The Virgin & Shirtless Supernatural Boys
Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: The Twilight Saga:New Moon
Topic: Movie Reviews

 

I am a movie enthusiast. Simply, I love movies. I love the experience of watching a new or an old beloved movie whether it be on television, a DVD, or at the theater. Don’t mistake my self-proclamation of being an enthusiast as my being a movie snob. I enjoy all levels of movie. I love great movies made with care and passion—those are my favorites that I can watch over and over again. I loathe movies that are badly written; badly edited; badly acted; badly executed; sloppy; and just made with little or not thought.

 

Then there are those fair-to-middling movies which get slapped with descriptors such as “guilty pleasures” or “just okay.” Those movies are usually made with some care, maybe a bit of passion, and delivers what the audience wants. These flicks don’t win Oscars. They piss off most of the higher browed critics and viewers. They cause some film elitists and sociologists to write off the current generation, and decry how stupid culture consumers have gotten. They keep B-list actors employed ad infinitum. Lol. And, you know what? I like some of them. They’re comfort food for my brain. Sure, I can appreciate Liam Neeson playing Oskar Schindler, the businessman who saved many Jews during the Holocaust. But I also loved him as the vengeful father in the shoot ‘em up Taken. This is where The Twilight Saga: New Moon falls.

 

I enjoyed New Moon probably more than I should have.  I had refused to read the novels, because I knew there were better young adult novels out there worth my time. Once I started reading reviews and analysis of it, I definitely knew I wasn’t going to like it. I was too much of a teenage feminist to like protagonist Bella Swan—klutzy, clueless, and always in need of some male to save her. And perhaps I was too much of a traditionalist, because I like my vampires to die in the sunlight! I was overtaken by curiosity, and my lips hovered over the glass of Twilight Kool-Aid. Pleasing many of teen Twi-fans, I hosted a DVD viewing of the first movie at my library. I prepared to watch it with a sardonic smirk on my face, but, at the end, I found myself a wee bit smitten.

 

My husband likes to joke that I’m secretly a thirteen old girl, because of my like of tweeny Nintendo DS games and the desire to get a cell phone charm. Well, he can also add because of my like of the movies Twilight and New Moon. The palatable virgin teen sexual tension took me back to my awkward adolescence and young adulthood, where I longed to be desired by two hot dudes. Admittedly, I am (and would have been as a teen) on Team Jacob—the hunky werewolf. Edward Cullen’s lanky bod and paleness leave me a bit cold. (No pun intended.) New Moon was filled with killing, hunting, mysteries, and ancient lore. The forbidden romantic triangle put it over the top as prime guilty pleasure fodder.

 

In the second installment of Stephenie Meyer’s series, Bella (human girl) is dumped by her vampire boyfriend Edward so she is no longer in harm's way. Except, this causes her to spiral into an angst-ridden depression where she can only see Edward when she is danger (which is often). Now a bon a fide adrenaline junkie, she starts to refurbish a pair of motorbikes with her long time friend Jacob. Jacob is a Native American teen hiding some supernatural issues of his own. Blah, blah, blah…shirtless buff boy-men standing in rain…long passionate kisses…werewolves and vampires face off. Bella chooses to be with Edward who promises to turn her into a vampire when she’s 21, and Jacob threatens Edward. But danger still lurks in the air as dangerous red-headed vamp named Victoria wants to kill Bella. It all sounds corny, right? But I was all in and I can’t wait for the sequel. (Three-quel?) Plus, Dakota Fanning's small role was awesome and there was promise of more of her deadly vampire in Eclipse. 

 

Yes, it dragged in some parts. Yes, some of the dialogue was a bit schmaltzy. But, there was some subtle jokes and sarcasm that only a wizened adult could spot and laugh at. If you know that this movie was made for soft-hearted teens rooting for their generation’s star-crossed lovers, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy the fluff today, go see the Oscar-bait tomorrow. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give New Moon 2.75 stars.

