The Sound of Talent

Who watched the Oscars Sunday night? I did, and even though I hadn’t seen too many of the films nominated, I was completely blown away by Lady Gaga’s tribute to one of my all-time favorite movies, The Sound of Music.

Along with delivering a beautiful vocal performance, Gaga surprised everyone by forgoing wild visuals and gimmicks. Far too many singers today focus more on showing off their boobs/butts and prancing around like poll dancers than on simply sharing their gifts. Still others can’t really sing at all, relying on auto-tuning, special effects and so-called sex appeal to mask that sad reality.

(via Getty Images) 

I’m glad Gaga wowed viewers with this classy performance, and I hope we get to see more just like it from her and others in the future. Oh, and the always charming Julie Andrews stepping out right afterward? Made my night!

What was your favorite Oscar moment?

Friday Five: Holiday Edition

Happy holidays, everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying this most wonderful time of the year. Here to kick off the weekend are five things that are making me smile.

1. It’s the thoughtful kindness of friends that makes the holiday season so special. Many thanks to my sweet friend Diana of The World Around Her for these fun surprises.

2. I may be biased, but are these two kitties cute or what?!

(via Ulta Beauty) 

3. What’s up, Santa? Just in case you need a few last-minute ideas, Conair’s Curl Secret looks like the perfect stocking stuffer.

(via Bon Appetit)

4. There’s nothing like whipping up a tasty batch of latkes in honor of Hanukkah (even though I don't actually celebrate).

(via E! Online) 

5. I finally saw Mockingjay on Wednesday and loved every minute! Next up, Annie and Into the Woods. 

What's making you happy this week? 

Five Things Thursday: Random Musings of the Serious (and Not So Serious) Kind

Happy Thursday! After a short break from participating in the Five Things linkup, I’m back, this time sharing five serious (and not so serious) things on my mind. As always, these are simply my own opinions, and others are free to agree or disagree as they choose. 

1. With so many deadly shootings occurring at schools and elsewhere in this country on a daily basis, it is clear that we have a serious, multifaceted problem that needs to be addressed. Why are so many young men exhibiting a willingness to kill? How does easy access to guns contribute to this problem? The issues are complex and challenging, and for that reason, I think we simply avoid dealing with them. While it’s hard to know exactly what to do or how to help on a personal level, I truly hope we as a nation can arrive at some type of understanding that will alter the terrible path we’re on. After all, mere "thoughts and prayers" following every tragedy don't save lives.

2. Speaking of change, this video really moved me this week, and I think it's way beyond time for our national capital's football team to change its mascot.



3. Something else that recently impacted me is this profound statement by the late scientist Carl Sagan, which was replicated in the season finale of Fox and National Geographic's amazing series Cosmos. Have you seen this show? If not, I highly recommend checking it out on DVD or when it (hopefully) comes back for another season. Although I am not a religious person, I do believe in the power of humanity and in the responsibility we all have to care for one another and for the "pale blue dot" we call home.



4. On a lighter note, my husband and I celebrated our fourth anniversary last week (yay!) with a low-key dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. While we both loved our entrees -- smoked salmon for me and ribs for him -- it was the pineapple mojito that really blew me away! The lovely purple (our wedding color) flowers he gave me added an extra special touch to the day, as well.

5. After dinner, we headed to the theater to catch Maleficent. Have you seen it? What did you think? While I thought the story, script and acting could have been strengthened at certain points, Angelina Jolie was of course amazing, as were the special effects. All in all, I'd recommend it.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend, everyone!  

Sweater Weather Blog Tag

I love reading tag posts to learn more about my fellow bloggers, and since I also love doing them myself, I decided to play along with this tag I recently saw over at the fabulous Elle See’s blog. Read on for a quick look at a few of my holiday season favorites!

1. Favorite candle scent?

Right now, I love all of the Bath & Body Works holiday scents, especially Twisted Peppermint and Vanilla Bean Noel. Even more than the candles, I tend to go for body lotion and shower gel.

2. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

Hot chocolate. I’m not a big coffee drinker but will occasionally drink mint or green tea during the colder months. I also have a container of Mountain Thunder’s Kona Coffee Cherry Tea that I brought back from Hawaii and absolutely love.

3. Do you switch up your makeup routine for the season?

Not too much, although I sometimes gravitate toward darker shadows with a bit more sparkle. I also like wearing holiday-themed jewelry and nail polish.

4. Favorite Thanksgiving food?

Peppercorn salmon, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, all of which we had this year. I also miss my Nana’s delicious mashed potatoes, since no one can make them the way she did!

Peppercorn salmon makes for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. 

5. Hats or scarves?

When it’s really cold, both, along with gloves. I can’t stand being cold!

6. Most-worn sweater? 

My cozy brown LOFT sweater cardigan, which I’ve been wearing for at least three seasons now. It’s warm and easy to pair with a dress or top.

7. Must-have fall nail polish?

Green and purple jewel tones, along with glittery top coats for the holidays.

