The Most Wonderful Night of the Year

Just the other day I was questioned over my love for the Oscars.  I found it preposterous.  What is not to love?  Celebrities, fashion, tradition, and cinematic genius all honored on one night.  The Oscars are the epitome of everything right in the world.  For anyone who does not agree with that statement, then you very well may not with my parting thoughts on this year's awards gala.

1.  No one else in the world is able to wear sleek and stark white except for Gwyneth Paltrow.  Or, those who think they can most likely, in reality, cannot.  Nevertheless, most of us are left to envy her ability to flawlessly wear Tom Ford's wonderful sartorial creations in the color.

2.  Angelina Jolie makes herself impossible to like.  I was starting to find it worthwhile to listen to her soapboxes after seeing her interviewed on Anderson Cooper.  Then she had to show up at this year's Oscars trying to grab any and every bit of attention she can get from the cameras.  Her gown was per typical of what we've seen from her on the red carpet.  Hence there's no reason to spotlight her fashion any more than the already greedy amount of airtime she took up at the show.

3.  Billy Crystal in the role he was born to play:  Oscar host.  Well, except when he was Harry Burns in "When Harry Met Sally," because that was also a brilliant performance.  Seriously though, the Academy and Billy should recognize a beautiful thing when they see it.  Please, Billy, please, don't ever put us at risk to watch Eddie Murphy host this thing.

4.  Will Tom Cruise ever age?  

5.  Colin Firth:  An Awards Show Emergency Exit Plan.  If anything were to ever go wrong during an awards show, having Colin Firth appear somewhere around the end of the telecast is a surefire way to end on a high note.  He is a true class act from his dry humor to his nerdy charm with a refined taste in tailoring.  If ever I had the chance...

{Images: 1, 2, 3, 4}

Necessities

For much of my life I saw beauty products as a sort of waste of money.  A lot of just phony bologna brilliantly branded as necessities.  The funny thing about getting older, is not only do you get wiser, but you also find that you'll take all the help you can get in keeping up your appearance.  In keeping with my February resolution of beauty and wellness, here are a few products that I've always sworn by to help me keep it real, girl.

L'Oreal EverStrong sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  The sulfate-free system gives way to keeping your hair much more hydrated and healthy.  I rarely ever have a bad hair day with this!

Schwarzkopf got2b Crazysleek.  Without this, my hair would have died years ago.

Yes to Cucumbers facial towelettes.  A lovely breath of freshness for my face every evening.

Sensodyne Pronamel teeth whitening toothpaste.  Keeps your pearly whites just that.

Mineral makeups (I use BellaPierre) will not only give your face a subtle boost of color, but they also come right off at the end of the day.  Meaning, minimal pore clogging!

Vitamins are a must!  Everyone has different needs, so don't go choosing just the latest fads.  You'll notice a huge boost in your energy as well as your natural glow once you start getting into a regular regimen.

Finally, working out.  You may not feel as cute as this little fellow wen doing it.  But more often than not you'll feel ready to knock down any door after.

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

These Miike Snow lyrics are a great analogy to how I have recently felt sitting in the office after the past couple {incredibly} fun weekends I've had:

{Image Credit: via Project Thirty-Three}

Monday Mahhhhhh....sagge

My February resolution of beauty and wellness was in large part due to my aching back.  I don't pay near enough solid attention to its twists, knots, and tensions.  Today it screamed at me.  To the point that there was no ignoring it, and I could not and would not listen to it a minute longer.  Half expecting my care for it to start at a neighborhood chiropractor's office, I lost patience with appointment books.  So I put in an emergency phone call to a friendly massage business just a couple blocks from work.  And thank goodness I did.  I walked through their doors in a half daze not knowing where I could crash and lie down first.  By the grace of great hands I left feeling a complete new person.  In 60-minutes I was healed of all nots, throbbing pressure points, and even my nagging headache.  The difference was so great that I even marked in down in my agenda calendar of when to schedule my next one.  Resolutions helping resolutions; the year is working out well already!

{Image Credit: via What Would Noni Like}

Keeping Busy

Sundays are by far and away my favorite day of the week.  During the fall and winter that's largely due in part to the wonderful sport of football.  It's a full day activity, and a very good excuse for procrastination.  When the season's over, as it is now, it can leave a very large lull in the week.  Most devoted fans forget what they did with themselves from the February to September prior.  Here's what I'll be doing though to reenergize for the week ahead until the leaves start turning shades of red.

1. Visit more neighborhood coffee shops and do more brunching
2. Read for my new book club in those cafes
3. Turn up my Sunday Sinatra tunes
4. Cook full meals (gasp!)
5. Watch more films

{Image Credits: 2, 3, & 5, 1, 4}

Being Well

In February I resolve to be as well as I possibly can be.  Because the better I physically take care of myself the more beauty I'll be emulate in my energy.

(Images: The Container Store, InStyle, via A Piece of Toast}

So Fresh, So Clean

Old bedding

Effects of consecutive weekends traveling

Desk with to-do projects

Filing system (picture an exaggeration)

Bathroom linen closet

New bedding from West Elm and Target

Desk and completed projects on wall

Bathroom linen closet

As January came to an end yesterday, a peace of mind was finally reached.  My home organization project reached its end and I can sincerely say that I feel more together.  A couple new art pieces added to the wall, storage compartments to contain some treasures (and documents from those where treasures are spent), and new bedding are just a few changes that were made.  Walking into my room today actually felt like I was walking into a space of my own.  Rather than a mess of my own.  I don't think there's any denying that when you surround yourself with things you love, then the same will surround you.  Which is the biggest thing you need to any start, or resolution.

Projects Included:

1. Clothing donation of unwanted items
2. Organizing of momentos, photos, stationary, crafts, and mucho important documents.  Organization tools bought at Bed Bath & Beyond
3. New bedding (old donated) from West Elm & Target
4. Organizing bathroom linen closet using old designer shopping bags
5. Closet tidying and luggage storage

Houston

Last weekend I had the pleasure to visit the great city of Houston, TX.  My fabulous friend Caroline showed me an absolute grand time.  But the rumors are true.  Everything is bigger in Texas!  Including Saturday afternoon headaches :)  Nevertheless I was able to muddle through to keep up with the mighty Texans and hope to be back for a rematch soon.  

Thanks again for a wonderful weekend, Caroline!