Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
August Playlist
Music for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...
1. Learning to Love Again by Mat Kearney
2. Beautiful girl by INXS
3. California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent Remix) by Marlena Shaw & Diplo
4. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
5. Fire & Water by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
6. Fire in Your New Shoes (feat. Dragonette) by Kaskade
7. Good Old Fashioned Nightmare by Matt & Kim
8. Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem
9. Are you Gonna Kiss Me or Not by Thompson Square
10. Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band
11. Always Spring by I'm From Barcelona
12. Scar That Never Heals by Jeremy Fisher
13. Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells
1.5 Airplanes by Local Natives
16. Mystery Achievements by The Pretenders
17. Jealous Again by The Black Crows
18. Cheers (Drink to That) by Rihanna
19. Mr. Hurricane by Beast
20. Any Other World by Mika
21. The Unknown by Athlete
22. The Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti & Spearhead
23. High School Lover by Oregon Bike Trails
24. Double Trouble by Jack and White
1. Learning to Love Again by Mat Kearney
2. Beautiful girl by INXS
3. California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent Remix) by Marlena Shaw & Diplo
4. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
5. Fire & Water by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
6. Fire in Your New Shoes (feat. Dragonette) by Kaskade
7. Good Old Fashioned Nightmare by Matt & Kim
8. Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem
9. Are you Gonna Kiss Me or Not by Thompson Square
10. Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band
11. Always Spring by I'm From Barcelona
12. Scar That Never Heals by Jeremy Fisher
13. Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells
1.5 Airplanes by Local Natives
16. Mystery Achievements by The Pretenders
17. Jealous Again by The Black Crows
18. Cheers (Drink to That) by Rihanna
19. Mr. Hurricane by Beast
20. Any Other World by Mika
21. The Unknown by Athlete
22. The Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti & Spearhead
23. High School Lover by Oregon Bike Trails
24. Double Trouble by Jack and White
Saturday, June 18, 2011
To Fans of the Sisterhood...
If you haven't already heard the fifth Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book has arrived. I read it in one sitting, and cried the whole time. Read it, it's heartbreaking in the most beautiful way.
And to those that have not read the whole series, start from the beginning, take your time. It is a story of love and friendship, something to be cherished and eternal.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Book Review
Now that life has calmed down a little I've had time to read again (finallyyy) just read two books (well I'm still reading one of them) that have have been/are going to be turned into movies thus sparking the popular dinnertime conversation of what's better-the book or the movie? And all of you negative nancys out there who think that there isn't a movie that is better than the book-FALSE I say and give you the example of The Princess Bride.
Anyway that is besides the point. I just read The Romantics by Galt Niederhoffer. Oh. My. Goodness. It was one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. The depth she brings to her characters is astounding. Her descriptions are breathtaking. I felt like I was there and not just simply reading the book. It gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling that I get when I'm reading a book at the right time in my life, like I was meant to read it then, to learn the lessons the book is trying to teach, to absorb its wisdom.
The Romantics is basically The Big Chill (well, the non-80s version) and it takes place at a wedding, not a funeral. A group of privileged besties from Yale reunite for a wedding between two of their own...where the maid of honor is in love with the groom. These twenty-somethings are all struggling to discover their place in the world and realizing that life isn't turning out the way that they've always pictured it. Its a reminder that coming-of-age novels aren't just about teenagers, because lets face it, we're all struggling.
The only complaint I have about the book is the tone in some places. Galt Niederhoffer seems to judge the character's backgrounds. She writes about the frivolities of knowing the unwritten cocktail party conversation rules, the summers growing up of sailing lessons, tennis lessons, golf lessons, and the basic WASP upbringing. She writes as though she is an outsider who always wanted to fit in and didn't so she takes it out on her characters, like they were people that she once knew, but really grew up as one (she went to Chapin, Milton and then Harvard). I just thought it strange.
The movie, if you didn't see it, do. It has an all-star cast of Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Malin Akerman, Adam Brody, Dianna Agron, Jeremy Strong, Rebecca Lawrence, Candice Bergen and Elijah Wood. Galt Niederhoffer wrote the screenplay so it is very similar to the book, though I wouldn't say it's better.
