summer trends

So sometimes I think I'm trendy but mostly I feel 95. Maybe it's because we are without cable or because I work with the youth of America, I don't seem to know or mostly care for the newest fad. Don't believe me? Let's play an old school game, you can use your fingers or easily turn this into a drinking game, your choice and no judgements.

1. Never have I ever read any Harry Potter or seen the movies.

2. Never have I ever read any Twilight or seen the movies.

3. Never have I ever been to a pop concert in the last 10 years (sad!).

4. Never have I ever owned a pair of Toms shoes.

5. Never have I ever walked into an Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, or any other cool store.

6. Never have I ever owned RayBan sunglasses or any generics of that glamorous shape.
7. Never have I ever tried Zumba.

I could go on and on you get my point. So anyway, around May I see coworkers voluntarily laying on the dirty ground...even their face, while others took pictures and everyone seemed really happy about it. Later I saw the pictures all over facebook and finally was introduced to the summer trend of planking.

Silly me thought it was a yoga move for torture, err strengthening the core but ugh that is so 1999. This is the cool planking.

 Seriously!?!?!? Where are child protective services?!

I don't even know where to begin. Who thought of this? I mean I guess I can see it funny in a we are all really tired or messed up on some illegal substance kind of way, but really? Maybe the unemployment rate is finally getting to folks and this is their way of coping.

So like all trends that gets generic and lame so someone comes up with an equally ridiculous and fabulous trend, only this time the trend further screws with today's youth by making a noun a verb, I present owling.

 Ugh, looks a lot like a public bathroom. This dedication to owling is impressive and depressing.

One attempts to look like an owl in random places and take pictures of it. I mean kind of funny but can you really make an entire summer trend out of looking like an owl with out being a member of Chi Omega?

I guess these folks thought, no because they created yet another summer trend. Leisure Diving.

Honestly, these are funnier to me. I can see myself doing these with friends, if I wanted myself in a bathing suit ever recorded. ever. So probably not. There is an entire website dedicated to this and they even have merchandise...that people pay for! Que the rant about the waste of today's society on frivolous antics, paired with a back in my day story, then bring me my cane, afghan, pill box and finally turn the television to Nancy Grace and turn the volume and heat way up because I guess if I'm not into these trends I'm 100. But on the other hand maybe I am so cool, I'm above all these trends and saw the end before they even started. Obviously.

For Natalie's News, this has been, Natalie-Corinne.  

addiction

It's a full on, real deal, may need some sort of professional help when I attempt to plan my gym visits around Bravo's prime time so I can watch the television on the treadmill right? Even though it gives me motion sickness but I don't really care because I want to see some housewives drama that badly? That's crazy, right? Whatever, I can quit whenever I want. Just not ready yet.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Peaches

This is a post about Peaches, and no, not the band that I used to love in the late 90's, the fruit. (Disclaimer: I'm about to sound SUPER old.) We had a really fun weekend. We hung with friends, saw some family, went to the Nashville Farmer's Market, the Global market and attempted to recreate some specialities from our European adventure. Tonight we (P) made a wonderful English dinner including shandies even with the right European lemonade that we found at the global market. Anyway, P cooked everything so I made a dessert by the Goddess of the food network. Obvi...Ina Garten. It's no secret that I've had some baking disasters in the past. I mean cakes sticking to the pan, cakes falling, forgetting to add crucial ingredients, burning almost...everything...yeah, that's happened. But not tonight my friends. Tonight farmer's market peaches + the magic of Ina = no baking drama and a quite tasty dessert (pictured right...from Ina's website, not my camera work) that is so good I will be sending it to P's work so I won't be tempted to eat and other (and another, and another ) piece. Success. So, yes, I just sounded super old, right? Whatever, judge all you will-I keep posting, baking, and praising Ina in the hopes that I will be finally invited to one of her fabulous dinner parties with Jeffrey and all the other fun friends of East Hampton.

