i just missed your heart

In just the past couple of weeks I have seen a few movies, so I thought, "Hey, maybe I should blog about them." So I did. And you're reading my reviews right now.



If you think that Rango is just another kid's movie, it isn't. This is partly due to the fact that most kids movies that are available right now are, well, mediocre. You probably also believe that if a kids movie isn't Disney or Pixar, it must be stupid and not "magical." Well you, my friend, are completely wrong. Rango definitely exceeding my expectations when it came to humor, action, cinematography, and originality. Even though a lot of computer animated characters are somewhat non-believable, Rango certainly wasn't.

One of the elements that I loved but other critics didn't enjoy was the use of adult jokes that were almost "slipped in" during the dialogue. Think back to when you were a little kid and you used to watch Looney Tunes, Spongebob, etc. If you watched them now, you would notice a lot of inconspicuous jokes that would just pass over your head as a kid. There are several of those type of jokes throughout the movie, which added to the genuine humor of the movie. So basically, it's fun for all ages. :)

(This is just for you, Imani)

One day I was looking at what was playing on HBO and I saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid was one of my choices. Naturally I thought, "Ummmmmmmm nope," but then I remembered my dear friend Imani loved the series so I decided to watch it. Halfway through the film, I thought, "Hmm, this isn't as bad as I thought it would be." So by the end of the movie, I kinda really enjoyed it. I could definitely see the influence that John Hughes' famous teen movies had on Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and yet it still had a very different style.
A couple weeks later I went to go see the sequel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules) at the theater, and, of course, it was pretty awesome, like the original. However, I wouldn't recommend seeing the second film without seeing the first one.



On a completely darker note, last Saturday I went to the movies (again) to go see Hanna, which is about the daughter of a secret agent and her fight for survival. See, I knew that it was going to be somewhat violent, but not nearly as intense as it turned out to be. Now I won't reveal too much about the movie, but I will say that if you can handle as much violence as there was in Kick-Ass, then you could watch Hanna. Besides the obvious violence, the film really does deliver with its acting, cinematography, and visual-extravagance. If you love the Bourne series, then I strongly recommend this movie for you.

So, I hope you enjoyed these few movie reviews! Please check out my other blog posts. :)

television, television

In television news, the end of one of the many TV shows that I religiously watch came to an end on March 20th. That show was Big Love. There is no doubt that I will miss the notoriously disfunctional family that is the Henricksons. Even though the last episode did show a little bit of the family's life after the death of patriarch Bill, I would have love to seen even more. Farewell, Big Love. :(

"Game over man, game over."

Now if you love British television as much as I do, then you must watch Being Human and Doctor Who. If you do indeed watch these shows, you HAVE to know that Being Human just had its finale and Doctor Who will be returning on April 23rd. So basically, if you watch those shows but didn't know the previous information there is something seriously wrong with you.

Now if you do not watch Doctor Who or Being Human there is something even more wrong with you. You can't really understand how great these shows are if you don't watch them. It's like saying that you don't like a certain food, but you haven't even tried it; you may indeed like that food. So I urge you to please consider watching these shows.

Let's see... What else has been happening in television...

There's a new adorable couple on The Office! Well actually, they've been quite cute every since they first fell in love, but everything just got a whole lot crazier in the hit comedy. That's right, Michael Scott and Holly Flax are engaged! Ok, we still all love Jim, Pam, and baby Cece, but it has been about time that Michael finally starts a family of his own. You can see the proposal here:

Cute ain't it?

So who's going to be the new Scranton Regional Manager? None other than Will Ferrell! This should be nothing less of pure insanity.

Personally, I can't wait to see what happens on these awesome TV shows. We'll just have to wait and see. :)

your new true style

In most teen fashion magazines, they provide a few styles with clothing that represent the title. For example, a "romantic" style would include a floral, flowy dress with some pale shoes and pastel accessories, while an "edgy" style would have some ripped jeans, a tank top with a faded union jack on it, and some combat boots.
Now, when I look these magazines, I always think to myself that none of those styles really encompass who I am. Fashion and style is suppose to reflect who you are as an individual, not just a style of clothing.
That is why I have decided to make up a few different styles that can truly portray a personality through clothing. Also, notice that all of these styles may apply to you, or maybe even none of them! (Hopefully not) Here are the styles I came up with. Have fun and figure out your style!

