9 Favorite Halloween Movies

Thursday, October 31, 2013



Just for a bit of Halloween-y fun,
a picture of me all vamped out :)



I'm pretty sure I wouldn't leave my sofa for the full 4 weeks of October if I didn't have to because I love the tv programming so much. Occasionally, I spend the night of October 31st tucked inside my apartment with a few good
movies and lots of treats.

In honor of the awesome-ness that is Halloween and my final Halloween-y post :\, I present my favorite Halloween movies. Some are quite scary as I love horror movies; others are a bit childish to entertain the nostalgic kid in me. I don't watch all of them every year, yet, I consider all of them my Halloween classics and they put me right into the spirit of the day.







1. Hocus Pocus. It's clear that this is my favorite Halloween movie. A must-watch for me every year (and yes, I watched it this past Sunday), it simply reminds me so much of my childhood when I wished for my very own talking cat named Binx.



The Moment I Knew I Was Different (Or Maybe Just Weird)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A few days ago, I sat across from my nail technician, Annie*,  at Pinky's New York, a nail salon with multiple locations in the city. I've been coming to this salon since I was 12 years old, only interrupted by my years in college and law school, so she's more my friend than anything. We're only 4 years apart so we usually end up laughing hysterically through most of my appointments, gossiping about this and that and telling stories about my lovely, but hilarious, father who also gets pedicures at the salon. Over 10 years ago when I discovered this salon location in Upper West Side, my parents didn't know a thing about this place. But now, my dad pretends as though  Annie is his. I occasionally remind him that I knew her first and best, but I doubt he hears a word of it. That's neither here nor there.

So a few days ago, Annie got to talking about how I was years ago, barely a teenager but stomping through the city like it was mine for the taking. I don't doubt that anyone I encountered saw right through this guise to the scared, little girl I really was, but Annie says it didn't matter. "You were just so different," she said. I thought about it for a minute while she filed my fingernails to the perfect length and shape without needing my approval. She knew me so well, maybe even better than I thought. "I don't know if I was different or just weird."

She looked up at me with an exasperated look, lightly blowing her honey blonde bangs from her forehead, and smiled. I smiled back. "I guess I was always a little different, even at a very young age." Annie didn't look up but stopped filing for a moment, waiting for me to continue. "I remember my father being called into school for a parent-teacher meeting for something I'd said during class. The teacher had asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, and was giving each child a turn to tell the rest of the class. Most of the girls talked about weddings and babies and dogs and houses and pretty things," I said, and looked at Annie as she had stopped moving and was staring at me anticipating my next sentence but also expecting it. "Me?," I continued, "Well I told her that I wanted to be a rockstar. That I wanted to have a baby daughter that would stand on stage and cling to my leg as I sang my hit songs. And I wanted to travel from city to city so everyone could hear my voice and see my baby. And that was it."

My Dreams. Age 6. | Photo Credit
I thought Annie was going to die, as she dropped her head to the table and laughed until her face turned bright red. "The teacher didn't find it so funny, Annie. She was concerned that I didn't exhibit proper family values. And when she asked me what happened to the father and whether we'd ever go live in a house with him, I said "He doesn't matter really and no, my daughter and I would live in my dressing room backstage and eat microwaved pizza everyday"." Once Annie gained some sort of composure, she asked "And what did your father say?" I pursed my lips at her. "You know what he said. He muttered under his breath 'my girl' before telling the teacher that he would talk to me about saying such things aloud."


And then, Annie and I laughed. We laughed so hard, she had to repaint my index fingers and wipe the tears from my eyes.

Fame, What A Feeling! (Outfit, Hair & Makeup)

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Yes, I did just combine two song titles from the movie Flashdance because I couldn't choose just one. I adore that movie. Don't judge me.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, as evidenced by my excitement over 13 Nights of Halloween and my recent Instagram posts. Even though I always wait until the last minute for a costume, I do like dressing up. If you also wait until 2 days before to figure out a costume, Alex from Flashdance is a fun and easy one. I love love love this costume because it's super cute and an ode to the funnest decade ever. Long live the 80s!

