Swine Flu. Wash Your Hands.

Supposedly, the world is going to end in 2012. According to the Mayans.

I believe we are facing a possible worldwide pandemic that calls for the end to come sooner.
6 cases have been confirmed here in Vancouver, BC. Hundreds await their test results in the same area. Altogether, 257 people in 11 different countries have been affected and sickened by H1N1 Influenza A. This is serious.

Everyone: this is a public notice. Wash your hands, get clean.
Avoid public venues and places where people are enclosed in tight places.
It's unfortunate, but people should not be going to Mexico at any time for now.

52 Movies I've Always Wanted to See

1. Becoming Jane
2. The Stupids
3. The Jerk
4. Atonement
5. Roman Holiday
6. Charade
7. Saving Private Ryan
8. The Reader
9. Slumdog Millionaire
10. Brokeback Mountain
11. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
12. Beautiful Mind
13. Dark Knight
14. Schindler's List
15. Million Dollar Baby
16. Rocky
17. In Her Shoes
18. Charlie's Angels
19. Dead Poet's Society
20. Alpha Dog
21. The Other Boleyn Girl
22. Godfather I, II, III
23. Pulp Fiction
24. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
25. City of God
26. Citizen Kane
27. The Pianist
28. Gran Torino
29. V for Vendetta
30. Tropic Thunder
31. Pineapple Express
32. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
33. Knocked Up
34. The Perfect Score
35. Confessions of a Go-Go Girl
36. Billy Elliot
37. A Walk to Remember
38. Casablanca
39. My Fair Lady
40. Gone With the Wind
41. Singin' in the Rain
42. Dirty Dancing
43. A Mighty Heart
44. Vicky Christina Barcelona
45. Seven Pounds
46. La Vie En Rose
47. Lawrence of Arabia
48. Ben-Hur
49. Obsessed
50. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
51. Matrix
52. When Harry Met Sally

(Note: I have seen parts of some of these movies, but I really want to see some of them again! Others are recommendations from friends near and dear to my heart.)

Tom Daley, You cutie.

7th in the 10m dive last year at the Beijing Olympics, this Brit is just about one of the most cutest and most talented athletes in the history of swimming/diving. This 5'5 cutie has placed gold and silver in various int'l diving competitions and dives synchro with fellow athletes 12 years his senior.



The reason why I'm writing about him today is because I saw a blurb of him in the newspaper (in the sports section way in the back, mind you), talking about his experiences at school at the moment. A mere 14 years of age, he attends schooling in the UK. He says that he has been made fun of (and is still treated in the same manner) at school, both pre and post Beijing. It is enough to make this diver not want to attend school, and he currently has not been. Daley has taken some stands against this sort of violence and bullying when he publicly became a celebrity supporter of ChildLine.

The truth is, I can't figure out a single reason to say anything bad about this boy. He's adorable, and anyone who would dare make fun of him is a fool. He's nice and he works hard. So yenno what, Tom? Don't listen to 'em. They don't even know what they're missing, and they'll regret in a couple of years. Keep smilin' that smile and workin' that accent.

The Army&Navy Shoe Sale

Today, a good friend and I ventured Day 2 of the Army&Navy Shoe Sale. Even though the sale officially started at 8:00 am on April 22, 2009, the store was still jam packed with ladies (and the occasional poor boyfriend who got dragged along into the mess) trying on shoes, yelling shoe sizes at eachother and screaming in joy (or horror, depending on who you are).

gThere were definitely a lot of shoes and selection to try from, and I also noticed that one must be a good shopper with a keen eye for style to be able to find something great. One also must be prepared to look high and low, because the treasure can be anywhere in the store. Backless sandals, flipflops and squaretoed flats went from $9.99 CAD to $14.99 CAD. Fringed boots, pumps, wedges and moccassins ranged from $29.99-$49.99. Surprisingly, I didn't see any Michael Kors or BCBG Max Azria that they advertised. Maybe they were all gone by Day One? Actually, there weren't any familiar brands except for maybe RocketDog. Bummer.

They call it the "Legendary" Shoe Sale (Don't mind the image, it's from a couple years ago). But I've been to better shoe sales, and I've seen better quality shoes. But all in all it's a ladies event worth going to, because I find that if you do end up finding something you could definitely consider yourself lucky. Every year women line up errr-lay in the morning to get a glimpse of a shoe of their liking. But for me? One Fashionista says...maybe next time. I don't give up easily, so you'll see me there again next year. For real, though. The bargains are decent, the variety...ditto. After all, a girl can never have enough shoes, and an excuse to shop and go out? Who could say no?

Conflict Minerals - It's time to Open Our Eyes

I never had a lot of respect for Nicole Richie, but I'm beginning to think that there's more to the Simple Life than I knew. Here is her message, quoted from her blog at nicolerichie.celebuzz.com

THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS.

Please watch this video to become aware of this horrifying crisis which has been brought to the attention of the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.

We have been working closely with John Prendergast and learning about this situation in the Congo, but we cannot bring about change alone.

Please, I urge you to take the time to watch the film “The Greatest Silence” (for info and purchase go to http://thegreatestsilence.org). The crisis in the Congo is fueled by conflict minerals, but I’ve included several steps below that we believe will also help to bring this vicious cycle to an end. By using our power as consumers and activists, we ALL can make an impact!
Join the Movement at www.raisehopeforcongo.org.

