Concrete Jungle

I’ve talked about the friendships, the memories, the laughs, and the tears.

I’ve talked about how NYC is in love with Gatsby.

Now it’s time for the last NYC post – dedicated to my absolute love for this city and all the concrete buildings it’s made of.

My first real trip to NYC was in 2010 and it was honestly one of the best (of many) mother-daughter trips of my life. To say there was a happy dose of excitement tears daily, would be an understatement.

 2010 – this snapshot was seconds before I told my mother, through tear-filled eyes, “this was one of the best days of my life – thank you.” And that was before Jimmy Fallon held my hand while I sobbed in shock.

But it wasn’t until this trip, that I really realized just how madly in love I am with this city.

Here are just a few of my favorite reasons why NYC holds a key to my heart.

Central Park

There’s something magical about Central Park. And no – it’s not trolls living under the bridge. The cute kind – not the internet creeper kind. I mean, think of all the epic movie or TV show scenes that have happened in Central Park. It’s just a magical place. And it’s never-ending. I mean, I still haven’t made it up to the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

But between the epic city views.

The Conservatory Pond – complete with miniature sailboats a sail.

The Bethesda Fountain.

And of course – Alice in Wonderland.

I can’t imagine a more perfect place to get lost.

Tiffany’s

“Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then – then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!” – Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Holly is my people. This is entirely how I feel about some of my favorite places in the world – whether it’s the shores of Kauai, a pier at Sunset or just a trip to the closest Starbucks. There’s something to be said about a place that just makes you feel so blissful, you never want to leave.

Which is why, the original Tiffany & Co. flagship store on 5th Avenue brings a certain je ne sais quoi to my soul every time I walk through the doors. Much like Holly, I can’t afford most of what’s inside the store. Although I find it hard to resist a new purchase of something that won’t sacrifice my rent money, so I typically come home with something silver and sparkly. If you’ve never been, it’s definitely worth the experience. And unlike their competitors, Cartier or Harry Winston – they’re usually quite welcoming!

Rockefeller Centre

My love for the Rockefeller Centre stems more from my love of Saturday Night Live and the very fact that in my high school years, I dreamed of sleeping outside of the building, in the stand-by line with other die-hard fans, in hopes of catching a peek at Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, or Chris Kattan, (Dear High school self, you’ve met 2/3, you’re doing something right). But when I first set foot in the Rockefeller Centre in 2010, I immediately fell in love with the gold interior, art deco, and let’s face it – the incredible view.

Yes. I will take the view over the Empire State Building any day.

the New York Public Library

Much like nothing bad could ever happen to you in Tiffany’s – I can’t imagine anything horrible ever happening to you in the NY Public Library either. Unless your Carrie Bradshaw. Or the librarian in Ghostbusters. A lover of books, this place was quite honestly one of my new favorite discoveries. Between the incredible architecture, the smell of old books, and the haunting reminder of all things Ghostbusters (never underestimate the power of my inner-nerd) – I could live in this building.

the Plaza Hotel

I’ve dreamt of staying at the Plaza Hotel since I first saw Home Alone 2 as a kid, I won’t lie, but as I’ve grown up and discovered a love for architecturally beautiful hotels of class (especially anything by the Fairmont, thanks to my love affair with the Banff Springs, also my school years), the Plaza went from Kevin McAllister’s hangout to a hotel that brought on a definite, “I want to go to there” reaction from me.

The Gatsby features on this visit – just made it absolutely perfect.

Subway Stations

Here’s where I get weird. I absolutely LOVE subway stations. The underground ones, not the above ones with proper ventilation and the light of day. There’s something so exciting about the darkness, the smells, and even the lack of cell reception (which one would think would be paralyzing for me). New York City never disappoints.

the Strand Bookstore

Where 18 miles of books exist on shelves only accessible by sliding ladders. Sound like heaven? It kind of is. The Strand Bookstore’s slogan is “where books are loved” but it could also be said, it’s “Where book lovers fall in love.” A must experience for any book lover, the Strand shames every other bookstore you’ve ever set foot inside.

