Golden Thoughts During the Golden Globes

"So long as we learn, it doesn't matter who teaches us, does it?" - E. R. Braithwaite

Reality Bites

I have learned more from Winona Ryder than I have from any math teacher throughout the entirety of my educational career.

I'm not kidding.

As I was talking to my dad about the controversy over whether or not actors and actresses should earn as much money as they do, it dawned on me that high school characters from 80s cheesy movies have taught me more about myself and life than many of my teachers.

Watching the Oscars tonight (my favorite night of the year!!) I told my dad how I think all actors deserve every cent of the insane amounts of money they earn from their films because their work reaches everyone and can touch so many people in so many different ways.  Their films tell stories that take people away and transport them to another place, which can also be said about literature but that's not the point.

Heathers

My dad counteracted with, "What about the teachers?" And I completely agree, teachers are amazing people devoting their lives for bettering the people of the future and they definitely deserve more recognition for their efforts. But I also pointed out, I've probably learned more about growing up and life from movies and characters' stories than I have from most of my teachers, which unfortunately is saying a lot for eleven years of education.

Maybe it's just me, but I think that actors are amazing people doing amazing things and inspiring thousands with a small smile brought to life on the silver screen.

Bravo to all the nominees at tonight's Golden Globe Awards!

Book Review: Not That Kind of Girl

Watching Girls on HBO sporadically for the past few years and watching Lena Dunham's success soar as an actress, writer, producer, director, etc..., I figured the next logical step to understand who she is as a woman and where she came from was to read her recently published book of personal memoirs and essays.

After reading Not That Kind of Girl in two days (thank you mono for giving me nothing to do other than read, catch up on The Vampire Diaries, and sleep) I thought I enjoyed it but ended up feeling stale.

Dunham's book, while being glorified as embarrassingly funny and an honest, fresh view on life just left me feeling sad for her... but also grateful I don't have OCD or HPV or any negatively-impacted acronym.

While Dunham's book is briefly summarized by a "young girl telling you what she has 'learned'", I honestly don't think I learned anything from it.  I learned that casual sex in college will give you major anxiety, I learned that some people meet with their therapist four times a week, and I learned that you should always pack extra underwear on trips.

I was attracted to Dunham's novel due to her insane success as a young female in a male--dominated Hollywood world of execs and producers looking for the next hit, regardless of genuine plot or character, just the next big thing to roll in cash.  Dunham started making satirical short-films with two friends while working in SoHo after college.  After her short films gained notoriety in the arts world of New York, her career seemed to slowly but surely start.

However, a reader wouldn't know any of this from reading her book.

Not That Kind of Girl was filled with dieting logs, sexual exploits starting from a bizarre young age, accounts of drunken nights and coming to grips with her sexuality.

So the success and acclaim of a twenty-something year old female creating, producing, writing, directing and starring in her own HBO television series? Not included.

I was let down and disappointed slightly by Dunham's book.
Granted, it was humorous and an interesting look on another human being's life... but if Lena has "learned" anything after all of these years (as her book blurb suggests she has), I as a reader did not learn anything.

Turked' Up

Festive end-of-fall decor in our dining room

My brother & me

Getting ready to sit down

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

The day has past where it is socially acceptable and encouraged to eat double your body weight in turkey and then continue eating every type of pie every created.  Sleep in, relax, spend (even more) time with your family, and appreciate the day after the chaos.  (Or don't relax and completely clear your house of fall decorations to make space for holiday ornaments and Christmas accessories, like my family is doing today.... )

Grandmother's hand made center pieces 

Room for 17?

This Thanksgiving was fun due to the six inches of snow outside.  It added an extra touch of holiday spirit and felt like a good way to kick off the season.  My young cousins were extremely fascinated with the blindingly white snow everywhere, however, not old enough to understand that yes, a jacket is now necessary to go outside with.

A plate piled high with homemade whipped cream (usually to go with pie!)

