Who doesn't love Halloween? Okay, actually I know a lot of people who don't love Halloween but something must be wrong with them because it is absolutely one of the best, funnest nights of the year! The best part is the entire month of October leading up to Halloween night, and watching all of the fun movies that will either make you laugh, or make you cry in fear. Luckily, this list has a little bit of both. These movies are ordered from 1 (Least Scary/Most appropriate for children) to 10 (Most scary/Do not show to children). So without further ado... here is my list of the best Halloween movies to get you in spooktacular mood. 1. It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
If you didn't already know this about me, I love love love the peanuts gang. This short movie is so adorable and great to watch with your children while carving pumpkins. Pumpkin carving... hmm, maybe I should do a blog post on that? Watch a trailer here. 2. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Ughhhh. Such a classic, especially if you're a '90s kid like me. This movie might be a little bit scarier, so use your judgement when deciding whether to show it to your children. I know my mom would have let me watch this at a pretty young age, but that's mostly because Halloween is her favourite holiday. It's also got a very Halloweeny feeling about it and works perfectly to get you in that witchy mood. Watch the trailer here.
3. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
This is one of my top ten movies of all time, regardless of the season. The cast is absolutely flawless. Cary Grant is a genius and the fact that this movie takes place on one night - Halloween night - is the reason why it is on this list. It's not particularly scary at all, and is thoroughly enjoyable for the entire family. This movie is a little slow and if you're not already a huge fan of black and white films, you probably won't get a lot out of this film, but I love it. Watch the trailer here. 4. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is this a Halloween movie, or a Christmas movie? Either way it doesn't matter. It's a Tim Burton film which makes it applicable. This is an indispensable film when it comes to Halloween lists. Not much to say other than... watch it and love it. Watch the trailer here. 5. Beetlejuice (1988)
Another Tim Burton classic, of course, it's Beetlejuice (but be careful not to say it thrice). I must say, I just watched this movie for the first time a few weeks ago and it's weird, wacky, and wonderful all at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised by Alec Baldwin in this film, but use your discretion when deciding whether to show it to any youngsters. Watch the trailer here. 6. Fright Night (1985)
I'm pretty sure this is a cult classic. I stumbled upon it about two years ago and loved it. Chris Sarandon as the vampire next door is seriously sexy and scary at the same time. Make sure you watch the original though. The 2011 remake is just not the same. This film is not overly scary and is perfectly suitable for teens. Watch the trailer here. 7. Practical Magic (1998)
Two beautiful sister witches played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman find themselves in a lot of trouble when Kidman's ex comes back to haunt them for murdering him. Seriously enchanting and beautiful, this film has me by the heartstrings. Watch the trailer here. 8. Scream (1996)
The original Scream movie is so good. I can watch it over and over again and I get scared each time. I don't know what it is about this film that gives me the creeps but if you're looking to be spooked on Halloween, I dare you to watch this by yourself at night in the basement with all the lights off. Watch the trailer here.
9. Psycho (1960)
The first time you watch this movie you might think, "Well it wasn't that scary." Wait. Wait until you're in the shower with your eyes closed washing your hair and then see how you feel. This movie might not be scary like Scream but it is truly one of the eeriest films I've ever seen and I'm certainly not going to be stopping at any random motels late at night. Watch the trailer here.
10. The Shining (1980)
Geez just look at that picture of Jack Nicholson. Super creepy and one of the scariest movies of all time. A family is cooped up in an old hotel as the caretakers for the winter, but someone, or something else, is there with them. A Stanley Kubrick classic, this movie should be seen by every adult at least once in their lifetime. Watch the trailer here. Well that just about covers it for the list of my favourite movies to watch throughout the month of October leading up to Halloween. Let me know down in the comments below, what your favourite Halloween movie is. Thanks so much for taking the time to read, and I'll catch you next time. Happy Halloween.