All the Diners

You haven’t really lived until you’ve dined at a New York City diner. I mean, yes, you’re living on the edge because who knows if the coffee is really going to be amazing. And sure – they may not have the healthiest of alternatives. But sweet Jesus you will have some of the best food you’ve ever had. Especially if you pay a visit to Pearl’s Diner down by Wall Street.

I’m confident the girls and I spent at least two hours at this joint – and everything from the cold sodas to the grilled burgers and milkshakes for desert were amazing.

World Trade Center

“People in Chinatown talked about the twin towers as the ‘Sister Towers.’ Sisters stay close to each other and their relationship is constant and intimate.” – Chinatown Resident

The above quote is one of my favorites from the 9/11 Memorial Museum near Ground Zero. I never had the chance to experience the towers before 9/11, I imagine I would have loved them, but I did get to pay my respects and visit the new towers, which are breathtakingly beautiful.

If you want to know the resiliency of New Yorkers, just visit lower Manhattan and experience the power of your surroundings near Ground Zero. It’s both haunting and empowering at the same time. And the new towers, in all their glory, show true resiliency at its best.

Of course, one can’t forget the survivor tree – ripped to shreds on 9/11, nursed back to life, and now a blossoming sign of life amid the 9/11 memorial pools.

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You may be surprised that this list of reasons why I love New York City is missing some obvious NYC landmarks – Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building. I’ve been to all of these and they are perfect in their own way. I just wanted to focus on the landmarks in NYC that really get my heart beating stronger.

These are the bits of concrete (or lack there of in Central Park) that are all the reasons why, I love this Concrete Jungle.

x C x

I Get Distracted… Easily…

I had this grand idea that tonight I would finish my last NYC post. You know. No fluff. Just my favorite shots of gorgeous NYC.

Totally legit, actionable idea.

And then I realized Warm Bodies was available for digital download today. And June 4th is too far away to wait for blu-ray.

And that I have zero restraint.

Oops.

In the meantime, there’s the Gatsby post if you haven’t already taken a glance. Or you could download Warm Bodies and experience the sweet perfection of it for yourself. Or you could just wait and I promise to post by the end of the week. Provided there are no zombie apocalypses in the next three days.

Or Cicada apocalypses. That shit is creepy.

 quite possibly more terrifying than zombies

x C x

A/N: Need further convincing to check out Warm Bodies? I wrote a pretty detailed non-spoilery review (slightly fangirly) when it first came out in theatres that you should definitely check out. Not only is it one of my favorite books (Isaac Marion can write no wrong) the movie lived up to all my expectations and then some. And the soundtrack? My god the soundtrack. 

The Great Gatsby and Why You Should Ignore the Reviews (in Gifs)

First. This post is 100% spoiler free.

That said – I will address the fact that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Gatsby is depressing and tragic as shit. If that just spoiled you, then I’m assuming you haven’t read the book, but I assure you – this post still won’t spoil anything.

Second, I typically like to go see a movie at least twice before I review it on the blog; however, with all of the bad reviews Gatsby has been getting in the past twenty four hours, I thought that instead of going to see it again tonight – I’d buy a bottle of wine, finish up my “garden centering shrubbery” -> (words I just made up on the fly to describe the act of looking for shrubs/plants for my patio) and do what cool people do on a Friday night.

Sit home and blog over a bottle of wine about all the reasons you shouldn’t listen to the Gatsby reviews.

 basically my night. welcome to the no pants party.

As you may already know if you read my Gatsby post Thursday, I have been waiting a LONG time for Gatsby. And quite honestly, I think I was the most nervous I’ve ever been for a movie, simply because the build up has been huge.

And, I won’t lie – because the reviews this week have been anything but favorable.

I’m here to tell you – f@$k the reviews. If you love the book, are a fan of Baz Lhurman, love Carey or Leo, and just appreciate cinematic perfection at its best – you need to see this movie.

Here’s why.

1. The Complaint – “It’s too flashy and over the top”

Hi. You haven’t partied until you’ve partied with Gatsby.

 nuff said.

