top 5 tuesday

This particular top 5, a list of my favorite Brits, has been brewing in my head for weeks. Perhaps I've been overexposed, what with all of the television and movie coverage of several of these favorites as of late. I do have a well-documented love of all things British, though, so it should come as no surprise that I have particular favorite individuals. It's not just about the literature, historical landmarks, or yogurt for me (seriously, the yogurt in England is unlike any other-I would ship it to myself by the truckload if possible).

5. Kate Winslet. She's the only lady on my list, and for good reason. I have adored her since she heartily admonished Hugh Grant's Edward Ferrars to read Shakespeare with more feeling in Sense and Sensibility and passionately wandered the English countryside in the rain just to observe the home of lost love and gold-digging scalawag Willoughby. Besides possessing a considerable amount of talent, Kate is admirable for not giving in to the super-thin Hollywood actress stereotype. She takes on gutsy, challenging roles and is not afraid to sacrifice how she looks. Which is luminously beautiful, by the way. Love her.

4. Hugh Laurie. An incredible actor. His talent is astounding, especially considering that he was best known in England for his comedic roles, while now snagging repeated Emmy nominations here for his role as the pill-popping, high maintenance genius of the eponymous House M.D. As House, he is simultaneously infuriating and funny, but somehow manages to make the viewer pity his lonely existence. Quite masterful, not to mention all done with a pitch-perfect American accent. Seriously, it's the BEST accent you've ever heard. In fact, when he auditioned for House, the producers/writers/powers that be apparently had no clue he was British, and were shocked to hear him speak naturally after the audition. Let's not belabor the sad fact that a group of talented writers and producers were unaware of Laurie's noted celebrity and renown in his homeland. Couldn't they at least have dredged up the memory of his tiny role on Friends as the grouchy passenger highly irritated with Rachel's shenanigans as she flew to London to stop Ross's wedding?

3. Chris Martin. Oh, my beloved Chris. The man behind the band that I adore, the driving force and inspiration behind some of the world's greatest songs. Stupendous musician. Husband of Gwyneth, father of Moses and Apple (two tiny carbon copies of himself, by the way). To add the to the growing list of qualities I admire? He's not afraid to make fun of himself, as evidenced from this hilarious turn on Extras.

2. Jamie Oliver. I'm not sure that there has ever been a chef/television personality more appealing than Jamie Oliver. He manages to be funny, charming, and inspirational all at once, rattling off quick, easy, and delectable recipes that make the viewer (or reader) feel as if it's a piece of cake to make a lovely dinner for your family without spending too much money or time. I adore hearing him chat about his daughters (Poppy, Daisy, and Petal) or wife Jools, and of course am completely smitten when he tosses about common English sayings like "tuck in." I thought it would be impossible for me to love him more, and then Jamie's Food Revolution came along. I am a fan for LIFE.

1. Robert Pattinson. I must confess, I waffled back and forth about placing Rob at the number one spot thinking SURELY Jamie deserves it and for goodness sake, I've admired him for longer and he certainly has a more solidified, respectable reputation. It's certainly less embarrassing to put Rob at the #2 spot. He is, after all, a recently discovered talent who shot to fame by taking on the role of a much beloved romantic character. We really haven't seen what he can do, so to speak. However, honesty must prevail on this blog of mine, and Rob is simply my favorite. That is my truth! For the record, my admiration is not at ALL due to his physical appearance. I happen to think that he's got quite a bit of potential, both musically and theatrically. He takes himself a bit too seriously, granted, but he is tremendously appealing in interviews and legitimate publications. Goofy, funny, self-deprecating, and wildly unprepared for his current status as a worldwide movie star. Additional points granted for almost exclusively taking on literary roles and keeping his Kindle with him at all times. Yes, I know that he has a Kindle. My celebrity knowledge is exhaustive, seemingly without limit.

I must now away to my study to continue my close reading of Sir Walter Scott's The Antiquary. How appropriate!

Top 5 Tuesday

Apparently, I'm the sort of person who decided to post weekly lists when she feels like it. When I posted about bringing back my Top 5 Tuesdays, I must have meant that they will return when I have time. As though I'm busy planning my days like Frank in Old School, nice little Saturday plans when I "might not have time" to get to Home Depot. Geez, I need to get my act together.

