Am I Wearing Pants?

Silly question, right? WRONG.

I truly feel like I shouldn't have to ask this question, but are you wearing pants? No really, are you? You might think you are, but you may be wrong. Faithful readers, there is an epidemic among us. No, I'm not talking about the 80's mom jeans cutoff shorts that are currently sweeping the coast of FL, but the winter equivalent - leggings worn as pants, or as my colleague Julia calls them - "nopants". 

As we're only now embarking into the territory of cooler weather down here in the sunshine state, It behooves me to make my yearly PSA in a more public forum. LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS. I don't care if you look like this:

or this:

or this:

It is UNACCEPTABLE, skinny bitch or not.

Now, I want to be clear. I love leggings. I own many MANY pairs in several fun and functional colors. They're comfy, warmer than tights, make just slightly too short dresses appropriate, and look great in a pair of boots. Wearing them properly is key. 

"But Sarah, how do I truly know if I'm wearing them appropriately? 

Or, if I'm wearing pants at all? 

Now you've got me concerned!"

I'm so glad you asked. 

Buzzfeed published this handy flowchart to help you figure it out!

She thought she was wearing pants. Nope, doesn't look like it. 

Dude leggings - also not cool:

Dude leggings = no good

However, if you insist, then I will think of you like this:

Do you really want that?

No? 

Then remember:

Aca-AMAZING

There comes a time in every movie fanatic's life where a movie just digs deep down into your soul, wraps around it, and spits it back out in cinematic mastery. The product is completely dependent on the person - their interests, their values, likes and dislikes, hobbies, passions, sense of humor, weirdness, empathy for the human condition, and just plain awesomeness. I have found such a movie. 

That's right. The movie that has taken the acapella community by storm! It's no surprise with the success of Glee, The Sing-Off and the overall embrace of most things nerdy. This movie truly has everything that I love. Friendships, coming of age, overcoming adversity, quirk, sarcasm verging on satire, and lots and lots of acapella covers. 

Plot summary attributed to my most favorite movie review site: Pajiba
Pitch Perfect follows Becca (Anna Kendrick with extra eyeliner, so you know she’s tuff enuff), a reluctant freshman at Barden College who’s father, a professor there, strikes a deal with her: If she attends college for one year and really tries to give her classes and activities a chance, he’ll let her move to LA and pursue her dream of becoming a music producer/DJ. And that is how, with Bella Swan-like sourness, Becca ends up joining the Barden Belles, the prissy all-girl a cappella group led with cheer-o-cratic precision by seniors Aubrey (Anna Camp) and Chloe (Brittany Snow). And because the Belles disgraced themselves the previous year at Nationals, they’re forced to take in a motley crew of singers along with Becca including the real star of the film, Rebel Wilson as “Fat Amy.” What follows is an entirely predictable, utterly enjoyable underdog story as the Belles face off against the all-male group on campus, The Treblemakers through a series of competitions and skirmishes on the road back to Nationals.
Read more of this awesome and accurate review at http://www.pajiba.com/film_reviews/pitch-perfect-review.php#kUXsvV810Ek8Lrtl.99 

Ok, enough of that, back to me. It's sweet and funny and endearing and also completely weird and random and sometimes gross (prepare yourself for two scenes that should never be repeated on film anytime, anywhere). Anna Kendrick does her best alt-girl and Elizabeth Banks kills as an Acapella Announcer (oh that there were such jobs for real), but the two standouts in my mind are Rebel Wilson and Skylar Astin. 

Skylar Astin

This kid is presh. He's so cute that I can't even finish the word. His character Jesse, love interest to Anna Kendrick's Beca and the newest member of the Trebletones (rival aca-group on campus), is the kind of guy that everyone loves, is a truly good and genuine person and has that enigmatic personality that makes you wish he were real, 10 years older, and single (what, only me? ok). Oh and he can also sing the hell out of some acapella. Totes adorbs. (He apparently also turns me into a tween - not the first to do so, I assure you)

Rebel Wilson

And then we have Rebel Wilson, now forever to be known as the girl who steals every movie she appears in. In her most major role to date, she completely owns every scene she's in and charms the pants off her viewers with comedic timing of her completely amazing one-liners. Trying to figure out where you've seen her before? Four words: Mexican Drinking Worm Tattoo. Still trying to figure it out and wondering what other cracked out movies I watch? One word: Bridesmaids. If you haven't seen it, do. If you don't remember her, watch it again immediately. 

