Look for the Joy

I grew up in a political family. My great-grandfather was the Governor of Maryland and a United States Senator. My grandfather was an ambassador to the United Nations. A legacy of which I have always been so profoundly proud . The ideals my family stood for, fought for, were rejected last night. I can't make sense of it, and honestly I have no interest in the autopsy of what went wrong and why. To me, it is abundantly clear, simply, systemic hatred (in every form) runs so deeply in the roots of this country. People can dress up their vote however they wish to, insulating themselves from the fundamental truth they want to ignore, that their personal interests preceded those of both democracy and the well being of the citizens of this nation. I cannot anticipate what lays before us in the coming administration, I think my brain has almost prevented my imagination from allowing that to happen. But I can only expect it will be bleak. 

So the question becomes, where do we go from here? We protect ourselves. I don't mean that in the large scale ways of marches and opposition- which will all come in time, but in the insular way of maintaining your peace- in whatever form that comes for you. Turn off the news, avoid social media. This week is about putting one foot in front of the other. This is about focusing on the joy in your world. Take your pet for a walk, read a good book, treat yourself to an expensive latte, watch a black and white film, start listening to Christmas music. Whatever seemingly small details that will help you maintain your balance and find a semblance of stabilization. Heck, I picked up my laptop and wrote this! If you are feeling as devastated and disgusted as I am, and honestly if you're kind enough to be reading this, I hope you are, otherwise I don't think I'm the appropriate content for you. I implore you to turn your focus from the macro to the micro and do what is best for you.

Nations around the world have endured horrors, many far greater than what we stand to face, and they persevered. Our own country survived a division in which half the union wanted to leave simply because they felt they deserved the right to own human beings. We persisted through the Great Depression, attacks on Pearl Harbor and on September 11th. The world as we know it will undoubtably look different after the decisions of yesterday, and we will meet those challenges as they come but right now it's simply about recuperation. I wish you nothing but joy and comfort in the coming days. 

Black Friday

I had hoped our reintroduction in this arena would consist of a little more style, but with all this Black Friday madness I felt obliged to shelve all of my drafted posts and dive right in. I don't know about you, but this new strategy of spreading out the sales (some started last week) produces excessive amounts of anxiety and pressure. The sheer volume of content is extremely overwhelming. So many of the brands that I love, or items I've been eyeing, are offering substantial discounts that it's difficult to know where to begin. Recently, I've been taking a different, more mindful, approach to shopping (more on that soon) so for me it's important to get organized and try to keep the impulse shopping at bay. 

For me, the best way to do this is by making lists. I constantly have an expanding catalog on my Notes app pertaining to items I'd like to buy. I consulted this list and cross-referenced it with sites that are offering these articles at a discount. This makes it much more difficult for me to lose my way in the cyber space wilderness. 

Another ongoing file pertains to gifts. I try my best to avoid the deadline panic that inevitably sets in come December 1st by jotting down ideas throughout the year for my nearest and dearest. Whether it's a little reference they make or an item that I happen across, it's easy to consult at a glance. 

The final list are the retailers for which I am on their mailing list. I try to be diligent about cleaning out my email subscriptions (unroll.me.com is fantastic for this) so now the only offers I'm receiving are from companies I genuinely shop regularly. This makes it much easier for me to note the sales I wholeheartedly recommend. 

Lake-25% off site wide 

There are a few brands of which I sing their praises to anyone and everyone that will listen. (I genuinely send out text alerts to my entire book club when they offer sales) Lake Pajamas are almost exclusively in what I sleep. Made of the softest material known to man, flattering silhouettes, and the cutest patterns on the market, they are a great gift for anyone on you list. I add at least one pair to my collection every sale. 

My favorites include Long-Short Weekend Set* / Long-Sleeve Weekend Set* / Children's Ornament Print / Pima Weekend Bundle 

Shopbop- 25% off select items (the discount applies to a vast majority of their items and is, depending on what you are purchasing, better than their semiannual sale) 

Splits 59 Flare Leggings* / The Great Cardigan / Citizens of Humanity Charlotte Jeans* / ASTR the Label Puff Sleeve Top /Lizzie Fortunato Pearl Earrings / Bambine Isabelle Bag / 

Reformation- 25% off Site Wide 

Boyfriend Cashmere Sweater / Cashmere Polo Sweater / Liam Long Cardigan / Evan Cashmere Sweater Dress / Berri Cashmere Polo Sweater*

Net-a-Porter- Up to 50% off select items 

This one is a bit of a hit or miss since only certain items are discounted but it's worth checking out some of your favorite brands to see if specific articles are on sale. May I suggest a Hunza G swimsuit (my absolute favorite) or a La Ligne sweater? 

