Crazy Stupid Love

Tonight, I went and saw Crazy Stupid Love - what I thought was going to just be another rom com. And in fact, I was wrong. Although I was laughing my a*s off at Steve Carell and drooling over Ryan Gosling, I thought it was a great movie with some great meaning behind it. Of course we all know some relationships work and some don't. But I think the movie showed the audience more. When there is love, you don't want to let go.

"When you find the one, you never give up"...a legit quote from the movie.

You might think, ohhh so cliche. But I really like it. It's simple. And I thought I would share with my people. It's really not complicated. Everyone deserves their crazy stupid love and they shouldn't settle for anything less. Move on and don't look back. Usually when you reach this point, that guy or girl gave up on you. It's life and it happens every day but at least it's one step closer to the real thing.

Oh wow, DEEP.

[Photos: snap a booty]

It Is What It Is

Is there ever a time when it's not it is what it is? Or not it was what it was?

Oh life, gotta love it.

[Photos: insatiablycurious.tumblr.com]

Baby Photography

Too cute for words, right? Charlotte from Rainbow Eleven Photography is brilliant at capturing those baby moments that brings happiness into people's lives. Now, I just need my friends to start havin some babies!

[Photos: Rainbow Eleven Photography]

Flower Meanings

I just gave my parents flowers tonight (I know, I'm the best daughter). But I have to admit when deciding on a flower, I had no idea and just grabbed Lilies. How do you decide? And because I can't let any question go unanswered, I turned to Google. Yes, I have a weird Google obsession but I found some interesting flower meanings. Makes you think twice about giving and receiving flowers.

Apple Blossom

Symbolic of heady love, peace, sensuality and fertility. Used as a visual aphrodisiac.

Daffodil

Meanings of faith, honesty, truth, forgiveness and forthrightness. They are ever vigilant in returning each spring. Used as a token of forgiveness or to show appreciation for honesty.

Lily

Represents fertility and nurturing. They symbolize partnerships and long lasting relationships. Give lilies to new mothers and brides-to-be.

Rose

Meanings vary according to color. Symbolic of deep love, concentration, intelligence, balance and passion. Used for healing, rejuvenation and courage. They resemble intense commitment on many levels. Give roses only when you are serious about your intentions.

Sunflower

Symbolic of good luck, wealth and ambition. They resemble new opportunities. Give sunflowers to someone who is working toward a goal and needs a big break in their lives. Also make an excellent housewarming gift.

via Flowers and Meanings

[Photos: Garden Pictures]

Kate Moss's Wedding

Something about Kate Moss looking traditional and genuinely happy is just OFF. I'm so used to looking at magazines and saying "yeah, can't pull that look off". But she's Kate Moss, she can pull off anything...even traditional. Congrats Kate!

[Photos: Glamour.com]

The Best Thing I Never Had

During any holiday, you wish you could be with "that person". But sometimes, you realize it's better alone. Be thankful you realized it. Happy 4th!!!!

The Best Thing I Never Had, Beyonce

Body Language Speaks

True or False? 90% of what you say to the people is non-verbal? True statement. You can have five times more of an effect on a person than the actual words you speak.

Here's the scoop:

The smile. It's the universal sign of acceptance and happiness. A smile that reaches the eye is a genuine smile.

Eye contact. If you catch someone looking at you from across the room, look away and then return their gaze at you again. Hm, something interesting is going on. A direct stare lasting more than a few moments can be considered aggressive or hostile.

When you talk to someone for the first time, are their pupils dilating? When a person is looking at something they are interested in, whether it is a person or an item, their pupils dilate.

Body position. A person interested will often stand with their body facing you directly, expressing they are open to you. Women will most likely play with their hair, swirl it around their finger or toss it over their shoulder. Men tend to stand straighter. Someone interested will attempt to look their best for the person they are engaged with in conversation.

Mirroring. Big sign here. You may notice that the other person is mimicking your movements or gestures. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The person will tilt their head to the side while listening to you speak.

Obviously, this isn't the deal breaker to tell if someone is genuinely interested but it's definitely intriguing info and something to pay attention to.

Via Essortment.com

[Photos: StyleCaster.com]

New Beginnings

Whether you're starting a new job...

Quitting your job...

Moving into a new apartment...

Saying goodbye to a loved one...

Getting over heart break...

Finding new love...

Moving to a new city...

