2010 FAVOURITES (Part Four) - Movies

 I actually didn't see too many movies in theater during the year so my review will be limited. But of the films I did see, here are the ones that I enjoyed most. I won't go into too much detail about the movies because I don't want to spoil them for you if you haven't seen them yet.

Toy Story 3

I laughed, I cried and laughed some more. I loved the original Toy Story movie but I think this one tops it! Maybe it's because I'm older and I can relate to the whole "growing up" thing - even though I refuse to ever really grow up. I thought it was really well done and a great film for the whole family!

Tangled

I absolutely LOVE this movie! Beauty and the Beast is still my all time favourite Disney movie but this one quickly moved into my top five! The storyline, the animation, the music...loved every minute of it! I watched  it twice in a row, that's how much I loved it! And I can't stop singing the song "I See The Light". Loved that scene the most!!





  Inception

Quite possibly the most anticipated movie of the year and it definitely came through for me! The cast was phenomenal. The premise was complex and requires viewer concentration but it's not confusing if you give it your full attention. I'm into the kind of films that make you think and don't just hand you the plot on a silver platter. It was a brilliant film packed with action. In my opinion, one of the best movies of the year!

Alice in Wonderland

I'm starting to believe that Tim Burton is incapable of making a bad movie. This wasn't my favourite of his films nor was it my favourite Alice in Wonderland interpretation, but I still enjoyed it. The characters are visually striking, and the CG animation work is very whimsical and brilliantly twisted.

Predators

A startlingly good comeback for a franchise nearly spoiled for good with the horrendous "Alien vs. Predator" films. It doesn't top the original, but it succeeded in beating out the other sequels. It's starts off intense with Adrien Brody's character waking up in mid free-fall and this sets the tone for the entire movie. Fast-paced and packed full of action.




There were several movies I wanted to see but didn't get a chance to, like the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, How To Train Your Dragon and the Social Network to name a few. I'll have to check them out on DVD I suppose.

I can say with certainty that the worst movie of the year was the Last Airbender - I watched it on the plane to Switzerland and didn't even make it to the end. Horrible acting + mind-numbing dialogue = torture. Don't waste your time on this movie.

What were your favourite films of 2010? Please list them below!

2010 FAVOURITES (Part Three) - Books

I read some really great books this year and wanted to share some of them with you in this edition of my 2010 Favourites. I'll give each book a brief review/summary and try not to spoil any of them for you if you have not read them yet yourself. I've listed them in no particular order.

Lucky Girl
by Mei-Ling Hopgood

 Mei-Ling Hopgood's memoir Lucky Girl is about the author's complex family tree, from her biological Chinese parents who chose adoption for her to her adoptive Michigan parents who loved her unconditionally. As a reader you will follow her through her post college years as a successful journalist, join her on her wedding day bliss, really feel the love and warmth that she shared with her adoptive parents, and then join her on her journey to meet her birth parents. All this storytelling is done with humor, sincerity and self examination. It really is an epic tale that weaves together so many lives, emotions and discoveries. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ending Abortion: Not Just Fighting It
by FR. Frank A. Pavone

This is an excellent Pro-Life resource. The book is a collection of 100 short essays well-organized into eight parts: The Activists, The Arguments, The Women, The Babies, The Celebrations, The Abortionists, The Government, and The Church. They are very well written and cover pretty much all the angles on abortion. You'll not only learn a lot from Father Pavone, but learn about his experiences as well. Quite possibly the most compelling part of this book is the challenge Father Pavone makes to all of us: to not merely make abortion illegal but to "make abortion unthinkable".  I highly recommend this book to not just Pro-Life minded people but to those who are "on the fence " and those who fully support the act of abortion. We can all stand to gain something from this book.

 

Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped The Women of the Bible and  What He Wants To Do With You
by John MacArthur

I did an in depth review on this book through a series of weekly blog posts. You can view those HERE.

In short, The women MacArthur chose as subjects for this book are: Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Anna, The Samaritan Woman, Martha and Mary, Mary Magdalene and Lydia. I enjoyed the closer look into the lives of these women because it brought a greater understanding of  lives they lived and how God was the key to each of their extraordinary legacies. This book also provided much self-reflection and acted as a daily devotional where I was able to deepen my relationship with my Saviour.  MacArthur opens the book by saying: "My prayer for you is that as you read this book you will share their faith, imitate their faithfulness, and learn to love the Savior whose work in their lives made them truly extraordinary. Your life can be extraordinary, too, by His wonderful grace." This too is my prayer for anyone who reads this book.