Tory Burch- 30% off Sale 

I constantly keep my eye on Tory Burch's ready-to-wear sale section and this is the ideal time to pull the trigger on any pieces I've been watching.

Tassel Caftan / Pleated Dress / Velvet Devoré Dress / Tory Sport Leggings* 

Tuckernuck- Up to 30% Off Order 

Floral Ruffle Blouse* / Emerson Caftan / Woven Ballet Flat

Theory- Up to 40% off site wide 

Double-Face Wool Cashmere Wrap Trench

Lizzie Fortunato Jewels- 20% off site wide 

I've been eyeing their jewelry for months and think it is the opportune time to treat myself to a little holiday sparkle! 

I'm also taking up the opportunity to replenish all of my cosmetics shopping Kerastase, Josie Marin, and Glossier's sales. 

Shop This Post: 

*:Items I'm shopping 

Best Laid Plans

My topiary died. It was a seemingly insignificant event for a seemingly insignificant object of decor and yet it feels metaphorical. When last we spoke I made a vow, I was going to dedicate myself to carving out a unique space in this tiny corner of the internet. I was going to invest in web design and spend hours crafting groundbreaking material. I was simply going to reinvent. 

In some ways, I kept my promise. I drafted an abundance of content and I even tried to make it somewhat original (and, I hope, slightly entertaining). But then...

Best laid plans, if I ever wrote a memoir perhaps that's what mine would be named. Life is obstacles, life is pain, life is change and grief and laughter and long weekends. But sometimes we miss it. Sometimes we're so busy simply wading through whatever is overwhelming us at the moment that we miss that that specific moment is what life is about. I realized I don't want to miss any more time. I'm always waiting for the storm to end, for a spare moment, for everything to be exactly how I imagined it to be. But that day may never come, and even if it does, it’s fleeting. It’s the ‘in the meantime’ that makes life worth living. 

I did have plans. I had plans to make this space perfect. I had plans to call my grandmother every Wednesday for the rest of my life. I had plans to keep my topiary alive. But then life happened. 

I've shared, over the years, that Labor Day has always been a personal significant benchmark. So many of my most transformative moments have been encapsulated in this annual three day weekend. It's always felt like far more of a fresh start than January 1st ever has. I figure I could keep waiting, waiting to share carefully curated content that can rival other revolutionaries in the field, I could hold off until I find an affordable, agreeable web designer, I could pause until everything is perfect...or I can simply surrender. As someone far wiser than I once said “perfect is the enemy of good”.

So while my inclination is to focus on the fact that it's not exactly how I hoped to be reunited, I'm reminding myself that the important part is that we are reunited. And for me, that’s good enough. 

Under Construction

Where to begin? I carved out this tiny corner of cyberspace almost exactly a decade ago. A sobering reality that is both astounding and incredibly discouraging. I never set out for fortune or fame (though would be lying if I were to say those wouldn't have been a welcome bonus) but because I arrogantly believed I had a genuinely unique perspective to offer the collective conversation. Success never came. The culpability is all mine, it's a combination of lack of consistency, mediocre content, and a great deal of imitation. Along the way I started emulating strategies of the successful or aesthetics I found inspiring, and through the process I lost my of voice. 

I started to ask myself what sets me apart? Where is my perspective? What is my contribution to this oversaturated sea of mediocrity. Do I even have anything to contribute?  When does inspiration become appropriation? 

I knew a change needed to be made, but what? And after much deliberation, it finally dawned on me, we're going back to the basics. 

I'm going to return to the posts that inspire me, that bring me joy, that I would want to read. 

Lifestyle blogs have become a bit of a catchall for those that extend beyond beauty, or fashion, or food. I want to try to reinvent the definition of a lifestyle blog, I want to move beyond the umbrella term and actually discuss how to formulate a particular lifestyle. We're going to discuss it all. And don't worry, my ideas of grander have vanished, I realized I'm the ultimate authority on very little, so what I share will be a compilation of research and experience. 

We're going to find a way to pay reverence to the nostalgia, sophistication, and etiquette of eras gone by while bringing that into the progressive, innovated, modern world of today.  

