Follow Miss City Discovers!
get your fix of city straight to your inbox
Miss City Discovers
finding home through fashion, film and fun.
Miss City Blog
Exploring New York
Exploring Home
Film, Television & The Arts
My Thinking
Food & Something
The Veiled Flame
April 10, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: My Writing, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Fantasia: An Algerian Cavalcade shifts between time periods as well as perspectives in order to provide a complete record of the occupation of Algeria during the 19th century, as well as the Algerian woman's life growing up in a war-ravaged, veiled and traditional society. Assia Djebar chronicles both the war events and personal narratives using titles with words or numbers and switching from points of views casually without explanation , perhaps suggesting that only a collective interpretation can create an all-encompassing perspective. If the reader wants to burn through the veil, that is the truth, it is necessary to gaze at the story from different vantage points. Smoke and fire are themes mentioned during moments of war and destruction, but fire-related imagery and tone are also used while describing personal storylines. The woman's veil is also a recurring motif, illuminating the symbol of silencing and shielding the woman of Algeria. The significance of being veiled or concealed by smoke is relevant because women in Algeria and Algeria as an independent nation, feel clouded, stifled and uncomfortable with their own voice and image within society.
During the chapter, "Women, Children, Oxen Dying in Caves", Djebar accounts a specific massacre that occurred between the French and Berber tribes in Algeria. Field-Marshal Bugeaud gives the order to Colonel Pelissier to "do what Cavaignac did to the Sbeah, smoke them out mercilessly, like foxes!" (65). The following scene that ensues is one of torture, violence and heartbreak. A Spanish officer recounts the night: "What pen could do justice to this scene? To see, in the middle of the night, by moonlight, a body of French soldiers, busy keeping that hellfire alight! To hear the muffled groans of men, women, children, beasts, and the cracking of burnt rocks as they crumbled, and the continual gunfire!" (71) The description of the tribes' "muffled groans" equates the tribesmen, women and children with the beasts in the cave that perish with them. By making them equal in death, the French imply they were equal in life. The method in which the Algerians cannot escape the torment of the French within the cave, blinded by the smoke from the flames is an exact reflection of the violent French occupation of Algeria. By recounting an event where innocent Algerians were disoriented by a fire's smoke, unable to escape or even be heard through the 'crackling of burnt rocks', Djebar connects the way in which the many different players involved in the war stifled Algeria's voice in the fight. "Pelissier, speaking on behalf of this long drawn-out agony, on behalf of fifteen hundred corpses buried beneath El-Kantara, with their flocks unceasingly bleating at death, hands me his report and I accept this palimpsest on which I now inscribe the charred passion of my ancestors." (79) Djebar connects the genocide to her current age of struggle. She purposely uses the word "charred" to illuminate the idea that 100 years later, the Algerian people still bear the scars of their ancestors' battle. She uses an anachronism to place her and Pelissier in the same time period. "He hands me his report" suggests that the violent battles Pelissier was fighting are struggles of Algeria's existence during Djebar's upbringing, as if there has been no lapse in time. She is grateful of Pelissier's courage in outwardly speaking about the tragedy that he was directly involved in, and so she pays him the ultimate compliment by placing him in the same classification as herself, a veiled, silenced woman who is attempting to confront society by continuing to write what he began; with every word she writes over his "palimpsest" she attempts to avenge the tragedy of her ancestors that he triggered.
"Molten words, splinted firestones, diorites expelled from gaping lips, fire brand caresses when the harsh leaden silence crumbles, and the body seeks for its voice, like a fish swimming upstream." (109) The fiery descriptive imagery used in this poem connect passion and pain. Molten, fire-brand caresses allude to a scene of burning destruction, but also overwhelming, uncontrollable desire. As the Algerian woman is on the cusp of releasing during this sexual act, she struggles like a "fish swimming upstream" because of the disconnect between her body and her mind. As a woman so often silenced, her "gaping lips" attempt to speak, to make noise, to give solace to her body, but it's close to impossible to make that single gratified noise. One moment of pleasure for the body is not enough convincing for the constantly veiled mind to release in its entirety. The Algerian woman's battle is constantly uphill, and even when she wishes to scream out in a burst of fiery passion, her awareness of her shrouded existence fights her.
