Ava Pierce: The Blog - Lounge. Rant. Find your inner bitch.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Michelle Obama & Carla Bruni Sarkozy

Today's Annoyance: Having to choose which one is more fabulous.
Mantra of the Day: We can all be this effortlessly fabulous.

Barack Obama is on his European tour in a worthwhile attempt to win back the countries that were not so keen to play in the sandbox with our former leader. He has inspired me to visit some old friends while making a fabulous tour of Europe and revisit some amazing little croissant shops, but I digress. Not only does the U.S. seem to be making up for some past wrongs, we also have a fresh glimpse of our new glamour queens: Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni Sarkozy. I believe that Americans hold strong political families in the same regard as royalty in Europe. Having these two American-style princesses come together was quite a moment for me.

The two of them are an inspiration – intelligent, strong women who are successful in their own right, carrying themselves with grace and poise all while looking effortlessly fabulous. That is what I strive to be. They do not seem to be caught up in the glitz and glamour that obviously follows them; they acknowledge it with only a passing interest and use it to their advantage when necessary. To me, this is the first part of living a jet set lifestyle: looking and acting the part. Notice that I did not mention that it was a prerequisite to have a killer designer wardrobe (although, it does help) but it is something that comes from within. I hope that women everywhere are inspired by these two women when they are trying to fulfill their given potential.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Barbie Nation

Today's Annoyance: Plastic surgery addiction
Mantra of the Day: Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Barbie’s cool and all, but trying to be her is silly.

There was a story in the news recently about a Brazilian woman living in Houston whose goal is to have the largest breasts in the world. Wow, some goal. Between the swelling number of breast implants (pun intended), the 16-year-olds getting nose jobs and the “mature” women who are no longer recognizable because of the ongoing face lifts, botox treatments and chemical peels, it is clear that we have become a nation (if not world) of plastic surgery addicts.

What really blows me away are the people who order body parts based on celebrity features. “Yes, I’d like Jennifer Anniston’s nose, Pam Anderson’s boobs, a butt like J. Lo, and lips like Angelina.” What in the hell is happening? Why bitch about the potential for designer babies when we’re turning ourselves into life-sized Barbies anyway? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m cool with a little nip and tuck but full-blown reconstruction of everything from head-to-toe? Unless you’ve been in a traffic accident, it can’t be that bad. Can it?

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Friday, April 3, 2009

Wedding Etiquette

Today's Annoyance: Awkward social situations
Mantra of the Day: Alcohol is not my friend.

My latest mini crisis is that I am invited to a wedding this weekend of two people who I don’t even know. One of my gay boyfriends needs a date to go to his ex-boyfriend’s nuptials who apparently turned straight after their relationship ended when he found God and decided he wanted a traditional family. Yeah, I know it’s a bit strange, but then again, it’s New York City and you see it all here. Point is, what is a girl to do when you are at a stranger’s wedding? Especially when it is your date’s ex and you are not romantically involved.

At first, I was hoping to just enjoy the free champagne and spend the night laughing at everyone else for either A) their lack of fashion sense or B) their inebriation. Then there is the question of what to wear. I must admit, that I have some stunning pieces in my wardrobe, but it is never in good taste to upstage the bride. After all, it is her day. I have no idea what she looks like or what type of bride she might be: hot or, well, not. On second thought, it probably isn’t proper etiquette to allow myself to be overserved then embarrass my date. There is a good chance that I could be the person who ends being laughed at after my sixth glass of bubbly and it suddenly seems socially acceptable to dance the lambada with the groom’s father.

So what is a girl to do to entertain herself while still being dignified? Please guys, I need help on this one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Ava's Faves: Emirates Airlines

Today's Annoyance: Service that encourages air rage
Mantra of the Day: I want to travel like a CEO.

Commercial air travel sucks, for the most part. Yet, politicians and the media have been lambasting CEOs for their private air travel expenses. I agree that anyone who abuses their position, especially in such challenging economic times, is thoughtless and arrogant. However, can’t we all just admit that if we had the chance to fly privately, we would jump at it? I know I would. And until that time, I plan to fly Emirates Airlines as often as I can.

Until a recent trip to Dubai, Virgin Atlantic held the rank as my favorite airline. Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE all things Sir Richard Branson, including his très fab airline. But, Emirates kicked it up a big notch. The whole experience was awesome, from the online reservation system to their in-flight entertainment systems (including electrical outlets on each seat to plug in your laptop). The food was not just edible, it was actually…dare I say it…tasty. I recently found out that they offer private suites and shower spas in First Class on some flights! (Are you kidding me?! I love it!) OK, that’s it, let’s go!!

[IMAGE: Courtesy of biztravelguru.com]

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

I'm rocking a new look!

Today's Annoyance: Resistance to change
Mantra of the Day: Out with the old, in with the new ME!

First off, big props to Kyra Kendall, the amazing illustrator who has made me even more fabulous than before!

Why the change you ask? Because I can, that’s why!

Peace, love and whatever else you want from the new and improved Ava.

Pesky Clients

Today's Annoyance: People who don't know that they've crossed the line
Mantra of the Day: I love my job.