However this metamorphosis will take a bit of time so I ask you to grant me a few weeks to consult my extensive library of knowledge and create the content you deserve.

I promise, it will all be worth the wait. 

Fresh Content for a Fresh Start

Happy first day of 2021! Did you ever think we'd make it? It feels like it was a decade all rolled into one year. Mother Nature gifted us a dreary, rainy, day to kick things off and I, for one, am not angry about it. I love an excuse to curl up and indulge in guilty pleasure entertainment. So if, like me, you plan on doing the same I thought it apropos to share some of the content I've been consuming lately.

Streaming

Since I choose to acknowledge my lack of self control in regards to binging, I try very hard not to get too invest in shows that require a substantial time commitment. Because of this, vacations are the optimal time for me to really immerse myself in new streaming content (and Netflix, and the like, are always more than happy to oblige with new releases that coincide). Sans family gatherings and visits with friends, I've had even more time to enjoy the latest debuts and here are my recommendations. 

The Flight Attendant: HBO Max 

A wild ride about an alcoholic flight attendant who spends a romantic evening with a charming (and super hot) passenger, only to wake up to discover him murdered. In an attempt to clear her own name, she frantically tries to piece together what led to his demise. 

On Pointe: Disney +

I've been fascinated by ballerinas my entire life and this docu-series following the students at The School of American Ballet in their lead up to the annual production of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center is the perfect escapism for this time of year. I used to walk past the school everyday when I lived on the Upper West Side so it was so fun to get to see what went on behind the closed doors. 

A Teacher: Hulu 

I began binging this show over Thanksgiving break and this week the final episode of the miniseries was released. It's a very disturbing, fictional story of a female teacher seducing a teenage student and the fallout of their actions. I was on the fence during the progression, but the last installment sold the series for me. 

Death to 2020: Netflix

Easily the best thing I've watched over break. This laugh out lout satirical mocumentary on all the trials of 2020 will have you in stitches. It tapped some of our favorite faces (Hugh Grant is having a hell of a year!) and encapsulated the insanity of the past 365 days flawlessly. 

Reading

My parents know the way to my heart and gifted me several books that have been on my wishlist, for Christmas. For some reason, my dedication to reading stalled somewhat in 2020 (perhaps the state of the world was just too gloomy for me to focus?) but I'm determined to get right back up on the horse this year. Here are some of the titles I'm reading/ intend on reading this month. 

The Thursday Murder Club: Richard Osman

This month's book club selection is so incredibly charming, about a group of retired individuals that meet weekly to try to dissect and solve crimes. 

Is This Anything: Jerry Seinfeld

This has been at the top of my list for the past two months and I'm so excited to finally laugh my way through all of Seinfeld's discarded material. 

Older, But Better, But Older: Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas

From the authors of one of my favorite books How to be Parisian Wherever You Are, comes their latest examination of what French women think, and feel, as the years go by. 

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman: Sam Wasson

A deep dive into my absolute favorite film, Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

Ask Again, Yes: Mary Beth Keane

My most recent conquest, this book took me an embarrassingly long time to get through but not for a lack of interest. The story follows two families, living next door to one another, and the way their lives intertwine over several decades. So good!

101 Movies to Watch

With an abundance of time on our hands this week, and in the forthcoming months, I can think of no better opportunity for movie nights. As a child, there were few things as thrilling as walking into Blockbuster on Friday evening, with my dad, and getting to aimlessly wonder the aisles with the promise of discovering a new treasure. And while technology has made movie rental storefronts obsolete, I hold such nostalgia for those days. Thankfully, though, it does make entertainment during lockdowns much easier. So whether you choose to watch a classic you've always meant to see, or are rediscovering an old favorite, here is a list of my 101 favorite movies. Pop some popcorn, grab your Milkduds, cuddle up in your favorite cashmere throw and enjoy!

