win win movie review

I ventured out to see this movie last night (on a weeknight, crazy cats). It was a great movie. The characters were endearing, the situations were realistic and the off-beat comedy was perfectly balanced.

Paul Giamatti plays a lawyer struggling to keep his own practice afloat. When he claims to become the guardian of an elderly man solely to collect the pension, everything spins out of control, subtly. "Quiet comedy" describes the film accurately, and it is best for a relaxing weeknight out. There are no surprises in the plot and it's free of feel-good gimmicks. But, the writing is fantastic and keeps the audience listening for a bit of advice. Amy Ryan, of The Office fame, and Jeffrey Tambor, of Arrested Development, were pleasant surprises in their supporting roles.

Tuesday SXSW Tunes

Don't let me fool you. I did not attend SXSW this year. However, with the beauty of technology, I can pretend. After scouring reviews, watching videos and listening endlessly to various acts from the impressive lineup, I've correlated a list of my potential favorites. Just because I wasn't there, doesn't mean I can't pick a favorite or two. Poser? yes.

Walk the Moon- Anna Sun

It's love. The video made my day.

King Charles- Love Lust
"lust only grows like anger and revenge or beauty comes and goes but love stays until the end."

NewVillager- New Doors

Haunting, good beats, best for late night driving.

The Walkmen- I Lost You

Classic rock...eventually.
Gemini Club- Future Tidings

a dance/techno jam
Meiko- Boys With Girlfriends

I've been listening to Meiko for a while, good for rainy days and cooking adventures.

The Chain Gang of 1974- We at the Disco

A song for your goofy dance, or maybe that's just me.

Calvin Harris- I'm Not Alone

Interesting.

David Donero- South of the South
Amazing Songwriter, sounds similar to Bright Eyes.

Ellie Goulding- The Writer

A song for dreams and sparkels! First heard here.

bangles of inspiration

(via)

 These bracelets just stole my heart. They're like inside out Kate Spade bracelets. "Live your dreams" and "Miracles Happen" would be great daily reminders to wear around my wrist without the permanence of a tattoo.  

I love them and with all of the occasions (graduations, birthdays, weddings) coming up they would make such a special gift.

Twelve Commandments

Say what? There are ten commandments. True story, but this is in reference to The Happiness Project. In the book, she lists a personal twelve commandments by which she directs her life. The idea is interesting, and I think it's important to have little reminders of who you are, who you want to be and who you want to become. I think the personal twelve commandments idea helps harbor this motive. So, without further adieu, my twelve commandments, which are sure to be altered with time.

Enjoy the process.

Gracefully accept change.

Dream big.

Do not dwell in the past, but learn the lessons and move forward.

Stay active, whether through physical or mental exercise, keep moving.

Talk to strangers as I would a friend.

Hold off on complaints and listen.

Wear sunscreen.

Smile through adversity.

Focus on the ones I love or want to love.

Enjoy moments and be thankful for them.

Do good.

health news

I've tried a fair share of green juice/superfoods in my day, but this is by far the best tasting. I mix it with almond milk, add agave and cinnamon, and shake or stir till it's (mostly) dissolved. With low expectations for the chocolate flavor, I thought it tasted like a chocolate milkshake. If you are looking for a nutritious supplement, this is a great option. Not sure if it's giving me more energy, but it does curb my appetite and is very filling (hello, swimsuit season). 

Here's the product description:

One serving gives you the antioxidant equivalent of 7 servings of fruits and vegetables and helps you hit your daily quota. A full spectrum of alkalizing green super foods, antioxidant rich fruits, and support herbs unite with Acai and Maca to provide a powerful dose of whole food nutrition. Complete with pre and probiotics and digestive enzymes to ensure rapid nutrient absorption and healthy digestion. 



In other news, went to bodypump class for the first time a few days ago and was a little disappointed with the results. I wasn't sore. Now call me crazy, but this is a big deal to me because 
a) it means I got a great workout 
b)exercised new muscles and 
c) I don't have to work out the next day.  (rule of thumb)

So, I might go again and add cardio, but after an hour class that's a tall order for my attention span. Or I will just stick to hot yoga, which is love.

