Lineage

I have recently re-discovered how much I love Coolidge Corner! As the weather has been so kooky lately I have been a lot more content to snuggle up and watch reruns of the OC. I did manage however to get out to a restaurant I hadn't tried before called Lineage

Lineage
Located right on Harvard Ave this restaurant was the perfect blend of a more refined taste while also not feeling that uptight. I managed to get out there on a Saturday night and was glad we made reservations as the place filled up quite rapidly. According to their website their menu changes daily according to what is in season. I had the Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi. Absolutely wonderful, the flavors complimented themselves quite well. To drink I had a clementine mojito and was extremely surprised by how refreshing it was. There was no drink mix here - all fresh and full of alcohol. For dessert the pot o'creme hit the spot just right.

Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was fresh and not to filling. The prices were a bit high, but given the quality of the food it was within reason. The atmosphere was a bit more chaotic than I would have thought for an intimate dinner, but just right for perhaps a work meeting or a group of friends. I recommend making dinner reservations if its during peak hours. This is definitely worth checking out

Lineage
242 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446
1-617-232-0065
Hours, menus, parking, directions, and reservations online at: www.lineagerestaurant.com

Freedom From Excuses

It's a funny thing about finishing up finals. Where there was once complete and utter dread has now been replaced with a breathe of fresh air. And still (being the anxiety - filled stress ball that I am) I am aware that I have no excuses. This will be the last true summer I get to enjoy before graduate school. All the excuses that I made before about being too busy to sight see the area, read a book, learn something new, start a budget, watch a movie, start a new exercise program, etc. are all nilled by the fact that I have three blissful months of seemingly stress free time. True I do have a part time job and some responsibilities in terms of things I need to get settled in my new city, but I basically have a span of time that is completely not scheduled.

As per usual I definitely have a list of things I want to do/see this summer...but I see myself being contented with just trying something new every day. I can't say it will always happen, but that will be my goal for the summer...

Boston Marathon

Congratulations to all the runners of the 2009 Boston Marathon!

(picture of Deriba Merga - mens winner; taken by David L. Ryan, The Boston Globe - www.boston.com)

Bullied - The Boston Globe

I came across this article while surfing The Boston Globe online. It really resonated with me. The article concerns an 11 year old boy who had been bullied and ended his life. The boy's mother wants to get the word out that the situation at school could have been handled differently.

The article also quoted a few statistics, the scariest among them was this:
"Nationwide, suicide rates among 10- to 14-year-olds have grown more than 50 percent over the last three decades, according to the American Association of Suicidology, or the AAS. In 2005, the last year nationwide statistics were available, 270 children in that age group killed themselves. Suicide remains among the leading causes of death of children under 14. And in most cases, the young people die from hanging."

If anything can be taken from this tragedy is that we aren't doing enough to help the youth of America who is being bullied, feels alone without help, or feels that suicide is the only way out.

Here is the article:

Constantly bullied, he ends his life at age 11 - The Boston Globe

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Harry Potter

I was a little worried that the sixth Harry Potter movie would sugarcoat the darkness of the book, I was wrong...

Cameron Diaz - The Holiday

I was recently watching The Holiday on TBS and am amazed that despite having seen the movie about 200 times I somehow failed to notice the amazing clothes the characters are wearing. I particularly love what Cameron Diaz wears in this movie.

There is one scene in particular that caught my interest - Diaz's character has just decided to stay in England and meets Jude Law's character at bar. Despite any words being said there eyes do all the speaking as they notice each other from across the room.

Diaz is wearing a particularly striking ensemble that I absolutely adore. Here is a picture that I found off of I Saw It in (http://www.isawitin.com/) of what she wears during the scene.

Jillian Michaels

I can honestly say I have never really followed The Biggest Loser (see previous posts on how I feel about reality TV), but I did manage to get wind of her 30 Day Shred exercise video. Being a die hard fan of old school gyms I am somewhat skeptical of exercise videos. I believe the last video I ever did was a Richard Simmons tape (don't ask). So when I noticed that the Shred 30 exercises were available free onDemand I decided that it was worth checking out. Needless to say I was not disappointed and have been sore for days.

