lock heart, Paris, France

I thought this was an adorable idea.

Usually I'm a bitter, cynical bitch on Valentine's day who hates everything cutesy and yuppie, but I couldn't help but let out an audible "awww" when I first read about this.

Location: Pont des Arts, near the Louvre, where a very peculiar yet lovely tradition occurs. Lovers take a lock and attach it on a fence, sealing their love. They then throw the key into the nearby river as a symbol that their love will never be undone. Simple, yet cute.

Unfortunately however, these locks are often taken down after they're put up (something about them being an eyesore?), which I found quite oxymoronic. Isn't Paris supposed to be the city of love?

Beauty and the Beast, or the Stockholm Syndrome in fairy tales

So today, instead of studying for midterms, I happened across Canadian artist Marina Bychkova, who makes the most beautiful and mesmerizing porcelain dolls I have ever laid my eyes on. While I'm too creeped out by dolls to have one of these sitting in my bedroom staring at me, I've spent hours on her website just staring at these beauties. The bodies are so stylized and ethereal, it's almost haunting. Not to mention that they are almost lifelike. My personal favorite is Beauty and the Beast. 

My other favorites are Aphrodite, Captain Nemo's daughter, Anna Karenina, and Golden Lily.

What not to wear: men's edition

I know that I made this post a long time ago, but recently I've realized that men are equally guilty of fashion violations than women are. They're less scrutinized than women, but to me that shouldn't make a difference!

Of course, these are all my personal opinions, and I can't tell you what to wear, but from a woman's perspective, I can tell you what I think looks good and what doesn't. Follow my words, gentlemen, and I promise you will increase your chances of getting laid.

And if I hurt any feelings from posting this, well, be a man and suck it up.

Do NOT wear (aka, things that guys wear that piss Megan off) :

1) Stupid stereotypical Abercrombie/Hollister wear

I'm talkin' polos, hoodies, and sweaters with Abercrombie plastered all over the front. They're not good looking, original, or will get you noticed. You will look like the average joe and you will be blowin' big bucks for it at the same time. Outerwear/button shirts are okay, however. 

2) Tank tops with the sides torn/cut

Yeah. We get it. You've been working out and you're totally hot. But you know what? You also look like a douchebag. I'm talking about the stereotypical frat boy/lazy college guy thing, where guys feel the need to cut the sides of their tank tops to show off their killer bods. And to look like tools. If you're at a college party and just want a one night stand, then by all means, get snippin' with those tanks. However, if you really want to impress a woman, go for something classier. Way classier. 

3) Ill-fitting jeans

Yes, it does make a difference in what jeans you wear. They're pretty much a staple of a man's wardrobe, so you might as well invest some time into them! You can have a totally gorgeous ass, but if your jeans don't look amazing on you, no one's going to know about your alleged godly glutes. If you're completely in the dark on finding the right pair of jeans, I have two suggestions: first, read online articles like this one to get started. Afterwards, just go shopping and try stuff on! Pay careful attention to how you look in them, especially your crotch and backside. Also make sure they're long enough. 

4) Tennis shoes/nikes

I don't know why, they bug me. There are way more stylish shoes out there.

5) Wearing pink

What are you talking about, Megan? Real men wear pink! Bullshit. You look like you're trying too hard to prove your masculinity. Real men know which colors look good on them.
(Unless, of course, pink really honestly does look good on you. Then go right ahead.)

6) Shirts that are too big

Wearing XXL shirts when you're actually a Medium will make you look twelve years old. Stop that. 

7) Basketball shorts

They're the male equivalent to sweatpants and Ugg boots. Is it really that hard to slip into a pair of jeans in the morning? It only takes, what, 5 more seconds? 

(For the record, guys wearing sweatpants in public is also gross)

8) Mountain men hair/beards

You look like a serial rapist. Get a haircut. 

DO wear (aka, things that guys wear that Megan finds incredibly attractive) : 

1) Blazers

Add instant class and sex appeal to a casual outfit. Great for day and night. 

2) Loafers/dress shoes/oxfords

let's face it, they look way classier and sophisticated than tennis shoes.

3) Leather jackets

Sexy. Timeless. Classic. Need I say more? 

4) Button-ups

Duh.

