2012 Hollywood Issue

Photo by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair. 

Ohhhh .... ahhhhhh. As a big fan of the Hollywood Issue - here is a round of up my of faves - I am super excited that the 2012 version is out which officially means it's Oscar season. Sadly I didn't follow through on one of my resolutions from last weekend to see an Oscar nominated film, so I've got lots of catching up to do. Love the cover though! Rooney Mara as Lousie Brooks looks especially cool and seeing Jennifer Lawrence makes me excited for The Hunger Games. Also I loved Mia Wasikowska in Jane Eyre. Now if my VF issue would just arrive.

We always called each other goodfellas

via SomeEcards

Um, how true is the above statement? It's so true in fact that this is one of my all time favorite SomeECards.  (Oh and this one is pretty good too. And this one.) But I digress ... last night John and I and our friend Katie saw Goodfellas at BAM as part of their Brooklyn Close-Up series. It was shown in a theater packed full of adoring fans and boy was it fun to watch. We laughed, we cheered, we clapped ... we brought in a bottle of wine. Lately I'm so used to hour long episodes of one series or another that it was refreshing to sit down and enjoy a whole classic movie it its entirely. Methinks I'll be listening to the Goodfellas soundtrack for the rest of the week.

Shot from Goodfellas, 1990 Warner Bros. Directed by Martin Scorsese.

World Histories

This weekend I was thrilled to discover that all of the History of the World in 100 Objects podcasts are available for free download. I've been interested in the book and didn't realize until recently that it was based upon a series of BBC segments. In a nutshell: A History of the World in 100 Objects "consists of one hundred 15-minute programmes, each focusing on an object from the British Museum’s collection, written and narrated by Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum ... The programmes tell a history of two million years of humanity through the objects we have made, starting with the earliest object in the museum’s collection," [via].

I have downloaded all 100 segments and hope to utilize my subway time to listen to them. So far I've heard about the Mummy of Hornedjitef (pictured below) and Olduvia stone chopping tool. Happy listening!

Also, if you are interested in world histories, pick up this cute book.  I love how it starts, "All stories begin with 'Once upon a time.' And that's just what this story is all about: what happened, once upon a time.'"

via the BBC

PS. I also think it's interesting to compare the US (left) and UK (right) book covers ... I guess we Americans need photos on the cover.

Week in Review

F. Scott & Scottie, via SFGirlbyBay's Pinterest, via Lists of Note

Speaking of F. Scott Fitzgerald, did you see Midnight in Paris? So good! Anyway, another Friday is upon us (thank goodness). HAPPY WEEKEND! My goals: have a fabulous dinner tonight with Sarah & Liz (more on that next week), get lots of sleep, see at least one Oscar nominated movie, vacuum the house.  I know, exciting.

Ferris Bueller fans, Oh MG, what is this!!?!?!

The trials of NYC restaurant reservations.

I love the logo from Alt. Yes, love what you do!

From a few weeks ago, but Coco Chanel's apartment!

Sundance portraits - so many more movies to see.

I too would like a mini-bar.

Gorgeous Brooklyn apartment designed by Nightwood.

I've been here!

Dos Family's Everyday Picture Tour is awesome. Going to submit one soon - just keep forgetting to take one :)

Valentine's Day Ideas

via Lesley Graham's Pinterest, via, via Lonny

Valentine's Day is in about two-and-a-half weeks! While JM and I aren't big on presents, but we typically splurge on a totally out of this world meal. Last year we went to Rosewater and this year I've got some other local places in mind. Bring on many courses and a wine pairing. For now though, I'll be thinking about all the lovely cards & decor out there to pick from :)

via Paper Source

via Honey Kennedy via Rifel Paper Co.

via Milestone Moment's Etsy

A Gift for the Cat

photo by Oh MG

After going to the movies at IFC the other day, Sarah B. and I went on chilly stroll through SoHo and stopped in Treasure & Bond for the first time. I don't know much about their "retail + philanthropy" model and things were quite pricey, but it was fun to browse.  AND they just started serving Stumptown Coffee in store (delicious). All that to say, my favorite item in the store was the calfskin cat lounger pictured above. Oh MG, what a fun and functional item and could both keep your house from looking like you're a crazy cat person and probably be really comfortable for a furry friend. Alas, it was $486. PS. Also check this out!

Getting into the Pin of Things

I joined Pinterest in 2010 but have never used it that much ... as it is it's hard to keep up with Google Reader and blogging and Facebook and Good Reads and lord knows what else is out there. Hoping to Pin more regularly though since it is a great way to keep track of things. The board I've used the most is Recipes to Try - seems I've got to get cooking. Another motivating factor to get more involved is that founder Ben Slibermann seems to have rocked the Alt Design Summit when he served as keynote speaker last week. Super cool!

Here's to productive pinning in 2012 (note Pinterest link to the right). 

You Picked a Winner

TripAdvisor just emailed me letting me know I "picked a winner," meaning a place we stayed in Normandy was selected as one of the best-reviewed B&Bs of 2012. Made me wish I was back at La Thiaumerie. At least I'm still reading Stephen Ambrose's D-Day to keep the vacation going. Not quite the same though.