So I finished The Romantics yesterday and am already 250 pages into One Day by David Nicholls. I just can't put it down! It has been sitting on my book shelf gathering dust for a year. I got it as part of a New York Times promotion one Friday on the Hampton Jitney (bag full of free books-I picked a good day to take the Jitney!) I'm SO glad I finally picked it up.
One Day follows the lives of Emma and Dexter, two friends who met at college on July 15, 1988 and each chapter a snippet of both of their lives, exactly a year later (July 15, 1989, July 15, 1990, July 15, 1991 etc.) It's a fresh story of friendship, loss, life lessons and a tortured love that could rival Romeo and Juliet or Anne Elliot and Fredrick Wentworth. I still have about 200 pages left so I can't give you my final thoughts on the book but so far I am blown away.
The movie version comes out later this summer with Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess and Patricia Clarkson. Like The Romantics, the author also wrote the screenplay so I'm expecting it to be good! Here is the trailer:
Nick Hornby called One Day "The perfect beach read for people who are normally repelled by the very idea of beach reads". He is absolutely right.
Reading anything good? Let me know!
Anyway that is besides the point. I just read The Romantics by Galt Niederhoffer. Oh. My. Goodness. It was one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. The depth she brings to her characters is astounding. Her descriptions are breathtaking. I felt like I was there and not just simply reading the book. It gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling that I get when I'm reading a book at the right time in my life, like I was meant to read it then, to learn the lessons the book is trying to teach, to absorb its wisdom.
The Romantics is basically The Big Chill (well, the non-80s version) and it takes place at a wedding, not a funeral. A group of privileged besties from Yale reunite for a wedding between two of their own...where the maid of honor is in love with the groom. These twenty-somethings are all struggling to discover their place in the world and realizing that life isn't turning out the way that they've always pictured it. Its a reminder that coming-of-age novels aren't just about teenagers, because lets face it, we're all struggling.
The only complaint I have about the book is the tone in some places. Galt Niederhoffer seems to judge the character's backgrounds. She writes about the frivolities of knowing the unwritten cocktail party conversation rules, the summers growing up of sailing lessons, tennis lessons, golf lessons, and the basic WASP upbringing. She writes as though she is an outsider who always wanted to fit in and didn't so she takes it out on her characters, like they were people that she once knew, but really grew up as one (she went to Chapin, Milton and then Harvard). I just thought it strange.
The movie, if you didn't see it, do. It has an all-star cast of Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Malin Akerman, Adam Brody, Dianna Agron, Jeremy Strong, Rebecca Lawrence, Candice Bergen and Elijah Wood. Galt Niederhoffer wrote the screenplay so it is very similar to the book, though I wouldn't say it's better.
So I finished The Romantics yesterday and am already 250 pages into One Day by David Nicholls. I just can't put it down! It has been sitting on my book shelf gathering dust for a year. I got it as part of a New York Times promotion one Friday on the Hampton Jitney (bag full of free books-I picked a good day to take the Jitney!) I'm SO glad I finally picked it up.
One Day follows the lives of Emma and Dexter, two friends who met at college on July 15, 1988 and each chapter a snippet of both of their lives, exactly a year later (July 15, 1989, July 15, 1990, July 15, 1991 etc.) It's a fresh story of friendship, loss, life lessons and a tortured love that could rival Romeo and Juliet or Anne Elliot and Fredrick Wentworth. I still have about 200 pages left so I can't give you my final thoughts on the book but so far I am blown away.
The movie version comes out later this summer with Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess and Patricia Clarkson. Like The Romantics, the author also wrote the screenplay so I'm expecting it to be good! Here is the trailer:
Nick Hornby called One Day "The perfect beach read for people who are normally repelled by the very idea of beach reads". He is absolutely right.
Reading anything good? Let me know!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
June Already? Time For Some New Tunes!
