2012: Looking Back and Letting Go

What a year it was.

The past 365 days gave me a good many opportunities to learn, grow and make mistakes. But I also experienced a few points of celebration that will keep me going and pushing for bigger wins in the year ahead. A few of the highlights.

• I can run. I've never been regarded as an athlete, but 2012 ushered in the opportunity for me to complete three half-marathons. I only walked about half a mile in the first race and I consider that a real triumph for me. I've since lost my running habit but I intend on reviving it to take on new adventures in 2013.

• I can love. This past year reminded me that I know how to love, but also the hard lesson that a relationship involves hard work by both parties. I discovered I have a generous heart and lots of passion, and those two traits aren't enough to make a relationship work. I'm counting on 2013 to bring on new chances for love and occasions when I can open up and be myself with someone I care about.

• I have wonderful friends. There's a world of difference between knowing lots of people and having close relationships, and in 2012 I pulled back from "the scene" to work on the latter. From the Chinatown Bus to an invisible bat in my apartment, my friends have joined me for adventure and have offered limitless support. I've also learned some people are meant to be in our lives despite our best efforts to sever ties. I'm grateful 2012 returned to me one of my closest relationships.

• I thrive when I work in a place that lets me do my thing. This past year brought with it the opportunity to work in a new environment with talented people tackling incredibly creative projects. I am so grateful for the chance to play with my words, to be a leader, and to grow the experiences on my CV. I can't wait to see what new professional experiences 2013 brings with it.

Looking forward, I know 2013 is going to be another great opportunity for growth. April brings with it a trip to Dubai and Bangkok; I thrive when I have the chance to experience some adventure, and trekking to the Middle East and Asia will stoke the fires of my passion and yearning for discovery.

May you find peace with the year behind you and look at every experience as an opportunity for growth and learning. And here's to hoping 2013 brings us all great peace and prosperity, happiness and bountiful love with family and friends.

XOXO,

Katy

Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

$5 to $500 - The Best Gifts For The Lady On Your List

It's the thought that counts, really.

But when you get right down to it, the holidays can be a well intentioned horror flick full of stress, shopping mall road rage, and terror induced by Seasonal Affected Disorder.

SAD, indeed.

Rather than crunch the numbers and gnash your teeth over holiday gift giving, here's a great list of last minute items to pick up for girlfriends, sisters, spouses and "work wives."

$5 - A Boot of Beer and a Taco at Bakersfield

Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is the gift of your time. And a quality moment at Bakersfield is a perfect way to share that gift - especially when the gift involves beer and a delicious, freshly made taco. Bakersfield sells $2 glass boots of draft PBR and several of its tacos are $3 a piece. What better way to give a cost effective, quality gift? I dig it. 1200 block of Vine St. in Over-the-Rhine.


$10 - Keep Buzzin' Tangerine Hand Cream

Perhaps the best hand cream I've ever used, Keep Buzzin' is 100 percent natural and sustainable, and made in the good 'ol U. S. of A. You can get yours in a variety of scents including fresh lemon and lavender; I went crazy for the tangerine. I picked up mine for around $10 at Park + Vine at 1202 Main St.


$25 - ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend Lengthening Mascara

Some ladies forgo making an investment in their mascara, instead sticking with the much heralded, tried-and-true "Pink and Green" tube from the drug store. If your lady friend is one of those gals, surprise her with this phenomenal lash extender from ModelCo. The formula includes tiny fibers that attach themselves to the end of your lashes, giving you a longer, fuller look. I got a tube in my monthly Birchbox subscription a month ago and my eyes haven't been the same. Bonus: One length of the tube is covered with a mirror, giving you an easy vantage point for on-the-go touch ups. $24 at Birchbox.

$50 - Many Beautiful Things at Mannequin Boutique

Some of you may be lamenting a popular chorus this time of year: "She has everything! I just don't know what kind of gift to give the woman who has everything!" The answer is easy - vintage. Mannequin is a vintage resale shop that features a variety of gently used designer pieces and vintage goods. A quick perusal through the store and you'll see familiar labels like Chanel, Prada and Manolo Blahnik. But you'll also know many beautiful pieces that hearken back to another time when people enjoyed finer, well made things. In the $50 price range you can score a variety of items including darling, structured handbags from the 1940s or chunky, on-trend accessories straight from New York.

And the proceeds from every purchase go to seven local non-profits including Freestore Foodbank, Lighthouse Youth Services, Stop Aids, and UCAN Spay/Neuter Clinic. 1400 block of Vine St., OtR.


$100 - A Pair of Tickets to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a vibrant, creative enterprise that draws thousands of theatre fans to Over-the-Rhine every year. From productions ranging to the deep and powerful Good People, to the silly and trippy Alice in Wonderland, this venue is a delightful little theatre amidst the restaurants at 12th and Vine. You can score a pair of tickets to any show for $84 or less.

$250 - A Bottle of Bond No. 9

My favorite fragrance line came out with a new scent this fall - Manhattan - and it would make a perfect winter fragrance. Its top notes include hints of nutmeg and coriander, supported by wafts of chocolate and gingerbread. A musky scent, it's bold enough for winter and is sure to stand out from everybody else's flowery perfumes. $190 for 50 ml; $270 for 100 ml.


$500 - Elsa Peretti Open Bottle Pendant at Tiffany & Co.

Let's be honest. Any girl will squeal with giddy delight upon receiving a Tiffany box in Pantone 1837 (yes, Tiffany has its own Pantone color. But I digress). I've envied this design ever since I was a tween. Its graceful curves and practical applications are limitless. You could pour a bit of your signature fragrance in it, allowing the scent to warm as the flask rests upon your decolletage. You could also turn it into a sneaky, tethered shot glass - perfect for stealing a nip during a mind numbing meeting.

The chain is 28 inches long and the bottle is 45 mm by 35 mm. $495 at the Tiffany & Co. at 5th and Vine.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Bacon + Booze

"Guess what I had last night."

"An Old Fashioned?"

"Nope."

"Some bacon?"

"Well, kind of both of those."

Metropole at the 21C Hotel is serving up a cocktail where two worlds collide:

Pig in the City

Metropole's bar manager says he infused Bulleit with bacon fat to give the beloved bourbon a smoky profile you'll notice at your first whiff. One of the tenders says he carried the first infused bottle into the bar like a baby.