These were the two standouts, but seriously, this movie had a motley crew of personalities, one weirder than the next, including a psychopathic Asian beatboxer, a lesbian gambling addict, an aspiring acapella singer who also does close-up magic, and a college radio DJ with some serious abs. 

I just can't tell you how happy this movie made me. It was like a breath of fresh aca-air and I couldn't be more excited to buy the dvd (or bribe my brother to download it illegally and send it to me - just kidding, but not really. If you're in law enforcement I'm totally just kidding and get back to that pesky war on drugs). 

I leave you with one final super cheesy recommendation:  

*I was not paid to write this endorsement. I am actually this huge of an acapella nerd.

Butter

Sooooo, I haven't blogged in an embarrassing long time. I have good intentions of getting back into it, but I'm not promising anything. SO much has changed in my life since I've visited this forum and you might think that would be a great place to start - new job, new(ish) town, new friends, new life basically. 

But no, that would be way too easy. Instead, my return to the world of blogging will revolve solely around butter. Yep, you read that right. Butter. You may be asking yourself, "Why butter? Is Sarah picking up where Paula Deen left off?". It's a great question. No, I do not want to develop type 2 diabetes or contribute to the arterial blockage of my fellow Americans. However, it occurred to me as I was driving home yesterday that several things I'm digging right now revolve around butter in one way or another. 

Exhibit A:

BUTTER: THE MOVIE. I saw this recently in the comfort of my own home through the On Demand services of the evil Comcast (why is Comcast evil? If you don't know first hand then I will explain it to you in a subsequent blog/rant combo that I like to call a blant). This movie is PRECIOUS and HYSTERICAL and RANDOM. It's not the best movie of all time, but it is a great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon that will leave you feeling warm, fuzzy, and wondering how Jennifer Garner gets her hair so freaking shiny. 

It will actually be out in theaters soon, if not already, but I paid the same amount to watch it in my pajamas, on my sofa, and with unlimited access to snacky snacks that did not require me to take out a second mortgage, thus contributing to the downfall of the movie theater.Buuuut that's another topic for another day. (See how I'm already racking up ideas for this triumphant return to the world of blogging?!)

Exhibit B:

Fiona Apple: "Hot Knife" from the ridiculously long-titled album "The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do"

I am completely enchanted by this song. I'm still in the process of delving into all the tracks of "The Idler Wheel...", but this one struck me immediately and I've had it on repeat for the past week. I just can't get enough of the cyclical nature of the lyrics, the spirit within them, the rhythm of the rounds, and the lyrics that compare a couple in the first throws of a relationship to butter and a hot knife. It's just cute and hot and charming and reminds you of those butterflies you get in the first few weeks of a new relationship. I especially like these two stanzas:

I'm a hot knife- if I'm a hot knife- 
I'm a hot knife if he's a pad of butter 
If I get a chance, I'm gonna show him that 
He's never gonna need- never need another. 

He excites me 
Must be like a genesis of rhythm 
I get feisty 
Whenever I'm with him...

Besides, how can you not love a song that's almost completely and solely accompanied by a timpani with a little piano thrown in for good measure?!

Exhibit C: Martha's Ginger Pumpkin Bread

It's a balmy 88 degrees here in Tallahassee, which in Florida culture means FALL IS HERE! Even though I'm still fighting the frizz and wearing flip flops, it is time to stock up on the pumpkin and get to bakin!

This is one of my all-time favorite pumpkin recipes, which, you'll notice, calls for quite a bit of butter (see what I did there? It's called thematic consistency, actually I just made that up, but we'll go with it). I prefer to cut the butter requirement to just one stick and it actually turns out better in my opinion. 

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (1 3/4 cups)
• 3 large eggs
• Sugar Glaze, (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch (6-cup) loaf pans (see note, below); set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugars, pumpkin, melted butter, and eggs; add flour mixture, and stir until just combined.
2. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaves comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes; invert pans and transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely. Glaze, if desired.