You might forgive me when you see that I had to search through my voluminous Kings of Leon library to come up with a perfect Top 5 list. Ever since I discovered them for myself, courtesy of (you guessed it), Pretty Cheap Dress, I have been unable to eliminate them from my daily routine. My love for the wild band of southern brothers (+ 1 cousin) is different from my adoration for, say Coldplay. Instead of a mature, intellectual sort of admiration, I have to admit that I'm more like a raging groupie. P.S. I'm not proud.

In honor of my SH getting up at the crack of dawn to face Live Nation and obtain summer concert tickets for us, I decided I should throw together a list of favorites, the perfect combination for the uninitiated. I'll tell you right now that I'm not a fairweather fan-I know each album in and out, not simply the one that's landed them in the Itunes Top 100. These songs are a good representative example of the work of a singular, incredible band that I hope is around for a very long time.

P.P.S. I apologize in advance for using a solo picture as a header. I couldn't resist-the Rolling Stone shoot was just too full of goodness. Indecisive me=default picture of Caleb

5. Pistol of Fire. My favorite Kings album is the second, Aha Shake Heartbreak, which is virtually bursting with good songs like this one. I feel that it perfectly exemplifies two things I love about KOL: Caleb's sensual whine (yes, I just typed that, and no, there is no better way to describe it) and the pure southern rock feel of their music.

4. Red Morning Light. From their first full-length release, Youth and Young Manhood, this song is a good example of the early Kings: kind of raunchy and growly, with genuine musical talent backing them up.

3. On Call. You might have noticed that not a single one of these songs is new to my blog. They've all been featured on my seasonal playlists in some way or have cropped up in one of a hundred references to my best friend and her musical prowess. When I endeavored to think of my favorites, however, these just kept coming up. On Call is by far the most "Top 40 friendly" as I like to say, akin to the extremely poplar KOL single Use Somebody, but that doesn't mean it's not AWESOME. I like to think of it as a "power ballad" of sorts, and imagine they're singing to me.

2. Revelry. Incidentally, it was this little gem of a song that was my real introduction to the Kings. That's Pretty Cheap Dress for you-she picks out an obscure tune from an as-then fairly unfamiliar band and proclaims that they are simply "the BEST" (Let it be known, I'm completely aware that Kings of Leon had a huge fan base before they became commercially successful in America). My adoration for the Kings is unique in that they're one of the only bands that I find myself completely ignoring the lyrics for the most part, becoming swept up in the feeling of the music. This song is an exception. "Just know it was you all along who had a hold of my heart..." "With the hardest of hearts, I still feel full of pain..." Can you resist it? I don't think so!

1. Taper Jean Girl. Most shameful confession: I heard this song for the first time while watching Disturbia, a movie I've seen numerous times because of my inexplicable affinity for Shia La Beouf. I can tell you that I'll always love the movie all the more for including Taper Jean Girl, which is truly all things Kings of Leon: slightly bawdy, upbeat and rockin', and totally addictive. I literally cannot get enough of it.

I'll be in the pit, screaming out the words to every song, wearing my KOL garb, this summer. I cannot WAIT.

the return of Top 5 Tuesday-Oscar edition

I have decided to turn over a new leaf, quite literally. I've been spending the last few days attacking my vegetable and flower beds, plotting spots for greens and blooms, and scraping inch-thick layers of mud from my shoes. My SH has really been my motivating factor, cheerfully hoisting bags of planting mix into our trunk and ruminating on the satisfaction of sitting in the sun with a pile of begonias ready to plant. It turns out, as usual, that he's right. I find gardening to be HUGELY therapeutic. And here in California, you're rewarded for your effort practically instantaneously.

All of this talk of gardening is meant to bring me back to my main purpose-getting back to my beloved blogging routine. INCLUDING Top 5 Tuesdays. Though I'm sure no one has kept count, it's been something like 25 weeks since I've thrown together a list. I have chosen Oscar fashion for my triumphant return.

5. Maggie Gyllenhaal. I'm pretty sure that my BFF Rose would be proud of me for this selection. It's the most fashion-forward of my choices. I can see why some might recoil at the crazy pattern, but I think Maggie pulled it off. Plus, the bustle-y back should give critics pause.

4. Demi Moore. Moving on to what I would consider the most conventional of my favorite Oscar fashions. It's not so much that I think Demi's dress is spectacular, or even especially unique. It's the whole big picture that's great. The skin! The eyes! The hair! The spare but beautiful jewels! Demi has still got the elusive "it."

