My Grown Up Christmas List

Goregous.

I want to look like Kat Dennings or Kate Winslet. Either one will suffice.

Funniest person ever.

I want the confidence of Rebel Williams. She is a total honey badger, and I love her for it.

I can hold that for you?

I want Tina Fey to read my blog and think I’m clever and decide to hire and mentor me.

Oh Gwyneth...you're adorably ridiculous.

I want to be rich enough to nourish my inner aspect...ie...buy the stuff I see on goop.

Walk in the park...

I want to be married to John Krasinzki by day...

Candlelight dinner....

And Jesse Williams by night.

Is that seat for me?!

I want to be a Braverman....I don’t care how. I will be a distant cousin, or even just a twice removed something...just get me into that family!

I love her style!

I want the wardrobe of Mary from Downton Abbey...

I love this too though.

Maybe Kate Hudson on my Hippie days.

From now on when I sing, I'm making this face...just in case it all comes together at once.

I want to sing like Adele.

Talk about Magical Thinking...Joan Didion.

I want to write something that has the subtlety of Susan Orlean, the popularity of Harry Potter, the suspense of Stephen King, the inspiration of Brene Brown, the heart of Joan Didion, and the humor of David Sedaris.

What's on your Christmas List this year?

When You're The Best Of Friends!

The squeal I let out when I heard that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey will host the Golden Globes together was something similar to the night my high school boyfriend kissed me in my front yard while my friends watched from inside. I ran back inside to celebrate with them and lots of squealing happened. Yes, I used to squeal about boys and kisses.

But this post is not about that. Because no matter how great that kiss was, the part I remember being the most fun was the celebration inside with my friends. We'd heard from someone (this was before anyone was googling to fact check) that being french kissed turned your tongue white. We all ran into the tiny bathroom in my house, and I stuck out my tongue to see if it was true. Funny thing, it wasn't even my first real kiss. But this one held a different level of excitement because my friends were there for it. Oh, and I'm pretty sure my tongue was pink.

I'm very aware that my brand of friendship might be quite different than yours. Maybe it comes from being single for so long, but I think it's fair to say, I've always had a deep love for friends. My mother has amazing friends who were "other mothers" to me, and I think she stressed the importance of friendship as much as she did independence and putting on deodorant. I remember hearing "boys will come and go, but friends will stay forever." I mean, in retrospect, that's a little idealistic. I've had lots of friends come and go too. But on the whole...my friends have really been there. And I have THEEEEE most amazing friends.

Friendship doesn't just hold up as legit for us real people, it also seems to be able to survive the fame and fortune of Hollywood. I think this is because if you are rich and important, recognized around every corner, and you actually find someone who you can trust and who will love you for who you are without make-up, you probably hang onto them.

So, in celebration of what is bound to be the BEST Golden Globes EVER, and in celebration of friendship...here are some notable Famous BFF's.

Bitches get stuff done.

Tina and Amy-The Funniest
The way Tina talks about Amy in her book Bossypants gives a real idea of the kind of support these two show each other. They have risen to stardom at the same time, and been active participants in their individual successes. Recently at a charity auction they put a night of being their BFF up on the auction block and two women wrote checks for $36,000 each. I want to go to there.

Sense and sensibility.

Kate and Reese-The Ones I Want To Know
When Kate Winslet moved in next to Reese Witherspoon, she came over to say hi one night. As they talked about possible playdates for their kids, Kate told Reese she hadn't had anything to drink and asked if she had wine. Of course Reese did, and their friendship was born over wine and conversation that night. You all know Kate is my favorite actress, and Reese is from the South...I love this pairing so much!

Oprah and Gayle-The Real Deal
You can't even mention BFF's in Hollywood without thinking of these two. When I think about the success Oprah has had, in all reality, Gayle is probably the only person in her life that she can truly trust. Watching them on their road trip was hilarious because they fight like sisters! And their camping trip at Yosemite. Best ever.

There is no me without you.

Busy and Michelle-The Soulmates
Seriously, this might seem like a strange combo, but these two have been friends for a long time. Through all the tragedy of Heath Ledger's death and the celebration of having babies. They are seen together all the time, and apparently some people question the proclaimed platonic nature of their friendship. They make no bones about calling each other soul mates and admit having "girl crushes" on each other. But those who know them or spend time around them just say that they are seriously the best of friends, in ways that you can only understand if you've had this kind of best friend.

