Random

Ben Affleck’s “The Town”

This past weekend, I rented The Town after hearing rave reviews from several friends. This is Ben Affleck’s second major movie as a director (first was Gone Baby Gone) – and he also co-wrote this screenplay and acts in the lead role.

The cast is rounded out by Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Rebecca Hall (The Prestige), Jon Hamm (Mad Men) and Blake Likely (Gossip Girl) – among others.

The storyline follows a group of guys who call Charlestown, Mass. home – located just across the bridge from downtown Boston. Charlestown is renowned for producing generations of talented robbers, and it’s residents protect that lifestyle.

The movie begins with the core group of guys pulling off an impressive bank robbery in Boston. Catch is, Affleck becomes romantically interested in the bank manager, which they take hostage but who never sees their faces. Its a tricky game to play when she’s the key witness to their identity for the FBI agents who heavily pursue them throughout the film.

It’s a story wrought with the struggle of a guy stuck in a vicious circle of criminal activity, but who just wants a way out.

I really liked this movie, and I definitely recommend it. If you enjoy action films, or movies like The Departed, definitely visit RedBox (or your NetFlix queue) this weekend and rent The Town. You won’t be disappointed.

Shop Etsy

I’m horrible at accessorizing. Every day you’ll find me wearing my diamond stud earrings and one of two basic silver necklaces. If I’m feeling really crazy, I’ll wear semi-flashy earrings or a long necklace. Yep, I really break out of my shell with those.

So, I’ve been attempting to add some more pieces to my jewelry collection. Its all about the baby steps.

I was browsing through other blogs on Bloglovin’ (a great way to keep up with multiple blogs…I highly recommend), and came across one for books. That blog had a post about these embroidered wall hangings with sayings like “I love books” (at right) or a stitching of a child reading. This directed me to the SeptemberHouse shop on Etsy.

I’ve been given a gift from a shop on Etsy before (my unique laptop case; example of another design from MadeByJulie at right), but I’ve never actually purchased something for myself. Etsy is a great place to find one-of-a-kind handmade items of all sorts: jewelry, art, purses, paper goods, woodworking, quilts, furniture, toys and lots more.

After browsing around SeptemberHouse‘s shop, I found an adorable pendant necklace with an embroidered cherry blossom tree.

I love cherry blossom trees, and have always wanted to go to Washington D.C. when they bloom each year (although I think I missed it already!). This particular necklace also had an added bonus — the $20 purchase price would be donated in whole to the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami. (You can donate, too.)

My wallet was out within a minute. Not only was the necklace adorable, but the support of Japan relief efforts sealed the deal.

I received my necklace on Saturday, and I love it! Now I just need to find the right outfit to pair it with…

Never Let Me Go

Last fall, I was eager to see a little known British movie entitled, Never Let Me Go, but never quite found the time to do so. Lucky for me, its finally available to rent.

Based on a highly acclaimed novel I unfortunately have not yet read (and therefore can make no judgment of the adaptation), the Never Let Me Go trailer reveals a story of three characters who attend an English boarding school where they are told of the expectations of their doomed lives. The movie then follows their journey into the “real world” as adults and the tragic love triangle that is weaved throughout. (Watch the trailer at the end of this post.)

This intriguing story is inherently a sci-fi tale, told in a manner and style that rivals some of the most beautiful British period films. Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield – who portray the central characters as adults – deliver hauntingly subdued performances. And while I wish I could disclose the details of the storyline, I simply don’t want to spoil the movie for you.

What I can say is that I found it terribly heart-wrenching. The muted tone sometimes overshadows the despair these characters are dealing with. I just wanted them all to run away…and fast. But instead they willingly submit themselves to authority, only trying for one meager opportunity that could alter their destiny a tad. However, it is this understated elegance that may be the reason the creepiness of the story still lingers with me now.

Some people may find this movie slow-moving, boring and unfulfilling. While I cannot disagree that the script may have been a bit flat and the pace was certainly slow, I can say that I would easily watch it again.

Enter a Photo Contest

I took numerous photos during my travels to Honduras in 2007-2009. They started out as random shots with my point-and-shoot camera, and evolved into much more strategic shots with my dad’s Canon Rebel. Thanks to the advice and guidance of photographers I traveled with over the years (including one lending me his expensive lenses!), I have been able to grow my picture-taking skills.

By no means am I implying that I’m that good. I know I have plenty to learn, but think I have it in me to become much better in the future.

So my friend came across a photo contest with Islands magazine and immediately told me I had no choice: she was “forcing” me to enter. The contest rules require the photos be taken on or around an island (imagine that). Well I have plenty of those from my travels throughout the Bay Islands!

Normally I wouldn’t consider entering a photo contest (never have!) because I honestly don’t think I stand a chance at winning. But the prizes involved in this particular contest were just too enticing to pass up. Check them out:

Grand Prize: 7-night Tahitian cruise
1st Prize: 5 nights in Waikiki
2nd Prize: 7 nights on St. Kitts
3rd Prize: 4 nights on Anguilla
Reader’s Choice: 7 nights on Jamaica
Reader’s Choice Runner Up: 5 nights on St. Thomas
Artistic Merit: Photo Workshop

I would LOVE any of these. The only destination I’ve ever been to on the list is Waikiki. But I mean, seriously, a Tahitian cruise? Count me in.

So I’ve entered 10 photos from Roatán and Cayos Cochinos in Honduras. Check out my entries below, and please cast your vote! (photos link to the voting page)