I've never been a big Jennifer Lopez fan. But she may have just changed my mind.

Can you believe that's her? No makeup, no designer wetsuit ... just doing the triathlon thing. I read all about it on the Daily Mail.

If she keeps it up, I might entirely change my mind. And I still feel guilty for not doing the Danskin triathlon this spring. Think I can get to be a good swimmer by next year?

Can you guess what kind of cupcakes these are?

The other day I got an email from Allure Experts asking me to try some new mascara. Since it had Chanel in the name, I blew it off. I used to be a rabid Allure reader; I bought it every time I went to the store. When they started an online review panel sort of like the Harris Polls I do, I signed up right away. Let's just say ... it sounded better in theory than in practice.

The last time I tried a product, it was Kerastase day and night cream. I had to go to the nearest Sephora (South Coast Plaza) to pick up a sample. I liked it a lot, but at $110 a bottle it's not something I could buy on my pre-MBA budget (it's not sold any more).

Today I got a little puffy envelope in the mail from Allure with a trial of Exceptionnel de Chanel mascara. Now this is how you conduct a trial!

I haven't tried it yet but I'll let you know. It's $28 at Neimann Marcus, so it's not likely I'll be giving up my Maybelline Great Lash any time soon. BTW: it smells awful.

Happy little star-shaped Parisian macaroons ...

I wish I didn't have class tonight, and that I had more time to cook.






I'd love to make Martha's baked pasta and peach cake.

The Vice President of Student Affairs is Michael Jackson.

Every time I get an email from his office, I'm confused - and then I laugh. Michael Jackson is emailing me!

Yesterday evening, as soon as I got home from work, I started on the case analysis that's due for my new finance class. It's supposed to be done in groups, but I got the idea that if I did a really amazing analysis on my own, the professor would like me and give me a good grade despite missing the first two weeks of class and the first assignment …

So I worked until 9:30 (only because once you start on this sort of thing, you start thinking up all these possibilities and it gets overly complicated). Did a little 10 minute workout, and went to bed. More like, laid in bed. I was so anxious last night I could hardly sleep. Sure, it's a little silly to worry so much at this point, but that's what I do best.

Today I printed my assignment and spent the whole morning wishing it was over with. I can't remember the last time I was so nervous about a class! Then, this afternoon, all of a sudden I was over it. Hopefully it will go well anyway!

Side notes:

• Happy September! Can you believe there are only 3 months left in 2008?
• I need to get my car smog tested and washed.
• Also need to put together the save-the-date cards.
• Any ideas how to make carrot cake cookies?
• I'd like a pair of nice brown pants now that it's fall. And still a pair of jeans. Why don't pants fit any more?