No doubt it was precious cargo.

The cocktail is smoky and sweet all at once, punctuated with a bit of silky umami thanks to the rendered bacon fat.

Metropole's bar doesn't open its door until 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, but you're able to grab a seat in the plush, well appointed lounge and a cocktail server will fetch you a drink if you're a wee bit early.

If bacon isn't your thing, I highly suggest the Don & Dirty, a festive take on an Old Fashioned.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Sleep No More

Spend any time in the Big Apple and you will likely have a moment when you exclaim, "Only in New York."

A visit to the McKittrick Hotel will certainly prove to be one of those moments.

This old hotel in Chelsea was built by a wealthy family right before World War II. The war kept its doors shut, forcing the grand McKittrick to sit dormant for years.

Rich damask wallpaper, beautiful woodwork and velvet-upholstered furniture - the luxury hotel was locked up and  sentenced to a long, quiet slumber.

Enter Sleep No More.

More than 70 years after its near-opening, the McKittrick is alive and well with a live, choose-your-own-adventure theatrical experience by London's Punchdrunk, an immersive theatre concept.

Guests are asked to check their coats and handbags upon entering the hotel. The coat check attendant gives you a playing card (ours were the Ace of Hearts) and you're ushered into a bluesy, speakeasy type space with two cash bars. The staff is decked out in period wear - flapper-era costumes, timeless tuxedos.

We ordered a couple champagne cocktails and surveyed the dimly lit scene. Every guest was given a white mask - it fitted our faces around the eyes but jutted out in front of the mouth like a beak.

It was weird.

The "Ace of Hearts" group was taken to an elevator where a gentleman served as host, giving a cursory explainer about the hotel. He told us to keep our eyes open, follow things that interested us, and explore to our hearts' content.

(Side note: guests aren't allowed to talk to each other or touch the performers. This former point was a bit of a challenge when trying to stay together.)

The entire evening presented wildly dramatic scenes transpiring on several floors. Provocative, threatening, seductive - the silent Shakespearian drama included a cast of characters who floated amidst all of the hotel's levels.

And the rest of us followed - or chased - the action wearing our creepy, white masks.

During the three-hour production, guests are able to take a break and return to the speakeasy lounge to enjoy cash bar cocktails and hot jazz. Several unassuming, black masked guides can point you in the right direction if you can't find your way.

The scenes repeat themselves over time, giving you the chance to follow one actor the first time, and the other during a repeat execution. There's always a subtle nuance to catch or another interaction to witness.

Tickets are around $100 per person and completely worth it. The evening has several "seatings" - our late night show allowed people in as early as 11 pm and concluded at 2 am. If you go, I suggest an earlier time to allow you to catch as much action as possible.

And if you get invited on a private, solo adventure, do not hesitate - it alone is worth the price of admission.

For more information: Sleep No More and ticketing.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

36

What's in a number, anyway?

A lot, actually.

36 is the atomic number for krypton, so that must mean 36 is as strong as balls. Or repellent for Clark Kent.

It's also the ASCII code for the "$" symbol. I'm hoping that means 36 is rich - in wealth, experience, and value.

There are 36 inches in a yard, and when you roll a pair of dice, you can expect one of 36 different outcomes, including "Snake Eyes."

36 is a powerful number where religion is concerned. In the Jewish faith, God's light shone for 36 hours on the first day of creation. The Torah has 36 references of loving, respecting and protecting strangers. And the modern day celebration of Hanukkah involves burning 36 candles in the menorah over the holiday's eight-day period.

Symbolism all over the place with that one.

And for all of us academics, 36 is a perfect score on the ACT.

Who knows what this new year holds, but I'm hoping for a little bit of wealth, a lot of luck, new love with strangers and plenty of growth - academic or otherwise.

And, heck. I'd be happy with Clark Kent, too.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Give A Little Bit Of My Love to You

'Tis the season to give back.

On "Giving Tuesday," I was struck by the tender sincerity happening on Dalton Street. Workers at Cincinnati's largest post office are combing through hundreds of "Dear Santa" letters to find the ones from folks who really need St. Nick.

Sure, some notes request big screen TVs and new bling, but there's a whole crowd of people out there who are hurting, and their humble requests beg for little more than socks and coats, or maybe a toy or two for a little one.

It's these meager asks that bring on the waterworks for me.

My first career as a TV news producer was not lucrative. While this is a surprise to many outside of the business, it is a reality many journalists know all too well. There were times when I had to choose between unexpected car repair and an aging utility bill. Sometimes that meant spending a night in the dark.

It's amazing how candlelight, a red bottle of wine and a good book can help you forget the harsh reality of an anemic bank account.

And so, even on my worst days, I am deeply aware of the many blessings operating in my life. From my upbringing to my education, to my optimistic outlook and good health: I have many things for which I'm thankful.

My own financial struggles and the self-awareness of my blessings have fostered a deep passion for the financial stability of others. I truly believe in the mission of helping others so they may move on and foster their own economic prosperity.

It's that philosophy that motivates my charitable giving and volunteer interests.

Saturday is my birthday, and it is not a coincidence that I intend to spend a part of that day with a little bit of gratitude for my blessings and an opportunity to pay it forward. I'll be combing through the "Dear Santa" letters at Dalton Street to see how I can help make someone's day a wee bit easier.

I'm told you can read the letters between noon and 7 p.m.; the letters from families with one or two children go quickly. If you arrive later you'll likely find tons of notes from families with between five and eight children, and a handful of letters with three or four kids.

Another great way to help others in need is the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati's Fairy Godmother Program. The ETC treats more than 1,200 students from around Over-the-Rhine and Cincinnati to the theatre's annual holiday musical. It's an opportunity to expose young people to the pleasure of cultural experience.

By contributing $50 to ETC's Fairy Godmother Program, you can give one child the gift of live theatre, a nutritious snack at the performance, transportation to and from the event, and a take-home project that reinforces the play's positive message.

You can donate here, or by calling the ETC box office at 513-421-3555.

Disclosure: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati was kind enough to offer me a pair of complimentary tickets to its latest show, "Alice in Wonderland." The show is perfect for families and even "big kid" singletons. It runs through December 30.



Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Remember That Time We Had Drinks With Racists?

This is the story of two Cincinnati girls and a crazy exchange in the Big Apple.

So, a couple weeks ago I jetted to New York City with one of my dearest friends. Candace has business in The City and currently splits her time between there and our hometown, so I decided to join her for one of her treks out east.

It was a great weekend full of masked adventure, amazing dining at a secret spot in the Bowery District (ed note: if you want in, message me and I can give you a few tips), and sneaky cocktails near Chinatown.

But perhaps my favorite story of the weekend involves our very first stop for cocktails.

We had a standing reservation for dinner at the Standard Grill. I'd perused the menu and couldn't wait to try the house made fettuccine with wild mushrooms and a truffle and cognac cream sauce. Doesn't that just make your mouth water? I was eager for dinner but we had almost an hour to kill, so we decided to seek out a spot for a drink.

As luck would have it, the corners of my eye spotted an unassuming brick building glowing with a cluster of neon signs. Hogs & Heifers Saloon. I don't know why the name jogged my brain but it did, and when Candace suggested we find a bar I quickly pointed in its direction.

Now, this is not the kind of place for a Junior League meeting. Well, there was that one time a bunch of us went to a place with a mechanical bull after a monthly meeting, but that's another story.

Hogs and Heifers is draped with brassieres flung by over-served patrons and their amorous boyfriends, and its lady bartenders wear tight jeans and tiny T-shirts or less.

This place is the real Coyote Ugly.

We approached the bar, and knowing we'd be sipping on champagne later, we decided to begin decidedly low brow - with cans of PBR. How hipster. How young. The bartender grabbed a megaphone and bleated that we needed to order shots, too.

We obliged.

Sipping on our respective Makers and vodka shots (I'm the bourbon girl), the bartender then asked us to dance on the bar. We smiled and demurred that it just wasn't our style, so she and the bikini-topped barmaid decided to hop on the bar and do a clogging routine to The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

They yelled with their megaphones at the sparse crowd, telling the happy hour customers to clap, "or get the fuck out." And so we clapped.

And then they changed the song on the jukebox, and I knew Candace and I were in trouble.

Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" came blaring on and the lady bartenders chided us, telling us we had to get on the bar and dance. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity for a good story, we gingerly climbed on the bar - in our high heels and nice dresses - and slightly wiggled in our dining attire.

The song finished and we tried to gracefully descend from our bar-cum-dance floor, when a bald, 30-something man offered his hand to help us down.

Stay with me. This is where the story gets good.

Jason, we'll call him, offered to buy us drinks, and so the bartender grabbed us another round of beers and shots.

We made polite conversation and Candace shared information about our respective professions. She and I handed over business cards and the chatter continued.

Jason kept remarking about our beauty and how impressed he was that I could handle bourbon. I replied that my ten years of living in Central Kentucky offered up an indoctrination into bourbon, basketball and horse racing. We all laughed.

Jason's friend Tony arrived. An Italian with a thick New Yawk accent. He had a wad of cash and was waiting for someone to swing by with a cardboard box full of T-bone steaks.

I felt like we'd just entered a surreal world of the bizarre. I mean, who has meat delivered to a corner bar? I'll tell you who - this guy, Tony.

Mister New Yawk started talking to me, remarking about how beautiful Candace and I were. He started waxing poetic about our blonde tresses, "You both have beauty-full blonde hair. Beauty-full, blonde white women."

Say what?

Tony made a comment under his breath discounting the natural status of our blonde hair and then he asked me to look Jason's way.

"You see that tattoo? You know what we are?"

I didn't want to stare too long out of courtesy, but I saw a bird. Was it an owl? An eagle? I noticed it was perched on a circle of some kind before I looked away for fear of being rude.

"That's Aryan Nation. We're Aryan Nation." He exclaimed it with pride as I took a big swig of America's Best out of Milwaukee.

Oh. My. God.

We're drinking with racists, my brain computed. Like, in-the-open, big and bold bigots.

At that moment I was grateful for every manner and courtesy my mother taught me. No, this was not a time to wave my flag and be proud of my beliefs in diversity and equal rights of all kinds. This was a time for me to smile and demonstrate social graces in the most uncomfortable of situations.

I cocked my head in Candace's direction, offering her a polite but glaring smile. "How are you doing over there?" I asked as my pained expression said volumes. "Honey, I think it might be time for us to finish these quickly and make it to our dinner reservation."

Quick witted and a great reader of context, Candace dropped her can on the bar and we tossed on our coats.

A few, cursory pleasantries with Jason and Tony and then we scooted out the door.

What a weird evening, and it was only 7:30 pm.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Five tips for making a better pie crust: Tip #1 - Wine. And Lots of It.

There seriously is no magic secret for making pie crust.

Everyone has a trick passed down from their Aunt Betty that they say is the key to a perfect, golden brown flaky crust of goodness.

This holiday season, may you have copious amounts of wine on hand as you bake and enjoy time with loved ones. That's really the only secret.

Slainte'!


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Five tips for making a better pie crust: Tip #2 - The Golden Touch

Baking a pie isn't magic, but sometimes it sure feels like it.

The flaky consistency, the richness of flavor. For bakers, pastry making is a dangerous proposition of science - both in areas of temperature and chemical agent.

And the quest for a golden brown color is, too.

Once you've assembled your crust and gingerly rolled it out and draped across your pie plate, fluted edge to edge, you have several options to try to manipulate your opportunity to go for the gold.

Adding sugar to your recipe will help with browning in the oven (as does our beloved butter). You can also protect your pie crust by brushing a beaten egg onto the crust. No need for a fancy brush; you can buy little brushes at the hardware store for a dollar or two - a foam painting tool will work, too.

With regards to the egg, you can either go for whole egg, which will help enhance the color of your pie, or you can go for just the egg white. It will add some shine to your pie, making it ready for its close-up with your camera. The latter is good if you plan on dusting your pie crust with a bit of granulated sugar, giving it a bit of a frosted look.

Blend with a bit of water if you think your egg wash is brushing on a bit too heavy for your taste.

