Gone Girl: A Movie Review

I am late to this party I know, but man am I glad that I arrived! I hadn't read the book yet was dying to see the movie. While Gone Girl was in theaters, we weren't able to make it to see the film. Last week Ryan was traveling all weed and I had caught up on my shows. Both babies were in bed and it was only 8pm. So I decided to rent Gone Girl on the tv.

Nick Dunne (Affleck) becomes the center of the investigation when his wife goes missing on the day of their 5th wedding anniversary. Police begin piecing together the crime scene and events leading up to Amy (Rosamund Pike) going missing. All signs point to Nick. But in a very dark and twisted storyline, things begin to unravel and aren't exactly as they seem. Utterly surreal at times. Intense and edgy. Leaving you hanging onto your seat from minute to minute.

I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense throughout the film and my mind raced about it for several days after watching it. I highly recommend this movie especially if you like a good flick that makes your mind work!

London 2012: A Spirited Olympic Movement

Our weekend was spent sitting in front of the TV mesmorized by the Olympics from the opening ceremonies to the Michael Phelps letdown to the women's volleyball domination over Korea to the unbelievably twisted men's cycling race and everything in between.

For me, the Olympics is a time to watch amazing athletes compete for something more than just the win. The pride of their country riding on their backs. The team component not otherwise found in many individual sports. The spirit of our world coming together, putting our differences aside, and being part of something so touching for athletes and fans alike.

The purpose of various countries hosting is to allow them the opportunity to show the world about their history, their culture, and their glory. I loved how London showcased all that has made it the United Kingdom/Great Britain from the four corners: Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, as well as the various periods that the country endured to make it the posh place that it is today. From the rich history as an agricultural nation to the industrial, war plagued nation to the arts & literature aspect of Shakespeare/JK Rowlings/Mary Poppins that has enlightened all of the world's imagination to the unparalleled musical talent of the UK. Plus let's not forget the Queen floating in via plane thanks to Bond, James Bond (seriously what a neat stunt for her majesty).

The march of nations was amazing as the upbeat tempo kept the athletes hopping at a great pace to make for a more pleasant watch from our couch :) And the lighting of the torch was genius. Starting with the steamy Beckham arriving a la boat followed by 5 time Gold Medalist Olympian Steve Redgrave and lit by 7 aspiring, young Olympians sponsored by former British greats. The use of GB's youth throughout the entire ceremony was beyond moving as it recentered and humbled our focus to the future and remembering to inspire those who look up to us. And in grand finale fashion, Sir Paul McCartney rocked the crowd with tears in his eyes.

If you missed the opening ceremony, do yourself a favor and check it out. Keep an open mind and tap into your inner child recalling what the "Games" are all about.

Sony Ericsson Open Recap (Week One)

Week one of the Sony Ericsson Open didn't disappoint. With 3 sessions breaking attendance records and 8 sessions sold out, the tennis matches have been off the charts. Venus Williams continues to shock our crowds with her tenacity and love for lengthy matches (2 three setters thus far) have advanced her to the "sweet" (round of) 16. The American men are making waves quite easily with Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish breezing into week 2 (Rod plays Rog tonight). Along with fab tennis, the players have enjoyed local Miami excursions including swimming with dolphins at the Sea Aquarium, stand up paddle boarding in the Crandon Marina, and an MMA staged fight with Rashad Evans. Plus let's not forget the epic EPIC Hotel player's party rocked out with DJ Bob Sinclar.

Fans have enjoyed much entertainment onsite as well. From the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders performing to sipping champagne & sushi to numerous autograph signings to rad sponsor giveaways. Event the kiddies have indulged with participation in Lindt's Kids' Day.

Proving once again to the be the place to be, celebs from all facets are out n' about showing their support for their fave players. Kelly Rowland, Boyd Tinsley, Rory McIroy, Anthony Mackie, and too many professional athletes to list have rallied & cheered on their friends. No barefoot Owen Wilson yet but I'm not giving up yet.

If you've missed the fun, its not too late! We still have 6 more glorious days of fun in the sun. Filled with activities, food & drink, and of course, world class tennis. See you on the court in Key Biscayne.

**To purchase tickets, click here.
**For a daily schedule of play, click here.

People's Choice Awards

Kaley Cuoco did a great job hosting her first awards show, in my opinion. I can't imagine just making the big screen with a sitcom then being asked to follow up Neil Patrick Harris with hosting duties. But she used her sweetness and her spice to create several funnies throughout the night.


stunning


With Betty White about to hit 90, her TV time is rapidly increasing. She reminds me of my late Mama Comley in looks and her sass reminds me of my late Mama Collins. I'd love to meet her in my lifetime. And I was thrilled to see her sitcom Hot in Cleveland won an award.

such a cute lady!

