NOTE: I put this entry together before I headed off to WPPI but, with the events of last week, didn’t get around to sharing it when I intended to. A few standing features coming down the pipe late this month, but given February’s circumstances, I’m giving myself a free pass on all matters where the words “schedules” and “blogs” are concerned.

1) Chambray: Yes, yes as a matter of fact I AM dedicating a few sentences to my new love for this fabric. I have been on the hunt for the perfect chambray shirt for a LONG time now. It seemed like whenever I found one online that I liked (because spotting them in the stores was like being on a safari and never finding the elusive alpha lion), it was always sold out. Or, the only size left was XXS (seriously, who WEARS that size?) Then I found what I had been looking for over at Land’s End Canvas. I was GIDDY to discover that the shirt fits me perfect, is super high-quality and will most definitely become a wardrobe staple of mine. A bonus of shopping with Land’s End? Receiving a hand-written thank you card for my purchase. Talk about amazing customer service! It’s like, well, if you’re gonna twist my arm, I *guess* I can shop with you guys again! haha

2) Burt’s Bees Cuticle Balm: I have been having one HECK of a time this winter with keeping my hands from looking gnarly. A lot of that has to do with how dried and cracked my cuticles have become. I love anything Burt’s Bees (their clove lip balm is my all-time favorite!) and this product is no exception. Now, if I could just remember to slather my hands, feet, arms and legs in lotion every morning. I’m bad with the lotion…which means I’m ready for summer to come and banish winter’s pesky dry skin!

3) Catfish: Nick and I rented this movie last weekend and WHOA. I had heard a lot about how it had a surprised “twist” ending but what happens is nothing that you could really expect. Truly a FASCINATING look into our digital-driven lifestyle and the relationships we can let ourselves get swept up in online. Also, if you watch the documentary, I can guarantee you’ll spend the next 30 minutes discussing its authenticity with others who’ve seen it. At least, if you watch it in the Werner household you will….

4) SO much new music!: What can I say, I loosened my “one album a month” rule in February. I mean, I already knew I was going to snatch up The Civil Wars’ new Barton Hallow album (which is AMAZING, by the way). What I did not anticipate was the discovery of a British up-and-comer, Misty Miller. Misty is only SIXTEEN and with her debut album, she gives American musical darlings like Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson a bit of a run for their money. What I like about her style is how it’s a little more messy, a little less “unproduced” than similar sounds of her U.S. counterparts. Check out her acoustic rendition of “Remember” for Burberry and see if you don’t fall in love with her the same way I did. And then, right before my birthday, what an awesome discovery to find out that Radiohead was releasing its latest album, The King of Limbs. Already, just on a few listens, I’m in love with it. Also loving Thom Yorke in this video for “Lotus Flower” off the album. I swear, that man could sit and read a phonebook and Radiohead fans everywhere would just applaud him. The House of Yorke is THAT powerful.

5) Clara and Mr. Tiffany: I wrote a pretty extensive review of this book over on my Good Reads profile, but I’ll say this book was such an enlightening read on a powerful time in American history. The story shares light (ooh, a pun here!) on how the iconic Tiffany lamp was a design not of Louis Comfort Tiffany himself, but of one of the women he had working in his New York studio, Clara Driscoll. I am a sucker for historical fiction like this and I loved reading about this powerful woman who was trying to break the gender barriers of her era while at the same time, look for love in her life and determine if she could do it all.

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

This has most definitely been one of the most difficult weeks of my life, one filled with extreme highs and lows of the kind that make me feel as though I’ve lived not seven days, but seven years. I flew out last Sunday to my first-ever WPPI, celebrating my 29th birthday with dear friends in Las Vegas over drinks and yummy dessert (thanks again Brock!)

On Monday, as I was on my way to a platform presentation, I got a phone call from my Dad that his mother, my beloved grandmother, had died. She was 92, just a few months shy of turning 93. And though she’d been ailing in recent weeks, I had no idea we were going to lose her as soon as we did. I was in shock for a bit, but when my dad called again with details for her weekend funeral, I lost it. There I was, trying to navigate the labyrinth of halls of the MGM Grand (where the convention was going on) to make it back to my room while crying my eyes out (and trying to keep my head down so people didn’t think I was crazy). I would have been a mess had it not been for my amazing roomies. To Maya, Tina and Courtney, I say THANK YOU for being my rock for the short time I stayed in Vegas with you all. From hugs to condolences to a glass of wine to sooth my frayed nerves, you three were there for me when I needed friends the most.

