Through The Looking Glass

What strange and wonderful stories "Alice in Wonderland", and "Through The Looking Glass" are. I'm excited to see Tim Burton's rendition in 2010, partly because it features Johnny Depp, but also because I think Tim Burton has the perfect eye for bringing such a bizarre tale to life on screen.

When I was young, say seven years old, my mom used to read me a chapter of "Alice in Wonderland" each night before bed. It was out of a musty old chapter book with a zebra like pattern on the dust jacket; you would never have guessed the story that lay inside. I don't remember her buying the book for me, it just appeared one day; maybe a book my older sister had forgotten to return to a friend, or a ragged hand-me-down of some sort . It was a great story, and a great bonding experience with mumsy. Can't wait to see it on the big screen.

These are actual replicas of the pictures in the same book my mom used to read me .. Old and yellow.

Such a bizarre story. I heard it was somewhat based on an acid trip the author had. True?

Are you excited for this movie?

Random Wednesday - Let's Talk About Cats

What to ramble about this Wednesday?

I'm glad that tomorrow is my Friday. I've been finding it hard to get out of bed this week! The rain we've been having has been putting me in a deep, trance-like sleep every night, and it's hard for me to wake in the mornings. I'm looking forward to this weekend to do some more relaxing, sleeping, and movie watching.

So on a different note, I think I will be getting another feline friend =) I've been thinking about how I'm currently leaving my cat at home alone for upwards of 11 hours a day - eek!! I feel bad even typing that ... What could she possibley be doing each day other than going crazy with boredom? ...And she has been acting a little off lately. The last few nights she hasn't slept on my bed like she usually does, she's been meowing constantly, and she never wants to be held or cuddled. I'm hoping that bringing a young kitten into her life to befriend while I'm at work will help cheer her up.

When I first had the urge to get a cat, I visited the Cat Fanciers Association website (the official international association for "cat people") and started browsing through pictures of all the different types of cats. I couldn't believe how many different breeds there were! I of course fell in love with one of the most expensive breeds - a long haired, fluffy, teddybear-like, ragdoll. I started browsing local classified ads, pet websites and stores, and quickly learned that ragdolls can sell for as much as $700.00. Umm ... Excuse me? The shocking part is, I was actually ready to pay that much ... until my mom told me of a 4 year old mixed breed domestic short hair who's owner was relocating to a retirement centre and wouldn't be able to bring BB along. At first I said, no. I wanted a kitten, and an adorable fluffball at that. Then I reconsidered. I'd heared what happens at animal shelters when the cats haven't found a home ... I went to the lady's apartment "just to see" what BB was like .... Right. I left with her about ten minutes later and neither of us have looked back since.

Now that it's time to get her a friend, I have decided to get a kitten, but again I'll be adopting one of the less fortunate variety . The Meow Foundation takes in strictly stray and abandoned cats, but they have a small variety of kittens as well. For a small adoption fee of $175, I'll have a kitten that is spayed, registered, and fully vaccinated. I'm looking forward to getting my new kitty the week of Sept. 3. I have that week off, and it will give me time to introduce her to BB, and to get to know her myself. I'll be sure to post lots of pictures also =)

If you're thinking of getting a cat, please don't visit a breeder and spend an obscene amount of money on a "designer" cat! Not that those cats don't deserve love and attention, but there are so many more unwanted cats out there that deserve it just as much. There is a serious cat population problem, and you can get one just as cute and lovable for free. Hundreds of cats are euthanized each day just because there are no owners to claim them and care for them. And please please please, have you cat spayed or neautered! (And if you already know all of this, forgive me for being preachy!)

The Ragdoll: Beautiful, expensive, and highly saught after

The Domestic Shorthair: More common, often free, but just as cuddley and deserving of your love!

Blonde vs Brunette

Is there an answer to the age old question of which hair colour is superior?





Is it true that men prefer blondes but marry brunettes?





Do blondes really have more fun?





