Arms

For your Wednesday: A sweet new song by an artist I love, with an adorable video to match. Watch. It will make you smile. Oh, and Christina Perri looks prettier than ever, don't you think? (Love her tattoos.)

Here's hoping Hump Day will go down quickly and smoothly and slide us into the weekend soon... Cheers to that?

xoxo,


P.S. The lyric video is pretty fantastic, too. That's how I first heard this song two months ago. Really makes you listen to the words.

Life stories, preserved

StoryCorps has made me laugh and cry once again*. This is such a sweet and funny story about the life of a strong-willed lady with no regrets. I literally laughed out loud while watching the animated short last night and a minute later I had tears in my eyes. I love StoryCorps for its mission to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs the chance to record, share and preserve the story of their lives. What a gift for the families who participate and a gift to all of us who have the opportunity to listen. It may be their story, but it is all of our history. Beautiful.

You can check out StoryCorps' YouTube channel here and learn more about the Brooklyn-based nonprofit here.

*I fell in love with StoryCorps for the first time after watching "Danny and Annie." If you watch it, have a tissue handy. You'll need it.

Adore Adele

About a week ago, I was strolling Barnes & Noble. On the store's radio was none other than the uber-talented Adele. They were playing her whole new CD, song after song. Each track I fell more in love.

I only recently discovered Adele. I had heard her songs on the radio, and I'm sure you have too-- the powerful "Rolling In The Deep" in particular-- but I didn't know who the singer was behind them. But once I found out, I wanted to hear more.

So back to Barnes & Noble. After hearing her voice while perusing the magazine racks I quickly made a beeline for the music section. There I found her first and second albums- titled 19 and 21, respectively. I hardly ever buy CDs anymore-- the last one I purchased was Kaleidoscope Heart, from my other musical girl crush Sara Bareilles, and I only bought that to get early access to concert tickets. No matter, I picked up both of Adele's CDs. I had to have them immediately.

Since then I have been listening to 21 on repeat. I can't get enough. I'm a little obsessed but I'm OK with that. Her voice is simply amazing. No tricks, no gimmicks, just pure artistry and emotion. I love that. My favorite song by far is "Turning Tables." (Though "Someone Like You" comes in at a very close second.) Adele's voice is beautiful but the piano is, too. Man, I wish I could play. Still, I love to sing it and I'm sure my family heard me belting it out from my room this weekend. Oh, Adele-- you make me happy.

If you haven't heard the British songstress yet, I encourage you to take a listen. You may just fall in love too. May I suggest this wonderful live version of "Turning Tables" as your introduction?

Or this rendition of "Someone Like You" at the 2011 BRIT Awards? (Side note: I am loving her makeup here. So pretty!)

Do you adore Adele too? Have you found a new artist that you just can't get enough of? I'd love to hear!

Album cover via Adele's official website

Great Expectations

I haven’t been to the movies much lately. The last time I stepped inside a theater was for “Paranormal Activity.” The boy and I saw it a few weeks after it came out and by then most of the hubbub had died down. (Mini-review: I’m usually not a fan of scary movies, but this wasn’t too fright inducing. In fact, it was a bit laughable. And at times I wanted to slap some sense into the boyfriend character. But overall, I still enjoyed it.)

Other than “Paranormal Activity,” I can’t even remember what I saw last. That’s how long ago it was. My lack of movie going is not due to a lack of interest in recent releases. There have been many flicks that I wanted to see and simply didn’t, and now I have to wait for DVD (or On Demand, whichever comes first). I blame the boy for my lackluster box office showing. It seems he is working every weekend now, getting in early or coming home late, and if he does actually have Sunday off like he is supposed to, the day is lost to football.

But I am breaking this depressing trend this weekend. I am far too excited to see Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side.” I saw the previews months ago and immediately put it on my running list of movies to see (yes, I really do have a list!). Anyone else as thrilled as me to see the film? Seriously, I’ve choked up a couple times just watching the trailer, it looks that good. I told the boy that we have to go see it, but he wasn’t as enthusiastic about the prospect. I tried to convince him that it’s a sports movie, but he didn’t buy it. No worries. Like any good girlfriend, I’ll remind him of that time I saw {insert any blow-em-up, shoot-em-up movie title here} and drag him along.