You can also brush your raw, fluted pie dough with a little bit of milk or cream to encourage browning during the bake.

Some people brush their pie crust with melted jelly. It doesn't really matter what your preference is, you're looking to create a seal that protects the crust's crispness.

And finally, I wrap my pie with a halo made of aluminum foil. By ringing the edges of the pie, I'm able to protect the crust from too much heat and possible burning. It's not a surefire move, but it is a good way to hedge your bets.

Tomorrow - my final tip for making a better pie crust. And this one is a keeper.

I've been baking pies from scratch for well over a decade, and my mom says I've mastered the perfect pie crust. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I'll share with you my five secrets for making the best pie crust around.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Five tips for making a better pie crust: Tip # 3 - Cut Your Water

In both confections and cocktails - water is not always your friend.

Okay, so we've talked about fats. A pie crust requires only two other ingredients - flour and water. I like to use a good baker's flour when I tackle a from-scratch baking project (Gold Medal has several varieties that can help you accomplish the specificities of your recipe). But when it comes to water, I try to use as little as possible.

See, water has a way of reacting with the gluten in your flour. Blend in too much water and you'll be left with a rubbery, leathery pie crust that isn't fit for Fido. But water is also the binding agent that marries flour to fat, making for a pretty tricky proposition.

And here's where my little liquor store trick comes in.

I typically only measure out half of the water my recipe calls for, and I make up for the rest of the liquid with vodka.

Yes, vodka.

Whether you prefer Belvedere or Popov, your favorite potato-fermented elixir won't develop as much gluten as water, helping you stave off a gummy, gunky pastry.

The vodka won't leave behind a flavor and all of the alcohol will cook out, so no need to worry about whether Aunt Mary is going to get tanked when sneaking a second helping after dinner.

As much as I'd like to take credit for this idea, its genius comes from the folks at America's Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated (which is a great cooking mag, if you've never seen it).

Tomorrow, a few tips to help reach for the gold when you bake that beautiful pie crust.

I've been baking pies from scratch for well over a decade, and my mom says I've mastered the perfect pie crust. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I'll share with you my five secrets for making the best pie crust around.



Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Five tips for making a better pie crust: Tip # 4 - Cool It

The thing about a homemade pie crust - it doesn't like a lot of manhandling.

Some things need serious processing. Homemade whipped cream comes to mind. But a pie... a pie needs only the slightest bit of handling because the ultimate goal here is avoiding melted fat.

When your butter or lard or rendered bacon fat melts, you ruin any chance of making a flaky pastry. And that's what people want to dig their fork into, golden flaky goodness - not gummy gunk in a pie plate.

So. Cold fats. I freeze my fats before I blend them with a pastry blender. And I also ice my water before I fold it in my flour/fat mixture. The icy water will help keep those fats in solid form, allowing those fats to melt into flaky little pastry pockets when baked in the oven. I also blend quickly to make sure my buttery goodness isn't melted by room temperature.

And if you want to really play up to this climate of cold, you can even toss your mixing bowl (metal or glass are better in this instance) and pastry blender in the freezer before you blend. When finished, I like to toss my ball of crust in the freezer for even more cooling.

Cold is good, folks. Cold is good.

About an hour later, I'll bring my pastry out of the freezer and roll it for baking. Before I share with you my tip for pre-oven action, I'll fill you in on another secret ingredient I like to put in my pie crust.

Butter. Flour. Water. What else could it be?

Here's a hint: You might need to head to the liquor store.

I've been baking pies from scratch for well over a decade, and my mom says I've mastered the perfect pie crust. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I'll share with you my five secrets for making the best pie crust around.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Five tips for making a better pie crust: Tip #5 - Fats Are Your Friend

I've been baking pies from scratch for well over a decade, and my mom says I've mastered the perfect pie crust. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I'll share with you my five secrets for making the best pie crust around.

Some recipes call for vegetable shortening (Crisco) but I say that's a major no-no.

I like to use plain, unadulterated, full-fat butter. Not the salted kind, not the "light" kind (is there such a thing? Light butter is kind of like an oxymoron). Good ol' fatty fat FAT butter.

On occasion, though, I may be inspired to use a 50/50 split of butter and rendered bacon fat. The bacon fat can help keep down the moisture (and that is the secret to making a flaky, light pastry) and the smoky flavor profile can do wonderful things to pies that are both savory or sweet.

Two caveats: I won't use the bacon fat if I know vegans or vegetarians will be enjoying the fruits of my labor, and I wouldn't add it to something that contradicts the woody, caramel-y flavor of bacon.

Strawberry pie is a horrible choice to use your bacon fat, but pecan and Derby pies can transcend to a place that's in the neighborhood of nirvana with those salty, smoked notes.

Here's a look at my process for making Derby Pie (which my family politely demands every holiday season).

Next up: Chill Out.



Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Five Reasons Why Obama's My Guy

Opinions are like... votes.

Everyone has the right to express them. Here are my five reasons (with a few extras woven in the prose) on why I'm casting a second ballot for Obama. Whatever you do, whoever you believe in - please go to the polls and vote tomorrow.

Your ability to bitch for the next four years depends on it.

Reason No. 5
I have a vagina. Romney's track record does little to get me excited about how he'd handle my lady parts. The abortion issue is a complicated matter that I can't simplify with a quip on a blog post. What I will say is that I don't feel comfortable making judgments about your family planning challenges based on my parameters of ethics and morality, and I don't think my president should, either. Birth control is something that women need, and I don't appreciate it when men try to legislate its availability.

On a more personal level, I appreciate the work President Obama has done for equal pay for women. The working women I know bust their asses every day in offices, newsrooms, and on the road, and they deserve to be compensated appropriately for their work. The Lilly Ledbetter Act is an important step in bringing equality to the office, and Mitt Romney isn't behind it.

Reason No. 4
I am terrified by how the Supreme Court would change if Mitt Romney was able to appoint justices. Let's face it. Some of the folks in the robes are getting long in the tooth, and Ginsburg and Breyer could retire in the next four years.

During his four years in office, President Obama has appointed two women and helped protect against extremist rulings. Romney would be sure to select justices who could do away with Roe v. Wade and hammer away at any opportunity for marriage equality. Any Romney appointees would have the potential to influence the law of the land in dramatic fashion.

