Nevermore...

This Oh Me Oh My dress is so gorgeous, but ninety bucks? Jinkies, that's too much for something I'd only wear a handful of times, but dang, it sure is purty...

(photo kidnapped from etsy)

Lincoln Price

I'm sure it should come as no surprise to faithful readers of this blog (all two of you!) but I did not enjoy my school years. Grade school, junior high, and high school all stunk like last week's meatloaf left out in the sun. In July. In Waco. It was bad. I was the awkward, ugly girl with the odd sense of humour who was very misunderstood and mostly disliked. No dates to the school dances and no steady BF to show off at family functions. I always had friends, other outcasts that frankly, were some of the best people ever created, but I never had that fella I'd been hoping for or even an admirer or two. So all this adds up to the fact that compliments and Star were rarely ever together.

Until one day in my senior year of high school in Mr. Sax's Behavioral Science class. I sat in the third row from the door, front of the class, next to Barb Dillenschneider, a great gal that was always good for a laugh and was just super crazy fun to be around. Plus she always wore a purple scrunchie on her wrist - in 1994, that was the mark of a truly terrific girl.

The day in question had Mr. Sax having each of us look at the person next to us, eye to eye. Since I was the third desk, I had to turn to my left and move my desk to face the guy next to me, Lincoln Price. Lincoln was popular, a football player, extremely handsome, tall with blonde hair like a 1990s surfer and always seemed like a decent guy, never one to be mean or nasty to anyone that wasn't considered to be cool. As the awkward girl, being forced to be face to face with any guy would be wicked uncomfortable and terribly daunting, with Lincoln, it felt even more so. I kept wanting to look away since this all felt very intimate, but I couldn't because the task at hand required me to not look elsewhere. So we sat in silence until Lincoln furrowed his brows and leaned forward towards me and said, "Oh my God, you have the most beautiful eyes..." He kept staring at me and finally closed his eyes, shook his head and said, "Man..." as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing. This remains, to this day, my favourite compliment that I've ever received, mostly because it was so startlingly genuine. I still have, somewhere, that long sleeve eggplant purple v-neck Contempo Casuals shirt that I wore that day.

A handful of weeks back I looked up Lincoln along with the name of our high school thinking maybe I'd find out where he is and what he became. (I wasn't being creepy, I was just being curious.) So I Googled him and found out that Lincoln passed away suddenly at the end of December. Such a shame since he seemed like one of the good guys, and the world needs more of them. If I'm still thinking of him some twenty plus years later, I'm sure he left his mark on many, many others.

It's totes a-maze-balls.

In my Steal Like an Artist Journal, I asked my co-worker what I should do with the two pages covered in dots. She looked at it and said, "Oh. Make a maze." So I did!

Grey Gardens

I first saw this fab documentary back in August of '08 and decided to snag the library's copy and re-watch it. Oh Edie Beale, what a gorgeous lady. I know everyone goes on and on about her style, but seriously, she's just so put together and unique, all at the same time. She's a very quirky individual and I think that's why so many people loved the film and saw something rich and inviting in Edie specifically. She seemed like an ideal dinner companion and definitely BFF material. Everything she said was interesting and her voice...I adored her accent and turn of phrase. So elegant.

(photo kidnapped from: criterion)

Important Artifacts and...

I am so enjoying Leanne Shapton's book Important Artifacts and... because it's simply the most original book I've ever read. It tells of the romance and downfall of the relationship between a Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris through the selling of their personal belongings. The book is set up as an auction catalog detailing postcards and notes sent between the couple, photographs taken of them at various points in their romance, as well as gifts given and received throughout the duration of their relationship. It's a fascinating read and I'm so glad I picked it up!

Seinfeld

Doesn't matter how many times I've watched each episode, this show is still absolutely fresh, brilliant, and clutch-your-sides funny. It is timelessly hysterical.

(photo kidnapped from wired)

Prague

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

I am such a nerd for sappy shows like Little House and Highway to Heaven and had always thought it was just my love of Michael Landon, but then I watched an ep of Signed, Sealed, Delivered a year or so ago when I was in Belgium. Needless to say, I came right home and bought the season, loving every gooey moment and wiping tears practically non-stop. Some scenes are so cheesy that I needed some Ritz crackers, but I love a sweet story line and this show had a slew. I'm not crazy about anything that push God on you or is overly religious, but for some reason the three series that I mentioned here do not bug me at all. I find them totally endearing and just what I need on a sad and lonely weekend.

