The Modern Venus Blog

What Do Cats Do All Day?

If you ever wondered . . . so funny . . . from the Huffington Post:

LOS ANGELES — What do cats do when their owners are away? There was one way to find out – "cat cams."  

Fifty house cats were given collar cameras that took a photo every 15 minutes. The results put a digital dent in some human theories about catnapping.

Based on the photos, about 22 percent of the cats' time was spent looking out of windows, 12 percent was used to interact with other family pets and 8 percent was spent climbing on chairs or kitty condos. Just 6 percent of their hours were spent sleeping.

"What surprised me was how active the cats were. I believed my three cats were sleeping during the day," said Jill Villarreal, an animal behavior scientist who collected the data for Nestle Purina PetCare's Friskies brand of cat food.                                    

The 777 photos studied by Villarreal showed the cats looking at a television, computer, DVDs or other media 6 percent of the time and hiding under tables 6 percent of the time.

Coming in at 5 percent was playing with toys; eating or looking at food finished at 4 percent.

Will the cats get movie cameras next? "We are in the think tank now," Villarreal said.

Happy Hannukah Chihuahua!

I can't believe December is already here - I'm in a bit of shock (and have a vague sense of panic with Christmas approaching!).   Maybe it's just the stress of seeing the enormous shopping lines at the famous Park Slope Food Coop which we just joined.

In any case, I do love the festive decorations that are popping up everywhere.   So here is a cute picture to enjoy for today!  I'm such a sucker for dressed-up animals . . . I LOVE that Hannukah Chihuhua!

Happy Fuzzy Weekend!

I'm off tonight to see Carrie Fisher in "Wishful Drinking."  I read this book and I can't wait to see her live on Broadway.  Her searing honesty and amazing sense of humor will make for an entertaining night, for sure. 

Here is one of my favorite animated cartoons:  "Simon's `Cat Man Do.'"   This is like my life every morning but with 2 hungry cats and not just one. Sigh. But they are full of fuzzy goodness so I can't complain TOO much . . .

Have a great weekend!

"Proof Women Are Born This Way"

Here is a hilarious clip that made me smile today! 

Shopping for a Great Cause: Glamour Fashion Gives Back Tote

Here's a fun thing to buy:  a selection of designers created these totes especially for Glamour Magazine Fashion Gives Back.  The money you spend on each bag will help out-of-work women find new jobs -- and the confidence to succeed.   Glamour will donate 100% of the proceeds to Dress for Success Worldwide. To find out all about the work they do, please visit Dress for Success.org .  These bags are exclusively sold by Bloomingdale's - buy one before they run out!

Delicious: Chocolate-scented postage stamps

I just returned from Berlin, which of course is a city with no shortage of amazing chocolate.  However, as my heart is always (in part) in France, I turn to that country for this first post upon my return:  French chocolate-scented stamps!!   To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of cacao beans at the port city of Bayonne, the French postal service (La Poste) has issued a set of  stamps depicting scenes from the history and manufacture of chocolate. Best of all: microcapsules in the ink provide a chocolate scent that will reportedly last up to two years.  Yum.  I hope to get to Paris in the  next couple of months (at least before Christmas, I hope!):  who wants me to pick some up for you? 

A Special Sighting: Signets in Prospect Park

Five baby swans were born just four or so days ago on the lake in Prospect Park!   They are adorable.  Here is a picture of a very protective mama swan and her little ones.   What a special thing to witness. 

Impossibly Chic: Lady Dior - the film

Sigh.   Here is a perfect little beyond-chic film to pick up your day - "Lady Noire," starring Marion Cotillard.     Starring with Mme Cotillard is the now- iconic "Lady Dior" bag - and, of course, the city of Paris.     This is the first of four short mystery films - apparently clues are also available on Twitter (but I haven't dug them up yet).  Perfect entertainment for a rainy Thursday afternoon in NYC.  Enjoy!

Chic n' Dorky: The Chanel Segway

I so admire the mind of Karl Lagerfeld - he's in his late 70s, and his mind and creativity never stops.  Here's his latest creation - I don't know the pricetag of this little baby (love the 2.55 bag on the handlebars!), but you can bet a pretty penny (a Chanel bicycle can top 12k!) - this Chanel Segway is ... ummmm . . . extremely extravagant.  For the fashionista who has everything and yet wants to look chic and dorky . . . 

Sequin Sneaker goodness

Speaking of sneakers (see my last post), other than running around the park in my Nike Air Structure Triax(es) (the running shoe model I've worn exclusively for the last 15 or so years), I really don't wear any . . . until now.  Check out my adorable gold glittery sneakers from Converse.   They are the classic All Star model . . . and they make me very happy!   They are more difficult to find these days, so dig about online and you might be lucky enough to get your own pair!