Michaels combines cardio and full body strength training in order to give the viewer a full body work out in only 30 minutes. There is no resting here, instead each exercise immediately proceeds the other so that no time is wasted. After only 7 minutes I was sweating buckets. Along with Michaels two other women demonstrate the exercises, one advanced and one less advanced.

What I really liked about this video was that it was quick, provided a challenging workout, only required two hand weights, and I still felt results. Additionally Michaels was not only encouraging but realistic in her pep talks. She also stressed form and commented on how the other women were performing the exercises, which I feel is not adequately discussed in most workout videos I have seen. The only con that I saw with this video was that it felt very geared toward women. I feel that the video itself might have benefited from having at least one male demonstrator. Additionally maybe helpers who weren't so physically ripped as it was somewhat intimidating.

Thoroughly enjoyed this video and look forward to the others available for free (can't lose!).

Pitchmen

I thought it was a joke when I saw the latest commerical for the newest television show to hit the Discovery Channel. Billy Mays ( you know the guy from all the commercials) just got a show! Its called Pitchmen. Along with Anthony "Sully" Sullivan, these two are going around looking for inventors of the 'next big thing.' The lucky winners get to have their product pitched by these guys.
Check out the website: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/pitchmen/pitchmen.html

I Am Free

...well sort of. Today was the last day of undergraduate classes for me. I am feeling very nostalgic today. I clearly remember the excited nervous feeling that I had when I first started college classes. I thought they would never end and now here I am just a few weeks from graduating.

Well enough with the reminiscing. Here's a little video from Harry Potter with Dobby the house elf who vocalizes exactly how I feel...

Dobby is Free clip:

Dinning Out

Restaurant shows have ruined my ability to eat out! Recently I have taken to watching shows such as Last Restaurant Standing and Hell's Kitchen. While I love watching them I realized there is a darker side to watching restaurant shows...

I just went to a restaurant that up until recently I would have given a terrific review in my book and not thought twice about it. But this time when asked what I thought about dinning there my response was somewhat different: Good food for the price, but I felt the menu was a bit lacking. Particularly in the pasta section. Rather then focusing on a certain area the food choices felt a bit chaotic, like they spread themselves too thin.

Now keep in my I am no gourmet chef, I can barely cook pasta, and I usually eat out at chain restaurants or places where you get a ticket to pick up your meal. So when that came out of my mouth needless to say I am shocked. Hopefully this effect of restaurant TV is only temporary and I can once again go back to enjoying my food in peace

American Idol

So I wont lie, I am not the biggest fan of reality TV mainly do to my detest of awkward TV moments. Needless to say my roommate has roped me into watching this seasons American Idol and I have my favorite (*drum roll please)...Adam Lambert.

Not only is his voice incredible, but he is incredibly versatile. Easily going through each weeks themes while still remaining true to his general style. I think what really caught me was Motown week when he performed The Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson). Needless to say I was blown away. And yet again last night he continued to wow with the cover of Tears for Fear's Mad World. Granted he covered the Michael Andrews and Gary Jules version of the song - you might have heard this haunting version in such memorable movies as Donnie Darko. Either way his performance was enough to wow Simon who uncharacteristically just stood up and gave him a standing ovation.

Here's a video of the performance - the look on Simon's face is priceless!

BMI screening will begin this fall in Mass. schools - White Coat Notes - Boston.com

I am not sure how I feel about the news that greeted me on The Boston Globe website today. Apparently approval went through to screen/weigh Massachusetts students to determine if they are overweight. Parents are allowed to pull their kids out of this program if they don't wish their child to participate. This is just another one of many programs that seem to be popping up around the country to help combat childhood obesity.

While I am all for lowering the rates of obesity in children I am not sure how I feel about schools stepping into this role. Schools play an integral role in children's lives, but physician shouldn't be one of them. Additionally, parents are apparently going to be given a print out with their child's weight and BMI. Now BMI has its advantages, but it is in no way a definitive measure of proper weight. Rather its a rough (very rough) guideline. I am not sure who is providing these assessments as it does not say it within the article, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the school nurse. While as qualified as she is, is not a trained physician. And if I remember correctly from my days of walking the locker-lined corridors, the nurses were some of the busiest staff in school.

