Oscars Wrap-Up

Best Metallic:  Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta

Best Asymmetry:  Camila McConaughey in Gabriela Cadena

Best Nude:  Cate Blanchett in Armani

Best Baby Bump:  Olivia Wilde in Valentino

Best Necklace and Best Black:  Charlize Theron in Dior

Best Blue:  Lupita Nyong'o in Prada

Intro-what?

It seems introversion is a hot topic lately.  Society is starting to realize an introverted person isn't actually shy, socially inept, or inadequate in any way.  The person simply draws energy from different sources than extroverts do.  Often, the person is also a great listener, thinker, and collaborator.

I recently finished reading Quiet:  The Power of Introversion in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  A coworker was talking about the book when I said "Ooh, I need to read that."  Her reply was, "You?  Why?"  It amused me that I had her fooled into thinking I'm an extrovert.  The book actually addresses this.  It explains that introverts are sometimes heads of Student Council or PTO, or they are talkative and able to sell ideas on the job - this sounds counter intuitive, but it comes from passion.  If an introvert is passionate about something, he/she can easily act as an extrovert.  However, some quiet alone time will also be necessary to balance this out and re-energize.

The idea of quiet alone time seems to be getting more acceptable with age.  I have friends who will say no to Friday night plans because they'd rather be at home alone, and I sometimes do this too.  It doesn't imply depression, and it's certainly more accepted than it was in our 20s.  We introverts are overstimulated all week by speaking up at meetings, making small talk, and sitting in shared spaces, so sometimes we just need to avoid people altogether.

Don't get me wrong; I admire and often envy extroverts.  I'm just glad that the word is out that it's ok if you prefer to express yourself in writing, and you don't like to talk about yourself, and you'd rather have a few friends than a ton.  I recommend this book to any fellow introverts.  It won't change your world, but like Lean In, it will give you a lot of "Holy crap, I'm not the only one who does/thinks that?!"  moments.  I don't recommend the author's TED talk though; from the few minutes I watched, it sounded like she was complaining rather than explaining.

On another note, The Rosie Project is also a great book.  It's a love story overall, but it's also a really interesting insight into the mind of someone with Asperger's.

Golden Girls

Shall we get this blog going again with a little fashion talk?  Red carpet season is back!  I haven't seen most of the movies/shows that won the Golden Globes this year, but who cares?  It's about the fashion.  And about Tina and Amy, who killed it.  Again.  This year I'm picking my faves in categories.  And the winners are...

Best Metallic:  Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad

Best "Different" Look:  Julia Roberts in Dolce & Gabbana

Best Asymmetry:  Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney
Honorable Mention:  Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

Best Pop of Color:  Margot Robbie in Gucci

Best Necklace:  Jessica Chastain in Bvlgari

Best Baby Bump:  Olivia Wilde in Gucci

Best Black:  Cate Blanchett in Giorgio Armani
Honorable Mention:  Julianna Margulies in Andrew Gn

Best Red:  Lupita Nyong'O in Ralph Lauren

Happy Birthday N!

It always makes me giggle when I think of how N and I used to really dislike each other when we were kids.  It was a fortuitous moment on a band trip when we realized that we were meant to be friends.

Happy Birthday N!  Thank you for being my friend :)

Hip to Be Square

I was recently a programming chair for a conference themed "Dare to Be You."  Initially, I was blindly inspired by that phrase without thinking about how it applied to me.  When I did, however, I was confused.  As a kid I always followed rules, studied, and listened to my parents; as an adult, I've always worked in corporate America with a 401(k) and don't date wild and crazy people.  Am I someone who hasn't Dared to be Me since I've followed the beaten path?  The answer is no.  With all the changes in industry and society nowadays, it's easy to be convinced that being "real" means doing something outside of the norm.  For some of us, however, our passions and preferences just happen to be things that are sometimes unfairly judged as commonplace.

When I say I'm a chemical engineer, the response is often "Yawn.  You're Indian, therefore your parents forced you to be either an engineer or a doctor.  Way to break the mold."  They couldn't be more wrong.  I like science and math.  I like the industry in which I work.  If that's what I'm pursuing, isn't that similar to an artist practicing his/her craft?  I really admire my peers who have dropped everything to start non-profits that change the world.  I would gladly volunteer with them and support them.  However, it's not what I want for my career.

On to social situations.  As we get older, I more frequently hear "I'm tired of weddings and all the hype.  They're such a waste, what's the point, etc., etc.  I don't get why people have them."  I completely respect the fact that not everyone wants that; it's a very personal preference.  However, is it fair to judge those who do?  If I were to get married, I'd want a diamond and bachelorette party and a traditional ceremony with all my family/friends.  I would hate for some of them to sit there thinking about how stupid it is.

Back to my initial point.   I think that Daring to be Me means that I should embrace the fact that I want what I want for my life, regardless of how ordinary it may sound to others.  And I should embrace the fact that my short, klutzy, sassy, practical, food-loving, nail polish-obsessed self will pursue it.

New Black Eyeliner Must Have

As most of you can tell, I'm a loyal brand/product shopper.  If I find something I like, I find very little reason to buy a competing product. 

For years, I've been a loyal Dior Liquid Liner shopper and advocate.  N can vouch that I pushed that product on everyone I know.  I tried Smashbox, L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, NARS, MAC and nothing worked as great until Dior.

Right before we left for our Thai adventure, I ran out of Dior completely.  I freaked out and tried to determine how to best get a new eyeliner before we left.  Unfortunately, I did not have time to make it to a department store, so I stopped at ULTA to buy a cheaper drugstore brand.

Upon talking to the sales associate, she recommended I try Stila Cosmetics Waterproof Liner.  It was $20, and she mentioned that I could return it if I didn't like it - so what did I have to lose.

I've been using this eyeliner for the past 3 weeks now.  I LOVE the superfine tip, it makes a thin line or a cat eye or a thicker line all doable.  The liquid consistency is amazing and allows for easy feathering. 

And with it being $15 cheaper and the variety of colors, I think I have found my new eyeliner!

Nailed It, Part 5: Polka Dots

Wow, it's been almost a year since my last nail post!  Polka dots seem so summery to me, but painting them all over all my nails takes more patience than I possess.  So lately my favorite trend is minimalistic polka dots.  If you are using the brush that came with the polish (as I do) rather than specialty nail brushes, then I don't recommend painting the dots with OPI.  Essie and Zoya have smaller brushes that work great for dots, while OPI's are designed more for complete nail coverage.

[Zoya Wednesday (I think)  + Buffy]