Girl's Guide to Movies

Here's the part where I admit to the internets that I've only seen the HP movies and I've never read the books. I'll lower my head in shame here and tell you that I don't think I can adequately review the movie based on that fact. So remember as I discus further, I don't have an amazingly well written book to compare and contrast, I only have the 5 other films.

(I plan to start reading the series as soon as a friend loans me book 1. I know I'm super late in the game, but I'm excited to begin reading and I know I'll love them.)

Anyway.. moving on to the review. I loved the movie! The actors are growing into young adults and having new emotions which creates fun new romantic story lines. There's a lot of humor in this book including an hilarious scene where Harry takes a potion to make him "lucky". There is suspense, and a scene so scary that I jumped and grabbed Peter's arm. And another scene so sad that I was in tears. HP 6 has all the things; humor, romance, suspense, and emotion that make a great film. My completely unbiased to the book opinion on the movie is that it was awesome. I can't wait to read the books so I can find out more about the story!

Girl's Grade: A
Boy's Grade: A-

Snapshots of a Summer Evening

A drive up the mountains on the back of the motorcycle.

A beautiful sunset.

Quality time with my husband.

Priceless.

A Taco & A Truck

Have you heard about Kogi? If you don't live in LA you might not have gotten hip to the taco truck phenomenon yet, but I hear it's taking the nation by storm. Maybe there will be some traveling restaurants in ole' Ohio some time soon!

Anyway, Kogi is a Korean BBQ taco truck that travels all over Los Angeles. You can find Kogi's locations by following them on twitter. How 2009 is that?!

Last week, Peter and I ventured out for our first Kogi experience at Space 1520 on Cahuenga Blvd. The line wasn't as long as I expected and was enjoyable because the truck has a pretty sweet sound system and was blaring some music.

I ordered three tacos (chicken, spicy pork, and spicy ribs) and a diet coke for $8. What a deal. The food was absolutely delicious! I can't wait to go back and try more things at Kogi (like the burriotos, quesadillas, CUPCAKES!, and the kogi dog).


There are so many cool things in this city! As Randy Newman so elequently put it, "I love LA.. I love it!"

The Jamin Fund

Please take some time this weekend to check out this video made by my good friend Parker Wilson. The Jamin Fund was started in memory of his brother Jamin Wilson. This video is powerful, emotional, and will probably have you crying. I promise you it will make you want to get off the couch and go to Kenya right this second to help, at least that's what it made me want to do!

The Jamin Fund: School Building at Pimbiniet from Parker Wilson on Vimeo.

Thank you to Parker for sharing your work with us, it is inspirational.

Biker Chic

Have I mentioned that we're a one car family? When we traveled across the country to move to LaLa Land we sold Peter's VW golf. We kept our VW passat but another car wasn't really in the cards for us at this point so Peter ended up buying an oldish motorcycle on craigslist. Yes, my husband is a biker dude (that wears converse tennis shoes and drives volkswagens) but nonetheless, a biker dude.

Anyway, Peter recently passed the motorcycle test and can now carry passengers on his bike. I've been wanting to ride on the bike but we hadn't gotten around to buying a helmet yet. On Saturday while I was at work my sweet husband went out and bought me the cutest, pinkest, most perfect helmet so I can ride the bike with him! I absolutely love it.


Although riding a motorcycle can be very dangerous you have my promise that Peter is an extremely safe driver. Riding a motorcycle in LA is extremely convenient -- it's easy to find parking, bypass traffic, and get around the city much quicker than in a car. Also, my pink helmet is awfully cute.

Summer Essentials (Part 2)

I thought of another thing I couldn't live without this summer. Another "summer essential" if you will.

Friday night, half price, sushi!


I love sushi. I could eat it every single day. We've found some great places that offer "happy hour" on sushi and it's half price and amazingly delicious!

What am I doing this evening? Going out for sushi of course, and then maybe a stop for my first diddy riese. I've decided that I can't live another day in LA without trying this delicious treat.

Girl's Guide to Movies

Remember when I told you I read the book? I loved the book. I liked the movie. The book and the movie do not go hand in hand. While a lot of things are similar there are very big parts of the movie that are different then the book. When I say big parts I mean like the ending and the point of the ENTIRE book. The fact that the ending and a bunch of other details are different than the book obviously bothered me. It didn't bother me enough to tell you that I didn't enjoy (and when I say enjoy I mean ball my eyes out) the movie. I really did like the movie, if you're looking for a good cry, well.. see this movie. I pretty much cried through the entire movie. I thought the actors were good representations of the characters in the book. If you never read the book, and you're a woman who likes to cry, you'll love this movie!

Girls Grade: B
(The boy did not see this movie but I don't think he would have given it a very good grade.)

Bullet Points

I'm super busy at work this week, so I think this is one of my only moments to blog. I'm going to try to fit a few things in. Maybe you'll get some bullet points. Let's see...

• I had an incredibly lazy weekend. This was due to the fact that I had a migraine pretty much all weekend. I think said migraine came from lack of water in-take and a heat wave in So Cal. I was pretty miserable and spent a lot of the weekend sleeping.

• Did I tell you guys that a got a Gucci bag at Crossroads for 35 dollars? Oh, well I did and she's beautiful.
  

