Heartstrings

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And finally, we've made it to Friday and the weekend. I feel all out of sorts since we had a snow day on Tuesday and then a two-hour delay on Wednesday. While I had the day off on Tuesday, I did some writing, reading, online shopping browsing, and listened to some new and semi-new music to me.
My favorite Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester released her first album entitled Heartstrings in October 2014. I think she is wonderful, so I had to take a listen. At first I wasn't expecting the style of music she was singing and playing, but it has totally grown on me and I've come to love her soothing sound. I must say, I'm blown away by her vocal talent. I knew she could be the perfect upper-east-sider and sing pop beats as heard in Cobra Starship's "Good Girls Go Bad", but I had no idea the extent of her talent. 

Sit down one morning, with a cup of tea or coffee and let Leighton pick at your Heartstrings by playing her album through. Her voice is just as pretty as she is.

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Leighton is just so talented. She has a movie being limited released called Like Sunday, Like Rain on March 6, 2015. I'm not exactly sure how it will be released or where, but I'm looking into it. 

Fifty Shades of Grey: The Movie

On Saturday, I went to see Fifty Shades of Grey in Raleigh's North Hills. I've read the entire trilogy, so I most definitely wanted to see the film. the film was marketed (very well, I might add) so hard, but was extremely disappointing.

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I thought there was zero chemistry between the characters of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. In no way did I feel that they were both genuinely attracted to each other or that they had an undying, true connection. The relationship between Christian and Ana is supposed to be intense and undoubtedly passionate. I didn't feel any of that. I did think that Ana's character was more convincing and acted much better than Christian's, but it all seemed very forced. Even the sex scenes seemed forced and unrealistic. Christian seemed like he was reading from a script the whole time. Ana was quite funny when she was drunk though! haha.

I've said many times before, I would never have chosen Jamie Dornan to play Mr. Grey. He just doesn't do it for me. He's more of the nerdy boy next door, when I was looking for a strong, sophisticated, breathtaking, handsome specimen of a man. I was thinking more along the lines of a Matt Bomer from White Collar.

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Matt Bomer, case in point.

I did think that the movie kept true to the book as far as sequence of events, but like any movie based on a book, its difficult to capture the whole feeling and story in about two to three hours. The other element that I enjoyed was that each setting was exactly as I imagined. Charlie Tango to Escala, I think those places were captured wonderfully.

I love when the perfect music is placed strategically in a film. I'm also a HUGE fan of Baz Luhrmann, so I know how well it can be done. He is responsible for Moulin Rouge, the Great Gatsby, etc. He realizes that music is responsible for mood and helps create the setting. You don't see a Luhrmann movie without wanting to buy the soundtrack. I think Beyonce's "Haunted", "Crazy In Love" and Ellie Goulding's "Love Me Like You Do" were perfect for this film. I only wish that you could buy Beyonce's tracks on iTunes without buying the entire soundtrack.

My advice: If you haven't read the books but plan to, don't see the movie. It will ruin it for you. And if you don't plan on reading the books, prepare to be confused and disappointed. 

If you've seen the Fifty Shades of Grey first installment, let me know your opinion. I'm thinking a lot of true fans of the books will have shared opinions like mine.

Laters, baby.

Chick Flicks

There are plenty of movies to choose from out there, but these are my favorite chick flicks to curl up to if you won't have any plans for V-day!   Moulin Rouge Paris in 1900? Yes, please!  "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to be loved and love in return."

via P.S. I Love You One of the most tragic and real depictions of love and loss. Always a great watch.

via Grease Um... We go together like?! 

via   The Notebook No brainer. I don't think there is a girl alive that doesn't love this movie. 

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Sweet Home Alabama Who doesn't love the part where he brings her to Tiffany's and tells her to PICK ONE?!? No objections there!

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How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey really battle it out in this one! 

via A Lot Like Love So simple and so cute.

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Center Stage Ballerinas, routines, and tangled love.

via The Vow Another beautiful showing of love and the concept that it can withstand anything. Rachel McAdams is one of my favorites. She is in so many wonderful movies.

via Breakfast at Tiffany's Such a classic. Love Audrey in this.

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10 Things I Hate About You One of my favorites growing up through grade school.

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Burlesque I saw this movie for the first time on TV last year around Christmas and loved it. Christina Aguilera is fabulous and Cam Gigandet isn't too bad on the eyes either!

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RANT

And here we thought that MAYBE, just maybe Kanye West finally developed some sort of discretion. Nope. Spoke too soon. Is anyone else embarrassed that this boy (not man) is in the spotlight all the time? I mean, he did marry one of the biggest idiots on the face of the planet. Has anyone even figured out why she is "famous?" Didnt think so!

That leads me to West's completely arrogant and ignorant display at the 2015 Grammy's on Sunday. Great, you used your freedom of speech, but who cares what your opinion is? The Academy has spoken. Kanye, you haven't had a descent track out in years. Your claim to fame right now is that your wife, mother of your north and west directional child posed basically naked, covered in baby oil for all the world to see. Congratulations, everyone has seen your wife's butt. Classyyyy! 

I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone, but his blatant disrespect for the art and craft of fellow artists and musicians is baffling... Especially for someone that hasn't put out phenomenal music in a very long time. The last time I truly enjoyed his album was when he put out Graduation wayyy back in 2007. And ya, he's been featured on other artists' tracks, but they were not his own. Even the new song with Rihanna and Paul McCartney... Rihanna makes that song. Not you, Kanye! 

People wonder why the youth of today is so screwed up. And I'd have to attribute part of that to public figures like Kanye for showing them how to be classless, ignorant, arrogant, and just plain disrespectful. Who does this moron think he is? Reminder: this isn't the first time. Remember that Taylor Swift stunt? Yaaaaaa. I sure wouldn't want to be Beyoncé (who am I kidding!? Yes I would) right about now. And if artistically we are going to compare Beyonce's album to Beck's... Beck produced and contributed the vast majority of the instruments and all vocals to his album by himself. Beyoncé had a bunch of people helping her produce and no surprise here, big loser West was one of them! Bias much? Nothing against Beyoncé because we all know I really like her. 

I don't want to give this clown any more press or attention than he has already, but I had to speak my peace. End rant. 

So cheers to Beck on winning Album of the Year! At least my written congrats can't be interrupted. 

Red Chantel

Jeans: Forever 21 - Top: Target (similar here and here) - Sweater: The Loft (similar here and here) - Purse: Sole Society - Bracelet: Henri Bendel on SALE - Shoes: Seychelles - Shades: Ray Ban

This red Chantel bag from Sole Society just arrived on my doorstep this week and I'm really glad to add another bag to my wardrobe. I have two on rotation, so it's nice to have another option. I'm also ecstatic to say that I got it for just over $8.00, tax included and free shipping. It was on sale and then I had a credit from a price adjustment. I think within the past year I've become the queen of the price adjustment, but who likes to buy something and then see it go on sale? No One!

This Loft sweater is amazing too! I've been browsing their website lately and am really digging their styles and quality. There was a one-day 50% off in-store sale last week, so I picked up a couple of items. This sweater is so warm and just oversized enough for me without swimming in it. However, I couldn't find it online so I linked some similar styles. I can finally shop at more than one store for work clothes. These are the sleek chelsea boots I talked about and bought a couple weeks ago. Seychelles' Solitude bootie has a rather pointy toe so they fit a bit different than any boot I've worn before. I was skeptical when I first put them on, but they fit perfect and are very comfortable. The leather is so soft and are worth every penny.