(photo kidnapped from christianfilmdatabase)

Anchored

Ashlee and Bailey had a little photo shoot the other day. Check out this absolutely precious pic of Miss Bailey staring at her father's Navy portrait. So sweet it made my heart skip a beat. We are all so ready for Sean to come home.

Thank you, David Niven.

This is taken from David Niven's book The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People. I feel like I posted this before, but who cares. I love the section that is cordoned off. It's so uplifting and when I'm at my darkest, saddest moments, reading this sort of helps somehow.

Baby Gurt

If ever a child were destined for greatness, his life would need to begin as the son of Bryan Berryman. Young Asa is certain to be a truly remarkable human being, as is his father.

I am so, so unbelievably grateful that the world is blessed with another Berryman male that is sure to make each and every day more calm, warm, peaceful, and glorious than the last.

(born 17 February 2016 at 8:07am)

Harbinger

David Bowie - Life on Mars
Catherine Wheel - Eat My Dust
The White Stripes - Jolene (live 7.25.01)
Christina Aguilera - Get Mine, Get Yours
Tom Waits - Knife Chase
Nick Drake - River Man
Vitalic - LeRock 01
Depeche Mode - Home
Gene Pitney - Town Without Pity
Robbie Williams - Let Love Be Your Energy
George Michael - Careless Whisper
Queen - Radio Gaga (Live Aid 1985)
The Cure - Killing an Arab
Linda Ronstadt - Hurt So Bad
Franka Potente - Running One
The Beatles - Two of Us
Johnny Cash - I Walk the Line
Morrissey - Do Your Best & Don't Worry
Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia

- January 15th, 2004

The Onion

Anyone that knows me, knows of my great love of The Onion. Dork that I am, I follow them on Instagram because nearly every post sends me to the floor laughing and crying. This one from yesterday was a gem, a gem I tell you! Now, I'm not a huge fan of Hillary Clinton, I don't follow politics and I don't know much about her, but I really loved that The Onion posted this because no one would turn to a male candidate and tell them they need to be more inspirational to voters.

There Be Ducks Afoot!

The best thing about the sad lil' condo complex I live in is the wildlife. Okay, maybe wildlife is a bit of an exaggeration seeing as it is really only a bunch of feral cats and a handful of ducks. The other day I pulled into my parky spot, swung open the car door and saw a trail of sweet duckling footprints and it made my sadness disappear. Well, for a little while, anyway.

Shades of Blue

Marina and I are mildly obsessed with this show. It's so good...

 

(photo kidnapped from spoilertv)

My Love Affair...

...is with this place. Positano. In a little more than a month we will be reunited. It'll be stressful getting there, but once I arrive I will have seven blissful days in paradise. Just me and the mountains, the beaches, and the winding streets.

Weekend Plans

I'll be spending the whole beautiful, bloody weekend at home, settling in to my office chair with the intent of diligently working on completing at least two of the three children's books I'm halfway through writing. Now I just have to get serious about finding a literary agent to help me publish the four kids books I've already written...

Barbra Streisand

Growing up in the late 70s and throughout the 80s, hardly a day went by without Ms. Streisand's voice on our radio or from the speakers of the record player. I loved to go through my mother's albums and stare at the beautiful woman on the cover. She seemed to me like the ideal grown up lady. With her perfect hair and smile, those lovely cheekbones, gorgeous nose, lips, and of course, those signature long fingernails usually painted a vibrant deep red, I was entranced. Barbra Streisand is the reason I stopped feeling so disappointed with having brown hair and blue eyes and gave me hope that one day I might be as sophisticated and fabulous as the lady on those albums. As I got older I continued to admire her for her incredible fashion sense, her ability to be equally funny and serious and especially her drive and ambition. In short, Barbra Streisand equals fabulous!

(The Way We Were album photo kidnapped from music-bazaar - Memories album photo kidnapped from lpcover - Simply Streisandalbum photo kidnapped from fanart)

His Holiness

If we live our lives continually motivated by anger and hatred, even our physical health deteriorates. 

