Wrapping It Up

I know I've mentioned it a ton but I really hate moving. It just throws everything out of whack. I haven't been able to keep up a good blogging schedule (which really grinds my gears) because I can't even keep up a good everyday life schedule lately.
I'm down to the bare bones at the old house so I keep forgetting that certain things I need to write a post about or review have already been packed away. It's just a total headache and I can't wait until this week is over and we will finally be all settled in under one roof. Fingers crossed.
Since I've been so frustrated with things not working out this week, I thought I would try to wrap up my thoughts, share some of my favorite links, and start this new week fresh. Hope you enjoy!

- Britney Spears is amazing...Jimmy Fallon is too -

In case you're new here, I am a huge fan of Britney Spears AND Jimmy Fallon...not necessarily together but I'm not going to object if they do get together, especially if it's for The Tonight Show.
Earlier this week Brit Brit stopped by The Tonight Show to promote her new lingerie line, Intimate Britney (LOVE, but we couldn't be a bit more creative with the name?). With Britney being newly single Jimmy took it upon himself to sign the pop princess up for none other than Tinder and you can watch the video here.
Did you cringe? Cause I did.
I love how nervous Britney seems in the video. Is that weird?
I mean she's like a huge star in my book so I think it's just absolutely precious that she still gets nervous doing things like the celebrity staple that is late night tv. Whatever. I love you always, Britney. No shame!

Straight from Gala's Twitter...isn't she enchanting?

- Gala Darling -
I don't even know where to begin with this wonderful human. Her blog is out of this world amazing and I could get lost in her posts for hours. She uses words like "badassery" and quotes The Craft all while taking on the incredible journey of bringing Radical Self Love to the masses. Let's just say that if you haven't checked her out then you absolutely, most definitely should.
Oh, she's just announced that she's releasing a book soon, Love & Sequins, so expect to hear my thoughts on that soon too.

- 'Why are elections for governor called "gubernatorial"? That's ridiculous.' -

This was a thought that struck me while reading a Jezebel article about Wendy Davis. I still haven't figured it out but there's a more pressing matter at hand.
The article was mostly the author's opinion on a journalist questioning whether or not Texas gubernatorial (there's that word again) candidate, Wendy Davis, told the truth when she claimed to have had two abortions in the 90s due to medical risks.
First of all, if you don't know who Wendy Davis is please educate yourself because she pretty much rocked my politics-loving world last summer. She filibustered an anti-abortion law on the Texas State Senate floor for 11-hours last year...but let's not get off on that tangent.
Well, Davis is now running for Governor of Texas and recently revealed that she had had two abortions done due to medical complications. While I question the timing of this reveal I don't question whether or not Davis is telling the truth. What kind of sicko would lie about having two abortions? However, there are people out there that are questioning Davis, such as journalist Dustin Siggins...and I think he is an absolute idiot. Go ahead, google his article and see if you agree with me, whether or not you agree with Davis.

- This is a very good read.-
Wonderfully written and thought provoking...it makes me want to write more. I'll let it speak for itself though.

Oh lord, I wish it still came on Monday 8/7c

-The Carrie Diaries -
I curse The CW with every episode I watch seeing as they cancelled this ridiculously awesome show. I'm just making my way through the second (and final) season now but I don't want it to end because I know when I do I will be writing a strongly worded email to someone somewhere begging for a third season.

- Am I the only one that goes through headphones like they're disposable? -
My new headphones have a short in them so they annoyingly only play music through one side meaning I can't stand to use them. However, I've realized that I don't want to exercise without listening to music but I don't want to listen to music out loud either. I know, I should get new headphones but I don't want to get a shit pair from Amazon just to have them break in a week and I don't want to pay ridiculous prices for a decent pair that could still short out in a week. It's a conundrum of epic proportions, believe me.

until next time,

xo

My Thoughts On...the VMAs.

Because you know we've just got to talk about it.

I am a huge fan of the VMAs and have been watching them since before I was even allowed to watch MTV. Seriously, I used to watch it on the lowest volume setting possible then change the channel every time I thought I heard my parents walk past my room. That was when I was like 8 or something. In fact, I remember watching quiet a few VMAs before my parents actually allowed me to watch them in the living room for my first official Video Music Awards viewing back in 2001, but we'll get back to that in a minute. 

Let's start by having a look at some of my favorite (and least favorite) fashion moments from last night's festivities.

Best Dressed

I'm giving Best Dressed to my Ultimate Girl Crush...I-G-G-Y!

