Happy Hunger Games Week!

It's finally almost here.  This Friday (3/23) is the theatrical release of The Hunger Games.  

I have anxiously been awaiting this date since I fell in love with the book this summer (after first hearing about it from Mary's book club), and I literally have NEVER been this excited for a movie in my entire life.  I have a tendency to speak in superlatives, but I can assure you that there is not an ounce of hyperbole in that statement. I truly have never felt this way about a movie before (says the girl who works in the movie business...).  If you haven't read the books yet, you should get on that immediately, and you will understand why I'm so excited to see this enthralling, heart-pumping tale of courage, loyalty and survival come to life on the big screen.

Here are things I'm doing to prepare for the exciting debut...

1.) Buying my ticket way ahead of time.

I don't know if this will be an issue in other parts of the country, but this movie is selling out like crazyyy all over LA. I got a big group of my friends together and we all bought our tickets a week and a half ago, and even that early, we had to pick a theater in the valley. (Gasp!) If you're planning on going opening weekend, check ticket availability and showtimes here. 

2.) Watching the trailer many times.

The Hunger Games Trailer from SpineOut on Vimeo.

It gives me chills.  Every time. 

3.) Re-reading the book. 

I read the first book on vacation last July, so I wanted a refresher.  Some people have advised against re-reading a book right before you see the movie because you will be more keenly aware of the differences, however several people I know who have already seen the film say that it is "the most honest portrayal of a book they've ever seen," so I think this will be okay.  Plus, this time around, I am picturing the cast in the roles as I'm reading it, which is a different, vivid experience than when I first read it.  (I think it's even better the second time around).








3.) Listening to this playlist on Spotify.  The sure-to-be-amazing soundtrack (featuring T Swift, The Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, Birdy, Kid Cudi, and many more) comes out today, 3/20, and I fully intend to go buy it on my lunchbreak. In the meanwhile, though, this wonderful soundtrack has kept me occupied. It starts with the haunting T Swift/Civil Wars duet, "Safe & Sound," but the rest of the songs are instrumental.  With titles like "Rue's Lullaby," "The Girl Who Was on Fire," and "Reaping Day," these instrumental beauties really capture and highlight some major plot points.

4.) Painting my nails with Hunger Games nail polish.

That's right.  China Glaze and Lionsgate teamed up to create The Capital Colors Collection with colors for each district based on the district's characteristics (coal for District 12, agriculture for District 11, etc.)  Even though I thought some of the other district's colors were prettier, you KNOW I picked District 12 (shown at left). Holla.












5.) And, finally, I'm listening to and laughing at this hilarious parody song by Holly Laurent (to the tune of Lana Del Rey's song "Video Games").  My savvy brother sent me this video a few weeks ago, and I loved it.  The lyrics are pure gold.

I hope my over-zealous, nerdy-bordering-on-obsessive excitement for this movie has been contagious and that you enjoy it as much as I'm sure I will. ;-)  

May the odds be ever in your favor...

Annie. 

Another Wonderful Weekend With Kayla

Kayla seems to be making a (wonderful) habit of weekend trips to visit me for Bootie LA (and I seem to be making a habit out of blogging about them a month late). Her last visit at the beginning of February was a glorious mix of fun and relaxation. Highlights include a proper Hollywood night out, lots of delicious food (like Masa, Luna Park, The Alcove, Lemonade, In-n-Out Burger and bacon-wrapped street vendor hot dogs), Marcie's invigorating pilates class, Bootie LA, the Taylor Swift concert DVD, a Super Bowl party at a fancy Bev Hills mansion, and a screening at the Academy.

All of these events and more are displayed in Kayla's lovely video scrapbook below... hahah...

Can you belive it's February? from Kayla Krittenbrink on Vimeo.

Already looking forward to our next weekend adventure together, dear. :-)

xoxo, 

Annie.

Essentials for a Bachelor Watch Party

As you may know, I am serious about my watch parties for the ridiculously insane television franchise that is The Bachelor. 

Even though the bachelor this season was sort of an ass and looks like Francine from "Arthur"...

....and he's more than likely going to pick this psycho biatch

...my friends and I love it every single Monday. 

It's hard to believe how fast the season goes by, but tonight is the FINALE.  Therefore, I thought it would an appropriate time to share the key ingredients that make these watch parties a highlight of my week. 

