The most iconic woman you don't know

She's a legend.

And chances are, you probably don't even know her name.

Moms Mabley.

A stage name, of course. But one that became a household name and world-wide sensation in the 1950s and 60s.

She was once deemed the "funniest woman in the world."

But her childhood was far from humorous.

The great-granddaughter of a slave, Jackie "Moms" Mabley was born in North Carolina in 1897. When she was 11, her father, a businessman and volunteer firefighter, died when his fire truck exploded. Soon after, her mom was killed by a mail truck on Christmas morning.

By the time she was 15, the orphan had been raped twice, once by an older black man and another time by a white sheriff. Both rapes resulted in pregnancy. Both babies were given up for adoption.

Her step-father encouraged her to get married, but her grandmother convinced her to strike out on her own. After all, she had singing and dancing talent which couldn't be ignored. Following her grandma's advice, Jackie ran off to Cleveland to join a traveling show.

It was the best decision she ever made. Realizing her sense of humor was far more spectacular than her dancing gams, Jackie turned to comedy. It wasn't long before Jackie was discovered by a famous vaudeville duo and they asked her to join them.

Soon, Jackie was performing at legendary venues, such as the Cotton Club, the Savoy Ballroom, and later, the Apollo Theater. During the 1920s Harlem Renaissance Jackie had become part of an elite circle of performers and jazz musicians who would shape the world.

And although she was having relationships with both men and women, Jackie kept her sexuality to herself. After all, she believed sexuality was something to be expressed, not defined.

Her risqué stand-up comedy routines shocked and delighted audiences who had never encountered someone like her before. She dressed like a man. She talked openly about subjects like racism.

In 1960, she made history by performing for a white audience at Carnegie Hall. It was so successful, her career took off even further, earning her guest appearances on all the hottest television shows of the era.

Her persona, as a frumpy grumpy ol' woman, became one of the most recognized characters in showbiz.

Well into her 60s, Jackie was already shaping the future of comedy for women...and for everyone. She went on to record more than two dozen comedy albums. At 75 years old, she even became the oldest person to ever have a top 40 hit.

In 1975, Jackie passed away from heart failure. She was survived by four children (in addition to the two she had given up for adoption).

Strangely and sadly, her status as a comedic pioneer vanished into thin air after her death. When we look back on the history of comedy, we think of other names first.

Fortunately, Whoopi Goldberg is going to change that soon.

Frustrated that nobody had ever heard of the comedienne who inspired her entire career, Whoopi decided to produce and direct an HBO documentary called "Moms Mabley: I Got Something to Tell You," which will air this fall.

A little late for her legend to be remembered, but better late than never, right?

Best-dressed Bitches

Rian and I recently finished watching every season of Dynasty.



Several months ago, we got the first season of the outrageous 1980s mega-drama as a joke. We thought we'd share a good laugh over it.

By the second episode, the giggles had ceased and we sat stone-faced in front of the television, hands clenched, hearts racing with anticipation.



It's a really, really good show. Cheesy. Melodramatic. Addictive.

And the fashion. Dear god, the fashion.



The show revolves around oil tycoon Blake Carrington and his beautiful sweet-as-pie second wife, Krystle. They live in a sprawling Denver mansion with his adult children.



The premise to the show is very basic: Blake's ex-wife Alexis, who owns another major oil company, is out to destroy him.



Seriously. That's the entire plot to the show, from the first to last episode. You know, like Tom & Jerry. And just like the cat and mouse cartoon show, it's endlessly entertaining!



Like any good soap operas, there are murders and kidnappings and evil twins and scandalous affairs and cat fights.



But the main reason to watch the show is because of it's jaw-dropping fashion. The style from the show was so iconic, it defined the decade.



And Joan Collins, who plays the ex-wife Alexis, is the star of the show in that respect. Draped in the hottest fashion of the time, the stunningly beautiful scorned woman playfully exchanges witty banter and backstabs everyone around her with poisonous verbal daggers.



Dynasty is basically a giant 1980s fashion show, featuring Joan Collins wearing gigantic sequined gowns, futuristic shoulder-padded power suits, massive wide-brimmed hats, and glamorous Hollywood-drenched fur stoles.



Her costumes were created by the legendary costume designer Nolan Miller, who was provided $35,000 a week to come up the lavish ensembles.



The over-the-top wardrobe complimented the over-the-top character like a skin-tight satin glove.

Of course, Joan Collins was not the only style icon from the show.

Linda Evans, who played Alexis' nemesis, Krystle, portrayed a more sophisticated, and less flashy, style.



Her country club attire consisted of cozy fur coats, sleek gowns, and ritzy, yet casual, jackets.

Heather Locklear, who starred as Krystle's gold-digging niece, had a deliciously tacky wardrobe, which highlighted her cheap, standoffish personality.



Look at that hair!

The fashion from the show was so famous, it inspired a Barbie line and sewing patterns.