THE OUTFIT:

A Flashdance inspired costume

  • Opaque Tights - Choose a pair as close to your skin color as possible, but make sure the tights are your exact size (I'd suggest maybe even going a bit bigger) so the material doesn't stretch and become see-through in your bum area!
  • Bodysuit/Leotard - Who knew my old gymnastics leotard would be useful almost 10 years later? If you don't have a bodysuit, my advice is to be strategic and buy one that can be multi-functional. Like this bodysuit by American Apparel. It's $30, but an addition to your wardrobe that can be worn lots of ways. But if you're on a budget, here's one from Forever 21.
  • Legwarmers - I have a white and a black pair but I really like this neon pink pair for the outfit (Or if you're like me and have always wanted thigh-highs, pick up a pair and roll 'em down). You can go with whatever color you want here, and it doesn't have to match your leotard either. That's the beauty about the 80s. It was all expression and none of the judgement. So throw on a purple pair with that neon orange leotard if you want to, girl!
  • Sweatshirt - If you don't have a old sweatshirt that your comfortable cutting up, then buy a cheap one herehere, and here. Cut a deeper half-moon into the collar, which allows the sweatshirt to hang off your shoulder. Then, and this is optional, cut the sleeves a bit so that they roll-up. I'd stop here but you can really get creative with the scissors if you want.
  • Black Heels - Any black leather pumps in your closet will do. These pumps are on my Pinterest wishlist because they look like they'd be comfortable enough for anything.
  • Accessories - Here's where we ease off the color, and instead put on some dainty silver jewelry. Forever 21 is my go-to store for cute, inexpensive occasion pieces so I picked out this heart bracelet, and these basic silver hoops.

*Scroll to the bottom of this post to see a modified version of this look!

THE HAIR:



Monday Morning Motivation

Monday, October 28, 2013

As said by Vada's teacher in the movie My Girl.
Edited by me. 

Here's to glorious new beginnings in new places or, simply, beginning a new week in glorious fashion. 
Happy Monday!

Friday Favorites & Obsessions

Friday, October 25, 2013


Elliot Sailors, courageous woman who decided to reinvent herself for her career. As a 31 year-old model, Sailors, who had been criticized for years for her masculine features, felt her career slipping through her fingers, as the modeling industry considers her three decades of life to put her past her prime. So, Sailors grabbed her problem "by the balls," so to speak, and now books gigs as a male model. Click here to read her story.
Quote from Game Of Thrones. Not only is GOT one of the best tv shows, but this quote speaks volumes and has propelled me forward this week (it's been a quote-filled kinda week!). And soon, we will see how much it speaks to me - as determined by whether I delete my fiction piece scheduled to post in a few hours :\
Homemade Burrito Bowl. Why hadn't I thought of this before?! Instead of buying it from Chipotle, I chopped up some grilled chicken myself, made some rice, popped open a can of black beans and threw a dollop of sour cream and some cheese on top. Voila! 
Derek Hough. Between all the Dancing With The Stars I've been watching lately and Nina Dobrev's Instagram posts featuring him, I've developed a bit of a crush on Derek. He can really dance (I mean, the man just won a Emmy for Best Choreographer!), and he's adorable and such a flirt. Man, look at those baby blues!


Happy Weekend!

Mid-Week Motivation? Don't Mind If I do.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I'm in need of a little extra motivation - this week's Monday Morning Motivation just isn't cuttin' it! For years, I've been too busy to really do anything just for the enjoyment of it. At times, my life's felt like a list of tasks to check off. Like I'm living one moment only to get to the next, instead of living in the moment. Recently, I've spent quite a bit of time just enjoying things and at the top of this list is reading and writing. But although I've been writing quite a bit, completing some prompts and laying down a few story lines, I haven't had the chutzpah to put myself out there and just post it. It's frustrating because as a writer (I know, I said it! Small victories!), I've got to believe in myself enough to share what I love, even if everyone hates it or no one reads it at all.  

