Oscar Fashion Trend: Sleeves

Just had a quick click-through of tonight's Oscar red carpet fashion and it looks like the sleeve trend hasn't reached its peak yet. I read an article somewhere once (can't seem to find it now...) that said that designers often turn to sleeves in a recession because they're typically the hardest things to make on a dress, making it more difficult for cheap labor to knock-off the design. Or perhaps I just notice sleeves more readily than most people having grown up Mormon and taught that sleeves are an important way to be modest. Ah, the struggle of finding prom dresses with sleeves (though it was awesome because my dresses were totally unique).

Anyway, some favorite sleeved outfits of the night, worn by Michelle Williams, Cate Blanchett, Amy Adams, and Florence Welch:

(Yes, Cate's "sleeves" are questionably categorized, but her shoulders are covered and what else would you call what's going on there? Besides, it's an awesomely unique dress and it deserves our love.)

Sleeves are more typical for older women, but I loved these looks as well (Celine Dion, Helen Mirren, Annette Bening):

But before we get too excited, let's remember that sleeves do not necessarily make your dress chic. I'm sorry, Jacki Weaver, but this heavy-looking dress does nothing for your figure. And Melissa Leo, I didn't even like your dress when it was a tablecloth.

Attention Pet Owners

This beautiful cat had to be euthanized this weekend, a victim of parvovirus. Future Cat belonged to our dear friend Trapper for just a couple weeks, and it's really sad that she's already gone. I was just getting to know her.

Please immunize your pets. Future Cat's illness has an easily-attained vaccine and deaths like these are preventable. Feline and canine distemper vaccinations are often available through animal shelters and clinics at a low price.

Upon hearing about Future Cat, I went back through my cats' medical records and found that Tiberius didn't have all of the immunizations he should (Fidel and Julius are up-to-date). Tiberius now has an appointment to get some shots on Saturday. I encourage you to make sure your pets vaccinations are all taken care of as well.

(Note: I in no way blame Trapper for what happened to Future Cat; I know for a fact that he had plans to get her vaccinated in the near future and these things do happen. I only bring up that it is something preventable because I think it is an important reminder to keep our furry friends as healthy as we can. At the risk of sounding grandiose, I'll say: if other animals can be saved because of Future Cat's story, then she will not have died in vain.)

$28 Well-Spent

Climate Change

Attention people of the world: PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CLIMATE CHANGE. There is scientifically-verifiable evidence showing clearly that earth is warming up. Denying it makes you and any other points you may have look ignorant. Glaciers are retreating, average temperatures are rising. It's happening. Get over that point and move on to:

Things you are still allowed to debate

• What are the factors contributing to climate change?
• What (if anything) can we do to slow down climate change?
• How would climate change effect life on this planet?
• How can we prepare for and/or prevent any adverse effects climate change may have?
• Who's responsibility is it to ensure climate change stays under control?
• What kind of time frame are we looking at here?

There's plenty more to be partisan about, don't you fret.

Trevie Treasure

On this, his birthday and our Valentine's Day, a list of things I think of when I think of Trevor:

The best part of my life
Reason and passion in one
Envy-inducing talent
Vats of cuddles
Omnomnom
Richard Harris

Oh look at that! My list turned into an acrostic poem! Everybody's totally going to know that wasn't on purpose!

Speaking of poems on a more serious note, I came across this one today that I felt captured (in part) my marriage. A love poem for you, darling:

Final Soliloquy of the Interior Paramour

By Wallace Stevens

Light the first light of evening, as in a room

In which we rest and, for small reason, think

The world imagined is the ultimate good.

This is, therefore, the intensest rendezvous.

It is in that thought that we collect ourselves,

Out of all the indifferences, into one thing:

Within a single thing, a single shawl

Wrapped tightly round us, since we are poor, a warmth,

A light, a power, the miraculous influence.

Here, now, we forget each other and ourselves.

We feel the obscurity of an order, a whole,

A knowledge, that which arranged the rendezvous.

Within its vital boundary, the mind.

We say God and the imagination are one...

How high that highest candle lights the dark.

Out of this same light, out of the central mind,

We make a dwelling in the evening air,

In which being there together is enough.