The Average Girl's Guide

movie review: gone girl

October 10, 2014

The weekend is nearly here! It’s been far too long since my last movie (probably this), so as soon as I realized Gone Girl debuted in theaters I asked one of my favorite fellow book nerds to see if she wanted to join; luckily she was as excited as I was so off we went on a ‘school night’ to see the film adaption of the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn.

Plot: How well do you know your significant other? Nick (played by Ben Affleck) and Amy (played by Rosamund Pike) Dunne are celebrating their fifth anniversary when out of nowhere, Amy disappears. A media circle quickly develops as Nick, who doesn’t appear to be winning any husband-of-the-year awards, quickly becomes involved in this high-profile police investigation where it’s clear someone is out for blood. There’s nothing more to say without giving away too much, and promise you that you don’t want that to happen.

An adaptation, eh? Yes, an adaptation but we both immediately agreed that the movie would be equally as good regardless of reading the book, though I promise you, you want to read the book first if you’re game. Even with reading it — though it was a few years ago already — I haven’t felt that level of suspense, interest and intrigue in a film in a long time. The acting is excellent, even the voice of the actress, Rosalind Pike who plays Amy is indescribably good. She nailed the part. Neil Patrick Harris fans, along with those of Tyler Perry, will not be disappointed. You can definitely bring someone along who hasn’t read it, or if you haven’t, and enjoy it just the same.

Is “it” really in there? Feel like teenage gossip but yes, besides in addition to catching a pretty solid glimpse of Ben’s tush there’s also frontal. It’s easy to miss, so if you’re so inclined, someone actually wrote this article so you know when to look. We really did have this conversation, huh? Ha!

Worth seeing? Yes. Grab a girlfriend for a casual fun night out, grab your guy, or head there by yourself. Regardless, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t often agree with the critics, particularly when they bash the best rom-coms, but in this case, completely agree. This one’s worth seeing.

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vent sesh: growing up, growing fast

October 9, 2014

My little girl has leg hair.

She climbed into my lap last week, long after she should have been sleeping. After holding my phone while half paying attention to her, I put the phone down and soaked her in. Her sweet smell clean from the shower. Her adorable little voice asking to type words on my computer as I was trying to complete a blog post. I normally stop her and shoo her to bed but that time I didn’t. I cuddled with her, let her type, and enjoyed that moment — completely present and aware of this little lady she’s quickly becoming — and then, rubbing her legs, I really saw it. Leg hair. Those gorgeously long legs that where what feels like seconds ago little chunksters are the strong legs of a nearly five-year old. My baby is transforming.

I now shop for her mostly in the big girl zone. You know, the one with the too short shorts, and the too tiny tops. Despite walking by that area for a long time thinking, wow, so many cute things, it now nearly made me tear up thinking my baby girl wearing tutus, letting me pick her outfits, or wanting all things elmo, minnie mouse and princess might be soon fading. She’s not really even a 5T; I’m holding on to that baby/toddler sizing but it’s not working. There’s no turning back.

I love her more each day than the day before. This next line might sound awful, especially since we also have the most amazing, cutest little 11-month old boy, but I’ve realized I’m not such a baby person. I love mine but each age just seems better than the last. Watching their personalities, facial expressions — even the “your crazy mom” ones — and interests emerge each day is fascinating and inspiring. Her passion for building, arts, and gymnastics are beautiful, her smart response to just about anything impressers her cuddles when we read books make my nights, and her love for our son is, I can’t even put it into words. It just radiates in such a powerful way, and her reciprocates with smiles and laughters bigger than anyone else gets. I just feel blessed to witness it.

Even as our girl has become the tallest in her class, with her long legs dangling from me when she’s half asleep, sometimes I love to grab her in my arms, holding her like a baby, and tell her that no matter how big she gets she’ll always be my baby.

We joke that one of my favorite parts of her is that cute tush of hers. Don’t these little ones just have the cutest tushes? Ah! Love. But what age is it not appropriate anymore to grab her cute little baby tush? 25? I hope it’s not for a while. I’m getting my squeezes and tickles in now.

It’s hard to believe how this mother/daughter dynamic is only just emerging, thinking how my mom must have felt years ago and wondering how I’ll feel when I’m her age now and Sarah is in her 30s. I’m lucky that my mom is close by. Can I imagine Sarah and our little man going to college and working beyond Florida? I know they’re still so young but these subtle reminders how they’re growing up — I mean, next year is Kindergarten! — is scary, exciting and a range of other emotions. Being honest, I’m scared enough just thinking about leaving my house by 7:30 am with both kids ready to roll, let alone the actual act of starting elementary school, homework, bigger kids and everything else (editor’s note: I am not a morning person!).

While I’m quite confident that two is this family’s magic number when it comes to kids, I can see how women can get the urge to start the process again. I even see little, little babies and think, wow, our baby boy is nearly 1 (their birthdays are both in November), and realizing that soon he’ll be walking, talking and everything else. There is no teeny tiny baby stages happening again here.

More aware every day that it’s the unexpected moments that resonate for long after that time ends. Here’s to being present so we can be mindful enough to soak them in, before we miss our opportunity.

photo: our girl one year ago, age 4.

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outfit: how to dress for fall (when it’s still hot!)

October 8, 2014

Every time around this time of year every Florida girl (and probably add in at least Texas and California girl) are craving fall attire, despite temperatures rarely dipping below 80 degrees. Sad reality. Two ways to inject a little fall: 1.. find pieces with touches of leather (err, well faux leather in this case). From dresses to blouses, it just adds edge. I picked up this dress in late August and am just getting to it. 2. Check out your footwear. Booties, particularly open toed with a fun pop of polish showing, is another great tip to have fun for fall, and they’re awesome with dresses, skirts and skinny ankle length denim and pants (definitely work appropriate).

striped dress + faux leather details
dress: ann taylor (on major sale!) // booties: sole society (last season; similar) // purse: kate spade (for less: this or this) // necklace: ℅ baublebar // watch: ℅ skagen (obsessed with this studded option!)

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8 all-black handbags: they match everything

October 6, 2014

Whenever I’m about to have a closet meltdown I try to take stock in the item I feel like is missing. Earlier this fall, I realized that my favorite black bag with gold hardware (that I’ve worn to death!) didn’t always go — the gold sometimes didn’t match or it just didn’t “go” with my outfit. I personally don’t mind mixing metals yet sometimes… it just doesn’t look right. I found this small black clutch/crossbody (#3 below) and was immediately obsessed. The all-black hardware pairs perfectly with everything, and don’t you think the all black, even the chain, is kind of extra cool?

Here are 8 looks that I’m coveting for fall; from smaller evening clutches to day bags and shoppers, the look works from work to weekend, from errands to the bar. Don’t anticipate any of these to look dated anytime soon.

All Black Handbags