Leaving a place you call "home"...

Celebrating another year on earth...

Letting go of grudges...

CHEERS TO NEW BEGINNINGS.

The Struggle

In New York, they say you're always looking for a job, a boyfriend or an apartment.

Sometimes, you have it all and sometimes a piece of the puzzle is missing.

Truth is, we love 'the struggle'. Each time, we have the opportunity to find something better. Some may say, 'never being satisfied' is not a good quality but I think it's what keeps us motivated.

[Photos: Glitter Glamour 21]

You've Got The Love

Sometimes we take the 'special people' in our lives for granted. Thank them today.

Dedicated to all my friends who make me feel loved and appreciated...every day.

Your Story

The Golden Guide

Take vacation. Relax. Breathe. Put life on hold and make 'finding a restaurant' your biggest problem.

Make time for coffee dates. Learn about someone you just met. Catch up with friends and people you want to get to know. People bring sanity to life.

Make time for yoga. You'll be more fit, energetic, happier and peaceful.

Be adventurous with your wardrobe. It's fun.

Fall in love. Nothing is more beautiful.

Learn to let go of love. In the end, you will learn more about yourself than you think.

Always make time for friends. You can talk to another woman in a way that you could never talk to your husband or your boyfriend. They get you - sometimes more than you get yourself.

Make your family a priority. Call more. Visit more. Share more. They need you just as much you need them.

Read more. Expand your imagination (& vocabulary). The beauty and rhythm of language has the ability to calm and relax us. It's free knowledge.

Cry if you need to. You don't always have to pretend to be strong. There's no need to prove all the time that everything is going well.

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Take time and appreciate everything around you.

Enjoy good food and great conversation. And stop counting calories at every meal.

Taking time for yourself. Indeed, we are social beings but it's important to find happiness outside of society too.

[Photos: We Heart It, Poor Girl Eats Well, City Sports Blog, Trust Your Style, Fashion Born Daily, Creative Photography Magazine, Andrew Woffinden, Face Logic Spa, Goldfishsoldi, Liebemarlene Vintage]

The Woman Who Wears Many Hats

Gwyneth Paltrow. She's not really your average Joe Schmo. The Academy Award-winning actress just came out with a new cookbook, "My Father's Daughter;" she recently transformed her career from 'actor' to 'actor and SINGER' (she sang at the Oscars, at the Grammy's, on TV's Glee and in the movie Country Strong); she was just announced as the new face of Coach and will appear in advertisements in September; she maintains her personal site, GOOP.com, a site about living a better life; she has traveled the world; and she is a devoted mother and loving wife.

Gwyneth was born to Hollywood royalty. Just like many people, I tend to subconsciously stereotype those who are born "with it all." I thought their lives were consumed with getting everything they wanted, they lacked ambition, they abused their power and all of their "highs" in life all at once. I know this is a bold statement but I'm talking Hiltons - people who were born with the inability to understand what "not having it all" means. Of course there always exceptions - Jane Fonda, Ben Stiller, Demi Moore and Goldie Hawn. Luckily, Gwyneth's family is one of the most respected families in Hollywood - a rarity. I believe her family is the reason she has an incredible work ethic and a big heart. Her family is also the reason that when she wanted to start her acting career, it wasn't really considered a battle for her. She got in, no big deal. The real test was actually maintaining her career. And the ultimate test that everyone struggles with is being happy while maintaining your career. And for us non-celebs, maybe it's being happy while waiting for your career to even begin. Maybe it's finding peace and contentment during the unavoidable struggles of life. Just because someone may appear to "have it all," doesn't mean their lives are struggle-free. It's quite possible they may experience struggles more frequently having the world at their fingertips. But some people are able to stop seeing struggles, they start seeing results.

So admit it, I know I'm not the only one who is feeling just a little bit envious right now. Gwyneth seems to always look comfortable in her own skin. She doesn't focus her time on trying to re-invent herself. She knows who she is. People like her because she is real - I think she likes herself because she is real. "Home is where the heart is," is the motto Gwyneth abides by. She understands meaningful relationships are; she's had the same friends since she was 4. It is absolutely difficult to understand the meaning of keeping a balance in your life. It's apparent that Gwyneth gets it. People tend to figure this out the hard way, but a career alone doesn't make you successful. What does success mean to you? To me, success is being satisfied in every aspect of your life, being surrounded by people who love you and who you love back, knowing you made a contribution to the world and living with absolutely no regrets. But it's important to realize success in itself is subjective - it has no real meaning to anyone else but you.

