OMG: Outlander Wedding = Outlander Hotness

If you haven't been watching Outlander, I don't blame you - it's hard to get access to Starz without a cable subscription and a very understanding significant other or roommate. But however you can swing it, get ye-self to an Outlander-y, because this show is too good to miss. I haven't watched the mid-season finale (!) yet because I'm too depressed that it's not coming back until April instead of January like we had all hoped, but last week's episode, "The Wedding" was everything a modern gal could hope and dream of in terms of sexy times on TV. Super sexy dude? Check. Multiple rounds of sexy times? Check. Plenty of story so the sexy times have a solid emotional background? Check. Female gaze? Check out the wazoo!

In case you're wondering what you missed, there are some fun recaps here (the Jezebel comments are in and of themselves very entertaining), here, and here.

Also, this:

Blue Mountain Ranch nails!

BMR nails to celebrate our wonderful trip to Blue Mountain Ranch summer camp. Send all your kids there! Oh, and yellow part represents "A Mountain Made of Gold" for "Friendship is a mountain made of gold that cannot be bought or sold." Seriously, people, send your kids to BMR!

Clip from Pixar's "Lava"!

Disney and Pixar are pulling out all the stops to show us their new material. From Big Hero 6 to Inside Out to Feast, and now Lava, we're getting all kinds of fun animated sneak previews.

Here's the clip from Lava, courtesy of Yahoo:



It looks very sweet, and I love the colors. The music feels a bit fast, but I wonder if that was just for this clip's sake - it may feel more fluid in context.

Can't wait to see it!

#Shonda + #Mindy = #BestShowEver!

Shonda Rhimes will appear on The Mindy Project. She will play - of course - herself.

Once I watch that episode, my life will be complete.

Get ready for a new definition of time: BSAM (Before Shonda And Mindy) and ASAM (After Shonda And Mindy).

[via HuffPo]

Glen Keane's "Duet" is a wonderful short film

I love a good short film - and I love a good short animated film even more. This short, Duet, from legendary Disney animator Glen Keane (think: Ariel, Tarzan - which you can really see in the male character - Pocahontas, Aladdin, Rapunzel) is simple and beautiful. If you're not an animation lover, you'll enjoy the story and the music. If you are an animation lover, you will see why this guy is a master of the art:



So pure and lovely. And, needless to say, the hand-drawn quality is so refreshing.

Here's a synopsis (though why do you really need one of a short? I have no idea):

Animated in its entirety and directed by Glen Keane (former Disney animator and creator of such beloved characters as Ariel, Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Tarzan and Rapunzel), DUET tells the story of Mia and Tosh and how their individual paths in life weave together to create an inspired duet. The unique, interactive nature of the story allows the viewer to seamlessly follow the journey of either of the two characters from birth to adulthood.

And here's a cool "making of" video:




[via /Film]

Lava: A Love-a Story

Pixar announced the name and poster image for the short they'll play in front of next year's Inside Out. It's going to be called, "Lava" and it's "Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, “Lava” is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years." Like most Pixar shorts, it was completed well ahead of the feature it'll play in front of, and so many reviewers have seen it already. It looks pretty cute, and who doesn't like Hawaii? You can read more about the short over at /Film.

Mindy Project Season Finale: A Study in Rom-Com Brilliance

The Mindy Project has infinitely improved this season from "show with one brilliant joke" each week to "show with great characters, brilliant jokes, and heart." And the season ended with a bang. If you haven't watched it yet, head to your On Demand or your iTunes or your whatevers and watch it. If you have watched and want to make sure you caught all of the wonderfully infused Nora Ephron rom-com references, check out this (stills) and this (gifs). Awww.

PS. Here's Mindy interviewing Billy Crystal and it is one big love-fest.

StoryCorps: Me & You

StoryCorps' latest animated short, animated by the Rauch Brothers, is super short and super sweet:



The description reads:

On May 25, 1971, Jackie Miller and her husband brought home their son, Scott, whom they adopted. 37 years later, Scott brought his mother to StoryCorps, where they shared a conversation about Jackie's decision to adopt him, their profound love for one another, and Scott's trepidation at what the future holds.

Perfect for Mother's Day.

[via Neatorama]

The Veronica Mars Movie Happened And Is Amazing!

Sorry I almost totally breezed past this, but on the 14th, the Veronica Mars movie was released in theaters and for digital download. I watched it in theaters the morning before we left for Greece and I was SO happy with it. As a fan, and knowing this was for fans, it was exactly what we needed. It was the open-ended conclusion (yes, I realize this is an oxymoron) that we didn't get seven years ago. The only thing that I think is funny is that (SPOILER ALERT) as an adult who sympathizes and wants the best for Veronica, the ending is like, "Noooooo!" but as a fan who wants what Veronica wants (not what she "needs"), I was like, "Yes!!!" Not much more to say than that. As a Kickstarter backer, I could not have been more satisfied. I'll miss all the email updates from Rob and his team. This was a really fun ride and I really felt like a part of the team, even though I haven't met any of these people and they have no idea who I am. That's what technology and good storytelling will get you!

Harry Potter London Studio Tour

All hail butterbeer.

Speaking of Harry Potter... I recently had one of the best days of my life (and I'm super lucky that there have been many of these) at the Studio Tour at Leavesden. Not only did I have 1.5 butterbeers (the husband had the other 1.5), but I got to live inside and learn all about my two favorite world: film and Harry Potter. As a film student, I loved seeing the intricacy of all the sets, costumes, props, graphic design, and especially the animatronics. As a Harry Potter nerd, I loved feeling like I was inside the world of witches and wizards - walking through Diagon Alley itself was a particularly engrossing moment. Dumbledore's office and the Gryffindor common room were two other mind-blowing moments. The suggested time to be there was 2.5 hours. We were there for 5.5. hours. That's what you get for making it a self-guided tour and writing so many plaques and making so many behind-the-scenes videos and commentary!