Other highlights included Faith Hill taking the stage in what seemed like a decade, Adam Sandler' s hilarious speech attributing his many teachers for his success, and Emma Stone taking home two trophies for favorite movie actress and favorite movie comedic actress.



Who were your choices for the people's fave?

3 Films

{un} Steel Magnolias

{deux} Gone in 60 Seconds

{trois} Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Baby Proof

**the book, not our house


deal breaker: ‘the catch’ that a particular individual cannot overlook and ultimately outweighs any redeeming quality the individual may possess. 

We all have them, deal breakers, in relationships that is. Sometimes it can be as simple as he called her the "b" word. Or she went psycho about his ex. Whatever the deal breaker might be, what happens when you fall truly, madly, deeply in love with your soulmate? What happens when you get married and all of a sudden your spouse changes his/her mind on a major issue? Is love enough to override the deal breaker?


In Emily Griffin's deal breaking book, Baby Proof, she explores what it means to fall in love, have a change of heart, and learn what true love really means. Claudia Parr is a stiff New Yorker who is adamant about not wanting children. Ever. And she has become quite content with the fact that this tidbit may cause her singledom for the rest of her life which suits her just fine. But along comes Ben, the perfect catch, who also does not want kids. Match made in heaven. The two fall in love, get married, and jet set all over the world as they please. They are a pair. They do all things in twos. Except all of a sudden, someone changes their mind. Someone wants a baby. Someone doesn't. The deal breaker.


This light hearted, comedy read is a nice reality check for all of us who harden our hearts while turning away love. It is about discovering true love and letting it prevail, even through our deal breakers.


To read the first chapter, click here.

The Smurfs

I hadn't seen any little blue people running around (with the exception of the Blue Man Group at the Grammy's back in 2001) since I was a wee little lad. The refreshing part about having nieces and nephews is that you get the luxury of reverting back to your childhood joys and not looking like a creep at the movie theatre.

The Smurfs have always been a fave of mine because they bring such joy and happiness to life. They just bounce around and sing la la la all day long. Nothing gets them down. If I wasn't old enough to know its not possible, I might be on the hunt for their Smurf essences like the evil Gargamel.

Check out the trailer below. Then take an afternoon and revisit your inner self. If you are too embarrassed to go alone (sans little people), I am fairly certain Kendahl will let you borrow Taz ;)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

• the fact that my ghetto laptop will no longer allow me to upload photos to my blog (hence the lack of the WILW graphic)

• reliving my modeling days yesterday at the Cortiglia Ladies Day (pictures to come later)

• a non-auxillary event day at the Bank of the West Classic

• our fun-loving, hysterical SF tournament crew who provides hours of laughter, comical relief, and utter nonsense all day

Heart of the Matter

Tessa and Valerie lived completely different lives. Aside from being women and mothers, the two had virtually nothing else in common. Until life happened. And within a blink of an eye, both lives were forever changed.


Tessa, mom to two rowdy toddlers, thought she had it all in her marriage, children, and housewife status. A rare down-to-earth suburban professor turned housekeeper and errand runner. One who never thought her handsome, successful husband would dare do the unthinkable.

Valeria, a single mother, had a bitter attitude towards men, relationships, and almost all things in life. Her one wild decision was sleeping with Lion which ended rather unfavorably in her opinion, aside from the fact that it led to her son Charlie. She had all but given up on love and romance until the accident.

I won’t spoil the whole story for you, but I will share a bit of insight into how life happens and changes what we believe. And it only takes a moment. It is easy as an outsider to stand and judge as others go through life circumstances and situations, remarking on how if we were in her shoes or his shoes how we would handle ourselves differently. However, the truth is that we have no idea how we would react if our life was suddenly affected by disease, infidelity, loss of a loved one, or the other tragic events that make the world go round. We can point fingers, place blame, or pretend as if we would let it go all day; yet in the end, we never really know until we are faced with the challenge at hand.

Emily Griffin wrote another brilliant novel filled with poise and charisma as she navigates her words right into the heart of the reader and then subtley forces them to examine their soul.

For a sneak peek into chapter one, click here.

Next up Baby Proof!

Onward: A Story of Love, Confidence, Pain, Hope, & Confidence

Ever since I was a little girl, I can remember the feeling of sophistication in Starbucks. I couldn't wait to become an adult, put on a pair of glasses, and enjoy a cup of coffee while reading my book at the iconic establishment. Whenever we would drive by one of the locations, the people inside seemed so happy, so intelligent, so adult. So you can imagine my astonishment when I discovered that I did not care for adult coffee. How would I ever be a sophisticated Starbucks goer if I didn't like it? One answer: speciality drinks. You know the kind: java chip frappuccino, egg nog latte, tuxedo mocha. And so as I became an adult, my love for Starbucks only strengthened. My experience enlightening each time I enter a store. The atmosphere puts my heart at ease. The serenity of the space. The aroma of fresh caffeine. The soft music playing. The cheerful partners (as they're called) remembering not only my drink of choice but my name as well. The European feel of savoring this moment, not rushing through it in true States fashion.