The Case For A Creator
by Lee Strobel

Strobel actually wrote a three-part series The Case For Christ, The Case For Faith and The Case For A Creator - this was my favourite in that series. I do not have a background in science but have a strong desire to understand it. I married a Chemist who is great at breaking things down so that someone with very little scientific knowledge can understand and that is what this book does. It lays out the scientific evidence to support intelligent design in a way that the average person can understand and appreciate. While I enjoyed the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the film based on this book. I am a much more visual person so it really emphasized the facts for me and I enjoyed the interviews by respected scholars and scientist. It leaves very little room for skepticism. I recommend you read all of the books in this series by Lee Strobel.

The Missing Piece
by Lee Ezell

This is a true story written about Lee Ezell's own personal life experiences. At a very young age Lee found herself in a very bad situation. She was raped and became pregnant as a result of that rape. Ezell shares some insight into the thoughts and questions a woman in her situation faces, how amidst her struggles she turned to God and ultimately chose adoption for her baby. She talks about life before, during and after her pregnancy and adoption and how she eventually reunites with her daughter after many years. It is a story about life, choices and love. It is definitely a recommended read.

What books did you read that you would recommend? Please list them below!

2010 FAVORITES (Part Two) - Music

Music is my fuel. Certain songs have a way of carrying me through certain moments. I often create soundtracks in my head as I go through life. I literally pick out songs that I've heard that I think would go perfect with the moment as it is happening. Perhaps that constitutes me as a weirdo. But it is what it is.

I have a very eclectic taste when it comes to music. I'm not at all a music snob, if I like what I hear then I don't care who sings it or whether or not it is popular. I like what I like and don't have a particular genre that I gravitate towards. I just love all sorts of music.

There were a lot of great new album releases this year and I had trouble narrowing it down to just these few. This list could have gone on until 2012 I'm sure but I managed to select those that most frequented my playlist this year. I've listed them in no particular order.

The Morning Benders  -  Big Echo



Thanks to one of my Blip.fm friends for introducing me to this band. They remind me a bit of The Shins and Grizzly Bear but they have more of a vintage almost early Beatles sound. I dig it.



Joanna Newsom   -   Have One On Me



Her ethereal voice accompanied by the harp is so beautiful and enchanting. I was a big fan of her earlier albums so this release was definitely a treat for 2010!


The Arcade Fire  -  The Suburbs



I have been a fan of Arcade Fire since their first album release in 2004. They managed to stay true to their original sound while adding a few new twists. 'We Used To Wait' is probably my favourite on the album.

Jónsi   -  Go



Jared and I had the pleasure of seeing Jónsi live in Chicago at the Vic Theater earlier in the year and - WOW! What a performance. His sound, particularly his voice, is so wonderfully unique and amazing and the visuals at this show were outstanding. In short: 90 minutes of synaptic fireworks and endorphin butterflies! Second only to Radiohead when it comes to live performance!

The Black Keys  -  Brothers



The Black Keys brought the funk in 2010! I absolutely loved this album from start to finish. Particularly this song.


Kaskade  -  Dynasty



This album is full of stellar beats and incredible vocals. Definitely played this song on repeat in 2010!

Taylor Swift  -  Speak Now



I really enjoyed her 'Fearless' album. I thought it was very personal and heartfelt. I can't say I like this one more but it definitely has some great songs on it. 'Innocent' has such a great message and came at a time when I began putting more of my focus on reaching out to teen girls. I helped start the organization Epic Alliance and ended up adding the song to our website:  www.epicalliance.net

Mindy Gledhill  -  Anchor



I stumbled upon this song on YouTube and instantly fell in love with it! After listening to the entire album it quickly became one of my favourites of 2010! 'Anchor' is such a sweet song with a youthful and playful approach. There are so many great songs on this album so I definitely recommend you check it out!

Vampire Weekend - Contra




This is such a fun album! I have to thank my friends Laura and Chris for introducing me to this song. Actually, it was their 3-year-old daughter, Raina who wanted it played one day while I was in the car with them. This is one of Raina's favourite songs making her one of the coolest kids I know. So thank you Raina! :)


Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea





So soulful. From start to finish. She has a voice you can't help but love. And I loved this album.

What were your favourite albums released in 2010? Please share them below!

2010 FAVOURITES (Part One) - Beauty & Fashion

There have been so many things that I enjoyed in 2010. So many that I can't fit them all into one blog post...well I could...but it would be entirely too long! Instead, I am going to break down my 2010 favourites list into five parts: 1.) Beauty and Fashion Favourites 2.) Favourite Music Albums 3.) Favourite Films 4.) Favourite Books 5.) Favourite Moments

I'll be starting off with my 2010 Beauty and Fashion Favourites so that if you see something you like you have a better chance of finding it in store or online.