Do we really need to bring back separate drinking fountains? I wouldn't put it past 'em.

Reason No. 3
Speaking of marriage equality, I think gay marriage is something that deserves to be recognized in my lifetime, and I think Barack Obama is the guy who can help make it happen. I have so many gay and lesbian friends who deserve the right to marry just as my straight friends do.

Right now my friends Chris and Craig aren't allowed to experience the same rights as my married friends. They aren't legally allowed to make end-of-life decisions for each other, and in some cases they could be banned to visit each other in a hospital. I believe they deserve the same happiness (and challenges) as any married couple - they pay taxes, they give their time and talents to the community, and they throw a hell of a Christmas party. I know if they had a wedding it would be fabulous and a huge boost the local economy. Promise.

Reason No. 2
My religious beliefs are my own. I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state, and I can't stand behind a guy whose party uses faith to defend legislation and political positioning. The GOP has turned faith and religion into a nasty arguing point that turns its back on bipartisan cooperation. Rather than legislate from the pulpit, I prefer political efforts that encourage inclusiveness - something that is completely missing from the Romney regime.

Barack Obama is focused on bringing everyone together - black, white, wealthy, poor, believers and agnostics - to ensure all perspectives are represented. Our nation was born out of a desire for religious freedom, with immigrants from all over Europe hopping on ships to seek freedom of faith and politics. Modern political leaders (i.e. Romney running mate Paul Ryan) crow about their fears of diminished Christian values in America.

Folks, it's a big, wide world out there, and lots of people have a variety of political and spiritual beliefs. And that's okay. We need to focus on our similarities, not differences, and faith is not a good starting point.

Reason No. 1
Health Care. Plain and simple - no family should ever have to file bankruptcy for a medical crisis. I know all too well how a medical crisis can tax a family - it's happened to my nuclear family twice. I am grateful Obamacare did away with lifetime caps for insurance plans and pre-existing conditions.

I also think it's important to point out that many 20-somethings are struggling to find work these days, and that means they are also struggling to secure health care. Obama's health care plan allows these young people to stay on their parents' health care plans until they turn 26.

For seniors, Romney would like to introduce a Medicare voucher program. A nonpartisan study shows that change would raise premiums for seniors, who in many cases are already on fixed incomes and not prepared to handle the uncertainty of a premium-support model. A voucher program is a risky proposition for people who have to balance the costs associated with an uncertain future, both financially and medically.



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Glamour Girl

My Nana K. called me Glamour Girl the last time she saw me.

I was a somewhat slighter version of myself almost nine years ago. Nicely tanned and with fresh highlights on my head, I was in fighting form for my sister's weekend wedding festivities.

Clearing almost six-feet-tall in my stilettos, I towered over my little nana, who was the epitome of refinement and social grace. My grandmother had the ability to turn on her charm at a moment's notice, always dressed to the nines and with a twinkle in her eye.

"Ah, and there's my Glamour Girl," she murmured as I bent down to embrace her, clad in her pearls and a smart pink suit.

Anyone born in my grandmother's generation was familiar with glamour. People that era ushered in Old Hollywood, the Roaring 20s and Art Deco. Sure, they saw the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed, but our grandparents enjoyed the Era of Good Feeling that followed the World Wars, too.

I've always had a thing for sparkles, and Old Hollywood was full of glitter. Cincinnati's Taft Museum of Art is featuring a special exhibition of Edward Steichen's work - iconic portraiture that captured Old Hollywood at their best (on display through January 27).

I had a chance to preview the exhibit a few weeks ago and was stunned by the photographer's dramatic use of light and pose. A regular contributor to Vanity Fair and Vogue, Steichen knew how to direct his subjects to capture an image that showed an actress at her best, and in a way the public perceived her to be.

Every human being has a moment of vulnerability or insecurity, but Steichen used his talents behind the lens to capture the facade of each celebrity or politician. The collection left behind is dramatic, inimitable and a pioneering example of fashion photography.

To this day, he continues to influence photographers who aspire to make the pages of Vogue.

 Photo by Amy Elisabeth Photography

All these years later, I am still living up to my grandmother's nickname for me. My Nana K. has passed on and is probably holding court somewhere, a Manhattan in hand, but I am sure she is delighting in my continued forays into all things glamorous.

Nana rarely tipped her hand to reveal insecurity and stability, just like a Steichen photo. Instead, she was always perfectly coiffed, perfectly well spoken, perfectly gracious. A perfect version of herself.

It's a hard act to follow.


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Morning Masochist

The alarm is my master.

At 6:10 every morning, my iPhone bleats like a lamb brought to slaughter, reminding me that my morning workout is the only thing keeping me from looking like the fatted calf.

I laze around for a few minutes. Sometimes I hit the snooze button and roll over; other times I fire up my social media feeds to get a pulse on the mood of the entire universe.

Eventually my feet slink out of bed, one by one, and my rickety body lumbers downstairs for another run.

My feelings about exercise are vastly different before and after a workout.

I am the queen of excuses, and every morning my brain rattles off a dozen of them - I'm heading out too late to make it to work on time; My yoga pants need a washing before I run in them; The temperature outside is too cold/hot/humid for me to enjoy my workout; I haven't eaten anything this morning; I drank too much wine last night; The dog ate my homework.

You get the drift.

Despite all the excuses, I begrudgingly lace up my shoes and clip my iPod Shuffle to my sports bra and slowly step outside to the darkness of dawn.

My morning exercise consists of a 2.5 mile run through Downtown Cincinnati or a 30-minute spin through the resistance training equipment at the YMCA on Central Parkway.

It's a slow, steady, sweaty endeavor that allows me to purge my toxins, flex some long neglected muscle, and think about my little place in the universe.

Exercising makes me feel good. While I generally regard it as a relentless chore, I know I get back what I put in to it - the endorphins bring on a little bit of euphoria, my cardiovascular system appreciates the jump start, and my sanity deserves a cleaning of the cobwebs.

The pain feels good. My glutes and legs remind me they're there - under a soft layer of skin that refuses to melt away. My muscles stretch and push harder with each pace, and the repeated use brings on a welcome soreness through the day.

We worked hard, they say.

Yes we did.

