Autumn in New York

May-December relationships always pique interest, even if they always seem to be similar.  The male almost always has a head crowned with thick grey hair, and a sense of mischievousness about him. He has managed to keep his single-status and his title of 'Womanizer' well into his adult life while his close friends are sending their kids to preschool. The female, barely into her twenties, is typically artistic and free-spirited. What makes this couple's recipe for heartbreak  different than any of the others strolling through the park on a weekday afternoon with nothing better to do than stare at each other until the other giggles and turns away? How about a dash of long family connection? If that doesn't work, throw in some terminal illness and blend well.

 Will Keane ( played by Richard Gere) is the owner of a trendy restaurant and only a few years away from the title of "silver fox", when one October evening he comes across Charlotte Fielding (Winona Ryder) who happens to be celebrating her 23rd birthday at his fine establishment. Before Will is even able to grace her with his Casanova charm, he is caught up with an old friend by the name of Dolly, who just so happens to be Charlotte's Grandmother. Will and Dolly have a history, on account of him courting (in a manner of speaking) Charlotte's late Mother in the past. When Will and Charlotte finally exchange shy greetings, Will already has planned his next move.

Charlotte accompanies Will on an extravagant date to a benefit dinner, and well...one thing leads to another and...you know. The next morning over the expected homemade breakfast, Will explains their situation, that he cannot offer anything more than what they already have, mostly on account of the vast difference in their age, and that the time that they will spend together is limited, due to his womanizing habits. Charlotte nods in agreement, and further explains how their time is indeed very limited: she is dying.

Instead of breaking it off right away, Will decides to stick around. Which inevitably causes him to fall in love with Charlotte, and Charlotte with him. This begins the anxiety that builds up inside Will, he has never been in love, he has no idea what he is doing or how to treat a woman that he is in love with. Which in turn begs the question; if Charlotte wasn't terminally ill, would he have loved her at all?

That question remains unanswered. However, Will comes to terms with the consequences of his behavior previous to meeting Charlotte. Realizing that time in general is something you cannot control, but what you do with the time you have, you have control over.

Thus concludes the summary for movie #2 for 2011, 22 more from the list to go! I admit that this is not the only sappy flick on the list. I honestly read the back of the case of this movie and thought it was going to be a lot like "Sweet November" and I wanted to find out if that were true. That an I still like Winona Ryder. 

Arthur

If you could inherit $175 million dollars from your family by simply marrying the woman they chose, would you do it? What if that woman was dull? Not only dull, but her father expected you to actually work for a living, and to give up alcohol? What if you met an amazing girl that shared your sense of humor, who could laugh at the seriousness of life, yet still work hard, take care of her father and have the quick bold personality that is so fresh in comparison to your humdrum betrothed? Would you trade in that $175 million?

This is the dilemma that Arthur Bach faces. Arthur is a drunk playboy with quick wit, even when inebriated, who's humor and lifestyle is only understood and tolerated by his personal servant and best friend Hobson. Arthur is the representation of a modern libertine rake, he does not necessarily do anything significant to gain appreciation from the audience. He drinks to get drunk, he insults his family with his lifestyle, he spends money just to spend it, he spends his evenings with prostitutes and has an outlook on life that reads: money is meant to be enjoyed. Upon visiting his father's work place, Arthur turns to Hobson and asks: "Why doesn't anyone ever smile here?" In which Hobson replies "They smile at lunch" because Arthur has no comprehension of what hard work is. Yet, the audience likes him. An acceptance is acknowledged that Arthur is simply meant to be what he is: the ideal dream of having everything in life without having to work for it.  

Hobson balances Arthur's crude humor with his own dry sarcasm. When Arthur announces that he is going to take a bath, Hobson responds with: "I'll alert the media". Hobson is more than just a best friend to Arthur, he looks out for him, even goes out of his way to help him be with the lovely, yet poor Linda.