1930s

BRINGING UP BABY: 1938

Where: HBO Max

What: A straight-laced paleontologist loses a dinosaur bone to a dog belonging to a free-spirited heiress. In the course of retrieving the bone he falls of the heiress and many subsequent mishaps ensue. Starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant 

THE WIZARD OF OZ: 1939 

Where: HBO Max

What: After a tornado whisks Kansas farm girl Dorthy to a magic land, she must travel to Emerald City for help in getting back home. Starring Judy Garland

1950s

FATHER OF THE BRIDE: 1950 

Where: HBO Max 

What: A doting father faces mountains of bills and endless trails when his daughter marries. Starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor 

FATHER'S LITTLE DIVIDEND: 1951 

Where: Tubi

What: Shortly after coming to terms with his daughter's marriage, a father faces the prospect of becoming a grandfather. A Sequel to Father of the Bride, starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor 

REAR WINDOW: 1954 

Where: Amazon $

What: A wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed a murder. This Hitchcock classic will have you longing to slip into a silk nightgown and order in 21 Club (RIP). Starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly 

TO CATCH A THEIF: 1955 

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A retired jewel thief sets out to prove his innocence after being suspected of returning to his former occupation. Starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly

HIGH SOCIETY: 1956

Where: HBO Max

What: With socialite Tracy Lord about to marry, her ex-husband -with the help of a sympathetic reporter- has 48 hours to convince her that she really still loves him. Starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby 

1960s

BYE BYE BIRDIE: 1960

Where: Amazon $

What: A rock singer travels to a small Ohio town to make his "farewell" television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted. Starring Dick Van Dyke and Anne-Margret 

*BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S: 1961

Where: Amazon Prime

What: In my personal favorite film, a young New York socialite becomes interested in a young writer who recently moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way. You won't be able to tear your eyes away from the gorgeous Givenchy costumes and indulgent representation of Manhattan of years past. Starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. 

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: 1962

Where: Amazon $

What: Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice. Every single person should see this poignant and moving coming of age story at least once. Starring Gregory Peck 

MOVE OVER DARLING:1963

Where: Amazon $

What: Comedy galore when a wife presumed dead, after disappearing seven years prior, returns on her husband's wedding day. Starring Doris Day and James Garner 

IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD: 1963

Where: Amazon $

What: A group of motorists hear about a crook's hidden stash of loot and race against each other across the country to get to it. Starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC: 1965 

Where: Disney+

What: Nothing better than this Julie Andrews classic. 

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK:1967

Where: Amazon Prime 

What: A blissfully newlywed couple move into their five story walkup love nest as the honeymoon haze begins to fade. Starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda

THE GRADUATE: 1967 

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A love triangle formulates after a recent college graduate begins a salacious relationship with his parent's friend only to shortly thereafter to fall for her daughter. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft 

HELLO DOLLY: 1969

Where: Disney+

What: A boisterous matchmaker travels to New York City in an effort to find a partner for a confirmed bachelor, orchestrating other matches on the way. Starring Barbara Streisand and Walter Matthau 

1970s

THE WAY WE WERE: 1973

Where: Amazon $

What: Two disparate people fall in love but political beliefs and personal convictions drive them apart. The final scene of this tearjerker will stay with you long after the credits roll. Starring Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand 

THE GREAT GATSBY: 1974

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A midwesterner becomes fascinated with his nouveau riche neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love. Starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow 

GREASE: 1978

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A summer romance sours after the female transfers to the high school of her intended only to discover he is rather different than he originally led on. One can never tire of the catchy soundtrack of this classic. Starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John 

1980s

AMERICAN GIGOLO: 1980 

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A devilishly handsome Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientele, is accused of a murder he did not commit. Starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton 

SIXTEEN CANDLES:1984

Where: iTunes

What: Who can pass up this John Hughes classic of a girl whose "sweet sixteen" becomes anything but when her entire family forget her birthday.  Starring Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall 

CLUE: 1985

Where: Amazon Prime

What:A frequent blockbuster selection of yours truly, this board game-come-to-life story will keep you guessing countless configurations for how the host of a dinner party was murdered. Starring Leslie Ann Warren and Tim Curry 

FATAL ATTRACTION: 

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A married man's one night stand comes back to haunt him when his lover begins to stalk him and his family. Starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close 

*BABY BOOM: 1987

Where: Amazon Prime

What: One of my absolute favorite films, an early Nancy Meyers creation follows the life of an uber successful Manhattan CEO after she unexpectedly gains custody of an infant and quickly finds herself navigating life in snowy Vermont, founding an organic baby food company, and falling for a veterinarian. One of the best feel good movies created. Starring Diane Keaton and Sam Shepard.  