3. Sandra Bullock. This frock wasn't my favorite at first glance. In fact, I believe my initial reaction was "No, Sandra! No!" Upon closer scrutiny, however, and observing the way she carried herself on an evening that was bound to be all about her, I changed my mind. It's a glamourous, old-fashiond Hollywood gown, after all. A good choice for a big night.

2. Rachel McAdams. Love her, love the dress, love everything. Can Rachel McAdams lose? I don't think so.
P.S. Rachel presented with Jake Gyllenhaal, and they seemed quite smitten with each other backstage. Could the be the beginnings of a dreamy new couple?

1. Kristen Stewart. Say what you will, naysayers, about the shy, awkward presentation (which I found endearing). My girl NAILED it on the fashion front. Appropriately elegant for the occasion yet perfectly suited to her relative youth.

More to come soon on our Oscar soiree, my Valentine's day dessert, and my potentially hazardous Twilight obsession.

It's good to be back.

Top 5 Tuesday

Considering that I've spent the past week and a half enmeshed, embroiled, and overwhelmed by all things educational, I thought a decent literary list was called for. You might've thought I would have wanted to stay away from anything reminiscent of school, but the fact is, I'm so immersed in it all that I've even been plagued by dreams of parent meetings and changing curriculums!

I once wrote about the books I cherished as a child,but I would now like to touch up on the ones that were so important to me during the later formative years, those tumultuous, angst-y, emotional times that began in...probably the fifth grade (I was always a rather dramatic child). The books on this list are a varied bunch, some slightly more mature but for the most part, all quite traditional and classic. I could read them each now, and I'd probably enjoy them just as much as I did when I was twelve. Of course, I heartily and passionately recommend them, for teaching, general entertainment, inspiration...they're timeless, wonderful, and exquisite in their own ways.

5. Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell. I was quite young when I read this book, but its images have always haunted me. Not necessarily in a bad way, of course. It's certainly a heroic tale, a young girl who fends for her own on a deserted island, fighting hunger, the elements, and loneliness. It's just that after learning the meanings of "Aleut" and "cormorant", and imagining how I might construct a home out of whale bones should I ever find myself on a deserted island, I had to deal with the terribly sad death's of Karana's brother and adopted dog.

4. A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. More than any other book, this particular one instilled a deep appreciation and love for what an author can do. There is a scene towards the end of the book, when poor riches-to-rags Sara Crewe goes to sleep in her bitterly cold, lofty garrett, dreaming wistfully of a hot meal and warm blankets, and awakens to the most marvelous discovery-almost everything she dreamed of has miraculously appeared.

"Do you wonder that she felt sure she had not come back to earth? This is what she saw. In the grate there was a glowing, blazing fire; on the hob was a little brass kettle hissing and boiling; spread upon the floor was a thick, warm crimson rug; before the fire a folding-chair, unfolded, and with cushions on it; by the chair a small folding-table, unfolded, covered with a white cloth, and upon it spread small covered dishes, a cup, a saucer, a tea-pot; on the bed were new warm coverings and a satin-covered down quilt; at the foot a curious wadded silk robe, a pair of quilted slippers, and some books. The room of her dream seemed changed into fairyland-and it was flooded with warm light, for a bright lamp stood on the table covered with a rosy shade."

I've never forgotten the way I felt when I read those words, picturing it all in my head with such vivid detail. I always wished that someday I might sit in a room like that, with a roaring fire and quilted satin slippers. Just so wonderful.

3. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. Probably one of the first books "forced" upon me by my mother, it didn't take long before I was utterly engrossed in the story of the March family. It's where I first heard of the Pickwick papers, or the words "don't let the sun go down on your anger." I felt sheepish as Meg dressed in her finest for the parties in town, sad when dear, sweet Beth became ill, and torn about the up and down relationship between Jo and Laurie. The book is simply one of the best.

2. My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. You might find it a little strange that one of my most beloved and cherished books is about a 12-year old boy who heads to the Catskill Mountains to live on his own in the wild. I can't explain it, but I was utterly captivated by the story, and I have literally read the book HUNDREDS of times. Sam GribIey carved his home out of a hemlock tree, ground acorns into flour to make pancakes, built a fireplace with clay from the stream, trained a falcon...what a life! I wish I had my original copy, because the creases and torn edges truly lend character, but I'll settle for just having at least one in my personal library.

1. Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery. It's not the first time I've written about Anne, nor will it be the last. There is no other literary figure to whom I feel a closer connection, or has proved to be more influential in the development of my own mind and character. She is strong, full of imagination, intelligent, and passionate. I've aspired to be like her, and I can't wait to share all of her books with my own children.

I'm fading fast, and need to head to bed soon, so that I might actually be ready to USE one these books at school tomorrow!

Top 5 Tuesday

BREAKING NEWS!! I'm actually composing this top 5 list ON Tuesday! It's a Top 5 Miracle! I've been dwelling on this topic for quite some time, and find it particularly relevant now, as we all attempt to save every spare penny and adjust our budgets accordingly. You may find this last comment ironic when you discover that I'm about to list the top 5 items that I feel aren't worth the savings when faced with generic, store brand products versus name brand products. Ultimately, though, I am being frugal. When it comes right down to it, after really analyzing the numbers, you might discover that your efforts to save have been in vain, due to the poor quality of the cheaper product.

Before you judge, you should know that I've just come off a rather large victory at a bridal luncheon game, when I correctly guessed (to the very last cent, in three cases!) the amounts of six grocery items. Clearly a reflection of the amount of time I spend scrutinizing prices whilst grocery shopping! I try my very best to be conscientious, without being too miserly. I'd love to hear what you think, by the way. I may have forgotten something crucial!

5. Moisturizer. Every girl, at some point, needs a decent light and oil-free moisturizer that boasts SPF protection. It's for this very reason that I fear buying a cheaper product is a bad idea. There is probably no need to splurge on fancy department store brands, although they'll undoubtedly feel nicer. I've been pleased with both Neutrogena and Aveeno.

4. Wheat Thins, or really any sort of cracker. I love, love, LOVE a good Wheat Thin or Triscuit, preferably dipped into some sort of hummus or topped with a hearty chunk of sharp cheddar. Unfortunately, the store brand versions are almost exclusively dry and tasteless. Cardboard is conjured in the mind almost immediately after struggling to swallow a single parched bite. The rule applies to graham crackers as well.

3. Grape Nuts. Most store brand cereals are wretched, but the worst experience I ever had was with a bowl of Safeway brand Grape Nuts. I usually love the deliciously crunchy, brimming over with health and goodness cereal, but I could barely handle a spoonful of the the cheap junk. Imagine cardboard shredded into tiny pieces! I will tell you that HEB, my beloved Texas grocery, is the exception to the rule. My SH and I loved their version of Honey Bunches of Oats!

2. Dress shirts/blouses. As much as I would like to say that buying blouses or shirts at various inexpensive stores is a great idea, I have to caution anyone who relies upon them for professional garb. You'll almost always be better off buying the shirts you'll wear over and over from a middle-range store, such as Gap or Banana Republic. Use those stores for basic items, and purchase the more unique, fun stuff at places like H & M or Forever 21.

1. Paper products. There's simply no getting around this one-name brands are best! Every time I try the bargain route, I find that I have to use at least twice as much to get the job done. I've tested various name brands versus a heap of store brands (Target, Safeway, etc.) and my results are always the same.

Perhaps next week I should compose a list of the best generic products, IMHO. What do you think?

Top 5 Tuesday, inspired by my brother

Anyone who knows me well is aware of my rather unseemly, slightly shameful, undoubtedly strange fascination with horror/suspense/thriller movies. I can't explain it, exactly. Sometimes it's because I love the exhilarating feeling that comes when a poor, innocent character peers anxiously out of a window and the silhouette of a terrifying serial killer appears to lurk behind them. Occasionally it's because of the hilarity of a bumbling villain or a professed psychopath who has managed to do away with victim after victim despite the fact that he moves at the rapid rate of about 2 feet per hour. Whatever the case, we ALL have our little quirks, and this is one of mine!

My darling brother, who LIVES to tease and mock me, however lovingly, about my quirks, was watching Scream 2 one recent eve, and told me that I should write a Top 5 about the feistiest, toughest characters in horror films, the ones who didn't go down without a fight. There are always a few of those, particularly in more recent horror films. Keep in mind, he was inspired by Sarah Michelle Gellar's Omega Beta Zeta Cici, the "sober sister" who was thrown out of the second story window of her sorority house. I did like his idea, however, particularly in these uninspiring weeks before summer's end, so I've thrown together a list of my favorite courageous protagonists. You'll notice that Cici did not make the cut. Sorry, brother. She just doesn't hold a candle to this bunch.

