Moonrise Kingdom

If there were warning signs for this movie they'd read: Exquisite candy for the eye. Might want to adopt every single character (this includes Bruce Willis, yes). Can provoke impulse to go looking for this place. Possible post depression/failed intents to redecorate home.

This lovable movie takes place in a minuscule New England island with a population just as small. It's the summer of 1965 and there's an important storm coming.

Two misunderstood kids, Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hyaward) pen pals then lovers, make a pact to run away into the wilderness. This requires leaving scout camp for him and home for her.

When they go missing, the girl's parents (Frances McDormand & Bill Murray) and the boy's Scout Master (Edward Norton) have a local search party fan out to find them. As the adventure unfolds for the rest of the characters, Wes Anderson manages to show a different, more endearing side to each person and place. As previously mentioned, it might make you want to go looking for this wonderful place called "Moonrise Kingdom".

Bottom Line:

*Do or Don't: Absolute DO!

*With: Anyone who appreciates Wes Anderson movies (sense of humor is mandatory)

*Where: Any movie theatre, the smaller the town, the better.

playing dress up

I love my sister's style and I know I've said it a million times BUT I recently went home and (as usual) she surprised me with super cute outfits. Two stood out the most.

She wore this to go on a culinary tour downtown. Neon maxi skirt + super light beige knit + vintage cross body.

What I love about this outfit is the balance. A maxi skirt with a short, light knit. She let the skirt be the star of the show and used neutrals to compliment.

Second one is what she wore to a wedding. Just when I thought a world without mix&match outfits was utopic, she comes to the rescue.

Notice how nothing's the same tone (or style) yet it's it makes sense. Beige chunky sandals with lavender toe nails go perfectly well with a pale yellow lace dress. Add an envelope clutch and vintage ray bans to complete the look.

An updated Betty Draper meets… well, my sister! So chic!

What Cannes I say?

Ok, here it goes. Before I started taking a closer look at film festivals, I thought I knew what I needed to know about the ones I need to know.

Cannes = France, hipster actors, european indie films, big european celebs support the arts.

Toronto = No clue, really

Sundance = Indie films with big celebs in remote parts of America

Tribeca = Robert de Niro, indie films that will become big thanks to rich exec producers who live in tribeca.

We could do this forever. Fact is there's millions of festivals each year, important ones too. But not exactly my point.

Cannes resulted to be a place where movies as deep and dark as Baad el Mawkeaa (After the battle) debut alongside Madagascar 3 (Yes, as in Chris Rock, Jada Pinket, Ben Stiller, etc) so this made me think it really is all about movies. No matter who you are, what your movie's about or how much it cost, it will be there if it has a place.

A particular one that caught my eye (and everyone's, i guess) was of course, Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom (see in one of my next posts).

From the glamour of the stars to the interviews for the Today show and all my favorite magazines, I've changed my mind completely about film festivals in less than 6 months. Check them out! and don't be surprised when you see me covering one in the near future :)

Coconut Macaroons

Patience is not a virtue I possess, so having recently moved in to my new apt and not having all the right tools didn't stop me from making Coconut Macaroons anyway. Based on this recipe.

get ready. separate yolks & egg whites. toast coconut

whisk whisk whisk. add sugar in 3 parts. whisk whisk whisk until you feel like your arm might fall off, I mean, until meringue is stiff

gently fold in toasted coconut. place 1 tbsp dollops on the tray. pop in the oven

15-20 minutes later. voila!

Salmon fishing in the Yemen

This would be the perfect movie to watch on a plane. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, lets just say the bait on the hook is pretty bland.

When the British Prime Minister’s press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas) is in dire need of a “good news” story in the Middle East, somehow, salmon fishing in the Yemen sounds like a great idea. Harriet (Emily Blunt), a consultant, is immediately commended to the task and therefore approaches Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor), a fishing expert who can’t wrap his head around the “impossibly stupid project”.

As opposed to a movie like The Holiday, this romantic comedy (written by Simon Beaufoy) feels like two fishermen whose lines remain parallel. The project leaves no place for romance and vice versa.

I’m sure there are many retirees and fishing aficionados who will enjoy this light as a fishing fly comedy. Just don’t expect the title to make any more sense than when you first heard it.


Bottom Line:
*Do or Don't: Hmmm I'll give it a harmless DO
*With: A friend who's looking for a light romantic comedy (just like you)
*Where: As I said, on the plane or at home (on a long rainy day)

Sleep no more

The very much abandoned McKittrick Hotel, plays a crucial part in this intricate representation of Macbeth. Alongside creepy, Scream like masks; these two elements sort of prepare you for an experience that is, if nothing else, completely unexpected.

Luckily I had the opportunity to see the set all lit up a few days prior since a friend was interviewing the cast. This helped ease my nerves into Friday night.

In the intent of being respectful to what this play intends: an experimental theatre experience. I won't tell you what it's like BUT I will say this: I might not be into this sort of ideas but I can certainly appreciate quality.

The set, the music and the actors/dancers are so carefully detailed and so perfect for each's purpose, they elevate the experience.

To conclude I'll say I went in completely skeptical and came out feeling three things: 1. pride in myself for having completed the experience (almost like finding my way out of a labyrinth) b. somewhat embarrassed of how wrong I was and c. even though it's not my kind of entertainment, extremely glad I went.


Bottom Line:
*Do or Don't: Let's risk it and say DO
*With: Someone who can appreciate it for what it is (like it or not)
*Where: There's nowhere else to go see it.

it's the little things...

My Jono Hennessy glasses. The only thing I knew was that I wanted tortoise frames. Next I had to decide what shape fit my face better/made me look smarter/what statement I was going for... bla bla bla. It was love at first sight and it hasn't faded one bit.

Let me start by saying no one in the world loves dairy more than myself. That said, I can freely say: Almond milk is glorious! it's smooth, rich, delicious & yes, probably healthier.

We could talk about my obsession with bows anytime but I figured it's pretty obvious at this point. Short story short, my sister got me this bow necklace from PAAR México & I'm very much obsessed.

Yep, the rowing machine at the gym. I'd heard that changing your exercise routine 'shocks' your body and helps you lose weight faster. {I'm in no way trying to leave Kate Middleton out of this picture; knowing she rows helped a little... just a little}

In the intent of being modest about my vision–by way of, I've loved mint forever–I'll just say: Mint, I'm so glad you're back.

The greatest thing about little things (excuse my redundancy) is they're everywhere. It's only a matter of spotting them. When you do, let them make you smile. Hey, as Glamour Mag would say, it's ok! You never know what can turn your day around.