DIRTY DANCING: 1987

Where: HBO Max

What: Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor. Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey 

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY:

Where: HBO Max

What: A decades long friendship suddenly shifts when the pair sleeps together. Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan

1990s

PRETTY WOMAN: 1990

Where: Amazon $

What: A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets...only to fall in love. Starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts 

*FATHER OF THE BRIDE: 1991

Where: Amazon $

What: Never has there ever been a film that mirrors my own relationship with my father than this movie. A remake of the 1950's classic, this Nancy Meyer's interpretation is as flawless as a film can be. Starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton 

DEATH BECOMES HER:1992

Where: HBO Max

What: Two lifelong rivals continuously try to outdo one another in this dark comedy, only to discover immortality may not be worth the price. Starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis 

INDECENT PROPOSAL: 1993

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A struggling young couple is met with an offer they cannot refuse when a billionaire proposes a night with the wife in exchange of a million dollars. But the transaction comes at a cost. Starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson. 

*SLEEPLESS IN SEATLLE: 1993

Where: Amazon $

What: A movie I can recite from memory from opening to closing credits, the debut of Hanks and Ryan's flawless chemistry when a widower captivates the affections of a newly engaged woman via a call in radio show. Starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan 

A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE:1994

Where: Amazon $

What: His life was completely closed off to the world until an orphaned baby shows up at his house. Starring Steve Martin and Laura Linney 

CORRINA CORRINA: 1994

Where: Amazon $

What: One of my favorite movies from my childhood finds a recently windowed man desperate for childcare when he hires the whimsical and spunky Corrina to take care of his daughter Molly. Set in the 1960s the film tackles race and love in a contentious time. Starring Whoppi Goldberg and Ray Liotta 

NOW AND THEN: 1995 

Where: HBO Max

When: Four adult women reunite and reminisce about a particularly eventful summer they had growing up in the 1970s. Starring Demi Moore and Rosie O'Donnell  

*FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART II: 1995

Where: Amazon $

What: Perhaps the best sequel of all time finds our favorite characters from the original preparing for two new arrivals. Starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton 

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT: 1995

Where: Amazon $

What: A woman discovers her husband's affair and moves into the guest house on her family's sprawling horse farm with her young daughter. Starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid 

EMMA: 1996

Where: HBO Max

What: Both adaptations of this Jane Austen classic have made my list because they're both just that good. While the humor and dialogue are superior in the more recent release, the costuming in this iteration is unparalleled. Make it a double feature to decided which you prefer! Starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Toni Collette 

HEAD ABOVE WATER: 1996

Where: Vudu

What: A beautiful recovering addict travels to her family home in Maine with her newlywed, much older husband, only to run into several long lost loves. The storyline is good, the twists great, but the decor and costumes are incredible. Starring Cameron Diaz and Harvey Keitel (and Billy Zane)

THE FIRST WIVES CLUB: 1996

Where: Amazon $

What: Another Nancy Meyers fan favorite, as three former college best friends seek revenge on their cheating ex husbands in the name of their forth friend. Starring Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler 

ONE FINE DAY: 1996

Where: Vudu

What: Two, very different, single parents find themselves leaning on one another after their children miss a field trip and end up falling for one another in the process. It doesn't get better than hunky George Clooney running around Manhattan, doting on children. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney 

LYING EYES:1996

Where: Amazon Prime

What: Who doesn't love a 90's era Lifetime movie? This one has all the essential juicy elements; an older man falling for a high school cheerleader, jealousy, threats, and a mystery. This campy feature film is just so so good. Starring Cassidy Rae and Vince Irizarry

GOOD WILL HUNTING: 1997

Where: Amazon $

What: This Oscar winning classic of a genius janitor that enrolls at Harvard has all of my favorite things; Boston accents, Matt and Ben, and a love story. It's a movie that ages like fine wine. Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Robin Williams 

*MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING: 1997 

Where: Netflix

What: Another one of my absolute favorite films, a woman realizes she has been in love with her best friend for years but it might be too late given that he's set to get married in four days. This movie will have you singing "Say a Little Prayer" for days. Starring Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Dermot Mulroney 

PICTURE PERFECT: 1997

Where: Amazon $

What: Jennifer Aniston is at her peak in this adorable movie that finds her developing feelings for a man she pays to pretend to be her boyfriend in an effort to secure a promotion and make her bachelor coworker fall for her. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Bacon 

THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION: 1998

Where: Amazon $

What: A messy story about a pregnant woman who falls for her gay best friend. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd 

*THE PARENT TRAP: 1998 

Where: Disney+

What: Color me surprised to realize this Nancy Meyers classic is this old, but to me there is no better feel good movie than a pair of twins going to extensive lengths to reunite their divorced parents. Childhood me wanted to be Haley, adult me wants to be Elizabeth. Starring Lindsay Lohan and Dennis Quaid 