Linda is a waitress and aspiring actress who first catches Arthur's attention when she unsuccessfully shoplifts a tie for her father. Arthur has already agreed to his family to marry Susan, a fellow offspring of a Billionaire, yet when he sets his eyes on Linda, he cannot bear to marry Susan. Yet, the thought of living a life without the $175 million is even more unfathomable. 

What makes Arthur more appealing then say, Paris Hilton, is his character. Not giving up $175 is understandable because Arthur is meant to live his life making himself and the people he likes happy. Yet, finding that one person that is capable of spending the rest of your life with, because you love them and they love you is understandable in return. Arthur Bach is a man that is ideal for both, but money and love are obstacles for each other in his case.

If you are a fan of Liza Minnelli, or especially of the late Dudley Moore, then I highly recommend this movie! Both performances are amusing to watch, and play along nicely with the ever predictable romantic comedy, that mimics the plays of the restoration period. Definitely a classic, and I am very happy to have made this my first movie review of 2011, taking a small chip into the new resolutions.

Potter-head

So last Thursday at midnight as most of you know, was the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! Well just the first part, but it was amazing! I felt like a teenage girl again and I squealed every time Ron came on the screen, and giggled uncontrollably at the scene where there are multiple Harry Potter’s near the beginning, and Bill Weasely!! Hottt!! Okay, I will not spoil the movie for others, plus most of you guys who share the Potter interest have already seen it. There were a few things that were left out that annoyed me, but that always happens I guess. The best part was that during the whole movie I had to lean over and tell Kyle who people were and explain a few things, he enjoyed it though, he does not get as excited as my friend Dan and I do, but he does like the movies. There were other people dressed up at the theater, I ran into a girl that had on a similar outfit as me and we shared a geeky moment, I love meeting people with Potter enthusiasm.

After the movie was over, we went out to breakfast at National Coney Island in Royal Oak. My brother David tagged along for the movie and some food. It was funny because I was the only one dressed up and at the same time the club across the street, Luna, had let out and the Luna dancers are there on Thursday nights so the place was packed full of scantly clad women in sexy dance gear and the guys were drooling. It was mostly funny because I still had my cape and everything on at the time, but with everyone else’s get-ups, I did not feel out of place.

Now I mostly want to use my vacation week sitting on my butt reading the books all over again! But I also have my copy of David Sedaris “Holiday’s on Ice” sitting on my desk waiting to be cracked open in two weeks. I finished my 8 page Brit-lit essay over the weekend, then last night after class I finished my 5 page western religion paper, I have a 2 page follow-up one do tonight at midnight (it’s an online class) and what I really want is a nice cold PBR! I was thinking of going out on Wednesday but now I don’t want to spend the money, and Thursday we are going to Three Turkey Day dinners! I also have to work Friday, ugh. But I should be thankful that I am at a desk entering logs and mindlessly browsing the internet instead of declining people’s credit cards like I did at Best Buy four years ago. What are your Turkey day plans?

Details
Shorts & vest-F21
TightsTarget
Top-Kohls
Tie-Borrowed from Kyle
Cape-Borrowed from little brother
Boots-Sears

Bell, Book and Candle

One of the things I have added to my personal goals list is to watch a movie a week and last week when I was at Target I found two really cheap movies that I had never seen but I have always wanted to. So last Sunday, after I truged through hours of homework, Kyle and I plopped our butts on the couch and watched Bell, Book and Candle.

Shepard "Shep" Henderson is a publisher and an ordinary enough man, ordinary enough to catch New Yorker Gil Holroyd's attention. Why would an ordinary guy catch the attention of a beautiful, barefoot owner of an exotic goods shop? Because ordinary is the opposite of Gil, she belongs to a clique of people who are equiped with special talents, and frequent The Zodiac, a dive of a nightclub where they can share their talents with one another. They are Witches, and Gil is among those who are the strongest in this group, and her closest companions, her Aunt Queenie and Brother Nicky, admire her powers and strength.