Dakota and Kristen-The Opposites
Um. What? They're best friends? In my mind, Dakota is still sweetly knitting things on talk shows, while KStew is busy...well, stewing. This friendship alone is proof that opposites attract not only in romance, but in friendship.

Everyone just calm down.

Penelope and Salma-The Sexiest
This is too much sexy in a friendship. I mean, somebody has to be the Rhoda.

The Threesomes
There are some internet discrepancies over these next few people. It's bound to happen. There's always that poor woman who thinks that she is her BFF's, BFF, but has no idea that her BFF has another BFF. I think that's what's happening in some of these situations. Which of these pairings do you think is the real deal?

Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz or Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page
Their birthdays are 1 day and...er...a few years apart. Seriously, even with a 12 year age difference, I have to vote for Ellen and Drew on this one. Mainly because I cannot imagine anyone ever being best friends with Cameron Diaz. Except maybe Scarlett Johannsen.

Shenanigans.

Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox Arquette or Jennifer Aniston and Chelsea Handler
As much as we all want Rachel and Monica to be friends forever, there are rumors that they've suffered some rough spots in the last year or so. Meanwhile, Chelsea loves to mention Jennifer on her show and reference their nights out. I am sure that Courtney has the staying power in this, but I do think that Jenn needs a friend who will go to the mat for her. Chelsea doesn't take shit off of anyone, and for that reason, I like the thought of the two of them as best friends.

Even at my worst, I'm best with you.

Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler or Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin
FALSE. There is no right answer to this, because in spite of both Liv and Ginnifer seemingly being wonderful people, they are obviously HORRIBLE friends because they let Kate do this:

I have no real friends.

Talk to me about BFF's...

Who did I leave out that's worth mentioning? 

Who will never have one? 

Which celeb do you want to be BFF with?

Happy Birthday Kate Winslet!

How cute are they!

Kate Winslet is and has been my favorite actress now for about 15 years. That's the longest commitment I've ever made to anyone, especially when there are so many other viable options around. My first favorite actress was Julia Roberts, but as I grew up I realized that Julia, while absolutely adorable and legit, did not really stretch herself as an actress. Sure, there's that Erin Brockovich thing, and that was awesome. But on the whole, Julia is and always will be Pretty Woman.

All grown up!

I remember exactly where I was when I really noticed Kate Winslet. I was sitting in the theater at Midway Plaza in Opelika, Alabama in a bouncy blue seat. I am not sure what movie I was going to watch, but I do know that the teaser trailer for Titanic was on the previews. From the moment I saw that ship going down, I was obsessed with all things Titanic, which meant...Kate Winslet. Of course, I'd seen Sense and Sensibility before, thanks to my "period piece" loving friend, Amy, but Kate didn't catch my attention at that point. A few weeks after that trailer I saw her play Ophelia in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet and it became my favorite Shakespeare play. The way she poured herself into those roles, so much heart, so much passion!

I followed Kate through her various projects, all of which were decent, but what kept her in the spotlight during those years were her curves. Kate was voluptuous and sexy, two things that Hollywood never really talks about being compatible. But she pulled it off perfectly. 

Truth be told...I'm a vindictive Bitch!

It wasn't until she showed up in my favorite movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, that her career really took off. Up until that moment she'd kind of been the Titanic girl. But in the last 10 years she has really hit her stride. Finding Neverland, The Reader, The Life of David Gale, Revolutionary Road, and Little Children solidified her acting career. Even her Rom/Com Holiday, is better than 99% of the Rom/Coms out there!

Where is your heart!

Though at times I consider a new favorite...Claire Danes, Michelle Williams (and more recently Carey Mulligan...I cannot WAIT for Gatsby!), I still claim Kate as the best. (I just realized that Leo has been the leading man to each of these women...maybe I really just have a thing for him!) 

So classy.

Today is Kate Winslet's 37th birthday, and she looks fabulous! She still has at least 40 good years of acting ahead of her. I would say that she could be the next Helen Mirren, but she's already made a name for herself. She will only get better with time.

If I had to choose my favorite Winslet role it would definitely be a toss up between Clementine from Eternal Sunshine and Marianne from Sense and Sensibility. I've even started a book called "The Online Redemption of Clementine Dashwood." I can relate the most to these two characters, and I like to believe that Kate can too. 