As usual, here is my little polyvore tribute. I hope you like it.

So what do you think? Do you like Dynasty fashion?

My (TV) Guilty Pleasure

I have a confession to make.

I'm a huge fan of Castle.

I started watching it as an accident a few years ago, because it would come on immediately after another show I watched (which I'm not comfortable disclosing here). Anyway, it got to the point where I became a faithful viewer.

The show revolves around a handsome, charming superstar best-selling novelist, Richard Castle, who writes murder mysteries. Basically, a younger, hotter James Patterson. He gets permission from his buddy, the New York City mayor, to accompany the gorgeous, tough NYPD detective, Kate Beckett on her job. Together, they solve crimes and fall in love.

In other words, it's like a romantic comedy meets Law & Order.

I'm not gonna lie. The material is fluff. It's not a serious cop show. The characters are all very likable and quirky. The crimes always revolve around something fun or exotic or interesting. Like, murders happening at a science fiction convention, ballet company, or even in the 1940s. And the show pokes fun at pop culture phenoms like Kim Kardashian, Dancing with the Stars, and zombie walks.

But it is the two main actors which really make this show a must-see for me.

Nathan Fillion plays Castle, and I find him soooo sexy. In his role as the millionaire author single-father playboy, he is so cute and funny and charming. I have such a crush on this guy. I wouldn't mind spending my entire work day with him, that's for sure.

And as for Stana Katic, who plays Detective Beckett, let's just say I'm shocked this woman is real. Not only is she drop dead gorgeous, but in real-life, she is fluent in Serbian, French, English, and Italian. She plays the guitar. She's an environmental activist. She dabbles in archery. She has a beautiful singing voice. Oh, and she's a songwriter.

The chemistry between the two characters is electric. There's something special there. Like, you can tell the two must be friends in real life, because the warmth between them is delightfully genuine.

It's just such a good show.

Do you watch Castle?

"You can kiss my decision as it's walking out the door."

When I first heard about the new ABC show, Nashville, I was hesitant to watch it.

Not because it's about country music, but because it looked like a really good show.

You see, after last year's heartbreak with my three new favorite shows (The Playboy Club, Pan Am, and GCB) I wasn't exactly anxious to fall in love with another anticipated drama that would only get cancelled a few months later.

Well, I caved in and watched it this past week.

And shit.

I'm in love.

The show revolves around a middle-aged country superstar, Rayna Jaymes, who faces declining record sales, while a bitchy new twenty-something sensation, Juliette Barnes, quickly becomes America's Sweetheart.

If the plot sounds familiar, it's because the show is based on the Gwyneth Paltrow film, Country Strong.

One of the reasons I love this show so much is because of the dead-on casting.

The stunning and vibrant Connie Britton shines brilliantly as the gracious, regal music legend Rayna. As a viewer you feel indignant on her behalf as she's mercilessly pushed aside by her record company in favor of hot new talent. And then you also respect her as a person, when you see the behind-the-scenes glimpse at her controlling family and her inner struggles.

I was a bit skeptical of Hayden Panettiere being cast as the Taylor Swift/Carrie Underwood diva, but she actually proved me wrong. She is nearly flawless in the role of Juliette, the most unlikeable character on the show. And it seems like her character is going to be more complex, when you realize her background couldn't be more different than her blueblood middle-aged counterpart.

I'm not a huge fan of country music, but I loved the songs that played in the first episode. There was a duet in particular that was so beautiful, I can already tell the soundtrack to this show is going to be amazing.

I really, really, really hope this show doesn't get cancelled.

What do you think? Will you watch Nashville?

Mindy & Me

I'm really grateful for all the support you guys have been giving me. It's been comforting.

A few days ago, one of you asked me some questions, which I'm going to answer, because I don't want to be rude (and I love talking about myself, so everybody wins).

They are:

What is your fish's name?

His name is Mr. Sakana and here is his photo:

When he was adopted, his father was going through a Japanese phase, hence the name. Mr. S is a bit of a brat and to be honest, we don't really get along. My boyfriend, Rian, actually has a better relationship with him than I do. It's even gotten to the point where if I'm the one who puts the food flakes in his bowl, Mr. S refuses to eat them. It's like he'd rather die than take my charity.


What's your boyfriend studying?

Rian is getting his Masters in English.

What's your favorite shade of lipstick?

Light it Up by Victoria's Secret

Now, let's randomly talk about television.

I love television. Downton Abbey. Mad Men. The Vampire Diaries.

But there is a new show that I adore and I think it has potential to be awesome:

The Mindy Project.

Holy shit you guys. This is like my life. In 23 minutes.

The humor, the dialogue, the characters, the perspective. Sure, I'm not a doctor or even "single" but still. Watching this show was like watching myself.

