My Top 10 Favorite 80's Movies

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Witch

10. Who could forget Teen Witch? I'm pretty sure I watched this movie every time it came on TV. I related to Louise, being a geek and wanting to be popular and have magical powers. The "Top That" rap and "I'm Gonna Be the Most Popular Girl" dancing scene will live in my heart forever.

 Credit: http://fashionsmostwanted.blogspot.com/2011/04/pretty-in-pink.html

9. Every girl has a Duckie! Who knew one day Jon Cryer would be Charlie Sheen's bitch on Two and a Half Men? Andie was one of the first girls who wore whatever she wanted...no matter what everyone else said. I was inspired by her thrifty talents in making last-minute prom dresses and snagging Andrew McCarthy, the popular guy who also actually a really nice guy.

 Credit: http://www.mannythemovieguy.com/index.php?m=10

8. Leave it to Kevin Bacon to shake up a town. I hadn't seen this movie until a few years ago because I thought it would be lame until I saw the Kevin Bacon-dancing-in-the-woods-because-he's-so-pissed-off scene. I wish I could take out my frustrations like that. You rock that wife beater Kevin Bacon.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dirty_Dancing.jpg

7. Nobody puts Baby in a corner! This is just a summer classic. Who wouldn't want to fall in love over the summer dancing with Patrick Swayze? He was all "I'm a black t-shirt kinda guy" and Jennifer Gray is all, "I'm a pale pink dress kinda girl." And together they had the whole Sandy-Danny summer love going that just so happens to survive after the pool season is over. Let's just say, I've had the time of my life.

Credit: http://pensa11.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/say-anything/

 6. Say Anything is simply delicious for any John Cusack fan. I've always wanted someone to play Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" while holding a boom box over their head outside my window. Lloyd Dobler is one of the best 80's characters ever created.

 

Credit: http://demo.jomland.com/jlmoviedb/movie/13667

5. Not many people know about Better Off Dead but I'm a big fan of 80's John Cusack so of course, I would know. This movie is just so weird that it's hilarious. There are dancing hamburgers, evil paperboys, and food that crawls right off the plate. The paperboy constantly demands, "TWO DOLLARS!" and John Cusack's little brother builds a spaceship in his room. Trust me, you will laugh your pants off.

 Credit: http://redriverpak.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/movie-flashback-ferris-buellers-day-off/

 4. I love Ferris Bueller for many reasons: a young Matthew Broderick before he got all artsy, Chicago, a large dance scene during a parade to a Beatles song, and so many of the life lessons I've learned.... oh and Cameron! I like being talked to by Matthew Broderick in the shower while he makes shampoo mohawks out of his hair and washes his unmentionables. And of course, "Life moves pretty quick. If you don't slow down every once in awhile, you could miss it."

Credit: http://briansworld.nova.org/16C/

 3. Sixteen Candles has been a favorite of mine for years. There's Long Duck Dong, the geek Sam gives her panties to, and of course, the eccentric family that comes to stay for Sam's sister's wedding. Sam's life is just typical high school. John Hughes was a genius. The music playing at the end when Jake is waiting for Sam outside the church, leaned up against his red sports car is just... ahh. Then the leaning over the cake when he tells her to make a wish and she says, "It already came true." Kiss. BONUS: Cameo by John Cusack as space nerd.

Credit: http://vegancinegrub.blogspot.com/2011/07/breakfast-club.html

 2. I definitely believe The Breakfast Club is severely underrated. Not a whole lot happens but at the same time so much does. For one Saturday, every different stereotype is thrown together and somehow end up relating to one another, even though things must return to normal come Monday. It's the bitter truth of adolescence but to know situations like this can happen gives hope to humanity! I love the scenes with the boys dancing on the bookshelf and everyone running down the halls to hide from Mr. Vernon. I want Judd Nelson pumping his fist in the air because even this once, he finally got someone. ;)

Credit: http://movieshlep.wordpress.com/2010/09/22/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-1982/

1. Fast Times at Ridgemont High will always make me laugh when I'm feeling down. Jeff Spicoli and his antics with Mr. Hand, who is convinced everyone is on crack, are hilarious. I love Brad Hamilton for his job failures, Stacy for her innocent naivete, Linda as Stacy's sophisticated friend, and Rat and Damone, my favorites. Damone thinks he's god's gift to women and tries to pass advice onto Rat who should totally ignore him. It's classic. Every time.

Why John Keats is a Badass

This Living Hand 

John Keats 1795-1821 

This living hand, now warm and capable

Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold

And in the icy silence of the tomb,

So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights

That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood

So in my veins red life might stream again,

And thou be conscience-calm’d–see here it is–

I hold it towards you. 

Credit: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/180719 

 Credit: http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=43643

 For those of you who haven't seen the movie Bright Star, go watch it now! You will cry!  His love with Fanny Brawne is unrivaled.

Lovable Eyes

 I really loved today. I wore my bright pink frock with a total 60's shape and greeted the world with a smile. Julie said she loved Scott and I in our bright colors. We have a tendency to be the couple that dresses similarly without knowing it. Sometimes we both wear gray and white striped shirts (see fair pictures), bright colors, or the same colored sweatpants. 

 The Style Quo

Dress: Target (c/o gift card at senior graduation from my great aunt...thanks Aunt Marilyn!)

Jacket: AE

Sandals: AE

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Messenger Bag: Fossil

I loved the way my nail polish played with the colors on my dress! It's lame but it made me happy. It also made me happy when Scott just looked at me on the bus and said, "God, I love your eyes." 

Creative writing today was great as usual. Julie is so quick-witted and can interpret things in ways I never even noticed. It's so nice to share a friendship with someone who can shine the light on things you normally leave in the dark... on the (sort of) downside, we both have about a week to turn in our stories/poems/nonfiction for workshop... not a whole lot of time to be creative. Maybe I'll go to a coffee shop and pretend to be pretentious. (Ha, who's pretending?)

Mom and I are going to see The Help when I get out of class tomorrow. We're going to smuggle in candy, ICEEs, and buy one of the world's greatest pleasures: movie theatre popcorn. I'm excited.

Hug someone today!

One of Those Days

Here's my outfit from Monday, August 29th. It was kind of "one of those days" and I was happy to be home to take a nap. I'll be so happy when I don't work third shift anymore. 

The Style Quo

Top: NY & Co.

Shorts: AE

Sandals: AE

Protect Your Bishop, Glen!

This Saturday, Scott and I went to Olive Garden. Though Italian food is probably low on both of our lists of "favorite ethnic foods" I'm glad we went... because they have the best cheese ravioli in the world!! I partook in a sparkling wine and Scott in a pinot grigio. It felt so decadent to be sipping white wine, listening to Dean Martin tucked away into the corner of an Italian restaurant. 

I captured Scott trying an olive, which he immediately spit out. He hates olives. Though not a fan of the green ones, I love black olives. That little baby could've been mine. I ascertained that the wall art we were sitting next to was a photo taken in Italy. There was an old man sitting on these steps in an open square, pigeons all around. The sun was shining. Listening to Dean Martin and sipping the bubbly made me want to jump into the picture like I was on Blue's Clues or something. I'd die to go there.

Afterward, we went to Heine Bros. to play Mancala, chess, and Scrabble. I got my fall bucket list Scrabble date! I hope to do it again soon...

Oh, we also watched Insidious, which made me jumpy. I liked the idea of the film but of course, it was a bit cheesy. There were some totally scary images though. Overall, it was a great first weekend to celebrate the end of my 'last first week.'

Trust Me, I've Been Other Candles

Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of my outfit Friday but that's because I was running so very late! I woke up at 10:55, realizing I needed to leave in 5 minutes. I threw on a pair of dark skinnies, a floral top, and black flats. Instant sophistication. Well, at least in the wake of me not having showered.

Credit: http://www.filmofilia.com/brand-new-our-idiot-brother-poster-51178/

Leslie and I met up after class for lunch at a cafe and for a movie. It's always so lovely to catch up with Leslie because we can always reminisce about our days in London. I had a totally out-of-this-world basil chicken sandwich on sourdough bread. We smuggled our diet Cokes into the theatre next door. 

Overall, I liked this movie because it was quirky and different. I like all the people as actors though I'm not sure how I feel about Paul Rudd--he was great as a lovable guy that unwittingly screws up--but I had a hard time believing him as a long-haired gypsy hobo guy. A lot of movies are predictable and have the same basic storyline but this was very different and I appreciated it for that. 

Credit: http://justjared.buzznet.com/photo-gallery/2513653/zooey-deschanel-paul-rudd-rashida-jones-idiot-brother-sundance-01/

And isn't Zooey darling as ever at the premiere? 

Truth But No Logic

These photos were taken last Thursday, August 25th. Scott was my faithful cameraman who, emulating Austin Powers was snapping photos without pause, crying out, "You're an animal! You're a tyyy-ger!" Needless to say, I participated. 