As a mother and daughter escape a scene of terror, they plunge into an unknown body of water, with flames raining down upon them. The innocent child exclaims, "Mother the fire's eating you up! The fire's eating you up!" (161) A youth, filled with purity, without understanding of Algeria's history in war, proves that this moment is actuality in Algeria's world, by stating the observable: this country is devastating its people. The country is destroying the mother physically, as her treasured and identifying hair is engulfed by flame, but also metaphorically destroying a youth's innocence as she comes to terms with not only Algeria's situation, but also a woman's place in war; no one is safe.
By using repeatedly using the symbol of fire and smoke, Djebar connects how Algeria is being clouded through a fog, hiding its voice in the fight. Yet the violence and difficulties of the country on the home front, including its woman's role in society are openly illuminated by the "fire", and still there has been close to no change in 100 years. Smoke hides, yet fire illuminates and one does not arise without the other, suggesting that the veil of Algeria may never be lifted to completely reveal the turmoil within.
"So wrap the nubile girls in veils. Make her invisible. Make her more unseeing than the sightless, destroy in her every memory of the world without." (3) A nubile girl is one who is young and desirable, ready for marriage. Djebar is suggesting that this is the burden Algeria places on their women. To make her invisible is to take away her power. But to make her unseeing vanishes the man from visibility and authority also. Algeria is blind, while simultaneously veiling itself to the rest of the world. This passage suggests that to take away the importance of one half of Algeria is to decimate the entire population.
"Her son must have fallen in love with your silhouette and your eyes." (10) A silhouette is only a shell, a shadow of a real person. There is no mention of voice, intelligence or even humanity in this description of a woman's allure. Men in Algeria are raised to believe that all women contribute to society are their bodies and their procreation capacities. The woman's eyes that are told not to see capture the desire of her dominators, suggesting that veiling does not always silence power. To occupiers, Algeria is just a commodity, something to be used for gain, never to voice opinions or grasp its own identity.
The attempt to rid Algerian women of a voice and of vision in society is a direct correlation of the lack of control Algeria has in its own political and war affairs. Whether it is the man, or another country, Algeria may be the subjected, but not the defeated. The war between the French and Algeria has been in session for over 100 years, suggesting that the Algerians will not back down until they have a voice, and Djebar shows that women have the same mindset regarding their role in society.
"As the majestic fleet rends the horizon, the Impregnable City sheds her veil and emerges, a wraith-like apparition though the blue-grey haze." (6) To rend is to slash and shred; the depiction of their arrival towards the feeble is vicious. The untouchable but tremendously vulnerable woman that is Algeria unveils herself, but not completely. Her appearance in the distance to the occupiers is ghost like, forcing them to enrich their vision, to see what desires to be invisible. This suggests that until the haze is utterly clear and the veil completely lifted, neither the besieger nor the besieged can see the true intentions of the other. The combination of violent war-like imagery ("rends the horizon") and the delicate imagery of a lesser power ("sheds her veil") is a contrast that makes visible the incongruity of Algeria.
"I was certain a light would blaze down from the ceiling and reveal our sin…" (13) Djebar worries that her parents will learn of the secret love letters she has been writing with friends. To blaze in a fire, is to reveal, illuminate or unveil. Not only a young woman, who is told never to express lust or desire for a man unless they are married, feels guilt and fears exposure from a blazing light, but also Algeria feels the guilt of subjecting its people to the pillaging of war. "Torch-words which light up my women companions, my accomplices." (142) From childhood to adulthood, language and the written word proves to still be a barrier faced by women. The description of "torch-words" imply a sting is suffered for each written explanation of emotion. The brave words written to contribute a woman's voice shed light on the women of Algeria, who have always found relief within each other's company.
"Her body and her face are once more engulfed in shadow as she whispers her story – a butterfly displayed on a pin with the dust from its crushed wing staining one's finger." (141) This passage describes a shadowbox with a butterfly. A woman tries to preserve the beautiful, delicate creature by killing it, and is left with the stain on her fingers. The mark of death doesn't leave one who has killed in war or maybe in matters of the heart. But also, by Djebar's telling of these stories, she writes over another kind of palimpsest, one that she writes in order to preserve the memories of her ancestors and the fight of women to earn their rights, but in the meantime she injures her country and the guilt is left on her heart. "Her body and face are once more engulfed in shadow" indicates that finally, her telling of these accounts leaves her alone to fight the flames and resist the pull into darkness, refusing to veil her thoughts once and for all.