A PERFECT MURDER:1998

Where: Amazon $

What: A modern interpretation of the classic "Dial M for Murder" finds an affluent man discovering his beautiful younger wife is having an affair with an artist and decides to pay her lover to murder her. Starring Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow 

STEPMOM: 1998

Where: Amazon $

What: Julia Roberts steals the show in this story of a younger woman learning to navigate the new waters of stepmotherhood. Starring Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris and Julia Roberts 

YOU'VE GOT MAIL: 1998

Where: HBO Max

What: Two professional rivals unknowingly meet via chatroom and fall madly in love while exchanging emails. One of the most beautiful cinematic representations of my former neighborhood, the Upper West Side. Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks

NOTTING HILL: 1999    

Where: HBO Max

What: A movie star has a chance encounter with a lovable travel bookstore owner that leads to a whirlwind romance in charming London. Starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY: 1999

Where: HBO Max

What: Tom Ripley is sent on a quest to interrupt the dalliances of a charming young millionaire while on holiday with his gorgeous girlfriend, only to become completely infatuated in the process. Starring Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow 

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS: 1999

Where: Xfinity (Seems to have been removed from all streaming services but continue to check back since it was briefly available on Hulu this past year)

What: A hilariously campy film about a small midwestern beauty pageant and the lengths the contestants to go to win. Think Best In Show meets Miss Congeniality. Starring Denise Richards and Kirsten Dunst 

RUNAWAY BRIDE: 1999

Where: Netflix 

What: A reporter gets fired after writing a story about a bride with perpetually cold feet and goes to her hometown before her upcoming nuptials to clear his name. Starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

2000s

AMERICAN PSYCHO: 2000

Where: iTunes $

What: An ultra chic depiction of a early 90s financier who moonlights as a serial killer. Warning this one isn't for the faint of heart. Starring Christian Bale and Jared Leto 

CENTER STAGE: 2000

Where: Vudu

What: A glimpse behind the curtain of the ambitious lives of aspiring ballerinas. 

WHERE THE HEART IS: 2000

Where: Amazon $

What: A poignant tale of a young pregnant woman abandoned by her boyfriend and manages to build an entirely new life for herself in a new town. Starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd 

THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS: 2001

Where: Amazon $

What: The eccentric members of a dysfunctional family all gather under the same roof. My personal Wes Anderson favorite. Worth watching just to stare at Margot's Birkin collection. Starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wilson and Bill Murray. 

THE WEDDING PLANNER: 2001

Where: Netflix

What:  A tale of a lonely wedding planner who finds herself falling for the hunky groom of one of her weddings. Starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Lopez

LEGALLY BLONDE: 2001

Where: Youtube

What: The ultimate comeback story of a scorned woman realizing a Harvard law degree is much more appealing than her loser ex boyfriend. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson 

BRIDIGET JONES DIARY: 2001

Where: Netflix

What: An eccentric woman finds herself smack dab in the middle of a love triangle between two charming, feuding Englishman. Starring Renee Zelwiger, Hugh Grant and Colin Furth 

OCEAN'S ELEVAN: 2001

Where: Amazon Prime

What: A remake of the classic finds a charming criminal mastermind assembling a team of highly trained individuals to pull of a great heist and impress the love of his life. Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts 

PEARL HARBOR: 2001

Where: Amazon $

What: An often overlooked film of our generation that is one of my personal favorites. Who doesn't love a best friend love triangle, gorgeous Hawaiian sunsets and hunky patriotic men? Don't sleep on this one. Starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale 

SERENDIPITY: 2001

Where: Amazon $

What: Fate takes a pair of strangers on a long winding path back to one another in this adorable film. Starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack 

A WALK TO REMEMBER: 2002

Where: Netflix

What: A bad boy makes an attempt to reform to impress the quite, religious, girl in his class. Starring Mandy Moore and Shane West 

SWEET HOME ALABAMA: 2002

Where: Amazon $

What: A rising fashion star must return to her hometown to divorce her first love so she can marry the mayor of New York's son. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey 

LOVE ACTUALLY: 2003

Where: Amazon $

What: This holiday film is good all year round with it's charming cast and delicious love stories, it's one you have to watch over and over. Starring Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson

*SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE: 2003

Where: Amazon Prime

What: Easily in my holy trinity of films, this picturesque movie is a vacation in of itself. An extremely successful middle-aged female playwright has all but given up on love until she falls for her daughter's charming boyfriend. Starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicolson 

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS: 2003

Where: Amazon $

What: A magazine executive tries to drive a man away for a story she is writing, while he is trying to stretch the relationship out to win a bet for promotion at work. Starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey 

THE NOTEBOOK: 2004

Where: Netflix

What: Is there anyone on earth that hasn't seen this movie? Nevertheless this timeless love story is always a good decision. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams 

RUMOR HAS IT: 2005 

Where: HBO Max

What: What is The Graduate was based on a true story? Well for Jennifer Aniston's character that quickly becomes her reality in this fictional telling of what it would be like to discover your mother and grandmother fell for the same man? Starring Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, and Mark Ruffalo 

WALK THE LINE: 2005 

Where: HBO Max

What: There are few love stories as captivating as the true story of Johnny Cash and June Carter. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix 

THE WEDDING DATE: 2005

Where: HBO Max

What: A woman determined to torture the man who left her at the alter, hires a male escort to accompany her to her younger sisters wedding in London. Starring Dermot Mulroney and Debra Messing

MARIE ANTOINETTE: 2006

Where: Hulu

What: Sofia Coppola directs the most cinematically pleasing sympathetic depiction of the French Revolution Queen. It will leave you desperate for macaroons and new shoes. Starring Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman 

THE BREAKUP: 2006

Where: Amazon $

What: A hilarious and poignant depiction of the fallout of a couple struggling through a breakup while sharing an apartment. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn 

*THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: 2006

Where: Amazon $

What: Who can resist Meryl Streeps interpretation of a fictional Anna Wintour as she makes her newest assistant's life miserable. Starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway 

THE DEPARTED: 2006

Where: Amazon Prime 

What: An all star cast of almost all of Hollywood's finest leading men with Boston accents and guns. Oh and there's a pretty good storyline too... Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Walberg, Alec Baldwin, Jack Nicolson etc etc etc 

THE HOLIDAY: 2006

Where: Amazon $

What: Two women with broken hearts decide to distance themselves from their personal troubles and swap houses. Starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet 

HAIRSPRAY: 2007

Where: HBO Max

What: A movie I saw a handful of times in theaters because of it's charming soundtrack and dancing Zac Efron. Starring John Travolta and Zac Efron 

MARLEY & ME: 2008

Where: Amazon $

What: A couple begins their family with a lovable and troublesome puppy. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson 

IT'S COMPLICATED: 2009 

Where: Vudu

What: A divorced couple find themselves reminiscing at their sons college graduation and decide to reignite the flame. Arguably the best Nancy Meyers kitchen with a side of chocolate croissant cravings. Starring Meryl Street, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin 

THE HANGOVER: 2009

Where: Amazon $

What: A bachelor party goes awry when the groom goes missing after a night of shenanigans and endless laughs abound. Starring Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis 

2010s

ALL GOOD THINGS: 2010

Where: Amazon $

What: A cinematic telling of the story of Robert Durst, that follows his life with his new bride as their marriage begins to crumble and suspicion shifts to him after her mysterious disappearance. Starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst 

EAT PRAY LOVE: 2010

Where: Amazon $

What: Elizabeth Gilbert's bestseller is adapted into a film that follows the writer after her divorce, looking for purpose and self discovery as she travels around the world. Starring Julia Roberts and James Franco 

THE SOCIAL NETWORK: 2010

Where: Netflix

What: It's easy to forget a world before our reliance on social media, so it's a bit of a wild ride to see how it all began in a dorm room at Harvard. Starring Andrew Garfield, Jesse Eisenberg, Armie Hammer and Justin Timberlake. 

THE TOWN: 2010

Where: Netflix

What: As you can tell I'm a sucker for a good Boston tough guy flick and this one is my personal favorite. Starring Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner and Blake Lively 

BRIDESMAIDS: 2011

Where: Amazon $

What: This comedic masterpiece needs no plug from me. Starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph 

CRAZY STUPID LOVE: 2011

Where: Amazon $

What: A man's world is turned upside down when his wife asks for a divorce. He strikes up a friendship with a suave ladies man who shows him the ropes. Starring Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling 

FRIENDS WITH KIDS: 2011

Where: Hulu

What: A dark comedy about two friends deciding to skip the relationship, but raise a child together until feelings inevitably arise. Starring Maya Rudolf, Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Westfeldt and Adam Scott

