The Essence of Grand Gestures

We all remember that classic movie moment when John Cusack playing Lloyd Dobler executes one of the most definitive grand gestures of movie history... standing in the yard of his recently broken up with girlfriend Diane Court. Hoisting the large stereo over his head to play "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, a song with deep connection to both characters, raw with emotion after the heartbreaking split. A bold move no doubt about it, and a valiant effort at showcasing his deeply rooted affection in the most unexpected of ways. A grand gesture of the most romantic type. In the heat of the moment; the irrational, unplanned, unanticipated reaction may sometimes lead to the most heartfelt, emotionally charged, honest actions.

Some of the other most memorable romantic grand gestures of classic movie history can be found in movies such as this one "Love Actually." In this scenario, Mark, played by Andrew Lincoln shows up at his best friend's front door posing as a caroler and bearing cue cards expressing sentiments of love for Juliet, his best friends' wife. Juliet whom was under the impression that Mark held serious disdain for her, then realized just how mistaken she was.

 In this 1998 hit film "The Wedding Singer," Robbie (Adam Sandler) the musician hired to perform at Julia's (Drew Barrymore) wedding, Robbie can't let Julia marry her cheating fiance Glen, so he not only crashes their flight playing the song he wrote for Julia, "I Want to Grow Old With You." Sitting on the plane, listening to Robbie, tears start streaming down Julia's cheek as she realizes Robbie is singing this to her. 

A movie we all know and love from the late 90's "10 Things I Hate About You," conveys an extraordinarily uncharacteristic grand gesture. Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) breaks out of his assumed bad-boy persona to serenade Kat (Julia Stiles) with the song "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." This characteristically subdued bad boy dances across the bleachers as the school's marching band plays the instrumentals of the song as Patrick's performance ensues.

Last but not least, one of my favorites "Pretty Woman" Richard Gere's character Edward Lewis finds himself single and in need of an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. Edward Lewis decides he can't let Vivian (Julia Roberts) go after their "business arrangement" ends he attempts to be the knight in shining armor she's dreamed of, against his fear of heights he climbs her fire escape presents her with roses and asks what happens next. She tells him that she "rescues him right back."


 It is within these sacred moments of film history that we note some of the most romantic grand gestures ever to be captured on camera. These films that we typically associate as Romantic Comedies, or the stereotypical 'chick flick' are the very basis of the dreams and fantasies of a "hopeless romantic." However, sometimes the most grand of gestures, come in the smallest of packages. Be it as small as a tiny note you would find underneath the windshield wipers of your car that says "I love you," or a home cooked candle lit dinner for two romantic gestures don't always have to involve a big spectacle or public proclamation. The key word is grand, and grand in relation to the emotion and genuine feeling behind the gesture will always make an expression of love sentimental and influential.

Some Things Just Stick

Like little tricks my dad used to tell me when I was younger to help me fall asleep...

 

When I was younger I always had the worst time falling asleep. For whatever reason it was as if the second I was tucked into bed, the Pandora's box of things to worry about just sprung open. I would worry about the most irrational things, and most every night I would end up crawling down to the living room and nestling in with my parents. For a very brief moment, I always thought that I had gotten away with it, that I didn't have to go to bed just yet, and even better I got to snuggle on the couch with Mom and Dad. 

I was sorely mistaken. No sooner had I nestled in on the couch was my Dad picking me up and bringing me right back upstairs to bed. I couldn't help it, they both always called me a night owl, because just like my dad I have the tendency to be able to stay up late- different from my mom and brother who both fall asleep the second they hit the pillow.

Once I was finally tucked in my bed for the night, for the second time- Dad would sit on the edge and tell me to picture happy times. Sometimes he told me to think about visiting my Grandpa who lived on the West Coast in Northern California, or to imagine my upcoming soccer game- silly things to get my mind off whatever was stressing me out. He always said, and still does- that you can't worry about what you can't control- 9 times out of 10 I was absolutely worrying about something out of my control. 