Algeria as a nation, and the Algerian woman both contain a fiery passion within; both try to be stifled, but neither extinguish. Just like Algeria will never stop fighting for her independence, neither will the woman of Algeria. Djebar tells the story of her country to unveil the truth, see through the smoke and gaze at the reality. Although smoke may veil, fire will always illuminate, and one does not arise without the other. The fight will continue, in the souls, and in the pens of every citizen of Algeria who wishes to see and be seen.
Djebar, Assia. Fantasia, an Algerian cavalcade. Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann, 1993.
Print.
Machiavelli: Diabolical Mastermind or Unknowing Scholar?
April 9, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: My Writing, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Ever since learning about Machiavelli in 10th grade, and now again in my freshman year of college at New York University, I've been interested in his life, pre-diabolical mastermind. Clearly, Machiavelli is a key part of any history course's curriculum, as it's one name that has stuck like glue in my brain for over five years. Now that I know exactly what he said, and how he preached it (through his writing, mainly) I want to know more about how Machiavelli, the human being, came to be. How did this man have such an incredibly powerful and damaging impact on future dictators? How did he realize these world-changing ideas? What was his childhood like? Did he have any idea that he would profoundly influence despicably devastating people, like Hitler and Mussolini, or was he simply writing down his ideas? Everyone comes from somewhere, and the question is, what is Machiavelli's story?
Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy in the year 1469. He was born to a lawyer, and so he was of nobility, though by no means wealth. His parents had three other children. Machiavelli's education started at age seven, where he learned Latin and Italian, but never mastered the Greek language, which was prominent in Florence during that time (nndb.com). In the Machiavelli family, a value that they all shared was a passion for books and reading. He spent his youth in a city with continuous political instability. Notable events include the Pazzi conspiracy (an unsuccessful plot to overthrow the Medici family), the end of Medici rule, and the reign of the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola (notablebiographies.com).
Sources say that Machiavelli's only experience with politics as a child was watching Savanarola, who was an 'Italian Dominican friar and preacher active in Florence, and known for his prophecies of civic glory and calls for Christian renewal' (CTBW.com). Interestingly enough, he criticized tyrannical rule and the exploitation of the poor; something that Machiavelli later on says is absolutely necessary to get ahead. After Savanarola was executed, Machiavelli entered the Florentine political scene as a secretary. He met many important famous figures, including the Pope and the King, but none had more of an impact on him than a certain Prince, named Cesar Borgia. Ring a bell? Apparently Borgia was a cruel person, very much like the one portrayed in Machiavelli's most famous piece of writing, The Prince. Some say that Machiavelli did not even agree with Borgia's policies, however he felt that it was most important to unite Italy, and felt that violence was the only solution. In an attempt to gain the favor of the brutal Medici family and in turn gain a place within the political world, he wrote The Prince, thinking that they clearly were goals of the family. This backfired, and he never received a political position from his efforts. Once the Medici family was overthrown the people were so disturbed by The Prince, they refused to elect him. Even if Machiavelli only wrote the world-changing book to please a ruthless ruling family, he still had the thoughts, glorified them, and forever immortalized them by writing them down, and therefore he should still remain responsible for his work.
It seems to me that Machiavelli grew up in a time not so different from the one we currently live in. If Machiavelli was my age, we would have the following similarities: witness the widening gap between the rich and poor, see how two very divided parties can not compromise and make progress, and see how the ideals of the world are drastically changing; in his case maybe it was the rejection of the church hierarchy, and in ours it's attempting to legalize gay marriage. We may not have murderous and incestuous families competing for power, but let's face it, we aren't that far off. His father was an attorney; my father has his law degree but doesn't practice. His mother didn't work, and instead raised the children; so did mine. Both of us were avid readers, and crave a place within society that will make us a sure name in the next history book. Instead, rather than fame, he received infamy, and I certainly don't hope that for myself. At the end of the day, I don't believe Machiavelli meant his work to have the repercussions that it did, but he still should be held accountable for writing a "handbook for dictators" that he didn't believe in. The lesson learned here is to stay true to yourself and what you believe in, and know that once something is written down, you can never take it back.