Sorry its been two(!) weeks since I last updated. Wow times flies? Anyway, here is some driving with the windows down summah time music
1. Buzzin' by Shwayze (again I know...)
2. You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse
3. Hair by Lady Gaga
4. Hello by Martin Sloveig & Dragonette
5. Little Too Much by Natasha Bedingfield
6. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall by Coldplay
7. Good Life by OneRepublic
8. Barefoot Blue Jean Night by Jake Owen
9. Summer GIrl by Leighton Meester (don't judge me...)
10. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
11. Paper Doll by Fleetwood Mac
12. Fool in the Rain by Led Zeppelin
13. Give Me Everything by Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer)
14. Hold On by Wilson Phillips
15. White Houses by Vanessa Carleton
16. Anna Sun by Walk the Moon
1. Buzzin' by Shwayze (again I know...)
2. You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse
3. Hair by Lady Gaga
4. Hello by Martin Sloveig & Dragonette
5. Little Too Much by Natasha Bedingfield
6. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall by Coldplay
7. Good Life by OneRepublic
8. Barefoot Blue Jean Night by Jake Owen
9. Summer GIrl by Leighton Meester (don't judge me...)
10. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
11. Paper Doll by Fleetwood Mac
12. Fool in the Rain by Led Zeppelin
13. Give Me Everything by Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer)
14. Hold On by Wilson Phillips
15. White Houses by Vanessa Carleton
16. Anna Sun by Walk the Moon
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Something Borrowed
Something Borrowed--okayyy I admit, I liked it. Actually I loved it. My friend/movie buddy J-Money always makes fun of me because he says I love every movie (so NOT true by the way, has anyone seen The Mirror Has Two Faces? No? Don't.) Something Borrowed was a great chick flick. You're fooling yourself if you think you're going to walk into the theater expecting it to be some work of cinematic genius. What you see is what you get-with quite a lot of laughs along the way. My friend KKM made me read the book last summer (it's one of her favs) and I didn't love it, I definitely liked the movie a lot better, and that is due, in most part to John Krasinski. I love him has Jim Halpert, he was great in It's Complicated, but oh my goodness was he fabulous in Something Borrowed. His sense of cometic timing made the movie, I don't think I've laughed that hard at a movie in theaters since It's Complicated (well maybe No Strings Attached)
In the interest of full disclosure, I pretty much adore any movie that takes place in the city or the hamptons, so since Something Borrowed took place in both it was a jackpot and it mighttt have clouded my judgment. I was so homesick when I was watching the movie-I was just dying to teleport to Shake Shack or to my sandy hamptons beaches. I literally have a section of new york movies on my bookcase that I watch when I get homesick and when it comes out on dvd Something Borrowed will be added to that collection.
I rate it as a B+, see it at your own risk. I thought it was fresh, cute, and full of laughs.
Have you seen it yet? Let me know what you thought!
In the interest of full disclosure, I pretty much adore any movie that takes place in the city or the hamptons, so since Something Borrowed took place in both it was a jackpot and it mighttt have clouded my judgment. I was so homesick when I was watching the movie-I was just dying to teleport to Shake Shack or to my sandy hamptons beaches. I literally have a section of new york movies on my bookcase that I watch when I get homesick and when it comes out on dvd Something Borrowed will be added to that collection.
I rate it as a B+, see it at your own risk. I thought it was fresh, cute, and full of laughs.
Have you seen it yet? Let me know what you thought!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
April/May Playlist
Here is the playlist I've been listening to! Enjoy!