Tracy Anderson has videos on youtube that I might start doing in the comfort of my own living room. I did a few of the exercises at work (don't judge me, it was during my lunch break and I was tired of sitting) and was sore the next day. Results. I like that.

Making Monday Beautiful

Beauty Flash Balm

Clarins

This is a miracle worker. I wasn't sure what to expect at first. It sounded like an upcoming disappointment with the advertised claim: "An exceptional beauty booster which immediately eliminates all signs of fatigue: facial features appear rested and smooth." But, fear not, it's truly fantastic. The primer goes on smooth without clogging pores, preps skin flawlessly and lasts well into the night. And after a dull Monday, the mask leaves my skin glowing.

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup
Dior

This is my favorite foundation. It's hydrating, provides full coverage and doesn't feel caked-on. I'm not a foundation everyday type person, so when I wear foundation I want it to cover up all my little freckles and spots. This feels like a tinted moisturizer, but with full-coverage. It leaves a glow and is the closest to an air-brush finish that I've come across.

Complex 15 Therapeutic Moisturizing Face Cream

Now this is fantastic. With spring/summer upon us, and me nursing my first sunburn (thank you six flags), moisturizer is on the brain...face? My skin is not nearly as dry in the summer, and so I'm always searching for a basic, light moisturizer. Complex 15 is perfect for this. It's moisturizing, but goes on light, allowing me to layer on sunscreen or foundation. It easily compares to Dermalogica's Active Moist, but is under $10. Steal. I've only ordered it online, so not sure where else you would purchase it, but at this price it's worth a try.

Why is it hard to write a personal statement?

After a whirlwind weekend, I've come across a revelation. There are a lot of negative moments surrounding my life and I constantly feel them pulling me down. I try to dispel them with positive thoughts or distract myself with reality television (RHOC is on tonight!), but these are obviously not enduring.  What then? For the past two years my life feels like failure after failure. I've applied to a graduate school program and hundreds of jobs in hopes that either option would create more fulfillment in my life, but nothing has worked out just yet. And then, this quote:

 "Research shows that the more elements make up your identity, the less threatening it is when any one element is threatened." - The Happiness Project (Rubin 78)

Elements will be threatened. That's life. But my entire identity for the past 20 years has always been based in school, work or internships. That was a constant. And these elements are threatened. I'm no longer in school, so that's out for now and I'm not happy with my job, which is 70 percent of every weekday. So, no wonder I feel defeated on a daily basis. There's nothing helping my identity along during these challenging times, or encouraging me through each failure. I have wonderful friends, a perfect dog and a beyond understanding boyfriend, but my own identity is lacking. 

All this to say, I need more elements, something to build an identity around, get me through failures as I take chances. My life needs challenge and accomplishment. 

forgot to wear green. not too worried about it.

Today is St. Paddy's Day!
Tomorrow is Friday!
The next day is Six Flags!

Pretty good line-up ahead of me. In recent news, I've decided to try BodyPump classes. Anyone? I'm a little nervous about my survival rate during this hour-long intense exercise, but it will help me with my new goal: a six-pack. Want one. Swimsuit season is scaring me, so here's to hoping this calms the fears a bit.

In other news, merely two months after I died my hair brown, blonde is calling my name. This is sure to only become more pressing as summer approaches. Why do I do this? My indecisiveness is being obnoxious on purpose.

Cloudy Weather Music

Till the World Ends- Britney Spears

Love when Britney gets it right!

I want to dance till the world ends.

The Call- Regina Spektor
Great lyrics, perfect voice.
Mushaboom-  Feist
"Watching the fire as we grow.."

Each Coming Night- Iron and Wine
As close to a grownup lullaby as they come. goodnight.