He certainly looks creepy enough..
My Avo's Eulogy- The Accomplisher of the American Dream
I want to start by explaining how and why I wrote this piece about my truly incredible Avo. In my senior year of high school, this past year, I decided to interview my Avo about his life. I asked him how he immigrated to America from Portugal, what his wedding day was like, and what he thought was the most memorable moment in United States history. One of my Avo's most special qualities was his modesty. He claims to have never experienced a headache in his life (even though he worked Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 10 pm) and he never took enough credit for bringing over our entire family to America. It was his initiative and will for a better life that ultimately created the most warm, loving, accepting, witty, joyful, affectionate family all these years later. I used to remind him at family get-togethers that none of these people would be here without him. I've never known a man so hard working, relentless and resilient. I am so proud and lucky to have had him as my Avo. This is the short biography that I wrote to try and put in words what an amazing life Anthony DeFrias has lead.
Anthony DeFrias has a story of American triumph that he happens to remember almost every detail of- a memory most would envy for an 86-year-old man. He was born on January 14th, 1926 in the Azores of Portugal. He currently resides in East Greenbush surrounded by his six children, ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
"East Greenbush, USA!" he says jokingly, when declaring his current town. Although, it is evident by his thick Portuguese accent that he hasn't always lived here. He grew up in West Warwick, Bermuda where he attended school up until 5thgrade at the Gilbert Institute in Pachet. There were about 30 kids in his class. He had a female teacher and the boys and girls were separated (he really does remember all of these details).
"I never showed up. My father said 'forget about school, speak English good enough, go sell vegetables'," said DeFrias.
After the 5th grade, around the age of eight or nine, he went to "Farm School" as he lightheartedly prefers to call it, and worked feeding pigs, cats and dogs.
At the age of 25, he met the love of his life, Leona Maria DeLima. Leona was "beautiful" DeFrias says, and apparently a high in demand 17-year-old from Hamilton, Bermuda. She had many suitors, and Anthony looks back on the occasion, still wondering what it was that made her pick him.
"That's what happened," stated DeFrias. It might have something to do with the romantic motorcycle rides he would take her on when they'd go out on the town. It seems as if girls' tastes haven't changed much since the 1940's. They were married soon after on April 27th, 1950.
Anthony describes the wedding as "the best in the country". With a guest list of 500 people, too many cakes, sweets, and desserts to count, fresh Lilly's covering every surface, and a convertible with a driver to whisk them away at the end of the evening, it seems as if their wedding would still be considered a nuptial to remember.
The DeFrias family, with a new addition christened Mary, moved to the USA in 1953.
"I love the USA. I heard so much about it. Better life," said DeFrias. Although, not everyone was as excited to arrive in Albany, New York as he was. "She cried like a baby. She was homesick," said DeFrias about his wife, Leona. "Hard for the first couple of years, then she loved it." Anthony even recalls the exact street address he first lived on. "3 O'Connor Street."
In June 1954, the next addition to the family came into the world. His name was Michael, and he was the only boy the DeFrias family would have. The next four children all turned out to be sweet baby girls; Elaine, Nettie, Lisa and Christy.
"I loved it. There was always someone around, always someone to be with. You were never lonely," said daughter number four, Lisa.
By 1966, Anthony incredibly brought over the rest of his and Leona's family, about 30 people, into the United States. This made his wife, Leona, truly happy with her new home in the US. In order to do this, DeFrias had to write a letter for every single individual person, saying he was able to give housing and work to everyone.
DeFrias worked two jobs Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 10 pm in order to provide for his family of eight. He didn't retire until age 75, where he worked at Price Chopper.
"I worked very hard with God's help," said DeFrias. When asked what his favorite part about being in the USA is he responded, "Freedom! Raise my family, give kids an education, safer here and better jobs."
A moment in history he remembers clearly: the day Kennedy was killed. He was working when it came on the news.
