I hope you enjoy the second installment of my new video series, Ask Emily, where I’ll be answering a few of the questions you send in each week (you can see the first one here). Feel free to continue asking away, through my comments or social media!
Questions in this episode:
1. “What is your favorite blog post you have ever written and why? Does it have sentimental value to you?”
2. “How do you get in such great shape and still enjoy amazing meals?”
3. “I’m buying my first condo so I’m starting from a blank slate. I was wondering what are the first things you’d suggest investing in to make a big impact on my space?”
4. “What are some items to keep in your pantry at all times for a simple and tasty snack or meal?”
For someone with a disproportionately long torso,* I almost always go for high-waisted pants, since that extra bit of length in the leg is crucial. I have a couple pairs of trouser jeans that I love, but they’re all in a wide cut and up until recently I hadn’t found the perfect pair with a skinny leg. These seemed like the real deal (and for less than $80) – I mean, they’re so high and fitted that they kind of channel Sandy at the end of Grease, so I gave them a go. For a brand that I had never tried before, I’m really impressed and plan on scooping up the same style in multiple colors.
*When my husband and I sit at a table, we’re the same height and he’s half a foot taller than me.
At some point in college, karaoke became a regular social outing with friends, which is around the same time I became intensely self conscious about my voice. I have a good ear, but that just means that when I hit the wrong note, I’m acutely aware of it. My first time, I chose a song I knew, but really only at parts. Then, a few seconds in (Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”), I realized that I wasn’t going to come close to hitting the high notes. The rest of the experience was a panicked blur, but it involved calling all of my friends to help and avoiding the microphone at the chorus.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s not like I’m now some sort of a karaoke aficionado, but I’ve learned a couple of things over the years. Pick a song you know, like really know and something that’s fun and upbeat, one in which you’ll sound halfway decent belting out. It’s also made me realize that being slightly prepared will make the whole experience much more enjoyable, so I have a go-to song that I always choose when I do karaoke. Mine is Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” Everyone knows it (a bonus since the crowd will sing along and potentially drown me out), and Tom and I both stick to a similar range. It’s a win-win.
I’d love to know: do you have a go-to song when you sing karaoke or just wing it on stage?