Gina Lollobrigida

I watched The Law over the weekend and I believe the correct pronunciation is either hubba hubba or more likely, va-va-va voom when speaking of Ms. Lollobrigida. Good Lord, that is one dazzlingly beautiful female...

(photo kidnapped from cityartsonline)

The Kids Menu

I'm so excited for Joe Cross' next film! This time he has turned his focus to kids health and I can't wait to see it. Here's a brief synopsis that I stole from the website:

THE KIDS MENU is a feature documentary from the team that brought you “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead.” As filmmaker Joe Cross spent time traveling the world with his previous two films, he met thousands of people and one issue that came up again and again was what to do about the growing childhood obesity problem. In THE KIDS MENU, Joe meets with experts, parents, teachers and kids, coming to the realization that childhood obesity isn’t the real issue, but rather a symptom of a bigger problem. The lack of knowledge of what healthy foods are. Lack of access to healthy and affordable options. And the influence of negative role models, whether a parent, teacher or even a celebrity.

All of this together seems to be a lot to overcome, but when empowered, kids often make the surprising choice of the healthier path. 

In this inspiring and hopeful documentary, we see amazing programs in action, inspiring individuals paving the way for change, but most of all — Kids, taking the lead in getting healthier options on their own menu.

(photo kidnapped from kidsmenumovie)

80s Geek Love Valentines!

Meow Kapow Shop sells the grooviest Valentines of all time!

Fiona Apple

This week I've been going back and listening to Fiona's albums and every one is an individual gem. Gorgeous lyrics and lovely melodies that form original and timeless songs.

(photos kidnapped from genius.com: Tidal - When the pawn... - Extraordinary Machine - The idler wheel...)

Sarah Young's Lil' Red Riding Hood Pillows

These are freakin' adorable. If I weren't trying to downsize and stop buying stuff that I truly don't need (tho I think I kinda need these...) I would snap this fab trio in an instant.

(photo kidnapped from etsy)

10 Steps to a Positive Body Image!

Amber Brown Collection

I am a bit obsessed with Amber Brown's felt cd cases. I've given many away as little gifts and tokens of my affection, but here is my stash for future recipients as well as the ones I shall never part with. Renee in Illinois is next on my Mix List. I think she will be getting the pink I Like You case...

(ps - the white case with the darling little blue hearts was my very first Amber Brown purchase, which I ordered from the old Renegade Handmade shop in Chicago back in 2010. The mix I created was aptly titled, Renegade and is still one of my better creations. Oh how I miss ordering goodies from Renegade Handmade...)

Hopes and Fears

This album is still as solid and fabulous as when I first heard it back in '04. Every song is stellar.

(photo kidnapped from pinterest)

I really do...

January Flicks

Here are all of the movies that I watched last month. Special shout out to Cerpts for inspiring this post!

- Mad Hot Ballroom - A wonderful and uplifting documentary. I dare you, the viewer, to not fall in love with these kids. 

- Emulsion - Moody and intriguing Indie Brit flick. It's shot gorgeously (is that even a word - it should be in this case) and is the kind of film you wanna watch again and again as you discover something new each time.

- Mistress America - Interesting film with another fab Gerwig performance - I've loved her since Baghead. Michael Chernus (from OITNB and Captain Phillips) was so funny. When he admitted that he only recently (what did he say, like, last week or something??) learned what Case Sensitive meant I busted out laughing. God, I feel the same way...

- Open Hearts - Great acting, however the female lead's character was super annoying. What a fickle c-word.

- August: Osage County - An absolutely excruciating movie to sit through - including the entire last hour which I fast-forwarded. The only golden ray of sunshine was Chris Cooper. He is always extraordinary.

- A Case of You - "Can I cook you dinner sometime?" - this is the best way to ask a woman out. Such a romantic line.

- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - Exceptional film. Not immature or predictable, but honest, charming, and beautifully made.

- Beauty is Embarrassing - I saw this a few years back and I'm so glad I re-visited it - really interesting to know there's an artist out there with a fantastic and unique sense of humour and that he puts it right into his art.

- A Walk Among the Tombstones - An extremely disturbing scene at the beginning where you think it's one thing and then you realise it's the exact opposite; it messes with your brain completely. I stuck with it and it turned out to be a pretty damn good movie. A stand out performance from Dan Stephens and of course, Liam Neeson is always fabulous. I really dug the throwback to classic 70s NYC PI flicks.

