Dinner For Schmucks

Cover Art Dinner For Schmucks

    I watched this movie last night and I could not stop laughing. Steve Carell is just inhumanly funny as an innocent man who stumbles upon a man who learns a thing or two from him. Even though throughout the story, Steve Carell's character (Barry) seems really thick skulled and childish, he shows a kind of compassion and humanity that really makes him different. Even after his only friend puts him down and treats him badly, Barry is still there, doing the right thing. Apart from the comedy side of it, there is a really strong life lesson that I think can make a huge difference. I thought that this film had all the components that it takes to have a great movie; internal conflict, romance, comedy, drama, complications, and a couple of really crazy characters. 

    Take it from me. Even though it's hard sometimes, stay true to yourself and do what you know is right, and everything will work out better. 

La La La (Brasil 2014)

 

Promo La La La (Brasil 2014)

   With the excitement past of this year's FIFA World Cup, I can lean back and think about it clearly. I loved rooting for my favorite teams with my family and seeing the flags and colors in the stadiums. Along with all of that I was so happy to see that Shakira was coming out with another World Cup song. After Waka Waka for 2010, Shakira definitely had a high expectation for this year's song. I think that La La La (Brasil 2014) was really good and that it met the intensity of these fútbol games. 

    I love Shakira, of course, she's Colombian. :) And I love her patriotism for Colombia. One of my favorite things about the La La La music video is all the flags and support from people in the video for their own countries. The face paint, the flags every where, and faces of every race representing their people and their players out on the field. I like the English version, but since I do speak Spanish, I really love the Spanish version. Even if you don't speak Spanish, I think you would still enjoy it.  Down below ↓ there is the video and I've included a link to the English version if you would like to know what the lyrics mean.

    This is a very fun song and a great video, happy "fútbol-ing". :)

La La La (Brasil 2014) English Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-7knsP2n5w

Ondademar

Logo Ondademar

    Ondademar is a Colombian swimwear brand that has great patterns and styles that are recognized around the world. 
   
    Being half Colombian, I started wearing Ondademar when I was just a baby. Not a lot of people here in the U.S. know about Ondademar so it has always been very cool for me to have unique bathing suits. Something I think that Ondademar does very well is that the patterns are applied to all the different sizes and styles. As you can see below ↓, the collections are not exclusive. 

    I love all the beautiful swimsuits that I've seen come out for 2014. If you want to stand out on the beach or by the poolside at any age, check out Ondademar.

Women's Shell Bikini

Shell Collection

Baby Shell One-Piece

 

   Girl Shell One-Piece 

Ania Collection

Women's bandau Ania Bikini 

Women's Ania One Piece

These were some of my picks for the summer:

The Selection

Cover Art The Selection

When I read The Selection for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it. The way this book was written really got my attention. 

    I always love an internal conflict and America's choice between Aspen and Maxon really broke my heart for her. This was the kind of story where I picked a side and then the whole time I was reading it I was like, "Yes! Fall in love with Maxon!" or "No! Bad America! Do NOT think about Aspen!" Note the exclamation points. :) There was no way I could stop at just the first book, I just inhaled the next two. The plot line was just so good it was impossible to stop until I knew who she picked. I went for Prince Maxon by the way, sorry to all you Aspen fans out there.... 

    I definitely suggest reading this book! And don't miss out on book 2 and 3!

Cover Art The One #3

Cover Art The Elite #2

Obvious :)

No Resevations

Cover Art No Reservations

I really enjoyed watching this movie for the first time, Catharine Zeta-Jones was perfect choice for this character. The main character Kate, is a tightly wound top chef that all of the sudden finds herself the guardian of her tiny little niece, Zoe. Zoe was played by Abigail Breslin and I loved her character. Even though she was no more than five years old, she was always right in the movie. She knew how the story had to end. 

    Apart from the great romantic story that unfolds, you get to experience the realization that Kate goes through that changes her life. I am a huge chef/cooking show person and it was really interesting for me to get an inside look on how real kitchens work. What surprised me was the intensity and stress level at which those  cooks have to work. I wish I had that kind of ability. :)  

We Made Sushi!

Home made sushi

    Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that sushi might be my only constant obsession. I have no recollection of me ever disliking sushi, even when I was very young. :) So, a few days ago, I got to cross something off of my bucket list. I made my very own sushi! It was so much fun, but extremely hard to do in the beginning. The nori kept ripping, but after a couple rolls, I got the hang of it. 
   
    My rolls had shrimp (cooked of course), avocado, matchstick-sliced cucumber (not easy. At all), and a tuna-lemonnaise mixture (best thing I have ever had in sushi). 

