Happy, Shiny Tuesday Song by Guster

Hey Peeps!

Hope your Tuesday is going splendiferously! If it is or if it's not, I hope the following song makes you smile. It's a boppy tune from Guster called "Do You Love Me". Think Paul Simon, meets Romantic Comedy, meets Christmas bells. Or don't think at all and just enjoy.

xo
Jenny C

Live! From New York....

...it's Saturday Night! or at least everything you want to know about Saturday Night Live. I realized last night that I haven't given you a peak in to my bookshelfs in awhile and as usual as soon as I finish one book I immediately pick up another, I feel somewhat incomplete when I don't have a book to read. I actually read this book awhile ago but I think it is a good one to share.




Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told by its Stars, Writers and Guests is a great read for anyone who has fond memories of this iconic show. Compiled of testimonials from cast, writers, producers and guest stars this is a treasure trove of backstage gossip, sex, drugs and rock & roll spanning the first 30 years of the shows existence. Ever wonder the back story behind your favorite skit? Well the story is in this book! Would you be surprised to know that the most hated guest host (and former cast member) is Chevy Chase? I was!



While you will definitely find yourself laughing about some of the antics described, you will also be touched and saddened by the memories of John Belushi, Gilda Raydnor and Chris Farley as described by this tight knit group of people. The book some times gets bogged down in the politics of television but if you can get past those drier parts then your in for a fun and easy read, you will want to run to your local video store to rent your favorite seasons now that you know all the secrets behind them!


"I think he picked the right profession because he gets to lord over people who want to kneel at his feet and he doesn't acknowledge them - which makes them work harder" - Jane Curtin on Lorne Michaels

xo J

King's Speech is the bee's knees

Happy New Year mes amis! I hope you had a great holiday with friends and family. I spent some good quality time with my friends, and one of the great things we did was take in the movie "The King's Speech" starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.

The movie retells the true story of King George VI (Firth) - who after his father's death and his party-loving brother's adbication must overcome his debiliating stammer and lead his nation which is on the brink of war.

You must go see this movie. I could end the blog post there, but if you need to know why, basically the acting is superb - really, really superb. The story of friendship, love and overcoming adversity plays on classic themes, but delivers them in a compelling and deftly crafted way. This was a really easy movie to watch - no need to overlook gaps in storyline, or so-so performances. It was top to bottom a pleasure and a great way to spend the afternoon.

Can you tell I liked it?

Also if you are an actor, or ever took a voice class you'll get an extra kick out of the "unusual" methods taken by King George's speech therapist Lionel Logue. Yup, not unusual at all. I'm pretty sure I've done every one of those vocal exercises - hey, they work!

If you want to test your elocution try saying the following phrase 3 times fast:
"I'm a mother pheasant plucker. I pluck mother pheasants. I'm the most pleasant mother pheasant plucker to ever pluck a mother pheasant"

Pardon me? Don't say anything rude now ;)

xo
Jenny C

FASHION FINDS...Freedman Shoes Outlet

Happy New Year to all & all the best! Sorry I’ve been so MIA, things have been hectic, but I’m back!! I hope everyone had a great Holidays!

So….my Fashion Find of the decade!! While perusing the boxing week sales last week I was tipped off about a little piece of shoe heaven on 4th Avenue in Vancouver (between Burrard Street & Cypress Street)…the Freedman Shoes Outlet store!! Where has this been all my life?! So many amazing shoes and boots for a fraction of their original price and an additional 30% off during boxing week!! (I’m sure you’ve picked up by now that I love a shopping bargain!). When I left the store with my purchase I felt like the woman in that Ikea commercial who yells at her hubby as she leaves the store to “start the car”! The sale prices are so fantastic she thinks she’s been undercharged and is going to ride out in her getaway car as fast as possible! The sales at the Freedman Shoes Outlet store are really that good.

Freedman Shoes is a Vancouver based shoe mecca with 11 stores throughout the Lower Mainland and their motto is “Quality, Fashion, Comfort and Fit”, and the shoes they have at their outlet store may be last seasons, but they are no exception. They have a range of brands, Franco Sarto, Merrell, Lucky Brand, Steve Madden, Geox, BCBGirls, Stuart Weitzman, Born, Nine West, Robert Vianni, Josef Seibel, Frye Boots, Sam Edelman and many more! In terms of shoe styles, they have a wide variety from flats to ankle boots to sneakers, so there is a pair for every taste and in every size. And this find is not just for the ladies, there is men’s footwear as well! Like any outlet store you need to be prepared to do some sifting and trying on, so you need some time and patience, and be aware that these are last season’s trends, but the gems you can find for 50% to 75% off are totally worth it!! Happy shoe hunting in 2011!

Out with the old & in with the new

I hope the first few days of 2011 have treated you all well. I am basking in my final day of holiday before getting back to the daily grind tomorrow.

I haven't made any new years resolutions, haven't for many years now, I prefer new years reaffirmations, reminders of how I want to live my life for the next year, rather than to try and drastically change one aspect of my life:

1. To embrace turning 30 in a couple months, age ain't nothin but a number after all.

2. To continue to kick P90X ass.

3. To maintain my "glass half full" outlook on life.

4. To travel somewhere new.

5. And as always, cheesy as it may sound, to appreciate all that I have rather than fixate on what I don't have.

xo J

Merry Ho Ho Ho!

Just a quick note before we all enter into a food, booze and all over good time coma, I hope everyone has an aamazing holiday. Thank you all for checking in with us Amis, we are still learning the ins and outs of the blog world but really we just like to share our thoughts, ideas and inspirations with you and we hope you enjoy them. Cheers to you and yours!

mmmm....eggnog and rum

Sophie, waiting for me to turn around so she can attack the tree decorations

xo J

Last Minute Gift Ideas - Think Local

3 days until Christmas - not enough time to get cool stuff shipped from the wonderful world of Internet, but  more than enough time to take advantage of the hip artists that live in your hood. Here's some great Vancouver artists to check out for this Christmas, or to keep up your sleeve for future gift-giving opportunities.

For your gal friends that love pretty things: 

Porcelain Mason Jars from Claire Madill at Heyday Design (image via www.heydaydesign.ca)

For your burgeoning art collector coworkers: 

Whale 2 Graphite and Acrylic on Paper by Kyu Hwang (image via takeiteasyplease.com)

For Your Picture Loving Parents: 

Custom Portraits painted by Roselina Hung. Image above: detail from Self-Portrait as a Polar Bear 2009. (image via www.roselinahung.com)

For your Homebody Hubbies:

Custom furniture designed and built by Nick Vorstermans of Wood Roots Furniture and Design (image via www.woodroots.ca) 

Take some time to discover the artists living under your nose, chances are - they've got some wicked wares to share.

xo
Jenny C