When Gil learns that Shep is engaged to her college nemesis, Merle Kitteridge, she proceeds to cast a spell on Shep, with the assistance of her familair cat Pyewacket, convincing him to fall in love with her. The next two weeks are a whirlwind of events, with Sidny Redlitch, a known author on a mission to expose the Witches of New York and Nicky's alliance with him, Shep's undying devotion, and Gil's contiplation of giving up her craft for marriage. The catch? Witches cannot fall in love. Gil tries her best to reveal the truth to Shep, and in the process drives him away, making him second-guess his feelings for her and his proposal of marriage. Gil, in frantic desparation attempts to cast spells on Shep and Merle to spite him, but is unable to coax Pyewacket to come to her. Gil is distraught over the loss of both the loss of her familiar and her lover the loss of her craft, and the discovery that she really is in love with Shep. When Shep sees her again months later, it is the predictable love-at-first-sight round two, and asks "Who's to say what magic really is anyway?" and the two que the credits with the final kiss of passion and promise that everyone is happy.

Shep Henderson is played by favorite classic hollywood actor, the adorable Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Stewart keeps the audiance charmed with his iconic smile and goofy facial expressions, which play along nicely next to the beautiful and sincere Kim Novak.

I was pleased to discover another one of my favorite actors of that time also starred next to this dynamic duo, Jack Lemmon played the perfect rebel Nicky with his screw-ball comedy  antics.  

Needless to say, I really enjoyed this movie. The only set-back that Kyle had was that the theme of the movie clashed with the Christmas setting. According to Kyle the Christmas setting should have been omitted but I think it was used to further enhance the oddity of the witches so it did not bother me too much.

I really enjoy having a movie to end the weekend with and I would really like to make this a regular thing, so lets hope my insane workload permits it this week :D

Waking Ned Devine

After a long weekend of hanging out late with friends, there is nothing Kyle and I like to do more than settle in front of our inexpensive TV and watch a movie. We watched "Waking Ned Devine" and "It happened one night" (after a lot of coaxing) this week and I think I might hit up the library next week for some more movies since Kyle should be back down to two nights again. I have to say that I do not envy him in that aspect, he gets more pay than me, he gets free health insurance, but he has to work nights and weekends. He usually gets Saturday off, but he is also the first one they ask to help out if they need it. I would rather suffer getting up early everyday then have to deal with that again. Although I do sometimes really miss having a weekday off...but not too much.

I think this was the first time that I had tried to take pictures with a bunch of people around and it was horrible. I felt so cheesy when I smiled and then I kept looking pissed off when I didn't. Poor Kyle took about a million of these and I don't think any came out all that great. However, I really liked this outfit, it is really an old lady look and I love it. Very comfy and cool, and appropriate for work. Kyle is totally digging this pin too. 

I am also happy to show off the giant marque for the Royal Oak music theater. The very place where I saw She&Him at the MI blogger meet-up and where I saw Micheal Franti & Spearhead a few days later with my parents. My Dad lived in this part of MI when he was younger (Pleasant Ridge to be exact) and he said that the theater used to be a Movie theater when he was a kid. He used to watch Three Stooges movies here all of the time. I thought that was cool and I wish that they would show movies again on nights were there is no concert. Maybe just old movies since we already have an Independent Movie theater and they are also supposed to be building an Imagine theater here too. At least that will create a few more jobs around here. 

Details
Shades,pin & belt-F21
Shirt & shorts-Salvation Army
Shoes-Minnetonka

He's not a boy that you can change

So what have I been up to all week? 

Friends-Last night was my neighbors birthday, the little blonde next to me, Lindsey. We surprised her with cake and ice cream. I was hanging out with Lauren and she was kind enough to take pics of everyone. The little dog that I am holding is "Sophia Loren", she is such a cute little dog. Louie loves her to death :) As well as meeting all my neighbors and taking an outfit pic, Lauren and I walked Louie, had some Taco bell, and settled at my apartment to watch a movie.

