Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 74

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Laura

The weekly roundup of awesome ways to waste your time on the interwebs:

20 Hilarious Pinterest Fails. Nailed it.
ONE WEEK, people! Arrested Development Season 4 Trailer. Also, make sure to take a deep dive into Vulture’s analysis of the trailer.
We all know show Robb is way better than book Robb, so this is appropriate: Crush of the Week: Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden.
Incredibly detailed and oddly fascinating chart: American English Dialects.
This post is a fascinating read from a man who gave up the internet for a year. I love that it goes someplace completely different than expected, and that it totally avoids the predictable “the internet is ruining us” conclusion. Very thought-provoking.
43 Things That Will Make You Feel Old. Whoever wrote this was spot-on about #1 – it is very traumatic.
The Office had its ups and downs over the years, but I was still sad to see it end this week. I love this behind the scenes look at the set via Ellie Kemper.
Really interesting: Inequality and New York’s Subway.
I wish I had quit my last job with a resignation cake.
I could not love Jon Hamm any more than I do at this moment: Jon Hamm on Sesame Street.

(Image via Vulture, perfectly summing up the brilliance of this season of Mad Men)

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 73

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Laura

The weekly rundown of internet gems:

I’m planning on seeing The Great Gatsby this weekend, but regardless of whether the film is good or bad, I know one thing: its soundtrack is amazing. Seriously, listening to this on repeat got me through the last half of finals.
So cringe-worthy: The 21 Most Awkward Moments in Handshake History. The Ryan Seacrest one is still one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.
This video is very cute, but at the same time, every time I watch it, I’m super anxious and scared for the puppies. Is that normal? Puppies vs. Stairs: The Ultimate Supercut. Also, the pug hopping up the stairs at the end kills me.
Is it too much for me to ask that this happens at Michigan’s Bell Tower? Game of Thrones Theme Played from University Bell Tower.
Laughing at Ryan Lochte never gets old for me.
38 Maps You Never Knew You Needed. It’s true.
Post-Oscar season, there had been a distinct shortage of awesome Jennifer Lawrence moments in my life. This week brought the remedy to that: Jennifer Lawrence Wins the Met Ball.
This week, in Arrested Development news: Bluth’s Banana Stand From Arrested Development Is Now Real and Maybe Headed Your Way. If this is in New York when I’m there, I’m clearly going.
Politics aside, I find the Bush family oddly endearing. Exhibit A: love letters between George and Barbara.
Things like this are why we all love the internet: Ryan Gosling Won’t Eat His Cereal.

(Image via New York Magazine)

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 72

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Laura

The weekly roundup of awesomeness:

As a little girl, I was obsessed with American Girl dolls – in large part because, as a history nerd in training, I loved reading the books and learning about each doll’s time period. Today, American Girls are more like oversized Barbies; that is, shallow and superficial. This article nails it: American Girls Aren’t Radical Anymore.
My Arrested Development hysteria continues to mount as little tidbits about the upcoming Netflix season start to emerge. For instance: this clip and these posters. Cannot. Wait.
The law geek in me loves this: What’s the Most Important Supreme Court Case No One’s Ever Heard Of? (And, for the record, I’ve heard of/read all of them except one).
Europe, in 9 Walks. Want to do all of these, especially the Paris Promenade.
I never did a full semester study abroad program, but I did two summer ones and this list is so true: The 50 Best Study Abroad Memes (The Jon Hamm one!!)
Great moments in the playoff history of the Detroit Red Wings. I vividly, vividly remember watching #4 with my friends.
These are great: 27 Middle-Class Problems. #24 and #27 killed me.
Stuff like this is why France is great: French Bus Drivers to Go on Strike in Protest of Their New Uniform Because the Trousers Are Too Tight.
I marathon re-watched Sex and the CIty a few months ago and realized that the show is just not holding up well with time (seriously, I’m in my 20s and my maturity level is light years ahead of the women in their late 30s and early 40s on that show). To that end, can we all agree that Carrie Bradshaw is pretty much the worst? For example: 27 Ways You Are Not Carrie Bradshaw.
And in conclusion, this is why Emma Stone is the best ever.