Photos by Oh MG.

All Caught Up!

Photo by Jason Bell for Vanity Fair.

Nothing like using the excuse of snow to stay inside all day and watch television. Thankfully though we have caught up with pop culture and are current with Downton Abbey. Love it, can't get enough, totally understand why everyone is talking about it. To be fair we did leave the house once on Saturday, for a very good reason: dinner at Roberta's! Good Saturday!

Also, the actual house from DA and Cousin Matthew.

Week in Review

Via Absolutely Beautiful Things, via My Notting Hill

It is snowing in New York! Basically it's the first snow of the season aside from that freak day in October. Nothing planned except Downton Abbey. Yesterday was joyous, I went to see the super interesting and inspiring film Sing Your Song. It's a must-see! What I found most exciting is that Harry Belefonte has been involved countless social movements throughout his life, but at 85 he is still incredibly active and still organizing. A few links from around town ...

DIY ... salt!

Hello pretzel, pork, & chive dumplings ... can't wait to try Talde.

Amazing olive dish.

Among other Swedish things I like, Hej notecards!

If you like a good mystery.

A gorgeous California home.

If you live in Chicago, hit up the Lulu Lemon warehouse sale!!!

More hats for the winter - love the one Sienna is wearing on the first slide.

Made in America

Was happy to see President Obama featuring the classic Bean Boots as part of his weekly address about American manufacturing. I am a proud (and warm) owner of my first pair of Beans and was just consulting with Sarah B about getting her first pair - she was leaning toward these. Made in Maine, woot!

Also, the President will be in New York today hanging with Daniel Boulud and Spike Lee. Sounds fun.

Hat Day

I love Taylor Swift's vintage-inspired Vogue cover. Awesome hat, like the one Bianca Jagger wore on her wedding day. 

Two modern options to consider ... though I'm not entirely sure I could pull one off.

Sources: Taylor Swift, Bianca Jagger, camel hat, black hat

This Made Me Laugh

Some of this is spot on. Just last night I was guilty of saying "QUEENS!?!?" Via Daily Intel.

An Afternoon in San Francisco

Last week my mom and I had a lovely afternoon in San Francisco. One remarkable stop was Omnivore Books, a shop I've been wanting to go to for a while. It's all cookbooks! While there I picked up a copy of Braises and Stews to go with my new cast iron pot. I could have stayed there all afternoon. Oh, and remember this cute story?

Then on to lunch at Tartine where I had a hot pressed sandwich and the letters they gave us for our food were XO. Doesn't get any better than that.


Photos by Oh MG.

Backpacks!

Oh wow, my friend Mary sent along the link to the Baggu site and I can't get enough. Trying to figure out why i might need a foldable backpack with elephants on it. Traveling? Groceries? Going to the beach?

All images from Baggu.

Digital Archives - Way Cool!

As posted on SwissMiss there is some news that is very timely for MLK Day: C&G Partners just launched a fantastic new site for The King Center in Atlanta. The new site allows the public to access never before seen artifacts from the King collection. Thousands of documents – letters, speeches, drafts, notes, photos and more – are available for free to the general public for the first time [text via SwissMiss].

via SwissMiss

Also, remember this awesome photo? Which also relates to this documentary which I would also like to see.

Golden Globes Highlights

Last night was the first awards show of the season, The Golden Globes and I thought it was great. Sadly though, it just made me add more series and movies to my must-see list. When will I be able to make time for important things like Moneyball, Ides of March, The Artist, Drive, Homeland, Game of Thrones, and Downton Abbey? Despite any stress the Globes brought on however, I did have some favorite dresses and appearances.

Didn't like Zooey D's dress or helmet hair, but loved her tuxedo nails and thought her sister Emily looked amazing (probably because she's the older sister).

Loved both Michelle Williams' and Busy Phillips' looks.

Two favorite dresses - Emma Stone & Salma Hayek

Oh hey, some of my favorite television personalities.

Lastly, I was so glad Christopher Plummer (the fabulous Captain Von Trapp) won for his role in Beginners. The only thing I would have changed about the film would have been to give Christopher Plummer more screen time. See it.

Sources:
Nails; Zooey & Emily; Michelle & Busy; Emma; Salma; Don Draper etc.

Two Charming Trailers

Two trailers for movies I will most certainly see hit the internet last week. Both have incredible casts and one at least will provide me with some Jon Hamm time to tide me over before March 25th.  Moonrise Kingdom looks like the perfect Wes Anderson film and I can't get enough of everyone involved in Friends with Kids. PS. Saw The Descendants last night and loved it!

Happy New Year

I am finally back in New York after almost three weeks of fun in California and as of tomorrow real life resumes. That means work, school, and blogging when I can. For tonight though I'm staying in, watching the Golden Globes, and cooking with some fun new kitchen tools I got for Christmas.

Every year since 2004 I have taken of a photo of my friends on New Year's Day. Below are the very best from this year - one normal and one freestyle. Certainly one of our best shots and best New Year's Eves.

Photos by Oh MG.