 Movies-Lauren brought over "What a way to go", which I had not heard of until she mentioned it and I am so glad that she brought it over because it was awesome. We laughed at Dick Van Dyke and drooled over Paul Newman. This was one of my favorite scenes, I want to be in a place that is covered in pink, just once. Kyle and I also watched "The lady vanishes" earlier in the week, my Aunt was kind enough to loan us her movies and are slowly going to make our way through them over the summer.

Work-As well as hanging out with people and watching some great films, I have been a work monster. I have been at my job from 7:20 am to 5:30-6pm almost everyday this week and I am getting caught up to say the least. I love my co-workers but I am really looking forward to the long weekend coming up. I need to catch up on all my summer reading, I have been slacking and I have so many awesome books that I want to read before school starts back up in the fall.

Music- Meet The Like. After seeing them at the Magic Stick a few weeks ago, I am smitten with these ladies. I bought the new album "release me" last Friday and I have been playing it at home non-stop (poor Kyle). I can't even pick a favorite song, because I love all of them. This is probably going to be my favorite summer album.

Spiders- I have been stalked by spiders all week. I hate bugs, I really do and the other night a all-black HUGE spider crawled out of my closet and up my wall. I went to grab some tissue and a stool to get it and I almost threw up because I am so scared of them. Kyle was not home, so I ran outside to get one of my neighbors to come get it (yes, I am that big of a pain in the ass) and they sent Rob in (guy in the blue shirt up there) and of course by the time he came in to get it, it was gone. We looked around for a bit, but it did not come back. So he left and I was still freaked out so I slept with the light on and tried to tell myself that the cat ate it. Then, the next morning at work I was cleaning my desk and..another one. I really hate spiders! I really don't even want to kill them, but if they just would stay away from me and out of my space, we'd be cool.

Other than that, I have been pretty much walking Louie non-stop because the weather finally cooled off and it is beautiful outside here in the mitten. So people, what have you been up to this week?

Details

Jacket-Thrifted via That Girl

T-Shirt-gift

Skirt-Pitaya

Socks-Target

boots-F21

Song "He's not a boy" by The Like

FNF: Last Five Films

Awhile back, Ebony did a really cool post about the last 5 films she watched and asked us readers to do a post on the last 5 we did. Well being the procrastinator that I am, I never got around to it until now. Also, all the movies that I have watched are old because the movie rental place we loved closed and there is no chance in hell I am paying $5 a rental at BlockBuster, so I might have to break down and try netflicks. (I like movies enough to do netflicks, but it was kind of our thing to take a walk up to the video store and chat with all of our friends that worked there then buy too much junk food and walk home, oh well, I may have to give netflicks a chance). Anywho, without further ado, here is tonight's Friday Night Feature: Last Five Films.

"It's called a 'lance', Helloooooo!" A knights tale has to be my favorite Heath Ledger movie. It is hilarious and action-oriented as well, which is always a great combination, throw in a little romance? You got a great movie for everyone to enjoy. I think even my Dad liked this one, and he hates everything.  I have to say that I love the soundtrack, all classic rock music! The costumes are second, I love the mix of traditional attire mixed with a slightly modern-rock vibe. And if all of that doesn't get you to watch it, then the late, great Heath Ledger should, he is as handsome as ever in this film...and gets dirty and sweaty.. ;)

Next up we have "I.Q" with Meg Ryan (when she was still cute aka before she had surgery done on herself, ick) and Walter Matthau! I love this movie, because it is simply really cute. It is set in the 1940's, and the plot is pretty simple to follow, a pretty basic romantic comedy. The only thing that bothered me was that Meg Ryan just didn't look like she was from the time period, she dressed alright, but to me, it seems like her hair was always like that in the 90's.  