So friends, enjoy the butter related revelry and I make a not so solemn vow to attempt to blog every once in a while, which will be 100% more than I have done in the last 9 months. 

It's Fall Y'all!

Wait, is it really? It certainly doesn't feel like it. I LOVE fall, autumn, the season after summer and before winter, yet it continually toys with my emotions year after year. We get a little hint, a little sneak, a tiny cold snap and then BAM! Back to 85 degrees and 90% humidity (much like today). YUCK. Regardless of the fluctuating temperatures, it's still fall! In my opinion, fall has the best color scheme, best food and best clothes! I decided that in the absence of my favorite weather I would indulge in my other fall favorites today.

Mini Pumpkin Pies! I actually made these a few weeks ago and they were delicious. And you know, if I can make them then they can't be that hard. Via Bakerella.

Spiced Pumpkin Mousse Trifle via Rachel Ray - must try this. 

Yes, please - to all of it.

I have decided that all trees should be red. Or yellow. 

Pumpkin cookies!

Super creative use of candy corn!

I want my backyard to look like this - well, when I have a backyard.

Don't you just want to put on a sweater and ride a bike over this bridge?

If I didn't already have an adorable fall wreath on my door, this would be my next crafty project.

Let's see - I've gone to a pumpkin patch, had a fancy coffee drink (pumpkin spice latte YUM),  baked MINI pies, and had a picnic with Lauren and Lisa in Birmingham! I apparently still have a lot to do.

Beautiful table.

Who doesn't love a fuzzy pumpkin?!

Or a SPARKLY one??? I am seriously going to do this. THIS is my next crafty project!

Sweater dress!

An adorable hat to keep the head nice and toasty. I do LOVE a nice winter accessory.

I am just a sucker for stripes right now!

No matter how many pairs of boots I have, I usually need more. NEED.

I realize I live in the South and rarely need a coat, but who can resist these adorable jackets? 

So Happy Fall Y'all! That is, if it ever actually gets here.

A little of this, a little of that

Hello blogosphere! I apologize for my silence. I just know you've been dying to know what's been going on. Here it is in a nutshell: end of summer, new boyfriend, downsizing at work = more work, UNCW back to school, nasty craptastic infection, more work, more boyfriend, some travel, and now some more travel! Basically, life is good! One big reason life is good? This guy:

Blog friends, Mike. Mike, blog friends. He's wonderful and amazing and pretty much makes me feel like the most special person in the whole world. Fun fact: he has the same, somewhat rare (very rare in the South) last name as my roommate. Even more fun fact: they are not related. It's caused some confusion amongst friends and coworkers who think I'm dating Stef's brother. Not the case.

UNCDub is back in full swing, in fact, it's already fall break! In the spirit of taking a rest from thinking, I am also jetting off with Mike to Dallas this weekend to see Mom, Kari and Jared, and maybe even my brother! So excited to visit and to introduce Mike to some very important people in my life! I've also taken great pains to prepare him for a fall weekend with me and my mom. In 5 words: Nordstrom, wine, football, sushi, movies.

Speaking of important people, it was Jenn's birthday yesterday! Happy Birthday Jenn!! We really like wine. This is one of many reason we are friends.

Speaking of more important people, I am going to be a bridesmaid in Trisha's wedding in March! I'm so excited to be part of her and Patrick's big day. I've  been blessed enough to be a bridesmaid 7 times, this being the 8th. I'm always happy to do it and own the fact that 27 Dresses is the story of my life. Trisha is letting each bridesmaid pick her own dress (as long as it's the same color and material). Here's the one I chose:

Pretty, right? I'm so excited to wear it! I think it's perfect for my body type, which is the beauty of picking our own style!

In other news I'm getting ready to go back to Germany this November to travel around for a week and sing with my Dad's college alumni choir. This may sound random to some, but won't surprise others. I've been singing choral music my entire life and absolutely love it. The German people love it too and this group has been taking this trip for over 20 years. I'm excited to be going on my second tour and can't wait to sing again with some awesome musicians! Another bonus? Germans LOVE Christmas. Consequently, SO DO I! I am part German, so this just makes sense. Anywho, the Germans have these great Christmas markets called Christkindlesmarkt that pop up all over the country. You can buy all sorts of things at these markets including intricately carved wood ornaments, jewelry, nesting dolls, handmade scarves, and hundreds of other items. Some pictures from the last trip:

Can't WAIT to go back!