It matter not the colour of a woman's tresses - there are many beautiful examples of both in our world, and personality simply cannot be measured by the shade of a woman's hair. I've seen blonde doctors as well as brunette strippers - there really is no way of generalizing!
That being said, there are some ladies who look a lot better with one colour over the other!

Behold, my verdict on which colour suits who:

And now, for my own comparison ....

What do you think of my verdicts? Agree? Disagree?

What Happens To Your Cube When You Go On Vacation for two weeks?

This .....

A co-worker of mine will be in for quite the surprise come Monday morning ....

Home Body?

BB relaxing on the couch

Some flowers a special someone gave me ..

Where I do most of my blogging - simple yet effective =)


My chubby BBs sleeps with me every night!

****

My favorite home accessories at a glance:

Your Girl - Defined

I love landing on a blog so great that I just have to follow it. It's like finding your own burried treasure ..
I've spent the last few days doing just that, and decided to combine some of the question posts I've seen on said blogs, answering them for myself =)

1.Thing you cannot leave the house without:

My blackberry, sunglasses, and wallet. That's usually it! (Of course I carry all of this in my purse, but that's a given)

2. Favorite brand(s) of makeup:
Mac for anything skin related, and a vareity of drug store brands for pretty much everything else. Loreal Voluminous mascara has been a long time fave of mine.

3. Favorite flower:
It's a toss-up between gerber daisies and daffodils

4. Favorite clothing store:
Bebe. It seems like their clothes were tailor made for my body. I feel lucky! I love the fit of their dresses, and their over all vision - girly yet sophisticated.

5. Favorite perfume:

Givenchy Hot Couture used to be my go-to secret weapon, but I'm leaning more towards flowery scents now. Marc Jacobs Daisy, and the more affordable classic, Bath & Bodyworks Sweet Pea. 6. Heels or flats:
Heels when you need to make an impression or when the outfit otherwise calls for it. Other than that, it's flats all the way!
7. Do you make good grades:

When I'm in school, yes.

8. Favorite colors:

Absolutey white, yellow comes in a close second

9. Do you drink energy drinks:
On Thursday evenings, before I head to my second job straight from my first, or on mornings after indulging in some red wine the night before=)

10. Do you drink juice?

Cranberry Juice is my friend. Very good at keeping your system clean and healthy

11. Do you like swimming?
Yes, but unfortunately public pools are really off-putting to me, which is a shame because swimming is such a good work-out. I prefer the ocean.

12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
Nope, I pick them straight up with my fingers

13. Favorite moisturizer:
For face: Jergens gradual tan moisturizer with spf; For body: Jaqua Buttercream Frosting

14. Do you want to get married later on in life?

Yes, I'm very traditional, and am looking forward to marrying my one true love

15. Do you get mad easily?

I used to, but I think I have come a long way with figuring out what's worth getting your emotions tied up in

16. Are you into ghost-hunting?
I went on a full-fledged "Ghost Hunt" in Darbyshire Englad a couple of years ago, so I guess this would be yes? It was an eerie experience I could tell you stories about ..

17. Any phobias?

What defines a phobia? A life crippling fear of something? I'm not scared of anything to that point, but spiders, mice, moths, and mould give me serious heebs.

18. Do you bite your nails?
No!

19. Have you ever had a near death experience?
No, thank God!

20. Do you drink coffee?
My morning coffee is the best moment of the day=)

1. What is your favorite item of clothing?

My black and white Coach scarf, because it can effortlessly pull any outfit together, and my beaten up men's black Diesel hoodie. I pretty much live in it when I'm not working.

2. What are your biggest obsessions?

Coffee, diet coke, sushi, and gum

3.Who inspires you?

I can't think of a particular person who inspires me. I'm inspired in so many differnt ways by many differnt events, places and people.

4.Who is your favorite designer?

I really like Valentino. His dresses are so feminine and romantic. I wouldn't know how they fit, though =) (yet)

5. What is your favorite song ever?

"Everything" by Lighthouse

6. What is your favorite song right now?

Anything by Kaskade can generally put me in a good mood

7. If you were a sweetie, what would you be?

A sour soother

8. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. What words would describe your rainbow?