The air is crisp, clean, and cool. Leaves are slowly starting to change to beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows. The smell of wood burning fireplaces is subtle yet adds that perfect touch to the season that is Fall. It's very possibly my favourite time of the year, and I can't wait to share my list of fun fall and autumn activities that you can do with the family this September, October, and maybe even November. 1. Apple picking
An activity that I recently did for the first time ever, and absolutely loved. It's fun for the whole family and you get to eat apples that are as fresh as it gets. Also, it's a fall activity that can be done earlier in the season around the middle of September. It really doesn't get much better than this. 2. Going for walks/hiking
I honestly don't think there is anything better than long walks in the fall. The air smells so crisp and clean and your lungs feel energized by the cool refreshing breeze. Research hiking trails in your area and take your family out for a healthy, positive activity by going for a nice walk. 3. Playing Family Football or Going to a Football Game
Another reason why fall is my favourite season is because it's also the start of football season! I love playing catch with my boyfriend and we both love watching football and going to football games. If football isn't really your thing, you can just substitute your favourite fall sport. 4. Picking Pumpkins and then Carving them
This activity has become a tradition with me and my significant other. We've picked pumpkins and carved them together for the past 3 years. Something about getting my hands all gooey and messy with the people I love makes me feel very happy. 5. Drinking hot apple cider
Can you say, "Mmmmmmmmm?" The fall season is not complete for me without a perfect cup of hot apple cider. It just tastes like autumn. If you don't like it, try something else like Pumpkin Lattes, which are usually featured in cozy coffee shops this time of the year. 6. Raking Leaves
This may seem like a strange fall activity to love, but I honestly will just go out and do this. I know I'm too old to play in the leaves, but seeing the piles makes me feel like a child again. I think it's very important to keep that inner child alive, because no one is more alive than a child. So go ahead. Judge me. I don't mind a bit. 7. Baking (Pies, Cookies, Anything really)
You know how people buy those fall scented candles and their house smells like pumpkin pie? Why torture yourself by smelling something you can't have, and why not just bake a pie yourself. It's a great activity to do with your partner, children, or even by yourself if you love to bake as much as I do. That way, you can have your pie and eat it too. That's it for my favourite fall activities. Comment below what some of your favourite fall activities are. I would love to know and make sure you stay warm and cozy this season.
Finally bringing an update. I've lost 3 pounds! Just from eating better, but that's not the goal of my do-over. What I'm trying to do is feel better, physically and mentally. So far not much has changed in the way I feel. I feel a little bit better but not as great as I want to feel.
Today for breakfast I had:
2 Scrambled Eggs
1 Cup of fresh blueberries
1 Banana
1 Cup of Chamomile tea, sweetened with Agave syrup
1 Slice of Watermelon
Grad school's getting so busy and my health is getting worse! I need to change the way I eat if I want to feel good, and work hard, without making myself any sicker (Hello appendix attack of 2012, IBS, low iron, b12... the list goes on and on).
SO! I'm giving my diet a complete makeover, starting TODAY. That's right. From this moment on, I'm going to blog everyday about what I eat, and track updates on the way I feel, and how my health is improving.
I can already tell I feel more energized than I have in a long time, just because of what I have eaten today so far.
I want to challenge you! Yes you! The person reading this post, to change the way you eat (Less processed foods, LESS SUGAR, more water, more fruits and veggies, and definitely less meat). Together, we can do it. We can do anything together. So join me and feel the energy that these new foods can bring.
So here it is, my first day of new meals, and a new life. Exciting, isn't it?
Morning:
1 Pumpkin Carrot Walnut Chocolate Chip muffin (that I made from scratch the day before. Also that's another thing. Less going out to eat, more making meals for yourself)
1 Cup of Strawberry Banana Juice
1 Bowl of Quinoa Cocoa Puffed Cereal with about a half a cup of Vanilla Almond milk
1 Cup of Blueberries as a snack Black Bean Sprouted Chips with Salsa (Should be home made but it wasn't. Always a next time)
Water
Afternoon:
For lunch I made myself a salad, with Carrots, Cucumber, Tomato, Apple Slices, Blueberries, Cheese, and Broccoli.
I also made the Salad Dressing myself with oil, vinegar, garlic powder, and salt and pepper
As a side, I had apple slices with Cheese
Evening:
For dinner I went a little bit off track. I had two slices of left over pizza hut pizza that my mom brought me.
And for a snack/dessert, I had my Pumpkin muffins and some strawberry banana juice
Will post pictures of the salad soon, and if I get enough requests I will do a video about how to make the salad dressing.
