Hey Girl

Last night I had a wonderful reunion/dinner/girls night out/laughfest with my best friends All of My Reasons and Worthy of Being Storied. I don't like to brag, but I'm pretty sure I have the greatest friends in the world.

We all wore some shade of purple, completely unplanned. This is pretty typical of us. We often show up to hang out wearing varying matching outfits. Kind of like Destiny's Child?

And, as we discussed last night, we are all varying levels of bootylicious.

Anyway, I have been tentativley planning a day at Disney World when I am in Orlando in October. and recruiting friends to meet me there. Last night before dinner I bought this silly tshirt featuring two heartwarming memories from my childhood.

Why Laguna AND Mickey? Who cares! So I decided this purchase solidifed my plans. See you in October Mickey!

And while we are on the topic of Disney . . . I discovered this video on Jezebel this morning. Omg, hilarious! We know that's what Belle was actually thinking the whole time.

I'm gonna turn you into a sweater and its gonna match!

Stress Relief

This week I've been a kinda stressed. Nothing crazy, I just feel like the lazy days of summer are gone and my work and school schedule won't slow down until . . . May? Wow. As Cher might say . . .

"I felt impotent and out of control. Which I really, really hate. I had to find sanctuary in a place where I could gather my thoughts and regain my strength... "

I was in Naples for work and happened upon the prettiest shopping center/outdoor mall that I've ever seen. Really it was just lovely.

And Nordstrom was having a shoe sale, so I bought these!

Wow, I feel better already . . .

Everything Old is New Again

Omg have you seen this amazing video?

I first saw it on What I Wore. I've watched it approximately 20 times since then. I love ALL of the clothes and dances- but especially the Rosie Riveter outfit with the floral head scarf and the late 60's/early 70's wide felt hat with huge sunglasses. So glamorous.

Summer Favorites

Well today is labor day and therefore the last day of summer and the beginning of fall! Technically the first day of autumn is September 23, but if we listened to those rules we'd consider the first day of winter to be December 22nd. And everyone knows winter starts the day after Thanksgiving when we start the official sprint towards Christmas! Right?

Anyways, I had a great summer. Sometimes I can get kind of restless, but this year I enjoyed the long, lazy days for all they were worth. And in the spirit of reflection and summer appreciate, I present you with Chick Flick Chic summer favorites . . .

Favorite movie: I'm going to go with Bridesmaids. While other movies like Crazy Stupid Love or The Help might get more press come awards season, Bridesmaids stole my heart. It was absurdly hilarious and heartwarming. And it perfectly captured the mix of excitement and nostalgia that goes along with your best friend getting hitched.

Favorite vacation: I spent a week in Florida and then North Carolina beaches with my boyfriend and both of our families. A lot of reading, relaxing, and sun.

Favorite purchase: I bought this Kate Spade purse for 60% off and immediately had buyer'sremorse. However, when it arrived it was so perfectly punchy pink that I couldn't resist. I carried it all summer long and it was a hit. I'm a little sad to banish it to the back of my closet in the cooler weather.

Favorite thing I did: Dance the night away with my best friends, boyfriend AND parents at my friend Madeline's wedding. Celebrating love and 10+ years of friendship makes my heart very happy.

Favorite Book: I'm going to have to go with One Day . . . or Bossypants . . . its a tie. Both wonderful and unique in their own way. If you're looking for a good laugh and some great life lessons- Bossypants. Looking to cry your eyes out and fall in love with a fictional character? One Day.

Favorite thing I wore: Nothing too special about this dress (LC Lauren Conrad), but it was oh so fun to wear floral with my besties and fellow bridesmaids. Plus, in June I was still on a royal wedding high and loved wearing this fascinator-like headpiece.

Beautiful Duchess Kate

Well, I tried.

Favorite life change: I moved into a one bedroom apartment all by myself! It's been a transition but its been fun. At first I felt a little like Carrie . . .

Realistically? I'm a little more Bridget.

It's been a great summer and I'm thankful for every bit of it. I must confess that fall is perhaps my favorite season so I'm looking forward to some romantic movies, fun times, and cute clothes in the months ahead!

What are your summer favorites?

