Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Oops! I Borrowed Your Boyfriend...

When I read Something Borrowed, I loved the book. I immediately bought Something Blue to finish the series surrounding my four favorite characters: Rachel, Darcy, Dex and Ethan. When it was all said and done, I felt so strongly about the Emily Giffin books that I started lending them out left and right. When someone mentioned they were reading it, I was immediately asking what they thought! I went Something Borrowed crazy.

Then, months passed and just as I was having trouble finding people to talk to about the book my life was changed by a trailer for the movie adaptation.




So you get the gist, right? Rachel borrows her best friend's fiance. If you are at all confused by this concept, just note that it is frowned upon.

Since the movie came out this month, I have managed to see it twice (once alone as a treat to myself) and once with my favorite group of girls. When the movie ended we erupted into a discussion about who's fault the cheating was. When I posed the question to the girls on either side of me, their answers were either "no one's!" or "Dex's fault!". When we passed along the same question to the rest of our crew, their answer was unanimous, "Rachel's!". You see, they subscribed to the school of thought that the female is to blame if she takes a guy up on his offer, even if he brings up the idea of something forbidden without any prompting from said female.

I personally happen to disagree. As a disclaimer, my thoughts have nothing to do with true love or romance (even though I love love). If Dex were my man and he proposed the idea of cheating on me to my best friend, even if she said no, I wouldn't forgive him for having (and attempting to act on) the desire to cheat! Regardless, we all agreed that Rachel, while quiet, nerdy, and slightly tragic as a character, was a trifling heifer. Dex, while devastatingly handsome and usually meaning well, was a disappointing, wishy-washy man unable to make his own decisions. Between the two of them, if this were real life, I'm not sure either would belong in my circle.

I think most ladies would agree that despite the storyline, it was enjoyable. Definitely a romantic comedy, the movie enjoyed some much needed relief by Ethan and his unfortunate faux-lover Claire. It featured both real and inspired New York hotspots, all of which I plan to visit if I haven't already. And a cameo by Giffin herself, who rocks some fierce white denim while reading her sequel, Something Blue (hello, movie #2)! And on top of that, some really great fashion, beautiful Hamptons shots, an awesome soundtrack, and a wonderful teaser at the end for the upcoming sequel.






Did you see the movie or read the book? What did you think? And who is to blame!?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Suburban Girl Reads: Something Blue

After reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (which didn't get it's own "Suburban Girl Reads"), I needed a breather. I'm currently recouping with Something Blue by Emily Giffin.


I'm still incredibly surprised how wonderful and quick this series goes by once you crack open the front cover. And I'm still laughing audibly on the N/Q on the way to work.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf

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I can't quite put into words my excitement surrounding the release of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf. Written by Ntozake Shange, the screenplay is added to the roster of Tyler Perry. Initially, I was worried how this partnership would work, but the reviews I've read so far are positive.

You see, I have a certain affinity for the "Sorry" piece in this beautiful work of literature. It was introduced to me in high school, just a few years after it's release in '97, during a summer theatre workshop. I began performing the piece then, as directed by a beautiful actress who taught me a lot of the meaning being that monologue. My obsession grew as I continued to better understand the weight of the writing.

For Colored Girls isn't just a pretty work of art or another published book sitting on shelves at Borders. It's a game changer.

As I listen to Janelle Monae's Without A Fight, I am fighting not to say something cliche like how I truly believe this is a book that has influced, inspired, and affected the lives of many black women, myself included. Oops, said it. Oh well.

For Colored Girls hits theatres this Friday, November 5th. I'm thrilled, and am looking forward to seeing it with the group of strong and beautiful women I love to call my friends. I hope you get to do the same.


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Suburban Girl's Top 5 :: Pampering

The script is the same, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or fierce-hood: We are all young, therefore we are all overworked and underpaid. To be clear, I'm not entirely bitter or angry at this idea. It's just the nature of the beast as young and eager people living in New York City.

Aside from living in "The City That Never Sleeps", I strongly believe New Yorkers as a whole are possibly the most overworked population in the world. They thrive off of busyness and sacrifice vacations (even STAYcations!) for fear of not knowing what to do when they aren't in the work place.

I can't even understand this concept and I feel fine about that. Instead of trying to adjust myself to that mentality, I felt it necessary to come up with a number of "sanity savers" (yes, that is an official medical term). As I've had to practice some of them since moving to NYC, I figured what better time than now to bring you the second installment of The Suburban Girl's Guide to Getting By in the City :: Pampering.


1. Shobha
After a long day at Fashion Week, I decided to treat myself. I usually get my eyebrows threaded at this little hole in the wall place in Astoria. It's half a block from my train, the women are surly, and a good eyebrow threading costs $8 with tip. However this day, I needed to be coddled. I found myself drifting into Shobah Columbus Circle for the most incredible and relaxing eyebrow threading of my entire life. Between the lotions, the temple massage, and the surprisingly gentle motions of the threading, I nearly passed out. Well worth the $20 price tag for a much deserved treat after a hard day's work.

2. The Townhouse Spa
I found myself at the Townhouse Spa for an event my company was producing. One of the amazing perks of being a favored intern at the time was that my supervisor allowed me to treat myself to the same amenities as the guests coming to my event. After a spa manicure, I went into the spa area for a facial that literally changed my life. It had been my first, and certainly would never be my last. Now, whenever anyone asks for spa recommendations, the Townhouse Spa is always the first one out of my mouth.

3. My Hair Salon
Let me preface this with noting that my hair salon is NOT NEARLY the most relaxing of places. However, there is nothing like having someone else shampoo your hair.

4. My Nail Salon
Spa manicure and pedicure please with a side of trashy magazines and headphones in both ears. Thank you and goodnight. Also, nothing makes me feel more like a loved customer with the chorus of women singing "hello!!" and "thank you, goodbye!" with my entrance and exit.

5. My Bedroom
Get your mind out the gutter, kids. My bedroom is my thing. It's my safe haven, it's my security blanket, it's where I go to feel like I'm home (like, Boston home). After a particularly trying day, I love to rush home, close myself up in my room, turn on some Sade or Erykah Badu, light a candle, and paint my nails. I don't know. It's just my thing.

What about you? Do you have any special "sanity savers"?

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Suburban Girl Reads: Eat Pray Love


I know, I know, I know, I know. Really? JUST reading this now? I know. But I have been totally sucked in by the incredible trailers featuring the lovely Julia Robers so I really can't help myself, now can I? Jeesh.

I tried to read this years ago when I had just graduated college and didn't understand the real life trials and tribulations she was discussing in this piece of literature. Now, with a few more years under my belt, I'm 50 pages in and totally in LOVE with Elizabeth Gilbert. Everything she says is heartbreaking, funny, sad, and eye-opening (oof, big words, huh?). Anyway, I am once again trying to breeze through a book before the movie comes out - seems to be a theme.


Obsessed with this trailer. I'm like a child watching something sparkly every time it comes on the television!

Side note: On the train this morning I looked up to see a woman sitting across from me, wearing a matching coral dress, matching RayBan sunglasses, and reading Eat Pray Love. It was bizarre (and yet, I felt like a member of a secret book club - creep).
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