Not That Kind Of Girl

Growing up, as young women, we are all forced to stereotype ourselves; are we the tomboy, the girlie-girl, the nerd, the band geek, or the princess?  The list goes on and on.  We try and make ourselves fit into a certain mold.  But somewhere down the line, we realize we aren't any of those types of girls, whether we like it or not.  In Lena Dunham's latest memoir, Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Women Tells You What She's "Learned," she brings to light all of the quirky thoughts, stories, and memories that we all have that set us a part and make us each our own type of girl.

Lena Dunham is just like us and totally relatable in each story she tells in her book Not That Kind of Girl.  The book is split up into 5 major sections that reflect the important things in a twenty-something's life: Love & Sex, Body, Friendship, Work, & Big Picture.  Within each section, Dunham talks about past experiences of lessons learned, advice she's received, mistakes she made, and so much more.  Each passage gives you a little piece of Lena and how that moment contributed to who she is today in some way.  At only 28-years-old, she has produced, directed, written, and starred in a highly successful television series; this collection of stories makes you feel a lot less crazy because Lena herself thinks or has made the same poor life decisions as you.

There are so many great takeaways from this memoir.  For one, you get a glimpse into the inner workings of a fascinating person like Lena Dunham.  And as a fellow writer, I enjoyed reading about her work journey and writing practices.  I love reading how someone approaches certain tasks or jobs.  And it's just plain fun to read.  I flew through each story.  Dunham writes like she's sitting across from you, gabbing over a bottle of wine.  It's like you're catching up with an old college girlfriend.  I think that's what makes this book so popular and on the coffee tables of people across the country: it's relatable and creates a bond among those who read it.  You can connect not only with Lena, but also with other young women who are reading it and thinking, "This is totally me."  If you haven't picked up this memoir yet, I highly recommend it!

Lena Dunham is an extremely successful twenty-something, and an inspiration and role model to so many.  Here are a few reasons why:

1.  Our Generation's Nora Ephron - You've Got Mail.  When Harry Met Sally.  You can't honestly tell me that you don't love these rom-com classics penned by the late, great Nora Ephron.  She had a way of capturing a moment and writing it for the screen in a way that's totally relatable and believable.  Lena Dunham has the same ability.  From her writing for her hit HBO Show Girls to her novels, she can capture a moment and portray it in such an  honest way.

2.  Let your Freak Flag Fly - Lena Dunham is a freak.  The best part about that statement is she's the first person to admit it.  Lena isn't ashamed of who she is.  She proudly owns her entire being: mind, body, and spirit.  When she does something, she goes all out and doesn't give a thought to how people will react or what they'll say.  That's one thing I especially admire about her: that she doesn't care what people think of her.  As you women we constantly stress about how we're perceived by others.  Lena Dunham is fighting this norm by not caring at all what anyone things or says...she just does it because she wants to do it.  And the only opinion that should matter is your won.

3.  Speak Up - Lena isn't afraid to speak her mind and make sure she's heard.  She's honest and up front about her opinions on any issue she's asked about.  Women go through life apologizing for speaking their mind or not speaking up at all.  Dunham isn't afraid to push buttons and ruffle a few feathers.  Yes, she may upset some people along the ay, but at least she's speaking up for what she believes in and putting herself out there.  Whether it's on her show or in interviews, Lena is constantly pushing the envelope and trying to bring to light issues that aren't normally discussed or shown on TV.

If you'f read Lena Dunham's latest memoir Not That Kind of Girl: AYoung Woman Tells YOu She's "Learned" write your short review in the comments below!

This post was originally posted on The Nudge Blog http://www.thenudgeblog.com/not-that-kind-of-girl/

Sweet Serendipity

Many people know that I recently moved to Northeast Ohio after receiving a job offer to work for performer, pianist, and songwriter Jim Brickman.  The first question everyone always asks me after they hear who I work for is, "How did you find a job like that?"  Well I didn't really find the job...the job found me.