"Everyone was crying, especially Leona. Very upset, liked him a lot. He opened immigration to the Azores- made it possible for me to come to this country. Mary wrote a letter to him and he responded with a picture and his autograph," recalls Anthony.
However, remembering his driver's test is what really puts Anthony on edge. He failed three times.
"That was stupid!" he said. After many attempts to earn his license, he remembers the day he finally got lucky. "One day a guy got hot, I parked beautifully and he said go get your license!"
Quite possibly one of the biggest difficulties Anthony had to overcome was becoming a citizen, and having to be proficient in English.
"I still can't speak English!" he laughs. "Not hard but not easy. I learned in Bermuda. When I became a citizen, a woman told me to write in English 'I was born in Portugal'," said DeFrias, which he went on to say he wrote with ease. However, Leona didn't make out as well. "Leona didn't make it because she couldn't write 'Today's a rainy day'."
New Orleans, Franco Boyz, and Scary Cinema Villains.
April 8, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: Fashion, Film/TV, Food, Internet Finds, Lifestyle, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Hey everyone! So much has happened since the Red Cross Fire + Ice Gala! From March 29th-31st I was in New Orleans (!!!!) with the Tate Family! The city was so beautiful and the food was OFF DA HOOK. Seriously so good. Crawfish = my new favorite food. The beignets…the coffee…I can't even begin to describe how GOOD. We were only staying in their time share for a weekend, but we managed to do SO much. We went to a Burlesque show, took a buggy ride and toured around with quite the interesting chauffeur….and like I said, the restaurants are what really blew me away. Any weekend away with Mr. and Mrs. Tate, Mike and Nicola, and Dylan is always a good time.
Some sort of Crawfish appetizer at Commander's Palace!
Saturday Morning before getting on the trolley!
Mike and Nicola (newlyweds!!) on the trolley. There was an ongoing debate of whether or not Mike resembles Don Draper..more on that soon.
Nicola deserves a lot of credit for catching this incredible moment. Brotherly love<3
Kissing in the French Quarter!
This dessert…banana's foster something…just heaven. Ate every bite. Sort of shared..
This past Saturday, a group of students in the Red Cross Club at NYU went to clean up Central Park, which by the way is so weirdly clean…so we didn't have much trash to pick up, but I did get to use one of those awesome trash picking thingys. So that was a new experience. Later that night was the WYSE (Women and Youth Supporting Each Other) Date Auction!! Somehow at the last minute I was chosen to handle the music, and I basically only played Marvin Gaye & Michael Jackson. Oh and My Goodies by Ciara. Trying to make some money for a very deserving organization!! We raised over $600, so I'd say it was relatively successful.
New friends in Central Park!
We're gonna just jump right in, since we have lots to make up for.
This just made me laugh. Ha-ha-ha, laugh and move on. This man is an alien. Bye.
2. Here is where my motherly instinct kicks in. I just adore this photo. The light, the dress, mother & child IT'S ALL TOO MUCH FOR MY HEART!
3. Can we quickly re-cap who the best villains in cinema history are? Or at least the past like 5 years when I actually realized I liked movies? Here are my top three…
Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men
That haircut…those eyes…that weird silent gun…he could not be scarier…probably the number one person in the world that I wouldn't want chasing me. I would probably stop running. I'd rather die than run away from this villain.
Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds
I don't know if I've mentioned that Inglourious Basterds is my favorite movie…but Christoph Waltz had a lot to do with it. His acting the meticulous, always one step ahead, paranoid and demented Nazi was pretty impeccable. So good in fact that I think we all were pumped when Brad pulled out the knife at the end to give him a little reminder of himself. Props Christoph. Cool name.
Heath Ledger in Dark Knight Rises
I think Mr. Ledger got so into his character, it really started to effect him in his personal life. And we all know how his story ended. He gets a standing ovation from me for this role. Brilliant.
Now that I've re-terrifed you, and if I haven't, please go watch one of these (they are all AMAZINGGGGG films) I will attempt to stick with a more flowing theme.
4. NOT! LOL. I want these bed covers. Aren't they just so darling? And sorry I don't know where they are from…just found them on my girl's blog. Jess. I don't know why I called you "my girl", so sorry. Here's her blog.
