...saturday silver screen: morning glory

For reasons I won't reveal, I was a complete mess today.Time for the ugly cry.

The only things that kept me from drowning my sorrows in a whole tub of Haagen Dazs dark chocolate ice cream was the shortage of Lactaid, and the promise of Morning Glory tonight.

I've been looking forward to this movie for months. It's the perfect grown up romantic comedy, though it's light on the romantic. The whole audience, all 10 of us, laughed out loud throughout the film. North American audiences would rather watch crap like Jackass 3D than an intelligent movie like this one.

Rachel McAdams is absolutely adorable as Becky, the young producer brought in to save a low rated network morning show. Diane Keaton (outfitted as Diane Keaton would be in fitted shirts and big necklaces) is a real trooper in a hysterical supporting role as one of the cohosts. Harrison Ford is, um, grumpy. And of course, my boyfriend Patrick Wilson was great eye candy in the small role of the PLI (perfect love interest). PLI courts Becky persistently but respectfully, is understanding and supportive, and of course, hot. I'll take one of those.

There's nothing like a good movie to get me out of my funk. I LOVED Morning Glory. Score: A-, but I'll upgrade to A+ for casting the lovely Mr Wilson.

...fashion friday: talbots?

These are so pretty.

Talbot's is one of those brands I associate with conservative grandmothers. This preview from their spring 2011 line has me seeing them in a new light. I love all these looks. Or have I turned into a conservative grandma already? geez.

...thursday talk: tall, chapter 1

Tina Fey and her husband, Jeff Richmond

It's time we talked about height.

Last night, Tina Fey received the Mark Twain award for American Humour at the Kennedy Center. That's quite the honour and she certainly deserves it. I don't laugh out loud during 30 Rock as much as I used to, but I still think she's brilliant. How evil am I that all I could think of when I saw this picture is how short her husband is?

I'm Filipino, we're not tall people. If I stand up straight I'm 5 feet tall. When I was 16, I dated a boy who was my height -- popular guy, great dancer, my parents hated him -- so he was perfect. When the relationship ended, I didn't give him another thought. May he rest in peace.

At 18, I met this guy ... wow. We had nothing in common but chemistry, and chemistry's a bitch. He was a year younger, athletic, handsome, witty, unpredictable, sarcastic, moody, adorable, infuriating. Naturally I fell so crazy in love with him that I couldn't see straight. I certainly couldn't do homework. All I wanted to do was sit on his lap, put my arms around his neck and kiss his perfect face. (It was the dawn of the 80's and we were foolishly, perfectly chaste. Honest.) He was 7 feet tall, so this was the only way we could see eye to eye. Actually he was 6'1" but I put him on such a pedestal he might as well have been 7'. To make a tall story short, the universe did everything in its power for me and this guy to never get together. He married someone nearly as tall as he.

Thus, my obsession with heels.

...wednesday wish: wing chair

Sometimes all I want to do is sit on a cozy wing chair with my favorite book and magazines, and an endless cup of coffee...

Restoration Hardware

3 images from JK Place, Capri

...tuesday shoes day: perfect pump

Today's shoe isn't flashy or trendy and it probably looks like a pair of shoes you already own. According to Jcrew, "the Coddington pump is quite possibly the most perfect pump". If I could manage to walk gracefully in this gorgeous leg lengthening classic--and that's a very big IF--I would have to agree!

Coddington pump, $228 USD

I can't resist sharing these tidbits:

• Carey Mulligan is adorable. (Vulture) 
• Wow, if this is true, that's quite the upgrade. (TMZ)
• Good choice, ET. (People)
• He's from Love, Actually! I thought he was a well preserved Sam Goldwyn. (Vulture)

...monday mirage: jk capri

Is it Monday already? Then it's time to travel the isle of Capri, where the J.K. Place looks very close to what I imagine heaven must look like...

Seems like the perfect spot to celebrate a big anniversary or milestone birthday, or just to get away from it all, relax and enjoy life's blessings...

...sunday search: scarves

SJP with Chanel scarf, SATC 1

I loved many of Carrie's outfits in Sex&TheCity1, but this was the most memorable for me because hey, I could actually see myself in this. I mean, I gasped when I first saw this image, but on what occasion would I wear a green full skirted dress, short sleeve coat, high gladiator sandals and an  Eiffel Tower bag (that I love love love btw, even if it wouldn't hold my hairbrush)?? Really...

I do however, for at least 90% of my current life, dress very casually. My fall wardrobe consists mainly of jeans, casual jacket, boots, messy hair in a bun, and a scarf for a touch of softness. So lately I've been searching for scarves --big, long, comfy, cozy, plush--just like the ones these stylish ladies are wearing.

Rachel Bilson in Chanel, from the gloss

who what wear

the city sage

GOOP, presumably at the airport.

So with those images in mind, I found these:

From the Gap. Trust me, this is better than it looks. It's beyond soft and cozy, and the neutral colours go with everything.

