Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Song of the week

I was quite content to return to my regular movie theatre this evening for the 9:50 showing of Up in the Air. I don't know what to make of this film--excellent music, splendid performances, but somewhat lacking in plot line. The concept (while based on a book) was quite creative but, I just found that something was missing in the film. Suffice it to say I won't be adding this one to my collection when it debuts on DVD.

I was slightly baffled when it came to choosing this weeks anthem [there is quite a baffling theme to this post] nevertheless I finally made my decision while scrolling through the wondrous collection on my itunes library.


First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes

I received this song as a beautiful surprise-- one day I stumbled upon it, gave it a listen, and couldn't stop hitting the back button.




Monday, December 28, 2009

Elysian Fields

As I was listening to Casey Frazier I contemplated taking pictures in some of the new items I acquired in the past week-- and couldn't resist the idea of blasting my music and snapping shots in some fabulous outfits [jumps for joy]. A few hours ago I decided to take a spontaneous trip to target because I had been in the house all day (the sad result of not having much of a life). While in the shoe department I stumbled upon a most glorious pair of combat boots on sale [ahhh!]-- which happen to look mighty fine with my new winter coat :)

After I struck gold in the shoe area I found a darling red beret on sale as well! So I just had to put an outfit together--with my new blazer and my new beret (ahh, the sweet alliteration).

If you haven't given the song Elysian Fields by Casey Frazier a listen--PLEASE DO! It is so serene and amazing..I first heard it while watching a diamond in the rough entitled Teenage Dirtbag. I get goosebumps when I watch the trailer, its so great! I had to buy the movie without seeing it because its really only available online; but I trusted my instincts because I knew I would fall in love with it :)


Sunday, December 27, 2009

Gift Receipts and Elizabeth Gaskell

So today marked the beginning of my long arduous task of returning Christmas presents given to me by people who I have not crossed paths with for years--therefore they always go wrong when buying me gifts [its the thought that counts--right?]. I went out with my mom this morning--it was time for a new coat, I've been wearing the same one since eighth grade. I managed to score this fabulous military style pea coat for $50--original $200 (wahoo!). I couldn't find a great picture online so I will take some pictures with it tomorrow :)

I came home to take a very nice nap and then headed to Kohls with my dad to return a whole mess of things and ended up scoring this awesome blazer:


I also got a dark red grandma sweater (as I refer to it fondly) that is warming my upper body as I am writing to you.
After changing into my comfy clothes I sat down to the wonderful adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters. I don't know why I'm on such a period drama kick right now but I am finding so many great stories and I just can't get enough. Thank gosh the Barnes and Noble in my town doesn't carry any of these movies or I would have jumped at the chance to own them [but despite my best attempts I will surely end up ordering them anyway]. This is the second Elizabeth Gaskell adaptation that I have simply fallen in love with. Over the summer I watched the mini series North and South and was completely captivated.

North and South

Wives and Daughters

Oh well--I suppose I should start saving up [these films are bound to make me broke]. I'm off to bed...goodnight :)



Saturday, December 26, 2009

Much obliged to you Charlotte...

Being that this is my holiday break I need to do as much film and television watching as possible because when I return to the hallowed halls of higher education I will have to redirect my focus on a new load of classes.
I was searching listmania on amazon and stumbled across a great little list--for period dramas-- which included an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.

Suffice it to say that once I hit the play button I couldn't pry my eyes off of the screen until I made the emotional journey with Jane and Mr. Rochester. A beautifully told story of love triumphant--my favorite kind :) This is a mini series consisting of four episodes (each one hour). A great way to spend your evening--curled up in bed with a hot cop of coffee [or tea].


I really do love period dramas but I promise that I will share other great [and more contemporary] films with you. But for tonight I'm sticking with the past--I'm considering starting another Dickens adaptation... oh how I am in love with winter break :)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

We had quite a meager Christmas this year (times are tight) but I still got some great stuff! I have a Nintendo 64 that I saved from forever ago and lately I have been trying to buy back all of my favorite games for it--being the cool kid that he is, my brother got me banjo kazooie :)

You play as Banjo (an awesome bear) and carry a cool bird in your backpack while trying to save your sister Toootie (tehe) and battle the evil witch Gruntilda--trust me if you have an n64 this game is a must!
I was a little disappointed this afternoon, because I got all dolled up in my soda fountain dress from modcloth and right at the beginning of the meal I spilt tomato soup all over my dress and had to change (my mommy is trying to clean it now). Oh well! The food was delicious--salad, soup, ham, vegetables, mac and cheese, cake, cookies and coffee, followed by a very competitive game of pictionary--happy to report that my team was victorious!