Plus, it's kind of revolutionary. The Mindy Project is the first television show to be centered around (and created by) an Indian-American. Mindy Kaling is adorable, true, but she's also not a size two either. She's NORMAL. And awesome. And hilarious. Gahhhh! So much love for her.

I highly recommend you watch both the pilot and the second episode. (Click here to do so).

The pilot was basically setting up the premise of the show, and the second episode gives a taste of what to expect.

The show revolves around a 31-year-old gynecologist and her adventures at work and on the dating scene. I think it's a show most career-oriented girls around my age identify with. You spend your twenties working towards a goal, believing love will just enter into the picture naturally, and then suddenly you wake up and everyone else around you is married with kids and all the good guys are taken.

I've been a fan of Mindy Kaling since her days on The Office, but this show made me realize she might actually be my kindred spirit.

I want to meet her right now and be her best friend. (If you want to know a more detailed reason of why, click here).

What do you think of this show? What other new shows are you excited about this season?

My Restaurant Reviews

This might come as a shock to you, but I'm quite the jet-setter. One day I'm in New York City, the next I'm in Los Angeles. Sometimes all in one day.

During my recent travels, I stopped by a few restaurants that I really enjoyed. I decided to share my reviews of them, in case you ever find yourself in the area and decide to go.

Enjoy!

The Max, Los Angeles

If you love flashy neon colors, retro designs, and all-American food, you seriously need to stop by The Max, which is over in the Pacific Palisades.

The prices are reasonable. The food is simple, but it's good. Burgers. Fries. Milkshakes.

The back story of the place is pretty quirky as well. It was opened by a magician, and sometimes he'll come to each table and perform a silly little trick and crack stupid jokes. But it's all in good fun.

The only downside is if you hit the place up after 2 p.m. it tends to get overcrowded with obnoxious teenagers from the nearby Bayside High School.

The afternoon I was there, a few of them came out of nowhere and randomly held a dance-off, which delayed my food from being served by 23 minutes. I was SO annoyed.

Here is a crappy cell phone pic I took of the scene:

Peach Pit, Beverly Hills

I have a soft spot for old-school diners, so when I stumbled upon the Peach Pit, I couldn't have been more delighted.

Again, you're looking at all-American food, but it's absolutely delicious and hot off the grill. The interior is very retro and there's even a jukebox.

My server, Brandon, was super cute and even flirted with me a little, which made me kind of uneasy later on, because I found out he was in high school (he looked 26).

Here's a crappy cell phone pic of my server and the owner:

Central Perk, New York City

Sometimes, it's just nice to get away from Starbucks. So, when I found myself in Greenwich Village one day, I decided to try out a popular local coffee shop, Central Perk.

Before I even ordered my coffee, I was already impressed. It had such a cozy, yet vibrant atmosphere. The couches were comfy. The coffee mugs were huge. The place was filled with attractive people around my own age.

I was a little taken aback by the sour-faced barista, Gunther, who took my order with undisguised sarcasm.

I was in such a good mood after leaving the place, I even tipped a pretty blonde hippie who was singing about smelly cats in front of the main entrance.

Stay tuned for my next restaurant review post, where I'll detail my visits to Shooters, Krusty Burger, and Bluth's Banana Stand.

Will you visit these places?

What are your favorite restaurants?

My Dinosaur Childhood

When I was a kid, one of my favorite television shows was Dinosaurs.

My parents and I used to watch it every Sunday evening. I always looked forward to it. My impression of the baby character was so uncanny, it made me the most popular girl in my second-grade class. All my friends would beg me to contort my face and screech, "I'm the baby, gotta love me!"

Well, the other night, after fondly recollecting happy childhood memories, I went on youtube to refamiliarize myself with the show.

And after watching ten minutes of an episode, only one thought raced through my mind:

WHAT THE FUCK WAS I THINKING?!?!

The show is awful. It is creepy. It is wrong on so, so many levels. I can't even comprehend how it got passed by network executives.

How did my parents let me watch it?! What is wrong with them?! It makes me question their parenting skills.

For those of you unfamiliar with the series, because you were fortunate enough to be born after 1990, here is the premise:

A family of average American dinosaurs, the Sinclairs, live together in a charming little bungalow. There is a mom, dad, teenage brother, teenage sister, baby, and grandma. They are blue-collar. The dad is lazy and watches too much television. The baby only gets pleasure in making everyone else miserable, bonking the father on the head with a frying pan, and shoving his face with food. The grandmother is a bitch. The kids are too cool for school. The mom is frustratingly naive.

For a family show, it took on some pretty eye-opening topics, such as sexual harassment, homosexuality, religion, racism, masturbation, and drug abuse, to name a few.

If I remember correctly, and um, this is a spoiler alert, the last episode pretty much results with the family's demise as the ice age kills everybody off.

Seriously. The entire cast dies.

Here are some memorable Baby Sinclair scenes:

...have you said "wtf" yet??

What do you think? Did you ever watch Dinosaurs growing up?