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This Halloween, I dressed up as Bella Swan from the popular book series that is the literary pinnacle of teen angst and self-destructive obsession: Twilight. The problem? I’m 29 years old. But, like, whatever, okay? I like, totally looked like Bella/Kristen Stewart/someone more than a decade younger than me. Like, for serious. And my husband, Joey, was a smokin’ Edward, complete with ruby lips, pallid complexion, mussed hair, and, oh yes, glittery skin. You Edward fans know what I’m talkin’ bout. Mmm hmm. That’s right. Check it:
Don't we look intense?
Yes, I admit it. I’m a Twilight fan. I can’t help it. The plot lines are addicting, the characters are mesmerizing, and Stephenie Meyer’s writing, although not uber-intellectual, keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. The movie version of Twilight, in a word, sucked, but it allowed me the opportunity to watch a 14-year-old or so girl sitting two rows in front of me in the movie theater scream like the banshee every time Edward came on the screen (confession: I did the same when Edward’s “father,” Carlisle Cullen, made his premier in the first hospital scene), as well as rock back and forth in her seat for the entire movie. It was funny. And disturbing.
And to prove that my friends are also book nerds, here is a photo of Angie as Hermione from Harry Potter.
Yes, that it is Quidditch manual in her hand. Yeah, we’re lit geeks. Ya jealous?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to hunt down movie clips from the soon-to-be-released New Moon, which is guaranteed to be about five kajillion times better than Twilight. Three words: Jacob is ripped. Too bad Taylor Lautner, the actor who plays Jacob Black, was born in 1992, right around the time when I was lusting after Zack Morris. Ah well, that’s the beauty of fantasy books, isn’t it?
I’ll leave you with yet another sweet picture of Joey & me acting out the cheesiest quote of the entire Twilight series: “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
“Stupid lamb.” ~ Bella Swan
Lately, I’ve found myself gushing over the latest and greatest cereal, pumpkin recipe, lipstick shade, fall coat, Web site, bargain clothing store, farmer’s market, sandwich shop, shampoo brand, reusable bag source, etc. etc. etc. to all of my family members and friends. And so, I thought, oh so altruistically, why not pass on some of these fun finds to my wonderful blog readers? In the spirit of caring and sharing (two traits I learned to value as a wee one in grammar school), here are a handful of my favorite things right now.
Love the patterns on my Built Large Market Totes!
- Built reusable bags. Their Large Market Totes are roomy, durable, and come in a variety of cute manly patterns that even your macho, floral-averse husband or boyfriend won’t mind carrying to work or on a jaunt to the farmer’s market (just don’t call it a “jaunt” or he’ll stage a protest). I scored a couple at the bargain price of $14.99 from Marshalls. Holla!
- Marshalls. See above.
- Anthropologie. Favorite. Store. Ever.
My love and me
Check out their awesome sale section for heavily discounted merchandise. I can’t get enough of their adorable sweaters, coats, and ample selection of Level 99 jeans (a great, lower-cost, designer brand). I’m digging the 40s-era aesthetic of their Masterpiece Jumper and the demure sweetness of their Rosemary Dress.
- Stripe boutique in Santa Cruz, where a cool mix of local designers and vintage threads mingles with fun home decor pieces, and all at fairly affordable prices. Check out their Web site, where an online shop will soon be available for all of
I wore this cute and comfy top from Stripe (a re-purposed men's button-down shirt) to my husband's birthday breakfast.
you out-of-towners.
- Shopping for one-of-a-kind, artsy, handcrafted gifts on Etsy.com. The goods on this site are so inspirational, they almost make me want to learn to sew.
- The Ille Photography blog. Ken Ille is a dear friend, amazing photographer, and all-around awesome guy. His pictures are so beautiful, you’ll want to run out and get married just so that he can photograph your special day.
- Reading my lovely friend Angie’s just-finished novel about love and loss in Prague during the Holocaust. Check out her Web site to read more on what it’s about.
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Buy Indie.
Independent bookstores. From my absolute favorite literary mecca for new and used books, Powell’s, to my newly discovered local treasure, Bookshop Santa Cruz, there’s a certain joy one experiences when buying lit from the indies that no trip to B&N or Borders or scoring a deal on Amazon can match. Check out the American Booksellers Association Web site for an independent bookseller near you.
- Michael Chabon. I loved Wonder Boys and can’t wait to delve into Mysteries of Pittsburgh, which I already purchased used from Campbell’s Recycle Bookstore.
- Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Tinted Moisturizer. This is the only drugstore-brand tinted moisturizer that not only covers well and matches my coloring perfectly (I use “Natural to Tan”), but doesn’t wreak havoc on my skin.
There you have it! Ten of my favorite things as of right now. What are some of your current must-haves/must-visits/must-eats/must-reads, and so on, and so on, and so on?
