Blog Design

For whatever reason, I am loyal to Blogger.  I contemplated switching to another platform or hiring someone (probably will eventually) to just fix this one but thought, "I got this!".  Well, in my journey into trying to figure out how to better my blog, I came across a couple of other blogs worth noting.

There is definitely a certain style I am going for and I'm going to refer to it as the "Lifestyle Format".  Lifestyle blogs are all the rage and I want in.  There is uber-popular sites like Cupcakes & Cashmere (who just relaunched her entire site) and the lovely Ramshackleglam.

On Blogger specifically, I found The Londoner.  She was actually one of the first ones to pop into my search and even had an entry about how she figured it all out on her own and included a couple of blogging tips.  I was motivated by this and respect her lots for successfully doing it solo.  That said, her blog is pretty freaking fab and you should start reading it...now!

Two other super cute sites with similar designs include:

Urban Flip Flops (credits design to Danielle Moss)

Chic Sprinkles

So my loyal readers, this is still a process and I appreciate you sticking with me during this eyesore.  One day I vow, it will be better.  Once again, if anyone has any tips, tricks or referrals, send them my way!  Til then, thanks for reading!  

Jeff, Who Lives At Home

Thumbs up!

Thanks to positive and friendly celebrity blogger Micah Jesse, he gifted me after a lucky retweet, with two tickets to see an advanced screening of Jeff, Who Lives At Home.  It was also followed by a Q + A with one of the directors, Mark Duplass and actor Ed Helms.

Funnily enough, Micah had picked two winners that day and my friend @cali_in_nyc was the other one!  We all by chance sat next to each other for the movie and snapped this pic right before it started.  Thank you Micah!

As for the movie, I enjoyed it!  Jason Segal seems to effortlessly play his role as a grown man-boy stoner (who still lives at home - his mothers basement to be exact) seeking signs for his life calling.  His brother on the other hand is the opposite and a lot of the movie focuses on the struggle between how each lives their lives according to their perspective. 

Without getting too philosophical, the whole thing reminded me of the Deepak Chopra book that changed my life, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire - Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidences.  If you liked this book, you'd like this movie or vice versa.  If you haven't read it and like this movie, I highly recommend reading it.  

The gist of the book (via amazon.com) and what I believe is the gist of the movie is this: Not only are everyday coincidences meaningful, they actually provide us with glimpses of the field of infinite possibilities that lies at the heart of all things. By gaining access to this wellspring of creation, we can literally rewrite our destinies in any way we wish.

But even if you aren't into all the "hoopla", like my fiance for example (yes, the movie was reminiscent of several conversations he and I have had before), we still thought the movie was entertaining enough to not be pissed that you spent $13 to see it.  Which is of coarse, the only thing determining a good movie or not these days.  

STOP BULLYING

This Anti-Bully campaign but more so the "It Gets Better Project" is sweeping the nation.  I think it is an excellent idea for "grown-ups" to let young kids know that no matter what you are going through, it will get better and life goes on.  I am curious if they are addressing the bullies too?  Sure you are going to immediately reach out to those who are hurting.  But what about really getting to the heart of the situation?  If no one is bullying in the first place, you wont have to help out kids who feel like they are being bullied.  BAM!

Find out more about the Stop Bullying Campaign: http://www.stopbullying.gov/
Find out more about the It Gets Better Project: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gCQfRQHR5k

Lady Gaga Google Chrome Commercial

Winter Reading

Props to fancy publishing house Assouline for doing an amazing social media giveaway to get attention to the book below.  A getaway to St. Barths!  The most gorgeous area in the world in my opinion.  One hour left to enter.  I did days ago.  Also congrats to Pamela Fiori for picking a subject most enjoyable to write about.  Off to daydreaming...

In The Spirit of St. Barths by Pamela Fiori

Assouline Publishing

Update: I didn't win :(