February 7, 2014 - It was the day after my 22nd birthday and Jim Brickman was coming to my hometown to perform as part of his Love Tour.  My parents-more so my mother-are huge fans and bought tickets for the entire family.  At the time, I was working for my local radio station, which also happened to air Jim's syndicated weekend radio show "Your Weekend with Jim Brickman."  So Jim Brickman was coming to the station for an interview the morning of the concert.  I was going to try and be at the station regardless, but the morning show host asked me if I could come in and cover the news that day.  I accepted and showed up that morning with all of my mom's Jim Brickman CDs in hand just in case Jim would be kind enough to sign one of them (he signed all 10 of them).  Anyway, that morning I began talking to Jim about going to school in Cleveland and wanting to move back to the area.  Ironically enough, his tour manager went to the same college as I did and he asked if I could come help merchandise at the show and meet her.  I agreed, we exchanged contact information, took some photos, and both went on our way.  Little did I know that after that one encounter my life would be changed.

At the concert I met Wendy, Jim Brickman's tour manager, and sold merchandise before, during intermission, and after the show.  Wendy was extremely nice and said we'd be seeing each other very soon.  I didn't think much of it but my parents certainly did and were over the moon about where this could go.  Well over the course of the next month I traveled out to Cleveland 2 or 3 times to meet the rest of Jim's team and discuss some career opportunities.  However in March, I received an email that they didn't have a place for me, but if something opened up I would be their first call.  Honestly I thought, "It was fun while it lasted, but it's the end of the road."  Again, I was wrong.  In May I received a text from Jim asking me what I was up to and wanting to catch up.  We chatted on the phone later that month and caughtup on what we were both working on.  I had accepted a temporary full time position at the radio station that ended in August and it sounded like Jim was pitching me a possible job opportunity to start at the end of the summer/early fall.  I mulled over what we discussed and basically told him I thought working for him whether it be traveling on tour, selling merchandise, or doing something with his radio show would be an amazing opportunity.

A few weeks later - around the middle of June - I received an email from Wendy offering me a full time position starting in September.  I couldn't believe it and even now there are some days I still can't.  I've been working for Jim for a little over a month and every day is a new adventure.  Currently I'm the producer of his nationally syndicated radio show "Your Weekend with Jim Brickman" and will be traveling on tour with him this holiday season for his On A Winter's Night holiday tour.  This job definitely keeps me busy and on my toes but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Plus I'm loving what I'm doing, which makes the work not really seem like work.  Some days I have to pinch myself and think back to February 7th and the one meeting that changed the course of my life.  Sometimes all it takes is one really good first impression.

Jim and I at the Media One Group radio stations

Working the Merchandise Table

 
xoxo,

B.

Oh Canada

One of my favorite places to go over the summer is just north of the border.  Niagara On the Lake is a hidden gem that my family and I try to visit once (twice if we're lucky) a summer.  The shops, the views, and the wine are what make this place so unique.  Last weekend we decided to make the trip to Canada and get in our yearly visit.  We had the perfect day and indulged in everything that Niagara on the Lake had to offer.  If you haven't been, I highly recommend taking the trip at any time of year.  There are several places to stay, spas, and wineries for the perfect getaway for a day or the weekend.  Below are some pictures of our day trip over the border!

Ice Wine Tasting

Wine Country Vintners

I bought my first fascinator

(A fascinator is a little hat usually worn to European weddings or horse races)

Red Wine Sangria

Olive Oil Tasting

Olive Oil and Balsamic samples at Oliv

Lunch at Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar

Cow's for Ice Cream

Canada's Best Ice Cream

A successful day trip :)

We Live Beside the Pool

Summer has officially begun which means it's time to soak up some sun and enjoy everything this season has to offer.  I didn't waste any time getting started on being outside and taking advantage of the nice weather this past weekend.

On Saturday, I lounged poolside at our local country club.  It was a beautiful day and the pool was deserted, which made it easy to relax and catch up on some reading.