To say that The Great Gatsby is too flashy or too over the top is like saying New York City is made of too much concrete or that summer is too hot. Shitty examples, maybe – there’s wine involved people. But really, these things just are the way they are. And that’s why we love them.

 The parties in Gatsby were everything I wanted them to be and then some. They were over the top. They were reminiscent of some of Baz’s greatest musical, dance sequences in previous films like Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. You felt like you were (in part thanks to the 3D aspect, more on that later) at the party.

Plus. I’m a sucker for any party with fireworks.

If by flashy, you were referring to Daisy Buchanan’s diamond bling throughout the film – haters gonna hate. Her rock on her finger deserved a shout out in the credits alone and Tiffany & Co. did a perfect job at ensuring the movie had just enough sparkle.

So to anyone arguing that the movie was too flashy – maybe you should get out more.

2. The Complaint – “the movie isn’t faithful to the Jazz Age”

One of the biggest issues most critics seem to be having with Gatsby is its soundtrack and score – created and scored by Mr. Beyonce –  Jay-Z. And yes – I will admit, at first, it does seem a tad off to hear hip-hop in the roaring twenties. But you know what? It damn well works.

 The soundtrack was quite honestly, one of my favorite parts of the movie. I have this thing, where I tend to download soundtracks before I see the movie, fall in love with certain songs and loathe others. Then, when I go see the movie, there’s this excitement/anxiety over the placement of the songs in the movie. Will it live up to my expectations? Sometimes it does. Other times, favorites I’ve pictured so perfectly to pivotal moments in the movie – end up in the credits.

For Gatsby – I was madly in love with all of the soundtrack but had a certain obsession with two songs in particular, “Together” by the XX and “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey. Not only were these songs instrumental choruses played throughout the movie in all of the right places – their placements in some of the most epic scenes in the movie, invoked not only tears in one instance, see below – they just illicit all the right shivers, in all the right places, at all the right times.

 honest tears behind 3D glasses in this scene.

3. The Complaint – “They didn’t have 3D in the 1920′s”

One. Ok then, go see it in 2D. You’ll even save money on the ticket price.

Two.

4. The complaint – “Leo and Carey’s chemistry is barely detectable”

First of all. Your argument is invalid.

Second, I’m really trying hard to understand this from the POV of someone who doesn’t think  Leo and Carey are two ridiculously attractive people they could watch necking all night long.

As I mentioned above, in the scene where Gatsby and Daisy see each other for the first time in five years for tea at Nick’s cottage, I essentially lost my shit. I did not expect to start crying at that scene at all. And really, the comedic humor leading up to Daisy’s arrival was one of my favorite comedic relief moments in the movie.

But one shot of these two starring at each other. Followed by the hand graze of the century. I was done for.

Them:

 Me:

By the time these two were getting their freak on – I was a lost cause.

Them:

 Me:

To say that Carey and Leo didn’t have chemistry?

No. My only complaint in that respect was, that we didn’t get enough Gatsby and Daisy time in the movie.

 Yes I wish you had too. And that it was all in this movie.

I also wish there was more of the “how to take a selfie in 1920″ scene.

 3D may not have existed. BUT SELFIES SURE DID.

5. The complaint – “the first half of the movie is more fun than the second half”

FAKE SPOILER ALERT. But not really because I told you the spoiler above – this book/movie is REALLY DEPRESSING.

It does not have a happy ending.

Leo CRIES. There is YELLING. You have been WARNED.

So yes. The second half of the movie, is not all rainbow, sunshine, and awesome Gatsby parties. It’s quite depressing and dark. And that was the book. Which, I have to say, Baz Lhurman did a phenomenal job of paying tribute to. If anything, someone who has read the book and watched this movie, must give him credit for that. Because he did it brilliantly.

Additional thoughts? Leo was the perfect Gatsby – whether it’s his Oscar worthy role is debatable but at the very least, this was one of the roles of his career. Jack Dawson, who? Carey portrayed Daisy beautifully. Even if we all wanted to bitch-slap her in a scene or two. Tobey Maguire was Tobey Maguire- perfectly sweet. Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan was actually kinda sexy. And I’m not just saying that because I was creeping him from two feet away last week. Lastly, newcomer Elizabeth Debicki was excellent as Jordan Baker. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her.