The Style Quo

Dress: Target
Necklace: Modcloth
Messenger Bag: Fossil
Sunglasses: Forever 21
Flats (not shown): DSW

 I've discovered that I very much like my schedule. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have two classes from 12-1:50. These classes are Greek mythology and Art history. Kill me dead. I'm in love. I've always wanted to know the names of the mythical figures, the stories, and of course, gain more knowledge to own at Jeopardy. As for art history, I'm one of those people who can go into an art museum and stay all day. I am enamored of it all. I might not understand everything but I love being surrounded by beauty. Like Rose says in Titanic of Picasso's work: "It's like being in a dream or something...there's truth but no logic." 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have about an hour and a half break to eat a McAlister's lunch with my bestie Julie and Scott. I love nothing more than being around these two people, eating pickles, sandwiches, soup, salad, and sipping tea. I'm a lucky girl. As for my classes, I have sociology, which seems like a bit of a farce to me but I'm going with it. With Julie after lunch, I have advanced creative writing with one of my favorite professors, whom we affectionately refer to as 'PG,' as his initials abbreviate. There's nothing more liberating than interpreting a piece to your best ability, even if it's a bit off, just to know that you're being valued and thinking for yourself. 

I'm cautiously optimistic for a bright semester.

Hump Day

 This was my outfit Wednesday, August 24th. I was a bit tired, so excuse the glasses. Also, I kind of look like I'm checking out my bum in the second pic.

The Style Quo

Shirt: Target (sale)

Shorts: Victoria's Secret PINK

Sandals: Online

Fall Bucket List

Now that fall's here (kinda--it's still like 90 degrees here) I feel it's pertinent that I make a list of the things I want to do before I forget.

Here's my fall bucket list:

• Go to Huber's Orchard/Winery --get pumpkins, visit the country store, get dinner, maybe wine taste?
• Carve a pumpkin with Scott
• Have a Highlands Scrabble date one evening
• Eat a ton of Brach's candy apple candy corn and warm hearty soup
• Watch Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown (at least)
• Go to St. James Art Fest
• Go through a corn maze
• Make pumpkin bread
• Order my Halloween costume--I want to be a flapper!
• Go to any and all fall festivals as long as the weather is crisp but not too cold

Fall is almost here...can you feel it?

End of an Era

Every year, the night before school starts, Julie and I have a tradition where we get together and have a delicious meal/dessert. This year we opted for McAlister's (a classic of ours) and Comfy Cow Ice Cream. I have never been amazed by ice cream before last Sunday. My favorite cake is red velvet and they just so happened to have red velvet ice cream! I wish they sold that stuff in pints... okay, actually I don't because it would be all I would eat forever and I would grow large.

I had my dad take a few pictures of me on my "last first day of school." My dog Jet of course had to be involved.

The Style Quo

Sweater: Kohl's -$7 + 30% off

Top: AE

Pants: AE

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Shoes: Forever 21

Watch: Timex

My first couple of days back in school feel good. I'm a bit more tired than I am during summertime but I know I'll feel better once I quit my third shift job in September. I'm also starting to feel scratchy in the back of my throat and sinus pain in the back of my eyes. I chock it up to being around germy desks and people. Thanks to Julie's recommendation I got some Vitamin C tablets and Zicam today. Hope it helps!

Things I'm Excited About

I am so excited to read this book! Vita Sackville-West was a member of the Bloomsbury Group and close confidante to Virginia Woolf. In fact, Woolf's Orlando: A Biography is centered around the relationship between Violet and Vita! I know, nerd-gasm.

My Spotify playlist that consists of hundreds of songs. My current favorites are as follows:

• Two Weeks-Grizzly Bear
• The Greatest-Cat Power
• Fault Line-Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
• Set Free-Katie Gray
• Sweet Light-The Chapin Sisters
• The Rock and the Tide-Joshua Radin
• Soft Shock-Yeah Yeah Yeahs

 These plum wedges I just ordered from Modcloth! I can't wait to wear them with black tights.

I just saw the new Jane Eyre film and loved it! Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender were excellent and illuminating in their roles! It was so much more playful than I expected and I always love to see how movies interpret classic texts to a modern screen. I wasn't disappointed!

 Leslie and I have 2nd row center tickets to see Sense & Sensibility at Actor's Theatre! I saw costume sketches on Facebook and they were beautiful. I can't wait to see them up close.

Scott and I are going to see Fleet Foxes on October 5th! I am in awe that I got orchestra tickets.

Going back to school for my senior year! I'm taking so many cool classes; Greek mythology, Art history, Advanced creative writing, and Sociology. I get to start working on my senior honors thesis on Modernism, Art, Virginia Woolf, and The Bloomsbury Group. And I get to graduate in May!