that title, I'd pretty much win every season! 

However, more often than not, the couples don't work out in real life. The recent "After the Final Rose" ceremony showed that there were only 4 couples (out of 15 seasons) still together. There was even a Bachelor Intervention of sorts to the new couple. It's okay though! Ryan's words of wisdom put it in great perspective -

"The 6 weeks you’re on the show, you’re on a cruise ship and everything’s taken care of. Then, they put you on a life boat, push you out, and it’s like stormy seas… That’s where you’re at right now. You’re gonna see that island out there, and you’ll be able to get to it, but it’s going to take a little bit of work! That’s where you’ll get stronger. That’s where you’ll be successful. Other Bachelor couples haven’t because they let those weaknesses get bigger and bigger until they finally broke apart. Just remember – It’s just you two. Say to each other daily, “It’s just us.” – RYAN & Trista

Sunday, May 8

Warning to the Wed

Some words of advice from the hilarious Robert Verdi, TV personality and style expert...

Brides: Those really beautiful big full wedding veils can make the moment you walk down the aisle more romantic and sweet… But it should not be one where people think – What the heck is she wearing? What is that? She looks like she’s out of Africa. You don’t want her to get bitten by any of these 'rare bugs' that you might find here at the country club.


Grooms: If you are old enough to get married, you are old enough to BUY a suit! Whether it’s a tuxedo or a well-tailored suit, don’t rent something that hundreds of other guys spent their special day in. You are a grown man - It's time to buy it.

Guests: Don’t dress too sexy. It’s not a night club. You’re not just there to party like Woo Hoo! Wild on Weddings!!

Wedding Party: Taking the edge off doesn’t mean you have to go over the edge. Keep your drinking to a minimum if at all. Weddings should be a joy for everyone in attendance, not a complete joke.

Monday, April 25

Burlesque Obsessed

I watched this movie in the theater 3x, as many times as it was nominated for a Golden Globe. It was definitely snuffed at the Oscars, but I still think it was the best movie of 2010. How can you go wrong with a ‘small town girl makes it in the big city’ plot? Sensational dancing and incredible music? And an all-star cast that includes my favorite Christina Aguilera, Julianne Hough, Kristen Bell, McSteamy Eric Dane, Stanley Tucci, Cher, and Chelsea Traille?

Well, with a little help from my friends, my obsession with this movie musical is almost complete: Soundtrack (Katrina Jensen), official coffee table book (Allen Del Rosario), DVD (Dave Brown), possible choreographed routine (Amantha Writer), and outfits (my own).

Monday, April 11

Dress Debut

I’ve recently realized that I associate memories with clothes. Every item in my wardrobe has a story. Each is taken care of like I would care for my future children. If something goes awry, I fulfill my duties as faithful patrons to my trusty cobbler, tailor, or dry cleaner for expert assistance.

I heart dresses! They are a simple go-to outfit that is suitable almost anywhere. All you need are accessories to spice up the look. I have a battery of dresses ready for any occasion... museum tours, weddings, work events, Salsa dancing, weekend brunch, housecleaning, beach walks, sports games, lazy ‘clear the dvr & veg’ days, the golf driving range, Girls’ Night shenanigans… you know, the usual adventures I encounter daily. I still buy a new one for Easter every year. To avoid becoming a Clothes hoarder though, I give my dresses away to ladies who not only appreciate them but can make their own memories in them too. And thanks to easy photo features on Facebook, if I’m pictured in a certain look too many times, they’re given away more quickly.

Some people wait to debut an outfit for a special someone or super special event. As I live in the glory of my singleness, my new mantra is – “To heck with that! I AM that special someone. I will make THIS a special event. Chances are someone there will appreciate me working this dress!” And it works like a charm. Every time.

Friday, March 18

Silly Star Wars


[Tom Hawking of Flavor Wire] The Worst On-Screen Duos of ALL time? Well, George Lucas & dialogue, generally. "You can type this crap," Harrison Ford sighed on the set of the first Star Wars film, "but you can't say it." George Lucas' contribution to the world of Cinema has been sizeable, and Star Wars remains a classic, but one thing he's never been particularly good at is characterization - and specifically, dialogue.