I flew home on Wednesday and then spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday with extended family on my dad’s side. It was beautiful to all be together, a powerful reminder that, in tragedy, we come together with loved ones in ways we don’t make time for enough. At my grandmother’s funeral on Saturday, I mustered up the courage to eulogize her, reading the words I’d written on the plane ride home. I prayed that I’d have the strength to get through it without breaking down and I barely managed to do just that. But it was a tribute I was honored to pay to someone who meant so so much to me over the years.

Being at a conference where I listened to amazing photographers speak to the power of photographs, I thought it only fitting to share with you all one of my favorite images of me with my grandmother. This was taken on my own wedding day and I cherish this image—this moment captured in time—in a way I cherish few others. That sentiment only grows stronger with the realization my last living grandparent is now gone.

And while my grandmother knew how much she was loved by all of us, it never hurts to say it again. I love you Grandma and I hope you know how much you’ll be missed.

Photo credit: Turtle Pond Photography

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

#71) Read a classic novel

In the world of books, I can think of a few titles that have ALWAYS been daunting to me. Two of which—War and Peace and Anna Karenina—share the same author. I have no idea why I chose as hectic a month as this has been to finally decide to get over my Tolstoy intimidation and dig in to one of them. But I did. And, like a runner who finishes a marathon, it feels GOOD to say I managed to finish it. I might have limped along a bit in those last 20 pages, but the finish line of seeing THE END was so close I knew I couldn’t give up. And my other motivation? No WAY was I carrying this book on a plane with me to WPPI. Reading it was akin to an arm work-out!

I must share that this novel has haunted me for a few decades now. It’s no surprise to those who know me that I am a VORACIOUS reader. Have been ever since I was a kid. And when I was about 10 or so, I  became determined to read every book that was on the “Accelerated Reader” list at our elementary school’s library. See, the books had point values assigned to them and the higher up you went, the more points you got (translation=the bigger the prize from the librarian’s cart). No. 1 at that list? ANNA KARENINA. I remember bringing the old banged-up edition the school had home and how it sat on our fireplace, untouched, until my mother decided if no one was going to read it, she might as well. Fast forward to adulthood, when Oprah made the book one of her book selections, and I finally bought the much-talked about translation of the novel. Only to get about 30 pages into it, stick a bookmark in the place where I left off and shelf it for the next seven or eight years.

I think when I put this one on my 101 list, I *knew* crossing it off meant I had to read this book. FINALLY. And what I loved about it was discovering that in no way was it as challenging as I had built it up in my head to be. Turns out Russians in Tolstoy’s late 19th-century Russia had a lot of the same problems we do today—family struggles, money problems, relationship issues. The character-driven stories of Anna and Count Vronsky and Levin and Kitty (and all the others I met in this brick of a book) will stay with me long after the knowledge I gleaned about 1870s Russian politics and farming practices.

How about you guys? Is there a classic novel that daunts you to pick up? That you’ve thought about reading 100 times and never got around to it? If anything, reading Anna has taught me that fear can keep you from something truly great. What a universal lesson that is …..

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1. Any vacations you are looking forward to this summer?

Hmmm..well, I think I might be second shooting a wedding this summer some place warm (Florida!); Nick and I are hoping to get some boating action in on a little get-away to see U2 in Michigan in June (blogged about that here); I want to take a trip with my mama for a long girls’ weekend to Asheville, N.C. (I’ve never been and the idea of antiquing and hitting up bookstores and touring the Vanderbilt estate is heaven to this history nut)! Also, Nick’s family is looking into a “staycation” idea for August. So that might be in the works!

2. What is your favorite article of summer clothing (shoes are included)?

Skirts and sandals. Can you believe that I HATE shorts? I need to do a better job of “working on my tan” this year. I think part of the reason I hate shorts so much is my legs just feel SO paste-y white in them! Also, the selection out there? I’m sorry, but 30 year olds should not wear shorts that barely cover their behind. Can that please stop being the trend? I was lucky to score some longer styles at Old Navy a few years back. Now I just need to break them in.

3. What is your favorite summer drink (alcoholic or non)?

Iced tea! And while I don’t drink much beer, I LOVE having one with a burger and fries when we grill out on the patio. THAT is summer to me!

4. Do you tan or burn?

Burn, burn, burn…and then, gradually, if I’m out long enough, I’ll tan. But it’s a slow laborious process and, since I tend to feel like I’m melting in the sun if I’m out in it too long, the “tanning” thing doesn’t happen to often.

5. Any goals you are working toward this summer?

Hmmm…great question. I want to be more consistent in staying active. I’m hoping I’m more inspired to take Daisy for nightly walks when the weather isn’t bone-chillingly cold and there’s not a layer of ice on the ground. I want to spend more time in that hammock of mine in the backyard. And I’d really love it if this would be the year I could make an herb garden happen.