 

 If you want to check out a grown folks’ fantasy/adventure/love story, peep the 1981 King Arthur tale Excalibur. It stars a younger Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, and Patrick Stewart.

Mama Needs A New Bag
Mood:  hungry
Now Playing: Coach Bag Giveaway at The Fashionable Housewife and Fashionable Gal
Topic: Contests
The Fashionable Housewife and the Fashionable Gal is having a great bag giveaway. The Fashionable Housewife has teamed up with Coach. The Fashionable Housewife is one of Coach’s 30 favorite bloggers and have partnered with them for their Holiday Blog-a-Day promotion this year!  The Fashionable Housewife and the Fashionable Gal will be showing us a few pieces from the Coach Holiday collection and then give one lucky reader the chance to win the Amethyst Texture Metallic Audrey Shoulderbag from the Fashionable Housewife (see below). One lucky reader as the chance to win the Poppy Sequins Mini Flap bag (see below amethyst bag and separator) from The Fashionable Gal.

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Enter to win now!

Swinging through the Web 2.0 Jungle
Mood:  on fire
Now Playing: Glam TV
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

Lately, one of my fav things has been tinkering around with all of the web 2.0 components out there from Twittering to Youtube, which is probably why I haven't been blogging here much myself. There is just too much stuff out there to look at instead of creating my own. 

While reading one of my favorite blogs, The Fashionable Gal, I came across a tutorial from Glam.com on how to wear high-heeled shoes. Since becoming a mom and a children's librarian, most of my shoes have been of the flat and/or comfortable variety. However, there might be a time when I'll feel brave enough to wear a heel again and this video will certainly help. (And speaking of heels, check out some of the shoes I've been covetting in my next post.)

 

 

BrooklynShoeBabe's Wish List

Mama Needs A New Pair of Shoes
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: My Organized Choas: Must Have Shoes Review and Contest
Topic: Contests

MyOrganizedChoas is having an awesome contest, where you could win a pair of shoes from the online shoe store MustHaveShoes.com. According to this busy mom of twins plus a single, MustHaveShoes.com has "designed their online shopping to match asking your salesperson which [shoe] would would suit your own size or want in design." Hey, who doesn't want that kind of customized help on the internet? So hustle your little self over to MyOrganizedChoas and enter!

 

 

 

More Contests!
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Konad Halloween Treat Contest at Painted Lady Fingers
Topic: Contests

There's nothing I love more than entering contests except for winning contests. lol. In order to increase my chances of winning a Konad set from Painted Lady Fingers' blog, I'm going to hip you to the contest as well.

Check it out:

OC Nail Art and Painted Lady Finger have partnered to give us the chance to win an assortment of Konad items perfect for Halloween festivities: Konad Sponge Nail Art Kit 2, Image Plate M13, and Princess Polish in gold black. (See pic):

Why don't you jump on over and enter! Good luck to you and (mostly) to me.

 

Contests, Contests, Contests
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Win Some MAC Makeup from Shades of U
Topic: Contests

Shades Of U is presenting a MAC Giveaway for The Shades Of U followers and subscribers!! This contest is open to everyone eighteen (18) years old and older worldwide. Below are pictures of the prizes in store for the winner (all items are brand-new, untested MAC products):

and

 

The names of the products that you can win are:

1. Blackware glimmerglass
2. Blackfire glimmerglass
3. Blingblack glimmerglass
4. Black Knight cremesheen lipstick
5. Blue Flame mineralize eyeshadow
6. Cinderfella mineralize eyeshadow
7. Wisteria eyeshadow trio (Dame Edna collection)
8. Kirsch mattene lipstick

 

Good luck to you and (mostly) me!

 

 

Stream of Consciousness
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: The Meeting by Me

I used to want to be a writer. I used to want to be a muckraker--an investigative journalist. I used to write. I used to be a fact checker; close to seeking the out the truth for the greater good. All of it never gelled for me. I'm not sad nor depressed about it. The desire to be writer just extinguished like a flame being deprieved air. Old friends and classmates ask me now if I'm still writing for it was that strong of a passion when I was 14, 15, 16, 20, 21. Things change. I'm embarrased to admit that I'm not into writing anymore, not like before. Every now and then, I write a little missive. Nothing worthy of sharing.