In my search for confidence, I stumbled upon some pretty motivational stuff and thought to dedicate a post to it, in case anyone else needs a little mid-week push as well. And maybe by the end of the week, we'll all find the courage to do the things that scare us most :)














Music Playlist: Better Work B!+❤h

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

I'm the kind of person that needs music to get me moving. C jokes that he turns on the King of Leon pandora station when he's waiting on me to get ready and I'm taking too long. I doubt it has any effect but he's convinced that I prance around faster as I sing along to the songs. Here's a playlist I put together for when I need to get moving. It's kind of the companion playlist to my waking up one, but these songs are much more upbeat and fast-paced (Just a thought: why do all the best beats have some of the worst lyrics? Like #4. I'm not ratchet I swear!). The combination of current hits and slightly older tracks is the perfect soundtrack to getting glammed-up for a dinner date or night out. Recently, it also gets some play time while I'm cleaning my apartment or working out, earning it's title. So basically, dance party!

  1. She Said by Stephen Jerzak featuring Leighton Meester
  2. Watch Me Move by Fefe Dobson
  3. Work B**ch by Britney Spears
  4. Bands A Make Her Dance by Juicy J featuring 2Chainz & Lil Wayne
  5. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy 
  6. All Me by Drake featuring 2Chainz & Big Sean)
  7. Come & Get it by Selena Gomez 
  8. Applause by Lady Gaga
  9. I Need Your Love by Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding 
  10. Heart Attack by Demi Lovato
  11. I Hate This Part (Dave Aude Remix) by The Pussycat Dolls
  12. F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit by Jay-Z featuring Rick Ross 








Monday Morning Motivation & A Little Sunshine

Monday, October 21, 2013



- Anthony J. D'Angelo
Because with the sun shining on your face, even the worst days aren't so bad after all.

I won't even try to convince you that I had the forethought to plan today's quote with my blog topic. But as I schedule my "Monday Morning Motivation" post ahead of time, it was going to be next week's post. So almost, right? No, Kari, almost doesn't count.

Well, I've been nominated for the Sunshine Award by the lovely Alicia @ The Finding Years. A newer blogger like myself but with a lot to say (a lot of valuable things I might add), Alicia surely brings sunshine to anyone who reads her blog. She recently began an advice series of sorts, which I'm sure she doesn't think I read (but I do!), dropping so many little nuggets of knowledge (?) on her readers. The idea of this award is to answer the questions given so people can learn more about you, and to nominate bloggers that brighten your day, who will answer the 10 questions you give them.




1. What inspired you to start blogging?

I'd have to say my motivation to blog came from two very separate sources, a person and a passion.
One of my friends has a blog that she uses to document her life and cope with a long distance relationship. Blogging inserted an optimism into her life that I don't think could've come from anywhere else. And now she is one of the most put together young women I know with a wonderful, loving relationship that most women can only dream of.
Writing, as I've said over and over again, is my biggest passion, so I won't bore you by droning on (I wrote a short post on it here about a month ago if you interested). But it's the process of writing that I adore - the thinking, planning, scribbling, developing - and blogging gives me a daily opportunity to do all of that.

2. What is your idea of a perfect day?
I like when I have set things to do because it gets me up and moving, but I also like having a lot of down time. So my perfect day would be: a workout in the morning followed by a bottomless mimosa brunch; a bit of shopping or errands; a few hours at home catching up on tv shows or blogging; dinner and drinks with friends or my boyfriend; and then falling asleep with a good book.

3. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be and what would be your first question?
This is a tough one! Maybe the guy who invented bubble wrap because I want to know why he didn't make it a toy. Popping those suckers is so addicting. Or Socrates, he's the man. Of course, he'd answer all my questions with a question so I'd spend the interview trying to get a response, answering my own questions, and eventually reaching some new level of enlightenment.  

4. What is the first thing you would do with a huge lottery win?
I'd buy out my father's business that he built from the ground. Talk about 'started from the bottom'. I'd hire an entire team to run it for him and plop him into a house/apartment/whatever he wanted where ever he wanted so he could just lay about and have jazz jam sessions. My father is hands down the most amazing man I will ever know. Only tears could ever express what he is to me. He raised me with absolutely no limitations and no worries, and so, I've lived without limits and with the knowledge that I'd always have the support I needed in any way that I needed it. And sometimes he has the nerve to think he could've done more. Crazy man!
Then I'd buy all of the things. Lots of things :)

5. What's the best advice you've received lately?
"Well then, do it now." I was talking to C about all the things I wish I'd done and that was his response. Simple as that.