It's always a special treat when my family and I get to go boating out on Chautauqua Lake with our family friends.  And this past weekend we had a beautiful day: wading in the water at sandy bottom, sipping on some wine, tubing, dinner, and watching the beautiful sunset.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

Chautauqua Lake

My 1st time Tubing!

Blueberry Cosmo at Webb's

My sister's and I sporting our Chautauqua Lake jersey shirts

I hope you all started your summer season off by doing something fun with your family and friends!  Have any fun plans for this summer?  Let me know in the comments below!

Xoxo,

B.

Throwback Thursday

Yes it's "Throwback Thursday."  The day where those photos of our earlier days pop up on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter feeds whether we like them to or not.  But today's post isn't about throwback photos...it's about throwback music.  I recently discovered the "Throwback Thursday" playlist on Spotify.  Every week they create a new list of throwback songs from different genres, decades, and artists.  This playlist literally makes me super pumped to go to work on Thursdays.  The second I get in, I start up my computer, open Spotify, and start the latest playlist.  It's so fun to just let it play through and hear the many different songs that have been picked for the week.

Xoxo,

B.

Go ahead and give this week's playlist a listen!

Binge Watch

Binge watching, the thing that I'm sure everyone has denied but secretly does until 2 in the morning knowing full well they have to wake up at 7am for work-or maybe that's just me.  If you are one of the few that are unfamiliar with the binge watch practice, let me explain.  Binge watching usually takes place on Hulu, Netflix, HBO Go, or any site that allows you to watch countless episodes of a television show in succession.  Usually once you watch one you can't stop (sort of like that Pringles slogan: "once you pop, you can't stop") and the binge watching begins.  Well I just finished a binge watching session of a show that's currently on TV, but needed to catch up in order to be able to watch the new season this fall.  The Mindy Project.

The Mindy Project follows the life of 30-something OBGYN, Dr. Mindy Lahiri (played by my soul sister and spirit animal Mindy Kaling).  Mindy is single and living in New York City.  She is obsessed with romantic comedies-especially When Harry Met Sally which is more reason to love her-is a hopeless romantic, has great clothes, and simply say what every single girl out there looking for the lover of her life is thinking.  This comedy is unlike any other show on television right now.  Mindy Lahiri isn't your typical size 2, cookie cutter, beauty queen.  She is Indian, of a normal size, and actually has a brain, all things that she continually brings up in the show-usually as jokes but still they're brought up.  There have only been 2 seasons of The Mindy Project, all of the episodes are on Hulu and each one is only a little over 20 minutes long so this is an easy show to binge watch in maybe a week, 2 tops. Another reason why this show is so awesome?  Mindy Kaling brings on all of her comedian friends on as guest stars: Seth Rogan, BJ Novak and James Franco just to name a few.

If you want to laugh out loud and be endlessly entertained, then watch The Mindy Project before the next season starts this fall.  The season 2 finale was so good, that I think I may actually watch it again tonight.  If you're a fan of the show or start watching it after reading this post let me know what you love about it!

Xoxo,
B.

Okay.

That one word, okay, has a whole new meaning after reading and watching The Fault in Our Stars.  The book was incredible and the movie exceeded my high expectations.  John Green has written an incredible novel following the story of two star-crossed lovers Hazel and Augustus.  I don't want to say too much because if you haven't read this book you need to; therefore, I don't want to ruin any of the major plot points.

Anyone who has gone into a theater to see a film adaptation of a book obviously has reservations: will it follow the book's plot explicitly, will the acting be up to par, will your favorite scene be included, and will it do the book justice.  Director of The Fault in Our Stars, Josh Boone, did-in my opinion-a fantastic job.  I've read several articles about Green's reservations to let his book be made into a movie.  He waited around for the right people to come along and be involved.  Well I'm glad he waited because the finished product was nothing less than magic.  I would pay to see it again and again and again.  It took everything in my power to no be that girl sobbing uncontrollably throughout the film due to overwhelming emotions of joy and sorrow.

