I love sweater weather! Who doesn't love the soft hug of a sweater in the chilly months? When I moved to the South, I thought that my sweater weather days were over; happily, I found that not only would it get chilly enough for sweaters, but I wouldn't have to hide them under a wool coat or other layers to keep out the chill.
Right now, I love sweaters worn with skinny jeans tucked into boots. It's a great look, and it's really effortless. I can't wait to get home to find some great new sweaters for the season... I have a few old ones, but I'm always looking for a few new 'friends' to keep me warm!
So yesterday was Black Friday, but as I was unable to participate in the festivities, I had to settle for daydreaming of the pretty things I would love to have...
Lately, as I have been itching to get back into my kitchen, my thoughts have drifted to cookware, specifically Le Creuset. I have loved Le Creuset since the moment I first glimpsed it in a Williams-Sonoma store. Since then, it seems like I see it on every cooking show, and in every well-to-do household I've visited. While others are ooh-ing and aah-ing over square footage, master suites, and masonry, I'm transfixed by beautiful kitchens... and I have somehow convinced myself that I will have reached my pinnacle of cooking when I am able to whip up my favorite dish in Le Creuset. I don't even care what color, it's that beautiful enamel that makes my head spin with delight! I already have my beloved Kitchenaid stand mixer, I should be satisified... mais non! Je voudrais Le Creuset!
Unfortunately, I am not yet in a position to drop so much money on a set of pots and pans. I don't want to be that person who has no money for groceries but has pretty cookware adorning her cabinets, you know? But a girl can dream...
I'm really loving Bruno Mars' debut album, "Doo-Wops and Hooligans" right now! His single "Just the Way You Are" has spent so much time on repeat in my office that everyone must think I'm crazy for listening to the same song for an hour.
Now, I finally got the entire album, and I'm just as into the rest of it. In case you've never heard of Bruno Mars, I can guarantee you've heard some of the songs he's co-written: "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy, "Right Round" by Flo Rida, and "F$&# You!" by Cee Lo Green. Two of his songs were covered in the latest Glee episode, "Just the Way You Are" and "Marry You." He has a light, pop sound that is something I just can't get enough of these days. The songs just make me happy. You can tell he has a wide variety of influences, like R&B, reggae, and soul, so it brings more depth to the songs. "Count on Me" sounds like a track Jason Mraz would sing, and "The Lazy Song" reminds me of Jack Johnson. I have a feeling if you like these artists, you'll enjoy this album.
I loved the latest Glee episode, entitled "Furt" because Finn and Kurt officially become stepbrothers, and I love their parents' romantic storyline. Also, the bullying theme has been prevalent this season, and in a way I'm glad because it speaks to a number of current issues out there, and Kurt is one of my favorite characters on the show. Finn has never been my favorite... but then suddenly he realizes just what Kurt means to him, and he sings one of my favorite songs, Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are." I got chills, I really did, and misty-eyed. This song just touches me in an awesome way.
I don't have much to say about this episode, mostly because I'm truly exhausted but HAD to post this because it was so beautiful to me. This episode made me happy, and that's what matters to me most!
A number of my friends accuse me of being a shopaholic, and perhaps I am. But I'm not all about splurging on big-ticket items. When it comes to trends, I tend to err on the side of frugality, which is one of the reasons I'm a HUGE fan of Forever 21. After a particularly rough day, I sat online for hours scouring the site, filling up my shopping cart.
I had "Fall" in mind, even though it's nearly winter. In Georgia, the winter feels more like fall to me anyways. I thought of layers, which is why I like the blazer and the cardigan. I love the ruffles, because they add something interesting to a functional sweater. The leggings are a key piece in the cold weather, perfect under a tunic and tucked into boots. Covering up is essential. I bought the shorts to wear over textured tights, perhaps with my new black booties.
The necklaces are a look I'm in love with now, multiple strands to add dimension. I'm not the best at accessorizing, so these necklaces are great to toss on and add to an outfit. Accessories make it look like you took care to assemble your outside; without a little something, it just looks incomplete. The belt I bought for a denim jacket I found at Old Navy, again to add to the overall look.
As for the dress and embellished top, I just loved the pleats and sequins. You need something to catch the eye. Who knows when I'll wear them, but considering this Forever 21 haul was under $200, I think I got a pretty good bargain on it all.