This wasn't so much of a problem in the first trilogy, when the sheer excitement of the plot and the novelty of the special effects, as well as Ford and Carrie Fisher's willingness to just ditch the script when necessary, carried the films. By the second trilogy, though, Lucas' inability to write convincing dialogue was painful - as exemplified, in particular, by the excruciating "love" scenes featuring Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen... cough, cough... oh the Picnic scene... 

Thursday, March 3

Wise Witherspoon


I think as a woman, you get older, you feel more confident in your sexuality. You're not as intimidated by it, not as embarrassed by it. Sexuality and femininity are an accumulation of age, wisdom, and comfort in your own skin. I feel better - so much better now than I ever did in my twenties. I am calmer, I know who I am. And as a result I feel sexier.

When somebody comes up to me and says, "You look hot in that movie" I always respond, "But was I funny?" For me, it's not really about how you look but about the joy or the bit of light that you bring to whatever you do. I know I'm more attracted to people who have a light about them. Funny doesn't sag.

Also, kids are the best part of my day. I don't wake up to make movies. I wake up to hang out with my family! I think I'm really really lucky. I've got a lot of love in my life. I've got great friends. I've got a really great family. I am very blessed. --- Reese Witherspoon

Monday, February 14

Blue Valentine


A Mills Brothers song |

You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn't hurt at all. You always take the sweetest rose and crush it til the petals fall. You always break the kindest heart with a hasty word you can't recall...

So if I broke your heart last night, it's because I love you most of all.

Wednesday, February 9

T-A-N-G-O


I admit, I like ALL types of dancing! Pretty much any song with bass and a beat tend to get me moving, especially when I'm driving or trying on new purchases at home to add to my wardrobe. My parents most likely conceived me to Jazz, so it makes sense that I am an old soul in appreciating the classic Standards. Gospel music provided a more tame way to groove in worship at church. I have had a fondness toward the Country and Hip-hop sounds of my youth. College introduced me to more cultures, so my involvement in Polynesian dance, Flamenco, and an occasional Bollywood effort surfaced. Currently, I lean toward the normal "street versions" of ballroom dances like Salsa, Swing, and Blues. It's safe to say that I am an avid fan of dance reality shows with So You Think You Can Dance, Rock the Reception, and Dancing with the Stars at the top of my list.

One thing is for certain though - I am saving Tango for marriage. It's not just the music and the moves that are alluring, I just think my partner should probably be the man I will be legally bound to. Per chance feelings that are brought up on the dance floor can be dealt with in-person, at home, later. Forever and always. For 50+ years at least.

Here are choreographed Tango examples to prove my case:

Can I hear an 'Amen' from my fellow singletons? Yes, I hear you!

** Art Photo courtesy of my favorite Fabian Perez

Monday, January 31

Why Limit?


My NWA Events agency stands for "Nanas with attitude." They are girls who know how to walk, talk, laugh, dance, smile, cry, shout, love, and hate, perfectly and sincerely. Attitude is style. Style is attititude.

Why limit yourself to one thing? I love entertainment: music, fashion, art, design, food, dancing, storytelling, parties... I remember when I started out, everyone always told me I had to make a career choice. I was like, 'No, my choice is not to make a choice!' The only down side is it takes me at least 10 minutes to tell someone what I do. (Nadege Winter, former PR of Colette in Pais, current creative director of Wool and the Gang)

Friday, January 21

International Affair


Everyone has the potential to take acts of love which deeply impact people's lives and each person's life that is impacted, that's a little piece of changing the world. Why isn't radical love the ordinary and what would the world look like if it was? And that kind of radical love might look different for each person. Maybe it will lead some people to start organizations in Africa. Maybe it will lead some people to invite your neighbors over for dinner tonight. That's putting flesh and bones on the Gospel.

< Nic Lauten of Krochet Kids, Intl. >