5. So apparently this music video (the unrated version at least) was BANNED from YouTube because it was too risqué. Because there were naked girls in it. Prancing around Robin Thicke. Do you really expect anything less from him? Well now I have to share it. I like the video. And I like the song.
6. Could we PUH-LEEEEESE have a Brad and Jen Part Two? And no I'm not talking about Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. So 500 years ago. I'm talking about JLAW (who you all know I'm obsessed with- remember?) and Bradley COOPER. Yum. They just totally work. You cannot even deny them.
7. You are SO welcome. If this didn't just make your day a trillion times better then I don't know what will. You are a lost cause. JUST KIDDING- I love you all. Here are the rest of this dogs adventures.
8. Recently, I've been reminded about the awesomeness that is the Franco boys. Thank you Annie and Britt. Couldn't I just meet one of these perfect specimens? The older hottie (James) practically lives on my damn campus and I have YET TO SEE HIM. What am I doing wrong? But it's okay…I'll settle for meeting Daniel Day Lewis in a coffee shop (true story.) Just wait till the last picture…is there a third Franco brother that I don't know about?!?
9. Let's all live here! Everyone get in the bed! (Only some people will understand this reference-circa prom 2011). This is in Gramercy btw.
10. So I know the Girls finale happened a long time ago…but I really like this interview and reflection on it. SO READ THIS!
11. I have an appreciation for this. That is all! I need to go to the gym soon. Sorry I'm being BRIEF BITCHES.
12. It's so gorgeous out today. Basically 70 degrees. And Washington Square Park has been completely taken over by zombies from Walking Dead (AKA NYU Hipsters…something that my dad has been creepily obsessed with and asks me every time he comes out in an outfit "is this hipster?") I have been thinking about bikinis. And I want this one. So now I actually need to go to the gym. MWAH!
American Red Cross Fire + Ice Gala 2013!
March 24, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: The Lovely Leftovers, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Hi everyone! Thought I'd quickly share with you all of the pictures from last night's Gala!!
From Left to Right: Gary Striar, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross NENY, R. Mark Sullivan, Former President of the College of St. Rose, Fr. Kevin J. Mullen, President of Siena College, and Richard Sleasman, Chair of the Board of Directors of American Red Cross NENY
March 23, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: Books, Internet Finds, Lifestyle, New York, To Do Out Leave a Comment
Hey y'all! Sorry…experimenting with greetings. And sorry if you think the above photo is depressing..I just think it's an interesting thought.
I have a super full list of awesome videos and stuff and things that brought me joy to share with you! If you haven't yet noticed, this blog walks a very thin line between literally pointless blabbering and some thoughtful essays and reviews I've posted…but hey! I think everyone needs a little bit of both in their life. And my eclectic random behavior very correctly describes me as a person. These are basically my diary entries. So keep reading. I don't even know what's going to come out of my mouth next.
FIRST UP! Angela Miller from…get this…BEVERLEY MASS is now in the Top 8 of American Idol!! Beverley is such a small town (that my boyfriend, Dylan, currently lives in attending Endicott College) and she is actually amazing..and I don't just say that. She actually has a shot at winning this thing. One of my favorite performances of hers was when she sang "Yesterday" by The Beatles. I think it's my favorite Beatles song actually….and if you watched that night you know that I'm making fun of Keith Urban for running with that joke for way too long. But YouTube sucks right now and doesn't have a video of her singing Yesterday 🙁
But here is her audition piece:
I also love this Solo Round piece she did! (I think the judges did too)
Gillian Flynn. She is my favorite author of the moment. I've read two of her books, and am currently on the third. First I read Gone Girl. Then Sharp Objects. And now I'm reading Dark Places. This fills up the desire within me that yearns to solve "who dunnit" mysteries. Her writing is so beautifully descriptive and captivating. Oh, and if you haven't joined Goodreads yet, and you are an avid reader, then you have a problem. Flynn has a total dark side, and her characters are usually extremely effed up, but somehow she has you rooting for them. If you need to just escape this world for a second, I highly recommend reading one of these novels. You literally won't be able to put them down. So far I've read all of these in two days. And wait this is the first time I've seen her picture…why is she so beautiful? Her books are so demented!! AND AMAZING
GET YOSELF ORGANIZED. That is all.
