GOODBYE 2016 // 2017 GOALS

2016

I was putting milk into my coffee this past Tuesday morning and I looked down at the expiration date on the carton... January 3rd 2017. It's here my friends, it is really here. 2016 is soon to be a long and forgotten memory. Like the years past, just another insane grouping of days that will be marked only by big life events. All of those random days will probably be lost in the sea of other not so significant days. Feels mighty nice, if I do say so myself.

2016 was difficult. I've said it multiple times the past few months but, my word. The obstacles of this past year were very draining. On Christmas morning, as my family was sat around the table eating our traditional Christmas day breakfast, we reflected on the events of this year. And we all agreed even if you were happy personal there were so many upsetting or tragic public events you can't help but feel effected by it. 

The lives of so many incredible artists were lost suddenly. The political atmosphere in many different countries was dispiriting. I mean we collectively felt a loss of stability and hope in many ways. So I think that is what we are all yearning to leave behind in the new year. 

It has only been six months since I graduated from University and I feel very changed in a lot of ways. I've been hit with a lot of the cruel realities of the current job market. I've watched as other people my age have either found success or have accomplished nothing. I've dealt with my own insecurities that come with living home again full time. It was a lot of a lot. 

When I looked back at my 2016 Goals my word was discovery. Maybe that's where I made my mistake. Maybe discovery wasn't a good word because I sure discovered a lot of unhappiness in so many different areas of life. So I think my choice of my next word really needs to be something that is more personal to me. Even self discovery would be more focused on my personal needs, ideas, and values. 

I didn't want this post to be depressing but... it seems to be heading down that road rather swiftly. And if that's how my feelings are about this past year then hopefully by the time I'm reading it next year I think "wow, I'm so happy things are so much better in my life now." 

I have a lot of hope for 2017. There are so many days for me to begin again. So I'm going to begin January off with a quote from a very well known man. "We Keep Moving Forward, Opening New Doors and Doing New Things, Because we are Curious... and Curiosity Keeps Leading us Down New Paths." - Walt Disney. 

Some other smaller resolutions will be to keep learning even though I'm out of school. Whether this is taking classes in cooking or calligraphy or coding, I want to continue to learn. I also want to eat less sugar and make healthier choices for my diet and exercise (something I always tell myself). To do more creative writing. And to keep my blog going as much as I can. 

Happy 2017 you lovely people. I hope you are ringing in the new year with all the happiness and determination you can muster. For every one that has stopped by here in the past few months, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

XOXO Sam

Best Dressed Oscar 2016 Roundup

2016
Well folks, another Oscars has come and gone. While last night may not have been the most exciting of shows it definitely was memorable because.... **drum roll please** SWEET BABY LEO WON AN OSCAR. Even though the rest of the night was kind of a dud with Mad Max: Fury Road sweeping the wins, all was right in the world because Leo received his very much deserved and very long over due Oscar!
I was also thoroughly happy that Brie Larson won best actress since Room was my personal favorite film of the year.
The red carpet this year was also a snooze and none of the dresses had me especially wowed. But I went through and chose my favorite picks from the night!







I honestly want to frame that picture of Kate and Leo and put it next to my bed. But can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for movies! Let me know who your favorites were and until next year Oscars xoxo Sam

Oscar Nominations Watch List 2016

2016
So I will have to start out by saying I am obsessed with movies. Not to brag but I would battle anyone on movie trivia ranging all the way to the first movies that were ever created to the most current films to hit theatre's. I worked at a movie theatre for two years and it was one of the most brilliant jobs I have ever had. That being sad I do not enjoy reading critic reviews because I think it has become a community of snobs who choose not to enjoy films solely because they want to appear above the general audience who are entertained by certain movies. For me the Golden Globes are more enjoyable because they really try to get a good round up of the top movies this year. If that means putting Ridley Scott's  The Martian in the same category as Amy Schumer's Trainweck well... at least they got them all in there.  However the Oscars have always held a higher prestige in the world of cinema and for that I try every year to watch all the best movie nominations. Here is the list of the
2016 ballot:
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

I'm sure if you read any movie review right now they would tell you the Revenant (with 12 nominations) is a safe bet for best film. So far I have watched...

