I'm a Dapper Dan man!*

*name that movie. This is relevant later.

The minute I saw the questions for the Boys Behind the Blog link-up this month, I knew C was going to like them. You see, movies and music are his thing (okay, and sports, but whatever). The man loves movies. There are very few times I've said to him, "have you seen....." and the answer has been no (unless it's a chick-flick - haha). I knew he would enjoy answering this month, and he definitely didn't let me down!

Before I get to the Q&A, can I just say one thing? (Yes, I can, because I own this place. Mwahahahaha!) I love this link-up, and I pink-puffy-heart-love how many bloggers I know who have started participating! It's so fun to read some of the guys' answers, and I love the little insight it provides into life, love, and relationships. So fun!! So if you're reading now, and you've never linked up, waiting are you waiting for? Grab whatever guy is in your life and play along!

Now.... onto the good stuff. Some insight from this handsome fellow, who always gives in to my request for a an iPhone selfie:

1. What was your favorite movie of 2013? 

First, I loooove going to the movies, but I'm so picky about it. I need it to be an EXPERIENCE. We don't decide to go to the theater to see a movie, we decide to see a movie at the theater. American Hustle? It was good. Did I need to cram next to hundreds of other people to see it? Probably not. But then I look back at The Dark Knight, which was by far the best at-the-movies experience I've had, and heeeells yeah. So explodey. That being said, my favorite movie this year was The Conjuring. Now THAT was an experience. I watched it alone, in the dark, on my laptop. I also didn't go downstairs for the remainder of the evening because ghosts. More on this later.

2. What is your all time favorite movie quote? 

Remember when these questions were only about breakfast? Anyway, too many to count, but:

• Red's speech to the parole board in The Shawkshank Redemption 
• Tyler Durden's "you are not your job" lines from Fight Club 
• I love lamp 
• All of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou (seriously, all of it) 
• Anything Robin Williams says to Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting

That's enough I suppose.

3. What is your favorite type of movie? (Action, scary, comedy, etc)

Scary. Hands down. Don't get me wrong, I love all movie genres (ok, most movie genres. here's looking at you former-funny-comedian-cross-dresses-movies). I tend to accept stories for what they are, so no matter how good the script/actors are, most movies don't really resonate past the theater or TV. But scary movies allow me to temporarily accept the paranormal, no matter how irrational the "movie explanation" is. Like I was saying above, I love being scared to walk around my house in the dark. I love going to bed underneath all of the cover because whoooooa monsters are definitely somewhere my room. Those are the movies that leave the screen.

4. What is your New Year's Resolution?

I don't really have one. New Years is a great time for personal reflection. And hey, if that's what motivates you to make changes for the good, hell yeah. I just think it's arbitrary. But here's a few things I learned this year (sorry for multiple lists):

• Don't be an asshole unless absolutely necessary 
• Tip servers 25% at least because, at minimum, you make someone happy for 15 seconds 
• Always pick the lesser of two evils. You always have to choose 
•  If you think you've had enough water, drink two more glasses 
• Never let a free nap get away (but don't ever steal one) 
• It's ok to make a point, as long as the other person doesn't know you're making a point 
• People give great advice with their body language, so eye-contact is good, but see everything 

That's not everything I learned, but again, lists (sorry).

5. Finish the sentence: This year I will....

Eat more breakfast.

The Verdict Is In...

So did anyone else get a reality check when they opened their front door this morning? I know I sure did! After the gorgeous weather we’ve been having (that is decidedly un-March-like), it was a frosty 31* at the train station this morning. Winter coats, back out! Yuck.

We had a jam-packed weekend, starting with Friday night… HUNGER GAMEZZZ! Who else saw it?? Here’s my very, very short analysis: I liked it, but not as much as I wanted to like it. I feel like it was lightened up, and the darkest parts of the book were made to seem not-so-bad in the movie (hello, she almost died of dehydration in the beginning of the games – no mention of that, or a number of other things) and it seemed like it was desperately trying to reach as wide an audience as possible. I get that – but I just hate when the little details that really catch my eye while reading aren’t in the movie. Boo. In the end, yes, I liked it (and C liked it, too!) – but I wasn’t blown away like I expected it to be. Official grade: B-. Sorry I’m not sorry. After the movie, C & I went for a beer to discuss our thoughts – we’re such a cute little married couple. Ha!