I want this. I want this. I want this.
Is it embarrassing that I actually own one of these? And use it? Nah.
When I get back to New York (tomorrow), I really want to plan some kind of girls night out at this place called ABC Kitchen in Gramercy. It looks so beautiful inside. Oh and the food reviews are good lol.
And now…just enjoy these pictures.
Monthly in Your Mailbox!
March 23, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: Beauty, Internet Finds, Lifestyle, The Lovely Leftovers, To Do In Leave a Comment
It seems that there's a new fad out there. I have partaken in it myself. It is actually extremely exciting and uplifting when you receive a "care package". It brings me back to those long summer days at overnight camp.
I've decided to feature a few of my favorite "of the month" packages on here, and maybe you'll fall in love too!
1. Fancy Box
This is the package that I currently subscribe to, and I really do adore it. Each month, Fancy sends you about 5-8 items that are super popular, whether it's the newest techy-obsession or a beautiful and interesting (sometimes hilarious) book that is perfect for a coffee table. It is currently $39/box each month. Browse through some other amazing Fancy items on their website; you'll never get bored!
2. Bark Box
This is the sweetest idea out there if you have a dog, or are just a dog lover. If you sign up for this Bark Box, for as low as $18/month, you receive a little care package for your pooch! WAIT IT GETS BETTER! With each box that is delivered for the apple of your eye, another box goes to a dog in need!! Can you believe this?? I just want to cry that I found this after Luke passed 🙁 I miss him so much. I'm definitely telling my grandma to buy this for her doggies..
3. NewBeauty – TestTube
This is a really great idea if you love beauty products, skincare or makeup. Each month, a "TestTube" is filled with all of the newest products that are about to be released to the public, and you get to try them first! The package is $29.95, and is delivered six times a year. I have a friend who receives this package, and she only has glowing reviews!
4. Panty by Post
I know a lot of people cringe when they hear the "P" word, but cringe no more! It's time to do something nice for yourself, or maybe for a friend! These are absolutely stunning French luxury undies that come to you each month and make the postman blush! The price varies depending on how many months you want to subscribe- basically the longer, the cheaper! (They have 'em for the men too don't worry!)
5. Not Another Bill
Not Another Bill is perfect for those of you who are SICK of only seeing junk mail and bills in your mailbox. It's time to spice things up and order Not Another Bill! The prices also very depending on each month subscribed. I think the little blurb on their website says it all:
Opening the post box used to carry with it a bit of surprise. Who knew what handwritten letter you might have been sent or maybe one of your friends sent you a post card from a far flung country. Unfortunately, in a world of emails and smart phones, that tends to be a rarity more than common place. Instead, the postman's deliveries these days tend to be bills — all handed over like clockwork every month.
And so Not-Another-Bill is here to offer a glimmer of hope amongst the usual junk mail with the arrival of a monthly surprise gift specially curated and beautifully packaged. Subscribe for yourself or treat someone special to receive a collection of wonders each month, the product of collaborations between Not Another bill and a number of up and coming and established designers, brands and artists.
I hope you have found something that you could see yourself opening each month!! Tonight is the Red Cross Fire + Ice Gala- pictures coming soon!
Two Videos That Made Me Cry
March 21, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: Internet Finds, The Lovely Leftovers, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
I love Beyonce. Because:
1) She is insanely talented and her voice creates sparkles in my eyes (???)
2) She is just SO effin cool
3) She is so raw. And real. All of the good R words
I also have recently learned that I love when lions and humans get reunited. Because…obviously..
Ok so the song could have something to do with it..but I still think it's ultimately the heart-warming story.
So enjoy these two videos on this tear-filled Thursday night. (BTW- these are happy tears DUH)
Paranormal Activity 3 Review
March 20, 2013 by Jordan Filed Under: Film/TV, Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Paranormal Activity 3 is the next installment of the super creepy Paranormal Activity 'fakeumentary' frenzy. Paranormal Activity, the low-budget movie that started the hype, was about Katie and her boyfriend, Micah, being terrorized by some kind of demon. The sequel, Paranormal Activity 2, ventures into Kristi's house, Katie's sister, and the same type of supernatural events occur, endangering the lives of Kristi, her husband, and their two children. Paranormal Activity 3 jumps back in time to 1988 where the viewers see Kristi and Katie as little girls, and learn how this entire demon mess started.
