Music for a Frenzied Friday: Jamiroquai

There never seems to be enough time to accomplish all that needs to be done before the weekend officially begins. Because of this, I hope to post motivating music at the end of each week to help my readers and I power through what can often be a crazy day. My inaugural posting features Jamaraquai whose funky electronic beats inspire me to keep on dancing! I hope they will inspire you too! Happy Friday!

The Outsiders

The May issue of Vanity Fair features an article written by Rob Lowe.  The article is an excerpt from his recent memoir. Excitingly they featured the portion about his auditions for the role of Soda Pop in The Outsiders! He shares some inside scoop on the actors that starred in the film with him and this just might get me to read his memoir!

If you haven't read the book and/or seen the movie, you should do so now!

The book was written by S.E. Hinton who was inspired by the social class divisions she witnessed during her high school days in 1960's Oklahoma. It is a coming of age story that focuses on the conflicts between the Greasers (a group of lower income teens) and the Socials (a more privileged group of teens). Interestingly, Hinton was urged to publish this book under her initials because of the concern that it would not be as well received if the public knew a female wrote it. This is partly due to the fact that it features male characters fighting, smoking, drinking, and using profanity. The book was pretty groundbreaking for it's time and I think the issues it deals with allows the story to still hold up today. It's a quick read and definitely worth it! You might also like two of her other books, Tex and Rumble Fish (both made into films as well).


Now if you prefer to just see the movie, you are also in for a treat because it features just about every 80s  heartthrob that's worth remembering! Seriously, it's an amazing cast and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.  And it features a great song sung, "Stay Gold"  by Stevie Wonder. Rent it today!
 

Who do You Think You Are?

"If you don't recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them too. The tales may not seem very important, but they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are." -- Madeleine L'Engle

One of my favorite shows is a series called “Who Do You Think You Are?"  It combines two of my favorite things 1) celebrities and 2) genealogy. Each episode features a celebrity embarking on a journey to trace their family history. The celebrity discovers fascinating stories about their ancestors which involve much intrigue, heroism, love, tragedy, and betrayal. Several episodes have featured the celebrity uncovering a relative who has overcome adversity to find freedom and opportunity in the United States. A few even discover how their relative was instrumental in shaping world history. You can learn more about the show by clicking here. My favorite episodes so far have been the following: 

Brooke Shields

Lionel Richie

Sarah Jessica Parker

Kim Cattrall

Tim McGraw


I'm off to ancestry.com to do some of my own research! 

"You are our living link to the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of the struggles waged, at home and abroad. Of sacrifices made for freedom's sake. And tell them your own story as well — because [everybody] has a story to tell." -- George H. W. Bush 

Have you seen Jennifer Hudson lately (J-Hud as many affectionately call her)? 

I am just blown away by her!   

A few of her accomplishments include: Wife, Mother, Weight Watchers' spokesperson, Academy Award Winning Actress, Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist, and American Idol Finalist. But most impressive of all, she's a survivor. She has triumphed in spite of the horribly tragic murders of her brother, mother, and nephew. In several interviews, she credits her faith, music, new baby and fiancé for helping her find the courage to overcome  this adversity. I think her recent physical transformation demonstrates just some of her personal strength.

As a spokesperson for Weight Watchers she has apparently positively influenced the company's stock price (the new point system may have a little something to do with that too). You can read more about her experience with the Weight Watchers' program here. 

She is also debuting a new album in late March. Read more about Jhud here.  

Style Icons

I came across a fun quiz on Elle.com, it is about determining your personal style. The quiz resolved that I am "a Classicist -- modern yet edgy, you love smart blazers, sleek skirts, and accouterments with a professional flair."  I was happy with the results, I think the quiz was pretty accurate! To take the quiz yourself, click here. 

Here are just a few of my favorite style icons: 

Grace Kelly 

Natalie Portman

Reese Witherspoon

Ali MacGraw

Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Ivanka Style

I was at the mall on Saturday and I couldn't help but pass by the shoe section. Much to my surprise, I found a new, reasonably priced brand of shoes that I just love! Apparently, Ivanka Trump has been busy! This socialite, businesswomen, heiress and model just launched Ivanka Trump Footwear a line of classic and old hollywood inspired shoes. Here are a few of my favorite pairs from her collection: 

Not only are her shoes fabulous, but Ivanka is very impressive too! She's poised, intelligent, hardworking and well-educated. She also seems extremely well-adjusted considering the fact that she's grown up under a microscope due to her famous family.

