Parks, Pool Parties and Barbecues: Long live Summer 2013

This week we discovered some new local Parks...

Top: Shopruche (Old)

Shorts: J.Crew

Wedges: Clarks

Aaron's shirt: Southern tide

Enjoyed a pool party and met some new friends

....and indulged in a backyard Barbecue

Maybe I'm experiencing some sort of midlife crisis at 30, but lately I've been wanting to capture every memory. I can't stop taking pictures and documenting everything that we are doing. These small snippets of happiness with friends and family are only a part of a chapter of our lives that will soon change again. Who knows, this time next year we could be somewhere else with a whole new group of friends. Will I ever be able to do this with the same people again?

Think back to your life 10 years ago. What were you doing then? What were some of your most pleasant memories? 10 years ago I was in college, having the time of my life with a group of God-loving friends who shaped my character and soul, and whom I will never forget. Those details are stored on an organic memory-drive deep within my brain that will someday probably degenerate into nothing. Not to sound morbid. I can't tell you how many times I've wished that I could go back to those days and live out those times again, but change is inevitable, and change is good. Change is life.

I want Grace to look back and see how happy she was while she was growing up. We are so fortunate to live in a time period where technology allows us to capture such intricate and attentive details of our lives. As silly as it sounds, documenting something as simple as what we did during our summer of 2013 with great friends and family will be met with smiles and nostalgia in another 10 years from now. Especially when Grace, at age 12 asks us someday "What was I like as a baby?"

She'll see these pictures and know that she loved to smile, she had a good friend named Annabelle who she shared corn and toys with together, she enjoyed pool parties and stroller rides to the park, grandma and grandpa loved her dearly, and her mommy use to be young and tried to be fashionable... but oh for pete's sake what IS MOMMY WEARING?

I hope it's okay that I weave some snippets of my life with my attempted fashion posts. It helps me remember, appreciate, and give thanks for all the great things that God continues to bless our lives with. Thank you for being part of it!

Linking up this week with Plane Pretty

A business professional attire and Transformers 4 update

When choosing work outfits, I look for combinations that are simple and conservative. 

Suit top & Shirt: Banana Republic

Skirt: Macy's

Heels: Prada

Bag: Prada Saffiano

Some of you have been asking about what has happened since the Transformers 4 casting call. Well, last Thursday I was notified that I did get a part as an extra in the movie! You bet I was pretty excited! They gave me a role as a bridesmaid in a wedding that takes place in Hong Kong. Of course, this will not be shot IN Hong Kong. The background is set up in Detroit, Michigan and filming actually takes place later this week. The main leads are Mark Wahlberg and two of China's leading actors, Li Bing Bing and Han Geng.

I was totally stoked and ready to take part in the action! However, they asked me to come in for a fitting the next day (Friday) to try on my attire just in case alterations needed to be made. Unfortunately I couldn't just drop work, ditch my patients and drive 10 hours to Detroit on such short notice. They couldn't do the fitting any other time, so the role was quickly handed to someone else. The casting director said that she would keep me posted about anything else that would come up on set, but as of now I highly doubt it will. 

Once again, I have major appreciation for people who do this for a living. You have to be available, on call, and ready to go at a moment's notice. If you are unable to take the opportunity, it is easily handed off to the next person. From my limited experience, the film industry is surprisingly ruthless, cut-throat and competitive, where rejection and being ignored is almost expected. My brother in law is actually a professional actor (and now also a talented entrepreneur), so I've seen what he had to go through before.  

Ah well, there goes my big break. haha just kidding. It was still an interesting experience, and super exciting to know that I could've had a chance to do this. So, if any of you guys go see Transformers 4 being released on July 27th, 2014 and you notice the background bridesmaids... one of them should've been me!! 

Alas, life goes on :) Hope everyone has a great week!

Linking up this week with Suburbsmama, Stylelixir, Plane Pretty, Fashion and Beauty finds, Because Shanna Said so

An extra-ordinary experience

Although I adore accessories, I think there's something lovely about an un-accessorized outfit. 

Simple and clean. 

Blouse: Generously contributed by Lalamagic, more styles here          
Skirt: Ann Taylor            
Shoes: Ferragamo              
Bag: Prada Gaufre

An EXTRA-ordinary experience

This weekend we made a last minute visit to spend time with family in Chicago. The Grandparents really missed Grace.