Banana Republic Gosh, I wish I still had that 50% discount.

Jcrew. OMG, this might just have to make its way to my cart.

For more scarf inspiration, read these recents posts from Big Wolf and Simply Luxurious. Happy scarf hunting!

...saturday silver screen: Oklahoma!

When I first watched Oklahoma on tv in 1972, I was completely enchanted by the music, the acting, the choreography, everything... The next time the movie was televised, I vowed to tape it. Now, this was before Betamax, VCR, DVD, bluray and PVR, so 'taping' meant positioning the family's big cassette recorder in front of the television speakers. You could hear the background noise, the phone ringing, family screaming... those were the days! (hmmm.. .What did pre-teens do in their spare time in the 70s? I'm not sure because I was in my room memorizing the lyrics to Oklahoma. I must have been a strange kid!)

This musical is brilliant, delightful, the best of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Hearing Gordon MacRae sing 'Oh What A Beautiful Morning'... ah, it's proof that God exists :)

...friday flap: what?!

When you see this sofa, do you think Goodwill, Value Village, or possibly found at the curb on garbage day?

Well, wrong wrong wrong. Because this is a $6500 USD sofa, found here.

And if that isn't shocking enough, this fox (tall, dark, handsome, Canadian!) was eliminated from the dumb ass show that I WILL NEVER WATCH AGAIN. I'm fighting with all the Republicans who decided to vote twice on Tuesday. There is truly no accounting for taste.

 I'll leave it to the dashing and equally dumbfounded Don Draper to comment.

...thursday talk: secrets

Secrets of Adulthood

• The best reading is re-reading.
• Outer order contributes to inner calm.
• The opposite of a great truth is also true.
• You manage what you measure.
• By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
• People don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.
• It's nice to have plenty of money.
• Most decisions don't require extensive research.
• Try not to let yourself get too hungry.
• Even if you think they're fake, it's nice to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day.
• If you can't find something, clean up.
• The days are long, but the years are short.
• Someplace, keep an empty shelf.
• Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
• It's okay to ask for help.
• You can choose what you do; you can't choose what you LIKE to do.
• Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
• What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
• You don't have to be good at everything.
• Soap and water removes most stains.
• It's important to be nice to EVERYONE.
• You know as much as most people.
• Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
• Eat better, eat less, exercise more.
• What's fun for other people may not be fun for you--and vice versa.
• People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
• Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.
• If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.
• No deposit, no return.

From Gretchen Rubin's inspiring blog and must read book, The Happiness Project. 

...wednesday wish list: books!

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

Ellements of Personal Style

I Remember Nothing by my AU BFF, Nora Ephron

Hue by Kelly Wearstler

Illustrado by Miguel Syjuco

and of course, to inspire me to cook for the holidays...

How Easy Is That? by my AU mom, Ina Garten

...tuesday shoes day: Manolos

Vogue Spring 2011 Accessories Blackbook

We have yet to see snow, US Thanksgiving or Christmas, but Vogue has already posted their spring lookbook. Nevermind....Isn't this the cutest croc loafer you've ever seen?

...monday mirage: paris perfect

I'm dreaming of a little apartment in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower....

parisperfect.com

...sunday search: sheath dresses under $100

I'm always on the lookout for sheath dresses. Since I don't have the lifestyle where it's necessary to own several cocktail dresses, I tend to look for work appropriate dresses. It's easy to find classy dresses if money were no object, but what if you had less than $100 to spend? Well, not an easy task...

I managed to find very few. Note though that most are on sale from the original price, and online from US retailers.

BR wool sheath dress, $79 on sale

The best thing about this dress was this online review: I'm not sure why stores like Banana Republic take so many great-for-work styles and then modify them so they are only great for work if your work involves seducing someone... ha!

Ann Taylor knit tweed sheath dress, $79 online

Ann Taylor moody jaguar print sheath, $79

 I nearly purchased the AT jaguar print sheath when I was in Buffalo a few weeks ago, but decided against it. Yes, the length and cut are work appropriate. But would I be comfortable wearing purple animal print to a meeting, or even an office cocktail party? No! 

Loft wool sheath dress, $89

 This beauty is available in petite size, and with an additional 30% off now. It may just be worth a trip across the border....ugh.

I've concluded that cute, quality sheaths under $100 don't exist in Canada.But of course there's always Winners...

...saturday silver screen: The Haunting (1963)

 

What's the scariest movie you've ever seen? I've seen dozens (hundreds?) of scary movies, but have never experienced anything more frightening than 1963's 'The Haunting'.  The prologue alone sends shivers down my spine. This classic haunted house movie has no monsters, blood, or slashers, but it is horror at its most perfect--it's all in your mind.

"Hill House, not sane, stood against the hills, holding darkness within. Whatever walked there, walked alone."

Need I say it? Do NOT watch this alone. (It's playing on TMC on Sunday, 9:30pm EDT.) Happy Halloween!