Monday's thoughts

1.) I bought some new shoes today. Isn't it just the greatest feeling to prance around the house in a new pair of heels? Something I always loved to do when I lived alone was to wear a pair of les talons hauts while I did house chores. I haven't done this since I moved back home (my parents would make fun of me, I'm sure), but these will be great for that someday.

Do you love them? 

2.) Over the weekend, I went to see "No Strings Attached." I did NOT want to see it, mainly because I never end up loving Ashton Kutcher movies, and this one seemed a little predictable, but I must say that I completely loved it!! I laughed straight through. There's this one particularly funny part when she's on her period and he comes over and.....well, just go watch it. It's funny.

3.) I found out last night that they are going to make movies out of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King (starring none other than the scrumptious Javier Bardem as gunslinger Roland Deschain). Now, I've read the first two, and I liked them. I can tell that they are the beginnings of a fascinating story, but my goodness they are very difficult to read! It's taken me two years to get through two books because I have to stop every now and again and read something lighter. But now they've decided to make these movies, the first of which is set to come out in 2013, which means that I have 3 years max to read the next 5 books. I'm mentally exhausted just thinking about it. This is the only thing getting me through...

Wait a minute....that's not right....

There we go, that's more like it. 

4.) Tomorrow is February 1st, and every time I walk out the front door, I see more pink, more red, more hearts. I don't mean to sound bitter, but WTF, VALENTINE'S DAY!! LEAVE ME ALONE! I HATE YOU! haha, okay so that's a little dramatic. All I'm saying is that if you don't see me this month, don't be alarmed. I've decided not to leave my house for the entire month because I did it last year and bad things happened. 

On that note, Happy Monday everyone, and I'll see you in March!

Miracle workers

If you've seen me lately (since I'm in Dayton, you probably haven't), you may have noticed that I've completely ditched the habit of wearing makeup. Now, this is partly due to the fact that I simply have nowhere to go at the moment that requires a full face, but it's also due to the fact that my skin has been behaving beautifully lately, thanks to my new daily skincare regiment. I believe that anytime you find something like this that works, you have an obligation to the rest of womankind to share, so here we go...

Miracle worker #1 - Rose Water

Does this sound hokey, or what? I myself was skeptical, but it works! I've been using it morning and night for the past two weeks, and I find that it freshens without drying and leaves a soft, dare I say radiant, glow. Right now, my brand is Bigelow Triple Rose Water, which unfortunately costs $25 a pop, so I imagine I'll be downgrading to something a bit cheaper when I run out.


Miracle worker #2 - Hope In A Jar moisturizer

This probably isn't news to anyone, since Philosophy is pretty much a household name, but to anyone who has opted out because of the price, I urge you to reconsider! This is the last word in moisturizers, completely worth the money, and the large jar lasts forever! I use it everyday, and I probably only buy three jars a year. But, don't get any of the modified versions (SPF, Dry skin formula, etc.). Just stick with the original. The beauty of simplicity...

Now go and indulge, ladies. Makeup optional!

Bucket List...

Oh no, you don't get to see it. That's for my eyes only, but I will tell you that #21 is "Write something that everyone can see," which is why this blog thing is happening. I get a heady sense of achievement every time I get to mark something off the list, and this one is likely to give me some real trouble someday. You see, I love to write. I have about 5 unfinished novels on my computer right now, the operative word being "unfinished." I am a terrible fiction writer. They start off so well, with rich detail and dynamic characters, but I always get about 50 pages in and I lose it. 

To counteract this problem, I figure I can just blog. My characters can't get boring because I AM the main character (and I'm never boring), and my plot can't fizzle out because it's just me living my life, which is sure to be interesting as I am currently an unemployed college grad living with my parents (not a drop of sarcasm or bitterness in that statement). 

The title of this blog, "In Search of Gumption..." is inspired by Iris Simpkins, Kate Winslet's character in "The Holiday" because we are in similar life circumstances, and it turned out that all she needed was a spoonful of gumption to get her through it. If it's good enough for Kate Winslet, it's good enough for me. This quest really began on New Year's Eve, so you're a bit late on the uptake, but while I won't take the time to fill you in, I will tell you that I think I'm in marginally better shape than I was in in December. 

In closing I give you this...

 

This is what I wish I were doing right now...dancing in the gardens of Versailles with one of the greatest people on the planet, Jessica Glauber, who is so very far away from me these days. And on this note, I'll make you a deal. I will give everyone a quarter for every time I whine about missing Europe. Maybe poverty will help me to accept the fact that I will NOT be going back for a long while, and I will finally be able to move on and live the American dream, or whatever it is we're supposed to be doing over here. 

Now I'm going to go cross #21 off of my list =)