Ivanka is also a newlywed and she just recently announced that she's expecting her first child with husband, Jared Kushner. Here's a picture from their stunning wedding:  

via People.com 

Take Me Back to Beverly Hills

Can't get enough of vintage 90210 episodes! I heart watching them while I cook or craft at night! The fashion blows my mind sometimes. I wonder if bodysuits or chokers will ever come back? 

Check this out -- 90s Flashback: Luke Perry and Jason Priestley | Lopez Tonight! They look pretty good, though their  hair is just not the same. I'll leave you with the theme song. What in the world is Donna wearing?

Lovely Brides

So very happy that Lisa Loeb has found love!

And I find it almost ironic that she got married in the same year that I will be married!
I practically idolized her after "Stay" came out in 94'! She made wearing glasses cool!

And really, who doesn't feel a connection to "Stay"? It's arguably one of the best songs of the 90s and it just so happens that it came from one of most favorite movies of all time, Reality Bites!

I must admit though, I am a little sad because now that she's officially of the market I bet there won't be a reprise of her show #1 single on E! That show was too funny!

And here's just a clip from Reality Bites to help get you through your Friday! Have a great weekend!

I HEART BRAVO

How did I survive without Bravo??? I mean what was actually on tv before Project Runway, Flipping Out, Kathy Griffin Life on the D-List, and the Real Housewives series(s)??!!! What mindless, entertaining -- fun! I find myself watching episodes again and again.

Although this is not my favorite season of Project Runway, how can I not watch in wonderment -- just hanging on pithy comments of Michael Kors, or fondly counting the number of times Tim Gunn will say "Make It Work" and then waiting in suspsense to hear who Heidi Klum will give the ax with her signature "You're Out" and "Auf Wiedersehen!" If not just a fabulous show, definitely an amazing catchphrase generator!!!

My two newest obsessions from Bravo..... The Rachel Zoe Project and Million Dollar Listing!!! Back with more details on them later.....

My So Called Life in the 90s

I just purchased the series, 'My So Called Life' on dvd and I can't help but feel nostalgic about two of my favorite things about the 90s! 

In 'My So Called Life', Angela Chase was an iconic teen facing the trials and tribulations that most of us experienced but were unable to articulate.

"Sometimes it seems like we're all living in some kind of prison. And the crime is how much we hate ourselves. It's good to get really dressed up once in a while. And admit the truth: that when you really look closely? People are so strange and so complicated that they're actually... beautiful. Possibly even me. " -- Angela Chase

Jordan Catalano the must crushworthy character on 90's network tv! Oh the hair, the eyes, the swagger, and the flannel shirt -- love me some Jared Leto!

"Jordan Catalano was having...a conversation with me, like, on purpose. Like, a really nice conversation." -- Angela Chase

"Sometimes someone says something really small and it just fits into this empty place in your heart. " -- Angela Chase

Reality Bites -- Generation X'ers at their best! Michael Graves, yuppie tv producer, Troy Dyer, philosopher, Lelaina Pierce, valedictorian and documentarian, Vickie Miner, Manager of the Gap and sexually confused, Sammy Gray. My favorite movie of all time -- with some of the most quotable lines! I think I still secretly wish I could be Lelaina Pierce -- well, guess that's not so secret anymore. Everything goes back to Reality Bites!

***Still hoping to change my answering machine to: "At the beep please leave your name, number and a brief justification for the ontological necessity of modern man's existential dilemma and we'll get back to you "***

Troy Dyer: The only thing you have to be by the age of 23 is yourself. Lelaina: Yeah, well, I'm not sure who that is anymore.

Troy Dyer: There's no point to any of this. It's all just a... a random lottery of meaningless tragedy and a series of near escapes. So I take pleasure in the details. You know... a quarter-pounder with cheese, those are good, the sky about ten minutes before it starts to rain, the moment where your laughter become a cackle... and I, I sit back and I smoke my Camel Straights and I ride my own melt.

Michael Grates: Have I stepped over some line in the sands of coolness with you? Because excuse me if somebody doesn't know the secret handshake with you. Troy Dyer: There's no secret handshake. There's an IQ prerequisite, but there's no secret handshake.