Tuesday Ten {1.31.12}

1. Kristen Bell Really Loves Sloths

I haven't seen too much of Kristen Bell's work {though I love "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and she is Gossip Girl!} but in her recent interview with Ellen, she talks about a very sweet thing that her fiancé Dax Shepherd did for her birthday.  Evidently she loves sloths, {random} and when he brought one to the house for her birthday party she TOTALLY lost it.  And of course, what good fiancé wouldn't video everything?  Take a look - she is utterly adorable!

2. Super Bowl Commercials 

With the Big Game only days away, companies are starting to leak their commercials.  I have to say I don't really like going into the day knowing what half of the commercials, but there are some interesting ones this year that will definitely spark some conversation.  

Avengers

I CANNOT wait for this movie.  I'm a comic book nerd.  And Chris Evans.  'Nuff said.

Ferris Bueller 

What do you think of the Ferris Bueller re-up?  The hardest part for my was buying that after driving the Ferrari, a Honda CR-V is going to do it.  Love the memories that the commercial brings back though.  Here's a link to what Matthew Broderick has to say about the commercial: link

Jerry Seinfeld

I was never a huge Seinfeld fan but I do like this one.

3. Sperry Top-Sider

I love pretty much all things Sperry Top-Sider.  I have a vague knowledge of them growing up on the West Coast but it wasn't until I moved East that I realized how great their products are - even if you aren't on a boat.  In 9 months I have managed to acquire two pairs of boat shoes, a pair of rain boots and purchased a great grey wool pea coat at their store.  It shouldn't be surprising to anyone that I have a few more pairs on my list too.  But with today's news in New York Magazine that they are expanding into more items {belts, swimwear & scarves} I can hardly wait.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with!

New York Magazine Article

4. OK GO's "3 Primary Colors Song" on Sesame Street
I have enjoyed OK GO videos since they stepped on treadmills for "Here we go" and this is another good one.  What a great way to learn the basics of the color wheel

5. Light Festival in Ghent {the website is in German}
This is another one I don't know too much about, but when I saw the lights I couldn't help but post about them.  I have always loved Christmas lights and while not Christmassy, these displays are incredible!

6. Kristen Stewart's Photo Shoot

I ran across these photos of Kristen Stewart in the midst a photo shoot for Vanity Fair as I was wandering online today and I have to say, she looks breathtaking.  Now that the Twilight mania has settled down a bit {until "Breaking Dawn Part 2" premieres} and she isn't in all places at all times, I have grown to like her.  And this dress is absolutely beautiful!  It is originally from the Christian Dior 2012 collection and while I have no idea where one would wear it, I sort of want it in my closet.  Or wherever one would keep a dress like this.

7. Vanity Fair's Young Hollywood Issue
Each March, to coincide with Award Season, Vanity Fair publishes a Hollywood issue, and this year the cover story is the young ladies of Hollywood.  I really liked the styling of this year's cover with the ladies in almost metallic pastel gowns.  In addition to the great covers, it is always a great read.

8. Shirley MacLaine is coming to Downton Abbey
I talked last week about my love for Downton Abbey and this news only makes it better!  Shirley MacLaine has been cast as Cora Crawley's American mother and she is headed to Downton to take on the Dowager Countess.  I don't know who will triumph, but I do know there will be some great lines.  I can't wait to see what the writers come up with.

9. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences website and iPad App
As we count down to the Oscars this year, AMPAS {Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences} has developed quite a bit of content for their site and also an iPad app.  On both platforms you can watch the nominations being announced, look at previous year's winners and cast your ballot for this year's program.  It is a great way for people to be involved leading up to February 26th.

10. Virginia Men's Basketball
18-3!  Ranked 18th in the country!  Go Hoos!

Photo Credit: Matt Riley

Photo Credit: Matt Riley

Until tomorrow . . .

Tuesday Ten

I have seen this type of post on a couple of blogs and liked the idea of writing about things on my radar each week.  So, here is my Tuesday Ten for January 24th:

1. Pinterest

I know I am a little late to the party on this one but over the past two weeks I have spent quite a bit of time on Pinterest.  It is so nice to finally have a way to aggregate the interesting things I see when I am looking around the internet.  No longer do I have to bookmark a site only to have it get lost in one of the many folders I set up.  Now I can "pin" the picture I like and the link and my comments are saved on my page.  I can also see what other people are "pinning" and sort through things based on what ever category I'm interested in.  As I started talking about my new discovery, I have found a few others who have kept track of party planning and found great decorating ideas on the site.