In a nutshell, I absolutely loved this movie. But that was a given. I knew that before I saw the movie. But I can grasp why some of the critics hate it. I just don’t think that should stop a normal movie-goer from experiencing this movie. Especially in 3D. I normally hate 3D but I loved it in Gatsby’s respect.

Anyway.

Go see Gatsby. It’s really as simple as that, old sport.

x C x

New York Loves Gatsby

I am that girl that goes to 9 out of 10 of the midnight (or 10:00pm screening) shows in this city. The rush of a pre-screening or midnight show is one of my favorite highs. And I’ve been lucky enough to take in late night movies since high school (both public and private ones – perks of dating a projectionist back in the day).

That post-movie rush as you go home, crawl into bed just as the birds are about to start singing is one you can’t easily replicate by a normal theatre showtime.

Tonight, we finally get The Great Gatsby at 10:00pm.

And I don’t remember the last time I was THIS excited for a movie. I’m pretty much like hot and bothered Daisy Buchanan excited right now, people.

 Daisy – I get you. Really.

So in celebration of the movie that I feel as though we’ve waited a hundred (no really, at least a hundred) years for – thank you Baz Lhurman for your ever dedication to perfection – I’ve put together some of my favorite Gatsby pictures from New York City.

New York City is also ridiculously horny for Gatsby right now.

So without further ado, I give you all the NYC Gatsby Highlights. Because I swear, above ground or under ground – it is everywhere. 

First of all – massive shout out to Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Times Square for not only an amazing suite with the absolutely perfect Gatsby fan view but for the warm hospitality (including cookie upon check-in) on my last night in NYC. After saying goodbye to the girls, ugly crying on the subway to Times Square and dragging my carry-on suitcase through mass crowds of people – I wanted to hug every staff member. I can’t wait to stay there again in the future.

Second, the massive Times Square Gatsby was always a treat whenever we were taking in the lights to of Times Square.

The underground Subway Gatsby’s were quite nice too.

 Tiffany & Co.

As many of you know, I have a slight obsession with the little blue box and all things Tiffany’s. Naturally, when I heard that Tiffany’s was releasing a Gatsby inspired jewelry line, complete with window displays being revealed the week before I arrived in NYC – I knew the stars had aligned.

A quick trip to the fourth floor of the Flagship Store on 5th Avenue and I was in love. Between the art deco inspired couches, the loop of a behind the scenes look and the trailer on a flatscreen and jewelry featured in the film – I really wasn’t sure I was going to ever leave. Luckily for the ladies and my bank account – we had a trip to the Strand Bookstore next on the agenda, so if there’s anything that will drag me away from the blissful atmosphere that is Tiffany’s – it’s a bookstore.

 Art Deco Couch I’d Like in my Apartment

Gatsby’s Ring Worn by Leonardo DiCaprio in the Movie      Daisy’s Headpiece as Worn by Carey Mulligan in the Movie

 Embarrassed to Admit How Long Each of us Girls Stood Here for the Perfect Shot

Next on the Great Gatsby NYC tour (there isn’t actually a tour although they totally should capitalize on this stat), after checking in at the Doubletree and heading to the New York Public Library for all the book loving feels, Ladurée for the most amazing Parisian macaroons, and an afternoon stroll in Central Park – I decided to check out Todd English’s Food Hall in the Plaza Hotel, as it came highly recommended by fellow food loving friends of mine.

 I love this shot of the Palm Court

Not only did the restaurant (and the others in the Plaza Hotel) have Gatsby inspired menus – they also had memorabilia in the form of props and costumes from the set. Suddenly I wasn’t in Kevin McAllister, Home Alone 2 mode – I was in find all of the Gatsby items on display in the entire building mode.

 Menu at Dinner at Todd English’s Food Hall

 Leo and Carey’s “Gatsby & Daisy” Plaza Attire from the Movie

 Letters from Gatsby.