• I also don't think I've mentioned that I'm watching the Bachelorette this season (would you really expect anything less?) I obviously thought Wes was a tool. I was creeped out by the angry guy from Ohio (LOL) and I really loved Reid. I think I wanted Reid to win. Now, I don't really know what I want. I think I like Kypton. Maybe I don't. Did I mention I super bad at making decisions?
  

• Lastly, I think searching for flights is one of the most annoying things in the world. How the heck do I actually find the best deal? Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.
  

On that note, I'm heading to bed. I have to be at work super early in the morning. I'll leave you with a picture of my beautiful new home which I've grown to love oh so much..

Aww..

Yesterday this guy..



Surprised me at work with these..



And took me to dinner at..



(I realize the dinner isn't the most romantic spot, but it's one of our favorites.)

It was a great surprise.

I hope you have a surprisingly wonderful weekend!

Girl's Guide to Movies

I enjoy Johnny Depp & Christian Bale. What could go wrong in a movie with both of them in the lead roles? Well, a lot. I didn't really like this movie. Too much shooting, not enough story line, too many characters for me to ever figure out who's who. I did like the love story between Johnny and Billie. It's sweet, charming, and brings a little light into a movie that is mostly filled with dark, depressing scenes. Another part of the movie that is mildly entertaining is the humor that is brought in when the rob a bank. At the beginning you think the criminals are going to be funny, but they aren't. They're only funny when robbing a bank. Ironic. Throughout the movie I thought, "this must be a boy movie, I hope Peter's enjoying it" but it turns out he didn't like it very much either. Sadly, I wouldn't suggest seeing this movie.

Girl's Grade: D-
Boy's Grade: D

Movies I WOULD suggest seeing this summer: The Hangover, The Proposal, My Sister's Keeper, Away We Go, 500 Days of Summer (I'll be reviewing more of these films in the next few weeks!)

Party Time! Excelent!

My fourth of July weekend was simply perfect. Time was spent at the beach, the mall, and with friends. I don't think there's much more I could ask for (except maybe an appearance by my family, I miss them.)

(I think I'm turning into one of those girls you wish they all could be... yes I'm turning into a California girl. I crave spending every day at the beach, my hair just can't get too long or blonde, and I say things like "rad" "stoked" and "the freeway.")

Moving on.. some of my dear girlfriends rent a house in Venice. To my mid-western folks that doesn't seem strange, but hanging out at a house is totally foreign to LA people. We're constantly cramped in our one bedroom apartments trying to squeeze a party in here and there. The house girls were kind enough to throw a 4th of July party equipped with TONS of space and even more food. I think there was food covering every party of the kitchen, dining room, and outdoor eating area.


We ate ourselves silly, played games (Cornhole! hello Ohio!), did some daytime drinking, and walked to the beach for the fireworks. I have to be completely honest with you, the firework situation in the Venice/Santa Monica beach area is sub-par to say the least. I propose to you city counsel people that are reading this dear ole blog that next year you invest in some fireworks because come on, who doesn't want to watch fireworks sitting on the beach.

Summer Essentials

An awesome California blogger, Lyndsy, over at Yellow Brick Blog has been featuring different bloggers "summer essentials" all week. I thought I'd join in on the fun and tell you all about some of my summer essentials.

*What one item can you not live without this summer?

This summer I can't live without my black ray-ban sunglasses (ok, mine are fakies, but the real ones are so cute) or my tan rainbow sandals. Both scream "summer at the beach" which is where I plan to spend every day off this summer.

*What are you craving for summer 2009?


This summer I'm craving a week at a beach house in Newport Beach. I don't think it's actually going to happen but I think it would be an amazing summer vacation. I picture spending all day at the beach and all night grilling out, drinking cocktails, and enjoying friends.

*What is your essential summer album for 2009?


Anything by one of my new favorite bands, Vampire Weekend, they are the perfect southern California summer-lovin band.

What are you summer essentials? Let me know, I'd love to find some new things to try and new bands to love this summer!

Date Night

Tonight I had a great date with Peter. It left me smiling for hours.

My favorite "date" is not the normal, get dressed up, go out to dinner and a movie type date (but don't get me wrong, that's tons of fun too). My favorite date with Peter is make an early dinner at home, (tonight we had yummy baked chicken and green bean casserole) go for a walk at the park near our apartment, go to the mall that's across the street to spend a few hours at Barnes & Noble. We've been having dates at book stores ever since we first started dating. Our favorite thing to do is choose some books or magazines, find a couch, and settle in for some reading. We also enjoyed a Starbucks iced coffee and a yummy m&m blondie. Then we came home and lounged together doing separate things, together. That sounds like somewhat of an oxymoron but I love when I can feel close to my hubby even though I'm watching the Bachelorette and he's doing work on the computer or he's playing Tiger Wood's while I blog (what we're currently doing, haha). Tonight was comfortable and relaxed.

What's your favorite date night activity? I'd love some more cheap & fun alternatives to dinner & a movie!

The 5th of July

I made a 5th of July resolution today.

5th of July resolutions are kind of like new years resolutions, but they happen on the day after independence day.

I am getting back to my blog.

I've been neglecting her. She is sad. I am sad. My readers (also known as "mom") are sad.

Life is great in LaLa Land. I still love California, and I still have a lot to say.

Ali in LaLa Land is back, and better than ever, baby.

Anyone else have any 5th of July resolutions?