I had a poem published in a college journal back in 1995. I can't remember the journal nor the poem. I think both burned up in my apartment fire later that year. Five years later, I wrote porn. Erotica. Smut. Whatever you want to call it. It was pretty good. I still have it. Had some published in Playgirl. Proud moments for me. I even used my skills to write catalog entries for plus-size lingere. I was paid in corsets. lol. Then the depression came. Then the medicine. Kind of lost my desire to write. I refocused my energy--librarain, mom, cat owner.

Recently, I wrote a scene. I don't if you can call it a short story. It's something. It can stand on its own or be expanded. I decided to share it. I like it. Sometimes I can't stand myself. Sometimes I think that the joy can't be happening to me. That's the inspiration of this little thing I called "The Meeting."

--Kiki

 

The Meeting

September 15, 2009 ©

 

As soon as he saw her, his body began to crush in on itself. His lungs tightened, his ribcage began to shrink around his organs, and his heart began to beat faster to free itself. He wanted her. Had to have her. So paralyzed by his body’s implosion was he, that he could not hardly move to greet her. Using all of his strength, he tilted his head and gave a lopsided and closed-move grin. Her eyes widened then her mouth gaped for a second and then closed. She lowered her eyes to the floor, and the fear of rejection burned in his belly.

            Look back up, he thought. I’m smiling at you, beautiful.

 

She saw him. She saw the smile aimed in her direction, and the only thing she could do was look down. He wasn’t smiling at her, she concluded. They, all of the hes, never smile at her. They smile over her, behind her, beside her but never at her. She brought her glass to her lips and sipped slowly, purposefully trying not to look at him again to quickly and be met with an apologetic head nod. She picked her head up and glanced at him. He smiled a little broader this time.

            Is he really flirting with me? She asked and then looked over her shoulder just in case.

            I am, his eyes seemed to respond. She smiled back, and parted her lips a bit. Finally, she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. The seduction had begun.

            Hi. His throat was dry, but he had hoped it had sounded dashing and raspy not cracking like a prepubescent boy.

            Hi. She liked the way her voice sounded when she spoke. She had been told that it was full bodied and inviting like her figure. However, most men never got past the figure.

            I’m Simon. He extended his hand.

            Jo. She extended her hand and Simon took it. He gave it a hardy shake before bring it to his mouth. His lips were warm and moist as it grazed across Jo’s knuckles. She shivered, and already declared that she was his.

 

A Little Salt in Your Sugar
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: (500) Days of Summer
Topic: Movie Reviews

 

 

 

(500) Days of Summer is an irresistible and sweet movie directed by former music video director Marc Webb. It is common knowledge now that this anti-romantic comedy is actually based on a real woman. (She was the girlfriend the writer Scott Neustadter.) The movie starts with an intro that reads: “Any resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you, Jenny Beckman... Bitch,” which puts a small damper on one’s enjoyment of the movie. It reminds me of how women are insulted when they turn down a man’s advances. Instead of accepting the refusal quietly, they call her “skank” or a “whore.” Some even worse insults include shouting that her vagina smells. It’s a false bravado, which everyone recognizes yet the stares and the tsk tsking are aimed at the woman as though she deserved the haranguing. Although the viewer already goes into (500) knowing it is about the unraveling of a relationship, which is the fault of both parties, we are immediately biased against the woman.

 

With that said, I did enjoy (500) Days of Summer much more than I should have since it does have a subtle disgust of women and our secret, mysterious ways that men always complain about.  But it is Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s portrayal of Tom, a charming and romantic emo twenty-something, which draws you into the movie and Tom’s pov. With the oversized projection of Gordon-Levitt’s face on the screen, you can’t help to fall into his inviting smile and playful eyes—he’s a nice guy who’s not a doormat. As you fall deeper in love with Tom, you wonder why the object of his affection ends up dumping him.