6. What is your favorite summertime food?

I love summer salads. Cucumbers. Fresh tomatoes. Fresh basil. Grilling out (that smell of meat on the grill; I love going through the neighborhood and picking up on what my neighbors are cooking). Barbecue. I just love how many fruits and veggies are in season that time of year. SO good!

7. What song most says “summer” to you?

Bryan Adams — “Summer of ’69″ and Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” and Mungo Jerry’s “In The Summertime” — come on, the word is in the titles! When I think summer, I think about radios cranked up and just hearing that background noise of people’s stereos — that noise is pure bliss.

8. Any home improvement goals planned for this summer?

I sure hope not! Getting new bathroom floors this winter has put us in “Fingers crossed-we-don’t-have-to-spend-money-on-the-house-this-year” mode. Also, Nick finished the patio last summer, so that was our big outdoor summer project.

9. What is one thing you hate to see at the beach?

Litter. And people who are wearing bathing suits that are too small. There’s a remedy for that, folks — it’s called the right size.

10. Did you ever go to a summer camp?

Hmmm…not the traditional “in-the-woods-and-we’ll-sing-”Kum-Bah-Ya” summer camp, but in high school I was always off to journalism camps and workshops. Those were always fun!

Topics from Roots and Rings

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

It all started with a Tweet. Last week, I’d seen First Lady Michelle Obama making the morning talk show rounds in an adorable polka dot dress. As of late, I’ve been obsessed with polka dots and had been wanting to add some to my wardrobe. When  I found out that the stylish Ms. Obama had gotten the dress from H&M— FOR $35 NO LESS — I was all about getting my hands on it. Which led me to make this proclamation on Twitter last Saturday:

Fast forward to Monday and I get an e-mail in my inbox from Molly, a producer from CBS Early Morning. She had SEEN MY TWEET and wanted to know if I had the dress. Now, the original plan was to go shopping for the dress this coming Saturday, since I would be  in Indianapolis meeting up with some college friends and having coffee with a prospective client. But all of a sudden, I became a woman on a Valentine’s Day mission. I called down to an H&M in Indianapolis and confirmed they had my size. Then it was a mad dash (driving *just* above the speed limit, Mom!) to get down to the store and back in under two hours before a scheduled hair appointment (something I’d scheduled ages ago but hey, if I was going to be on TV, wasn’t THAT serendipitous?!)

Molly had told me that Ryan (the camera man) would drive down from Chicago on Tuesday to film the segment at my house. Well, bless his heart, Ryan drove ALL THAT WAY (it’s about a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive…4 if you get a bit lost…as Ryan might have done) to meet up with me. Then, Internet, I opened my house up to him and, trying to be as gracious a host as possible, told him, “Shoot where you want!” Which, in translation,  just so happened to include MY BEDROOM! When Ryan suggested we get shots of me with my closet in the background I was like, “Oh yeahhhhh, sure, sure…” As he was off in my dining room getting his gear, I went into flurry mode, organizing my shoe rack, shoving as many of the haphazard piles of clothes off to the other side as quickly as I could. I mean, who thinks their CLOSET is going to make it on national TV?! Thank the good Lord my bed was made!

Ryan was sweet and spent about 30 minutes interviewing me (and getting B roll of me “primping” in my new ruffly dress in the mirror). When I told him that my husband had proffered a few suggested “Obama-isms” for the segment, he was like, “Oh yeah? Like what?” So then I told him this line of Nick’s: “Can we find fashion for under $50? “YES-WE-CAN!”" He thought it was hilarious and made sure to capture it on camera (some of Nick’s other lines from an exchange of morning e-mails? “Her wardrobe has provided a much needed “stimulus” in the world of women’s fashion” and “Michelle gave us a fashion “change we can believe in.” — is he too much or what?)

I didn’t tell a lot of people about the interview only because I didn’t want to make a fuss about it online and then have it not air. Being a former journalist, I know all too well that the nature of the beast can change in an instant. So, at the risk of war breaking out in the Middle East and stealing my stylin’ thunder, I sat on the news about it. But, lo and behold, there I was this morning, right there along with Lindsay Lohan, Kate Middleton and Michelle Obama (I’m pretty sure this is the only time I’ll EVER be able to type that sentence). And here, friends, is the video clip of the segment (can I just say it’s jarring to see yourself on TV? National TV no less?!)

A co-worker shared with me that an image from the segment also made it onto a photo gallery on the CBS web site — SO fun!

And finally, here’s a shot Nick took of me on Tuesday wearing the dress—isn’t it cute?! (video is great but I’ll always be a still frame kind of girl ;) )

Oh, and uh…here’s the reason the man doesn’t shoot with me for a living – hahaha What a crazy adventure and how fun to have this all happen as part of my birthday week!! I look forward to being able to tell my kids about this one someday!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.