So, do you want to know what else I am looking forward to (hopefully) seeing in theaters this winter? Here’s my list:

“The Princess and The Frog”

Limited release in NY and LA Nov. 25, Everywhere else Dec. 11

This just looks too adorable to pass up. The fact that it is by Disney is enough to make me see it. But there’s more. It is set in 1920s New Orleans. The tale centers on Princess Tiana, the animation studio’s first African American princess. The talk show diva herself, Oprah Winfrey, voices Tiana’s mother, Eudora. It is from the directors of “The Little Mermaid” (my all time favorite movie) and “Aladdin.” And best of all, it marks Disney’s return to hand-drawn animation! Need I say more?

“The Lovely Bones”

Limited release Dec. 11, Everywhere else Jan. 15

I love love love this book. When people ask me what my favorite books are, this title is one of the first that springs to my mind. I can’t wait to see Alice Sebold’s words come to life on screen and get a glimpse of Susie Salmon in director Peter Jackson’s interpretation of “the in-between.”

“Did You Hear About The Morgans?”

Opens Dec. 18

Hello, Carrie! Er, I mean, Sarah Jessica. To be honest, that’s all I need to know to plop down 12 bucks for ticket. Gotta get my SJP fix while waiting for “Sex and the City 2” to debut (May is so far away!). Plus, it looks cute and funny, your standard rom-com. Which is just my kind of movie.

“Nine”

Limited release Dec. 18, Everywhere else Dec. 25

All you have to do is watch the trailer, read the cast list—Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, Fergie—and see that the it is from the director of "Chicago" to know this one’s gonna be good. Fabulously good.

Now tell me: what’s on your list?

poster image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Making an entrance

If this doesn't make you laugh out loud, I don't know what will!

Too bad this didn't happen at the wedding I attended on Saturday (more on that later). I think I would have died laughing!

Hope you are having a good week so far. I am busy writing stories, but once I get a free moment I'll let you all know how the wedding went... Just wanted to send you a smile in the meantime.

P.S. Thanks for all the sweet comments on my new hair! You guys are the best.

Sing sing sing

Happy Hump Day, everyone! Hope you are surviving your work week. I am. Barely. But I wanted to share something with you today that I discovered oh, about a week ago. 

I am sure many of you are aware of the amazing PS22 elementary school chorus in Staten Island, but if you are not, check out the videos below. They will make you smile from ear to ear and, quite possibly, even make you cry. They are just that good. These kids are simply incredible and they are proof positive of why it is so important to keep music and the arts in schools. 

When I first heard them sing, I immediately became nostalgic for my own choir days in high school and college. Thing is, none of my choir teachers were as cool as Gregg Breinberg (aka, Mr. B). And none of my choirs put our performances on YouTube, sang at red carpet events or were interviewed by national news channels. And we sure as heck didn't count Perez Hilton as our biggest fan! But like I said, these kids are incredible and deserve all the attention and accolades they have received as of late. 

So if you haven't already, click on the videos I compiled below. You won't regret it!

Landslide

Don't Stop Believin'

Just Dance- yes, the song by Lady Gaga!

Don't you feel inspired after hearing those kids sing their little hearts out? I most certainly do. Those 3 videos are my favorite songs by the PS22 Chorus but you can hear more and read more on their blog (see, I told you they were cooler than any choir I've ever been in).

Stolen my heart with his guitar

In case you missed it, Kris Allen gave the best performance, in my opinion, last night on Idol. A stripped down, acoustic version of Kanye West's "Heartless."

Personally, I agree with Randy Jackson who said Kris' rendition is even better than the original! Oh, how I love Kris Allen. So cute and talented to boot. If he didn't have a wife, I'd say he could serenade me anytime!

Anyway, check out the performance below. 

And if you watched Idol last night, tell me, who do you think is going to get sent home tonight and who do you think is going to win? I'm still bummed about Allison getting voted off but since I have to choose, I would like to see Danny Gokey and Kris be the final 2. Still, I have a feeling Adam Lambert isn't going to get shut out of the finals tonight. People love that crazy guy. It's a tough one to call, though I don't think Adam is going to walk away with the title. Do you?

P.S. I wish I knew how to play the guitar! I was even googling blue acoustic guitars the other day because I have always wanted one. But I think I need some lessons first!

Unleashing my inner gamer

I covet a Nintendo DS.