    I am friends with our local super market sushi chef and he taught me how to home-make that tuna creamy thing that is always so good. Just in case you wanted to try it, I included the recipe down below. ↓

Nési's Tuna-Cream Sushi Filling Recipe

1 can of tuna

2 1/2 Tbs lemonnaise (healthy alternative for mayonnaise)

1 tsp rice vinegar

1/2 tsp sugar

1. Strain canned tuna until dry

2. Mix tuna with lemonnaise until the tuna is evenly creamy

3. In a separate bowl, mix vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves

4. Stir vinegar and sugar into the tuna mixture until smooth

5. Enjoy :)

The Testing

Cover Art The Testing

    This was an incredibly thrilling book, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. When I finally was able to take a break from reading it, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and plot twists. Definitely one of the best books I had read this summer. The way that the author wrote this story made you feel like you were right there with Cia and Tomas and the other Testing contestants, fighting for your life. 
  
    I did read the Hunger Games and I think that this book leveled with me a bit better. It's a similar feel, but I enjoyed the depth and mystery of the characters in The Testing. 

    I hope that the word gets around that this book is out because I think that this series is going to be a big hit. Be sure to check The Testing out as well as the next two books in the series, Independent Study and Graduation Day.

Cover Art Graduation Day

Cover Art Independent Study

Charlotte Olympia

Logo Charlotte Olympia Dellal

    I think that Charlotte Olympia is one of today's most unique and creative shoe designers. Because of her fresh and modern approach, celebrities and even royals are dying to be caught wearing her shoes and carrying her handbags. 
   
    Shoe design has always sparked my interest and it was amazing for me to learn about Charlotte Olympia. I look on her website and I just sigh at how beautiful her shoes are. I never imagined that shoes could be so dreamy. Some of my favorite lines include the Eastern Cosmic collection, Kitty and Co., and Kitty 110.

Kitty and Co. Charlotte Olympia

Eastern Cosmic Collection Charlotte Olympia

Kitty 110 Charlotte Olympia

    



















Charlotte Olympia also designed a pair of shoes exclusively for Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco. The sophisticated black leaf pattern created a trend throughout the fashion world.

black suede open toe leaf boots Charlotte Olympia

Charlotte Olympia....Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco

Burlesque

   

Promo Ad Burlesque

Over the summer, I watched this movie with a close friend of mine and we both fell madly in love with the incredible soundtrack and dance numbers. Cher and Christina Aguilera were a perfect match in this film, acting as mentor and up-and-coming star. 
    
    The catchy tunes make up a staple part of the movie, the lyrics and dances seem to reflect what's going on in the story. If I hear one of the songs playing, it will no doubt be stuck in my head all day. :) Christina Aguilera's voice never fails to amaze me. For me as a singer, I am always inspired when I hear her sing, especially in the songs from this movie. 
   
    Burlesque is super entertaining, I would definitely  recommend this. Also check out the soundtrack on iTunes.
   

Cover Art Burlesque

I Am Malala

Cover Art

    I Am Malala tells the story of a fifteen year old girl who survived a point-blank shot from a member of the Taliban. The only reason that Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head was because she is the daughter of a man who stood up to the Taliban. Malala herself was (and is) a fearless supporter of women's education all over the world. It was only through this tragic occasion that she had the opportunity to share her passion for education globally. After a miraculous recovery in a Birmingham hospital, Malala became a strong representative figure for the United Nations. I Am Malala is an awe inspiring account of Malala's fearless pride in her beliefs.

    This story made me realize how fortunate we are, here in more peaceful parts of the world. Our country stands for equality and many freedoms that girls like Malala can only dream of. While we cannot change what's happening half way around the world, we can certainly appreciate what we have here. 

Quote I Am Malala

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks

Cover Art

    In this young adult novel, the protagonist is a sophomore named Frankie who was unnoticed the year before because of her less-than-attractive appearance. During the story she uncovers secrets and deviously plans how to exploit the people connected to them. 
    
    This story is all about self-acceptance and not letting anyone step all over you or think that they have the better of you. I really enjoyed reading this book because the author wrote in a very witty, clever way. Frankie seemed to be a really smart girl and she thought of very unusual things. For example, she introduced me to the philosophy of the neglected positive. This is when there is a word with a negative prefix that is only used in the negative form. Those words are never transformed into their positive use. The way to do that is my removing the negative prefix and using it as the antonym of the original word. Voilá! Neglected positives.

Quote Frankie Landau-Banks

Nési's guide to neglected positives
Top 5
1. Gruntled (Disgruntled)
2. Turbed (Disturbed)
3. Maculate (Immaculate)
4. Vincible (Invincible)
5. Tressing (Distressing)

*For more neglected positives, click here.

Time For Take-Off

     

     Finally! I am ready to share. My thoughts, views and ideas. I just want to give a little bit of me, a small town girl with an urban mind.