Lastly, on my last morning in NYC before flying home, I opted to hit up the Times Square Starbucks instead of grabbing a free coffee at the hotel before heading to Century21 for a little shopping before heading to JFK. Because of this last minute spontaneous decision, I happened to walk by Good Morning America and not only see Robert Downey Jr. (more on that in a later post but let me just say – woah) but also see Tobey Maguire aka Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby.

 To make matters even more interesting, it wasn’t until I was back home and watching the live stream of the Gatsby NYC premiere that one of the girls from the trip, Jenn, realized that a man we’d be starring down outside the Bowery Hotel, trying to decide if it was Sam Worthington, was in fact Joel Edgerton aka Tom Buchanan. Two Gatsby actors in one trip? I’ll take it.

Oh and Joel? Sorry we were creepers.

So to everyone going to see Gatsby tonight or over the weekend – ENJOY.

I can’t wait to share my thoughts with all of you over the weekend. That’s if I can pry myself away from the theatre.

x C x

I’ll Be There For You – When You Fall Asleep On A Subway

Warning: Picture Heavy Post.

As promised, it’s time to talk NYC Vacay.

Problem is, I could talk about my trip to New York City for the length of about twenty blog posts. There were hundreds (I kid you not) photos taken between six friends – I’m honestly quite surprised we didn’t crash Instagram (proof here).

That said, the challenge of summing up the epic five days spent together is one I could never tackle in one blog post. So here’s how it’s going to go.

Tonight – I talk the laughs, the tears, the memories.

Thursday – I talk G A T S B Y. Because if you hadn’t already guessed from my Instagram, New York City is in full celebration of the summer of Gatsby.

Sunday – I talk about allllll the reasons I love New York City.

Because let’s face – Friday or Saturday, I’m going to need to talk about Gatsby. A lot.

But tonight – it’s all about the friendships.

 these are clearly my people

As I mentioned previously, the incredibly awesome ladies I visited New York with are all friends fused together by a common love of a silly film saga. Since then, over the years, it’s become so much more. These friends (known to some as my Twitter Friends but to me, as some of my besties) have gotten me through slumps, triumphs, the good, the bad, the ugly – and have always been there when I needed a shoulder to cry on.

Naturally, after racing via shuttle, then multiple subway trains, by way of Grand Central through Port Authority, alllll the way to Brooklyn to finally wrap my arms around them – tears and authentic “Crystal” jumps (as stolen by my BFF Jennifer Lawrence) followed.

 I jump like this – ALL the time

I mean, after years of being friends (and getting screwed by a hurricane) my heart was exploding in all directions.

 our first picture <3

(we keep our “big deal” friend hidden in group pictures – to keep the crazies at bay)

Example two:

From the second I finally got to hug these ladies, I was already dreading the arrival of Sunday when I’d have to say goodbye. But regardless of the unavoidable end to the trip, what happened over the next five days, as the four J’s and two C’s (the lovely Colleen joined us on Friday) took over Manhattan (and Brooklyn!) was nothing short of one of the best trips and experiences of my life.

Want proof? Here are ten reasons, you need to get the NYC experience with a bunch of your girlfriends.

1. Friends Don’t Let Friends Fall Asleep on a Subway – Without Taking a Picture of it

They also know the story behind this title. Because they lived it.

 full disclosure: this is staged. but there are actual “fallen asleep” photos from later in the night.

what happens on the brooklyn train home from Bowery stays on the brooklyn train

2. Friends are Always Game for a Rendition of YMCA

They also get day drunk (true story, that happened) right along side you at ballgames – and also snap pictures of you when you try to make friends with other Canadians at a Yankees game (read: scary territory for Canadians).

 Colleen is busting a pretty serious move beside me

Don’t mind me. Just high-fiving strangers from Canada.

Yankee Stadium

3. Friends Know the Importance of that Green Beacon

They also know the importance of not one but many Starbucks photo shoots – of our actual cups.

 Starbucks, Madison Avenue

4. Friends Know There’s Plenty of Dirty Jokes Where Dinosaur Bones are Concerned

Plus, friends who party with T-Rex, stay together.