6. What is the best advice you've offered someone lately?
I actually don't think I'm good at giving advice. I usually just say whatever's on my mind in a stream of consciousness sort of way. But my friends still talk to me about things, so I guess I'm not terrible. I'd have to ask them.

7. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer. How cliché is that?! But it's true. Oh, and for a brief moment I wanted to be a rockstar, but it was fleeting. I'm still a shower-time rockstar although I can't sing.

8. What TV or movie character do you most relate to?
Ever since I read This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, I've related soo much to Remy Starr, the main character of the novel.  So that'd be the best answer. But since she's a fictional not a movie character (at least, not yet), I'd say Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl or Claire Standish from The Breakfast Club. Both girls have multiple layers - hard on the outside but so emotional on the inside -, and seem to "have it all" but are often misunderstood.

9. Name one of your guilty pleasures.
Disney channel. I'm 25 and I still watch it. I just makes me so happy. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, it reminds me that somethings are still simple and carefree (like just saying you're sorry when you've hurt someone).

10. If you wrote a memoir, what would you title it?
"Actually, I don't know." Because all my life, I've always had a plan; always had to have the answers. And now, although I still have a plan (or two!), I've learned that it's okay to not know everything. I'll live.

And so I nominate these wonderful bloggers who bring sunshine into my life, even if they don't know it:
Meredith @ Call Me What You Like
Jackie @ Buitiful Confessions
Mae @ Red Picket Fences
Emily C @ ND Love NY
Elle @ Dreaming In Blush

Your questions are:
1. If you wrote a memoir, what would you title it?
2. Pepsi or Coke?
3. What song can you not resist singing along to?
4. Pull 3 things out of your purse at random. What are they?
5. Who is your celebrity doppleganger?
6. If you could only choose one social network between Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, which one would you choose and why?
7. Tell us about a time you did something without your parents knowing and they never found out.
8. What's your must-have beauty product at the moment?
9. Name one of your guilty pleasures.
10. You've had the longest day. When you get home, you're starving and the new episode of Scandal (insert your favorite show) is coming on in 30 minutes. What do you whip up? Bonus points for giving us a quick recipe! Mmmm...

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Friday Favorites & Obsessions

Friday, October 18, 2013

Happy Friday!

I'm trying out a new collage-y display for my weekly favorites. Assembling it entertained the scrap-booker in me and it condenses my post a bit, but I imagine it could also be confusing to follow. Not sure if it's here to stay, but I like it for now. 

Friday, October 18, 2013



Elizabeth Berkley. When I was 7 and watching Saved By The Bell re-runs, Jesse Spano was the "it" girl. At least I thought so. She sang and danced, was super brilliant and gorgeous to-boot. I wanted to be her. And two decades later, I still adore her. Watching her dance on Dancing with Stars, I cannot believe that she is 41 years old. Look at that picture up there - she looks exactly the same. I'm not sure what's saved her youth, but I want it! 

ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween. This is, to me, a holiday in and of itself.  I pretty much countdown to this as soon as fall begins because it is my favorite two weeks of the year. And it starts tomorrow!! For the complete schedule for the next few weeks, click here. I'm looking forward to: The Addams Family, Hocus Pocus, I Know What You Did Last SummerMonsters, Inc., the Pretty Little Liars Halloween episode, the Ravenswood premiere, Teen Witch, and Teen Wolf. Now to stock up on popcorn :)


Safe & Sound by Capital Cities. On replay in my head since I made my waking up playlist, I randomly sing the lyrics and bounce around to a beat in my beat. This song makes me dance like I'm stuck in a 1980s teen movie (think Breakfast Club) and I love it! I'm sure you've heard it - it's been in numerous commercials and I've actually heard it played during a few NBA games - but just in case you need a quick "the weekend's begun" jam session... 



Praline McFlurry. Putting this on the list makes me feel so unhealthy. When I told C that it made the list, he raised his eyebrows and gave me the "my little fatty" face (Don't worry; it's endearing face for us!). But how could I not include it when I've had more McFlurrys than I care to admit this week? It's nothing but pralines, caramel, and McDonald's version of ice cream, but it is ah-maziing. 