It could happen one day, right? For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

rules of popularity

One of the amazing perks of being a teacher is getting the summers (unpaid!) off! For some reason, I have never really enjoyed the summer off. The previous summers I've been stressed about finding a new job, or finding somewhere to live, planning a wedding, etc, etc. This summer? Ummm...I've not only enjoyed this summer, I've thrived! Gone on two amazing vacations, met with friends for lunch, and worked out with a new set of friends the stay- at- home Moms and retirees. The stay-at-home Moms are generally hot, have rocking workout clothes, but seem distracted...perhaps it's the entire kid thing. When a class starts late, the SAHMs seem stressed and have to leave before the stretching is over. These Moms sprint up to the kids zone and begin answering questions about lunch, staying at the pool, finishing summer school work, play dates, soccer, etc. The only break these mothers seem to get is an intense 600 calorie burning spin class. The other regulars, the retirees...entirely different story. Gone are the stressful days of being responsible for the life of a child. Crazy days are replaced with glory days filled with laughter and sharing pictures of beautiful grand kids that are taught all their wonderful traits from their wise grandparents but undesirable habits obviously come from the media, some other worthless family member, or something else that the retiree is obviously not responsible for. I mean I realize most of these people have worked for a living and are enjoying the fruits of their labor, planning, and some very wise investing, but with all that careful planning for expenses, vacations, and the unknown did they also plan their future retiree status? Wait, you might ask, what status? Ummm...they are the popular kids, with out a doubt. They leisurely stroll into the gym, talk to all the other cool kids (other retirees), drink the complimentary coffee or tea, begin class not caring whether it begins late or not and then after the class they meet other retirees coming to the next class. They might stay for another class or chat it up with yet another cup of coffee. I thought this was the extent of the retirees social circle, but boy was I wrong. During the carb craze of this week, I strolled into a bagel place and saw some of my new retiree friends, still in their gym attire. Apparently after the social gym hour, the cool kids migrate over to the bagel shop for some more coffee. Obviously these retirees still know the rules of being cool and popular and can stay to a diet like it's their job. Hardly any of my new friends a single carb and those who did, shared a skinny bagel. These retired men and women socialize all day long while staying on their heart healthy diet. As I scarfed down a bagel like I was mad at it, these social butterflies caught up on stories of vacations, grand kids, town gossip, and more. As I pretended to be busy with other stuff, all I could do was listen (spy) on their conversations. After 20 minutes of roaring laughter paired with plans for their future vacations I found myself...jealous. Yes, I'll say it. Jealous of the elderly. These folks are super active (like really, kicking my butt in spinning, it is embarrassing) socialize all day, not once complained of a broken hip, or any health condition for that matter, and generally seem blissful. I know nobody is perfect or happy all the time but their lifestyle didn't seem to shabby. Where does this leave us? Uncool. Unpopular. Always looking in on another crowd that seems to have it hall. Alas! I guess life will always be one really big high school...but with less cases of mono and braces and more wrinkles and grey hairs. Hot.

For Natalie's News this has been a quite nerdly, Natalie-Corinne.

Happy Birthday again to Kelly!

saw this and remembered Kelly directing it way back when at Ole Miss! Such fun memories and such a beautiful piece.. thanks to our amazing director :) Happy Birthday again!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Kelly

Today is my dear friend Kelly's birthday! He is super busy performing his heart out in Chatauqua for the summer. Kelly is one of those friends who I am lucky enough to really believe we will be friends forever. We've been through thick and thin, fights, and lots and lots of laughter. We started our friendship as young, immature frenemies at Ole Miss. I was jealous of Kelly because we had French diction together and he would never have to spend time on his homework but always be able to correct mine (which I had actually spent time on... in between episodes of Sex and the City). There are literally thousands of my favorite memories that include Ms. Kelly! I am so lucky to have him as a friend!