When I was on my semester abroad in Paris, my French friends nicknamed me the gourmande as I indulged in wine, pastries, bread, and anything else they would encourage me to try. I loved it all; their parting gifts to me were two French books on wine and chocolate! By definition, a gourmand is someone who takes great pleasure in food. Years ago, it had agluttonous, negative connotation, but these days it is something that is embraced. In the U.S., we've started calling these food-lovers "foodies."
What is a foodie? Foodies love watching cooking shows, reading and buying cookbooks, kitchen stores, quality ingredients, food websites, food magazines, food photos, markets, but above all... EATING. We love to savor and enjoy the food we choose to eat. Foodies come from all backgrounds (from vegan to BBQ) and all shapes and sizes (the pleasantly plump to the exercise enthusiasts). We love specific niches but appreciate all food in general.
The internet is a great resource for foodies; I especially love food blogs. Three that I have been following are really great, and all are linked on the right side of this blog.
Eat Live Run has given me some great inspiration recently. I was inspired by the video on making macarons like the ones I enjoyed in France. The author, Jenna, is a culinary school graduate who has a genuine respect and love of food. I also found a recipe for beef tenderloin apricot and olives just yesterday that I can't wait to whip up.
Baked Bree is great because it shows step-by-step photos of what your food should look like as you cook it! The author (the eponymous Bree) recently did Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake, and the photos of the process made me drool. It's perfect for those learning to cook who need reassurance that everything looks right along the way.
The Kitchy Kitchen is where I found an amazing recipe for Red Velvet pancakes, as well as some other interesting concoctions in decadent photos (Honey Truffle Grilled Cheese, anyone?) that caught my eye. It's no wonder the pictures are so beautiful; the author, Claire, is a food stylist and photographer!
I hope you enjoy these internet treasures as much as I do! (CAUTION: you may need to protect your keyboard from subsequent drooling.)
I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I'm listening to the Glee cast's Christmas album on repeat already! I'm a sucker for a good holiday album (I have 100+ holiday tracks on my iTunes), but this is one that you can buy without hesitation, especially if you're a Gleek like me or need the perfect gift for a friend who is! You can buy it on iTunes or Amazon.com, and a guarantee you won't be disappointed. This cast was made to put out crowd-pleasers like this.
Among my favorites? "We Need a Little Christmas", from the Broadway musical Mame, is one that I can't get out of my head. The mash-up (oh, how I love a Glee mash-up!) of "Deck the Halls" and "Up on the Rooftop", with a beat reminiscent of Beyonce's "Single Ladies", is really fun and danceable. And this group of 'high school misfits' is adorable on "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year" as the inhabitants of the Island of Misfit Toys. Another song of note: the duet between Chris Colfer and Darren Criss. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is one of my favorite winter songs, and I already had two versions on my iTunes (Dean Martin and Lady Antebellum!). This is the first time I've heard it sung between two guys, and it is super sweet. But the magnum opus of this album is the rendition of "O Holy Night", heavily featuring Lea Michele (a.k.a. Rachel) and giving me goosebumps every time.
Considering I've just rattled off nearly half the album as wonderful (and have to prevent myself from raving about all the rest), it is clear this holiday album is my new favorite!
"People aren't hearing all the music." That's what Dr. Dre said when he teamed up with Monster to create his own line of headphones and speakers. I haven't given much thought to headphones in general, until now. I've always been content to use the ones that come for free with my iPod or buy cheap replacements, as need be.
Then my friend RB told me about Dr. Dre's line of earbuds, and how they have enabled her to hear sounds in her music that she never heard before. She raved about these headphones, and then she mentioned two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Lady Gaga. I became intrigued.
It turns out Dr. Dre has allowed both Lady Gaga and Sean "Diddy" Combs to create headphone lines under his own headphone label, allowing that quality sound to stream out through aesthetically different styles. Diddy's earbuds are sleek, all-black, and look very polished. Gaga's Heartbeats headphones are distinctly hers as well, stylistically her own but with Dre's club-caliber sounds pumping through the headphone.
The prices for these headphones are steep; the cheapest model runs around $120. But for those who are so into music that sound quality is everything, that's nothing to spend on some quality earbuds to take with you because your giant Bose noise-cancelling headphones won't fit in your pocket.
So this morning, RB walks up to me with a box in-hand: a silver/white pair of Gaga's HeartBeats! She got them for an amazing deal, so amazing I won't mention it here, and I bought them from her on the spot. Nervous about the sound quality, I immediately tested them out. HOLY COW. I LITERALLY heard things in my music I had NEVER heard before. Beats and notes and background vocals, and the earbuds cancelled out virtually every other sound in the room. I was five feet from a TV but couldn't hear a thing but my music, even on a low volume setting.