27 for 27: First Quarter Check

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Laura

In the name of keeping accountable, I decided to task myself with quarterly check-ins for my 27 for 27 list; I figured that tracking my progress was the best way to make sure I actually got this list done (as opposed to the colossal failure that was my 26 for 26 list). So, where am I at so far?

1 – Take a cooking class: Incomplete. My plan is to do something at Zingerman’s this fall (I’m thinking macarons or pretzels).

2 – Create a Blurb photo book with some of my Instagram photos: Incomplete, but I’m intentionally holding off on this one so I can use photos from my August trip to Ireland and London.

3 – Mail at least one card (or postcard) per month: In progress – I’m on track so far. Here’s a sampling (I did not intentionally buy cards in the same color palette, I swear!):

4 – Read 27 new-to-me books: In progress. I’ve read six (see here and here), so I need to pick up the pace a bit. Luckily…finals are almost over!

5 – Do Project Life: In progress. I’m also a bit behind on this one (Weeks 1-4 are done), so again – I need to pick up the pace.

6 – Learn to knit: Incomplete. I haven’t even thought about doing this one yet; it probably won’t get done until the fall.

7 – Walk at 10,000 steps per day and track it on my FitBit: In progress. Slightly below average due to a few too many days spent almost entirely at the library or studying, but I’ve been doing much better in recent weeks. Funny how having nothing to do but prepare for finals suddenly makes exercising sound more appealing!

8 – Visit a cider mill in the fall: Incomplete, but as the task name suggests, I can’t do it until the fall anyway.

9 – Visit grandma’s grave on Mackinac Island: Incomplete, but I’m hoping to make a trip over fall break in October.

10 – Take fall photos around campus in Ann Arbor: Incomplete, but again – this is one I obviously can’t do now.

11 – Go to an outdoor movie this summer in NYC: Incomplete, but on the agenda for this summer.

12 – See a riverdancing show in Ireland: Incomplete, but I have tickets booked so this is definitely happening!

13 – Walk the Highline in NYC: Done, and I can’t believe I haven’t done this before! You can read about my walk here (and I’m sure I’ll be back many times this summer).

14 – Make spaghetti alla gricia: Incomplete, and I’m wishing it weren’t – I love this meal. And think about it is making me want to go back to Rome.

15 – Cold brew my own coffee: Incomplete. Waiting until it gets warm so I can make iced coffee.

16 – Eat at Union Woodshop in Clarkston: Done! It was a really tasty meal; you can read about it here.

17 – Go to a Tiger’s game: Incomplete. I have tickets for the May 12th game, though, so it’s happening soon!

18 – Try 3 DIY beauty masks/home remedies: In progress – one down, two to go. I’ll do a post when I finish all three, but for now, here’s a preview of my first:

19 – Eat at Ottolenghi in London: Incomplete, but I already made my reservation. Can’t wait for this one.

20 – Come up with a better (non-Pinterest) way to organize the million recipes I have bookmarked: In progress. I think I’ve decided it’s going to be Paprika, but I have to implement my plan (minor detail, right?)

21 – Make paella: Incomplete. And I’m now craving paella in addition to spaghetti alla griccia.

22 – Visit the DIA: Done! Read about my wonderful afternoon at the DIA here.

23 – See The Book of Mormon on Broadway: Incomplete, but I bought the tickets for my sister and I (and actually scoring tickets to this show is like 95% of the battle).

24 – Go to a Michigan hockey game: Incomplete. This one will have to be done next fall/winter.

25 – Make pizza dough from scratch: Done, many, many times. I haven’t posted about it yet, but here’s a preview:

26 – Watch the Godfather trilogy: Incomplete. I’ve watched the first, but I want to rewatch it and then marathon the other two.

27 – Blog this list, including quarterly progress checks: In progress, obviously!

In summary, that’s 4 completely done, 7 in progress, and 16 incomplete. Overall, I’m behind from where I had hoped to be, BUT I’m doing way better this year than last. So that’s progress, right?

