The Big 2-6

My birthday came and went and oh how glorious it was.  Definitely one of my better birthday celebrations. Mary flew in and got to be there for my party at Birds, which approximately 50(ish) of my dear friends attended. It was so fun to have all my different groups of friends in one place (and have Mar there to meet them!). Sweet Natalie even made me a delicious birthday cake. :-) The lovely people at Birds definitely added to the celebration as well... putting up a very quaint homemade 'Happy Birthday Annie' sign in the "birdcage" area I reserved, putting up balloons, having the entire bar sing happy birthday over the loudspeaker, and bringing me the largest drink I have ever seen. (Thanks guys!). It was fun, fun, fun. 

Last year, I made a list of goals for when I was 25.  I didn't get around to all of them, but I can happily mark several of them off the list....

• Go to San Francisco. (Mary and I went last weekend for Outside Lands and I loved it! Another post on that coming soon).

• Visit Mary in New York (again). (BOO for me. But don't worry... I'll be buying a ticket for another Thanksgiving trip to NYC very soon). 
• Do yoga at least one time a week. (Blurgh. I sadly can't cross this one off.  Due to moving far away from my amazing gym with amazing yoga classes, I have definitely missed many weeks, and my untoned arms are an unfortunate result). 
• Go on a cruise. (This goal was a bit lofty/unrealistic. Dream big, right?)
• Read for pleasure. (I recently said to dear Garrett, "I'm totally into reading now because of The Hunger Games!"  He immediately burst into laughter and still likes to make fun of me for that ridiculously 14-year-old schoolgirl sounding quote, but it's true... this series is SO good. I'm the second book of the trilogy now and I'm loving it). 
• Rest more. (hmm... don't think I can technically cross this one off yet either. I'm a perpetually busy tired girl...ha). 
• Buy a new car. (I've said it before, I'll say it again... honestly the most "adult" thing I've ever done.)

• Visit C-Gunn in Austin. (Good thing, too, because she got an amazing new job at OU and no longer lives in the wonderful city of Austin).
• Keep my new apartment organized/simplified. (For the most part, anyway).
• Ride bikes along the beach. (I think the bike I was riding had a semi-flat tire, but it was still a fun experience, nonetheless). 

• Go to my brother’s graduation from OU in May. (I was so proud. Boomer Sooner, little brother). 
• Blog more. (hmm... due to my recent slacking in this department, not so sure I should mark this off right now...)
• Enjoy this year to the fullest. J (Cheers!)

And now my goals for this shiny new big age....

• Call my grandparents more.
• Go to Catalina Island. 
• Play tennis.
• Expand my cooking horizons.
• Fly a kite on the beach
• Have a bonfire on the beach.
• Have a 'girls weekend' with Mary and our mothers.
• Go to more museums. 
• Have Thanksgiving in NY with Mary.
• Visit Kayla in Denver.
• Blog more.
• Rest more.
• Pray more.
• Be in a flash mob.
• Get an iPhone.
• Enjoy this year to the fullest. :-)

Bring it on, 2-6.  I'm ready. 

xoxo, 

Annie. 

Movie Review Monday

Hello darlings.  I've seen several great summer movies recently, so I thought I'd share some insight.  Hopefully they will aide in your cinematic choices this week. :-) 


Crazy, Stupid, Love

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: At 40-something, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream-good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his "perfect" life quickly unravels. Worse, in today's single world, Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth. Now spending his evenings sulking alone at a local bar, the hapless Cal is taken on as wingman and protégé to handsome, 30-something player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling).
My thoughts: I've already seen this movie 3 times, and I would gladly see it again.  It is by far the best movie I've seen this year.  It's hilarious and touching and smart and I think it's safe to say that Ryan Gosling is the hottest guy on the planet.  You should absolutely go see this one.  For suuure.


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com (on which it has an almost unheard of 97% rating): Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
My thoughts: I'm definitely what you would call a "casual fan" of Harry Potter.  I haven't read any of the books, and I only watched the movies for the first time after I started at Warner Bros (since I kind of needed to know what I was marketing). ;-) That said, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this grand finale of the epic franchise. There's a clear reason it's broken practically every box office record ever. (And I personally think it fully deserves a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars this year). Do not miss this one.  


Midnight in Paris

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It's about a young man's great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better. 
My thoughts: Quaint. Creative. Beautiful. (Although Rachel McAdams, whom I love, plays kind of a biatch). It made me want to go to Europe again so badly. :-) If it's unfortunately not playing at a theater near you, this has adorable movie night date written all over it. 


Another Earth

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: Rhoda Williams, a bright young woman accepted into MIT's astrophysics program, aspires to explore the cosmos. A brilliant composer, John Burroughs, has just reached the pinnacle of his profession and is about to have a second child with his loving wife. On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth, tragedy strikes and the lives of these strangers become irrevocably intertwined. Estranged from the world and the selves they once knew, the two outsiders begin an unlikely love affair and reawaken to life. But when one is presented with the chance of a lifetime opportunity to travel to the other Earth and embrace an alternative reality, which new life will they choose?
My thoughts: I feel like this movie is completely under the radar, which is a shame because it's really great!  The way it's shot kind of feels like a student film at times, but overall, it's a really original, compelling story  that's well-written and well-acted. I definitely recommend this one as well. 