So I guess the moral of this post is that if you haven't read The Fault in Our Stars, do so now.  But it, borrow it from a friend, check it out at your local library, or download it on your Kindle, just read it.  Then grab a box of tissues and fall in love with Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley's little infinity at the movie theater.  I highly recommend both the book and the movie (but I'm a fan of reading the book first).  I think this is a book everyone should read: boy, girl, thirteen, or thirty.  Everyone can gain something from this novel and then watch it come to life on the silver screen.  Okay?  Okay.

Xoxo,

B.

Wednesday Wishing

Today I'm going to share with you what's on my Wish List.  Now my wish list consists of pretty much everything: things I want to do, places I want to go, products I want to own, things I want to buy, etc.  Currently, I'm working on building my summer wardrobe and one thing in particular that I definitely want to invest in for the season is a big, floppy beach hat.  I want one that can easily transition from beach to let's say outdoor shopping or fun excursion.  A floppy hat that's big enough to draw attention, but not so big that it becomes a distraction.  I've been doing my research and narrowed down my list to these floppy beach hats below.  And of course once I find a winner you'll be the first to know :)

xoxo,

B.

Straw Mesh Brim Floppy Hat - Topshop USA

Border Stripe Floppy Straw Hat - GAP

Floppy Summer Hat - American Apparel

Motivation Monday

Now that I'm back and plan on blogging more than once every few months, I thought it would be fun to come up with creative posts that correspond with the days of the week.  Well, today is Monday, the start of another work week for many and the start of a new month (can you believe it's June already!?).  It always seems harder to get up and get moving on Monday.  I always need an extra boost of motivation-whether that comes from a larger size cup of coffee, an extra hit of the snooze button, a bright colored outfit, or an inspirational quote-to wake me up in the morning.  All that being said, I think a dose of some Monday Motivation is necessary to give anyone's week a little jump start.

I love inspirational quotations...actually I'm obsessed with them.  The number of quote books I have is definitely on the verge of addict status.  I just can't get enough.  When I can't find the words to express how I'm feeling, I always can find someone else's to describe exactly how I'm feeling-and usually they're a lot more clever or eloquently said.  Anyway, I thought it would be fitting to choose a quote by the great Maya Angelou who passed away last week.  An amazing woman, poet, and human being who has so many great words of wisdom it could fill several books (which she has done).  It was hard to pick only one quote by her; thus, I chose a few of my favorites.  Enjoy and I hope Ms. Angelou provides you with motivation and inspiration to carry you through not only today, but through the week!

xoxo,

B.

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Welcome Back?

It has definitely been a while since the last time I blogged.  Honestly it's been a while since I've even thought about blogging.  This blog is called Labels and Love for a reason-it's my love of writing, my love of fashion, my love of music, my love of all things feminine, and my love of love.  I think in the recent weeks (maybe even months) that love has gone a bit dormant.  The fire has dimmed slightly and I have grown comfortable in my current routine.  Now I'm not saying that I don't like where I'm at, but I don't love it.  Before I had a passion to find my path and navigate this crazy journey that is my life.  Lately I've settled and if you know me, I'm not one to settle.

They say the first step to overcoming a problem is admitting it: I am stuck.  I am settling.  Now that I have admitted it, I have to change it.  But how?

Motivation.  That is what I am lacking and currently searching for.  The motivation to become passionate about something agin, the motivation to become the best version of myself, the motivation to strive for success, and the motivation to push myself to go further.  Motivation.  Easier said than done.  Or I should say easier sand than found.  I want to do so many things with this blog, with my career, with my life.  It's all about having that sense of determination and drive to get there or else we all just end up settling.  I do not settle, I will not settle, and I cannot settle.  Consider this post my homecoming and a written testament that I will find my motivation and rededicate myself to this blog and my life.