Disclosure: The YMCA is a client of mine and provided me with a limited membership to experience all they have to offer. My words and opinions are my own and not a reflection of my client or employer. And if you're still reading this, you deserve to watch a funny video.


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Move the Deer Crossings!

You can't make this stuff up.

A woman says deer crossing signs in Minnesota and North Dakota need to be moved to areas with less traffic, because their current locations encourage deer to cross interstates, etc.

Wow. This is truly worth a listen.




Update:
Apparently the woman had no idea these signs are for people. Well, ya don't say.



 
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Weight Wait

My scale is all talk but no action.

Five weeks in to Couch to 5K, I'm back to my running routine and I continue to hit the weights at the Y. My heart rate is moving, my muscles are getting stronger, and my physique is changing ever so slightly.

But the scale couldn't care less.

I'm down three or four pounds, depending on how good or bad I've been, but the number seems to be holding, and it's frustrating as hell.

Now, I'll concede that my calorie counting could be better - I've been enjoying my share of cocktails and other elixirs the past couple weeks, and a few sweet treats have gotten the best of me. That said, I'm surprised all of this exercise isn't making any changes with my body.

But maybe it is.

I have to remind myself how much muscle I gained with my marathon training last year, and the niggling detail that muscle weighs more than fat.

So, while my numbers at the scale are slow and steady, the body doesn't lie. Some of my dresses and pants are fitting better and I am getting stronger with each run or resistance training session.

Losing weight and adopting wellness habits isn't a swiftly moving proposition: Everything takes time, and most people will begin to show decent to dramatic changes within 12 to 24 weeks.

It reminds me of one of those inspirational quotes floating around on Pinterest:

I'm grateful I've found the motivation to get up at 6:10 in the morning to go running or work out, but I need to work at making better choices in my diet. All of the wine/cocktails/sweets/heavy food is a betrayal to every time I lace up my Nikes.

It's time to own the scale.

Disclosure: The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is one of my clients and has provided me with a limited membership to experience their facilities. All opinions are my own. 


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Five-Year-Old Angel

Happy Birthday, Maeve!

She's the girl who made me an aunt and taught me a hell of a lot about life in her short seven months of existence.

...How I wonder what you are...

Love, Aunt Kay Kay



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Being Together, But Alone

I'm trying to cut the cord from my connections.

Let me back track to Tuesday and a solid day of learnings at Cincinnati's PRSA Media Day. The keynote speaker was Caroline Geigerich, executive director of digital marketing at Smashbox and publisher of the Daily Marauder.

She's a sassy, funky gal who writes for Huffington Post and has previously worked at HBO and the LA Times. She lives, eats and breathes social media and was a great messenger with an important message.

Geigerich gave a talk on the necessity of digital detox - dialing back from the super connectedness and the importance of seeking real, personal connections that happen in real-time.

She talked about the embarrassing dinner parties we've all experienced - when a table full of people have their faces in their phones, entirely ignoring the people with whom they're dining. It's something I griped about this past summer - the social awkwardness of social media commingling with IRL social behavior.

Lately, I've been curtailing my use of social media, and it has prompted a few inquiries from friends. "Are you okay?" They ask. "How are you? When can we catch up over a cup of coffee or a bite?"

It's those latter questions I relish with delight.

Geigerich described how she experienced her own unintentional detox while bicycling 300 miles through Vietnam and Cambodia. Left without 3G networks and ever-present wi-fi, she was forced to read a book. With real pages. You know - the ones made with paper.

She also took the opportunity to experience the moment - talk to people, enjoy stillness.

It sounded wonderful.

Day in and day out, we experience constant interruptions. Maybe it's your Outlook dinging every time you get an email. Maybe it's all of the notifications you are addicted to get every time you receive a Facebook "like" or Twitter DM.

A study out of Norway shows people are experiencing extreme addictions to social media. In fact, women are particularly vulnerable to the addiction, which can be a stronger addiction than sex.

Texts over sex? You don't say...

As good as social media can make you feel, the pendulum can swing swiftly, leaving you feeling depressed, insecure and lonely (Media Bistro).

Geigerich suggested I listen to a Ted Talk (below) by Sherry Turkle, a professor at MIT who examines human behavior at the intersection of technology and society.

Turkle says people are turning to technology because they are lonely but afraid of intimacy. Social media is a sort of electronic band-aid that allows you to feel like you're connected to others, when in reality its connectedness is a fallacy.

Take 20 minutes today and check out this video. I'm certain it will resonate with you in some way.



Social media has the bewitching trait of making you feel like you're experiencing connection. Click clack clack - I'll send a quick text to connect with Friend X. The text allows you to make a superficial connection that offers no real substance. In reality, Turkle says these connections are investments in isolation.

I started reconsidering how I use social media this spring, and I've come up with a few more rules that are inspired by Geigerich and Turkle:

1. Notifications. I'm turning off all notifications for Twitter, Facebook and most email accounts. I don't really need to know that someone retweeted me. All of those notifications interrupt the tasks I'm working to accomplish, and they steal quality time from moments I'm enjoying in real-time.

2. Airplane Mode (or the Do not Disturb function with iOS 6 for iPhones). I don't need to know that people are texting, FBing or Tweeting me at night. Instead, I should really be spending my evenings in peace or with people I care about. Or sleeping. Uninterrupted.

If something really is a crisis, I expect interested parties will use every avenue they can to find me. And I'm okay with that. Outside of the last 10 years (or less), we've survived with social media just fine.

Some personal time on my end won't kill all of mankind.

3. Phones Down at Dinner and Social Occasions. I experience 50 shades of rage when I am enjoying a meal out with someone, or worse, I'm entertaining a crowd in my home, and I see a bunch of glowing phone screens. I'm making a commitment to keep my phone in my back pocket/purse/out of sight while enjoying the company of others. Similarly, I'll be asking my companions to do the same.

I think my loved ones and friends are worth my undivided attention, and I'd like to think I'm worth the same to them.

4. Personal Email Twice A Day. Work Email Twice A Day on Weekends. Let's be clear here: the tail isn't wagging this dog. I'm more than miffed when people imply disappointment because I didn't promptly reply to their text/email/DM.

Social media and other technology tools are exactly that - tools to stay connected. Just because it's convenient for you to send me an email now doesn't mean it's convenient for me to reply.

And likewise, just because something is your priority doesn't mean it's mine.

But that happy hour/lunch/walk/coffee you want to catch up over? I will always make time for that.

Promise.


Kate's Random Musings by Kate the Great is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Wake the F**K Up

The Presidential election isn't child's play.

BMF Samuel L. Jackson has teamed up with the writer of Go The F**k to Sleep for a pro-Obama campaign video.

Whatever your party preference, it's a clever way pop culture is being used to stump for a candidate.



And no, it was not approved by the incumbent.

 
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Sweat Your Ass Off

"How much ya bench?"

It's a phrase that hearkens way back to my senior year in high school. 1994 - Emilio Estevez, Chris Farley (RIP), Adam Sandler and the rest of the SNL gang talk pop culture and unleash a can of 'roid rage.


How much ya bench? by Shakey74

I've been thinking of how much I bench lately during my workouts at the YMCA's Central Parkway branch.


I previously mentioned that I've integrated some resistance training into my revived running program. The trainer and I both agreed a strengthening program would work best with the muscle I already have thanks to my year of on-and-off running.

The goal of this effort is to work on building my muscle mass, especially where my upper body and core are concerned. My legs and glutes are getting a regular workout because of my Couch to 5K running, but the rest of me could stand some attention.

People have long debated whether women should use light weights or heavy weights. "But I don't wanna look like a bodybuilder!" some girls exclaim as they grab a set of two pound weights for their arm curls.

The thing is, women don't have nearly as much testosterone as men, and that's what is responsible for creating those massive pecs and delts in the How Much Ya Bench parody. Testosterone synthesizes with proteins to rebuild the muscle fibers damaged by weight training.

Worry not, ladies. We will never look like Ahnold (well, at least not unless you start taking steroids, but that's a different story).

Some of us are focused on building our muscles, and that means repeatedly destroying our fibers through repetitive movement. I've learned that heavy weights can be a good thing if it means you're doing reps to the point of being unable to perform them. Shape Magazine says people should work out until the point of fatigue/exhaustion, ensuring your muscles will recover bigger and stronger.

Experts recommend that you lift a weight that will cause you to reach exhaustion in 12 to 15 reps. Something to keep in mind next time you pump iron.

Get it, ladies!

Disclosure: The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is one of my clients and has provided me with a limited membership to experience their facilities. All opinions are my own. 



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Why Not?

Some people don't know what they don't know.

But some of us are quite familiar with the boundaries of our knowledge. I know what I know, and I have a pretty good understanding of what I don't know.

And when it comes to exercise and good health, even if I know something, it doesn't mean I'm going to follow through.

It's simple math: you have to burn more calories than your intake to lose weight. And that's where my revived, new-and-improved exercise regime comes in.

I've now completed two workouts with the ActiveTrax program at the Central Parkway YMCA. The Y's personal trainer, Mona, worked with me to determine my boundaries through a strength test, and then we talked about my workout needs.

While I've gained some weight in the past few months, my lower body is still really muscular from my race training and the three half-marathons I ran this year. Mona and I both agreed I should begin a "strengthening" program to enhance the muscle mass I've already built. Other ActiveTrax users can try "weight loss & tone" or other programs to help them achieve their personal goals.

ActiveTrax provides you with a unique log in and password so you can privately access your specially designed workouts, your weight loss stats and other information that highlights your progress with the program.

Upon logging in, participants receive a printout that details which exercises you should perform on a given day, including assigned weight, reps and sets, targeting different areas of your body (back, arms, legs, whole body, etc.). There are explainer videos and descriptions if you're not familiar with the exercises assigned to you in a given workout.

The program typically calls for 10 minutes of cardio warm up (the elliptical is my preferred machine), and then you circuit through eight or 10 machines or free weight exercises. The entire workout is followed by some core strengthening mat work.

I know that I am a novice when it comes to weights. Running - I've got it down pat. But weights intimidate me and make me concerned about technique and potential injuries.

I like ActiveTrax because it creates a plan that is designed with my body in mind, ensuring I can complete the assigned exercises without fear of injury.

This morning, I embarked on my second week of Couch to 5K, and I know this time around, my body will be in better shape because I'm pairing the running with resistance training.

Strong muscles, stronger running plan, stronger body.

Why not?

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is a client of mine and has provided me with a three-month trial membership to experience its facilities. Several Cincinnati-area bloggers are blogging and tweeting about the Y; you can follow along with the hashtag #WhytheY.


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40-Love

Serena Williams doesn't just play tennis.

Serena Williams at the 2012 Western & Southern Open

It's her job.

Day in, and day out, she is committed to practicing serves, forehands and backhands. She likely puts in some sprints and other legwork, too.

And that doesn't even include her time in the gym.

Wimbledon, the US Open, the Olympics. The focused effort pays off. Serena's dedication to her craft continues to yield amazing rewards.

The same is true for the rest of us schmos.

At the office, in other commitments, in our personal lives - nothing happens without a greater dedication to any and every task that leads to success.

What win do you want to celebrate, and what will it take to get there?


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Shape Shifter

This is the story of a girl who lost 35 pounds - and gained it all back - in one year.

I've been wanting to blog about this for a while, but I haven't had the courage or the words, and I've also struggled with being honest with myself.

But today is a new day, and with it, opportunity for new changes.

Let's go back to just over a year ago. Last summer I was inspired to start running after a trip to India. I started slowly, using the popular Couch to 5K (C25K) program (aside: the Chubby Jones podcasts are my favorite music/audio program aid), which coached me to run a constant 30 minutes (or about three miles, depending on pace) by the end of nine weeks.

I loved the running. I loved the natural high, I loved the opportunity to hit the pavement and see Downtown Cincinnati's beauty early in the morning. I loved the energy it gave me.

And so, when my best gal pal Bluegrass Brit asked me to run a half marathon with her, I couldn't say no.

I pushed through the training, and by December (Christmas Eve, to be exact), I found myself running nine miles straight - no walking, no breaks.

My body was thinner, my legs were toned. Everywhere I went, people gushed with compliments about how great I looked.