Saturday morning my mom and I went to a BodyPump class before heading to the mall – BodyPump is seriously one of the BEST Les Mills classes. If you haven’t tried it, and have the ability to, get in there! It’s a weight-lifting class that focuses on strength-building and endurance, rather than maxing out your weight. I have learned so much from taking this class, and I know that it has been one of the main contributing factors as I’ve gotten back into shape and toned up. Can’t recommend it enough!

BodyPump set-up

My mom, sister, and I had a girls’ lunch at PF Changs before hitting the mall – yum! I had chose Philip's Better Lemon Chicken from the new lunch menu that is being introduced next month with a side salad - so good! This is what happens when you try to get your sister to take a “good picture” of her enjoying her lunch… right.

 

 

We had fun, and each had a successful shopping day, too! That rarely happens. Found just what we were looking for!

Saturday night we headed out to celebrate my best friend’s husband’s birthday – dinner and drinks in Reston! My sister and her fiancé were there, too, and we had a great time at the restaurant before the four of us headed back to our house to hang out for the rest of the night. 

 

Typical.

Sisterly love. Also typical.

I was up bright and early Sunday morning to hit the grocery store – I was on a mission! My boss was having a brunch get-together for her birthday, and had asked if I could bring “crack potatoes.” Um, yes! Only the best potato casserole ever! I got the original recipe from Plain Chicken, but made a few changes – sub Greek yogurt for half the sour cream, make the other half light sour cream, and top the whole thing with extra shredded cheddar (because extra cheddar is always better!). You must make this. Then thank me. You're welcome.

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We had a great time mingling and drinking champagne punch for a few hours. Still on the calendar was dinner at my in-law’s for C’s dad’s birthday, so we finished up the busy weekend seeing his family and watching the Caps win! My kinda weekend, for sure. I was exhausted by Sunday night, though. I felt like the whole weekend had been a whirl-wind! Looking forward to downtime next weekend to do laundry and clean. 

Sunday tulips brightening my living room

Tonight I’ll be doing cardio with my mom, and will probably end up on the treadmill since it got cold again! I think I’ll look for a way to change up my usual work out – any suggestions for quick but intense treadmill work, that won’t kill me? Send ‘em my way!

Panem awaits me!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

The day we've all been waiting for is finally hereeee.... Happy Hunger Games!!! I'm so excited to see the movie tonight - it's torturous sitting in my office! From what I've seen online so far, the movie is definitely living up to the expectations. I haven't seen one disappointed review yet!

Saw this online this morning, and got a good giggle:

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Hopefully the crowds aren't too bad this evening! We're going to see an early show and hopefully beat some of the crazies.

My mom and I are going to do some Spring shopping tomorrow, and Iowa Girl Eats linked to this shirt on her Friday Favorites list today... love love love! Thinking I may have to stop by Gap and see if they have it in stock. So sweet for spring!

Last but not least, I had one of the best salads in a while the other night! C was playing football a few nights ago, and that meant I was on my own for dinner. Since I was heading to the gym and to run a few errands, I decided to stop by Panera and pick something up. After reading the menu, the Mediterranean Salmon Salad was calling my name. I couldn't wait to get that baby home! Seriously - look at the yum:

Before - even pretty to look at!

Mixed greens, feta, red onion, kalamata olives, mandarin oranges, almond slivers, and a generous portion of salmon, all tossed with their honey tangerine vinaigrette. SO GOOD!! This is definitely going to be a salad I will recreate this summer - I think it would be perfect with grilled salmon. Just have to figure out the recipe for that dressing - it was tangy, sweet, and smooth, and was the perfect taste addition. A little went a long way! I only used one of the two containers of dressing provided by Panera. Combined with my side choice of an apple, this dinner absolutely hit the spot. Evidence:

After - demolished.

I have a busy weekend ahead - places to go, things to do, people to see. Hopefully a little bit of sleeping in, as well! Who else is seeing the Hunger Games tonight/this weekend? Enjoy! And may the odds be ever in your favor.