How Does it Feel to Want? Wednesday

I've decided to introduce a new segment to the blog. It's inspired from my childhood, when I used to whine when I didn't get something I so desperately thought I should have and complain to my parents by saying, "...but I WANT it!!!" and my father would never fail to reply, "How does it feel to want?" Now, I find myself reciting this line that irked me so terribly as a child whenever I hear the word "want." But doesn't it feel nice to want things? To want, by definition, means to "have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for." And shouldn't we all strive to possess and do things?! Shouldn't we all wish for things?! Therefore, How Does it Feel to Want Wednesdays will document some of my wants that inspire me! Some of these wants will admittedly be quite materialistic, but hopefully as time goes on I can dig and expose some deeper, more personal "wants." 

This week, I want certain things for my blog. I want to include more personal beliefs and thoughts. I want to include my own personal photos, and one day learn the art of photography. I want people who stumble across my blog to connect with something and come back again. I want this to be a place where I can express, inspire and challenge myself and maybe if I'm lucky, others as well. 

Here is a list of blogs that inspire me:

Rockstar Diaries

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Hip Hip Gin Gin 

M Loves M 

Channeling Contessa

Joy the Baker

Elements of Style

The Everygirl (this is a website)

Shopgirl

"'I'm sorry if I was forward...but I'm practicing a new philosophy of life that involves being more forward.'" 

Taken from page 35 of Shopgirl by Steve Martin

I'm Back!

After some technical difficulties, during which time I thought I was going to have to cancel this blog, I am pleased to say Actually, It's Ashleigh is back up and running! I have missed this place I call my blog, so please check back in soon for a new post!

Here's some Mase to welcome us all back to the blog!

Birthday Triplets

I bet you didn't know I'm part of a Canadian triplet gang. The gang originated back on the day of all of our births... June 7, 1988. The two Canadians in my triplet gang are none other than Milan Lucic and Michael Cera. Together, we would form an awesome 6/7/88 gang. We just need to get Michael to Boston and then I think our bond will drag us together and  awesomeness will ensue! We will probably solve all of the Earth's problems. They will make Avengers 2 about us. Until then, Happy Birthday to us!!

Summer Movies: 2012 Edition

I gave in and saw The Avengers yesterday. It was a rainy day and there was really nothing else playing at the theater. And let me tell you, I was hugely disappointed. I went in with pretty high expectations from all the hype and records it has been breaking, but the movie was too cheesy to be taken seriously. I know this will never happen, but can the superhero trend be over already? Well, after the Dark Knight Rises, then it can be over forever and I wouldn't mind. 

I complied a list of the top 5 movies I am looking forward to this summer (other than Dark Knight Rises):

Moonrise Kingdom, limited release May 25: 

Lola Verses, June 8: 

To Rome with Love, June 22: 

Brave, June 22:

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, June 22: 

And as a bonus:

Celeste and Jesse Forever, trailer not release yet but I still have high hopes, I believe it comes out at the end of August:

What movies are you looking forward to this summer?

Les Mis-er-ab-les

Have you seen this yet? If not, watch now, and thank me later: 

Goosebumps every time! Anne Hathaway's voice is the perfect combination of pain and beauty. I just want the soundtrack to come out NOW. I am excited for this film adaptation of the musical (which comes out December 14) for many reason. Here are my top 3:

1. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackson working together. I think they are two of the most likable and diverse people in Hollywood right now. They both have done the "superhero" genre (Anne in the upcoming Batman movie as Catwoman and Hugh as Wolverine), they can do drama, they can do comedy and they both have amazing voices. I'm excited to see them work together, even if their story line is quasi depressing and short lived.
2. Amanda Seyfried adds to her film adapted musical resume. In Mama Mia she wowed us with her impressive voice and upon a little research, I learned she was trained in classical opera for two years and studied under a Broadway voice coach for almost five years. This training definitely shows and is being put to good use in the film adaptations of popular musicals.  
3. I cannot wait to hear people try to pronounce the title. I want to have a hidden camera show at movie ticket counters across the country (heavy in the mid-west) to hear people ask for tickets to Les Miserables. Oh it makes me giggle just thinking about it. Just close your eyes for a second and picture someone in North Dakota who has never heard of the musical go to the movies and say, in a heavy accent, "One for les mis-er-ables please." I may be looking forward to that as much as I am the movie. 

Are you excited for this film? It has an amazing cast and director so hopefully it does not disappoint! Little over a half a year to go-- Let's hope for more amazing trailers along the way to hold us over! 

Bringing Ballet Back

Has anyone else noticed ballet making a not so subtle entrance into pop culture these days? Flipping through the pages of a magazine, I noticed an ad for an ABC Family show entitled “Bunheads” … I wish I were joking. As much as I love ballet, I don’t know how long this show will last. Seriously... you couldn’t have named it anything else… BUNHEADS?!  

There is also going to be a show called “Breaking Pointe” on The CW, which starts tonight at 8. I may actually tune into this one to see how it goes. It’s definitely a better title than bunheads, yet the tagline makes me slightly cringe- “BLOOD SWEAT AND TUTUS.” Come on guys, seriously? Don’t you get paid to be extremely creative?

Last night I watched the newly released video for Florence and the Machine’s new single, Spectrum and sure enough, she was surrounded by ballerinas. You can give the video a watch here: 

While the anorexic girl who I guess is supposed to represent Florence on pointe is beyond freaky, I do like the rest of the video. I just love me some ballet. It’s beautiful. So much blood, sweat, tears, rejection and practice practice practice goes into ballet. They make it look so effortless and beautiful, but behind the scenes it is nothing but hard work and determination. That’s why I am OK with ballet making it’s way into pop culture. As long as it’s heavy on the actual ballet and light on the background drama, I’m game. Now, who can I file a complaint with about the title, “Bunheads?”