I received the most lovely email recently from a faithful reader who provided this definition of a traditional salon:
Salon: a 17th century French idea, a gathering of stimulating and attractive people of quality under the roof of an inspiring hostess, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings.
Sound familiar? I think that all you stimulating and attractive readers and commenters have turned this blog into a sort of wonderful salon. Which brings me to something I’ve been putting off because I’m so busy. The blog needs a new title. Ann Leary’s Blog just doesn’t cut it. And the ugly banner has to go as well as the photo. I don’t even look like that photo anymore. I look like this:
I just took that photo, so it’s exactly what I look like now. I’m not really balding. It’s the way my hair dried today. Really.
If anybody has a great idea for a blog title that I end up using, I will give you a prize. Whatever you want. One of my books, autographed? You got it. A very cute puppy who likes to drag defenseless chihuahuas around by their tails? You got it! Kidding about puppy. But you have all displayed your brilliant wit, again and again over the past few days, so I turn the naming of the blog over to you.
Oh, by the way, my email is broken. I cannot get emails at [email protected] I am very angry at my stupid mail server right now. So, sorry, if you sent an email today, I didn’t see it. It’s gone. Ugggg.
Ann – you are lovely as ever!
Salon Sessions, Salon Secrets for a couple right off the top of my head..
Will your email get fixed?
Ann:
You look beautiful!!!!
Do not know about coming up with a name… some of the other ladies are very good at this…
And I am sorry about puppy who (continues) to drag Coco around by the tail… oh my God, what do ‘we’ have here?
Neat photo, Ann! (then again…)
I was going to suggest “Where the Wild Things Are”, but I believe that it’s already been taken. Still….
Ummmm…Salann? I am sure my fellow Ann fans will come up with something—Sandy and Alan are already off to a great start!
Also, thanks so much for the Golden Globe commentary, EVERYBODY! Mary Lynn, you inspire AND entertain me! I hope it’s okay with you that my little ole Canadian dollars for Haiti stay up here, as our government is matching our contributions. However, I wholeheartedly support you using your keen eye for fashion and your caustic wit in the service of others! GOOD for you!!!!
And Ann, whatever it’s named—thank you for creating this community for us! (And you look great in both pics!)
‘Night (and blessngs) to you all!
I want that gray horse so I am really gonna give this some thought.
I want to do your makeup!!! Look at your skin and perfect brows! GORGEOUS !! You are my favorite type of face to do makeup on! Maybe one of these days…
Thinking of blog names, I have a few in mind……
Oh I so want to win a prize too! Funny, doing your make up, taking home the gray horse! I love our community so much. But I’m terrible at names, my son didn’t even get one, he got initials, that’s how bad I am. Something simple like Ann’s Salon? The Salon of Ann Fans? (We certainly do sound exactly like those fancy french folks don’t we?) But Lupe is right, others are really better at this than I am.
Wow, I love the new current, right to the minute picture too. (Wish I had those perfect eyebrows, Courtney you are so right.) We all live through your fame and beauty. Makes us feel all important and lovely (okay, maybe not Alan, but some of us anyway).
Two things I forgot. No, Mercury is no longer a problem, it’s direct now. Mars, however is still an issue.
Also, does anyone know what those ribbons were that I saw some people wearing? (Sorry if this was all talked about on the programs, and I am a horrid ludite for not watching the broadcasts.) Just curious about what the big money stars are supporting these days.
Oh, and one more lame suggestion, The Ann Leary Salon of Stimulating and Attracitve People of Quality. (Because really, that’s so us.)
Ann, you are truly a natural beauty! Ever since reading Charmed Circle about Gertrude Stein’s famous salon, I’ve always wanted to be involved in a salon. So, I love the idea!
Since you are our guiding force, your name still needs to be in the title. Maybe simple Ann’s Salon or AnnLeary’s Salon. As Lynne says, whatever you call it, we’re there!
Ann, you are truly beautiful. Rosy, dewy skin, perfect brows, perfectly-shaped lips. Perhaps you could share your daily beauty routine with your readers?
If I were to snap a spontaneous photo of myself, I think I could submit my face to Google maps, and pass it off as the terrain in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Time to pop a Vitamin E capsule.
I loved Wicked Good Life…how about Wicked Good Chat or Wicked Good Blog. I know, I know it’s so different!!!!!
Great photo. I wish I could say “my hair just dried that way” and have it look that good.
About a title: Like I’ve said b/4 I’m not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree so this may be a little dim-witted but, to riff on Christine’s suggestion, how about “A Wicked Good Salon”?
All this talk about cultivating taste a la French has me thinking gastrointestinally, to be sure, but it also has me thinking about the book I’m currently reading: The Epicure’s Lament by Kate Christensen. It’s a great read of an anti-hero creating a manageable reality for himself through reading and writing. (Those on the blog who like to root for the main character in a novel probably wouldn’t like this book or character. He’s kind of a slob and gross. But if you were both repulsed and compelled by Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, you’ll like this character and book.)
I’m thinking: WICKED GOOD a blog by Ann Leary. Or Wicked Good, the Ann Leary Blog.
Maybe I should call it the ANN LEARY SHOW and pretend that this is my own television show, something that some of you know, is one of my perpetual fantasies
Playing off some other posts: “Where the wild things blog” or “the secret society of wicked good bloggers”. Maybe “The Wicked Good Ann Leary Book Club” cause all my reading of the last year is straight off the blog. Can my prize be getting to ride one of the horses?
How about Anns, A wicked Good Leary Blog. But I also Like Colleens. Well they are all good and I am sure the choice will be great. As long as we still have some where to lay are troubles on the table and have friends help you through them.
I’ll think about a name. I’m just incredibly thankful that you posted a new post and we can move on to another freaking topic.
Since wickedgoodlife.com resolves to your domain, it’s the best choice from an SEO perspective. It’s also “sticky”. My best advice is Wicked Good Life, with a tag line containing your name. When search engines index you, it raises your rank if your title, logo and URL contain the same wording.
I agree with Lynn, I think “Wicked Good Life” is a great blog name. It’s concise and catchy, and I love all the multilayered ways of reading that combination of words.
Sorry, should have said I agree with Christine too!
i do not see a difference in the two photo’s except hair colour(color) and a longer fringe (bangs) Oh My god I am multi lingual I just realized… anyway.. back to you…. GORGEOUS SKIN hmmmmmmmmm where are your wrinkles!!!!! I am slathering Nivea on my crator face as I type! hahaha!! gorgoeus eyebrows too..ok enough enough….. name for the blog…
want to get WICKED with Ann leary?
Wicked in New England with Ann Leary?
Here are my suggestions:
Musings from the farm,Ann Leary’s blog
Musings at the salon, Ann Leary’s blog
Some thoughts from Ann
Just a few to add to the other good ones.
: )
I suggest using the word anecdote or anecdotist in your title. An anecdotist if really what you are. And does the word BLOG have to be in the title? Hate that harsh-sounding techie word. I think I might be showing my age.
bev….hahahahahahaha!!! hilarious! i know how you feel. i sit here wondering how it’s possible to have both acne and wrinkles at the same time. ann…. seriously – my skin didn’t look as good as yours when i was 12!!
Salon Society with Ann Leary/ Salon Socialites with Ann Leary….pretty obvious that whatever it is is with Ann Leary…!
I liked Wicked Good Life too. Because it is! What’s better than the truth?
That’s a great photo of you…you have fantastic lips. I had a model photographer tell me once to never smile in pictures because my lips thin out too much, and then my manager called my mom to tell her I needed collagen injections at 20…my mom laughed and hung up on her. But ever since, I notice lips!
Why tamper with perfection? Face — beautiful. Ann Leary’s Blog — tells it like it is. I’m a traditionalist, and a preservationist — I don’t like change. The “Ann Leary Show — A Wicked Good Life” has a nice ring to it, though.
You definitely have a face for T.V., I on the other hand, have a face for radio. Told you I was old-fashioned.
Here my opinion of the new blog name:
Mistress Ann’s Blog: Artist, Muse, and Pasionara of Animal Rights
Gloria
Lynn Cummings, you’re hired! Seriously, I see what you’re saying and you’re right.
WIcked Good Life
I know you’ve all heard about how I stopped using it because 1 person on the World Wide Web sniped that it was “braggy.”
Maybe I should go all out and call it a “brag” instead of a “blog.” My friend Laura Zigman’s blog is called a “Brant.” Blog + rant. Check it out at laurazigman.com. She wrote the book ANIMAL HUSBANDRY among others and is very, very funny.
I always have loved “wicked good life,” so I LOVE the idea of “wicked good blog by Ann Leary” or something w/ “wicked” in it.
Hi all,
It’s been raining all week in Los Angeles, a rarity. Yesterday I caught the flu and am staying at home. Very much an indulgence, cozy and warm with the fire place blazing. In LA I’m not accustomed to lighting fireplaces and crossed my self, appealing to God that in his infinite mercy I will not be barbecued.
Bundled up and lying in a recliner, I was listening to Karen Carpenter. “Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down” was playing on the CD. Her beatiful, dark voice filled the room. It then occurred to me that it was indeed a rainy day and Monday in Los Angeles. Her ravishing, melancholy voice is one of the few things that haunts me.
Gloria
“Wicked Good Life” is perfect for the blog. And as I said the last time we discussed this, who cares if some people thinks it is braggy? Why can’t people celebrate the fact that once in a while life is really good, and sometimes it is even great! We can’t always worry about what others think-be brave and go forth with your ideas!!
Gloria,
Isn’t it great here this week? So happy for the rain. About the flu. I had it over Christmas, then it has now turned into a bronchitis deal. :+ A couple of things I found out from friends that REALLY helped me with my breathing. 3 drops of pure oil of peppermint into a quarter-sized amount of carrier oil, (sweet almond oil) rubbed on the chest several times a day. Worked better than Vicks, and Vicks ROCKS!
Steaming a few drops of either Sage oil or Eucalyptus oil every hour if possible, has done wonders too.
Feel better. Sorry to add this in the blog, but there wasn’t a link to contact you directly.
Ann, if you’d like a new header design and logo, I’d be happy to do that for you.
Hi all,
How about a name for Ann’s Blog a la Gloria? Personally I had no quarrel witht the previous one, I thought it was fine.
Here is the new blog name:
Mistress Ann’s Blog: Artist, Everyone’ Muse, and a Passionate Advocate of Animal Rights
Gloria
Hi Julie,
I followed you to your blog via Ann’s blog. I found it interesting and plan to revisit it soon. Just thought I’d like you to know. Oregon is such a lovely state. I wish I could move to the Pacific Northwest someday. Minus any Toyna Hardings, of course.
Gloria
Love Wicked Good Life, always have. It’s perfect for you.
And you’re beautiful. Those lips, eye brows, skin. To die for!
Dear Courtney,
I am sorry you were ill during the Christmas season. Thank for the tips in alleviating bronichial symtoms. I woul d love to use the sage oil and eucylyptus extract. They would delicious.
I hope you are getting plenty of rest. Cold remedies such as Vicks taste awful. However, if they do relieve even more miserable symptoms then I’ll take the less of two evils.
Inexplicably I hang on to the holiday season by my fingernails. I can’t bear for it to end. I just threw out the Christmas tree this morning.
My email is: [email protected]
I alway welcome your emails as well as those of the other participants on this blog.
Gloria
I vote for Wicked Good Life.
I am also having some serious eyebrow envy right now.
Ann, how about doing a video blog occasionally?
my suggestion: go with Wicked Good Life per Lynn’s SEO angle, etc. (since most people, unlike me, actually like to drive traffic to their blog.)
but why not start vlogging and call your vlogs “The Ann Leary Show?” or start your own YouTube channel and call it that and link to videos on this site? i think if you want your own show, just start doing it. the best part about vlogging? you won’t even have to get out of bed if you don’t want to. 
Gloria, I love Karen Carpenter’s voice too! I have The Carpenters’ Anthology CD and love it.
Mary Lynn, you have a good heart. You’re wonderful for setting up the Haters for Haiti donation site. I’ve already donated to the Red Cross, but I think Doctors without Borders is an excellent organization!
Everyone, I love this blog because it is so spirited and fun. I also love that more and more people are transitioning from lurking to posting. I can’t remember who said it, but we all have lots of different interests and reasons for loving the blog, so we all have different times when we “share” our voices. I skipped the GG thread because I’m one of those gals who is so envious of all those gorgeous figures and dresses I have no ability to detect who wore what best. But I love that this is a safe place for everyone to comment.
Ann, how about “Blart” (blog + art). Or Blography (blog + biography). Or “Blooks” (blog + books). I could go on all day. But seriously, I love the Salon idea, and I think Wicked Good is essential. So kudos to whoever said “Wicked Good Salon.”
Peace out.
Ok…this is my first ever blog here. HI Ann!! I like something with “farm” in it. Like “Blogs from the farm” or you can throw wicked in there and have “Wicked blogs from the farm” or ” Farm blogs” heck I love the idea of tour on-line talk show too….up all night with Ann Leary, he, he. Or “live from the farm….Ohh I dont know….something with farm, gee I wonder why?? My blog would be eacy–the funny farm!! Talk to you soon!
“January 19, 2010 at 1:32 pm
my suggestion: go with Wicked Good Life per Lynn’s SEO angle, etc. (since most people, unlike me, actually like to drive traffic to their blog.) but why not start vlogging and call your vlogs “The Ann Leary Show?” or start your own YouTube channel and call it that and link to videos on this site? i think if you want your own show, just start doing it. the best part about vlogging? you won’t even have to get out of bed if you don’t want to. ”
Ann!
I am with her!
The Ann Leary Show…
It is a start for your project… a place to get ‘feet’ wet, being ‘around’ people of all backgrounds.
Sandra, great idea about the video blog. Maybe I’ll have my daughter videotape the “dog act” I’ve been working on with my girls. I’m just afraid if I post a video, the circus will call, demanding that we join.
How about
Wicked Good Reads
Because it could be the blog is good
The comments
Our book choices
Ann’s books
Dog stories
Poems
Horse stories
Wild rampant sheep tales
And of course, my witty comments
See it fits everything
“Wicked Good Stuff” maybe?
Wicked Good Musings
I know I hardly ever comment anymore, but I do still read nearly every day (sometimes twice a day!), so I hope my vote still counts!! I’m in the “Wicked Good Life” camp…have loved it since it was first suggested. I also liked the idea of changing your ‘header’ to a scene from your farm that changes with the seasons. You have such clever & creative readers…so many great suggestions!
Whichever title you go with, I will remain a faithful reader (and hopefully a more frequent commenter if my work life EVER returns to normal…)
I’m TOTALLY with the folks in the “Wicked Good Life” camp. As I said in the past when this topic came up, I thought it was an excellent blog name.
Hoping that all of this encouragement from your readers will provide the necessary support to convince you to keep that great name, Ann.
Ann: I know your type………..your one of those annoying people that do not need a stitch of makeup. What do you think Court – even a little bit of makeup might be too much for her.
You look fantabulous! and thats a close shot! I like the shots of myself when I’m on a boat waving and the shot is being taken from shore.
How about Ann’s Tales & Tails? Your hair looks fine. By this time of the winter most of us New Englanders are walking around with a major case of hat hair.