Speaking of 90's, we have here the 1999 version of "The taming of the shrew". Indeed most 90's teen flicks were famous for throwing as many hot young stars as possible in them, but this one is just too funny to pass up. I really do adore Julia Stiles, we already mentioned Heath (even hotter here with the dark locks), I think Larisa Olenik was great as "Alex Mac" already so I loved her in this movie as a spoiled brat, and of course, my love, Joesph Gordon-Levitt (Kyle pretty much still dresses like his character). This movie has a ton of great parts in it, but my favorite? The pregnancy body-suit the girls have to wear before they go out :)

Next we have one of my favorite movies of all-time , JUNO! I think one of my favorite things about this movie is it captured a lot of the activities and overall mannerisms of what my friends and I were like in high school. Also, all the new lingo I learned. I love calling people I work with "Douche-packers" (okay, maybe only one really jerky guy, but still, the look on his face!) The soundtrack to this movie is the best and I love every song. I have literally left the CD on repeat and annoyed the crap out of Kyle sooooo many times. If you have not seen this movie yet for some reason, please do. It is funny, and witty, and it ends exceptionally well (even if a little predictable). 

Lastly, we have "500 days of Summer", and I could watch this movie a million times and not get sick of it. I am in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, ( I even tried to cut Kyle's hair like his once, it was bad) and Zooey is just awesome. This film has an amazing soundtrack as well and I cannot get over how much I love "You make my dreams" by Hall and Oats, and how well they utilized that song in this movie. The wardrobe in this film is so cute and sweet on both Zooey and Joseph (speaking of, this is a really cute look here no?).  Another film that everyone must watch at least once :)

I leave you guys with an adorable video created from She & Him's "Why do you let me stay here" for 500 days of Summer (even though most of you guys have probably seen it). 

Be your own hero

Details
Sweater: Vintage via Lost & Found Vintage

Skirt: Thrifted via Salvation army

Boots: Sears

Scarf: Target

There is a slight chance Louie wanted to be in this picture with me. Oh and in the top pic, I am holding onto the pine needle, not trying to be a cheerleader. How is everyone's week so far? I have been pretty productive I must say. I managed to get out of going to the grocery store by giving Kyle my debit card. He went to Aldi and made out pretty good, although I am bummed that I didn't get to go to Aldi, I have never been but that is what I get for making Kyle go alone. :P

Any who, for today's random post, I thought I would do a movie review. I mentioned Monday that we rented "Whip it", and, although it has been out for awhile, I still think that it is worth a little mention on my blog. Especially since so much of it was filmed in Michigan! Not only just in Michigan, but places that I know of. But first, let me explain the plot a little, for those who have not seen this movie yet.

*Image from wordpress.com

"Whip it" débuted Drew Barrymore's directorial genius (I really liked it). She supports star Ellen Page in this fantastic film about a misfit seventeen year old named Bliss, who finds a way to deal with her small-town misery (Bodeen, Texas) by joining a roller-derby team in Austin. The acting is pretty good for the genre of the film. It has pretty good humor, and it is a little predictable, however still very fun. I would defiantly recommend renting it.

*Image from wired.com

While I was watching it, I kept jumping up and down going "I know where they are!" One of my favorite spots is during a scene where a couple of the Derby Girls skate into a resale shop to drop off flyers. The resale shop is actually Mother Fletchers, a vintage clothing store in my very home-town of Ferndale. Another great spot is during the scenes where Bliss is at work, a small dinner with a giant pig on top of the building. That building was actually right off of Birch Run, and it was an abandoned dinner. Since the films debut however, it is now open but said giant pig has been removed. :(

*Image from: motorcityblog

Also, in light of it being "random" Wednesday, I would like to announce that today's date marks the Birthday of Norman Rockwell. (yay Google).