Fast forward to two nights ago, at around midnight. I was completely restless and unable to fall asleep. Without even consciously thinking about it, I found myself imagining the same things my dad used to tell me to imagine when I was little. I imagined the summertime, the beaming sun at an outdoor afternoon barbeque with my family and friends, I imagined the upcoming Valentines Day dinner in the city with my boyfriend Sean, I imagined my Grandfather flying out for one of my spring races this season- and before I knew it I was dozing to sleep. 

When I woke up the next morning I started thinking about how somethings just stick with you. Whether it be silly tricks to fall asleep, or more independent events like remembering a motivational quote you read in an article, or bits and pieces from conversations you've had. On any given day, there's no telling what could possibly make an impact on us or why. It makes me wonder, what might I have said to someone or shown someone that has stuck with them. 

In this fast paced world we live in, it's important to remember your words and actions are always making an impact on someone else whether you are aware of it, or not. After all, some things really do just stick.

Cold and Rainy Fridays

Every now and then we wake up Friday mornings and find ourselves standing in front of our closets, staring into the never ending options of clothes, completely stumped... our main problem-the weather!

On day's like this, when the forecast is looking rainy for the majority of the day and the chill factor is definitely looking bleak- putting together the most casually balanced outfit of chic and weather appropriate can be difficult! Here you will see a few rainy day items that made my "Cold and Rainy Friday" a success.

First and foremost, when we think rainy day- we think rain boots; these violet shade Hunter Classic Rain Boots are always reliable, and while they come at a relatively pricey cost, the durability will last you a lifetime. On the especially cold winter days, I line my Hunter classics with the newly popular, Ivory Knit Welly Sock- these come in a variety of colors and different fabric styles.

Since the rain boots are the staple item in this ensemble it is important to try and base the rest of your closet choices off of this color- since I am working with violet, a few pops of the color here and there are the perfect way to make sure your look flows from head to toe!

The best choice of pant with a Hunter rain boot is a slim fitting jean. Often times the leg of the pant is most easily fit inside the boot when they pant is a skinny jean, or jegging. Picture above is the Gap 1969 Texture Knit Jegging in black. I go for the jegging on days like today because they are absolutely comfortable, this textured knit from Gap wicks away water quite nicely, and best of all they are a high quality jegging which when seen by anyone but yourself, is acknowledged as a perfect fitting skinny jean.

Normally on a rainy day I try and stick to a one layer choice for top- as most rain jackets are a slim fit and multiple layers can not only create an uncomfortable fit in the shoulders and underarms, but a bulky appearance. However, there are a few ways to get around this when it is especially cold. As a first layer today I chose the Jcrew Pintuck Lace Front Cream Henley. This lightweight option allows for comfort and style with the simplistically added lace front. This stylistic design on the front of the henley is perfect when paired with the Jcrew Sequin Stripe Cardigan. This cardigan is a light shade of warm sandalwood with gleams of differing shades of pink sequins strewn in horizontal stripes. The darker shade of these pink sequins match nicely with the violet shade in our boots.

To accessorize this look I stuck with a simple addition of an oversized wrist watch- I went with the Michael Kors Madison Chronograph Horn Watch. This watch is just enough of a eye catcher with its crystal rounded frame and gold accents it makes for the perfect accessory. 

Lastly, and quite possibly most important we have our rain jacket, seen above is the 2009 H&M Black Trench Rain Coat with oversized front buttons and a high collar. This jacket holds its shape at the bottom and does not hug your legs, accenting the slenderness of your waistline with a thick belt and letting your silhouette do the talking. This is topped off with a violet patterned pashmina scarf too keep that brutal wind chill off your neck- these scarfs are often a relatively affordable investment and are offered in a variety of colors- not only do these work well with rain coats, but in fact jackets of any type. A well placed scarf can take your look from casual to chic very quickly. To finish this look, as you see picture above- the quintessential purse is a necessity. Here I have provided an image of one of my all time favorites, the Long Champ Le Pliage Tote Bag, these bags are also rather pricey- but much like the hunter rain boots their durability will definitely pay off in the long run. The great thing about this bag is that the polyamide fabric with induction inside is perfect to withstand the rain, and assures sure the contents of your bag stay dry and protected in travel.

A few simple statement items can make for the perfect rainy day ensemble.