Among a red carpet full of "eh" looks, Iggy Azalea brought glamour and pushed the bar just far enough with this Versace gown. She also scored points with me by being the realest (yea, I know) when it came to who she was wearing when she told Sway on the red carpet that Versace had contacted her and asked her to wear one of their pieces so they flew it out to her then had to rip the dress apart and sew her into it. That's how it happens people! She didn't wake up like this and she's not afraid to admit it.

Worst Dressed

What the hell,  Taylor?! 

First of all, I was not impressed by this year's red carpet looks. There was a lot more bad than good. Maybe even some worse than this but I picked this look for one reason. She could have done so much better! Look at those legs. I understand, you've gotta show those suckers off but no one is focused on your gorgeous gams when you look like you're wearing a diaper. 

Not everyone can pull of the bodysuit look quiet like Bey-once so don't feel bad, T-Swift but just remember this. If your shorts are so short that the inseam can't be measured then you should probably make them into a leotard or get a new outfit. Taylor should have done the latter but hey, shake it off, right?

Now for the main event.

Kicking the show off with a bang was Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and Jessie J with their melody of hits including Break Free, Anaconda, and Bang Bang. Here's my thoughts on the performance...

Ariana has an AH-MAY-ZING voice. It's that plain and simple. 

I don't care, I love Anaconda and Nicki Minaj. 

I have always been on the fence about Jessie J but this performance may have pushed me over to her side. 

Nicki Minaj may have had a wardrobe malfunction but girlfriend proved that the show must go on by coming out on stage holding the front of her dress together the whole time. There are not words to

describe how great that is. 

Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg (Snoop Lion??) presented the first award of the night and sent us all back to California My love for Gwen Stefani is immeasurable. I just do not see a point when I will not love her and it's not because we share a birthday...even though we do. October 3rd, in case y'all were wondering.

T-Swizzle redeemed herself, a bit, with her performance of Shake It Off...which is actually a really great song if you don't watch the video while listening to it. However she proved herself to be, as one of my friends said during the show, "Taylor Swift, patron saint of awkward white girls everywhere" when she paused during the performance, muttered something about not wanted to jump from the stage into a crowd full of hot guys in suits, then ran down the stairs and started signing again. She did mention something about that snake biting one of Nicki Minaj's dancers though, so that was funny but mostly I could have done without that little skit.

If you haven't heard about my love for Ed Sheeran than you must be new here.
If you get it by now then you'll completely understand that I may have gotten a bit emotional when Ed Sheeran won Best Male Video. Like what?! OMG! I felt like a proud momma...or mumma since he's British. Turns out it was Ed's first American award and I have to say he completely deserves it. Congrats, Ed!!! xx

Was it just me or was the crowd just super loud this year? I couldn't even hear Kim Kardashian-West (because that's her official title now)introduce Sam Smith. However, the Kardashian/West/Jenner Clan was absolutely adorable during the performance. The camera like panned to them 5 times in 3 minutes.

Can we just talk about how Common was sweet enough to ask for a moment of Silence in honor of both Michael Brown and his wish for peace (which I wish could have been longer but was well respected) yet the first video nominated for Best Hip Hop Video was Kanye West's Black Skinhead. I don't even want to go there. Kanye just leaves a bad taste in my mouth sometimes.

Was Jay Pharaoh the host or nah? I'm thinking nah and MTV just got him out there to make people laugh and keep voting going for Artist to Watch.

Last but certainly not least.

I can't even begin to talk about Beyonce's performance.
Oh lawd, Queen Bey's done done it again. I can't. I just can't. She's amazing. Her family is amazing and freaking adorable. Let's just say I want to be Beyonce more than ever now. #Flawless

Well that's it lovelies, leave a comment below letting me know your favorite part of the 2014 Video Music Awards! xo

For now I'll leave you with this precious picture...when you realize your mom is God so that means you're low-key Jesus.

Does that make Jay-Z Joseph or Mary?

until next time, 

xo

My Thoughts On...Finding Carter

If you follow me on Twitter then you probably know that I have really been liking the shows MTV has been pumping out recently. From Awkward being so cringe-worthy it's hilarious and Faking It making me wish I actually went to Hester High, I just can't get enough. Which I'm not entirely sure says good things about my taste in television but who doesn't love a good guilty pleasure?

Once Faking It finished out its first season (Only an 8 episode season, MTV? Really?) I was definitely on the lookout for a new teen-aimed sitcomy type deal. That's when I saw the first promo for....

First reaction: "Oh my god, that's Katie from Skins...or wait, maybe it's Emily. *gasp* Or maybe it's both!"

There we have it, a combination of two of my favorite things...
British people and trashy teen-drama. I'm all in.