8. Football games or jumping in a pile of leaves? 

Leaves and being outdoors earlier in the season, and staying inside with a good book once it gets colder. I never have been and probably never will be a football fan.

Staying warm indoors with a good book is my idea of a perfect snow day. 

9. Skinny jeans or leggings?

Leggings or yoga pants for days around the house, and a dress with tights or jeans for going out.

10. Boots or UGGs?

This is a silly question, as UGGs are, in fact, a type of boot. I have plenty of boots I love, but must admit I don’t even own one pair of UGGs!

11. What is your favorite thing about fall?

The start of the holiday season, complete with tasty food, pretty decorations and Christmas carols.

12. Do you have a song that gets you in the fall mood or a song you're loving at the moment?

I recently discovered Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go” from the new Disney movie Frozen. I truly love it and have been playing it nonstop!

13. What is the fall weather currently like where you live?

Winter has pretty much arrived here in the DC area, with two snow days already under our belts. I definitely think snow is pretty to look at, but don’t especially enjoy going out in it.

Tag, you’re it! What are a few of your own favorite things right now? 

Movie Review: Les Miserables

After an entire year of anticipation, my curiosity about the new Les Miserables film adaptation was finally satisfied this past weekend, when Stephen and I ventured out into a lightly falling snow to catch a morning showing. By the way, before I get into discussing the movie, did you know you can get tickets for just $6 at AMC Theaters when you go to a showing before noon, any day of the week?! I just found this out recently, and let me tell you, the low price definitely made our trip to the movies all the more enticing.

As for the film itself, while I did enjoy it and would definitely recommend it to others, in some ways it also differed from what I had originally envisioned. Maybe I simply went in with overly high expectations, or maybe the fact that I have previously seen this musical performed on stage three separate times colored my perception. Whatever the reason, I thought that while the movie's star-studded cast did an excellent job overall, the vocal performances they gave were on the whole not as powerful as those I have seen delivered on stage.

Samantha Barks as Eponine. Image Source: Les Miserables iTunes Image Gallery

*SPOILER ALERT*

For instance, the scene where the villainous Inspector Javert commits suicide, one of the most heart-wrenching and dramatic moments in the entire play, seemed to come across in the film as much more restrained. Perhaps the reason for this is that some of the actors in the movie are not experienced stage performers accustomed to performing dramatically and vocally at the same time. The fact that some of the songs were performed while the actors literally cried for the cameras also, in my opinion, weakened the results. I additionally felt that the extensive use of close-ups on the actors' faces throughout the majority of the film eliminated some of the sweeping grandeur that comes with seeing this musical performed live. 

All of that said, however, while I may not be running out to replace my current Les Miz soundtrack with this one, would I see the movie again or consider buying it once it comes out on DVD? Absolutely. 

Have you seen Les Miserables on the big screen yet? What was your take on it, and how did it compare with any Les Miz productions you've seen on stage? 

‘Les Mis’ the Movie: The Countdown Begins!

As a huge musical theater and opera lover, you’d better believe I’m counting down the months until Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Miserables film adaptation hits the big screen this December! After following updates about the film’s cast and production process since last year, I was incredibly excited to see the first trailer released this week. Just as I'd hoped, the movie promises to showcase a sweeping combination of action, romance and history -- all of my favorite things.

Are you as excited about Les Mis as I am? What do you think of the trailer? I know some die-hard fans aren’t exactly impressed with the way Anne Hathaway (one of my faves) changes up "I Dreamed a Dream," but since this version is designed for film and not the stage, I actually think it works quite well. Plus, I think it’s fabulous that the film's actors are “singing live” rather than lip-syncing and that the movie will also feature a new original song for Jean Valjean.

While I hardly ever rush out to see a movie on opening night, I've got a feeling this is one time I'll be making an exception! 

‘Casablanca’ Hits the Big Screen

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fun and relaxing weekend. I know I did, especially since after finishing up a nice batch of class reading on Friday night, I didn't so much as even have to think about homework all weekend long. Instead, Stephen and I decided to spend our time outdoors enjoying the great weather, grabbing Chinese food with friends and catching up on a little leisurely reading.

Although the start of the week means that it's time to get back into my regular routine, the next few days are also shaping up pretty well so far, with our planned outing to see the DC cherry blossoms Tuesday evening and a sushi-making class lined up for next Saturday. Plus, in honor of Casablanca’s 70^th anniversary this Wednesday, I'm incredibly excited that 500 theaters across the country are showing the movie on the big screen, including one right here in the DC area.

I don't know about the rest of you, but in my eyes, Casablanca is and probably always will be the best film of all-time. I love absolutely everything about this movie, from the finely tuned script to the remarkable cinematography to the impeccable acting by some of Hollywood’s greatest legends. So, as you can imagine, I snapped up my ticket weeks ago via Fandango, and Stephen and I are both excited to take a rare weeknight break to catch Bogart and Bergman in theaters.

I hope you all have a great day and a fabulous week ahead! Are you also planning to see Casablanca on the big screen? What’s your favorite movie of all-time?