I mentioned the other day that I just came back from a business trip. What I failed to mention is that it was a business trip to Minnesota. In winter. (I truly felt like I had been sucked into the plot of Rene Zellweger's latest movie, New in Town.) Yeah. Anyway, I was there visiting an important client. We not only spent time talking shop, I also had to schmooze them a little by ‘entertaining’ them, which really means that I get to foot the bill while they do whatever it is that they enjoy doing. In this instance, I think the entertaining part was watching this city slicker freeze her ass off in the snow and look like an idiot.

What they chose to do was to go ice fishing followed by a polar bear swim. Yeah, did I mention that I love Miami, i.e. warm weather? Just because I live in Manhattan does not mean that I enjoy extreme cold – it’s a common misconception. Yes, it ended up being a cheap day out, but after clumsily fiddling with a fishing pole and a hole in the ice, then having to strip down to my bathing suit to jump into frigid waters, I was starting to question my motivation for doing my job. The cold water is supposed to be good for you because it gets the blood flowing. I don’t know about all of this, but the customer is always right. I can’t wait for my next jet setting jaunt. I think that I need a little break after that.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Cougars are no big deal

Today's Annoyance: The dog vs. cat argument
Mantra of the Day: It's a woman's world. We just let men run it.

Compared to other parts of the world, Americans still seem to make a big deal out of it when a mature woman dates a younger guy. I’m not talking about the teachers who are hooking up with their teenage students. (That’s creepy and just wrong.) What I’m talking about are women in their mid-30s, 40s and beyond who date men ten or more years younger. On an almost hourly basis, we see old, bald, fat dudes with 20-somethings on their arms. No big deal. Time and again a guy marries the first wife, only to divorce her years later for the much younger, bright-eyed woman who’s probably more likely to put up with his crap. We’re used to that. Yet a woman in a relationship with a younger man still risks greater and more obvious social disapproval.

The word “consensual” comes to mind. If they’re cool with it, why aren’t we? Think of Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins or Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. How about Madonna and her new boy toy Jesus, or her soon-to-be ex-hubby Guy Ritchie? I’ve heard that in Europe, women are believed to get better with age (like fine wine, no?). Thankfully, it’s getting better in the States, slowly but surely, but, will we ever reach the point where it’s not such a big deal?

Recently, there was a great Huffington Post article which pays homage to hot women in their 40s, some of whom have younger lovers. Also, there was that reality TV show a couple of years ago called "The Age of Love." Now, there's a new reality show called "The Cougar". Maybe the more we see this kind of thing, the sooner we'll get over it.

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly]

Monday, March 30, 2009

Road Rage

Today's Annoyance: Inappropriate multitasking
Mantra of the Day: I knew I was better off on the sidewalk.

I am a city girl. I did not grow up in the city, but over the years, I have spent enough time in them to have forgotten about suburban life and embrace the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. That is why driving a car seems so unnatural to me. I just came back from a business trip where I needed to drive three hours to the meeting site to see a client. Granted when we got there, it was so beautiful in the end that it was well worth the trouble, but I think that I discovered road rage in the span of that three hours.

I have talked about sidewalk rage before, and I still have to say that it gives rise to stronger feelings than frustration on the road, but the crazy things that people do while driving blows my mind. We started out during rush hour, where I saw a guy sending out emails on his BlackBerry. Then, there was the woman putting on mascara (which in my mind is not the ultimate offense because I think I could put mascara on while sleeping) and the coup de grâce…the guy reading the newspaper while driving. Really? I always thought that you had to worry about things like drunk driving and ice on the road, but I guess that I didn’t have a clue.

What is the craziest thing you have seen someone do while on the road? Let me know, I am dying to hear what you have to say…

Friday, March 27, 2009

Ava's Faves: AirfareWatchdog.com

Today's Annoyance: Stupid airline fees
Mantra of the Day: The point in jet setting is getting there.

New York to Dublin, Ireland for $357 roundtrip. L.A. to Cabo San Lucas for $257 roundtrip. Chicago to Orlando for $173 roundtrip. These are some of the recent deals to be found at AirfareWatchdog.com. You can even sign up to receive free airfare alerts by email for good deals from your favorite local airports.

If I’m forced to fly commercially, naturally I want to get a good deal. This website does just that. Join me for some reasonably priced jet setting!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Isn't "guilty pleasure" an oxymoron?

Today’s Annoyance: Forced modesty

Mantra of the Day: I wanted it and I paid for it therefore I feel no guilt.

I make no excuses for the things that I enjoy in life. If something makes me feel good and I can afford it, I’m going to enjoy it (unless it’s illegal). Why should I pretend not to enjoy all the abundance that life has offer? Because “misery loves company”? I think not. If anything, my joyful experiences should provide some inspiration for others. Do I sound arrogant? Only as much as it sounds stupid to feel guilty about having or doing something that you enjoy.

If you do something that you’re not supposed to do, that’s not a “guilty pleasure”. That’s just wrong.

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Ava's taxicab confessions

Today's Annoyance: Smelly, expensive modes of travel
Mantra of the Day: A hired car service is worth the expense.