 

 

 

The casting is what really makes this movie. A too comedic of an actor or a too brooding of an actor would have alienated us from Tom’s pain and need for closure. Zooey Deschanel’s kooky prettiness lends an ethereal quality that fits perfectly Tom’s rhapsodizing and near worship of Summer. A more traditional beauty would have made Tom’s deep feelings for Summer seem shallow. The audience can understand somebody being head over heels in love with a curvy woman with come hither eyes like Eva Mendes, but such a fascination of a woman with such quirkiness allows the audience to accept that Tom loved her for more than what was on the outside.

 

(500) Days did have some faults. It was only 100 minutes long, but did seem to drag in some places. It lacks somewhat broad appeal for it’s cultural references are steeped somewhere between 1986 and 1991. Although this movie wasn’t written for women in mind, it was a little disappointing that Summer was such a 1-dimensional character.

 

Out of 5 stars, I give this movie 3 solid stars. (Also an extra half star for the cool soundtrack.)

Summer Touch Creamy Body Wash - True Blue Spa - Bath & Body Works

The Colors of the Rainbow on Your Nails
Mood:  lazy
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

Moi had heard a lot about Zoya nail polish, especially when I was pregnant three years ago. Because it is free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor, it is reported to be safe to use while pregnant. I doubted anything that was so free would have staying power like Zoya claims. Well, Zoya proved me wrong. 

Recently, I was able to get three free bottles of Zoya nail polish because of an awesome coupon code. I was excited. The first color I tried was Jinx, which is copper-penny brown metallic nail polish. (Zoya's website describes it as a "Deep red bronze with golden metallic shimmer.") Jinx is also one of it's more opaque polishes. With just 2 strokes, I covered my entire big toe nail. Only habit made me add a second coat, but it was very light. I didn't use a traditional top coat, but a sheer coral-orange-glittery Zoya shade called Gabrielle. It gave my pedicure an extra dose of sheen.

The smell of the polish wasn't as strong as other polishes, and dried a little bit quicker. I was expecting the color to chip in three days. It didn't matter if i wore open-toed or close-toed, the color didn't chip or rub off. As a matter of fact, after nearly 3 weeks, I got sick of looking at the color. lol. I'm kind of lazy, so I usually wait until my pedicure starts to look bad before I begin again. 

In these tough economic times, you want to get your money's worth with all your products. At normally $7 a bottle, Zoya is worth every penny invested in it. 

Help Me Win!
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: The Fashionable Gal Is Having A Contest

The amazing people atTJX/Marshalls & Rocket XL are offering one lucky Fashionable Gal reader a $25 Gift Card to Marshalls to score some goodies of their own! This contest is open to US Residents only and will run until August 30, at midnight (EST Time). Good luck!

 Mandatory Entry: Visit the Marshalls website and use the store locator (top right corner) to find the closest Marshalls to you, then come back and comment with the location.

 

Extra Entries (1 entry each):

~If you’re a Marshalls shopper, tell me about a great shopping experience you’ve had there!

~Share an awesome bargain you’ve scored recently (or a fave that comes to mind).

~If you haven’t shopped at Marshalls before, tell me why!

 

~Follow me @fashionablegal on Twitter!

~Tweet, using the following text (can be done 2x daily for 2 extra entries!):

“RT: Win a $25 GC to Marshalls & shop the latest fashions for a fraction of the cost! @fashionablegal http://tinyurl.com/naq4aa Ends 8/30!”

~Subscribe to my newsletter!

~Blog about this giveaway & leave the link in your comments (3 extra entries)!

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Alrighty folks, you see the info. Now go ahead and enter the contest yourselves. If you don't win, at least you've discovered a great new blog. 