Urban Glamazon

This fierce fashionista isn't afraid of bold, bright colors and loves her high-tops, as well as her pumps. She tends to choose pieces that show she isn't afraid to try new things and step outside of her comfort zone. She's independent and pure fun.
People: Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., Willow Smith, Katy Perry, Rhianna, Mette Lindberg, Katie White, Alicia Keys, Dita Von Teese
Brands: Kidrobot, Harajuku Lovers, Tokidoki, Iron Fist Clothing, Tillys, Stephen Sprouse, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Bad Ass Beauty

This girl knows her assets, as well as how to flaunt them. Like the Urban Glamazon, she's an independent, strong woman. She can't resist a bit of leather in her wardrobe, as well as some rock-n-roll in her iTunes music library.
People: Ke$ha, Georgia May Jagger, Beyonce, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Anna Paquin, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Mette Lindberg, Katie White, Karen O, Hayley Williams
Brands: Wonder Woman, Alexander McQueen, Burberry Prorsum, Iron Fist Clothing, Tillys, Stephen Sprouse, Lanvin

Casually Chic
Comfortablility is an important aspect when choosing clothing for this style of girl. Her closet is filled with cute and fashionable sweaters, cardigans, jeans, and lots of ballet flats. She always looks lovely in her casual, yet chic outfits.
People: Kate Moss, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Kate Hudson, Blake Lively, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Obama, Zooey Deschanel, Hayley Williams
Brands: Tillys, H&M,  Urban Outfitters, Modcloth, Gap, Burberry, Anthropologie,  Forever 21


Sleek Siren
This sexy, yet sophisticated woman loves her treasured swimsuit, as well as her classic wardrobe pieces. She commands attention from all the boys, but is wise with her decisions, which goes for clothing too. She always channels that inner '60s bombshell perfectly.
People: Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie, Heidi Klum, Katy Perry, Halle Berry, Fergie, Ginnifer Goodwin, Alicia Keys, Penelope Cruz, Sofia Vergara, Freida Pinto, Dita Von Teese
Brands: Heartbreaker Fashion, Yves Saint Laurent, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein

Avant Garde Artiste
While this style is hard to pull off, this girl knows how to flaunt it and makes heads turn. Some people may not understand her fashion decisions, but she knows how important it is to be herself. She is artsy, as well as gutsy, with her clothing choices.
People: Lady Gaga, Guo Pei, Drew Barrymore, Grace Jones, Chloe Sevigny, Rhianna, Nicki Minaj, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anna Paquin, Karen O
Brands: Alexander McQueen,  Hussein Chalayan, Gucci, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Fierce Feminine Fashionista
Whether she's wearing her favorite pair of chic flats or a beloved sundress, this girl loves showing her girly side. While her closet may be a little muted in color, she also enjoys a pop of bright color at times. Sophistication and femininity are her fortes.

People: Hailee Steinfeld, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, Lea Michele, Ginnifer Goodwin, Penelope Cruz, Freida Pinto, Dita Von Teese
Brands:  Chanel,  Forever 21, Anthropologie, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, Valentino

Trailblazing Trendsetter
This girl is always keeping up with the latest trends right off the runway. She knows the difference between "trend" and "fad," which can be difficult for other people. Her wardrobe is full of classic, yet modern pieces.
People: Blake Lively, Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port, the Olsen Twins, Gwen Stefani, Leighton Meester, Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Vanessa Hudgens, Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katie Holmes
Brands: H&M, Urban Outfitters, Michael Kors, Forever 21, Tillys, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin

Vintage Visionary
This girl loves finding quirky pieces for her wardrobe by shopping at thrift stores. She also loves nostalgia from all time periods. Whether she is channeling the '50s or the '80s, this girl knows her fashion trend history.
People: Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Brigette Bardot, Sophia Loren, Miss Li, Zooey Deschanel, Dita Von Teese
Brands: Heartbreaker Fashion, Hermes, Modcloth, Gucci, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana

Bohemian Bombshell
Even though she is known for her maxi skirts and statement jewelry, this girl loves to channel mother nature through clothing. A unique pair of sandals and an adorable loose dress are must-haves for her wardrobe. She feels beautiful in any outfit.
People: Nicole Richie, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Rachel Zoe, Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Bosworth, Karen O
Brands: Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Anthropologie, H&M

Miss Minimalist
Color-blocking and simple clothing is this girl's forte. While some may think her style is too plain for their tastes, she loves the simple chic-ness of a shift dress. She also loves incorporating art into her wardrobe.
People: Kate Bosworth, Audrey Hepburn, Rachel Zoe, the Olsen Twins, Chloe Sevigny, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ginnifer Goodwin, Michelle Williams, Freida Pinto
Brands: Michael Kors, Chanel, Hussein Chalayan, Gap, Jil Sander, Jonathan Saunders, Calvin Klein

So, what are your favorite styles? Feel free to leave a comment or tweet about it on Twitter! :)

red carpet rant

Yes, of course I watched the Oscars! What a silly question....
I was actually pretty surprised this year; there were some pretty awesome dresses on the red carpet!
And yes, here's a list of my faves:

I was surprised to see Gwyneth Partlow in something so different. Don't get me wrong, she usually wears something pretty to the red carpet, but I especially liked this Calvin Klein dress she wore last Sunday. It's almost futuristic, which, of course, I love. :)

Even though this gown is very revealing, it is not too provocative. In fact, Mila Kunis looked fabulous in this lavender Elie Saab dress. However, this style of gown isn't for everyone. You have to really love the "romantic" look to work this dress.

This is Hailee Steinfeld in a Marchesa that she co-designed. Seriously, I would die to create a one of a kind dress with a famous designer. And what can I say? This is simply adorable.

I absolutely love this Givenchy dress that Cate Blanchett wore to the Academy Awards. It's really neat to see that Givenchy chose to experiment with the interesting structure of samurai-like armour and a truly unique color combination. I seriously encourage you to look at this collection on the Givenchy website.

Amy Adams wore a L/Wren Scott gown to the event last Sunday. I thought it was really neat and almost futuristic, like Partlow's. Maybe even a little Star Trek-ish, eh?

What would a red carpet be without a little Chanel? Michelle Williams decided to wear one of those famously chic gowns, which, of course, looked fantastic on her. Mark my word, Williams will become even more of a trendsetter and fashion icon than she is now.

So that's it for now! Don't worry, I'll rant more about stuff next time! :)

fierce: on and off screen

BEING HUMAN WAS A-MA-ZING!

The season premiere aired just this past Friday and I'm still raving about it. It's so rare to find a show that is written, acted, and directed so well as Being Human. I truly hope everyone who reads this may have a chance to watch this show. Plus the British accents are quite awesome as well. ;)

Anyways, I've been reading Tim Gunn's book titled, "Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style." Most of you most likely know him as the helpful instructor from Project Runway. One of the sections from his book that really intrigued me was all about fashion mentors. These are people who inspire your style and you can relate to them. I've noticed from friends and such that people tend to copy celebrities styles, rather than create they're own outfits that pay homage to they're style mentor. Note: a mentor does not have to be super  famous.

As I was pondering who my style mentor would be, many people came up, such as Zooey Deschanel, Anna Paquin, Lenora Crichlow, and even Lady Gaga.

Zooey Deschanel has been in some of my fave movies, like Elf, 500 Days of Summer, and Tin Man. I love her 50s style and, of course, her adorable hairstyle. I love that retro look!

Anna Paquin's southern style on True Blood is really cute, but I also love her red carpet looks. She has worn several Alexander McQueen looks, including the one shown above, and always seems to take fashion risks. She's the kind of person who doesn't care what any fashion critic says, because she knows she looks good.

I couldn't help but put Lenora Crichlow from Being Human in here. Like my other fashion mentors, she has taken risks and worn an awesome McQueen dress. Also, she's not super skinny like many actresses tend to be, and she knows how to dress her body well. Gotta love the brits!

Perhaps one of the biggest risk takers ever known, Lady Gaga always influences me greatly. She seriously doesn't care what people think about her style. I personally am always fascinated by her outfits. It's funny how people say they dislike what she wears and blah blah blah blah, but are they fashion risk-takers? I think not. If they really cared so much about what Gaga wears, they would've been her stylist.