I found out (through Facebook of all places) that Transformers 4 was having a casting call for extras in Chicago. They were looking specifically for FBI and military looking professionals. I freaked out… this is perfect!!! If I can’t be a government official, at least I can pretend to be one!!! Have no idea what I’m talking about? See previous post here.

They were also looking for extras who are Asian for a HongKong scene- women, men and children. I’ve never been to a casting call before and was so excited that I dragged the whole family to this crazy event. Poor family. It was crazy alright! Over 2000 people showed up on the first day in 100 degree smoldering hot weather to be in this movie. Many braved the scorching sun dressed head to toe in military wear and sunglasses, looking like Men in Black. They weren’t joking around I tell ya... it was the whole nine yards! Women wore 5 inch stiletto’s and suits, equipped with headshots and photos to hand out to the casting directors.

I wore jeans and a random polka-dotted T-shirt. I forgot my writing utensil.

Clearly I didn’t know what to do for a casting call.

The first day, we drove past the area twice just to see if it would be possible to go in. Negatory. Just the thought of standing in the heat for more than 10 minutes gave me a mental heat stroke, not to mention putting Grace through that torture. However, the next morning we went a little bit early. On our way to the building, we ran into one of the assistant casting directors and she asked if we were here for extras casting. She then led us to a smaller, shorter line where we actually were able to see the main casting coordinator. She gave us directions to contact her through email and essentially bypassed the entire process. What a relief, we were able to do this without going through such an exhaustive process. I don’t know if we’ll get a call back, but that sure would be so cool. I can cross this off my life bucket list- To be an extra in a movie :)

This experience has given me a whole new appreciation for people who do this for a living. To get a part in a film is so much work! Kudo’s to those who have done this for a living, it really isn’t easy!

In other news, I'm featured on the homepage of Modcloth.com! :)                         Right there! ^

Linking up with stylelixir, Planepretty, Coffee beans and Bobbypins

Aaron's Movie Reviews: Man of Steel and Pacific Rim

Today we have a family guest post from Aaron, who is an ultimate lover of movies and always has the funniest things to say about them. I keep telling him that if his current job is not working out, he should be a professional movie and food critic. That way he can take me along for free!! Anyways... here are some reviews of the most recent movies we've seen. Enjoy!

Hey guys, Aaron here. Its time for some more movie reviews. I'm going to try and be more consistent now and give you some honest feedback as I watch them

Lets start with something that I feel is a must watch. I have always been a fan of Superman since I read the comic books, but unfortunately movies have always been disappointing. All the old movies have always been so cheesy and hokey that a piece of myself always faded away to the empty shell that I am today. Okay lets move on.

Finally a Superman movie that succeeds at being epic and serious. We get some back story into Superman but not as much as you would expect from a 3 hour movie. However, what you do get is massive Kryptonian on Kryptonian fighting action that leaves us humans feeling so inadequate that literally all we can do is just stay out of the way. 

Ladies and gentleman, this is date movie certified. There is enough eye candy in this movie that your girlfriend will forget that you dragged her out to see an alien sci-fi movie instead of taking her shopping. The one downside? Henry Cavill is so nuclear hot that she may just leave you at the end of the movie and buy a one way ticket to LA just to look at him. Fret not guys, Antje Traue who plays Faora-Ul can be your redemption prize. 

Final Verdict: 5 Superman punches out of 5 (*****)

Alright! Lets get to the real guy stuff! This picture sums it all up, people. We have giant robots fighting giant monsters! Is there any real background story? No. Is there compelling character development? Not even close. Will you be discussing the subtle nuances of the human capacity to endure over a candlelit dinner? I think you get the picture.

This is a modern day Kaiju movie that has been lovingly brought to life by Guillermo Del Toro. Kaiju from the Japanese language means monster. That big robot you see there is called a Jaeger from the German language. The special effects of the monsters and just the sheer amount of destruction that goes on during the fights will blow your mind. This is what Transformers should would have been if Michael Bay wasn't around. 

The movie isn't always going to make sense but just let your mind "drift" and enjoy the ride.

4 dead Kaijus out of 5 (****)

For more old movie reviews, check out Aaron's previous posts! Have a great week everyone!