 

Won Over By Makeovers
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Making Over America with Trinny and Susannah
Topic: TV: The Soft Blue Glow

I love televised makeovers. I loved them when they had stylists remake audience members on the Ricki Lake and the Jenny Jones shows. So when the makeover became a whole genre of reality television, I was right there with the exception of Extreme Makeover. TLC has cornered the market on making folks over although I do get a kick out of Jay Manuel's celebrity look-alike makeover show on the Style Network (Style Her Famous). I'm very loyal to The Learning Channel and there's not a Friday night when I'm not watching What Not to Wear. I was also big fans of 10 Years Younger (with all their hosts); and Cover Shot. Now, TLC has added a new contender to the stable. It’s Making Over America with Trinny and Susannah.

 

Some may know Trinny and Susannah as the hosts of the original What Not to Wear, which they created in the United Kingdom. Over the years, they have created quite a styling empire with books and television appearances. Now they are taking a stab at their first American stateside series, where they travel from state to state in a trailer to help those trapped by bad fashion choices.

 

After just watching the first episode, I am convinced that this is now my favorite makeover show even above What Not to Wear with Clinton and Stacy. Trinny and Susannah may come off as intimidating, but they show us they are as real as you and I by the end of the show. They reveal their stretch marks, lumps, and bumps to those they are trying to help to prove that anyone can look great with the correct foundation garments, confidence and well-fitting clothes.

 

Along with fashion advice, Susannah and Trinny give a good dose of tough and body confidence-building lessons. There are no hidden cameras, there’s no one making fun of you, and there are no flights to major metropolises. Trinny and Susannah encourage the women to look at themselves in a new light, and to dress in a way that’s flattering at the stores in their area. 

 

The only thing that is slightly off-putting is that Trinny and Susannah are very touchy-grabby. In the premiere epi, they grab makeover contestant Jennifer’s bottom to show her how voluptuous and sexy it is. They also cup one of her breasts to demonstrate how poorly her bra is fitting. I’m sorry. I don’t want two strangers grabbing my bum on national TV no matter how great they think my ass is.

 

I will be setting the DVR for this show, though. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Is Breaking the 9th Commandment, Yet Again
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: More Shoes I love From Zappos
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

I have a dilemma. I am considering packing up this blog and focusing my interests elsewhere. Over the past couple of months, I have gotten involved with a website called We Heart This. At this site, I have started a mini-blog examining how society views fat people (and some issues of the feminist variety). I have also become a reviewer for WHT, where every month I will have one major post and a few comments.

Most of my free computer time is dedicated to WHT or updating my statuses daily on Facebook and on Twitter. I have not been posting here as often as I would like, and, although it is a hobby, I don't want to cause a diservice to my regular readers by being behind. On the other hand, this is the only outlet I have where I can post my movie, book, and TV reviews as well as give my thoughts on all the world's  "lighter" moments.

I haven't decided. Give me some feedback.

 In the meantime, I covet this Keds rainbow sneakers. (The color kind of reminds me of a pair of shoes my college buddy bought back in 1993 that were lime, pink, yellow, and maybe had a dash of peacock blue.) I don't know if I have anything in my wardrobe to match them except maybe some black on black ensembles.

 

Win A Free Pair of Shoes!
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: Win Free Shoes from Savvy Mode
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews

Savvy Mode is sponsoring a shoe giveaway. The lovely people at Paris Hilton Footwear will give away 4 pairs of stylish heels to Savvy Mode readers. Savvy Mode has picked 2 styles to give away, 2 pairs of Destiny (retail $93) and 2 pairs of Senorita (retail $93).

 

Simple rules to win a pair of Destiny:

1. Let me know what is your favorite Destiny color by visiting here and what will you wear with Destiny. The 2 winners will have a chance to pick the color of her choice. How exciting is this giveaway!
2. Earn an extra entry by following or subscribing to Savvy Mode.
3. Earn a 3rd entry by blogging or tweeting about this giveaway and let me know about it.

A simple rule to win a pair of Senorita:

1. Open to those who blog about this giveaway and let me know about it. This is my way of thanking those who take the time to share this giveaway with their readers. The 2 winners will be able to pick the color of her choice.