1. Buzzin' by Shwayze
2. Storm Warning by Hunter Hayes
3. Piano Song by Meiko
4. Wires by Matt & Kim
5. Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
6. Lights by Ellie Goulding
7. Young Blood by The Naked and Famous
8. Homebird by Foy Vance
9. I'll Be Waiting by Adele
10. Free Me by Joss Stone
11. Old Alabama (feat. Alabama) by Brad Paisley
12. Songs Like This by Carrie Underwood
13. Say you Will by Fleetwood Mac
14. Raspberry Beret by Prince & The Revolution
15. Heart Like Mine by Miranda Lambert
16. Crash Years by The New Pornographers
17. 32 Flavors by Alana Davis
18. Walcott by Vampire Weekend
19. Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones
20. Hello by Martin Solveig & Dragonette
1. Buzzin' by Shwayze
2. Storm Warning by Hunter Hayes
3. Piano Song by Meiko
4. Wires by Matt & Kim
5. Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
6. Lights by Ellie Goulding
7. Young Blood by The Naked and Famous
8. Homebird by Foy Vance
9. I'll Be Waiting by Adele
10. Free Me by Joss Stone
11. Old Alabama (feat. Alabama) by Brad Paisley
12. Songs Like This by Carrie Underwood
13. Say you Will by Fleetwood Mac
14. Raspberry Beret by Prince & The Revolution
15. Heart Like Mine by Miranda Lambert
16. Crash Years by The New Pornographers
17. 32 Flavors by Alana Davis
18. Walcott by Vampire Weekend
19. Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones
20. Hello by Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Fabulousness
Desperately wishing that my life was this fabulous don't you? (and the awesome song in the background is called Vacation by the Canvas Kites)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Calypso for Target
Yesterday morning I jumped out of bed and made it to my Target just as they opened to get first dibs on the new Calypso collection for Target. While nothing will replace the real Calypso (of which I am a HUGE fan) their line for Target is not a bad alternative. I found a few cute pieces that I'm ready to rock when the weather gets a little better! This is what I got:
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
I'm Back!
Hey gang,
So I know I've been M.I.A for a while, it feels like it's been forever! But life has been crazy and I just didn't have enough hours in the day (or brain cells) to devote to A Prep in the City. Please forgive me-I'm back I PROMISE! And just in time for....
THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!
Okay now who is excited? I'm so excited it's a little embarrassing but I've decided to let my freak flag fly! After I finish this blog post I'm going to zip up to my aunts house for a girlie sleepover with ECM and DRM. We're going to watch Rob Lowe on Oprah (she DVR'd it for me...he's soooo dreamy) have a fabulous dinner, and then I'm going to make blueberry muffins to eat during the wedding :)
Confession time (again) I bought Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook My Father's Daughter and I'm SO glad that I did. I haven't been able to try that many recipes since my life has been a little on the crazy side lately, but I did make her vegan blueberry muffins last week, they were super delicious and just as easy and fast as making muffins out of a box. I'm sure you're all thinking how can vegan blueberry muffins be that good? Well Gwyneth rocked 'em. I promise if you make them, you will NEVER know they are vegan they taste just like regular delicious blueberry muffins and are a lot healthier!
Here is the recipe:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy milk (it works with regular milk too-they just won't be vegan)
1/2 cup real Vermont maple syrup
1/4 cup light agave nectar
1 cup white spelt flour
1 cup whole spelt flour (I couldn't find white spelt flour so I just used 2 cups of whole)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat the oven to 375 and line a 12-cup muffin tin with papers. Mix we ingredients together stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the blueberries. Divide among the muffin cups. Bake until the toothpick comes out clean and they are golden brown (about 25-30 min)
So that's going to be our royal wedding breakfast that we are going to eat in bed, while drinking mimosas in our glammed up pajamas.
What are your royal wedding plans?
So I know I've been M.I.A for a while, it feels like it's been forever! But life has been crazy and I just didn't have enough hours in the day (or brain cells) to devote to A Prep in the City. Please forgive me-I'm back I PROMISE! And just in time for....
THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!
Okay now who is excited? I'm so excited it's a little embarrassing but I've decided to let my freak flag fly! After I finish this blog post I'm going to zip up to my aunts house for a girlie sleepover with ECM and DRM. We're going to watch Rob Lowe on Oprah (she DVR'd it for me...he's soooo dreamy) have a fabulous dinner, and then I'm going to make blueberry muffins to eat during the wedding :)
Confession time (again) I bought Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook My Father's Daughter and I'm SO glad that I did. I haven't been able to try that many recipes since my life has been a little on the crazy side lately, but I did make her vegan blueberry muffins last week, they were super delicious and just as easy and fast as making muffins out of a box. I'm sure you're all thinking how can vegan blueberry muffins be that good? Well Gwyneth rocked 'em. I promise if you make them, you will NEVER know they are vegan they taste just like regular delicious blueberry muffins and are a lot healthier!