Turns out it was actually Emily in the promo, as the show stars Kathryn Prescott as Carter Stevens. 
As mentioned, Kathryn previously worked on the British series, Skins, alongside her twin sister, Megan, as on-screen twins Emily and Katie Fitch. 

Let me just say that I LOVE Skins. The British version, not that crap that MTV tried to pull over on us a few years ago. I love how it's gritty and shows a side of the teenage experience that's much more emotional than whiny and angst-ridden without being sappy.
However, there's plenty of angst, it's just dealt with in more creative ways than staring off into the sunset from across the Creek. Emily was definitely one of my favorite characters from the second generation so I was really excited to see her playing something on this side of the pond. 

I was kind of intrigued by the fact that the only promo I had seen for the show didn't really give anything away about the premise of the show, that is until I saw a second one.
With her world literally turning upside down around her, Carter goes on about how life changes when she finds out that her mom is not her mom but her kidnapper.
Dun dun dun!
"Dear lord, please don't let this be another 'Face on the Milk Carton' deal," I thought.

MTV, you really let me down by giving too much of the premise away right off the bat. I was already intrigued by the title and your lead actor, now, going into the pilot I had become judgmental and skeptical. So here are the thoughts that derived from that:
(if you haven't already watched at least the pilot episode then brace yourself for some spoilers)

• Great opening scene! I love seeing Carter and her mom bond over Fro-Yo. This scene also leads to some important points later on such as, "If we ever get separated, I'll meet you by the biggest tub of gummy bears." 

• Way to jump right into the story line. I thought with the premiere featuring a two-part episode we wouldn't "find out" Carter had been kidnapped until later on, but nope. Carter gets arrested with her friends after a very Skins like night of spliffs and drinking on a carousel they had broken into. Then, rather than being released, she's told than her mother has skipped town because, get this...she's not her mother but her kidnapper! *gasp* 
• Yea, you told us that in the commercial so I guess it's good you got it out of the way sooner rather than later.
• There is no way in Hades that Carter wouldn't have just freaked the freak out over that kind of bomb being dropped! Like, what? No tears?
• Also, there is no way she would have gotten in the car with her new parents that fast. They could be the real kidnappers and shouldn't there be like a transition period between getting the news that you've been living with your kidnapper for 13 years and finding out you have a different mom, a new dad, a little brother, AND a twin sister?!

Now, here is where I have the real problems. As I mentioned earlier, Kathryn has played a twin before...with her actual, identical twin sister!

Carter and Taylor look nothing alike, which is fine really and happens a lot when dealing with twins on television but not when your lead actor has an actual twin! What went wrong there?

I can understand if Megan was able to take on the role or just didn't even consider it but why make Carter and Taylor twins? From what I can tell the story lines would go on just fine if Taylor was the older sister or something

On the other hand, I love Grant! He's witty, funny, and caring for a young boy and seems to be the only family member willing to get to know Carter at a peaceful pace. He's also the first character to bond with Carter as he feels like an outsider for being her "replacement" in the family.
Carter's new parents are a lot to handle. 
I respect the twist that her mom isn't the typical expressive and outwardly loving mother, especially in this particular situation, but it's as if Linda is so enthralled by the actual case of Carter's abduction that she isn't focused on the fact that she has her family back now. 
Carter's dad is a different story even though it turns out he made a great profit off of Carter's disappearance by writing a book about it. He really wants to get to know Carter and rebuild a relationship with her while his wife is, as it turns out, cheating on him with her colleague. All of which turns her into a greater enemy than a kidnapper. 

Speaking of which...has anyone else noticed that Carter looks so much like her kidnapper-mother and nothing like her actual mother? I could go on and on but I'll just wrap it up from here.

There are so many elements of the show that keep me from fully enjoying it but there are also so many elements that keep pulling me back in.
I love the whole Skins vibe that comes through sometimes but then I hate that it doesn't seem real because unlike the kids in Skins, Carter actually has parents who are involved, or want to be involved in her life. I just have a really hard time believing that a parent (spoiler alert) can find their daughter in a coma after popping Molly (Does anyone really call it that aside from rap stars and MTV?) and be totally fine with it. 
I also refuse to believe that Carter would be as okay with the whole situation as she seems to be so far but I love seeing her deal with this unique situation.

It's a back and forth battle with every episode but so far I'm still here watching every Tuesday at 10pm so they must be doing something right.

Be sure to watch Finding Carter with me tonight and leave a comment telling me your thoughts or download the Beamly app and we can all talk about it there.

until next time
xo
Merisa