Strong willed, sensitvie, romantic, traditional, compassionate, understanding.

9. What are your favorite films?

Memoirs of a Geisha, Revolutionary Road, The Curious Case of Benjiman Button, The Little Mermaid, to name a few

10. Who is your favorite actor?

Leonardo Dicapprio, for his unmatched talent

11. If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be?

A log cabin in the rockies with a wood burning fireplace, hot chocolate, my significant other, and my kitty.

12. What are your 3 favorite smells?

Fresh laundry, banana bread in the oven, and currently Sweet Pea from Bath & Bodyworks

13. What are your 3 favorite tastes?

Cilantro, soy sauce with a hint of wasabe, and peanut butter

14. What is your most treasured possession?

A white party dress that my parents baught for me as a little girl. I felt like a princess whenever I put it on. It hangs in my closet to this day .. that and my laptop

15. What did you always want to be when you grew up?

Someone famous! A rockstar, an actress, it didn't really matter

16. If you were an ice-cream flavor, what would you be?

Strawberry

17. If someone made a short film about your life, who would play you?

Kate Winslet, 100%

18. What would your perfect afternoon consist of?

Clothes shopping on Rodeo Drive with no limits spending. And then grabbing lunch with a friend.

19. If you were a flower, what would you be?

A daffodil - elegant, yet warm and happy looking.

20. Tell me one random thing... be it your favorite line from a song, scene from a movie, or quote from a book... or tell me something you love.

"It's a beautiful day; don't let it get away" - U2 song lyric

My Favorite Actresses

Jennifer Aniston

For the longest time, I never fancied Miss Aniston. As with most other played-out Hollywood "mega stars", I had resigned to run against the crowd and told myself "she's nothing special". I didn't even find "Friends" funny until about three years ago when I started watching re-runs. I found her overall look to be well, medicore at the best of times.

Then I watched "The Breakup" with Vince Vaughn. The storyline was okay, but what really caught my attention was the award winning performance Jenn gave. There is one scene when she is balling in the bedroom after Vince stands her up at the concert, and I just thought "holy shit, this girl can ACT!!!" In my opinion she is far more talented than Angelina Jolie. Am I just saying that as Angie is now THE woman of the moment? I really don't think so... Jennifer is simply more gifted in the acting department.

I also always seem to admire someone more when they are able to rise from adversity. Having your husband leave you for a younger, "prettier", more successful woman while the whole world watches on in absolute enchantment must really, really suck. But through it all she has remained a complete class act, someone to be admired and looked up to. I love you, Jenn!!

Jane Lynch

The first time I saw this funny woman on "40 Year Old Virgin", all I could think was, who is this hilarious lesbian and why haven't I seen her before? (I don't know that she's actually a lesbian, but the woman sure gives off those vibes .. not that there's anything wrong with that!) It's rare to find an actor/tress who completely encompasses every aspect of your own sense of humour and then plays it back to you even better, but Ms. Lynch does just that for me! I've stopped and rewound parts of "Role Models" more times than I could ever attempt to count. I hope that this is just the begining of her career; I love me some Janey!

Kate Winslet

Do I really need to write a paragraph on why Kate Winslet is my #1 favorite actress in the entire world? No, but I will anyway. She's a true thespian (that word used to freak me out a little, it sounded sexual and deviant and wrong, kind of like pianist .. I know .. I'm weird) in every sense of the word. She doesn't act, she becomes. She doesn't pretend, she is. She's so classically beautiful and natural, and I love every piece of her work that I've seen so far. You know when an actress is cast next to Leonardo DiCaprio and still outshines him talent wise, the girl's got game. Case in point - Revolutionary Road, directed by Sam Mendes. Watch it! Story line is a little off the beaten path (it's based on a novel), but no one can deny the tremendous acting and direction.

What about you? Who are your favorite actors/actresses of all time?