I've never been a sound junkie, but these headphones have rocked my world. They come with a warranty, three sizes of earbuds so you can custom-fit them to your ear, and a cute matching carrying case.
Always,
Aubrey
Update: My friend DD asked to see what the headphones look like in action. I obliged, and he said I looked like a robot with those sticking out of my ears. I said, "But they're Lady Gaga!"
I don't watch Mad Men, but I'm a little obsessed with the photos I've seen of the wardrobe! I am in love with the wiggle dresses, A-line skirts, and other looks from this 1960s period show. I think I was meant to wear clothing from another era...
So as I itch to learn to become my own seamstress, I've been searching the Simplicity website to find patterns similar to these dresses that I could hypothetically someday make... the options seem endless, when you think about choosing your own fabrics and tailoring the fit, right? Once again, my cart is before my horse. But a girl can dream, right?
Today I saw that Payless.com is having a "BOGO" sale, i.e. all shoes are buy one, get the second at half price. Now, I do love a quality shoe, and I know that Payless shoes aren't Louboutins. But when it comes to trendy shoes, I look to places like Payless and Target, so I can try out a style and enjoy something fun for a season. If I truly like the shoe, I tend to invest in the higher-end pair later on.
I've been looking for an over-the-knee boot in black, as well as a tough-looking bootie, and these seemed to fit the bill! The prices were too good to pass up, and they allow me to save up for what I'm really wanting for this chilly season: a wonderful pair of brown leather riding boots. I've been searching for some in the right style/price range for over a year now... but at least I have some other cute boots to tide me over!
Can't wait to try these on with some skinny jeans.
I just finished watching the latest episode of Glee, entitled "The Substitute" because illness strikes Mr. Schuester and he is forced to allow a substitute to fill in for his Glee club duties. Enter Gwyneth Paltrow as the adorable, hip, perky sub. I was so impressed by her performance during the CMAs, but I wasn't sure how she would translate over to Glee. I was not disappointed!!!
While I felt the episode was a little lacking in storyline/plot progression, Gwyneth's guest appearance was a breath of fresh air. Her version of Cee-lo's "Forget You" made me want to dance, and it blew Mr. Schue's "Make'em Laugh" fantasy number out of the water. In fact, I could have done without his song at all.
My favorite by far, however, was the mash-up of "Singing in the Rain" and "Umbrella". Having a classic song from a '50s musical mashed up with an enormous contemporary hit is one of the reasons I appreciate Glee in the first place; it brings so many of my favorite music genres together, not cloning them, and makes it fun. It is definitely worth watching the episode for this final number alone.
Still, I'm torn tonight. I'm a huge Gleek, but I didn't feel like this episode had that many redeeming factors (a war over tater tots? really???) aside from some classic Sue quips and the talented Ms. Paltrow. I'm hoping for some great numbers and episodes in the weeks to come, because this show is still young and working the kinks out. My message to the show? More mash-ups and originality! That's where you make your money.
Always,
Aubrey
Update: I've posted both of my favorite songs for viewing!
Oh-my-gosh-you-guys, I am so flipping excited that Prince William and Kate Middleton are ENGAGED at last! I mean, it is only fair that William be allowed to marry since he never proposed to me and I am now off the market. I've only been waiting to hear this news for like six years, since they started dating.
And now the prospect of a royal wedding next year has me spinning! What does the ring look like? What will she wear? How many bridesmaids? WILL IT BE TELEVISED???
Oh, be still my heart. I am so excited. Look, I know it's weird, but I guarantee I'm not the only one who's pumped here!!!
Always,
Aubrey
UPDATE: He proposed with his mother's engagement ring! Kate Middleton now has Princess Diana's sapphire/diamond engagement ring. So precious...
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I is premiering in the U.S. on November 19th, and it is absolutely breaking my heart that I will not get to see the movie on its opening night. Why, you might ask? Well, you know I'm going to tell you.
I have seen every Harry Potter movie on the day of its release. All six thus far. Even when I was on semester abroad, and I almost forgot about it because the French release was over a month later... then I happened to be in London, breathing J.K. Rowling's English air, and realized I could see the movie in a local theatre. And I did.
My husband J has already decided to see the film without me, and I'm a little pissed about it. Couldn't he wait a few weeks until I'm home, as it is sure to linger in theaters for a while? Apparently not. But I digress.