L'Oreal le Matte Lip Color in 409 Matte for Me. When I'm not rocking MAC's Rebel and I want to throw on some lipstick, this is it recently. It's cherry red in color and although it applies like a satin, it dries matte. I plan on picking up a few more. You can read a more detailed review here (which is also where I got the picture in the collage above). 

Oh, and a friday UNfavorite? The rumor that Charlie Hunnam won't be playing Christian Grey after all. Boo!



A Girl Who Reads: Just Listen

Thursday, October 17, 2013


QUICK INFO

Title: Just Listen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publication: 2006

Major Characters: Annabel Greene, Owen Armstrong

Main Plot: Annabel Greene has the perfect life - or at least that's how it seems. Beneath the exterior of a thin, blonde model and local celebrity lies a girl who desperately needs someone to hear her out. If only she'd speak up.

Favorite Line(s):
"Silence is so freaking loud."
"All you could do was take on as much weight as you can bare. And if you're lucky, there's someone close by to shoulder the rest."
"Being nice was the ideal, the one place where people didn't get loud, or so quiet they could scare you. If you could just be nice, then you wouldn't have to worry about arguments at all. But being nice wasn't as easy as it seemed, especially when the rest of the world could be so mean."

My Rating: 4 - 4.5




I read this nearly 400-paged novel in 12 hours, I kid you not. I just couldn't put it down. And I have to say that this is usually the case with any Sarah Dessen novel I read. In high school, I and one of my close friends zipped through both The Truth About Forever and This Lullaby (Hate Spinnerbait!). I really enjoy how easy Dessen's writing is to read. Flowery language and detailed descriptions, although capable of really making a story, can also encumber one, making it frustrating to read. Dessen abandons the extras and frills without lessening her writing style one bit. It's a rather straightforward story with just enough detail to make it a wonderful read. 

Ever notice how much we simply say "I'm fine" when things truly aren't at all? Annabel Greene, out of habit, does that all the time. Even as her world falls apart - the events at the end of the last academic year leave her friendless in this one, the at-times destructive choices of her sisters majorly affect her life choices, and the actions of a boy can change it all either for good or for bad -, Annabel insists that she is okay. That is until she meets Owen Armstrong, her most unlikely ally and an unexpectedly handsome boy who's promised to tell the truth no matter what. But can Annabel handle his truth? And most of all, can she handle her own?

Although I have many more books on my "to read" list , I'm so tempted to just pick up another Dessen novel (perhaps Lock And Key or her newest The Moon And More) instead. Some reviews complain that all of Dessen's books are the same, but I disagree. The only constant in her novels is that every girl has a story to tell, and every girl could be you.   

More like 7am this time!

What have you read recently? Any recommendations?



I'm Co-Hosting Lovely Thursday: The Link-Up!

As the title of this post so aptly states, I'm co-hosting a link up this week. So on top of the normal Thursday anticipation for new episodes of Scandal and The Vampire Diaries (Will they find Stefan?! Is Jake Ballard going to live?!), I'm excited for this link-up as this is my first one. Link-up lovelies! ❤  


Happy Thursday! Welcome to Lovely Thursday: The Link-Up! This link-up creates the opportunity to connect with other bloggers, discover new blogs, and make new friends! So link up your blog or anything else you find lovely. Share your family, fashion, food, crafts, or anything that you love this week.

Now meet these lovely bloggers, the co-hosts for the week:
HER BLOG | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER 
HER BLOG | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST
HER BLOG | BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
Lovely Thursday: The Link-Up
+ Follow your host and co-hosts.  Or you can just simply visit their blogs and say hi!  Feel free to leave a comment introducing yourself.
+ Go visit other blogs that linked up and say hi!
+ Tweet about this Link-up. Help spread the word! + Grab the Button.
HER & NICOLE
Link up your Blog Now!


This linky list is now closed.
Interested in co-hosting?  Visit herandnicole.com and look on the sidebar under "H&N News & Updates" for more information!


Happy Thursday!

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