Laughing at Inappropriate Times

For as long as I can remember, I've had the unfortunate habit of laughing at the most inappropriate of times. When I hear of a death of a celebrity, see something shocking on t.v., or hear of a struggle suffered, more often than not, I find myself chuckling as I re-tell the scenario.
WTH, right?!
I've always told myself that I'm not a freak and that it is just my subconcious way of coping with traumatic events that deep down sadden and/or scare me to death. I googled this "phenonenon" (which may or may not be strictly isolated to my existance), and didn't turn up much. All I got were tips on how to stop laughing at inappropriate times, not why people start doing it in the first place. One thing I did find fascinating though, is that laughter and sadness seem to, in a way at least, go hand in hand; that my laughing probably really is my body's legitimate and innocent way of coping with the trauma I'm exposed to. Think about it: What is the one thing that someone who is beside themselves with happiness will do? Cry. So if pure happiness can breed tears, than dammit, the only reason I'm laughing at pain is because I am so deeply, deeply saddened by it. At least that's what I tell myself so I don't come off as an insensitive sociopath....


What about you? Ever laughed while at a funeral or something equally horrendous?

Top 5 Rainy Day Movies

I woke to the soft pitter patter of raindrops on my window sill this morning. I love the rain. It romances me and reminds me how mysterious and beautiful my world is when it's covered in glistening raindrops. It's faint whisper casts a dreamlike spell on me, and this morning all I wanted to do was spend the day curled up bed, daydreaming. Why is it that the days we want to be lazy most are always the days we must be at work?

Apart from staying in my fuzzy pjs all day, eating a yummy breakfast, playing with BB (my cat), and daydreaming, I love to watch movies on rainy days. There is nothing better than curling up on my comfy couch with a blanket and some tea, and getting lost in the stories that play out before me on the screen. My top five rainy day movies, (in no particular order) are:

Cinderella

The vintage Disney classic, of course. I'm instantly transported back to the beautiful 50s eachtime I pop this movie in, and I can't help but sing along to Cinderella's beautiful voice. This is definitely one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. I'm a pre-millenium Disney type; the computer animation of today just doesn't do it for me the same way that Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid can. Perfect for a rainy day with nothing to do but daydream.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Maybe it's because a lot of the scenes are shot in the rain, and it is a truly romantic movie, but this film is nothing but beautiful, mysterious, and intriguing. It's perfect film fare for a rainy, gloomy, day when you wouldn't be anywhere but safe inside.

Pretty Woman

What is it with romance movies and raindrops? This has long been my "favorite movie of all time". I was introduced to the film at six years old, when my babysitter braught it over (R-rated and all) for me and my sister to watch with her. I remember my favorite scene was when Julia Roberts went back to the snobby shopkeepers on Rodeo Drive in her thousand dollar outfit to tell them off for snubbing her. That first time watching the movie was when my fantasy of the "tall dark and handsome man who will take care of me" was truly born. Luckily I wasn't hookin' when he later waltzed into my life ...

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Yes, I read all of the crappy reviews for this movie, and was a little skeptical when I sat down to watch it. Well when all was said and done, I was pleasantly surprised and left the theatre a new woman. Okay, maybe not a new woman, but I did feel light and airy, and everything else that a cheesy romantic comedy should make you feel. Folks, with a tiltle like the one it has, and from the preview alone, you shouldn't have been expecting an Academy Nominee of a movie. However if you want sweet, romantic, funny, silly, and surprisingly, quality acting, all in the same film, and if you can get past the creepy idea of Michael Douglas as a ghostly womanizer, you will love this film. Come on, don't be a movie snob.

Labrynth

David Bowie. Blonde Mullets. Spandex Tights. Need I say more?

What could be better than getting lost in a fantasy world of stolen babies and creepy goblins on a rainy day? The dreamy and mysterious soundtrack, compliments of Bo-Bo, are sure to add to the whimsical feel of your living room, as raindrops drum on your roof.

Absolute Essentials For a Cozy, Rainy Day at Home:

-your favorite tea

-a fuzzy warm blanket

-a cuddly cat or dog (or at the very least a very cute teddybear)

-grilled cheese sandwhich and tomato soup

- bunny slippers

-nowhere to be for a long, long time =)