<3 <3 <3 so much

I went to see this movie in the theater the day it was released. I loved it so much, felt deeply, emotionally disturbed in a way I wasn't prepared for, and haven't been able to watch it again since.

source

Summer Hours

One of the most gorgeous movies I've ever seen.
I want to live in that house more than anything.

It's Here!

julia

in love with every image on this blog.
1,2

Wait Until Dark

Finally got around to watching this horror/Audrey Hepburn classic and liked it very much indeedy. The entire movie takes place inside her basement NY City apartment. And the kicker - she is blind. I didn't know much more than that before I watched it, and if you haven't seen it yet, I recommend not doing too much research before running out and seeing for yourself.




The scenario is very frightening and the terror builds to an incredible climax -- partly because the idea behind the story is so believable (while I do enjoy a good zombie fest, there is something so much scarier about situations that could conceivably happen to anyone, anywhere). The last ten minutes or so ranked #10 on AMC's 100 Scariest Movie Moments Of All Time. If you like good old fashioned suspense and classic, effective horror, add this to your list.

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes I see pictures like this and want long hair again.

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I often need to remind myself to just

loving this necklace.

My Fall Movie Must-Haves, part 1

Every year when the weather turns colder and the days start getting shorter, I am consumed by the almost constant urge to fill up on everything fall. My favorite season always seems to come and go in the blink of an eye, and I don't want to miss a second of it.

A big part of my annual autumn binge-fest is my own personal short list of what I consider to be "fall" movies. For me, these are movies I can only watch at this particular time of year, snuggled up with sweatpants, some chunky socks, and zero disturbances. I am sort of a freak when it comes to certain rituals, etc., and for me, watching these movies has become totally ritualistic in my life. They are by no means considered high cinema, and they represent some of the only chick films I allow to pass before my retinas all year. Each of them is near and dear to my heart, partly for nostalgic reasons, but mostly because they're just good movies to match my mood this season.


You've Got Mail
Very fall -- lots of turtlenecks and tights and twinkle lights, with some healthy doses of colored leaves and steaming mugs of coffee sprinkled throughout. If you know me at all, it will be easy to see why this is one of my favorites. I was known to watch the DVD on repeat during my college years. Meg Ryan's brownstone apartment in New York City -- I used to pause, rewind, and slow-motion certain shots just so I could get a closer look at the inside of that place. Also, her wardrobe. And her quirky adorableness. Her character is the owner of a children's bookstore. There is a certain amount of cynicism that runs throughout the film, which is much appreciated.

Oh look, it's me sitting at my laptop, blogging or something of the like, surrounded by books and knickknacks.

Me at work.

I can think of two more fall-movie favorites, but I'll save those for another day.

Toasty Autumn

It's been so chilly the past few nights & mornings -- The new collection from Toast's House & Home catalogue makes me want to pile on sweaters and socks and crawl under the blankets to stay.

Sometimes...

Sometimes I want to color my hair bleach blonde.
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Brilliant

It's funny when you get to a certain age and start to clearly recognize some of the things throughout your lifetime that've shaped you - or at least contributed to the person you've turned out to be.

When I was a wee child, there were a handful of movies I watched over and over...and over. And could recite. And went about my days singing songs from. Now, as an adult, I'm certain of their specific influence on me. I was in awe of Mary Poppins. I wanted to be Julie Andrews. So magical - her swinging skirts, delicate British accent, flawless beauty, creamy singing voice, no-nonsense attitude (Spit Spot!), close personal friendships with birds (and chimney sweeps) - and hello - flying about from place to place clutching an umbrella! Pure perfection. I still love every single second of it.

Today, in my "grown-up" life, I imagine that this is me as a 1st grade teacher:




One of my all-time favorite scenes/songs from a movie: This tune still drifts in and out of my head and I catch myself humming it to myself rather frequently. Or, of course, whenever I see someone flying a kite.

Hold the phone

#1. Apparently The Sartorialist was in the area recently. (Heh?)

#2. He did not realize that Drive-Ins "still exist" in the United States. Says Schuman:

I know I have been in the city for a while, but I had no idea that drive-ins were still out there across America. I was pleasantly shocked at how many I saw in upstate New York.


Dude. Like....really? How do you actually avoid this knowledge? There are four or five drive-in theaters within a 45-mile radius of my house alone. It seems "been in the city for a while" is a gross understatement. If you've gotten to this point in your life without knowing that this basic institution "still exists" and is a regular part of many people's lives - in your own state - what other realities of life outside the city are you completely ignorant of? Frightening. Open your damn eyes, man.

Back to school, back to work

Where did the summer go? Sigh. At least Fall brings so many great things along with it, even if it does mean back to the regular ol' grind.

For toting books & papers (and computer) back and forth to the coffee house
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For kicking through leaves and trudging through apple orchards
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For fun!
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For sipping tea in hopes of easing my ever-present soar throat from October through March
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Previously on Happy Accidents