Text “CONGOPLEDGE” (one word, no spaces) to ACTION (228466) or visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to endorse the Conflict Minerals Pledge.

Send emails to the industry leaders and ask them to be a leader on this issue by signing the pledge. Visit www.raisehopeforcongo.org/special-page/conflict-minerals to send your emails now.

Call the White House switchboard at 202.456.1414 or write to President Obama at www.whitehouse.gov and ask him to appoint a special envoy for the Great Lakes region.

http://nicolerichie.celebuzz.com/2009/04/important-message-please-watch/

VICTORIA (part II)

The view of the Legislature from our hotel... dreamy!

Again, the Legislature, minus the brilliant lights in the daytime.

We were lucky to have this view!

The trail left by the ferry

Our home and native land!

We're diggin... Jamie Cullum

"Sometimes a man,
He gets carried away.
When he feels like he should be having his fun.
And he's much too blind to see the damage he's done
'Cause sometimes a man must awake
To find that really, he has no one.

So I'll wait for you,
And I'll burn.
Oh, will I ever see your sweet return?
Oh, will I ever learn?
Oh, oh.
Lover, you should've come over."

-Jamie Cullum, Lover, You Should've Come Over


He's a jazz singer who plays the piano and does covers on some classics like the song above (Lover, You Should've Come Over was also done by Jeff Buckley, known for singing Hallelujah among others). Check him out! He claims jazz, but I would argue that easy listening would go under his umbrella of styles. He has a voice like honey... I just melt...

VICTORIA (part I)

The little lighthouse that could.



The light reflects...



The side of the ferry looking downwards



A fellow ship



Gorgeous !

PHOTOS (c) OneFashionista

MOVIE

MOVIE Review: Radio ***

"James Robert Kennedy (Gooding, Jr.) -- nicknamed "Radio" because of his vintage radio collection and his love of music -- is a loner in Anderson, South Carolina, pushing his grocery cart up and down the streets. He speaks to no one and is rarely spoken to, until one day, Coach Harold Jones (Harris), one of the town's most respected men and coach of the popular high school football team, befriends him. Radio is suspicious at first. But Coach Jones is persistent, even enlisting the help of Radio's mother. Jones' friends and family are taken aback as well since, until he met Radio, all his energies were poured exclusively into football. Slowly, Coach Jones earns Radio's trust and opens up a new world to him. He invites Radio to help out at football practice and during games and to sit in on his classes at school, despite the initial misgivings of Principal Daniels (Woodward). Coach Jones' life is also enriched by Radio, from whom he learns to value friendship and family ties as much as he does coaching football. Still, there are those in town who believe that the coach's devotion to the young man is distracting him from his duties as head coach. Coach Jones is finally forced to make a difficult decision, which will impact both his growing friendship with Radio and his career as a football coach. "

-http://www.tribute.ca/movies/Radio/5950

A truly heartwarming movie. It changes my perspective on people with developmental disabilities and how they just need a welcoming hand in aid to get them through and over their difficulties in life.

SPC CARD UPDATE:

If you have an SPC (Student Price Card), this is for you:

"Use our store locator to find trendy shops in your area to find even more.

New stores added all the time so check back often to support local businesses."

I looked it up and there were plenty of awesome shops in my neighborhood (or at least in my 25 mile radius). Check them out! You're bound to find a new store of your liking.

When in Europe

Fumé, non?



C'est seulement de deux euros. C'est bon!

The Verdict

****

It was an amazing novel! I really liked the main character, and the little details that Emily Giffin worked out. Also, the way she told the story was pretty well done as well, because there were many flashbacks throughout instead of telling on simple tale.

I'm definitely getting Something Blue by Emily Giffin, the next book told in the eyes of Darcy Rhone, and it tells her side of the story. Stay on the line - I'll let you know if it's worth it.

Other Books by Emily Giffin:

What I'm Reading....

Currently, I've picked up the book "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin and I have not been able to put it down.

Here's the blurb:

"Meet Rachel White, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl--until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a birthday party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiance. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to to discover she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. In her wildest dreams (or worst nightmare?) this is the last thing on earth Rachel could ever have imagined happening. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness. Something Borrowed is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend."

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

A letter to Dustin Milligan

Dear Dustin,

I'm so sorry you had to get cut from 90210. I know you don't seem very sad by it, but I don't think your character, Ethan, ran "his course" through the show like your producers said. You were a good actor, and you played your part pretty well. Also, you suit the name Ethan really really well. Not to mention you're awfully good looking. Do I make you blush? I hope not! Because you are on my mind, all the time!

I heard you're starring in a new movie. Good on ya! It sounds great. I'll make sure to see it when it comes out. People say they love Chace Crawford, or Ed Westwick, Navid (whoever plays him) or Dixon (Tristan Wilds)...or even Robert Pattinson from Twilight. But you know what? You're miine, I don't care what anyone thinks of you!

So keeep doing your thang. We're loving it!

Love,

Me!

Enclosed is a photo of you, to remind you just how darn attractive you are.

When in France... Eat Food

Loved Flan - it's an amazing custard pie dish. I'm definitely going to try making it at home with a recipe- I haven't seen Flan Nature at any Canadian cafe yet. But it's worth a try! I miss it a lot, I think it's one of the things I miss most about France.











Fish at the market. (Anchovies!)












Mmmmmm... classic. Fromage!

PHOTOS (c) OneFashionista 2009