 Natural History Museum, Central Park West

5. Friends Know it Takes Just One Tiffany & Co. Obsessed Friend to Influence the Others

Next thing you know, everyone is leaving with a little blue bag.

 Tiffany & Co. Flagship Store, 5th Avenue

6. Friends Will Never Judge You For That Ten-Thousand Calories Desert

They’ll order their own right beside you.

 Serendipity 3

7. Friends Will Never Let You Look Stupid Grabbing a Bull’s Balls Alone

We were much classier than the 70 year old lady before us.

 Wall Street, Financial District

8. Friends Understand Why You Gotta Check in to Facebook as “I’m On a Boat”

The best way to see Lady Liberty, complete with flippy flops.

 On a Boat #obviously

9. Friends Know the Value of Getting on their Knees in Times Square for the Perfect Shot

No big deal.

 Times Square

10. Friends Know the Importance of Lots of Toasts to Amazing Friends

And subsequently, lots of drinks.

 Gemma at Bowery Hotel, East Village

Yeah.

You should probably all just borrow my friends next time you want to go to NYC. We got this.

To my ladies – can we start planning our 2014 trip now please? I miss you all to the moon and back.

x C x

[A/N: In all seriousness, day drunk yankee games, dino bones, bull's balls, and subway naps aside - words cannot express how amazing it was to be in the same city as these amazing people. Ladies - I love you. Thank you for being there. When the rain starts to fall. *cue Friends song*]

Scenes From A May Weekend

Remember that time I said I had allll this down-time and would totally blog about NYC?

Yeah. About that.

Turns out, a weekend spent with family and some of the best friends a girl could ask for, took precedence. And considering that I’ve had a busy past two months, that haven’t allowed for much girl time or spontaneous lunching and Sunday drives – I’m not complaining.

Perfect Weekend Was Perfect.

So – as promised, NYC love will follow in the next few days (including an epic GATSBY post for Thursday – have I mentioned I’m over the moon excited for the 10:00pm show on Thursday night? My body is ready).

And tonight – I share several of the reasons why I love a good East Coast weekend in the early Summer.

Patio Lunching w/Friends & Self

 My Sunday Morning. My love for my patio in the summer.

 Patio Lunching on the Golf Course with some of my Favorites.

Early Mother’s Day Tradition – the zoo

 Annual Mother’s Day Tradition – just a week earlier!

 Monkey Has Good Taste

  

East Coast Seafood in the Summer

The only thing I made a dent in was the coleslaw. Mad love for Bel-Air Takeout in Cap-Pele!

Sunday Drives on the Coast

 Red Sand Bliss

How was your weekend?

x C x

Empire State

It’s FRIDAY!

Which means – I just might actually have a pinch of downtime this weekend to start sharing some of the most epic, highlights of last week’s trips to New York City with the girls.

And when I say epic – that’s really an understatement.

So stay tuned – I can’t wait to share!

Highlights to Include But Not Limited to:

Tiffany&Co. Gatsby. Robert Downey Jr. Bowery Hotel. Alll the Food. Amazing Friends. Lady Liberty and That Time I Got Day Drunk at a Yankees Game.

 

 See? My Excited Face.

x C x

Empire State of Mind

PEOPLE.

Remember back in October, when earth was ravaged by a bitch hurricane called Sandy? Yes? Well, as many of you know, I was suppose to go to New York and have an epic five days with a bunch of incredible ladies that mean the world to me. Of course, we all know how that story ended.

 as tragic as it was – I love how eerily beautiful this coaster looks amongst the surf.

GREAT article on why it should be left in the ocean here.

But tomorrow – New York City and I are reunited at last.

And it is going to be THE girl’s trip of the century.

If you’re clueless as to how the idea for this trip originated – let me both inform you and possibly freak you out. Years ago, thanks to a woman I don’t like to give credit to, who wrote a book about a sparkly vampire who fell in love with a human – I was introduced to a whole world unlike anything I’d ever known online before – the Twilight fandom.