I've been an avid fan of all things Potter for nearly a decade now. I started reading the books as the fourth one was about to be published, when I noticed during my shifts at the public library that these things were flying off the shelves! I read the first four in four days, and from then on I was hooked. I attended a midnight release party for the fifth book and bawled my eyes out as I read the last one. I am an adult version of Hermione Granger, my favorite character. I insisted that I spend part of my most recent vacation at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, drinking butterbeer. I adore the movies, despite their inaccuracies. Sometimes I even play the theme music in my iTunes to get myself pumped about the next movie release. It's sick, but wonderful. I get goosebumps when I hear that intro. The release of the last two films, as the final book has been published, is the beginning of the end of my Harry Potter journey, a long farewell that I have been avoiding but have to make right.
I am distraught. Secretly, if you asked me whether I would rather be home for Thanksgiving or get to see Harry Potter on November 19th, I'd choose Harry. Thanksgiving comes around every year, but something this epic doesn't. I am beside myself wishing I was going to be able to see this sooner than later. Call me crazy, because I most decidedly am.
Instead, I will be dragging J to see this multiple times in theatre in December, and in IMAX if I can find one nearby. Or perhaps I will punish him instead by going to see it without him... because no one comes between me and my Potter.
Since I've spent the past year without a kitchen, I haven't been posting much about food or cooking yet... but I can't wait to get back from my 'cooking sabbatical' and be hunched over a stovetop once more!
One of the things I am hoping to do, especially since it saves money, is to pack my own lunches instead of eating fast food during lunch on work days. And if I'm going to do that, I need an adorable lunchbox, right?
Enter the bento box! You may have seen these at your local sushi restaurant, because they are especially popular in Japan and the rest of Asia. Seeing these boxes reminds me of the lunches my Mom would pack for me, complete with apples that were cut to look like rabbits with their little bunny ears. I don't plan on doing anything so fancy, but I'm excited at the prospect of a lunch with compartments, so you can "assemble" sandwiches and meals, as well as transport sides. I like the Plastica bento box look (recommended by O Magazine and available for purchase at http://plasticashop.com), which has the traditional stacked setup, but the boxes aren't microwave-safe. The Laptop Lunch boxes, which come in a variety of colors (I like black/red!) are microwave-safe but not stacked, and they have individual lids for the smaller containers.
I haven't decided which set I want, but I do know that these will be on my list for when I get home. And who knows, maybe my hubby J will want his own bento box to take to work!
Always,
Aubrey
Follow-up: The is an awesome bento site, and the reason I am even further engrossed in the bento craze... the possibilities are endless! You can even buy little onigiri molds to shape your rice into characters... I may soon become obsessed. http://en.bentoandco.com/
Women do a lot of painful things to stay beautiful. The phrase "bikini wax" still makes me cringe. Today, I decided that my eyebrows were in need of some attention, so I went to the beauty salon to have them threaded. If you've never done it before, eyebrow threading is an alternative to waxing and tweezing. It originated in India, but spread to the Middle East and eventually Europe and the Americas as it gained in popularity. Basically they take two strands of thread and pull the hair out entirely, instead of just breaking it off. It lasts a lot longer than your usual tweezing or waxing routine.
That being said, it HURTS. Expect tears to form! And letting someone else take your eyebrows into their hands is a bit stressful; if the eyes are the windows to your soul, the eyebrows are your fancy drapes! Having well-shaped eyebrows (or a lack of them) can affect the aesthetic of your entire face.
Today my eyebrow diva took a bit more from me than I'd have liked; I tend to prefer thicker eyebrows (think Camilla Belle, Crystal Renn, Brooke Shields) than to look like a silent film actress or appear to be perpetually surprised. But beauty is a calculated risk; my friends have told me that my brows look fine, and they have a great shape that I can use as a base as my brows fill in. Not bad for a $4 threading job.
I saw a replay of the CMAs (the Country Music Awards, for those of you who aren't down with the Nashville set), and I maintain that it is one of the best awards shows out there, bar none. It's heavy on performances, the hosts are entertaining, and there's this whole "family" atmosphere going on because the country music community is so tight-knit. My friend MC goes to Nashville all the time, and I can't wait to get up there myself to experience that awesome town.