Now don't get me wrong I am all for teaching kids about nutritious (and cheap) ways to eat, as well as increasing exercise but I do not think this is the best way to go about it.

Check out the article:




BMI screening will begin this fall in Mass. schools - White Coat Notes - Boston.com

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Topshop Madness

For years now I have been receiving e-mails from Topshop about the latest deals and newest trends. For years now I have been trying to figure out how to afford a ticket over the pond to shop there. Lucky for me the clothes have decided to make a trip over to see me instead. The Topshop craze has hit America as the NYC store opened recently. Needless to say while I doubt a trip to New York is in the works soon, it does make me feel great to know the store is just within a Grey Hound Bus ride away...

Here is a video for the limited edition t-shirt for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2009. I particularly like how the video showcases so many different ways to wear the t-shirt. Check out the video below and Topshop's website (http://www.topshop.com/)

Jukari

I was flipping through posts on fitsugar (http://www.fitsugar.com/) and I came across this post on one of the newest exercise trends - Jukari. Apparently Cirque du Soleil and Reebok have teamed up to create a new way of moving. I can not even begin to describe this so here is a video. Also you should check out the website: http://www.reebok.com/

Strike a Pose

Not one for much of the fashion scene or models in general I still love watching the occasional fashion show online. Luckily for me a website has come along to indulge me in all my fashion musings: http://www.modelinia.com/

This website contains tons of videos about models, model life, beauty, fashion, and charities.

Here is a video of Alessandra Ambrosio talking about her top 5 beauty tips:



See more videos on modelinia.com

Australia

I picked up this movie from the Redbox at my local grocery store as I had seen the trailer and though it looked like something I would like.

Nicole Kidman stars as Lady Sarah Ashley, an English woman who goes to Australia intent on finding out why her husband loves the country. There she meets Drover (played by Hugh Jackman). Through a series of events Lady Ashley must save the cattle farming business that her husband loved so much. During this time period she also befriends a young boy named Nullah and learns to love the Australian land and people.

This movie was certainly an epic. Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!) the imagery was highly saturated and absolutely gorgeous. That being said, the movie felt a bit too long for its own good. The movie itself could have easily been broken up into two movies and if you see it you can see easily exactly where it could easily have ended. Instead Luhrmann kept going and I feel like this is where some people had problems with the movie. Despite this, I liked this movie. It was a complete treat for the eyes (including Jackman) as the landscapes rolled out across my mini television screen. For the visuals alone I would have liked to see this on the big screen, but I definitely recommend checking this movie out if your a fan of Lurhmann's, Jackman's (not really Kidman's best work), or in the mood for a good sweeping epic love story. Not a Gone With the Wind by any means, but worth looking at.

Last Chance Harvey

I got a chance to catch this movie over the weekend and am entirely glad that I did. Last Chance Harvey stars Dustin Hoffman as Harvey, an American jingle writer who is down on his luck. Not only is his job in trouble, but his only daughter is getting married and has chosen her step father to give her away. On his trip to England he runs into Kate (played by Emma Thompson) who is equally having a bad time. Perpetually single and caring for her elderly mother.

I was a little apprehensive as I walked into the theatre and noticed that I was one of the youngest in the entire audience. As the movie progressed it soon became apparent that regardless of age this movie was funny. It captured the awkwardness of the characters situations beautifully. As simplistic as the plot was it complimented the film immensely. The complexity came more from the emotions that the characters were going through. Definitely go check out this movie if you get a chance to.

Clinique Bonus Time!

So its that time of year again...Clinique Bonus Time! I went in for toner and came out with Clinique's Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. This corrector is said to help fix sun damage, dark patches, and acne scars. While my skin isn't that bad, I have noticed in the past few years little dark patches have appeared. Not so bad that concealer can't fix it, but enough so that I notice it.

