[Happily] Amusing Ourselves to Death

The title is borrowed from a very interesting book I read for extra credit in high school (any of you shocked by the fact that I frequently sought extra credit even with a high grade clearly don't know me very well). The book, in my humble opinion, was spot on. Scary (much like Brave New World), but alarmingly true. According to The New York Daily News, the average American spends 34 hours a week watching TV. I'm no exception. In fact I'd venture to say I might watch more than average (or at least I used to).

On this idea, I wanted to share with you some of the hours of my life I wish I could get back, and which ones I'd happily give away again if given the opportunity to.

Shows I wish I would've jumped on board with from the beginning (instead of carving out time to watch multiple seasons now):

-Mad Men (the fashion, premise, and cast. yes, please.)

-New Girl (quirky style, and humor - I can relate)

-Dexter (I do love Criminal Minds and Snapped)

Shows I wish I hadn't wasted my time with-- those hours are lost for.ev.er. now:

-PLL (just tell us who A is already so we can move on with our lives. I refuse to be like my mom watching Days of our Lives with main characters grandchildren now being factored into the plot.)

-The Kardashians (I know, I know. I was once their biggest fan, but enough is enough people. In the words of Kris Humphries, "Four years ago you sold clothes in a boutique in the Valley. Now, like all the sudden, you're miss princess!")

-The Hills (I mean, c'mon, was the ripping down of the backdrop really necessary?! We get it, it wasn't reality, but geez way to alienate your loyal fanbase Adam DiVello.)

Shows I happily watch:

-Giuliana and Bill (amazaballs boo boo)

-The Americans (rise comrades) 

-Pretty Wicked Moms (swanky and fabulous)

-Sister Wives (love should be multiplied, not divided)

I wish they'd bring back:

-Gilmore Girls (Hi, hello, where do you think I learned quick wit and my love of coffee from?)

-Girls Next Door (I know Holly and Kendra have bebes and Hef has a wife, but I'm still holding out hope.)

-SATC (I get that there is nothing left for them to do, but I wasn't done watching the character yet.)

-The O.C. (I still don't get why Marissa had to die...)

- Friends (Yes, I'm still waiting for the reunion special that will never happen.)

 Any strong feelings about your favs?

Blog to Book?

It's no secret that I'm an uber fan of SATC and SJP. Not only does Carrie Bradshaw manage to make a successful living as a columnist, a 4-time author and Vogue contributor, but she also lives in a Manhattan brownstone apartment and has a closet any gal would kill for. Granted, I'm well aware that Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character (click here for the "Carrie Bradshaw Lied" blog for a glittery dose of reality); ergo, her accolades are fictional. But do they have to be? 

{Compelation of Carrie's fictional (as in they don't exist.. not just fiction reading) books}

This is a question I find myself asking whenever my mind wanders to one day writing a book and/or novel. Thankfully, my handy dandy helper, pinterest, has a few tips for those of you out there who might also be thinking about writing one day. And if she can turn her columns into a successful book, who's to say you can't turn a series of blog posts into one too?

This user-friendly site answers that question, and then some. It's a perfect starting point to turning content you already have into a potential best-selling book. And if you're looking to completely start from scratch, or make new characters (considering most besties aren't going to let you air their personal lives to the public just to earn a profit), this next cite (below picture) is the next step to stardom.

 {site numero dos}

Now, if you think you want to create a book/novel and don't have any previous content you can recycle/don't want to, then starting with characters is a must. Once you have an idea in mind, you'll need a plot (duh, characters don't just create their own stories here people), which is where the last site comes into play. And by site I do mean book, because you're going to have to do your homework and use your imagination to create a totally brilliant new plot.

As Ms. Huntley used to say, "there's no such thing as a free lunch," and it's gonna take some effort to get on the NYT bestsellers list. Hope this has helped a little or maybe inspired you to even consider writing. Everyone has a story, and what good is it if it's never told?

Fall Trend: Nameplate Necklace

I've always been a big fan of jewelry, and as of the past year, gold jewelry. After much debating, and affirmation from Possessionista, I decided to purchase a necklace that I've secretly wanted for years. The nameplate necklace, also known as the "Carrie" necklace that Carrie Bradshaw sports in SATC.