Of course I love to see what the stars are wearing to awards shows, and I wasn't too disappointed on country's big night! My favorite dress of the night wasn't seen on the red carpet, but for one of Carrie Underwood's many wardrobe changes! (Photo courtesy of Bryan Bedder/WireImage)
In terms of performances, I was a little let down by Taylor Swift's rendition of her song "Back to December". She's my favorite artist, and I've seen her perform live in concert before. I wonder sometimes whether she's having issues with her earpiece during these awards shows, but she's always a great entertainer. I was definitely more impressed by Gwyneth Paltrow's "Country Strong" performance. It takes a brave actress to sing country music in front of the genre's all-stars, and I think she was genuine and absolutely nailed it.
But I've got to say my favorite of the night was Sugarland's "Stuck Like Glue." I've been playing this song on repeat to begin with, and I think Jennifer Nettles was adorably silly doing this one. It's light-hearted and fun, and I think that's what I needed to see. Enjoy!
A couple of my friends, MC and GC, recommended a while back that I watch Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Unsure of what exactly it was, I was finally able to see it. At first, I was a bit perplexed, not knowing the background of the characters and story, but I was quickly able to pick up that this drew from a comic series by the stylized effects and popups. One of the main reasons I wanted to see this movie is, quite frankly, Michael Cera. I have a serious geek-crush on both Cera and Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, The Social Network). They're so delightfully awkward and adorkable, and virtually interchangeable. I guarantee people mix them up on a daily basis.
Anyways, on to the movie. I loved the soundtrack, the fight scenes, the indie-action vibe that it put off. I was a bit saddened to find that while it received critical acclaim, it didn't even break even at the box office. That being said, I'm pretty sure that this will become a cult classic on DVD. It's just that cool to watch, in my opinion. It's not an ingenious plot (it's no Inception, my favorite film thus far this year) but it moves and kind of rocks. It was hard for me not to keep watching Scott battle his crush's evil exes... it made me wonder what it would be like if the world really were more like a video game where we could battle it out with our enemies and have them explode into gold coins like old-school Sega Sonic the Hedgehog.
Anyways, if you're looking for something fun to rent, I'd recommend it. It's not for everyone, but it's entertaining for sure. At least look to appreciate it for the unique style and presentation, and Michael Cera playing the same awkward/endearing character he always does, but with martial arts moves and sword-fighting.
Always,
Aubrey
P.S. For my fellow Arrested Development fans, Cera battles Mae Whitman in the movie, who played George Michael's girlfriend Anne on the TV show. Nice seeing them back together again, playing completely different characters. (In Whitman's case, at least.)
P.P.S. When is the Arrested Development movie coming out? I'm going to start reading Portia de Rossi's biography soon. Maybe there'll be a hidden hint about it in the book...
I love clothes. Shopping, wearing, reading... I love glossy magazines filled with ideas on how to wear clothes and accessorize. The internet, in its infinite awesomeness, has made this hobby of mine even more limitless, not to mention FREE. I still buy the occasional glossy mag, but now with the number of blogs and websites dedicated to style, I have everything I could ever want (and more!) available right at my fingertips.
The author of these blogs, Jean, is a professional stylist and CEO of GiftGirl.com, which allows you to describe the girl you are shopping for and hand-picks gift suggestions for you. (Probably the greatest website created for clueless males ever, right?) Most recently, she has taken Texas by storm and organized Fashion 2.0 Meetup in Dallas.
Why do I read these blogs? Each one is unique, in my mind. Style Observer is on point about trends. It gives great ideas on what to wear for different occasions, how to tailor a recent trend to your own personal style... as someone who is struggling with a fashion identity crisis, it's just chock full of ideas for me. Girl at the Mirror is my new favorite, mainly because of all the beautiful pictures. Jean actually shows what she is wearing for different events, or even "non-events" like going shopping or meeting up with friends. For me, seeing the entire outfit put together is beneficial, because I get an idea of how to actually "style" what I'm wearing when I choose individual pieces. It's more about the whole picture, what you see in the mirror... not just what's on the hanger.
I'm a little obsessed with celebrity gossip (how many people can recite the names of Brangelina's children in birth order?), so I'm already reading People.com on
a daily basis... but lately I've gravitated more towards their style section, because I'm just as interested in what celebs are wearing as what they're doing. Their fashion do's and don'ts are fascinating to me, and I especially love when I see them wearing something more than once or something affordable for the average girl. I also love perusing the gowns during awards season! Who What Wear Daily, which I used to read more often than I do now, does the same thing for me. It shows trends, and what celebs are wearing. But it also focuses on what lesser-known fashion icons are wearing, specifically models and magazine editors, who are trend-setters for the trend-setters. Definitely worth checking out, even though I couldn't wear half the things I see there.