5. Michelle Pfeiffer, as Claire Spencer, What Lies Beneath. Now before you criticize me for this rather obscure choice, consider this: Michelle was paralyzed by a super-powerful animal tranquilizer, naked, and in a bathtub, and SOMEHOW STILL MANAGED TO ESCAPE HER CHEATING, MURDEROUS HUSBAND. Go ahead and put aside the hard-to-swallow idea of Harrison Ford as a killer. I know it's practically impossible to believe.

4. Katie Holmes, as Rachel Wagner, Disturbing Behavior. This movie is worth seeing purely for the scene, oft-imitated by my brother, sister and I, when a formerly spurned, slightly nerdy jock turned super-perfect asks Rachel out once again, brimming with newfound confidence. Tattooed, nose ring-wearing Rachel turns him down and faces a brutal response. What's great about Rachel is that she doesn't need any convincing once the movie's protagonist, the delectable James Marsden, figures out something is seriously wrong with the in crowd. She's known it all along, and she is NOT having any of it!

3. Courtney Cox as Gail Weathers, Scream Trilogy. Some would criticize me for not including Sydney Bristow, the scream queen of the late 90's, on this list. Syd was quite the fighter, I'll admit, but would you really want to pit her against Gail, the ruthless, conniving, journalist with two dead camera men to her name? Say what you will, Gail did not take anything lying down. She even fought for her man, good ol' Dewey, in the end!
P.S. You should really check out Scream 3, even if it's just to check out Parker Posey as a high-maintenance actress playing Gail Weathers and the antics of her bodyguard, played by Patrick Warburton (It's Puddy!).

2. Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, Halloween. The Halloween movies are my favorite horror franchise, and there is none better than the original, which marked Jamie Lee Curtis' big break. She's the most authentic, realistic character on my list, the good babysitter who seems to know something is not quite right in Haddonfield the moment she looks at the slightly darkened house where her BFF Annie Barrett has just been attacked. Even though she hides in the most obvious of places (a closet), she puts up a good fight.

1. Josh Harnett, as Zeke Tyler, The Faculty. Hands down, my favorite protagonist of ALL horror/suspense/thriller films. I heartily encourage ALL OF YOU (my loyal few) to go check this movie out, if for no other reason than to see the awesome scene in the science lab. You'll know the one I mean, immediately. Zeke pretty much just takes over, employing one of those deadly paper cutters that I used to be fascinated by every time I walked by the teacher work room at school. It's actually a campy, funny movie, boasting lots of well-known actors (Salma Hayek, Robert Patrick, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Bebe Neuwirth, a pre-Lord of the Rings Elijah Wood and even Jon Stewart!!), with a kicking soundtrack and a highly satisfying conclusion. I've included the trailer for you.

What do you think? A heroic list, or slightly lame? Should I have included Cici after all?

Top 5 Tuesday

This week's list is devoted to one of my favorite pastimes in the entire earth: curling up on the couch, or in a comfy chair, or perhaps perching at the kitchen table, to peruse a glossy new magazine. Sometimes, truly nothing is better. It could even be considered therapy of its own sort!

Now, since I have developed the slightly frustrating, yet highly practical habit of calculating the exact value of an item that I'd like to have, ensuring, for example, that I can imagine at least five or six occasions where I might wear a certain outfit before I buy it, or observing the unit price of orange juice when I'm choosing between a gallon or a quart, I can say with absolute certainty that if there is a magazine that you might consider buying even three or four times a year you are inevitably better off to purchase a subscription. Most subscriptions these days are in the $10-20 range, and individually they cost from $3.99 all the way up to $5.99! You really can't beat that lovely anticipatory joy of peeking into your mailbox to see a brand new mag every few weeks, either.

Okay, since I've bored you all with a ridiculous peek into my financial obsessions, I shall now proceed to list the magazines that I cannot live without.