Most recently, also according to Possessionista, Rachel on Glee is known for the same trend. Here's to hoping I can pull it all half as well. If you're in the market for one, I ordered mine here, and was wearing it within a week; so, I highly recommend the website (thanks, mere, for the suggestion).

Dream Destinations (part I)

 This morning, a co-worker caught my attention by telling me a story about the drawbridge in Mystic, Connecticut. He said it was so idyllic and beautiful that it was his dream job to be the "drawbridge guy" and have the attention of the whole town every time a boat needed to pass by. 

This got me thinking about the movies and television shows I love, and where exactly they're located. While most are actual places, some are fictitious but no less loved by the faithful viewers. 

Alas, this is part one of my "dream destinations" series because there are far too many (roughly 20 so far) to put in one blog post alone. 

So, come away with me for a bit, would you?

First stop is none other than the idyllic

 Mystic, Connecticut.

 {most might recognize it from Mystic Pizza in which
Julia Roberts made her acting debut}

 {Mystic is a port city; prime for fall photographs, no doubt}

{precious little harbor town}

Continuing on our journey of New England is

Bethesda, Maryland.

   

{This charming city is the home-base for the 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series}

 

 {This sidewalk might catch your memory as the place where 

Blake Lively's character, Bridget, runs into her ex, Eric.}

Speaking of charming destinations, next stop is fictitious small-town of Charming, California, 

home to Jax, Opie and the men of mayhem, 

SAMCRO, of Sons of Anarchy.

 {Although viewers of the show know all too well that Charming is anything but, the town is supposedly located in the 
beautiful San Joaquin Valley.}

Back east, and significantly more well off, Richard and Emily Gilmore's home is in

Hartford, Connecticut.

 

{While this pic makes their humble abode less than friendly-looking, it's also home to Rory's high school, Chilton, and conveniently located 30 minutes from her home in

 fictitious Stars Hollow.}

 {the cast of Gilmore Girls travels all around New England over the course of the series, but Hartford is a staple location (hello, Friday night dinners in exchange for tuition money)}

Last, but certainly not least, on this installment of dream destinations is

New York City, New York.

but as a local, like these peeps

 

{"I just love New York in the fall. Makes me want 

to buy school supplies." You've Got Mail}

 {infamous brownstone Carrie Bradshaw of SATC calls home}

 

{Rachel and Phoebe in front of the fictitious coffee 

shop of Friends, Central Perk}

 {okay, okay. This pic is technically in Bedford, NY (another dream location) it's featured in one of my all-time favs, Stepmom, which also takes place partially in NYC}

 

{NYC might as well be another character in GG for how

 much it plays into the scandal, xoxo}

 

{an oldie, but a goody-one of the first movies I recognize as showing NYC at it's finest}

NYC is the location for hundreds of movies and shows but my personal favs, 

other than those already listed are:

-Bride Wars (the Plaza Hotel)

-30 Rock

-The Great Gatsby

-One Fine Day

Stay tuned for the next 5 dream destinations...

Judge a book by its cover..?

While sitting on my apartment couch, watching SATC on DVD I stumbled upon a wonderful pearl of wisdom from the ever-fabulous Carrie Bradshaw...

She said, 

"I think it’s pretty fair to say that “open-minded” = good; “close-minded” = bad. 

But are we being too quick to judge judgment?

 Perhaps judgment is not so much a snap decision, as an early warning and detection device.  If it is instantly clear that a person, a place, or even a profession is not for you, is it better to ignore your better judgment and read between the lines? Or should you judge a book by its cover?"

This ^ has been a toughie for me lately. Do I take/go for jobs that I can get in the horrible economy, or can I be choosey and go with my gut even when I don't have another option/reason to not take it?

I'm trying to remember this: 

And remember that, in my heart of hearts I know I'll know when the opportunity is the right one. 'til then, I'll just keep chugging along this lil journey called life.

'til the perfect thing comes along I might need to pick up this little gem; I hear it's a must for gals "in my stage of life"

 pick up your copy here