More butterbeer. Couldn't help myself. The foam is butterscotch!

Most of all, though, I loved what a love letter the studios are to the 4,000 crew and cast members. The tour allows you to really appreciate everyone's work and contributions in great detail - something you aren't able to do when the images are flashing by your face for only a few moments, if they were lucky!

Cannot emphasize enough how cool this is in person.

So run, don't walk, to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Best shameless nerd decision ever.

Watch Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd Pretend Fall in Love

in the new trailer for David Wain's new movie, They Came Together, which you can watch on Netflix evenually.

Now if only they could for realz fall in love.

Someday...

Oral Fixation: Bun in the Oven

So proud of my sister for telling her story at "Oral Fixation: Bun in the Oven" this year.

I've always been a strong supporter of women's rights, but it was truly eye-opening to have it all hit home so directly this year.

It was so scary, educational, and inspiring watching Wendy Davis' filibuster, knowing that the outcome had direct implications for my sister and her husband's lives. Scary because if she had received the test results a few weeks later, she would not have been able to have her procedure in Texas. Educational because, while I know one in three women have an abortion, I never knew before why a woman would have one after 20 weeks. Now I do. If more people watched Nicole's story and the stories of the many women like her, I know they'd rethink their opinions on abortions after 20 weeks. And i was inspiring to see someone stand up so strongly for women's rights during a time when they're being taken away slowly but surely nationwide. Just today, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an absurd case arguing that a corporation (Hobby Lobby) can refuse to cover contraception - contraception! - for their employees on the grounds of religious freedom. As Colbert would say, I laugh to keep myself from crying. It's that bad.

In order for women's rights to stop being attacked all over the country, more brave women like my sister need to share their abortion stories (and electing Wendy Davis as Governor of TX can't hurt, too!)

How 'Friends' Made the Greatest Romantic Pairing Ever...

... Or at least until that point in TV history. Also, spoiler alert: it's Monica and Chandler! Duh! If you thought it was Ross and Rachel, you can officially stop reading this blog because you do not know me at all (although bravo for reading 1700+ posts before finding that out!). Continuing Vulture's 1998 series, Friends writer Scott Silveri discusses how he and his (now wife) Shana Goldberg-Meehan wrote the incredible London episode wherein we discover the two totally did it, as well as how the writers approached the relationship as the complete opposite of Ross and Rachel's amped-up-all-the-time drama.

My favorite quote (re: wanting the hook-up to be a surprise):

"The only real debate was around just how we'd get Monica and Chandler there that morning, how many crumbs to drop to lead the audience and the characters to the moment, all in hopes that the fact that they ended up in bed that morning wouldn't feel unmotivated and false.” In earlier scenes at the rehearsal dinner, Chandler had tried to talk a drunk Monica out of her funk over having no boyfriend, and a drunk party guest mistaking her for Ross’ mother. "Who wouldn't want you?" he asked. Says Silveri, “[We were] basically shooting for the spot between, 'This stinks, that never would have happened!'; and, 'This stinks, I saw that coming.' More of a delighted, 'That is surprising but also very satisfying and organic. It might not stink!'"

It might not stink LIKE A FOX!

Anyway, you should read the whole thing because it's great. Then go ahead and re-watch all of the major Monica and Chandler episodes. I know you have the DVDs. Or at least got one of them off of Netflix once and then "lost" it. Enjoy!

Rings!

Photo by Kelly Kate Photography

Succulents and rings.

(Sorry, couldn't help posting another photo!)

Hey, We Got Hitched!

Our beautiful centerpieces, by Rusty Glenn Design.
Photo by Kelly Kate Photography

It was a beautiful, magical whirlwind. We're so happy. Thought you'd like to know!

Comfort In, Dump Out

This is seriously the simplest, easiest, best advice I've heard when you're put into a situation where someone you know/love is going through a traumatic or painful life event. Seriously. Read it. Live it. I think most people inherently know this, but it's so much better seeing it all laid out and explained so simply. It just makes sense!

[via The Hairpin]

I love love! Also, "Our Wedding Song"

And what better way to capture love than with four love stories from NYC's Brookdale Senior Living Center told as each couple dances to their wedding song?



Yes, yes, I think we all got a little dust in our eyes just then. Too sweet.

[via czda, Videogum]

Parks and Rec Wedding Toasts and Gifts!

A little bonus joy from Ben and Leslie's wedding:



Aaww! Scrapbooks! "I am happy"! Emails to and from Chris and Ben! Waffles!!

Loving all that love!

[via ThinkProgress]

Moonrise Kingdom Meet-Cute

I'm sure Wes Anderson would think I'm being ironic when I say meet-cute but, actually, he did a really great one for his most recent (and Oscar nominated - way to go, buffalo!) film Moonrise Kingdom, which I really loved. Go Into the Story just covered in their Daily Dialogue post, so I thought I'd share it. Worth the read, for sure. Also, see the movie, too!

Also, with that and Silver Linings Playbook Hollywood (ok, indie Hollywood) had some really great films about mental illness or at least mental issues this year. Great job, Hollywood! Keep up the pace!

Wedding Flowers

There are so many, and they are all so pretty, how do you choose?

Here are some we're thinking about. What do you think? Did we do good?

Wedding colors are coral, green, and blush. Think we got them?

I do not know the name of many of these things, but I'm very excited for the daisies, as they are my favorite flower! 

Monkey tails and Succulents and Poppies, oh my!