5. Sunset. While this is a regional magazine, essentially devoted to the West Coast and Southwest, I would highly recommend it to any foodies, gardeners, or those who enjoy traveling. Each issue is chock full of great ideas for road trips, new restaurants, and vacation spots. My edition is specifically tailored to Northern California, so each issue will have suggestions for that month's gardening, a few delicious recipes that usually feature in-season produce, and a section detailing a fun day trip, always to local areas, like Santa Cruz. It's a wonderful magazine, and I now have a binder bulging with clippings that I couldn't bear to lose.

4. US Weekly. My sister-in-law and I always talk about how this magazine is like candy, a sweet bit of fluff, gone in an instant, yet SO enjoyable while it lasts. It doesn't have the substance, or dare I say it, reputation, as something like People, but that's not really why we love it, after all. This is the one magazine on my list that would be a splurge, as all weekly magazines are. My SH very sweetly purchased a two-year subscription for me a few years ago, and I was more than sad when it ran out and we opted not to renew. Maybe this year, for my big 3-0? By the way, you should know that I loathe all things Gosselin and would have opted for another cover image, but of COURSE could not in good conscience post a cover without a bit of RP!

3. Food and Wine. What I love almost as much as eating is READING about eating, and that is probably my favorite aspect of Food and Wine. There is inevitably a beautifully written, wonderfully descriptive article in each issue of the culinary adventures or some one or another, usually in an exotic locale that I'll likely never have the chance to visit. The recipes and direct association with Top Chef only add to the appeal of this magazine.

2. Bon Appetit. I think I've determined that Bon Appetit is my favorite foodie magazine, and I've subscribed to many. I appreciate its straightforward, unpretentious format, and especially like the Prep School feature. Molly Wizenberg contributes a monthly column, and in my mind, one cannot have enough Orangette! There's plenty of global cuisine amidst all the practical recipes and advice, too. A great magazine all around, if I must say.

1. Everyday with Rachael Ray. Hands down, my favorite magazine of all, the one that I eagerly search for a full week before it's arrival, that I instantly sit down and devour, and that I have not, as you can see, been able to dispose a single issue of. I've read and reread each issue, made countless recipes, used the party ideas and menus, and even found a few new interesting websites to search for improvement of my severely lacking fashion. I really cannot say enough about how great this mag is-my saved issues are practically as important to me as my massive cookbook collection. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Top 5 Tuesday

Even though I spent the whole of yesterday mere inches from my computer, and even though I compiled this list over a week ago, I did not manage, obviously, to get it all together and put the post up yesterday, on TUESDAY. I'm really quite atrocious at weekly blog themes, I know. I blame Little Dorrit, the fabulous Dickens novel that I'm reading for my summer class. I was very much behind on my weekly reading (surprised?) so I had no time to spend spiffing up my Top 5 list for the week, which I do love.

From a very young age, I've been deeply attached to movie soundtracks. I can remember the very first one that I owned, a beloved, played-to-the-death cassette of Girls Just Want to Have Fun: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. It still ranks quite high on the "best birthday gifts I've ever received" list. Over and over, I listed to such catchy tunes as "Dancing in Heaven" and "I Can Fly", of course reliving my favorite moments from the movie in my overly dramatic mind, thinking that Janey Glenn was the most beautiful girl in the world (yes, that would be the oft-criticized, occasionally viewed as "horse-faced" Sarah Jessica Parker) and that if I watched the movie enough times, I might be able to reenact the incredible dance routines, and maybe, if I searched hard enough, I would fine someone as manly and gorgeous as Jeff Malene. Oh, the dreams of an eleven-year old!

Other beloved soundtracks have graced my cassette and CD players, and I have continued to program my Ipod with my favorites. While there are many, many more than I'm listing here (particularly from television, which may warrant another list entirely!), I think this makes for a good starting list of what I consider to be the best, most well-selected and considered soundtracks for their accompanying films.