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 71

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Laura

The weekly roundup of internet awesomeness:

The creativity of people never fails to amaze me. Here are just two examples: Instagram food art and creative maps.
I’ve always maintained that Lucille was my favorite character on Arrested Development, and this is a good reminder of why: 28 Ways to Live Life Like Lucille Bluth.
And, my favorite Parks and Rec character would clearly be Ron Swanson, who says the best stuff.
This is fascinating: Photos of Children From Around the World With Their Most Prized Possessions.
You know how, if you’re a food blogger, you write a post and try to come up with a clever little introductory hook before giving the recipe? Well, everyone can stop doing that now, because nobody will ever top this: Cuban Sandwiches: Don’t Mess with the Bey.
So good: professor tells student to “Get Your Sh@t Together.” Totally, totally agree with the professor here.
Not even sure what to say about this: Here’s a GIF of Joe Biden Set to “Return of the Mack.” (Who else remembers this song fondly? Hello, mid-’90s!)
I’ve never really understood the Lana Del Rey hype (or the Lana Del Rey hate, for that matter), but I’m loving her new song from the Gatsby soundtrack.
Game of Thrones Actors Doing Normal Stuff Is So Weird. It really is.
File this under “completely useless things that I don’t need, but really really want”: Arrested Development Engraved Pencil Pack.

(Image via Buzzfeed)

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 70

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Laura

Hipster Daenerys is into horse meat, as well as these 10 other things that are awesome:

This is a gem: The Letter Bill Clinton Wrote to Chris Webber After the Timeout Fiasco.
Do you watch Nashville? The show is generally pretty great, but this moment from a few weeks ago gave me chills (and, cough cough, possibly made me cry a little). Then once you watch that, why not fall down the YouTube rabbit hole and watch their other videos? Like this and this and this.
Paris, stop being so beautiful: The Quiet City.
Adding the new Romeo and Juliet to my list of must-see movies.
Julia Child is one of my favorite people, ever. Here’s why: Top 20 Julia Child Quotes. #8, people. #8.
11 Incredibly Important Photos of a Baby Covered in French Bulldog Puppies. Dying. Equally Important? 28 Pictures of Golden Retriever Puppies That Will Brighten Your Day.
Fascinating: 15 Vintage Celebrity Passports.
It seems like every website is doing weekly Mad Men recaps these days, but I think this one is possibly the best. So clever!
This week was the worst, and The Onion gets it (as per usual). Also, on a related note: WTF, Senate???
And, if you need a laugh after the awfulness that was this week, why not have it at Ryan Lochte’s expense? This news anchor did. Jeah!

(Image via Mashable)

Tuesday Top Ten: Favorite Movie Lines

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Laura

I haven’t done a Tuesday Top Ten list in a very, VERY long while, but recently I was watching a movie (My Best Friend’s Wedding) while procrastinating on studying, and I was inspired by a particularly funny scene to make this list. Specifically, it got me thinking about my favorite lines from movies – the ones that have stuck with me over the years, whether for being poignant, wise, or (in most cases) hilarious. These lines aren’t necessarily from the movies I consider best, but they are the bits of dialogue I find the most memorable and often wind up quoting with alarming frequency.

(1) Inception:

The Line: “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”
Why It’s Great: Nobody is more suave than Tom Hardy, amirite?! I also like this quote because, thinking beyond the context of the movie itself, it’s just solid life advice in general.

(2) When Harry Met Sally:

The Line: “I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Why It’s Great: I had to pick at least one unabashedly cheesy romantic comedy moment for this list, and there’s no better choice than the ending monologue from my all-time favorite movie. It is, quite simply, perfection.

(3) 500 Days of Summer:

The Line: “Who’s Lars from Norway?” “Just some guy she met at the gym with Brad Pitt’s face and Jesus’ abs.”
Why It’s Great: I love Tom’s little sister, who dispenses words of wisdom way beyond her age bracket throughout this movie. Plus, the mental image of a guy with both Brad Pitt’s face and Jesus’s abs is priceless.

(4) Love Actually:

The Line: “We need Kate, and we need Leo. And we need them now.”
Why It’s Great: The father/son relationship in Love Actually is one of the most unexpectedly wonderful parts of the film. And, don’t we all know exactly how it feels to be depressed and to need a little Kate and Leo now?!

(5) My Best Friend’s Wedding:

The Line: “Crème brulée can never be Jell-O. YOU could never be Jell-O.”
Why It’s Great: When it comes to describing relationships and compatibility, this is a great analogy, and the barely concealed venom with which Julia Roberts delivers it to Cameron Diaz is perfect. (Unrelated side note: In this movie, Julia Roberts’s character is supposed to be 27. Twenty-seven! AKA, my age! My mind is officially blown/I feel old).