Ole Miss Holiday Dinner

Ole Miss Opera Theater

the best entertainment at any wedding!

before singing at my wedding...well for the first time.. (first time singing, there's only been the 1 wedding! Promise!)
I mean, how many times has he helped me move? He is too good of a friend! I'm sad that I'm unable to celebrate with you in person this year but I hope you have the greatest birthday ever teaching those yankees a thing or two about celebrating the southern way. Happy birthday, sweet friend!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Moving on up!

Today I went and worked in my new digs. As a young child, my parents wouldn't let me watch just anything, therefore I watched Nick at Nite constantly and thought show like I love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Dick Van Dyke, Identical Cousins, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Doby Gillis, The Patty Duke Show, etc. were totally cool and new. Although a lot of those shows were in black and white and the parents dressed very differently than mine, it never really bothered me and I never seemed to notice (that's another story) except for the time on Identical Cousins when the girls kept arguing about a blue shirt which was obviously grey (duh). Other than that I thought these 20 year+ old shows were totally relevant and worth my television time. Why this ramble? I guess to explain the reason that the Jefferson's Moving on up theme song was the exact first thing that popped into my head this morning when I walked into my new classroom.

Holy Lord. I am basically Elton John now with this white piano. If I was not with my new principal, I would have burst out into song and dance but since he's known me a minute, I stifled the inner geek and went with, "Holy God, look at that piano". Given a second chance, I would have settled on something a tad less dramatic but, it just popped out. He laughed very hard and said, "I know". At that moment I wanted to ask, "wait, was that an I know as in you love it like I love it and envision yourself in guilty daydreams about singing on top of it with a killer body in 1940s style, gold, ball gown to adoring crowds of thousands or is it "I know" because you think it's a little over the top?" but once again I used my better judgement and just smiled. I worked more in the room and all the sudden got very overwhelmed. This is the first job I've had where I have...stuff. Lots of it in fact. Music, proper boxes to put music in, risers, folders, real choir chairs, and the list goes on and on. Coming from one extreme to another, I looked around, and didn't know where to start. Usually I'm overwhelmed because I'm trying to make something out of nothing but now it is the exact opposite. Plus they were testing the alarms over. and over. (hey... after the 9th try, THEY STILL WORK!) and after too long of toughing it out, I turned to the only thing I knew. Carbs. Since I was back in my old high school, I kept it old school and went to a bagel place I used to frequent back in the day and swore off during the carb epidemic of 2005. After some carb found confidence (perhaps the saddest thing I've ever written), I began making lists, calling people, coming up with some programs for the fall and not feeling so insane and lost. This is such a different type of challenge than I've ever had and I could not be any more excited (and nervous) to get things settled and organized! I know this is going to be so much work but I'm still looking forward to it! And I mean, hey...white, grand piano? Hello Heaven!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

I see London, I see France.

There is no possible way for me to document our trip so I'm going to randomly select some photos and just go with it...

Big Ben...and not my brother who eats more than 3 grown men..

Tower of London

Hyde Park

I mean...award winning writing... I know.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