2. Classy Girls Wear Pearls

I found this new blog through a Facebook post by Keil James Patrick {more about him and his bracelets in another post coming soon,} who posted about Sarah Vickers, a Rhode Islander who describes her blog as "A New England girl's pursuit of quality fashions, friendships and coastal living."  Let me just say, I really want to be her friend -- she has the most impeccable taste!  Each day the pictures highlight not only some beautiful clothes, but seem to capture the essence of New England life.  I have a feeling that as I continue my transition from warm-weather California girl to an all-season Easterner, I will be taking cues from her style.

Currently, I am finding the right time to purchase these Sperry boots:

Hingham Boot

3. Land's End Canvas

As long as I can remember, my mom has been ordering things from Land's End.  We mostly stick to the basics, but there is no arguing that the clothing is very well made.  Recently I discovered a new line from the company called Land's End Canvas; offering clothes that are "more real and relevant for how you live today."  The prices are still very reasonable for a timeless style and modern fit.

4. Couture Fashion Week

I really have no business loving Couture Fashion Week as much as I do, but there is just something about high-fashion designers showcasing clothes that no real human will ever wear.  Maybe it is the art of it all, but I can't get enough of reading about Christian Dior, Chanel and Valentino -- among all of the others.  I'm always interested to see what influence these shows have on next season's ready to wear.

Chanel

Chanel

Dior

Dior

5. Vueve Cliquot and Fresh Beauty Survival Kit

I ran across this collection on another one of my often read fashion/beauty blogs: Beauty Snob.  When I saw the picture, I thought to myself: I like Fresh products. . . I like Vueve Cliquot . . . it just makes sense!  

The cute cosmetic bag comes with the Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF15; Seaberry Restorative Body Cream To-Go; Crème Ancienne; Brown Sugar Hand Cream; and a Citron de Vigne Rollerball.  It seems to have everything you need to keep skin moisturized in the very chilly, dry winter weather.  And I have a feeling some of my SoCal friends will find useful things here too.  It is available from Fresh on February 1st for $60.

6. New butter LONDON nail lacquer collection

I've written about butter LONDON nail lacquer before but in recent weeks the company has released their Spring/Summer 2012 collection, and unlike with most manufacturer's special collections, I like all of the colors.  The bright hues stand out without being too over the top and the neutral Bossy Boots is a nice alternative to the many warmer tones I have seen this year.  I'm looking forward to trying these out!

butter LONDON

7. Sundance Film Festival

Much like Fashion Week, I don't have a lot invested in the Sundance Film Festival, but I do like reading up on the films that are screened over the course of the festival.  Whether it is a new film, director or actor who pops out of the woodwork, more often than not I find something that, when pursued, has been a great conversation item in the following weeks.

8. Downton Abbey

This one also isn't new and there isn't really anything I can say that others haven't, but I just love this show!  Growing up, I watched Masterpiece Theater {or Masterpiece as it is called now} with my parents and while the content wasn't always riveting, I have since kept the PBS programming on my radar.  {Mystery is another great series!} After reading about Downton Abbey in various publications I watched the entire first season on Netflix in two days and promptly set my DVR to record.  I still haven't caught up on Season 2 yet but can't wait to see what happens.  I'm also realizing it takes quite a bit of restraint not to read all about it on the internet since it has already aired in the UK.

9. Girl Scout Cookie Finder Applicaiton

It's Girl Scout Cookie time and who doesn't love Thin Mints?!?! But what happens if you don't have a niece, friend's daughter or co-worker's relative selling them. . . you use an App of course!  This application was evidently released last year but allows users to track where cookies are going to be sold near them at places like grocery stores and book stores.  What could be better than getting an alert on your phone when cookies are near? {Available on iTunes}

10. Comic Sans Project

Oh, the things people have time for.  I'm not really up to speed on the aversion to the Comic Sans font, but there is a website out there set on defending it.  As the self proclaimed "Comic Sans defenders" the site shows many of our most beloved logos written in Comic Sans.  I think what I like most about the daily visual is that I never realized just how much font can impact what a logo looks like.  Here are some of my favorites:

What do you think of what's been on my mind?

Until tomorrow . . .