(6) Little Women:

The Line: “Jo, how could you, your one beauty!”
Why It’s Great: I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but Little Women holds a special place in my heart; it’s just one of those movies that I’ve loved since I was a child. What I’ve always found special about the film is that it’s a mixture of sentimentality, drama, and moments – like this one – that make me laugh. It’s also utterly quotable; my family has been saying variations on this line to each other for years (which makes us sound mean, I know, but trust me – we say it with love).

(7) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:

The Line: “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
Why It’s Great: This comes from what is easily my least favorite movie on the list, but despite my apathy toward the film, this quote has always stuck with me. Perhaps it’s cheesy, but I think it’s pretty profound and true as well.

(8) Bridesmaids:

The Line: “There’s a colonial woman on the wing. She’s churning butter.”
Why It’s Great: The entire airplane scene in Bridesmaids is hilarious and could generate its very own Top Ten list of quotations. Narrowing it down to just this one was tough, but there’s something about the colonial woman (in traditional garb!) that just gets me. Runners up: “Help me, I’m poor” and “It’s called civil rights. This is the 1990s.”

(9) Gladiator:

The Line: “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.”
Why It’s Great: Because this is one of the most badass verbal smackdowns in the history of movies. You tell them, Maximus. Respect.

(10) Bridget Jones’s Diary:

The Line: “Wait a minute… nice boys don’t kiss like that.” “Oh, yes, they f*&$ing do.”
Why It’s Great: Colin Firth is a god among men. The end.

What are your favorite movie lines?

(Image Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10)

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 69

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Laura

In case you weren’t certain of the above photograph’s importance, let me explain: it’s Wolverine with wolverines! Oh, the cuteness. Here are 10 more things that are awesome:

All of these places sound awesome and fascinating: A World of Secret Watering Holes.
I love Joe Biden. That is all.
This guy takes latte art to a whole new level.
This is a very cool idea for a photo project: Someone Once Told Me.
This video will make you a Michael Buble fan.
Some, er, very unique Cake Ideas.
Excellent prank: Watch This Man Dressed Like a Coffee Shop Chair Freak Out a Lot of People.
Though I’ve tried (in vain) to convince people that 27 does not constitute “late twenties,” nobody believes me, so I’m trying to come to terms with it. On that note: Life in Your Early 20s Vs. Your Late 20s. Very true.
As a veteran of seven years of Catholic school, I have to agree with this list: 24 Signs You Went to Catholic School.
I’m still emotionally scarred from The Game on Monday night, but also really proud of our team. Here’s why: The Pain of Losing Well: Michigan’s Heartbreak. (Also, on a happier note: Spike!)

(Image source)

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 68

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Laura

The weekly roundup of internet finds:

The next time you feel sad, just remember the joy exuded by the Happiest Penguin Ever.
Yes, I am well aware this is a week late, but: 21 Vintage Easter Cards That Will Totally Creep You Out.
I mean this in the non-stalker-iest way possible, but…who wants to come stalk Ryan Gosling’s film set with me? Anyone?
I laughed so hard at this that I probably scared my neighbors: Family Feud Fails.
This guy is ridiculously talented, and this video is spot-on: Disney After Ever After.
I have literally been reading Roger Ebert’s movie reviews since I was a little girl (I used to read them every Friday in our local paper), so I was sad to hear of his death. I thought about linking to one of the many tribute articles that have sprung up for him, but in the end, I think his own words are the most poignant: I Do Not Fear Death.
Yep, yep, yep: Stop Instagramming Your Perfect Life. (Okay, full disclosure, I agree with everything this article says, but I will never stop Instagramming).
A new Gatsby trailer, this time with a little Beyonce and Florence & the Machine thrown in for good measure. There is absolutely no way that this movie is going to live up to my insanely high expectations, but…doesn’t it look incredible?
Brilliant illustrations: See Game of Thrones Reimagined As Mad Men, Seinfeld, and Arrested Development.
Too cute: little Kirsten Dunst and “Joey” Gordon-Levitt on Celebrity Jeopardy. Aww!

(Image via Vulture)

Things That Are Awesome, Vol. 67

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Laura