1. L'Oreal Go 360° Clean Deep Clean Cleanser

I discovered this face cleanser early on in the year and it is my holy grail of beauty products! I have very sensitive skin in that I am allergic to certain face products and my face will break out into a rash if something too harsh touches my face (like my husbands beard stubble) but I don't break out in blemishes very often. Typically I only get one or two pimples a month sometimes I can go a month without getting blemishes at all, which compared to some is pretty good, but I have been using this product consistently since early spring and I have only had two pimples all year! Yes, that's right...two pimples ALL year and I swear it is because of this cleanser! I use it every day - once a day - and I am so happy with the results it has given me! I can't guarantee it will work for you because all skin types are different but if it works as good as it has for me then I think you'll fall in love with it too! It's affordable, it lasts a long time and it's good for sensitive skin (like mine). I get the pink bottle because I have more dry skin so the formula works best for my skin type. Jared uses the green bottle and he too has had great results with it.

2. DKNY Havana Frame Glasses Lens Crafters
These frames fit my face well and because Lens Crafters was having a sale when I bought them, I got them for cheaper than the retail price.

3. Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume
For those who know me well you know that my favourite perfume of all time is Breathless by Victoria Secret. But this year I discovered Daisy by Marc Jacobs and I absolutely love it! The bottle is adorable, the scent is youthful yet sophisticated, fresh and feminine and just an all-around nice light scent. I have actually only smelled it at the perfume counter and don't actually own it, but I would like to. *hint hint* ;)

4. Louis Vuitton White Multicolor Handbag
 I happened to stumble upon this gem on eBay and quickly snatched it up. Actually, it was a closed auction and I was able to outbid the other lady by only $1.00!! I was so excited when I found out it was mine! Unfortunately it's really hard to purchase this handbag because it is extremely rare and hard to find but don't let that stop you from searching! I love that it is the white multicolor because it can go with just about any outfit and the bow makes it extra feminine and SO cute. It is definitely my new favourite purse! :)

5. Essie Nail Polish in the shade Forever Young
Red nail polish is classic and classy. This Essie nail polish is a nice tango red shade. It looks great on both finger nails and toes. It was one of my go-to nail polishes of 2010.

6. Rimmel Moisture Renewal Lipstick in the shade Vintage Pink
I am not a huge fan of lipstick. I prefer lipgloss. But this lipstick doesn't feel sticky or dry like other lipsticks I've tried. It's very smooth and moistuizing and feels like more of a lipgloss or chapstick on your lips than actual lipstick. This shade is a very subtle pink shade that would look good on most skin tones. You can find this product at your local drugstore.

7. Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara in Black
Non-clumping, non-flaking, volumizing and lengthening mascara. What more could you ask for in a mascara?

8. Pink Burberry Scarf
I have been wanting a pink Burberry Scarf for a very long time. I found mine in one of the many Swiss shops during Christmas and was so excited to add it to my ever-growing scarf collection. It's so girly and cute!

9. Hello Kitty iPhone Case
This was another eBay find! (My Mom and I are addicts!) I'm pretty sure this iPhone case was only $3.00 plus shipping. I'm a big Hello Kitty fan so when I got my new phone I instantly went on the hunt for the perfect Hello Kitty case. I love that this is a mobile phone case and Hello Kitty has a rotary phone. So cute!

10. Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition
My favourite Disney movie of all time was re-released this year and Jared got it for me for our three year wedding anniversary! Not really a beauty product...but Beauty is in the title so it counts right? ;)

11. Head and Shoulders Smooth and Silky Shampoo
I don't care if this is a "dandruff shampoo" it smells AMAZING! I have my sister-in-law, Jess, to thank for this discovery! Every time I gave her a hug I could smell her hair and it always smelled so good. I asked her what hair product she used to get her hair to smell so good and couldn't believe it was the drugstore brand Head and Shoulders. I ran out and bought some and it's been on my favourites list since summer! My hair still has the freshly shampooed scent ALL day. I love that it is long-lasting because other shampoos I have tried the scent wears off in just a few hours. I love smelling my hair after I use this shampoo! :)

12. Colin Stuart Riding Boots
I had my eyes on these boots for months and Mama Bear got them for me as a Christmas gift this year. They are not the best at keeping your feet warm in snow, but they are too cute for me to care! :) If you layer up socks you will be able to better fight the cold feet. I got my pair in the color caramel and I absolutely love them! They are pretty comfortable. I wore them walking around the streets of Switzerland all day and they didn't hurt my feet! These boots will be great in spring and summer too with sundresses because they are lightweight so I love that they are versatile.

My favourite trend of 2010 definitely has to be bows. Bows on handbags, bow jewelry, bow hair accessories, clothing with bow detail. I definitely fell in love with bows this year and bought a lot of things that were adorned with them. They are just so feminine and classic and I can't seem to get enough of them! :)

Hope you enjoyed the first installment of my 2010 favourites. Be sure to check back for the sequels of this series! :) Have a fun and SAFE New Year!