Horrible Bosses

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently. There's only one problem: even the best laid plans are only as foolproof as the brains behind them. 
My thoughts: This movie is HILARIOUS.  I laughed out loud many times. (After watching the trailer just now, I really want to see it again actually... ha).  If you like to laugh, you will like this movie. 


Friends With Benefits

Synopsis from rottentomatoes.com: Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis) think it's going to be easy to add the simple act of sex to their friendship, despite what Hollywood romantic comedies would have them believe. They soon discover however that getting physical really does always lead to complications.
My thoughts: I was excited to see this movie because I wrote coverage on the script when I interned at Sony 4 years ago (ha!).  It's predictable and very similar to "No Strings Attached"which came out earlier this year, but if you're looking for a mindless, funny-at-times, R-rated rom com, here ya go.


In other news, it's my birthday week! I'm very excited about the wonderful things that will happen this week including MARY COMING TO VISIT!!  cha chiiiing.  She gets in Wednesday (just in time for my birthday party that night!) and then we're road-tripping up the coast to the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco. Can. Not. Wait. :-)

xoxo, 

Annie. 

8:11-July Highlights

July was a fun-filled whirlwind, and I loved it.  I'm going to go ahead and say it was my favorite month of 2011 so far. Family vacation, reunions with old friends, and Caroline's wedding were just a few of the things that made last month so wonderful.  Here are those things (and more!) captured in my 8:11 photos. :-) 

8:11-words cannot express how excited i am to be in denver with this little ball of fun. (@kaylashakira). holla.

8:11-reunited with my wonderful family for a relaxing vacation in beautiful pagosa springs! Yesss.

8:11-enjoying delicious wine and the hot tub on our last night in CO. We don't want to leave! :-(

 8:11-delish din at lorrin's before #CrazyStupidLove for oh you know..my 3RD time. Ha. Its so good! 

8:11-"friends with benefits" screening w/ @katiehutchings. really funny!

 8:11-at the GORGEOUS wedding of @CarolineGaris & @blakekellybrown. so happy for my "little sister"!

8:11-daiquiris for the #bachelorette watch party. yesss. Cheers to hometown date night!

 8:11-#harrypotter 7a watch party...butter beer included. (Which is delicious, by the way). Holla!

 8:11-enjoying the pretty tunes of Jinah's amazing band, City Bird, at a gallery in eagle rock.

8:11-screening of "another earth" at @TheAcademy w/ pj and @GarrettFBaker. Two thumbs up! For real.

8:11-los feliz street fair w/ @MassageLizard. My neighborhood is so legit. I love it.

Two thumbs up, July.  A wonderful intro to the best month of the year: August (my birthday month)! Holla. 

xoxo, 

Annie. 

Happy 3 Year Anniversary, Los Angeles.

A few days ago marked my 3rd year of living in lovely, crazy, wonderful LA. I can't believe I've lived here that long... yowza! I think I'll commemorate the momentous anniversary the same way I did last year... so here you have it:

Three Years in LA by the Numbers

• Number of apartments lived in: 3 (1 month in Hermosa Beach, 23 months in Miracle Mile, 12 months in Los Feliz).
• Number of plays/musicals seen: 13

• Number of jobs I held simultaneously for a brief period of time: 3 
• Number of days before I realized I wasn't a super-human and quit one of the aforementioned jobs: 2
• Number of bosses I've had: 5
• Number of times at the Oscars: 3

• Number of boys I've dated (and by dated I mean to have gone on more than 2 dates with…haha): 5

• Number of trips home to OK/Texas to visit the fam: 8
• Number of professional LA sporting events attended: 4 (2 Dodgers games, 1 Lakers game, 1 Kings game)
• Number of Vegas trips: 2

• Number of freaking earthquakes (that I've actually felt): 3
• Number of times wine tasting: 1
• Number of weddings attended: 4

• Number of times I've been in the audience of television show tapings: 7 (Jimmy Kimmel Live (twice), Ellen (thrice), SYTYCD, and Dancing with the Stars... all of which have been when mother is here visiting with the exception of one Ellen taping when Kayla was visiting...ha). 
• Number of traffic violation tickets: 1 (blurghhh).
• Number of times to Disneyland: 1

• Number of times I've seen my 2nd favorite band, The Sounds: 3

• Number of times I've seen my all-time favorite band, Jacks Mannequin: 5
• Number of movies watched at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery: 2

• Number of hours spent in my car: too many to count :-( 
• Number of hours spent on the beach: too many to count  :-) 

Happy Anniversary, darling LA. Thanks for a fun three years.  Excited to see what's up next... 

xoxo, 

Annie.