Now I am happily in my pajamas watching The Other Boleyn Girl waiting for my food baby to pass and telling myself that tomorrow is the road to healthy food and tons of exercise [psh-- like that will ever happen]. Wishing you all a great Christmas :)



Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy Birthday to Jesus [and my brother]

It was my brother's birthday today and I am most happy to report that he loved his gift (I got him the new muse CD). Me and my dad went to church at this lovely little chapel downtown--I wore my new dress with black tights and oxfords ['twas divine]. Then we headed to my grandmother's to join the rest of the family in a delicious Christmas eve feast. Steak, salmon, butternut squash, mashed potatoes, cake, cookies, and my favorite--coffee! I ate entirely too much and look to the coming weeks with absolute despair, knowing that after Christmas dinner tomorrow I will be working out to make up for it :(
In celebration of my overeating feats I decided to share with you a Cake company I stumbled upon over the summer. I was watching a food network cake challenge and this woman from Canada made the most incandescent cake I have ever seen in my life--later on I learned she had her own business that allowed the average Joe (with a large allowance for cakes) to enjoy her wonderful creations. It is called the Cake Opera Company, and if you are anything like me you will be absolutely tickled by her website.
http://www.cakeoperaco.com/




Her work reminds me a lot of the cinematography, costumes, colors, and makeup of the film Marie Antoinette. From a historical standpoint the film was a tad disappointing, but the music, and all other things mentioned above were fabo! I remember when I went to the palace of Versailles almost five years ago I was so mad because they sold a dress like the ones you see in the movie but they were only made for little girls [go figure]. It is my life's mission to wear one of those dresses and prance around like the Queen of France :) tehe--a girl can dream...

A bientot--and Merry Christmas!

Little Dorrit

I have just discovered a gem of a mini series called Little Dorrit based on a novel by Charles Dickens. I saw it on sale at Target months ago and always meant to watch it--now I am so glad I have. This is the type of film that familiar faces are always popping up in (which I absolutely love!). Mr.Darcy (sans Colin Firth) , Gollum, and the Minister of Magic just to name a few. It is quite long and I haven't even gotten half way (something like 14 episodes long) but I am infatuated with it already!




I really love period dramas, so if the rest of the series goes as well as it has I might have to splurge and add this wonderful series to my collection...

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas is all around in cold water


Sadly I am stuck at home all night due to a blizzard (eek a blizzard right before Christmas!). I was listening to some Damien Rice and Billy Mack (tehe) which inspired me to find a Christmas outfit; I picked up this fabulous dress at Charlotte Russe after seeing it on Modcloth sold out and a lot more expensive (take that modcloth! [sticks tongue out]).

One thing is for sure; I will be a lot more spiffed up than anyone else in my family.




















Song of the week

As I sit here sipping on Snapple peach tea and watching Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush (yippee!), I have decided on a brilliant song that I have been listening to quite a bit this week.
----I love Regina Spektor's witty lyrics and catchy tunes; this is a song that was in my library for a while and I just never listened to it, but now that I've given it a chance I'm addicted.

Dance Anthem of the 80s :)




Christmas Eve-Eve

As a frequent reader of blogs I have always been tickled by the idea of starting my own, and as a Christmas present/New Years resolution to myself, I have decided to start one. To me, starting a blog is like starting a diary or a journal. We begin with the best intentions to keep it updated and creative but it can often fall through. A blog especially can be difficult, because its success entirely depends on complete strangers and whether or not they read it.
I am a really big fan of fashion blogs and I love to dress up, but sadly I am not hip to the going ons of the fashion world, so I wouldn't call this a fashion blog. I love movies and have quite the collection of films, which I will share with you from time to time; I always have music on because I need a soundtrack to my life, so I will share this with you by having a song of the week. I love to read, and I will provide you with as many unbiased reccommendations as humanly possible (unfortunately I do have schoolwork to consider). I hope that you Mr/Mrs/Ms random stranger will stay tuned for My Baroque, because it will be the cat's pajamas!