And as my rant comes to an end, I urge you to find your fashion mentors. It seems like a great task to complete, but really it's quite fun! I found out quite some about myself and my mentors through my research.

Good Luck! ;)

time-wasters, fashion philosophy, and true fandom

More about fashion I suppose....

I submitted two more designs to Garmz so please, please, please vote for my designs!

Here's my 50s inspired prom dress: http://www.garmz.com/mika-elan/50s-prom-nerd

And here's my Egyptian inspired prom gown: http://www.garmz.com/mika-elan/egyptian-prom-goddess

If my designs get enough votes, they might even be made into actual clothing pieces! Which would be awesome ;)

Anyways, another cool fashion website is Polyvore, where you can create customized outfits for whatever theme you choose. It's really cool and neat, but at times can be kinda a time-waster, like garmz.

On that note, I have been on lookville recently and posted some questions... I swear, some of the people on that site are so serious about fashion. Why not be crazy with your outfits a little? People don't seem to realize that fashion is about taking risks and surprising you with unique and new ideas that have never been seen before. Unfortunately, some people do not understand that and choose to believe that only trends of the moment can be "fashionable." Those people need to save themselves before they start looking like they walked out of Wet Seal. (hint hint)

What to talk about now... hmmm.... I'll think of something eventually...

BEING HUMAN COMES BACK ON THE 19TH IN THE U.S. I am soooo excited :)

If you haven't seen that show you better start now. Like NOW... It is so good.

Oh, and I have been watching the American Being Human on Syfy as well. I like it, but it's not as awesome as the British one. Even though Josh the werewolf is quite funny. ;)

música

Haven't talked about music in a while! Here we gooooooo....

I love Pandora. It's a super well-known website that makes customized radio stations based on your favorite artists, songs, etc. I favorite stations are Ok Go, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, The Ting Tings, Miss Li, and Vampire Weekend. Of course, I have numerous other stations, but those are the main ones I listen to.
I have bought so many of the songs that come up on Pandora, it's awesome! Here are some of my fave artists that I found from listening to Pandora:

I've had their "Oh No" album for quite some years, and a lot of Ok Go's other songs come up constantly on Pandora. Not only is they're music awesome, but they take fashion risks. ;) I love their songs, especially: "This Too Shall Pass," "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips," and "This Will Be Our Year." Ooooh and "WTF" too.


You might not recognize her name, but you will definately recognize Regina Spektor's music. In fact, her songs "Us" and "Hero" were featured in 500 Days of Summer. I'm pretty sure her music was also on Ugly Betty numerous times, but I'm not sure. I love "Radio" and "Fidelity" by her, also.


The Fratellis have been extremely popular in Europe (esp. the U.K.) but only somewhat in the U.S. You probably know they're song "Chelsea Dagger." I love "Flathead," "Whistle for the Choir," and "Baby Fratelli" too. Also, they are partly named after the villainous famiy from The Goonies! '80s movie reference!


Ok, so Daft Punk is super well-known to pretty much anybody under the age of 30. At first, I didn't really like they're songs all that much, but now I truely understand them. Plus, they're so futuristic. I love "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."


Dan Black is most well-known for his hit single "Symphonies," which fuses the addictive beat from "Umbrella" by Rihanna and Jay-Z, and the clean, crisp voices from a choir. Not only are his songs unique and interesting, but also Black's album covers are quite awesome. "Life Slash Dreams" and "Let Go" and pretty cool too. ;)


Zee Avi uses her Borneo roots to influence her cute songs about love, life, and fun. I love her song, "Kantoi," mostly because I can't really understand what it says, but it sounds really neat. She's like Taylor Swift, but awesomer and unique-er.


Anya Marina is an actress, singer, songwriter, and comic. Her songs constantly come up on Pandora for me (under the Miss Li station), and I especially love her song "Move You." Also, her voice makes her music quite unique.


Lastly, Vermillion Lies is perhaps the least-known group out of this list of performers. They're quirky and crazy songs remind the listener of a Tim Burton movie set under a circus big top. I love "Circus Fish" and "Circus Apocalypse" by the duo. Whenever I hear they're songs I just have to sing along and participate in the awesome kookiness.

There ya go! Please, please listen to these awesome singers and bands.