Like the two films that came before, Paranormal Activity 3 starts with small, strange occurrences that just somehow get caught on tape, and slowly but surely get more intense, and definitely more terrifying. If there is one thing that should be learned from these movies, it's that demons do not like to be videotaped. As the demonizing gets more extreme, the main cameraman, who in Paranormal Activity 3 is Katie and Kristi's mother's boyfriend, becomes increasingly eager to catch the happenings on tape. Even in 1988, where the cameras are enormous and very heavy (they are apparently still easy to run around with while a demon is chasing you), catching everything on videotape seemed to be common.
Paranormal Activity 3 isn't all shocks and scares; in fact there are quite a few comical scenes with Dennis (the boyfriend) and his good cameraman friend, who has a bit of a potty mouth.
The real showstoppers in Paranormal Activity 3, however, are the two young children, Katie and Kristi. Kristi, the younger of the two, and her imaginary friend, Toby, have many conversations that are definitely out of the ordinary and hair raising- especially when they occur at 2 in the morning, raising little Kristi out of her bed.
With all of the hype about Paranormal Activity 3, both bad and good, my final word is that it might make you jump, possibly squeal, maybe even prevent you from breathing at some anxiety-filled scenes, but one things for sure, it most definitely will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Review
The much anticipated English version of the book turned movie, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was released December 20th netting on their opening weekend $12.75 million.
James Bonds' Daniel Craig played the lead role of Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced journalist hired to solve the murder of a young girl that took place forty years ago. The role which really stood unsurpassed was Lisbeth Salander, played by Rooney Mara. Mara plays an unreadable, troubled computer hacker, who Blomkvist seeks out to aid him in his search of what happened to Harriet Vanger. The director of the film was David Fincher, whose other works include Fight Club, The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Naturally, with titles like these under his belt, I imagined I'd be in for a treat on the evening I went out to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And what a treat it was. Although the movie is a whopping two hours and thirty seven minutes long, I felt as if my brain was tuned in the entire time, attempting to figure out the bizarre disappearance Blomkvist and Salander were trying to unveil.
What keeps the audience on edge is the on-going mystery of what happened to Henrik Vanger's (Christopher Plummer) niece, but also the back stories of Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. Salander lives an extremely difficult and trapped life. Everything about her points to a background of disappointment and problems. She has black as onyx hair that cuts across her forehead like ice, deep, overpowering, dark makeup and baggy, dark clothing that screams dread. The makeup and costume designers of this film should be commended. After seeing the film, I decided that it was Rooney Mara who was truly transformational in her role as Salander. She was extremely believable, and shock crosses most faces when told that Mara also played the girlfriend from Boston University in The Social Network.
The film is rated R for a reason; there are some very disturbing and brutally violent scenes as well as strong language.
The storyline is very effective; incorporating subplots and involving unlikely characters with each other always makes for a good flick. What makes the movie so captivating is that you're held almost completely in the dark throughout the whole movie, until the end where everything comes together in one sensational final scene. This film was innovative, surprising, and a breath of fresh air. Where have all the classic "who done it?" mysteries gone? All I can say is that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo brought it back, and with a bang.
looking for film, fashion or anything else in particular?
looking for film, fashion or anything else in particular? Select Category Beauty Books Fashion Film/TV Food Health/Fitness Internet Finds Lifestyle My Writing New York Serials The Lovely Leftovers To Do In To Do Out Uncategorized
Making a Great Couple: Wednesday Surprise
Internet Gems: Best (Free) Online Workouts
Hey everyone! I'm Jordan.
I am an NYU graduate starting her own business in the social sector! I love nights out at The Comedy Cellar with coffee and dessert at Cafe Reggio, just as much as I love to stay in and binge-watch Orange is the New Black with Chinese takeout. If you love to do it all (while looking mega-chic) Miss City Discovers is your weekly MUST-read! Read More…
Miss City Discovers on Instagram
Copyright © 2019 · Swank WordPress Theme By, PDCD