TCM Classic Film Festival 2013

This is today's post from our film blog This Cinematic Life, just wanted to share it here too!

Another year, another TCM Film Fest! Unfortunately, once again Craig's work schedule only permitted us to attend the last day, and once again we were not passholders. The good news is that if you get there early enough, you can hop in the standby line and get in without too much trouble, which is how Craig and I found ourselves outside the Egyptian at 8:30 in the morning. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be at 8:30 in the morning, really.

Rita Hayworth as Gilda

Saw Gilda at the TCM Film Festival over the weekend (proper update soon!)...aren't Rita Hayworth's costume's to die for? I don't think there's ever been a sexier character onscreen, and I'm including all of Marilyn Monroe's characters in that. Go Rita!

"Coda" by Dorothy Parker

There's little in taking or giving, 

 There's little in water or wine; 

This living, this living, this living 

 Was never a project of mine. 

Oh, hard is the struggle, and sparse is 

 The gain of the one at the top, 

For art is a form of catharsis, 

 And love is a permanent flop, 

And work is the province of cattle, 

 And rest's for a clam in a shell, 

So I'm thinking of throwing the battle --- 

 Would you kindly direct me to hell?

Poem brought to you by a bad mood brought about by over two weeks of poor sleep due to various ailments, including double pink eye. :(

Here's to a restful weekend, hopefully...!

Nina Simone - "Don't Smoke in Bed"

Chad Sell Comics/RuPaul's Drag Race

If you know me at all, you know how much I love "RuPaul's Drag Race." I wake up on Tuesday mornings at 5:00 so I can watch the previous night's episode without cutting into my regular morning routine. Crazy? Maybe. But I will never miss an episode!

Artist Chad Sell does amazing illustrations of the Drag Race contestants and their fabulous looks....might have to snag a print or three to display my love for this show in my boudoir somewhere!

Do you watch the show? Who are some of your all-time favorite contestants? Who are you rooting for to win Season 5??

A Wes Anderson Soiree!

We threw a Wes Anderson costume party/art show last weekend and it was a total blast! I loved seeing the costumes people came up with, and I had so much fun putting everything together. When's the next party??

Happy Earth Day!

This is a photo I took last May during a camping trip with friends. I learned on that trip that I am NOT much of a camper, but that I do need to incorporate more time outdoors into my routine. More hikes, less sleeping on the ground. I admit I have a bad habit of getting online and staying there for hours when I have a day off, but I'd really like to have more time outside. It calms me, clears my head. I also love taking photos of nature...they're usually some of my favorites.

Here's to stopping to smell the roses!

Update (aka The One With Richard Armitage, Stud Muffin)

A thousand apologies for not updating...my health has been not so great, and it's all I can manage to go to work and then pass out on the couch during a movie. I've had a severe sore throat for a week and a half now, and I'm barely starting to recover from the worst ever case of pink eye. It was seriously disgusting. Blech. But! I'm determined to update this thing!

Last Sunday Craig and I went to Disney's California Adventure to check out all the new stuff, including Cars Land. I can't really stand the Cars movies, but the new ride was really fun! Here's a little video I made of our day.

Watched lots of new-to-me movies...some were really great (La Havre, the Anne of Green Gables miniseries, First Position) and some were pretty godawful (No Strings Attached, ugh). And this morning I just finished watching the miniseries "North & South" starring Richard Armitage, and oh my god, you guys.

HOTTIE. Can you believe he's Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit?

Tonight we're hosting a Wes Anderson theme party so hopefully we get a decent turnout. Pictures soon!

Update!

My hometown of Orange, CA celebrated its 125th birthday last Saturday. I made this little video of my morning with my sister checking out the festivities. We had a good time!

We also went to my friend Chris's art show. Well done, sir! The whole night was filled with great art, good food, and very special friends.

"Mad Men" returned on Sunday night, and I am a very happy girl. Sally Draper is my favorite character...how adorable is Kiernan Shipka? I love her.

In other news...

I'm almost done with The Night Circus and my audiobook of A Little Princess (which I haven't read since I was a kid!). I have new books arriving any day now and I'm excited to dive in!

I've been going on morning walks with Craig pretty regularly and I love myself for it!

I'm also nearing up on two years of vegetarianism. Go me again! I need to continue to eat better though...I indulged in a very carb filled dinner last night, but it was delicious so oh well.

Also...

R.I.P. my lovely Annette

R.I.P. Roger Ebert

We posted about Roger Ebert's passing on our film blog, but I just wanted to say here how much his love of film and his writings about film have influenced me. He will be missed. 

Truman Capote's Black and White Ball

I just finished reading Party of the Century by Deborah Davis, about the legendary Black and White Ball hosted by Truman Capote at the height of his success in 1966. The book was okay but it needed editing...you can't deny the lasting impact of that party, though!

Makes you want to throw a party, doesn't it?

Easter 2013

Another Easter has come and gone, and I actually enjoyed my day immensely! I made lemon cupcakes and chocolate dipped strawberries for my mom's brunch in the morning. We ate little souffles baked in a little paper cup and lots of candy. Visited with my family (including my stepsister's adorable daughter Daniella!) and then dashed off to my in-laws for badminton, piano playing, and more food! And can I just say how much I like playing badminton? I played for two hours or so, and today I'm sunburned and sore but very happy!

Hope yours was swell!