Keyword: Trendy. I still shop at Forever 21. I can't get pass the super-cheap prices. I steer away from the stuff that's just too young for me, but it's great to be able to shop
somewhere I can try on the latest fashions but not break the bank on things that will only be popular for a season. When I can't get to the store, I still look at the website... who doesn't fill up shopping carts online without hitting the "Purchase" button? Even if I'm not buying, I use it as a way to see what's popular. Right now I'm loving their more conservative line, Love 21.
Maybe with all of these resources, you too will be inspired to become your own personal stylist and start mix-and-matching pieces you already have in your closet.
Yes, I am a Gleek, a devoted follower of the weekly phenomenon that is the show Glee. And so, in a blog about my favorite things, a regular commentary on all things related to show is an obvious move on my part!
I recently was able to watch the latest episode, "Never Been Kissed", via iTunes, and it was my favorite episode in a long time. With a show that is heavily dependent upon its musical numbers to move the story along, there have been times where I have been disappointed, as some episodes tend to become carbon-copy performances of current songs, campy romps, or just don't help the story of Glee progress.
"Never Been Kissed" was a great episode in so many ways. First off, the main focus of the show was on bullying, something we've been reading a lot about in the news lately. To focus on these "outcast" characters and find they are so relatable can only be helpful to kids going through the same problems. I loved the message.
Secondly, and more selfishly, I loved the cover of "Teenage Dream". Yes, Katy Perry again. But this time it isn't all about Mrs. Russell Brand. The reason I loved it was because it was sung by a group of guys a cappella, and that group of guys included the Beelzebubs of Tufts University! I loved watching them on The Sing-Off last year, and I knew immediately that they had contributed to this song. Sure enough, my research found that the arrangements and background vocals were by the Bubs.
Check out the full song in the video below... I can't stop repeating it!
I am signed up to take an Intro to Sewing class in December, and I couldn't be more excited. True to typical Aubrey form, I have put the cart before the horse and spend my spare time perusing patterns of the hypothetical clothes I will be sewing for myself... Note to reader: I do not own a sewing machine!
My grandmother has always sewn, and I remember her having five or six sewing machines at one time in her sewing room. My mother can mend and hem, and she used to make sundresses and Halloween costumes for my sister and me. I, on the other hand, briefly dabbled in cross-stitching and am afraid of sewing machine needles piercing my fingers. In spite of this, I am determined to become proficient and at least learn to mend things. If it turns out to be something I enjoy, I might end up making my own wardrobe of beautiful clothes someday!
There are so many things I want to do and learn... also on my list is to learn to play guitar, speak Korean, and use a DSLR camera.
I found a fabric store in Savannah that offers classes, and I can tell it is frequented by SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) students... including one that is currently on Project Runway! I am bummed I've missed so much Runway, but hopefully I will catch it in a marathon of re-runs later.
I can't wait to get started! Check out the fabric store link (and blog with tutorials!) below.
I've been a Katy Perry fan for a while, and I'm especially into her latest album, "Teenage Dream". From "California Gurls" to the title track, I'm loving it. For a while, "Teenage Dream" was my favorite single from the album, especially because it made me nostalgic for my (ahem!) younger years. But now, especially with the release of her video, Katy has done it again for me. I honestly love this song; how can you not, with its beautiful message? It's about being empowered, because you're unique and beautiful and amazing, just the way you are.
Perry has already said it is her favorite song on the album, telling MTV News that she wrote it because she really believes in people. One thing she said stood out to me: "A lot of times it's only us that's standing in the way of reaching our goals, fulfilling our destinies, being the best version of who we possibly can be."
The lyrics are simple, but powerful. "Do you ever feel already buried deep / Six feet under scream / But no one seems to hear a thing"... She reminds us that we're original, irreplaceable. When I hear the song or watch the video, I feel inspired to show people just how bright I can shine (pun absolutely intended).
I'm not usually so corny, but I really love this song and video, and I have it on repeat today. So check it out, and maybe it will ignite your own inner spark and move you as well.
As I close the chapter on a previous year-long blog, I felt compelled to continue to write! Not necessarily anything about work or my personal life, but about the things that inspire me, like books and music and recipes and fashion and art and ANYTHING. And I thought, how do I categorize this blog concoction?
The other day I was listening to The Sound of Music soundtrack, and of course I had to play "My Favorite Things" because it's such a classic. And I thought, I'm no Oprah, but people might be interested in the things that I like... or at least I can pretend they do as I write about them!
So there, it begins! A new compilation of my ramblings and musings... let's see where this wind takes us!