I know, I know. Take a minute to judge.

Since then – it’s become much less about sparkly vampires and much more about the incredible friendships fused together by the shared love of Twitter and, well, Twilight. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of the fandom before as well as some of the amazing friends I’ve made because of it – HI KATE!

Tomorrow – I finally get to squeeze friends I’ve made from all over the world. And I’m totally going to cry. And never let go. And it’s going to be perfect.

And it will be EPIC

 so many of these to come

So please feel free to follow along on all forms of social media – Twitter and Instagram being the most reliable forms to stalk keep in the know.

Even if you aren’t into people who have friends they met online or New York City.

 my thoughts exactly

OH and because I’m addicted to Tumblr (for fangirl purposes) – I started a brand spanking new Tumblr specifically for my Instagram shots and the occasional shot of perfection and bliss I spot on Tumblr.

It’s also appropriately named – Toffee Nut Latte In Her Hand.

Follow if the mood hits you or you want to get your creep on!

Until then – I will see you in NYC!

x C x

It’s Just a Book Title. But It’s Everything.

Two weeks ago – I snapped this shot of downtown Chicago from the air.

It was a beautifully sunny day but somehow the shot, perfected with an Insta filter, seemed eerily perfect for a Divergent poster, no?

Oh and then this happened.

Who’s excited for October 22nd?

x C x

On the Coffee Table – Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

So I’m back from my workation – which was utter bliss. Even if the weather was slightly bi-polar.

On vacation – I devoured three books by the pool and on the beach. Which in my opinion, is the definition of a perfect vacation. BUT I’m not here to talk about those. Maybe some day when I’m looking to write down some book love.

No, I want to talk about Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. 

Now, if you remember me mentioning back in December/January that I was reading Gone Girl also by Gillian Flynn and how it was absolutely owning me, you may understand why I devoured this in under twenty-four hours. If you don’t remember me talking about Gone Girl. Go read now.

Upon finishing Gone Girl – I wanted to read more Gillian Flynn. I had total intentions to but then life got busy and I just couldn’t find time to read anymore. While I was on vacation, I heard that a member of my top 3 celebrities I would like to bang I am fond of, Nicholas Hoult, had joined the cast alongside Charlize Theron.

Put a member of my top 3 (George Clooney, Robert Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult in case you’re curious) in a movie and I need to read the book. Regardless of whether it’s a children’s book or in latin. So help me God I will learn latin.

ANYWAY. I’m getting distracted.

Dark Places. 

This book is seriously, in all aspects, f@cked up. And I would say, it is not for the faint of heart or easily offended.

Libby Day was only seven when her 15 year old, devil worshipping brother Ben murdered her mother and two sisters in cold blood on January 3rd, 1985 in what became “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” The book takes place in the present, where a seriously messed up thirty-two year old Libby is dealing with the reality that the crowd-funded trust fund she’s been living off since the murders is about to run out, with chapters in between taking us back to 1985, the day of the murders, as told from Libby’s mother Patty Day and brother Ben Day’s POV.

Things get interesting when twenty-two year old Lyle Wirth approaches Libby about a secret society, the “Kill Club”, he is a part of, that is obsessed with notorious crimes and seeking justice for those wrongfully accused. As you’ve probably guessed, it is questioned whether Libby’s testimony at age 7 against her  brother, was in fact valid.

This book reminded me of a dark episode of Criminal Minds meets Dexter and I loved it. As someone who normally only reads novels with some resemblance of a love story – this book was out in left field for me but was still, pleasantly an intensely awesome read. Till the very last pages (much like Gone Girl) I needed to know if everything was as it seemed. I had my own theories on the who the killer really was and there were plenty of WTF moments to keep me turning the pages as quickly as possible.

While I only rated 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads – it’s only because I’m VERY protective of my stars. If I don’t like a book, it get’s one star. If I like it a lot – it gets 3.

So yes – want to visit a dark place for a weekend? Pick this book up stat.

I mean, Bella just couldn’t put it down.

Oh and went you read it – please drop me a line and let me know what you think! I can’t wait to hear!

x C x