  • The Big Short
  • Brooklyn
  • The Martian
  • Room
So obviously I still have half of the films to watch! However, it is hard for me to agree with Bridge of Spies being a contender for best film and Joy being completely snubbed and for that I will instead review Joy and not review Bridge of Spies (because I can and because it looks really boring).
The Big Short
Loved it. Smart, humorous, and most of all HONEST! Being a 13 year old at the time of the market collapse it was so interesting for me to actually learn exactly what happened. Steve Carrel really should have been nominated for best actor but... I digress. Considering the director went from making slap-stick comedies like Anchorman to something with such a highly intelligent humor is incredible. I just have to say this isn't one where you can half pay attention because like they say some of the words used (in the financial world) are meant to make your head spin.
Brooklyn
So, it was cute... it was heart warming... the cinematography was gorgeous... I didn't really love it. Not that it wasn't a nice story about an Irish immigrant who is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place but honestly that's all it really was for me... a nice story. I wouldn't necessarily categorize it with Nicholas Sparks films but it was pretty dang close.
The Martian
Oh my god if you didn't fall in love with Matt Damon in this film then you are truly a heartless humanoid and need to reevaluate everything about your life. jk... but truly this film was so epic
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time like holding my breath. It also made me feel a bigger connection to understanding places like JPL (somewhere I visited as a kid but never really understood).  There were no bad people, no ill wishes, just hope and not to mention great humor amongst all the tension.
Room
If I could have one wish it would be that Room wins best picture. I went into this film with no knowledge of what it was about, what I would expect, nothing. And I am so so happy I did. There is so much to love about Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay's relationship that you actually feel like they could be a real life mother and son (not to mention Brie's actual Instagram posts about Jacob ugh... my heart). The climax literally had me almost on the floor about to pass out from anticipation and I love when a film can do that to me. So you are hearing it now! My nomination for best picture is ROOM

I will continue to do the other four movie nominations within the following weeks so look out for that! Let me know what your favorite movies this season are as well! xoxo Sam




My Current Skincare Routine

2016
Hello Hello! Well this week sure has flown by like holy crap I go back to New York in less than two weeks! I have been eager to write this post as I am newly venturing into the world of skincare. Now I would say my skin is very combination (oily in the T-Zone and dry on my cheeks and forehead). I get the worst break outs in my chin area and even more recently (as I have ventured more into the wonderful world of makeup) my skin has started to have odd reactions to products. Now I have never been someone who loves to sit and bake in the sun but I can admit to one too many really horrific sunburns. Combine that with a diet that basically consists of whatever is cheapest and easiest and well... no bueno.
After watching numerous Youtubers, Bloggers, Celebrities, etc. divulge their skincare secrets I was eager to try it all out for myself. So here are just some of the products I have been experimenting with over the past few weeks!

Origins 
Anti-Aging Power Serum
Yes, yes I know I am 21 years old. But you know what I think that trying to start the anti-aging process at a younger age can actually be really beneficial. It's the same as exercising and being fit in order to be more healthy later in life. So I have been putting this on in the morning and at night. It feels so natural on my skin and leaves it feeling ridiculously soft. No weird tingling or tightness which you can often get with other anti-aging products. 
High-Potency Night-A-Mins
This cream has been like incredible. It is quickly becoming my favorite product and I dread the day I run out. Basically it works over night to break away the dead particles on your skin so when you wake up your skin is revived and replenished. It also has many essential vitamins that do wonders for your skin. And I mean the orange smell...ugh heaven.

Frothy Face Wash
This one is pretty much just your basic face wash. I figure its better to keep products all within the same brand family so that irritation doesn't occur. But this leaves my skin super fresh after a full day of wearing makeup. 
Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores
I am not gonna lie to you guys I have yet to have a moment to sit down and try this product. HOWEVER I have seen it on so many frickin blogs and youtube videos I was okay this stuff must be magic. So I will report back once I have really tried and tested it to see how well it works! I have used other charcoal masks before and love the results so I am eager to see how this higher quality one compares.

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Let me know if there are any products you have found work well with combination skins and I'll definitely try them out! xoxo Sam


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