I have a love-hate relationship with cabs. In most major cities, cabs are easy to find and they serve the simplest purpose: getting you from point A to point B. Plus, cab drivers are a special breed; they’re often interesting characters with amazing stories. Sometimes, they’re sullen, other times they’re quietly focused on getting you to your destination and getting their next fare. Maybe cab driver personalities and the anonymity of the experience explain why cab rides bring out the craziness in people. (Have you ever seen HBO’s documentary Taxicab Confessions? Just so weird.)

On the flip side, between the deteriorating condition of many cabs, the difficulty in communicating with some cabbies, and the confusing fare system, cabs can really suck. It’s often worse when you’re traveling overseas because of the increased communication problem. For what I’ve been overcharged by some cabbies, I may as well have just hired a car service. Oh well, what’re you gonna do?

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Rihanna and Chris Brown

Today's Annoyance: The media’s death grip on a scandalous story
Mantra of the Day: Good things can come out of bad situations.

I know that this topic has been beaten to death but as it keeps evolving, I can’t help but chime into the debate and give my two cents on the story. So to recap, not that you don’t already know, boy pop star allegedly beats the crap out of popular girlfriend pop star. Girl pop star promptly goes back to boy pop star even though boy pop star is also allegedly cheating on girl pop star. Boy pop star is accused of wanting to continue their relationship only to use her to save his career from disappearing into oblivion.

To be honest, the whole thing makes me uncomfortable. You never want to see something like that happen to anyone, especially someone who is as beautiful, talented and seemingly good-natured as Rihanna. In the end, I think that some good can come out of the situation because it has definitely opened up a nationwide dialogue concerning domestic abuse. This is a problem that has plagued mankind for as long as I can remember, but from time to time it is good to remember that it does impact a number of people with whom we interact everyday and they should not have to suffer in silence. If you have a friend or loved one who you think might be in an abusive situation, I ask that you be there for them in a nonjudgmental way. Even if that person has not yet seen the light and has decided to stay with their partner, let them know that you are there for them in the event that they may need you. I hope that all this serves as a wake-up call for all of the Rihannas of the world and those who love them.

Peace and blessings…

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Examiner.com]

Monday, March 23, 2009

Not So Distant Strangers

Today's Annoyance: Not knowing the people I see everyday
Mantra of the Day: I love eye candy!

So this morning after my daily run, I stopped into a Starbucks near my house, when not two minutes later, in walked a beautiful not-so-distant stranger. I call him “the Moroccan” because I know absolutely nothing about him but he seems like he might be from that part of the world (and he looks like the mega-hot Moroccan pop star Ahmed Soultan!). Instantly I wished that I was one of those women who always wears makeup when she works out, but that has never been my style.

Ahmed Soultan

Anyway, I see this guy everywhere I go - the gym, on the way to work, when I'm out shopping - he is just a part of the city landscape for me. He's not the only person I see on a regular basis and have a nickname for, but he's pretty easy on the eyes so I tend to remember him more. I always wonder if people who I see all the time have a nickname for me for me too or know my routine better than I know it myself. Do they notice me in the same way? Are you known to someone as “the girl with the Louis bag who rides the train at 7:46 a.m.”? Why don't we ever introduce ourselves to these people? It’s probably because they are more interesting to us when we make them into fictional characters in our heads.

Well, that's all I've got for you today. Ciao xox

[IMAGE: Courtesy of AhmedSoultan.com]

Friday, March 20, 2009

Ava's Faves: Biscoff Cookies

Today's Annoyance: Diets
Mantra of the Day: I promise, I'll only eat 10 cookies, for now.

Here’s a confession: I refuse to give up Biscoff cookies. If the economy continues to worsen, I’ll restrict my diet to tea and cookies. If you’ve ever had a Biscoff cookie, you know just what I’m talking about. I discovered these Belgian slices of heaven in Monaco. They’re typically served with tea or coffee after a meal. Mind you, I could eat them every day, all day.

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Biscoff.com]

Thursday, March 19, 2009

What's your absolute travel necessity?

Today's Annoyance: Luggage fees
Mantra of the Day: My office goes where I go.

I have a friend who refuses to travel without a purse-sized spray can of Lysol. Originally, I thought this might be a bit rude. However, considering the malodorous condition of some airplanes, the airplane toilets and sadly, some of the passengers, I completely understand her motivation.

For some travelers, an iPod or some other MP3 player is a must-have. For others, it’s a cute black outfit. (Who knows when you’ll be invited to a party?) As a classic over-packer, I probably have far too many travel necessities. I know, I’m terrible. And yes, I’ve paid a lot in luggage fees. If I had to choose one thing that I absolutely refuse to travel without, it would be my Samsonite mobile office. Actually, that’s cheating, sort of, because it allows me to pack a bunch of stuff like my laptop, MP3 player, work-related files, an outfit (or two) and some toiletries. If I have to pick a fashion-related item that I couldn’t and wouldn’t travel without, I’d choose…………honestly, how can you choose just one thing? A woman’s got to have her accessories!