I don't know when this happened. When they first hit the market at the end of 2004 I didn't have any desire to run out and get one. I mean, c'mon, I was an evolved college freshman at the time; my days of gaming had passed. I will admit though, I loved me some Nintendo time as a child. We had a Nintendo, then a SEGA, then a Nintendo 64 and on and on... With a younger brother, I had the benefit of playing on the new systems and new games that he got each year for his birthday or Christmas. 

But once I got to high school and all my guy friends (including my ex) could focus on was video games, I was pretty much over it. Except for the occasional round of Super Smash Bros. I kick some serious melee-ass on that game. (Funny story: I beat my former video-game-obsessed roommate at Super Smash Bros. one time and he was in a stake of shock that I, a girl and non-gamer, kicked his butt. He wanted a rematch and guess what? I won again. Haha, don't mess!).

Anyway, it is safe to say I am not a serious gamer. I would almost always rather read a magazine or watch a Lifetime movie. But sometime between seeing my bff get a cute pink DS, watching RR's 6-year-old niece play Holly Hobbie on her purple DS and reading this week about Jamie's Nintendo DS party (where her friends took home free DS's! Jealous!), I now covet my own DS! (I also heard about how fabulous the Chicago-loft party was from Jenn and Tiffany.)

This funny new commercial with Lisa Kudrow have also sparked my interest.

(That is so how I would be: impatient!)

If I could have my very own handheld gaming device, I would choose the pink DS. Yes, I'm a girly girl! I'm the type to always pick the girl character when playing a video game, too. Gotta represent!

Or maybe I would get the super pretty blue console offered in the soon-to-be released, third iteration of DS: the DSi. I didn't get what the difference is between this DS and the last one (DS Lite-- a smaller version of the original), but I just read a press release on the Nintendo site and it says DSi has an interactive digital camera, voice recorder/music player and an application to purchase downloadable games. It is a little pricier than the older version of course, at $169.99, but hey, who can argue with the latest, greatest thing? DSi comes out in the U.S. April 5.

The first games I would get would have to be...

I have an undying love for this game--and all things related to Mario, or Yoshi!

How cool would it be to have my own personal cooking instructor leading me through dinner step by step?

A classic. One of my fave's when I had my Game Boy. Would play for hours on road trips.

I would also have to have Super Mario 64, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and, to sharpen my mind, Brain Age.

Even though I don't have $150 (or more) to spend on something frivolous like a video game, I still want your opinion. Any of you out there have a DS? Is it all it's cracked up to be? And what games would you suggest, on the off chance I get one? My birthday is just around the corner after all. Not that I am dropping a hint for my boyfriend of anything :)

Kitty playing DS via TechEBlog

Game Images via Nintendo

Icons of Glamour

I was talking the other day about how magazines can be art. I came across a great example of this in the "American Icons" spread in the April issue of Glamour, my favorite magazine of all time! (btw: Happy 70th Birthday, Glamour!)

The photography is stunning and fabulous, and it is uncanny how much some of the current-stars resemble the icons of yesteryear. My fave image is probably Emma Roberts as Audrey Hepburn. Kind of reminds me of Joanna's (at Cup of Jo) engagement photos-- big pink balloons really do make great props!

Tying in a close second are Alexis Bledel as Rosie the Riveter, Paula Patton as Billie Holiday, and Lindsay Lohan as Madonna.

But really, I love them all! Each time I look at the pictures I have a new favorite. This is the type of photo spread you want to rip out of the magazine and tack on your wall. (In high school, I would have. But the bf might not like that idea so much.) 

So check out the full slide show here and let me know what you think.

Oh, and can we talk about how absolutely gorgeous Katie Holmes looks on the cover of (and inside) the magazine?! Geesh!

Happy Friday! As they say, TGIF! Any fun plans? I might be going to Vegas! Could be a crazy weekend...

Cover image via Glamour

So Long, Lauren, 'The Hills' will miss you

Did you all hear that Lauren is saying goodbye to The Hills after Season 5? Sad day. What am I going to do without one of my guilty pleasures? The news was confirmed last week by producers but I didn't learn until this weekend. Not that I am all that surprised. She has been hinting at it for awhile and c'mon, she has had cameras following her since high school! I would be ready to say adios, too. While I will miss my weekly dose of LC, at least I have The City to devote my Monday nights t0-- well, at least a half hour of my Monday nights anyway. Thing is, I read that the show's producers are looking for a way to keep The Hills going, sans Lauren. Now, I'm not so sure about that. Lauren is The Hills. But, I guess Audrina and Speidi's drama could be enough to fill the 15-minutes of actual air time. 