"Everything in my life that's good is because I worked my ass off to get it and to maintain it."

-Gwyneth Paltrow

Always an inspiration to embrace a style of simplicity.

Gwyneth has always been partial to uncomplicated silhouettes, tailored pieces and any solid pattern.

Her style choice coincides with her choice of life.

[Photos: Vogue August 2010, InStyle January 2011, Elle, Sociallitelife, Glamorati]

Beautiful Moments

A glance into a beautiful wedding...

...an elegant, lace bridal gown

...old photos of the bride & groom's parents on their wedding day

...gorgeous satin Badgley Mischka heels

...antique wedding bands

...insanely delicious cupcakes topped with a mini wedding cake

...gray chucks for the bridal party

...simple, neutral table settings

...an array of vases filled with white & poppy pink flowers

...and a brilliant photographer

But what truly made this wedding beautiful was how the bride & groom could not stop smiling - you felt how sincerely happy they were. It's weddings like these that shows true love really does exist.

"We do not remember days. We remember moments." And these moments will never be forgotten.

[Photos: Nathan Peel]

Happy Mother's Day

Mom ("Linny"),

Thank you for telling me you love me every day.

Thank you for the morning news forecast in a text message every day.

Thank you for answering the phone at 3am when I need to talk.

Thank you for being supportive of me in folllowing my dreams.

Thank you for being my Valentine when I don't have one.

Thank you for helping me look at situations in a different light.

Thank you for being spontaneous.

Thank you for telling me, "Jen, it's okay to take a night off."

Thank you for dealing with me...I am different.

Thank you for our yearly fam vaca's!

Thank you for telling me when I am being ridiculous.

Thank you for sending me recipes in the mail.

Thank you for reminding me of all the good things in my life.

Thank you for telling me I am successful.

Thank you for raising me in the midwest!

Thank you for keeping our family so happy.

Thank you for making me non-meat dishes when I come home.

Thank you for laughing at my jokes even when they aren't funny.

Thank you for making me a better person every day.

Don't forget to thank your mother today!

Fade Into You

The short-term illusion of believing that someone else can make you happy.

"Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star

Narcissism

The movie, "Up in the Air" is a movie I find interesting. It shows obsession with motivation, but also shows how disclosure of one's feelings becomes destructive.

The main character, Ryan is constantly traveling, constantly in the air. When he touches ground, it's only to lay off people and off he goes again. 'To know me is to fly with me' is Ryan's motto. If something does not provide him with miles, it is of no value to him.

The interesting part of the movie is when he decides to disclose his feelings for Vera. However, it ends badly. When the fantasy of his relationship with Vera breaks, it's too much of a responsibility for Ryan to handle so he disappears.

Ryan is a narcissist. They are often emotionally cold and distant in their relationships. In the beginning of relationships, they appear to be very loving and happy. But after a while, things start to change and the mask begins to unfold. You might think how is it possible this person who expressed eternal love towards Vera doesn't care anymore. Ryan truly feels he loves Vera but because of his inability to experience deep emotion, it only lasts for a brief moment...and his never-ending search for excitement continues.

At the end of the movie, the scene cuts to clouds - it's the moment when the audience gets to think about what they want in their life.

Click here to learn more about narcissism & relationships.

King of Anything

Keep drinkin coffee stare me down across the table

While I look outside

So many things I'd say if only I were able

But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by

You've got opinions man we're all entitled to

But I never asked

So me thank you for your time

And try not to waste any more of mine

And get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe

But I'm not drowning

There's no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree, you are not me

Who made you king of anything?

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died, and made you king of anything

You sound so innocent all full of good intent

Swear you know best

But you expect me to jump up on board with you

Right off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost with no direction

But you'll never see

You're so busy making maps

And put name on them in all caps

You've go the talking down

Just not the listening

Who cares if you disagree, you are not me

Who made you king of anything?

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died, and made you king of anything

All my life I've tried

To make everybody happy while I

Just hurt and hide waitin for someone to tell me

It's my turn to decide

Who cares if you disagree, you are not me

Who made you king of anything?

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died, and made you king of anything?

So you dare tell me who to be

Who died, and made you king of anything

Let me hold your crown babe