The Clinique bonus comes with two carriers (one small and one large). Youth Surge moisturizer, dramatically different moisturizer, mascara, bushwear cream stick, and lipstick. I was asked if I wanted either "warm" or "cool" (I chose cool) for the blush and lipstick. Check out the Bonus here and check out the Clinique website (http://www.clinique.com/) to learn more about their products.

Should I? - The Boston Globe

I'm a dork, I absolutely love reading stories about psychology and mental disorders (aka what is currently in store for me for the next 5 years of my life). That being said I especially love reading first hand accounts of people living with these illnesses. Fortunately I do not have a mental disorder, unfortunately I cannot truly understand what the patients I work with are going through. So reading first hand accounts are fascinating to me.

I came across this article in The Boston Globe online and was drawn in by the authors honesty about her situation. A woman living with bipolar, she struggled with the idea of having children. Most people wrestle with the idea of having kids, but for people with mental illness there is the added weight of having an illness that may or may not affect their kids. I found it pretty interesting, specifically the part where she talks about giving a book reading and how a woman was pleased she was breaking down stigmas but amazed someone would marry or want to have children with her. The author simply concludes with the idea that having children, whether living with mental illness or not, is a personal decision.

Check the article out and then check out the comments below the article...



Should I? - The Boston Globe

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Best Days of Your Life

'Cause I'll be there, in the back of your mind

From the day we met 'til you were making me cry

And it's just too bad, you're already had the best days

The best days of your life

Ain't it a shame?

A shame that every time you hear my name

Brought up in a casual conversation

You can't think straight

And ain't it sad?

You can forget about what we had

Take a look at her and do you like what you see?

Or do you wish it was me

CHORUS:

'Cause I'll be there, in the back of your mind

From the day we met to the very last night

And it's just too bad, you've already had the best days

The best days of your life

And does she know?

Know about the times you used to hold me

Wrapped me in your arms and how you told me

I'm the, the only oneI heard about

Yeah, someone told me once, when you were out

She went a little crazy ran her mouth about me

Ain't jealousy funny?

CHORUS

'Cause I'll be there, in the back of your mind

From the day we met to the very last night

And it's just too bad, you've already had the best

best days of your life... with me was a fairytale love

I was head-over-heals 'til you threw away "us"

And it's just too bad you've already had the best days

The best days of your life

I heard you're gonna got married

Have a nice little family

Live out my dreams with someone new

But, I've been told that a cheater

Is always a cheater

So I've got my pride, and she's got you...

'Cause I'll be there, in the back of your mind
From the day we met 'til you were making me cry

And it's just too bad, you've already had the best days

The best days of your life

Of your life

Oh, oh, yeah

You're gonna think of me

You're gonna think of me in your life

Oh, oh, yeahIt's a shame, it's a shame...

Return of the Library...

The other day I made my way to the Boston Public Library with the sole intent of getting a book. And not just any book mind you, an old book. As the semester winds down and I am faced with the prospect of part time work for the next 3 months I realize I will have a lot of free time I have decided I have to read more. While I am a pretty dedicated reader I am no where near as versed in some of the classics as I would like to be. That being said I thought what better time to save money (oo did I mentioned I started budgeting...I'll save that for another blog) and learn by going to the library.

Now to be fair enough the Boston Public Library is quite unlike the small town library I grew up with. Not only is it huge, but it is also historic. So what's with the old books you ask? Good question. A while ago I met an individual who was intent upon studying the classics, however; he had confined himself to only British literature. Now I am not saying that reading Brit Lit is wrong, but it certainly does not comprise all that the classics have to offer. So with that in mind I have decided to try and tackle a variety of books: classics I have put off reading (or should have read in high school), non-fiction books about subjects I have no knowledge of, and the list of "Books I want to read" that continues to grow with each day.

I read a newspaper article a while back that said there has been a rise in the use of the library since the recession hit. I have almost finished Robert Louis Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Its a short novella, but I have been a bit distracted lately....hopefully done soon.

Here is a quick clip that keeps me inspired. Its from the Sex and the City Movie, in which Mr. Big makes fun of Carrie for taking out library books. She replies back that she loves the smell of the old books - I know exactly what she's talking of. Older books just have this "feel" to them that makes them sometimes more interesting than newer books: