680News - Lisa Brandt

We on the morning show, and on every other morning show with which I’ve ever been associated, are obsessed with sleep. We talk about how little we got, how tired we are and what kept us up. We hate fireworks displays that go off near our homes at dusk because, with wake-up times between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., we’re already in bed. We allow each other to whine and crab for a few seconds after we first arrive and then we get on with it, because we really do love our jobs.

The latest to warn us that we’re not getting enough shut-eye is the American Sleep Association. They say that if you need caffeine to perk up, you’re sleep deprived. A week ago, another researcher said that if you fall asleep within ten minutes of hitting the pillow, you’re sleep deprived.

My question is, who is not sleep deprived? Everyone I know, whether they get up at 2 a.m. or at 7 a.m., whether they’re a stay-at-home parent or working 18-hour days, says they’re not getting enough sleep.

And what’s getting blamed? Longer work hours, commuting farther than we used to and more types of technology that keep us in touch with others, often into the wee hours of the night. Those hours could be better used in dreamland, say the experts.

The fallout could be several diseases such as diabetes, obesity and depression. Not to mention driving mistakes causing crashes, because of fatigue.

Experts say we have to stop viewing sleep as lost time, and start planning to get eight to 10 hours a night. But that just isn’t realistic for many of us. See you at the coffee shop!

Lots of discussion about fashion this morning in the wake of the death of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent. The legendary French designer was responsible for creating the first tuxedo for women and for making elegant pantsuits that didn’t merely mimic what men were wearing. At 71, he is the last of a generation that included the names Dior and Chanel and over the years, the who’s who of fashionistas sashayed down red carpets wearing his gowns.

I’ve been on the planet a while, but I don’t think I understand the world of fashion yet. The crazy stuff that goes down the runway (thankfully) doesn’t trickle down to my local retailer. But it’s not so easy to find something different.

This season, for women, it’s all empire waists and maternity-look tops which is fine if you’re 25 and a stick-person, but if you are a little older and your ribs are not protruding, they just make you look pregnant. Many of my contemporaries don’t seem to care because they wear them anyway. Others are just avoiding them altogether - but it’s a major challenge to find something else for a non-club-going female that’s not appliqued with kittens or tulips. If one store has a “look” the rest tend to leap on board.

What’s wonderful about bigger designers is their classic looks. You spend a little more, but you get something that looks wonderful for years to come, even if maternity wear happens to be the current trend. But even if you have only worn Levis and flannel jackets since high school, the fashion industry still impacts your life, even if it’s only because it changes the looks of the people you see.