As noted on this blog, my baby brother married his partner in crime in late October.
It was an incredible event, easily the highlight of 2011.
The images capturing the day are in and they are, of course, stunning. The bride looks INSANE in every single shot & my brother even managed to not look like a doofus. It would be impossible for me to pick a favorite shot of the two of them, but there is one that I'm lucky enough to make an appearance in that I absolutely adore.
The songs listed below may or may not have been released in 2011. They're simply the songs that I found myself playing on repeat over the last 12 months. Like all good music, they represent different phases, memories, and moments that stand out to me as I reflect back on the year that was 2011.
1) Shake it Out, Florence and the Machine:
Flo & her machine did not disappoint with their late 2011 release of "Ceremonials". This track is a staple on my "get your ass up and work-out"-mix.
2) If I Die Young, The Band Perry:
I'm fairly certain this song came out in 2010, but whatever. I decided to like it this year. It's hella depressing, but there's something about it I just can't get sick of.
3) Heart Full of Promise/Head Full of Doubt, The Avett Bros:
This song breaks my heart and gives me hope. I love it so much I used it in my brother's wedding video. This one would probably make my Top 10 Songs Ever list.
4) Cracks, Freestylers:
Because of my ongoing So You Think You Can Dance-fantasy, after this song was featured in one of the numbers, I decided (obviously), that when I audition someday, this will be the song I will choreograph my routine to.
5) All of the Lights, Kanye West:
Oh Kanye. You are such an ass, but you make some pretty solid music. You proved yourself to be quite the showman at the Watch The Throne concert...maybe you're growing up?
6) Your Song, Ellie Goulding:
If it's good enough to be the first dance song for Kate & Wils, it's good enough for me.
7) Someone Like You, Adele:
I know. It's an obvious choice. But good God, how can you not love it? How can you not want to weep your eyes out listening to it? Well done you British genius.
8) Beth/Rest, Bon Iver:
I was thrilled to see the Grammys finally recognize the brilliance that is Bon Iver (as a "best new artist", 3 years after they started touring). This album lulls me to sleep literally every night and I wouldn't have it any other way.
9) You Make My Dreams Come True, Hall & Oates:
Yes, I know it's old. But it's my favorite song ever. Ever.
10) The Cave, Mumford & Sons:
I started loving them in 2010. I continue to love them in 2011. Now that everyone else is getting on board, I'm going back to the basics, reliving their first hit single.
Look out for my Grammy recap on Monday, February 12th.
After a few lovely weekends filled with nothingness, this weekend I felt as if I was running from place to place...
It started with our company holiday party at Soldier Field...
Me and my little sisters.
I kept it classy at this year's event, opting for an early exit so that I could make it home in time to prep my place for a little get together at my place, pre-Bon Iver.
Great show, not as good as Chicago Theater back in July, but I'll take it. p.s ignore the unftortunately placed speaker blocking the shot.
Saturday daylight hours included a series of random errands, class at Exhale, & breakfast at Milk & Honey (my favorite weekend traditions). In the evening we were lucky to be invited to our mutual friend's Christmas Party at their perfect condo. It was one of those parties filled with people you kind of know (meaning they're FB friends), but you don't really know (you don't text them). By the end of the night new friends (and dinner plans in January) were made. Good times.
Sunday morning we were UP AND AT 'EM, for the Rudolph Ramble, an 8K race in Lincoln Park.
Yep, the socks are awesome.
We survived it (barely), and made it to brunch at Meli followed by a pedicure for Lauren and Bears/Broncos for Jeremy.
While browsing at Reckless Records last weekend, I came across a bin of record singles that brought me right back to my pre-ipadpod days.
Oddly, the paper-covered vinyl took me even further down Memory Lane, reminding of how I used to dance around my room in my Get 'N Shape Girl unitard, workin' it out to hits like "Let's Get Physical" and Ray Parker jr's classic, "Ghostbusters".
I resisted the urge to spend $.66 on the pieces of my past as my original "turntable" has long since been donated (and also, I'm not a hipster who claims that the only way to "hear" music, is via record players).
But, any chance I have to remember being one of these little ladies:
When I grow up someday, maybe I'll watch a hard-hitting news program like The Today Show (only if Anne Curry leaves) or Good Morning America (I don't even know who hosts that one). But until then, I intend to find the very best syndicated reruns on cable to start my morning. I've got all day to deal with real stuff.