Wish me luck.

Xoxo,

B.

You're Beautiful As You Feel

    Isn’t it crazy how a song written years ago, by a person you’ve never met, seems like it was written just for you?  A true artist can take exactly what you’re feeling or experiencing, put it into words, and set it all to music.  An artist that is currently doing that for me is Carole King.  She is everything: singer, pianist, songwriter, and beautiful person.  Hearing her songs only makes me want to go to New York and see the musical Beautiful: The Carole King Story on Broadway more so than I did before.  She has so many classics to her name: It’s Too Late, (You Make Me Feel) A Natural Woman, You’ve Got A Friend, and so many more.  More likely than not you’ve heard a Carole King song, but usually it is being song by someone else.

She really is a musical genius.  Recently she performed at the Grammys alongside Sarah Bareilles performing her hit “Brave.”  If you missed this performance, get on YouTube now and watch it.  Definitely worth your time.  The only way to really appreciate Carole King’s music is to listen.  Not just hear the song, but really listen to it.  Listen to the lyrics she has crafted.  She chose each word purposefully to convey a message, an emotion, a moment.  Even though many artists have covered songs that she’s written, I feel like her songs are the best when performed my Ms. King herself.  There is something so emotionally raw about an artist performing the songs that they’ve written. 

I decided to do a little research on Carole King, mostly because I wanted to see if she planned to go on tour anytime soon-alas she’s not for the time being-and discovered that she has written a memoir.  A Natural Woman is Carole King telling her journey to becoming one of the most influential songwriters and performers in the music industry.  I know what book I'm buying next on my Kindle.  If it wasn’t for her pop music and music in general would be very different.  Artists still look to her for influence.  I’m not even a singer or performer and I feel like Carole King has influenced my life.  Do yourself a favor today or everyday and listen to some Carole King.  

Carole King Performs "Beautiful"

My Valentine

February 14^th.  A day where girls, whether they are in relationships or not, create these lofty expectations that are never met.  Yes it’s Valentine’s Day.  The one day of the year men scramble for that list minute card, hastily dial the local florist hoping they can still have flowers delivered, or drive to the nearby drugstore for some candy hearts.  Why does this always happen, year after year?  Hype.  It’s the hype that has been created for this day.  As soon as you flip the calendar from January to February, it seems like the 14^th is bigger and bolder than all the rest. 

Why do we put all of this pressure on our relationships?  I’m actually glad I don’t have to deal with it this year.  I can just treat this day like all the rest, even though I may indulge in some chocolate and wine at the end of the day.  I will be celebrating Valentine’s Day, but not in the traditional sense of sending flowers or opening sappy cards.  This year I’m going to be celebrating me.  I’m going to be my own Valentine and loving that I am a strong, single, independent woman who knows exactly who she is.  I don’t need cheesy cards, unwanted gifts, or dehydrated flowers to tell me that.  I love where my life is right now and I couldn’t be happier.  So I’m going to do what I want to do on Valentine’s Day, in fact for the whole weekend.  I have the freedom to do whatever my heart desires and what makes me happy. 

It could be a number of different things: Watching “Say Anything” and listening to Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” on repeat without having to hear anyone else complain about it.  It could be going to the bar with a girlfriend and enjoying drinks and desserts while gossiping about our latest love dramas and life issues without having to feel guilty about not hanging out with a significant other.  It could be sitting at home doing absolutely nothing but curling up with tea and a good book without the stress of having to worry about what I look like or what I’m wearing.  Yes, I can honestly I’m really looking forward to this Valentine’s Day and spending it with me.  I do love love.  Don’t get this post confused with an anti-Valentine’s Day rant.  I’m just at a place where I don’t want the traditional; I want the weird, unusual, and unexpected.  Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day of love, a day of saying, “I love you” and really mean it.  I can say that to my family and finally I can say it to myself, which is why I think this February 14^th will be better than all the rest.