Here is the recipe:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy milk (it works with regular milk too-they just won't be vegan)
1/2 cup real Vermont maple syrup
1/4 cup light agave nectar
1 cup white spelt flour
1 cup whole spelt flour (I couldn't find white spelt flour so I just used 2 cups of whole)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
Preheat the oven to 375 and line a 12-cup muffin tin with papers. Mix we ingredients together stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the blueberries. Divide among the muffin cups. Bake until the toothpick comes out clean and they are golden brown (about 25-30 min)
So that's going to be our royal wedding breakfast that we are going to eat in bed, while drinking mimosas in our glammed up pajamas.
What are your royal wedding plans?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
south beach here I come!
A prep is heading to South Beach Sunday. After the past two weeks, I'm ready for a few days of fun, sun and relaxation with the Mother (and maybe a little shopping...I'm thinking Bal Harbor :) ). Picked up a new Milly bikini at Saks on my way home from work, downloaded some trashy chick-lit on my nook, cleaned my Ray-Bans, and bought a cute caftan at H&M. I'm working on a tanning playlist as I mentally start packing and thought I would share. Got any songs that I need to add? Or know of places in South Beach that I just have to go? Let me know!
1. Born This Way by Lady Gaga
2. What the Hell by Avril Lavigne
3. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
4. Cuddle Fuddle by Passion Pit
5. New Lipstick by The Kissaway Trail
6. Indestructible by Robyn
7. S&M by Rihanna
8. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
9. M79 by Vampire Weekend
10. 1901 by Phoenix
11. Dark Fantasy by Kanye West
12. Uncharted by Sara Bareilles
13. I Love Pop Music by Ben Lee
14. Bad by U2
15. Forever Young by Youth Group
16. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin
Full report when I get back!
1. Born This Way by Lady Gaga
2. What the Hell by Avril Lavigne
3. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
4. Cuddle Fuddle by Passion Pit
5. New Lipstick by The Kissaway Trail
6. Indestructible by Robyn
7. S&M by Rihanna
8. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
9. M79 by Vampire Weekend
10. 1901 by Phoenix
11. Dark Fantasy by Kanye West
12. Uncharted by Sara Bareilles
13. I Love Pop Music by Ben Lee
14. Bad by U2
15. Forever Young by Youth Group
16. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin
Full report when I get back!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
matchbook mag issue 2!
Just started reading but already had to share the first page!
The Matchbook Girl...
Is faux pearls and real charm
Considers picnicking an outdoor sport
Lives for the thrill of a handwritten note
Sings in the shower and in the rain
Tweets with abandon
Pledged her heart to Mr. Darcy
Always tips the doorman
Stops for lucky pennies
LOVE IT! can't wait to read the rest in the morning :) night!
The Matchbook Girl...
Is faux pearls and real charm
Considers picnicking an outdoor sport
Lives for the thrill of a handwritten note
Sings in the shower and in the rain
Tweets with abandon
Pledged her heart to Mr. Darcy
Always tips the doorman
Stops for lucky pennies
LOVE IT! can't wait to read the rest in the morning :) night!
Monday, February 28, 2011
best dressed
Last nights Oscars. Oh boy. I don't think Anne Hathaway and James Franco were as bad as people are saying, but they weren't good, though I will admit there were a few laugh-out-loud moments (I still think Hugh Jackman was the best Oscar host I've ever seen!). But what excellent about last night (aside from the King's Speech winning best picture) was the fashion! I thought the red carpet seemed to be lacking in major A-List stars, but the ones who were there definitely dressed to impress. These are my faves:
Anne Hathaway in Valentino
Cate Blanchett in Givenchy
Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein
Mila Kunis in Elie Saab
Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang
Who do you think were last night's best dressed??
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