5. Pretty Woman. I'm not sure it's possible to count the number of times we rewound "It Must Have Been Love" while riding on the school bus to various junior high sports functions. It was our favorite, and it took me a few years before I realized what a great soundtrack this is, loaded with gems like "King of Wishful Thinking" and "Fallen." Definitely one of the soundtracks that I knew every lyric of long before I watched the movie.
Favorite Song: It Must Have Been Love, Roxette

4. The Big Chill. Even today, I can't confess to having actually watched this film. I'm told it's about a group of adult friends and their various relationship problems. However depressing their stories may be, the soundtrack is KILLER. All oldies, but definitely goodies.
Favorite Song: Tracks of My Tears, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

3. Garden State. Zach Braff personally selected each song for the soundtrack of the charming indie film that he wrote and starred in, and while I've never been a big fan of Scrubs, I immediately developed an affinity for Braff himself, based on his fabulous ability to put together a solid list of tunes that suited the quirky characters and story perfectly.
Favorite Song: New Slang, The Shins

2. Twilight. Another example of a soundtrack that was very carefully hand-picked, I could not have been more pleased with how this one turned out. I didn't know a single one of the songs before I downloaded the CD from ITunes, but now both Paramore and Muse frequent my playlists. I've listened to the album so many times by now that it provides me with a familiar comfort. I won't lie-Rob Pattinson's voice doesn't hurt. At all.
Favorite Song: Flightless Bird, American Mouth, Iron and Wine

1. Dirty Dancing.
A true classic, a soundtrack to beat all soundtracks, an incomparable example of soundtrack perfection. My mom bought the cassette in 1986, when the movie came out, and it was only a matter of time before we (my siblings and I) knew every word of every song. My friends and I were completely enamored with Patrick Swayze when he sang "She's Like the Wind", and put "Hungry Eyes" on repeat. My sister and I mimed walking across a log to "Hey Baby", and when I got married, I was sure to add "Do You Love Me" to our DJ's playlist. I'll always, ALWAYS love this collection.
Favorite Song: Cry to Me, Solomon Burke (prominent in the movie, but only on the Ultimate Dirty Dancing edition of the soundtrack)

A Month's Worth of Top 5 Tuesdays

Way back when, on the last Tuesday for which I managed to produce a list, I hinted at my idea of having a whole month devoted to a wedding theme. Isn't June still quite the popular month for weddings? How appropriate, then, that on this Tuesday, the last day of June, I complete my lists for the past three Tuesdays, which I have shamefully missed.

I have separated my lists into three distinct categories: best weddings (movies and television), best wedding moments (movies) and best movie kisses. Obviously I'm the sappiest person you know. Hope you enjoy the lists, though! Perhaps I've missed something devastatingly romantic and important?

Top 5 Weddings

5. Shelby Eatenton and Jackson Latcherie, Steel Magnolias. "My colors are blush and bashful, Mama! They are two shades of pink, one is much deeper than the other." Despite the dark cloud that so obviously loomed over this pair, how can anyone not adore this wedding day? We meet Annelle! The groom's cake is a grey armadillo! It's the smaller, more poignant moments, however that really make it special: Jackson sneaking into Shelby's bath to convince her she should still marry him and M'Lynn sharing Shelby's bad news post-diabetic attack cause me to choke up every time.

4. Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon, Sense and Sensibility. It's not so much that I adore Marianne and the Colonel, more like I have always been so satisfied by what the wedding represents: a state of happiness for both lovelorn sisters. Elinor and Edward, my favorites, look on happily as the beaming couple stride out of the church, and everything seems right with the world.

3. David Silver and Donna Martin, Beverly Hills 90210. I know what you're thinking. How in the world can I rank TORI SPELLING so high in a Top 5 list? Say what you will about the remarkably resilient now-reality star, her character's wedding was one of the BEST ever. Loved it. Pretty sure I cried. I think I'm done with shameful confessions for the day!

2. Monica Gellar and Chandler Bing, Friends. You already know how I feel about Monica's dress, now you know how I feel about her wedding. Not an overly romantic wedding at all, but just right for those two.

1. Annie Banks and Brian Mackenzie, Father of the Bride. This, of course, is the quintessential wedding movie. More about the relationship between the father of the bride and his daughter than an over-the-top love story, I think what I love best about it is that it's the most real of all these films. You can actually imagine all of the events that occur happening to you, and you know that getting married caused your dad that same pain in the heart.

Top 5 Wedding Moments

5. Mark tells Juliet how he feels about her, Love Actually. I know this isn't technically a wedding moment, but since it comes on the heels of a wedding, I felt justified in including it. Mark has just helped arrange Juliet's wedding to his best friend, Peter, in spite of the fact that he's desperately in love with her. What I love about the scene when he comes to her door, placards and boombox in hand, is that he never intended to change anything or interfere in her life (this isn't a celebration of adultery, people!!). He just wanted her to know how he felt. There is something incredibly romantic and real about it. "To me, you are perfect."