A Change In Me

If you haven't already noticed my blog looks a little different.  I decided it was time for a change.  In the past few months I feel like I have really started to discover who I really am: what my passions are, who my real friends are, and what I want this blog to be about.  Yes, I am a post grad but I can't have that define me forever.  Life is all about growth and change.

I want this blog to be about things I am passionate about.  Those things happen to be fashion, pop culture, and longing for that life changing romance that you see on the big screen or read about in books.  They say you should write what you love.  My goal is to post the latest and greatest fashion finds, what celebrities or shows I am currently obsessing over, and what I wish my life was like when it comes to all things romantic.  I hope that all of you will continue to visit my blog now that I'm going to start writing about what I'm passionate about.  I would love to hear from anyone who is reading especially if there is some topic you would like to read about.

I'm beyond excited to begin this new chapter in blogging and in my life.  My birthday is less than a week away so this is the perfect time for a change; moreover, a new beginning in both my blogging and my life.  Enjoy :)

If We Were A Movie

     So I really had no idea what I would divulge in tonight, but my sister just came in and told me about Billy Crystal being Jay Leno’s last guest on The Tonight Show before Jimmy Fallon takes over.  Hearing the name Billy Crystal immediately caused me to begin reciting lines from one of my favorite movies When Harry Met Sally.  Now there is a classic Nora Ephron film.  You can’t get much better than that movie…at least from a writing stand point.  It’s unbelieveable how Ephron was able to capture the essence of 2 people so perfectly in writing.  I mean the words they say are so normal and the dialogue is so natural that it’s no wonder that I want my life to be exactly like that movie.  Come on…who doesn’t want your best friend in the entire world to run across New York City on New Year’s Eve to express their undying love for you and say they want to spend the rest of your life with you.  Also while pointing out little flaws that you hate, but they love.  That is sheer perfection... and unfortunately not real life.  But it would be so cool if it was.  Anyway, I digress.  The point of this rambling is to pose this ultimate question: Why can’t our lives be like the movies?  It would make everything so much easier.  Think about it…your life as a script.  Lines would be written for you to say as well as directions of where to go, what to do, and who you should see.  Then you would know that somewhere in those pages you would meet someone that would be “the one.”  And a few more pages in you would fall madly in love in some cute romantic-comedy way, get married, have the dream job, family, and home.  Well I guess it wouldn’t be that simple.  There has to be some conflict that gets resolved or some down in order for there to be an up.  I guess that would make me in my down stage…or would this be my up?  Depends on how you look at it I suppose.
         Hm…this is going to be harder than I thought.  Maybe this is the point in the movie where you’re just about to get bored when something amazing happens out of the blue to suck you right back in.  Then again I guess I have those moments all the time.  This could be a transition point in the movie.  You know that part where the lead female character is trying to find herself or recreate herself in order to find what she’s meant to do.  Yeah, that’s about where I am.  Still trying to figure myself out.  I mean I am only 21 years old, how in the world am I supposed to know exactly who I am or who I want to be for the rest of my life?  I am all about reinvention these days.  Out with the old and in with the new.  I can feel everything evolving: my style, my attitude, my lifestyle.  It’s all finally beginning to come together.  The next scene is my career.  Trying to figure out what it is I exactly want to do and where I can see myself doing it.  But that is a whole other word document at a whole other time.
         Let me finally loop back around to what I had originally started talking about.  Life as movies.  I guess at times it can be great imagining what your life would be like if it was right out of a Nora Ephron film.  But at the same time the whole not knowing what’s coming next is the most exciting part about life.  Why would you want to know exactly what to say and when to say it?  Putting your foot in your mouth or babbling on like an idiot are just a few of the things that make us humans.  To err is to human right?  At least I think that’s how that saying goes…it’s always a crossword puzzle clue.  When you really think about it our lives are just like movies.  We are the script writers, jotting down every act or scene and the people that come in and out of our lives are the ones standing by to either watch it unfold or write themselves a role.