Sorry for the interuption folks . . .

but i always dance the last dance of the season.

And last night, on what felt like one of the lasts nights of summer, I watched Dirty Dancing. Again. This is a movie I could watch every day and never tire of it. I know every line, and a few key dance moves. Dirty Dancing isn't just one of the greatest chick flicks of all time, its one of my all time favorite movies. And here's why:

1. The suprisingly progressive story line. Baby is "going to Mount Holyoke in the fall," at a time where its perfectly acceptable for her older sister Lisa to "decorate." She wants to join the peace corps after that. She cares about starving children in east Asia and monks burning themselves in protest. Baby wants to save the world and that's exactly why Johnny falls in love with her. Now we won't even get into the whole "Penny's in trouble" plot, but let's just give the movie overall props for a pro-female story that still allows the heroine to fall in love.

2. The clothes, of course! Baby's outfits are somehow a perfect combination of 60s and 80s trends and no one will ever look as cute in white keds as she did sneaking off to dance practice. Also, her sweet natural curls . . . I've tried to cut my hair like this many a times . . . no one has ever pulled me out of a corner.

every girl wants a dress that twirls

maxi skirt and tied up shirt? totally in right now!

adorable!

3. Johnny Castle. I mean, what else is there to say?

He's a bad boy with a good heart and he genuinely loves Baby for who she is, watermelon carrying and goofy dance moves. His dance moves are divine and if you get to the end of the movie without developing a crush . . . well just wait for this part.

When Johnny lifts up Baby... er, Francis? and then sings "I owe it all to you"- I melt, everytime.

4. Dirty Dancing is the perfect summer fling movie. We don't know what happens to Johnny and Baby after their Kellerman's reunion. But lets face it. Baby goes to college, joins the peace corps, meets a Harvard grad and former Freedom Rider and they eventually settle down and raise their daughters to be confident and optimistic and brave. Johnny opens a dance studio in the city with Penny and never feels ashamed about who he is and where he came from. What? You've never thought of that? The point is, we don't need to know. We know they had the time of their life!

5. The "Cry to Me" scene. ( Sorry I couldnt embed. But you should click and watch it. Now.)

This scene goes down in history for me as the greatest movie love scene of all time. If you're ever in a cabin in the Catskills, wearing white jeans and a peasant top and pouring your heart out to a guy and a Solomon Burke song comes on . . Just ask him to dance. You'll thank me later.

"Join hands and hearts and voices, voices, hearts and hands,

At Kellerman's the friendships last long as the mountains stand."

Thanks for the good times Kellerman's- see ya next summer!

What's your favorite summer movie?

Movie Quote of the Day

"I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."- You've Got Mail

One of the most romantic lines in movie history. I'm serious! Joe Fox=autumn enthusiast=dreamboat.

Checking things off my list

Well, here's a case of forgotten MTAD. I first saw the trailer for I Don't Know How She Does It in May . . . and I kind of couldn't deal with it. Because its a seasonal movie. You see, I love seasons! And I need to celebrate them at the appropriate time! That means no eating pumpkin in April, no sipping hot chocolate in July, no listening to Christmas music in February. And this goes for movies too- don't you dare try to make me watch a Christmas movie after January 1st and before November 1st. So although this movie looked great- NYC in fall! christmas lights!- I sort of forgot about it. And all of a sudden here we are, almost in September and the movie comes out soon! And yes I am excited!



Anything that combines Greg Kinnear, SJP, Pierce Brosnan AND Seth Myers is a great idea. And I can totally relate to the list making. I have been writing to-do lists in my planner for as long as I can remember. My friends tease me endlessly about it, but seriously . . . the day I lose my planner is the day I lose my mind. And I really don't want to face either situation.


The problem is, I write so many notes to remind myself, I get a little lost when I go to review them. For example, here is the list I was faced with on Monday morning when I opened my planner.


4pm- class meeting
new sunglasses?
pay rent
alec baldwin gf- 27?
email naples students
tea
sign-in list
pack charleston suitcase

I know. I know what you're thinking.

"Grad school, work, traveling AND finding out the age of Alec Baldwin's yoga instructor and lover? I don't know how she does it!"