vogue

In the eternal quest of skinny, I broke down and joined the overpriced Y. I've been going to the rec center because it is way cheaper but they don't have classes and I can only run on the treadmill so long before wanting to throw myself through the glass windows. So, I joined the Y and being off for the summer, I have started going to day classes with the senior citizen retirees and stay-at-home Moms. With this new gym membership I was hoping to gain some muscles and lose pounds but as in most things in life I gained more than I expected! Maybe not gained...learned. Being a lifetime learner (teacher nerd!) I like to think I am observant (stalker) and what have I observed?! I am SO out of style, lame, and not with the cool kids in the gym crowd. Who are these cool kids you may ask? I present to you...the hot Mom/Grandma. Not that I am sure all of these women actually have offspring but...all I do know is that they are hot and they have a better gym wardrobe than I have just regular wardrobe. I thought I tried to keep it cool. Might throw on a color coordinated sports bra if it can be seen near my neck that matches a color on my tshirt but that is SO 2005. Today I went to spinning and yoga and was literally the only person there wearing a tshirt. Everyone was rocking their perfectly coordinated gym attire. Ugh, I mean I know I don't have to wear what everyone else is wearing and I don't consider myself a follower but I do hate that feeling that I am the dirty/not cool/poor/unstylish/suburbia failure. Here I was proud to actually be at the overpriced gym but now I need a cute, overpriced wardrobe to sweat in? I spent most of yoga thinking about their perfectly planned outfits and how the world's problems were really their fault when it hit me. These ladies were kicking my butt. 50 year old's were hoisting their entire bodies onto their elbows...THEIR ELBOWS. The instructor nonchalantly gave insane directions like, "bring your knee as close to your ear as possible " just as calmly as one would say, "today is Friday." Really not following the yoga mantra, I don't even play like I'm scanning, I straight up stare at these women in all their glory and debate whether they are real people or some kind of circus act and I am on some new reality show. Apparently they were method actors or legit because they never budged. Toward the end of the class, the instructor was wanting us to do some form of a human pretzel all to the left side of our body, I sat Indian style for a minute, bewildered because everyone in the class seemed to think this was totally normal and my geometry challenged brain could not fathom how to begin making my body do this strange requests. And then it hit me... I guess clothes make the...man, no gym guru. I always hear, "dress for the job you want" and "dress how you want to feel" so maybe..."dress for your desired state of hotness that you want to occur after many hours of sweating at the gym"?? Think it will catch on?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Bruins

You know how things somehow magically work out for the best, even if they weren't in your original "life plan"? Weeks ago I interviewed for a job and then went off to Europe and tried to push that interview to the back of my mind. After many pints, baguettes, crepes, and platters of fish and chips, my mind still drifted to this possibility. Why hasn't he e-mailed me back? He hated me. Then of course I dissected every single word, really syllable of my interview. So after no news, I jumped at a surprise e-mail right after the 4th requesting a second interview. I got my game face on and even with my awful haircut attempted to rock. Toward the end of the interview, they asked if I had any questions and I just went for it..."when will you decide?" by today at noon. Holy Lord. Great. So, I wait for it, wait for it, 12....12:15, 12:30 etc etc. I think...this has passed me by when finally...he calls. Offers me this job. This job that I am so thrilled to get but if you had told me 5 years ago I would take much less want I would have laughed in your face. I am the new choir director at the high school I actually attended. The school where I roamed the halls too long when I should have been in Geography, missed too many days for senior exemption and perhaps lied to a teacher and told them I was in all AP classes (NOT) and had to take the exams so I wasn't really absent and therefore was still exempt from regular exams (and she believed me), was involved in almost everything...even if I wasn't really good at it (hello, track?!) laughed seriously more than studied...I'm thinking a 4:1 ratio... on a good day, and had some of the best times of my life. Whenever anyone talks about "the best time of their lives" and that they want to go back to high school I never really agree. I loved high school but I loved college and generally try to love life, where I am now (not every minute, but you get my point) I've never been one to live in the past and thought I was all wise and old soulish...but now my pious Pollyanna self is going right back to where I started. Not that I can relive those years...because you know, I will have to be an adult, but this is a rare opportunity...I guess you can go home again.

For Natalie's News, this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

so long, farewell

As the Van Trapp family taught us so well, it is most appropriate to make a cheerful, well organized and choreographed dance, even if your family has to make a brave escape from the Nazi's. We are leaving this wonderful continent and heading back to our home, just in time for the 4th of July where we hope to enjoy fun, family, and food. (NOT jet lag, 100 degree July weather, and mosquitoes...a girl can dream, right?) You can rest assured that I will be attempting to dance and sing my way through the airport and customs.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

just like this

Special thanks to Shari for this clip inspiration. Yes, we are in Paris and magically, I am really skinny and have a killer wardrobe, just like this. Merci!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.