- How to Cook Your Life - eh...

- Clean, Shaven - Didn't like it and don't feel the need to justify why.

- The Goonies - After the last film, I needed something that was gonna make me smile and Goonies always delivers. When it was all over I re-watched it with the commentary, which is so good, and laughed all over again. So many fun moments and fabulous acting that tends to be overlooked since it's a "kids movie" - but honestly, as a kid, a teenager, an adult, I have always loved this film and damn it, I always will!

- What We Do in the Shadows - Austin Kleon mentioned this movie and I gotta say, it was pretty damn original and very odd. But in a good way. I did love every moment with Stu. The scene where they all watch a sunrise on YouTube? Hilarious.

- 5 to 7 - Evan, a fella I used to work with, will text me every so often with film suggestions. Even though he has peculiar taste in movies (his favourite films are Oliver! and The Expendables - I'm not joking.) he was responsible for introducing me to The Giant Mechanical Man, which I absolutely adored. 5 to 7 was excellent. I really like Anton Yelchin and have ever since he played Bird on Huff - god, he was wonderful in that role. Yelchin has the ability to pack so much maturity, knowledge, youthful optimism, and gentle power in this performance. I was really wowed by him. Also, Glenn Close and Frank Langella were cast in small, but stellar parts and they were, as always, outstanding.

- We Are The Best! - I saw that this film was playing at the Theatre N in Wilmington, but didn't get a chance to see it, so I made a note of it to check it out on DVD. It was a really fun and honest portrait of how most punk bands get their start - friends with something to say, feeling a bit angry and looking for an outlet decide to form a band and learn how to play their instruments as they go along. Really great acting from the three female leads.

- Plan Bart - A Belgian flick with three actors I've seen in other shows, but truth be told, I picked it up for Wouter Hendrickx because he is super delightful. Plan Bart was just a nice movie to watch on a Saturday afternoon when there's a blizzard coming down right outside the walls of your home.

- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - I love this beautiful film.

- Esio Trot - After Mr. Magorium I needed more of Dustin Hoffman. I dug out my region 2 copy of Esio Trot and was as charmed by it as the first time I watched it last Summer. When I was in Belgium I saw Dustin and Judi Dench on Graham Norton discussing their experiences on the set of Esio Trot and the clip of the film that was shown convinced me that as soon as I could, I would need to snatch up a copy of the DVD for myself. I'm so glad that I did because it was such a sweet movie. Judi Dench is sexier and sassier than ever as Mrs. Silver and no one but Dustin Hoffman could have played Mr. Hoppy. A totally gorgeous picture. 

- Enough Said - Just as witty and endearing as the first time I saw it.

- Trumbo - see more here.

- Ricki and the Flash - Better than I expected. I think what I liked most about it was seeing Meryl Streep play a completely normal, regular person. The scene where she is working the register and ringing up that guy at the supermarket was perfection. The look on Streep's face when she is essentially scolded by her teenage manager is why she is the best there ever will be in the business.

- BearCity - My cousin Donna, just before her death, had told me that her two favourite movies were BearCity 2 and BearCity. In that order. I finally bumped it up in my Netflix queue and had a look. It was a typical Indie Gay film, with lots of likable characters, a few scamps, some sleaze, some romance, and with a happy ending, of course. The stand out, obviously, was Stephen Guarino, who is the most infectiously hilarious and adorable man of all time.

- Umbrellas of Cherbourg - I didn't go gaga over this film, but I did love how it looked and that every word to be spoken was sung. Such a unique and beautiful looking film - so glad I watched it!

- Blue Is the Warmest Colour - I hadn't seen this film since it was first released on DVD and I'd forgotten just how captivating it was. Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux were such a great onscreen couple, with incredibly sensual love scenes (which sadly get talked about more than other moments). I most enjoy the scenes in romances where the characters fall in love and the performances in this film felt so real and truthful.  I wanted them to stay in love like that forever. 

Holy schnikes, 24 films in one month...and that doesn't include my watching Hart to Hart and McMillan and Wife reruns...more film posts with mini-reviews to come on March 1st!