What's your favorite Kate Winslet Role?

The Importance of Being...Honest

I've never told you this before. In fact, some of you who know me well don't even know this about me. I mean, you might know my deepest darkest secrets, and you don't even know what I am about to confess here on this public forum. I know this will devastate some of you. My friend Amy might feel as though she's been lied to for over 20 year of our friendship. (I'm so sorry Amy...I promise I have no more secrets left after I tell this one!)  My friend RB who has used her powers of persuasion to convince me to watch Downton Abbey will realize why it never seems to be a good time. And Julie and Sandi might understand why I can't love Game of Thrones, or The Tudors the way they do. And maybe it will finally explain why and even set me free, though I cannot BELIEVE I am about to admit this, to tell you that I have never read a Jane Austen book. NEVER. Not even one whole chapter.

You see...I loathe...I abhor...I hate...period pieces. Even that term, period movie. How gross...and talk about being so OBVIOUSLY made for women! Unacceptable!

Amy, I am sorry...I do not seek him everywhere! I do not!

I Googled "period piece" and the consensus is that the term is used to describe movies/tv/and other works that take place during a time period in history. Ok, that's pretty broad and so maybe I don't hate them all. I do love Braveheart, and I am a big Titanic fan. Both are considered period pieces.

My personal distaste for this type of movie is more specific, so let me try to define it. The general genre that I hate bounces around (but is NOT limited to) British Romantic Dramas and are usually adapted from books that I have never read but have told everyone I have and enjoyed. Always the women are wearing clothing that is restricting and almost always they are crying about a man that they saw once from a distance who is not in their acceptable social class. Elaborate costumes, thick and hard to understand accents, too many characters introduced too fast with long last names but no defining characteristics up front turn me off of a movie almost instantly. And usually they begin with a tragedy and end up in romance, because love conquers all? "Our father died but at least we got married!"

I would be angry too if I had to wear 13 items of clothing with no A/C. 

There is no way I can give you an extensive history and explanation here that would begin to explain fully my feelings on these period movies. So instead I will just give you some statements that will give some samples and examples of my prejudice when it comes to this category, as well as a few notable exceptions.

• I thought I liked The Four Feathers, but then I realized I just liked Heath Ledger. 
• I tried to watch Downton Abbey, but once they stopped talking about the Titanic, I got bored and  plus, I couldn't even tell who was the butler and who was the patriarch. So much anger in that house (castle? abbey?).
• I appreciate the "adaptations" of these particular movies, but in most cases I haven't actually seen/read the originals: Clueless (Emma), O (Othello), Romeo and Juliet (The Leo and Claire version), 10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of the Shrew), and Cruel Intentions (Dangerous Liasons) just to name a few.
• Any of these period pieces with Kiera Knightly and/or Anne Hathaway (who are practically the same person) is bound to piss me off. 
• Anything with Kate Winslet, I will give a fair chance. And Sense and Sensibility is perhaps one of my exceptions to my "rules." I adore that movie, but mainly because of the relationship between the sisters. 
• Fake accents drive me crazy, as do horse drawn carriages, servants, and taking a walk in the garden because what else are you gonna do?
• If I am flipping channels and see Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, or Hugh Grant, I usually go take a walk in the garden to avoid them. 
• On the other hand, Helen Mirren has my attention. Always...even as Ayn Rand.
• Wuthering Heights is acceptable because it is dark and brooding...as is Interview with a Vampire because...well, it has Brad Pitt in it and he's a vampire. 
• The story has to be a good one. The Secret Garden is example of an acceptable story.
• Since the Harry Potter movies gathered up almost all of the good British actors and actresses how could I ever watch Rowling's characters gaze longingly at each other in another movie?
• Amadeus is obviously absolved from any of the above crimes.

Just remember Kate, the accent, the bosom, and Austen are the Holy Money Trinity.

As you can see, there is no real rhyme or reason to what I like or don't like. I just know it when I see it...or don't see it. Maybe it sets off my feminist sensitivities to see a woman waking up when the sun rises, getting all dressed up, and then sitting around all day waiting on a man to visit her just so he can fall for her sister. I know, I know...there's more to it than that and how could I even know enough to criticize since I have avoided seeing most of them? 

Come on, convince me otherwise.