And as someone who has always battled her weight, those compliments were much appreciated, and helped fuel my commitment to running.

January 2012 arrived, and with it, my trip to San Diego for my first ever half marathon. I ran the whole Carlsbad Half Marathon with no walking (okay, maybe a quarter to half mile, but that was it), and I even shot and uploaded videos along the way.

I was a running beast.

After Carlsbad, I got complacent and arrogant. I think there was even a time where I thought to myself, "Hell, I don't get out of bed to run anything less than four miles."

And so sometimes, I didn't get out of bed.

Bluegrass Brit and I went on to run the Run the Bluegrass half marathon in March. I'd already stopped my intense training, and so the course and its 36 hills proved difficult for my stride.

I walked a bit and tacked on 15 minutes to my time.

And when I ran the Flying Pig half marathon in May, I walked even more, but I finished. 13 miles is never easy, regardless of whether you're running or walking.

About the same time, I met a wonderful man, and we started dating. I got comfortable. I was swept up in the romance and excitement of a new relationship.

I got fat and happy.

So here I am, on September 14, almost a year later and about 20 pounds heavier than this girl in the red dress.

And I'm deciding to turn this bus around.

I've returned to C25K and the Chubby Jones podcast. I know the running will help me shed the pounds quickly. But I also have a new partner in this quest: the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.

Some of my blogger lady-friends and I are heading to the Y to get healthy, take advantage of some of their wellness programs, and reclaim our fitter selves. My partners are:

• Carla of Diminishing Returns and The Hoperatives. Carla and her husband, Tom, are beer bloggers who are experiencing the Y together. Follow her on Twitter: @RadioCarla
  
  
• Julie of Wine Me, Dine Me. Julie is a food/dining blogger and very involved in the Downtown Cincinnati scene. She hopes the downtown Y will help her stay in shape as she enjoys the city's restaurant scene. Follow her on Twitter: @winemedineme
  
  
• Monika of The Texan and the Redhead. Monika is getting married next month and turning to the Y to get in shape before her big day. Follow her on Twitter: @redkatblonde
  
  
• Shannan of Mommybits and Family Friendly Cincinnati. Shannan is a busy, working mother who is fighting off the "Mom Body." She and her family are experiencing the Y together. Follow her at @ShannanB, @mommybits and @FamFriendlyCin
  

Over the next few months, we'll be sharing our experiences with getting healthy, discoveries about the Y's amenities and other details regarding wellness. You can check out our blogs for our progress, or follow along on Twitter (hashtag: #WhytheY).

Today I had my first meeting with Mona, the personal trainer at the Central Parkway branch, and I'm really excited about the potential for a more comprehensive health program.

This time around, it's not just about running. It's about resistance training and healthy eating, too.

And this time I'm gonna lose 50 pounds. 

Disclosure: The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is a client of mine, and they've provided me (and the other listed bloggers) with an opportunity to experience the Y for an extended period of time.  

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Tomorrow Isn't Guaranteed

The hiss of morning had just begun to give off steam.

Eleven years ago today, husbands kissed their wives and children goodbye, hot coffee in hand and newspapers under their arm as they shuffled off to work. Mothers chastised children to brush their teeth and braided neat rows of hair for their little girls. Young lovers stole early morning embraces before departing for the day's business.

Nearly three thousand people unknowingly said their final goodbyes that Tuesday morning. Hugging loved ones as they set off for a grim destiny.

Tragedy is not a word to toss around lightly, and yet the anguish our country experienced that morning can barely be defined by words.

September 11th is but one monstrous heartbreak. It is a reminder of our greatest fears, our greatest courage. It is on that day we not only pay our respects to those who lost their lives, but those who heroically served to save so many.

Ensuring many mothers and fathers saw another morning to kiss their children, that lovers saw another night to tightly hold each other while drifting off to sleep.

Moments of grief and sadness remind me that life is, indeed, fleeting. We're not guaranteed another day to tell loved ones how much they mean to us.

You can't always bank on "later" to live out your hopes and dreams.

As much as we plan for tomorrow - or next month, next year, the next decade - our future is never certain.

Make today count.

Don't live with regret.


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Let My Love Open The Door

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The Bonds That Break

What sparks your interest in someone?

For some, it's a set of sparkling eyes. Some women are attracted to the tenor in a man's voice. And still others adore a warm and friendly grin.

I like all those qualities, sure, but I'm really intrigued by something you can't see, but rather something you smell.

Fragrance.

There's something primal and powerful about breathing deeply while enjoying a warm embrace and letting an entire feeling wash over you, all inspired by the sense of smell.

I can think back to my dating past and recall the different fragrances worn by ex-boyfriends. A breezy pass through the men's cologne section in a department store and I will be instantly whisked back to 2003 and a romance of long ago - all because of a Ralph Lauren cologne.

But I digress.

The BF and I have been experimenting with different Bond No. 9 fragrance samples lately (I picked up their summery Coney Island scent in January and have been hooked on the line ever since) and decided to head to Saks to pick up a couple bottles for each of us.

Many of the Bond scents are unisex, each with tones that can cross over between male and female quite nicely. The BF went with Washington Square, a commanding scent with notes of purple rose, tarragon, Indian vetiver and leather. (50 ml - $180 or 100 ml - $240)

Initially, I'd planned on holding off on buying a fragrance, wanting to wait until the weather cooled a bit before I bought the autumnal Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue. It's spicy - with peony, patchouli, sandalwood, cardamom, almonds, and notes of creme brulee. (50 ml - $160 or 100 ml - $230)

But Edward at the Bond counter told me the fragrance brand has lost its licensing agreement with the Andy Warhol estate, and that all of the Warhol fragrances were being discontinued. The Downtown Cincinnati Saks was out of the smaller Lexington Ave. so I decided to bite the bullet and go with the bigger version.

It's a fragrance I can see wearing well into next spring, so that softened the sting of the price tag.

Fashionistas - rush to the nearest Saks to get your favorite Bond No. 9/Warhol fragrances. And if you're not familiar with the collection, feel free to stop by the counter, sniff and spray away, and ask for a sample or two. The Bond folks are very generous with samples and want to make sure you really like something before you plunk down for one of their starry-shaped bottles.

Enjoy!


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