*Image from Salon.com

To-do list:

Keep the apartment clean
Read short-stories from Alex
finish new poem
Pick out poem for close reading
Deposit check
Finish this week's homework
Trim bangs
Write Jessica
Buy food

=D

Hitchcock will save me

     Winter semester has always been a little tougher for me. I embrace fall semester every year, I love getting my books, organizing my bag, cleaning out my old folders, picking out my first-day back outfit, even cleaning out my car for the start of the semester. I have always treated the fall semester as a beginning. Winter semester I have always had to drag myself through. However if I stay in and study all weekend and at night, then I am not out spending money, which is good for me because I need to take care of bills before I spend anymore. Optimist, optimist...

  

 One thing I have been looking forward to, is the film series Kyle and I have been tackling this winter. I am including the latest Hitchcock film that Kyle decided on (I feel really good about us sticking to this, it has become a lot of fun) which was Strangers on a train. Released in 1951, and starring Farley Granger as Guy Haines, Ruth Roman as Anne Morton and Robert Walker as Bruno Anthony.

*photo from moviezeal.com

"A girl in love with young America's idol--and a good-looking stranger in search of sensation--that's how it all began..!"

Bruno confronts the famous tennis player Guy Haines with a theory on how two complete strangers  can get away with murder.  A theory that he plans to implement. Robert Walker does a superb job of captivating Bruno as an imbalanced individual, I became hooked into his persona as soon as the film started, and it was impossible to not be entranced by his performance.

=]

*PS The to-do list is about half complete. (woot!)

Birds & Windows & Dresses, Oh my!

Taking another stab at our goal to get through the Hitchcock movies, Kyle & I rented both The Birds and Rear Window.

*Image from fanpop.com

*Image from fanpop.com

I had seen The Birds quite a few times when I was younger, and I remember liking it a lot each time. Released in 1963, Tippi Hendren and Rod Taylor star in this thriller as two people persuing each other in a small town in California, known as Bodega Bay. The town suddenly starts getting attacked by birds. Birds of different types, and in increasing quantities, that terrorize the inhabitants of Bodega Bay.

*Image from thegazz.com

"Suspense and shock beyond anything you have seen or imagined!"

Rear Window on the other hand, I had not had the chance to see before. So far it is my favorite. Released in 1954 and staring (my favorite) Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, Rear Window channels the events that occur when a photographer is confined to his appartment because of a leg injury and entertaines himself by watching his neighbors. This seems rather harmless until he convinces himself that one of his neighbors commits murder.

*image from hitchcocktv.com
"Through his rear window and the eye of his powerful camera he watched a great city tell on itself, expose its cheating ways...and Murder!"

*PS Grace Kelly's ‘fresh from the Paris plane’ dress designed by Edith Head is beautiful and I am in love with it.

*Imagre from baltimoresun.com

=]

The Man Who Knew Too Much

Decided to get a jump on the resolutions early! (That and Hollywood video is the only place I know where I can take Louie indoors.) After running back & forth through the aisles a few times, Kyle & I agreed on "The man who knew too much"  for the first in our Hitchcock viewing series. (We also rented "mixed nuts" for the holidays & "lilo & stitch" because kids movies are free).

A little knowledge can be a deadly thing.

"The man who knew too much" was actually made into a movie twice. Once in 1934, once in 1956. Hitchcock claimed that the 1954 version was "Superior".  We rented the 1956 version, because that is what they had in stock, and I can also never say no to Jimmy Stewart. Doris Day stars alongside the puppy-eyed, handsome actor as Jo McKenna, Stewart as Ben, a married couple visiting Morocco with their son Hank. The vacation turns traumatic when they meet mysterious Louis Bernard and their son Hank gets kidnapped, and taken to England. While the McKenna's are trying desperately to reunite with their son, they stumble upon an assassination plot which prevents them from getting to their beloved child. 

The plot is superb, as well as the acting.  The film won an academy award for best song for "Que Sera, Sera" (whatever will be, will be) sung by Doris Day. It has been stuck in my head all day and co-workers kept asking me if I was singing my name to myself.

I absolutely loved this movie, and I recommend it to anyone & everyone :)