What is a good life? This question has made me consider, quite seriously, what or who defines whether or not we are living a good life. Certainly society does a very good job at trying to convince people that they need to have a large house, husband and wife, two kids, and a dog among other material items, in order to have a good life. To me, these things would be nice, but not necessarily essential in order to live a good life. Ultimately the good life is different for all people and to generalize and say there is only one way of living a good life would be wrong. However I do believe there is one thing that measures a good life, and that thing is love.
If you can find love in your life and surround yourself with the people and/or the things that you love, you are probably living a pretty good life. If you love rock music, or gardening, or painting, or reading, writing, or whatever it is that you love, and if you can find a way to surround yourself with these things, you are probably living the good life.
I do think I am living a good life because I only surround myself with things that I love, like my school, my friends, my family, music, movies, and books. I also try very hard to share the love and improve the lives of those around me. Success in the area of love, I think is what can be used to measure a good life.
Here are a couple of links to some things that I love:
1) Song, "Don't Wait Too Long" by Madeleine Peyroux
2) Song, "Caroling, Caroling" by Nat King Cole (Because I love Christmas Time)
3) Film and Book, Pride and Prejudice, (Click on the link to watch a clip from the movie and please read the book. It's lovely)
If there is one thing in this world that makes me feel like building a time machine and travelling to another century, it is the way women are presenting and portraying themselves in today's society. You may not know this about me but I am a very old fashioned girl. I love watching old black and white films starring Doris Day, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and James Stewart (to name a few). I listen to jazz music. Some of my favourite artists are Miles Davis, Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Diana Krall, and Julia Keefe. To me, this music and these actors are symbols of a time when American and Canadian society was respectable. Looking back to the 1950s and 60s I find inspiration not only from the fashion and music, but from the women who were portrayed in films as strong, independent, secure, and confident women. They knew exactly what they wanted, and they knew how to get it. I find that one of the biggest problems I face today, is finding adequate role models who were born within the past 30 years. Take a look at most women in the spotlight right now and you'll find little worth admiring. So today, my blog will explore some of the problems that women face in the twenty first century and how we can overcome these roadblocks and be strong like our mothers and grandmothers were during the feminist movements of the early 1960s.
Before MTV, men were falling at women's feet to propose to them, and why? Because they were strong, independent, and fierce; empowered by things like the feminist movement. In fact I know of several women in their 50s and 60s who said they had been proposed to about 10 times in their life. Now some women I know have proposed to men. Somehow, after the '90s and early 2000s these roles have reversed. Now, because of the media and other factors, men can treat women however they want. Walking down the street, I've heard several men refer to women as b*tches. I was completely shocked and appalled. How many guys do you see lined up to ask the floozy girls to marry them? None. Do you know why? They want a women who can challenge them. They want a woman who is independent, not needy and desperate.
I feel enraged and frustrated when I read headlines like, "Rihanna: 'The Slightest Things' Remind Me of Chris Brown." Here is a young girl who is undeniably beautiful. She could have any man in the world who would treat her like a queen, yet somehow she has let this man (Brown) brainwash her into thinking that love means beating the crap out of someone. Rihanna is a terrible role models for young girls in society today, if not the worst. She uses only sex to become famous, and is surrounded by people who continue to bring her down. By far the most terrible song, S&M, shows just how insecure and weak Rihanna is.
With lyrics like, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excited me" Rihanna is practically a spokesperson for domestic violence but is disguising it as "love" and affection. She is hiding behind a mask of sex and drugs and acts as if this gives her power over others when in fact it does not. If we were to take away these things that have shaped her identity and role as a sexual symbol, she would have to be more powerful than ever because her wisdom and intelligence would be all she has to hide behind. When I look at Rihanna I feel sorry for her. She is immature, and acts like a child screaming out for attention from the opposite sex.