What do you think? Are you sad to see Lauren go? Can (and should) the show go on without her? Or could you care less about The Hills?

For your viewing pleasure, check out the Season 5 trailer below!

MTV Shows

Image via MTV

Comedy Hour

I almost died laughing watching this last night! Like Randy said, Nick Mitchell (aka, the outlandish Norman Gentle) gave the most entertaining performance anyone has ever seen on American Idol. For sure.

So do yourself a favor. Even if you don't like AmIdol, watch this. It is just that funny.

Now, I must say, while Nick/Norman has endeared himself to me by his crazy antics, disco ball-inspired shirt and red sweatband, I hope he does not go on as one of the final 12. (Sorry Norm!) Paula got it right when she said there are many other stages--predominantly in Los Angeles-- where his brand of entertainment would be better suited and undoubtedly welcomed with open arms. Idol just isn't one of them.

But rock on, Norman Gentle! Rock on.

P.S. Sorry for that annoying little yellow arrow in the video... just ignore it.

Time for a commercial break

Happy hump day everyone!**

So some of you may have already watched this video, which has been posted on other blogs, but I just had to repost it here because it is simply hilarious. A bit unbelievable and totally crazy, yes, but it put a smile on my face this morning and hopefully it will for you, too!

People ask me all the time if I want to get into broadcast journalism and unleash my inner Diane Sawyer and my usual reply is, "Nah, I don't think so." But after seeing this, what the heck? It looks like fun! At least during the commercial break.

Video via Cup of Jo

**As in Wednesday. Get your mind out of the gutter. Geez... :)

Fave Super Bowl moments and commercials

The Super Bowl has come and gone but the commercials live forever on the internet. Here are a few of my faves, plus video of the amazingly strong, amazingly talented Jennifer Hudson singing the National Anthem.

If you want to check out the commercials you missed, or just rewatch your faves, visit Hulu. They have 'em all. 

So, what was your fave Super Bowl moment?

P.S. I ended up just watching the game at home with the bf and Papa John (pizza, that is). Ha! I was rooting for the underdogs, hoping the Arizona Cardinals would pull out a win but it wasn't meant to be. It was an exciting game nonetheless-- like Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison's interception and 100-yard run-back!-- even for this girls' girl.

Wishing for a money tree

Sorry for the late post, but I was actually productive today! Yipee! Made my phone calls, did my interviews, set up photo shoots... No procrastination here. At least not today. Baby steps, right?

Anyway, I have been seeing commercials for the upcoming movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and I am excited. I have never read any of the Sophie Kinsella books but it looks like my type of movie. Why? 

No. 1: I love chick flicks. Never saw one I didn't like. 

No. 2: I love Isla Fisher (from "Wedding Crashers," my boyfriend's favorite movie of all time, like knows every line-- it's crazy!). I think Isla is beautiful and funny and I adore saying her name. And, I heard her do an interview on TV the other day and realized she is Australian (Well, according to IMDB she was born to Scottish parents in the Middle Eastern country of Oman but moved "down under" when she was 4ish). I didn't know because she talks like a Yankee on film, but she actually has that Aussie accent that you just wish you had. Sounds so cool and mysterious to my American ears.

No. 3 reason I want to see the movie: I love to shop. Even though I can't afford it. Just like Confessions' heroine, Rebecca Bloomwood.

Which got me thinking about how I wish I had more money to indulge in nice things. I mean, don't we all? But right now, all I can (barely) afford on my measly $13/hr paycheck is rent, school loans and groceries! Oh, and paying off this thing I am typing on (thanks, Mac).

Still, my boyfriend likes to say I have a spending problem. I like to say I don't. Really, I don't. Except at Christmastime. Or when on vacation. I tend to go overboard then. But in general I think I have kept my wallet and credit lines in check.

But wouldn't it be nice to buy that Coach bag you've had your eye on (this one too)? Or a beautiful pair of red-soled Louboutins that you tell yourself you will wear enough times to make that nearly $900 price tag worth it?

Well, a girl can dream, can't she? At least right now it is "in" to be a Recessionista. AKA, thrifty. Fashionistas are so last year. Ha! I'm still looking for my money tree. 'Til then, I'll continue my window shopping. 

I'm pretty good at it. Trust. My bf can attest to that. I live behind a mall after all.

Becky Bloomwood would never survive.

So, are you a Recessionista or a Shopaholic?