Passed out

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was filled with love, joy, and gratitude.  Everyone deserves an extra "thank you" even for the little things.  I love Thanksgiving the most (minus insane massacres of Native Americans years ago) because family just comes together and eats.  Every American is linked by this day, regardless of religion or ethnic background.  It's just a day to come together and be thankful for everyone sitting around your table smiling at you.

Cold and Bold

As the first major snowfall of the season has come and gone (third week of November and almost a foot of snow...), I figured it's time for an in-style recount of this winter's trends. Compiled from runways, pages of fashion magazines, and from the media- this winter features a lot of reoccurring trends and some new styles for the bold and eccentric.

Advertisement for women's jeans this season

Baggy Is Better

Some key looks this winter feature boyfriend fit jeans, loose or over sized sweaters (both cardigans and pullovers), and lots of layering to create a baggy look.

My favorite winter style is a simple bottom with a chunky sweater and boots. It's easy to look cute while staying so warm in the winter. Layering long sleeve tops and sweaters and jackets is so easy and can be so cozy.

Accessorizing with scarves, hats, and gloves is another plus to winter styling due to its warmth. I love finding cute and colorful winter accessories because they can instantly make a boring outfit fun. If you're style-impaired, just rely on the accessories. Pick out a normal, basic outfit and let your winter hats, coats, and scarves do the wow-ing for you.

Creating a baggy look should be easy and cozy!

Examples from winter runway shows 

Mary-Kate Olsen street style inspiration

Street Style 2014

Feminine Styling

Even though lately menswear-inspired fashion has been more prominent on runways, this season feminine and girly silhouettes and styling seem to be coming back with force.  Layers of tulle under thick knits or chunky jackets add a utilitarian or practical aspect to otherwise very girly pieces.

These eccentric takes on the feminine trend in recent runway shows may be a bit over the top and impractical, but they are prime examples of the pretty plumage seen everywhere paired with sturdier counterparts.

Tommy Hilfiger fall runway show

Balmain fall runway show

Gareth fall runway show

from Nylon website

Ankle Boots

Obviously boots are, have been, and forever will be the staple of any fall related fashion.  Boots have evolved and been constructed out of any material under the sun since creation of man kind.  This season ankle boots and shorter, strong footwear stomped and stormed the runways.  Street style displays the trend in various pairings from leggings and skinny jeans to enormous dresses.

Are ankle boots the new iconic footwear of the season to come?  Or will it continually change?  Since last year's over the knee boots this footwear has downsized considerably; what will they look like next year?

Ankle boots from "The Brown Girl with Long Hair"

Celebrity ankle boot styling

Pastels

One trend that was completely uncalled for but all mutually agreed upon by major designers is pastels for winter.  PASTELS.  Ditch your dark hues and shades of tan, brown and black for peppy and cool colors in baby blue, petal pink, and yawn yellow (I'm kidding.. sort of).

This trend will continue from winter into spring due its transitional tones, but I'd be surprised to see this trend majorly take off.  Yes, it was everywhere on the runways but in real life?  I'd love to see some bold street style fashionistas take on this daring (?) trend.

PS-- add any bright gems or statement jewels to your bland outfits this season for an instant shine and glimmer!

Something to Think About

I saw these specific covers of Rolling Stone magazine in a post on Tumblr recently. It honestly appalled me how I had never seen this pattern until it was compared right in front of me. How can this blatant display go unnoticed for years?

I thank the girl who noticed the pattern and spelled it out for everyone on the internet. Men are treated as people, icons, while women continue to be treated as objects. You could make the argument that women can say no to being posed such ways or displaying themselves in such fashions, but why does that question have to be posed? 

Why is it normal for men to do nothing in front of the camera and sell as many covers as half naked women staring provocatively at the lens? Why is the standard so different? 

When will it change? 

The point of feminism isn't proving that women are strong. Women ARE strong. Feminism is convincing the rest of the world just how strong women truly are.