Oh I like Marsha’a choice…covers it all, the stories, the books and of course, Mark and his friends !!
Ann, I thought about this for a bit, instead of expending all this effort finding a different name for your blog based the opinion of one person, why not ignore it. Or if you are up for mild mischief, type and send an email to the fickle party consisting of two words: “Bite me.”
Gloria
Oooh, I like the “Tales and Tails” idea. I still like keeping “Wicked Good” in there somewhere too. “Wicked Good Tales and Tails”? Or “Ann’s Wicked Good Pictures, Poetry and Paws”?
I like Wicked Good, a blog by Ann Leary. I will never forget when I first signed on last year, and it said Wicked Good Life, I loved it. Of course I have a friend from Worcester, Ma., and I had only heard that term from her mouth. It was great! So yeah, wicked hot, for wicked good blog by Ann Leary.
I like the name Wicked good Life but change is always good too…:)
Good pic of you, Ann
Wicked Good Life for sure.
Ann, I am so jealous of your smirk.
Ann:
Wicked Good Life sounds good. Or you could incorporate the animals that you’re guardians of:
Mark’s Musings
Snoppy’s Suggestions
Lulu: I’m Finally Home and Inside!
Daphne’s Discussion
Holly’s Hollerin’
Coco: My Life on the Inside
Just some thoughts from a (finally) thawed-out Chicago.
Good luck!
Ran out of books, I wanted to read about a character with self deprecating sense of humor. After pondering my options I ordered a copy of Outtakes from a Marriage from amazon.
Gloria
How about “Ann’s Outtakes on Life” for the name of the blog.
Gloria
Meghan, “Coco, My Life on the Inside”!!!
I think I might just have to give Coco her own blog with that title. Very funny
Have you guys seen this? It’s hysterical.
http://trixie.deankoontz.com/trixie-news
Dog blog.
Lynn that blog is so cute
I have a golden named Goober and I have to restrain myself from not covering my own blog with all his pictures.
They just always look so happy
Salon Wicked
re: the blog name—how about The Leary Report?
Or For Better or Worse?
Or “spots of time etc.” from Wordsworth.
Megan, “Coco, My Life on the Inside” is so funny! I’m laughing at my desk.
Gloria, I like your idea of incorporating “Outtakes”. Cool idea.
Love you Ann! Read your blog every day. Tried to leave a message before & it din’t take ( i’m very electronicaly challenged). Anyway, I would like to say that I get a great amount of joy from your blog. As I’m writing this,it is 12:20 am in the midwest & we are trying to figure out ways to help Haiti. So help us God.
Hi Ann,
WOW! I am normally so verbal, but can’t even bring myself to try to think up a title, as I am seriously left breathless by your gorgeous picture! As much as you look beautiful in your header pic and all of those award show red carpet pics with Denis, the fact that you can just take a quick candid shot of yourself and look that lovely with no or minimal makeup shows your extraordinary beauty! I love your writing, I love your spirit, and I am so happy to see another over 40 Mom who is willing to look like herself for the world to see and admire. Kudos on everything, and thanks for always showing us your real and beautiful self, both on the inside and out!
Best wishes and regards,
Suzette
I love the Wicked Good Life as a title! Ann, thank you for being a first responder. I fell in December while going for a morning walk before work. I had to call 911 because I was blacking out. (I know you have said that you are a klutz–so am I–I don’t know what I tripped over, the sidewalk was clear.)The first responders were comforting and professional and my neighbors because I live in a very small town. I was just glad that I had cleaned up the house a little more than usual the night before. I ended up with 6 stitches near my eyebrow and a broken elbow.
Thanks again.
Hey! I just discovered your bloc and I’m excited to check it out because I’m in the middle of your incredible book “The Good House” and I love it. I just finished the part “We’re here We’re here and she answered I don’t give a f.,.” Seriously written so beautifully took my breath away. Had to try and thank you now back to your book!