1.) Snarky friends

This is definitely not a show to watch alone. Half the fun is making fun of the hilarious crazies together. There was a brief time when I first moved to LA and didn't have a watch party group, and I would watch the episodes on abc.com alone in my room...I hope to never return to those dark days ever again. We honestly miss about 30% of the dialogue because we are too busy with our own commentary. ;-)

2.) DVR

I don't know what we would do without DVR. The show is 2 hours every Monday, so we don't start watching until it's about 20-30 minutes in, so we can skip all the commercials, making it much more tolerable. 

3.) Food

We have a potluck style party food spread every week, and it never disappoints. We usually have an extra special spread for the premiere and finale episodes (like the chocolate fountain and caviar included in the photo at the left for our premeire party this season). Mid-way through this season we tried to start bringing slightly healthy-ish snacks so we didn't all feel the need to hit the gym for several hours the following day. (That rule doesn't apply to finale night tonight, of course). ;-)

4.) Booze

Wine is our weekly staple in the booze department, but occasionally we mix it up with margs or daquiris if we're feelin' festive. We loosely play a drinking game (although if we strictly adhered to the rules, we'd all be wasted every week) that goes something like this...
Drink every time:

• Someone cries
• Someone says the word "journey"
• Someone says the word "connection"
• Someone says something else overly corny/ridiculous
• Ben's hair looks extra bad 

All these essentials definitely make Mondays MUCH more enjoyable.  My watch party girls and I are so sad when the season is over not to have these built in girls nights every week.  This season isn't even officially over yet and we're already looking forward to the new Bachelorette season coming up in a few months. :-)

If you're not into the show and think it looks completely stupid and ridiculous, you should get a group of friends together and try it out! Here's a good article listing reasons you might just love it. And if you ARE already into it, enjoy the finale tonight! (Here's to hoping he picked the bitchy model and they already broke up.) ;-)

xoxo, 

Annie.

                                          

8:11 February Highlights

February was fantastically fun-filled with family, friends, food and famous people. (and I nerdily love alliteration). I had visits from my darling Kayla and my beloved dad (whom I affectionately call "PJ").  It was also the month of the momentous Oscars (I couldn't take a photo at 8:11 that night, but you take a look at what I was doing at that time on my last blog post). Here are my favorite things that happened at 8:11 pm in February... :-)

8:11- the best surprise...darling Kate who moved to Santa Monica came to CG tonight! "Dont move to the west side...you might as well move to India!" - #shitpeopleinlasay

 
8:11- so wonderful to see my Academy darlings @tcurtis, @elisadaniels, @tenimeli (who are still hard at work...#oscar season).


8:11- pre-gaming and getting ready w/  @kaylashakira. Feels like college!

 
8:11- ready to dance, dance, dance at @bootiemashup LA. Hollaaaaa.


8:11-post-Super Bowl din at @lunaparkla w/ @missmarciemac @garrettfbaker and @kaylashakira.



8:11- just saw Hugo w/ @ellen_godfrey, @godfreytweets and @benjaminfriday at @theacademy.

 
8:11- seeing "the vow" w/ @jinahbean on opening night. #thatgirl. (also-we saw Jim Sturgess here).


8:11- at the fancy schmancy dinner for the Academy sci-tech awards with @garrettfbaker. Cheeeers.


8:11- amazing spread at #thebachelor party tonight.  they make Mondays so much better!


8:11- this is happening... ha. #happyvalentinesday. xoxo.
(For more on my hilarious Valentines Day,  go here).


8:11- Trivia night at public house w/ these awkward boys. Defending our championship!

 
8:11- din and drinks with @derekschulte at bloom cafe. Cheeeeers.

 
8:11- at @kierstenlyons newsies themed costume karaoke party. So. Much. Fun.

 
8:11- discovered a cozy and delicious new spot for dinner tonight w/ my darling Katie. Larchmont Bungalow gets 2 thumbs up.


8:11- PJ (aka my dad "papa John") is in town!! Brought him to Masa to show him the best pizza of all time. :-)

 
8:11- fish and chips and beer w/ PJ at public house. Sad he has to leave tomorrow! :-/

xoxo,

Annie.