I think he's totally hot, even though he's too skinny and tattooed for my taste, I do like M5, but I LOATHED 50 Shades. I had to force myself to finish it. After the first few chapters, I got and a pencil and was editing the sloppy writing, grammar, and BRITISH vocabulary of the twit heroine, who was supposedly…

I'd like to offer a laurel, and hardy handshake, to all those who referenced "Blazing saddles" and "Hedley Lamar." You can never have too many Mel Brooks quotes.

Yup!! My daughter turned 14 on Monday, and she really just wanted a cape for her birthday. She's happy with a new (old) iPhone, but she still wants a cape. I have to see where I can find one, or I'll just have to make it myself. Capes kinda rock.

You win! A bunch of 8th graders in NJ are going bananas.

Thanks for such a kind comment! She'll actually be 14 tomorrow, so you're right, she does have time. IMO she'd be a great Spain/Chocolate. Her 11 yo brother has caught the ballet bug too, so we're an all "Nutz" family. Thanks again! :-)

She had a slight separation of the growth plate in her ankle. It was from playing outside, not even dancing!! But she's ok now, and since she's dancing less than the other girls in her group, it's healed nicely. She was really bummed out because she didn't get any of the "sweets" for Nutcracker this year because of…

I have a gorgeous emerald green, full-length slinky dress (Lauren by RL, on sale!) to wear to a black-tie event in three weeks. I've kept off most of the weight I lost over the summer (even though it was mostly due to stress), so I'm psyched to show it off. I had the dress fitted around the bodice, and I was planning…

My 14 yo daughter is a dancer, and Mary at Freed (Long Island City, right?), fitted her with her first pair of Freed Chacottes four years ago! They really didn't work on her feet, so when she outgrew them, she moved into Blochs. Last year she switched to Grishko 2007, and they are great. Too bad they're so expensive…

Wow, that's too cute and freaky. I bet that's the animal Rudyard Kipling was thinking about when he wrote the "Just So Story" called "The Beginning of the Armadillo."

Thank you for this searing essay. I felt like I was reading a work of art by Kara Walker, rendered into words on a screen.

When I got married, I hyphenated my name, but years later, when I finally completed my dissertation, I used my maiden name. I also used my maiden name when I was an adjunct professor, and at my museum job. Mr. Fiorentina actually gave me quite a bit of flack when I decided to hyphenate my name, but then I pointed out…

When I got married, I hyphenated my name, but years later, when I finally completed my dissertation, I used my maiden name. I also used my maiden name when I was an adjunct professor, and at my museum job. Mr. Fiorentina actually gave me quite a bit of flack when I decided to hyphenate my name, but then I pointed out…

Wait, is tufted titmouse face a thing too?

OK, now I've got "Stand Back" stuck in my head, but I'm imagining Sansa Stark singing it as she strides across the palace battlements overlooking King's Landing, her red hair flowing in the wind as her long dress is whipped back. Littlefinger can only gasp in amazement while Joffrey stutters with fury...

IMO, there is only one thing that should not be done in bed - do NOT leave crumbs on the sheets. I love a good snack in bed, but gotta get rid of those crumbs. Get a crumb in the wrong place, and it will feel like a frickin' BOULDER.

IMO, there is only one thing that should not be done in bed - do NOT leave crumbs on the sheets. I love a good snack in bed, but gotta get rid of those crumbs. Get a crumb in the wrong place, and it will feel like a frickin' BOULDER.

IMO, there is only one thing that should not be done in bed - do NOT leave crumbs on the sheets. I love a good snack in bed, but gotta get rid of those crumbs. Get a crumb in the wrong place, and it will feel like a frickin' BOULDER.

Yes, most East Coast Italian-Americans were originally from Campania or Sicily. The "muzz-a-REL" or "mani-GOT" that you hear is really an Americanized Italian dialect from Campania, usually around Avellino, Naples, or Salerno. The accents in Northern Italy are totally different. Giudice in Italian is "JOO-dee-chay"…

Wait, are you me? I get the same symptoms -ravenously hungry for the most random junk - then, BAM, I feel like everything needs to come out all at once! Thank goodness I get the trots for two days, max, then I'm just bleeding away. I'm so glad to know it's not just me!

Garofalo or De Cecco. After 25 years with an authentic Italian (and his family), those are the ONLY brands we use when we're in the States. In Italy, there's a wider variety, but NEVER Barilla! Even before Sig. Barilla's stupid comments.