So this is basically what I've been up to! I'm not making any promises, but I hope to be blogging more these days!

Little things

More in-depth blog coming very soon, but in the meantime....

Things that make me happy:

1. Freshly cut flowers
2. Getting a haircut
3. The first crisp fall day of the season
4. Ginger babies
5. The smell of a new book
6. Watching an old movie and recognizing a now-famous actor in a bit part
7. Finding jeans that make your butt look real good.
8. Hearing a baby laugh
9. When my cat, Sidda, flips around in the air
10. Any type of bread just out of the oven
11. Coming up with an inspired Halloween costume and then pulling it off
12. Falling in love
13. New friends meeting old friends and loving each other as much as I love them.
14. Sloth days
15. The sense of accomplishment after a kick your ass workout
16. Sparkly things
17. Yelling at the TV during an Auburn game
18. Visiting family
19. Getting mail that's not a bill, magazine, or advertisement.
20. Buying funny greeting cards and saving them for the perfect occasion
21. New clothes
22. Friends that not only tolerate my crazy, but share in it as well
23. Getting completely lost in a book and losing all track of time
24. Christmas decorations
25. Singing choral music
26. The inspiration for this post: http://justlittlethings.net/

Best damn conference in the country!

I know, I know. I haven't blogged in forever and really, this is just a re-blog from the lovely Annahita, (who is a Gamecock fan, but we'll forgive her. Hey, at least she's in the right conference!) but a. it is so worth it and b. I promise to do a true update soon. Summer recap anyone? 

T'was a Month Before Football

by Johnny Smith

{via}

T’was a month before football, and all through the South

Rabid fans everywhere were running their mouth.

The recruits were all arriving to show off their wares,

In hopes that playing time soon would be theirs.

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of championships danced in their heads.

And Momma in her Orange, and I in my blue,

were patiently waiting for the season to ensue.

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to my front door I flew on a rail,

Only to see a Bulldog brandishing his ‘bell.

I went to the internet to find out the reason,

it seems they’re hoping for a championship season.

I decided to look at the other teams’ prospects,

and there I found all of the usual suspects.

While Bama fans keep claiming judgment day is near

The Auburn fans keep saying there is nothing to fear.

The Gator fans are joyfully embracing their new leader,

And Georgia fans are hoping their season don’t teeter.

LSU is hoping they don’t need any luck,

To get by a team of high-scoring Ducks.

While Rebel fans are just now leaving their casinos,

Hog fans are dreaming of crowning Petrino.

On Rocky Top, Bray seems to be the magical word

While Gamecocks hope to keep their opponents spurred.

Poor Vandy and Kentucky, as in seasons past,

Are just hoping their teams aren’t playing for last.

And then, in an instant, I heard on the news

Everyone was picking the champion to lose.

I looked at their roster, scratching my head,

I couldn’t believe what they had just said.

While across the state at that other school,

These same pundits were saying the Tide would rule.

While one school is dissed because of their losses,

The school that is picked first lost way more hosses.

That’s life in this conference, I readily admit,

And what you did last year doesn’t matter a bit.

Championships in this conference are hard to come by,

But repeating as champion is an even farther cry.

So now we sit and wait for the veterans to report,

And hope they are ready to hold down the fort.

Many who waited their turn on the sideline,

Will now be hoping to become the next headline!

While injuries and suspensions can wreck someone’s season,

Let’s hope they stay healthy and for good reason,

For most of us this is nothing more than a game,

But for them it’s their livelihood if they come up lame.

Here’s hoping for a good finish to the season this year,

And may twelve SEC teams celebrate holiday cheer.

We all have our dreams of postseason glory,

But let team play and sportsmanship be the main story!

To win the crown, there’s one thing to remember.

You’ve first got to get to that game in December.

Winning championships is what it’s about,

Here’s wishing every Saturday was a Saturday Down South.

WAR EAGLE!!!