4. Robbie serenades Julia on the plane, with the help of Billy Idol, The Wedding Singer. Adam Sandler and Drew Berrymore are a great match in romantic comedies, and I think this particular pairing might be my favorite-it's hilarious, there's an awesome 80's soundtrack, and the ending is perfect. Keep in mind, Julia and Robbie get married in the last moments of the movie, so even though this also isn't officially a wedding scene, it is a prelude of sorts!

3. Arwen and Aragorn reunite, The Return of the King. Even now, after having seen the movie time and time again, I always get a huge lump in my throat as I watch Aragorn's face when Arwen is revealed to him. The look on his face-it's the look of the truest, deepest love. I remember the very first time I watched the movie, which was when I was still dating my SH, I felt I recognized that look. Yes, I did just compare the way my husband looks at me to a movie star's gaze! You know, come to think of it, this isn't necessarily a wedding scene either, is it? Perhaps I should rename the list...

2. Gilbert's proposal, Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel. I hate writing out "The Sequel" there, but as that is actually the name of the movie, I can't help it. I cannot tell you how many hundreds of times I've watched the movie, or how many thousands of times I rewound this scene. Anne is my literary counterpart, the beloved character that truly influenced and shaped my childhood, and the one I always related to the most. While this movie deviates from the books to a degree, it's close enough for me to my favorite of them all, Anne of the Island, which chronicles the relationship between Anne and Gilbert. When Anne and Gilbert take that walk on the bridge, they already know what the future holds, which is why the certainty on Gilbert's face as he clasps her hands and confesses that he can't give her the Cordelia-like future she dreamed of in childhood is so unbearably sweet. And what does Anne say? "I don't want sunbursts, or marble halls. I just want you." Ahhhhh....maybe I'll put that movie on right now.

1. Julianne gives Michael and Kimmy their song, My Best Friend's Wedding. By far my favorite of all wedding movies, and one of my favorite movies in general, my favorite part of the whole thing is the scene at the end when Julianne is trying to make her way through the crowd of well-wishers, hoping for the chance to tell Michael goodbye. (Did I just write "favorite" three times in the same sentence? Oh well, it's late, and I can't be held accountable for a lack of originality at this point in the night) Just when she thinks she's truly lost him forever, in more ways than one, he appears, hugging her close for a minute, letting her know in that brief moment that he loves her, in all the right ways, but she just wasn't the one for him. He has undoubtedly been inspired by her emotional speech in which Julianne bequeathed their song, "The Way You Look Tonight" as a wedding gift, and apology for her wretched behavior. Both Michael and Kimmy recognize the significance as they hit the dance floor.

Best Movie Kisses

5. Leia and Han, The Empire Strikes Back. Yet another of the movies that I've watched a 100 times over, this particular kiss marked the beginning of my passion for Harrison Ford. Whilst other young girls my age had crushes on Mark-Paul Gosselaar or NKOTB, I felt that no one could be as appealing as Han Solo. No one. I distinctly remember, in fact, back in 1992, when I realized that my beloved Han was, at that time, 50 years old! The horror! Totally out of my 12-year old reach!

4. Arwen and Aragorn, The Return of the King. Please refer to the previous list.

3. Noah and Allie, The Notebook. This movie is undoubtedly one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen, and it stars two of my faves, Rach and Ryan. It was only made better by the knowledge that the two fell in love IRL (in real life), which is what everyone wants for their favorite movie lovers. It didn't last, but at least we'll always have Noah and Allie's reunion in the rain.

2. Josie and Sam, Never Been Kissed. It was a difficult decision to place this kiss at number 2, because for me, this scene was PERFECT. Down to Josie's little gold shoes, visible as she drops the microphone, the audible sighs of disappointment and then eager rumblings in the crowd, the PERFECTLY chosen, wonderful "Don't Worry Baby", and Josie's response when Sam tells her that it took him forever to get here. "I know what you mean," she says. I could, and have, watch the scene on repeat, probably for days, and not get tired of it.

1. Edward and Bella, Twilight. I'm not sure I even need to write about this-was there a doubt in your mind that this kiss to end all kisses would snag the top spot? And don't think that I won't revise this list for the future-they might take over the whole thing!

Hopefully, things will return to normal here in my little, humble blog, and I won't have to complete another gigantic list.