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK: 2012

Where: Netflix

What: A man struggles to put the pieces of his life back together after a mental breakdown while he bonds with a young widow. Starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence 

WOLF OF WALL STREET: 2013 

Where: Amazon Prime

What: It's hard to name DiCaprio's best performance but his role as Jordan Belfort may just be it. An extremely raunchy glimpse into the financial world of the early 90s. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie 

JERSEY BOYS: 2014

Where: Netflix

What: A feel good musical about the conception of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Starring John Lloyd Young and Vincent Piazza 

GONE GIRL: 2014

Where: Hulu

What: Bestselling novel turned even better film of a husband under suspicion for his wife's disappearance. Ben Affleck has never been better. Starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike 

JACKIE: 2016

Where: Amazon $

What: A glimpse into the hardships Jackie Kennedy faced the week following the assassination of her husband. Starring Natalie Portman and Peter Scarsgard

LA LA LAND: 2016

Where: HBO Max

What: It may not have won the Oscar but this homage to musicals of yesteryear is pure poetry. Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling 

LADY BIRD: 2017

Where: Netflix

What: An artistically inclined teenager comes of age in Sacramento CA with many heartbreaks along the way. Starring Saoirse Ronan and Timotheé Chalamet 

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS: 2018

Where: Amazon $

What: My boy Timmy shines as a teenager sent to Cape Cod for the summer and finds himself entangled in an elaborate drug ring. Starring Timotheé Chalamet and Alex Roe

A STAR IS BORN: 2018

Where: Amazon $

What: The movie that sparked the speculation heard round the world, and the song all of humanity spent an entire year singing. Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

*LITTLE WOMEN: 2019

Where: Amazon $

What: My favorite film of the past five years, and IMO the best adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic. Starring Timotheé Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Saoirse Ronan

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: 2019

Where: Amazon $

What: Tarantino is synonymous with blockbusters and this depiction of a golden boy at the end of his acting career, and his relationship with his stunt man, mixed with the Manson murders and a dash of Sharron Tate makes this one a can't miss. Starring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie

THE WAY BACK: 2020

Where: HBO Max

What: Perhaps I'm a big nostalgic since this is the last movie I saw in theaters before the world ended, or maybe because I'm just an Affleck fan but this story of an alcoholic former basketball star trying to find purpose by coaching a team of undervalued youths is one that stayed with me for several days. Starring Ben Affleck and Michaela Watkins 

EMMA: 2020

Where: HBOMax

What: One of the only good things to come out of 2020 is this hilarious retelling of the classic. Starring Anya Taylor Joy and Josh O'Connor 

*My top 10 favorite films

This list became a bit of a labor of love over the past few months, I actually started compiling them way back in March so it feels so exciting to finally be able to share them with you. While virtually browsing the film industry I discovered several films I've always intended to watch but never had the opportunity. So this chilly, self isolated winter, I intend of ticking each of the following movies of my proverbial 

"to-do" list. 

St. Elmo's Fire

Steel Magnolias 

Troop Beverly Hills 

Basic Instinct 

Six Degrees of Separation 

Great Expectations 

Valley of the Dolls 

Casablanca 

Monday Musings

Hello lovelies, in true 2020 fashion, and in a post Christmas daze, I absolutely did not realize today was Monday. Happy final week of the worst year of our collective lives! What a journey 2020 has been. Usually after Christmas a very specific kind of melancholy sets in, but it is my personal belief that 2021 promises to hold an abundance of good fortunes.  

Are we doing resolutions this year? I've considered it. I recently saw someone frame them as "intentions" and I think I prefer that. I have intentions for the new year. I intend to adopt a few new hobbies (and brush up on a few old ones), I intend on getting out of my reading rut, I intend to watch all those movies I've always wanted to see, I intend to journal more and worrying less. I think all we can intend is to be grateful for a clean slate, a fresh opportunity for positivity, and the ability to recognize and apprecaite the most trivial things we once took for granted. 

As I look back over the past 365 days I'm reminded of a very personal post I wrote back in June. At the time, so much of our lives felt like they were in free fall but in a desperate need to cling to any level of optimism I promised you (but mostly myself) that there would come a time when the sun would shine again. I believe that is what 2021 is. It's not going to be perfect, I have no doubt it will be full of peaks and valleys, just like any other, but it also is the bright light of the dawn. It's coming and I intend to savor every second. 

Here comes the sun, friends.