Don't you Want to Share the Guilt- Kate Nash

The breakdown near the end is rewind-worthy.
Trouble- Coldplay

Perfect Rainy Day/Driving song.

I Know I Know I Know- Tegan and Sara

"This love isn't good unless it's me and you."
Roll Away Your Stone- Mumford And Sons

The whole CD is beautiful: lyrics, music, voice.
Wild World- Cat Stevens

It's a wild world.

Pocketful of Sunshine- Natasha Bedingfield

Easy A nailed my feelings for this song exactly.

And I'm doing this later. Join me.

blogger book club

The Happiness Project. This book is everywhere. 

The concept of creating your own happiness intrigues me and the author flushes out the idea of acting how you want to feel. There is a lot to be said for finding joy in the little things and keeping a negative attitude in check. Anyway, I think the book presents an interesting idea and I will share my thoughts here as I read.

A few of my friends are going to read it with me, and I'd love for anyone else to join the discussion!

Self Portrait

It doesn't interest me if there is one God
Or many gods.
I want to know if you belong -- or feel abandoned;
If you know despair
Or can see it in others.
I want to know
If you are prepared to live in the world
With its harsh need to change you;
If you can look back with firm eyes
Saying "this is where I stand."
I want to know if you know how to melt
Into that fierce heat of living
Falling toward the center of your longing.
I want to know if you are willing
To live day by day
With the consequence of love
And the bitter unwanted passion
Of your sure defeat.
I have been told
In that fierce embrace
Even the gods
Speak of God.
 
~ David Whyte ~

If you risk nothing, then you risk everything. 

-Geena Davis

power of thought

Hoping for wonderful things today. And hoping those thoughts produce positive outcomes. I have many opportunities and it's easy to forget when the daily stresses are weighing at you in every direction. Things always turn out well and the rain always brings a rainbow. 

Cheesy? yes. Lovely at the same time? yes.

never settle for anything less than butterflies

(via)

There are two responses to listening: advice and agreement. That’s my personal diagnosis and I would like to use the disclaimer that I have no idea what I’m talking about. In my personal experience, people will either agree with you or give you advice. There is a time and place for both, but more often I’ve found it’s a matter of personal preference. Listening is one of the most crucial activities in any relationship with friends, family, co-workers, etc. It either opens the door for more discussion or slams it shut. 


A close friend of mine has said that she likes when people just allow her to vent without giving advice. This directly stems (she says) from her parents consistently giving advice every time she approaches them with a problem. 


I am the exact opposite. I want an action plan. I want someone to tell me exactly what to do with specifics on how to remedy my dilemma. This could be a result of my parents hesitating a bit with advice. I’ve always had elaborate plans for everything, down to which order I need to run my errands (ridiculous) and I would imagine there was rarely room for advice. But when things crumble and I fall, I need someone to tell me where the stairs are to get back up. I guess I could just "PLAN BETTER," but let's separate ourselves from #teamsheen for a moment.


One summer when I was in New York for an internship, a fellow intern humored me by listening to some drawn out dilemma. I asked what I should do and the reply was: “You already know what you want to do.” This has stuck with me through every obstacle I’ve faced since. No one knows you more than yourself, and the options have been selectively weighed in your mind. That statement does both, it agrees with advice, and I think that’s the best thing to say.


How do you listen?

sometimes your words just hypnotize me

What day has the best happy hour specials? Tuesday. Welcome Tuesday! Here's a lovely little playlist for the rest of your workday/school-day or the drive home (to freedom). 

Heads Will Roll- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

22- Lily Allen

Laughing With- Regina Spektor

Marchin On- OneRepublic

Ain't No Sunshine- Bill Withers

Such Great Heights- The Postal Service

Don't Panic- Coldplay

Mr. Pitiful- Matt Costa

Ready for the Floor- Lissy Trullie

Colorblind- Counting Crows

Naive- The Kooks

Foundations- Kate Nash

And I was a terrible picture take, as per usual, so here's a little glimpse of the Garden District in New Orleans while we wait for a parade.