My current choice programming:
Who: Will & Grace (and really, Jack & Karen)
What: Reruns
Where: Lifetime (best.channel.ever)
When: 8-10 AM
Why: Because they're hilarious. And it makes me happy.
To be honest, I think this year can only be described as average when it comes to movie releases. Without this list from our friends at the NBR, I'm not sure I would have been able to list 10 movies I liked (or even saw) in 2011. But because I love award season AND making lists, I will get on board with the early predictors ...
Top Films of 2011 (in alphabetical order):
The Artist:
As a movie fan, I should want to see this movie. But it's silent. As in no dialog. No words. Just overly expressive faces. Apparently- much like the Chaplin films of yore- it's beautiful and the "story" is clear, despite the absence of sound. Spoiler Alert: Mr.Chaplin had a voice. And I bet he would have liked to have been heard. Our ancestors from the '20s didn't choose to not having dialog, they just didn't have a choice. Much like using an abacus instead of a calculator sounds like some back-to-basics fun, it's frustrating and unsatisfying. This is my pick for "Film The People In Hollywood Want You To Pretend To Like Because It Makes Us Sound More Interesting As A Country".
The Descendants:
I did see this one and I enjoyed it. Do I think it's as good as previous year's indie sleepers ("Up In The Air", "Sideways", "Juno"), no. But it's a solid little movie-watching experience. George is good. His daughter (played by Shailene Woodley**) is good. The dialog is good. None of it is great. The fact that it's on a "Best Of" list, speaks to the quality of films we got this year. **I want to like her, but I saw her interviewed on Chelsea Lately & she said something like "I think it's my job to open the human race's eyes to what's really going on in the world." NOPE.
Drive:
To me, this is easiest the best film of the year. Everything about it was original. The story, the cinematography, the music, the styling, etc. Yes, I love me some Gosling, but even if he's not your cup of tea, you cannot deny how badass (and creepy) he was in this role. You know a movie has had some impact if you find yourself talking/thinking about it days later. This is the only film I can say that about this year. Sidenote: The soundtrack is one of my favorite album purchases of the year.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo:
I plan to see this one over the holidays (not out yet), but I'm guessing it will not beat Drive as my pick for film of the year. I read the book and saw the original version of the film. Loved the book. Hated the movie. We'll see if the western version of the same story ranks higher on the coveted LaurenMeter. With Daniel Craig at the helm, there's a good chance it will.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2:
I actually saw this movie long before most of the world thanks to a pre-screening I attended back in April. The film was about 70% done at the time, so all of the special effects were not yet in place. Having not seen the first 6 films, I had to figure out the gist (luckily the books were written for 10-year-olds, so I was able to catch up) as it went along. Honestly? I thought it was long. The characters had a clear bond and they definitely wrapped things up nicely at the end. But is this really going to be nominated for an Oscar? Really?!
The Ides of March:
I am ashamed to say I have not seen this one. My boyfriend RG is PISSED. Most reviews I read gave it a solid B. Much like George's "Descendants", a lot about this particular film was on target, but it never quite reached the "OMGIHAVETOTELLEVERYONETOSEETHIS"- status. I am definitely looking forward to this one showing up On Demand, but I highly doubt it'll beat "Drive".
J. Edgar:
Nope. I have no doubt that Leo gave it his very best "old tortured historical figure"-try, but nothing about this film's trailer or the reviews made me want to see it. I just don't care about what Hoover did or didn't do and/or who he did or didn't do it with. Turns out the rest of America agreed as this one was in & out of the theaters faster than you can say HotTubTimeMachine.
Tree of Life:
Full Disclosure: I do not like modern art. If you splash some blue paint on a white canvas and make up a story about how it represents your childhood demons, you are not an artist. I realize this is not a popular or widely shared opinion, but it is mine, so deal with it. To that end, I refuse to believe that a series of images (however beautiful) with a rousing soundtrack and some famous faces warrants an Oscar. To be fair, I also don't think that if you spend millions to recreate a childhood cartoon (see "Transformers" franchise), you are making a film worth seeing. I'm an equal opportunity offender.
War Horse:
I'll be honest, I saw the above trailer and thought, SERIOUSLY?! But I'm hearing that this one is a real gem. For serious. I don't really care much for animals, but I love a good horse film. I will likely weep (if that horse dies, I'm going to be a mess), but I've changed my tune on this one. I think it's worth seeing. But again, is it really the best of the year? Is it only on this list because Spielberg is involved? Probs.