After my umpteenth time entering one of the three stores that bridge a block and half radius into work, I took the plunge and purchased the book I had been eyeing for months. Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul. The power in the tagline was enough to peak my interest, but the passion of CEO Howard Schultz kept me turning the pages.

Many of you know about my made up word, pareer, which is a combo of passion and career. I have longed for that feeling in my career. I have so desperately wanted to find my passion and get paid for it. Because after all, I am most successful when I am able to pour myself into what I am doing. Imagine my envy and disbelief when I began reading Onward and discovered that Schultz had found his pareer. Furthermore, he was watching it be stripped away from him, not in the leadership sense, but in the sense that Starbucks was losing its passion. I equate his feelings and emotions to that of watching a loved one suffer from severe illness. Watching them worsen, helpless in curing them. I am quite certain it is a horrifying experience.

Nearly seven years after stepping down as CEO, Schultz makes the decision to return to his post. To light a fire underneath the company. To restore focus on their mission. To provide people an experience. To believe in making a difference. To give them heart and soul again. 

In a world where emotions are frowned upon in business, Schultz speaks, writes, and leads from the heart. He (and his team) transforms a company that was drowning in Wall Street into a thriving, hopeful safe-haven that Americans needed in the worst economical downturn of the 21st century. 

Now, more than ever, I am conscious even energetic about my time at Starbucks. I have a better understanding of what they stand for, what they believe in, and how they overcame difficulty. For an inspirational read, one about heart & soul, grab Onward at your local Starbucks or purchase online at Amazon.com.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

• family events

Kendahl & Peter's wedding 2009

• Wimbledon coverage, particularly R. Fed & American Mardy Fish

Roger Federer...greatest player of all time

• technology because...

• ...it allows me to see this little guy do sick tricks like this:

Something Borrowed

Monday night I went to see this chick flick solo. It was #1 on my list o' movies to see at the moment, and I have no shame in seeing one alone. Crying hysterically at sappy romantic-comedies always seems a tad creepy when by yourself but I got over that long ago.

I had read the book several years ago while I was peddling through Europe. I remember sitting on a park bench in Austria, my head buried in the pages of Emily Griffin's novel. I believe I finished the book in a day moving onto Something Blue shortly after. It was at that moment when I felt the urge to write a novel of my own. I was so engulfed in how real it all seemed and how it was something that everyone could relate to in a way.

The movie, featuring Ginnifer Goodwin & Kate Hudson, didn't disappoint. Often my fear after reading the book. Each played their character to a perfected T. John Krasinski from the office might have been the best of them all though as the sarcastic male bff of Rachel (played by GG). Darcy (aka Kate H) was just how I remembered her in the book: loud, obnoxious, full of herself, and charmingly witty.

If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, then you might enjoy this brief summary. Two childhood best friends who couldn't be more opposite do everything together. As their adult-lives take form, the outgoing & outspoken Darcy in a twisted way meanders her way into Rachel's law school crush, Dax, winning his affection. On Rachel's 30th birthday, D hosts a surprise party for her which ends in one crazy life-altering event for them. Mixed with humor, guilt, cynicism, and charisma, the cast displays a roaring storyline that mimics real life relationships.

The plot explores the balance and struggle of what we are expected to do versus what we want to do. It touches on the complexity of romance and takes a look at how sometimes when we don't speak up, we lose what we always wanted.








I'm looking forward to Something Blue!

A Royal Affair

Admittedly, I have not so much followed the Royal Wedding until the past few days. And only recently have I become intrigued because I have been watching the Today Show while working out in the AM.

It is no secret that I <3 all things European. My travels have led me to great discoveries of life, love, and laughter as well as a tremendous amount of growth (it is amazing what you learn about yourself when you are thrown into the small town of Telfs in mid-June with sweltering heat, no A/C, no elevator, and a plethora of flies swarming on top of your food). Much time has not been spent in London or the UK for that matter. I have seen the Heathrow airport a time or two, but that about sums my exploration of that country. Hence my extreme excitement at the thought of getting tickets to the 2012 London Games...

So living vicariously through the royalty and all traditions British, I have developed a new obsession: the fascinator. Yes after the luncheon at Avalon with mom, the ever-so-prominate sightings in church, and now the Royal Wedding, I want one. NOW. Any of these will do ;)

Courtesy of hatsbycressida on etsy

Courtesy of hatsbycressida on etsy

Courtesy of LoveCharlie on etsy

Courtesy of LilaJo on etsy

Music Mondays

And so as my obsession with music continues, I thought a little Music Mondays would be a nice way to kick-off the week...

Here's to Forget You Monday ;)

Baby Its A Long Way Down...

Why I Love Sports & Media...

SF Giants' Brian Wilson's Lovely Interview with George Lopez