5) The perfect 'do

Most guys just get cut once every God-knows-when and then let it go haywire until their general vision is blocked by hair. "Yeah, just a trim please." Well you know what's sexier? Actually having a cut that's actually, you know, stylish. 

6) Confidence. Charm. Sex appeal. The works.
Never leave home without this.

sexy peel by lush

delicious. 

dog days are (long) over

I just realized that of all the things there are to blog about, I chose to talk about the weather. Stupid, huh?


Yeah, I know, it's January, and the dog days of summer have long been gone. But for some reason, I, the anti-sunshine vampire lady, have been hit hard with the winter blues. Already. Problem is, winter "officially" started December 21st, not even a month ago. What am I going to do for the next 6+ months while I sit here and wait for the sun to finally show itself again?

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person around here who misses sunlight, 80-degree weather, wearing dresses, tropical smoothies, driving with the windows down, bikinis, and lazy days at the beach. A lot of you know me as a winter child who loves playing in the snow and cuddling by fireplaces and drinking hot chocolate and avoiding the sunlight like the plague, but in reality, the grass is always greener on the other side for me. When it's spring, I want fall. When it's winter, I'll occasionally want summer. Maybe it's just my natural disposition of living in constant dissatisfaction, maybe I just get bored easily. Who knows.

Well, I'm already making plans for this summer. None of them have been made tangible, however, and only exist in my head. First of all, that perfect Victoria's Secret bikini body isn't gonna work itself. I'm starting now, so by the time summer rolls around, I'll be smokin' hot. Second of all, roadtrips. Vacations. Weekend getaways with friends. Hiking trips. They will happen. Getting a job will be completely crucial, but I'll make it work. In order for me to really enjoy summer, I have to keep myself busy. I actually hate having so much idle time. I was already having some trouble fighting off boredom during my two weeks of winter break, and don't even get me started on last summer. I pretty much sat and decomposed. It was terrible.

But Megan, you say, summertime is about laziness. What's wrong with you?

I don't know, but I'm already looking for that perfect bikini ♥

Then again, during the summer I tend to complain about the weather as well. It never ends, huh? But I suppose that's what I like about having four seasons.

MM

dior, circa 1960

Black Swan: a review

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW



I've been wanting to see this film ever since I caught wind of it back in late November. A psychological thriller involving Russian ballets, Natalie Portman, and really creepy looking movie posters has got to be good, right?

If I could describe this movie in one word, it would be...

unsettling. 

I mean, prior to seeing it, I already expected it to be disturbing, mainly from reading critic reviews and hearing feedback from my friends, who said that they found it "confusing" and was "the most fucked up thing I've ever seen." As I stepped into the movie theatre, I knew that I was in for a wild ride.

However, as the film progressed, my (very limited) knowledge of psychology began kicking in. Before the end, I was already able to deduce something along the lines of paranoia/split personality disorder/etc. Along with having recently watched several psychological thrillers over winter break, I was already accustomed to the whole mind-fuck movie genre, and knew what to expect.

However, that's just me, and I still applaud Darren Aronofsky for confusing the hell out of his general audience.

Along with the marvelous acting, I loved how this movie made me squirm in my seat. I've read many reviews saying that some parts, especially the lesbian sex scenes, were unnecessary and made them feel uncomfortable. But at the same time, you're going into an R-rated movie that, upon opening weekend has already become notorious for being gruesome, twisted, and highly sexual, are you honestly surprised? I feel that that the eroticism has added to the uneasiness of the movie, especially in this sex-phobic society that we live in.

Yes, the whole concept of black-vs-white/good-vs-evil concept is overdone. However, I think that it has been made original again by incorporating the story of Swan Lake, which already is a dark, heart-wrenching work of art in itself. This film has sort of introduced a darker side of the performing arts to the general public, in which artists, dancers and musicians are consumed by the competitiveness and drama of being involved in theatrical productions. While most performing artists I know don't develop severe psychological problems due to their line of work, I do realize that it is stressful. Prior to seeing this film, however, I never really considered how contrasting the two roles of this ballet were, and how demanding it would be for a dancer to play the swan queen. I feel like my eyes have now been opened to a whole new world.


...Of course, I may be biased since I'm an avid Tchaikovsky fan.

Ah, hell, of course I am. Regardless, I encourage everyone to watch this film. It will definitely be a new experience to behold.

8.5/10 stars.