Now take a look at this picture of Doris Day and Rock Hudson in the 1959 film Pillow Talk. What do you see? First, Rock Hudson's character, Brad Allen, is looking at Doris Day's character, Jan Morrow. She is not looking at him, wondering if he likes her, planning their wedding and all three of their children's names in her head. In fact, she doesn't even really notice he's there. She looks concerned about something else. The lack of a desperate expression on her face is in fact what draws Brad to Jan. She's confident, classy, has her own career, and she's beautiful; everything a man could want in a woman. This, among other factors, is what makes Brad go after Jan. Because she isn't all over him, asking him on dates, wearing promiscuous clothing, or dying for attention. Jan stands apart from all the other women in the film, because she is not smothering him with attention like so many other women are. Somewhere along the line, women have lost this control over men, and have become desperate, clingy, dare-I-say floozies, and it's because we no longer have these strong independent role models in our day-to-day lives. (If you have a chance to watch Pillow Talk I highly recommend it)
Now let's take a look at this clip from the 1989 film, When Harry Met Sally (notice how the title does not say "When Sally met Harry," but refers to the man meeting the woman and falling in love, not the other way around)
Sally represents a strong career woman who is focused on her business trip, and wants nothing to do with Harry at this point in time. In this way, she sets herself apart from all the desperate women who are practically dying for a man's attention based on the way they dress and the way they speak to a man. Sally exudes confidence and poise, and this not only is what makes her attractive, but also what makes her an admirable candidate for the position of a female role model. Throughout the film, Harry and Sally are obviously attracted to each other, but Harry is the one who ultimately decides that he wants to marry Sally and be with her for the rest of her life. (See full movie here)
Now please do not get me wrong. In no way am I saying that we women should just sit around doing nothing and wait for a man to propose to us. In fact that is the opposite of what I am saying. I'm saying we should go out there, get an amazing job that we love, live our own lives, be independent and strong and go after what we want. We have to love ourselves first before we can expect anyone else to love us, and when the man proposes it is the woman who has control. She has the power to say yes or no. Like I said I'm old fashioned and just don't understand why women feel like they need to act like lunatics to get a man's attention. In the twenty first century, the way women go about getting what they want has changed dramatically. So many young girls are getting pregnant, and are being glamorized and celebrated for this. Yet they still end up with no job, no stable career, and are unhappy. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but just take a look at what has happened.
During the feminist movement of the 1960s do you think that women fought for our ability to go out in public half naked, swear like a sailor, have babies at 17, and live off of men for the rest of our lives? An emphatic "Hell NO" response is justified if you ask me. They fought for women to have equal pay, to choose abortion or contraception if necessary, to own their own property, and to have access to a good University education. Women rose up, to become equal to men in both the business world and at home. They did not do this so that women could dance half-naked around a man in a rap video. So what the heck are we doing? We owe it to our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and those women and men who have come before us and fought for our right to be equal. We have to at least try to be the best that we can be and be confident while doing it. I'm just so sick of what's become of women in the eye of pop culture today and I think that we can still change it. There's still time to fix what's gone wrong. I don't see these people (Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, etc.) as role models, and I never will.
I know this is a controversial topic and there are those who may not agree. I would love to hear your arguments in support of the way women are represented in today's society. I will listen with open ears (or read with open eyes) and take what you have to say to heart. Again let me just say that of course there are exceptions to what I have said. Many women have children at a young age and go on to finish University, get a great job, and live what I like to call a "leading-lady life." Also there are some promiscuous women who get married before the leading ladies but these are all exceptions to the rule. I'm for restoring the strength that I know every woman has inside of them. We need to find that courage, go after what we really want in life, and do so with poise.
It all comes down to this. Who would you rather be? Audrey Hepburn on that bicycle, or Britney Spears?
Here are 5 things that you can start doing RIGHT NOW, to help restore your confidence and the image that you present to the world.
1) Stop dressing like you're 12, and start dressing appropriately for your age.
2) Stop swearing in public (or in private for that matter) because it makes you look like you're compensating for something.
3) Do something that you are passionate about. If you love to bike, go for a bike ride. If you love to paint, take an art class. If you want to learn how to cook, take a cooking class. Always wanted to know how to speak Spanish? Pick up Rosetta Stone on your way home from work.
4) Take care of yourself. Eat right, and exercise. You'll start to feel better and your confidence level will rocket sky high.
5) Learn to love being with yourself. I find people who always have to be with friends, or family, or their boyfriend, just can't stand being by themselves because maybe they don't love themselves. Find time to be by yourself, even if it's just for an hour everyday, and each day write down one thing that you love about yourself. This could be that you are always compassionate, or even that you always have perfectly manicured nails. But each day try to find one thing that you love about yourself. If you can love yourself, then other people will love you too!
I hope this blog helped some of you. Talk to you real soon and have a nice day
