Cheesy but true. Cheers.

On Fashion

Once again, been a bit busy and distracted with work, affairs of the heart, life and such. You know, the usual. Feeling a bit bloggy today, however, so wanted to leave a Thursday footprint on the B-logue for y'all.

Shockingly, not totally in a written-word sort of mood today but more so, a pictorial one. And, what better pictures to admire than some glorious glamorous fashion ones, right? Right!

So, here are a few things I'm wearing / loving / admiring / drooling over as of late these days. Happy fashion gazing!

My favorite day is switch-to-light-Louis-day!

Been drooling over this Angie bag for so long... 
so I got one!

Hmmm, seems this is turning into a big LVoe affair, huh? I also like this stuff, though:

Digging these

Must. Possess. 

                      

Mmmmk, that was enjoyable. I'd say my first foray into fab fashion foto blogging was a success. (Minus that last bit of unforgivable alliteration). What did you think?

Cheers, bunnies!

On Labels. And Sexuality.

Sexuality scares people. It's this thing, just there, this state of being that has an amazing ability to make people uncomfortable. Why?

I think people love labels. Like, have an intense love affair with them.  Everyone needs their own special label, right? She's hot, he's not. He's Jewish, he's Catholic.  She's straight. He's gay.  She's... what if she's not any of those? What if she's just "her" and she's all of that wrapped up in one?

Let's be clear. On sexuality - I am not arguing that there are two distinct bookends. I mean, how could I, right? So yes, there is straight. And there is gay. But unless you're living in a decade of years past, these two bookends are just that. Extremes. They serve as black and white poles, only to give shades of grey to those in between. And clearly, there are many shades of grey in these present times.

So why is it that the majority of the population still speaks only in black and white, gay and straight? Why do we feel the need to slap a label on things and people that aren't asking for one? Does it make it easier to put things into a box? To organize them into neatly confined categories with no mutual exclusivity? Is human nature such that it cannot accept any sort of middle ground anymore?

I posit this as food for thought really. Think about it.

What do I always say...

Springtime Smile

Hey bumbling bunnies.

It seems to be a trend here that I unintentionally abandon the B-logue for long stretches and then (of course) inevitably return. So, here we go again. I took a momentary, needed pause and here I am again. Been a hectic, sometimes horrible, sometimes heavenly few months but now here I am. The Bunny is back.

So with that said, enjoy a bit of springy sarcasm below and don't forget to re-add the B-logue to your daily reg (imen).

xo,
RBunny

ABC Cocina gets an A in my book

As most bunnies will know, it is a rare occasion that I mention food on the b-logue and rarer that I do a restaurant review. I have to break that rule today, however, given my epic epicurean experience last evening at ABC Cocina. Look at me with the alliteration today. So, yes, let me start out by just saying, YUM.

Before going, I had previewed the menu and may or may not have googled pictures of the grilled shitake mushroom platter I was surely going to order. The photographs were, forgive the cliche, definite food porn. And I was psyched for my upcoming trendy and delicious dinner out. Suffice to say, though, those photographs did not hold a flame to the actual food and insane level of deliciousness.

The Latin-infused diverse menu is rather lengthy so without a pre-read, definitely has the potential to overwhelm. But overwhelming or not, get through it. Because, take it from this non-foodie girl, it is so worth it. Finally making a decision of what to order was hard because almost everything appealed. Opting for a couple starters from the aptly titled "Light and Bright" section was a solid decision. The shaved brussel sprout salad topped with goat cheese and a citrusy orange marinade was bliss on a plate. If you have any inclination towards brussel sprouts, this plate is to die for. The second Light and Bright fare, the roasted cauliflower with raisins, chilis and cilantro was equally delicious. Some of the the best, most unique flavors I have experienced as of late.

Moving on from Light & Bright, we made way down to the Wood Burning Grill section of the menu. Not to be overly food-dramatic here but the maitake mushrooms with goat cheese, fresno pepper vinaigrette is about the equivalent of a ... well, you know. My, oh my. The stringy mushrooms were perfectly charred with just the right amount of goat cheese and again, another orange colored tangy sauce that was the perfect add. I think I could eat that dish for every meal forever. Second from Wood Burning was the charred octopus. Hands down the best octopus I have had. Perfectly crispy on the outside without being too chewy inside. Unless you are anti-octopus, there is no feasible way this dish will not blow your mind. Seriously.

Last up - fluke. I'm just going to say this. Fluke fail. The inferior order of the lot. Much too oily and paled in comparison to all of the other divine deliciousness taking place. But everything can't be totally perfect all the time, right? So, if you're struggling to order, flake on the fluke.

On the ambiance front, it's pretty fucking awesome. With exposed brick walls adored in colorful geometric glass shapes, mirrors and modern ornamental finishes, it is both palate and eye candy.

All in all, complete satisfaction from this veggie-loving, "super trendy" girl ;). The company wasn't too bad either. Highly recommended.

Restaurant link here: https://www.abchome.com/abc-cocina/

Movie Musts.. a list of my favorites

Sometimes, believe it or not, I find myself actually wracking my brain with things to write about. Writing, and writing a blog in particular, is a weird sort of phenomenon. At times, my fingers can't move fast enough to capture all the things that I want to share with you all. My brain speeds up with excitement thinking about all the many topics I have to scribe. And then there are other times, days, weeks or even months, when the notion of writing almost seems like a foreign entity. Well, maybe not foreign but not at the top of my list. Sometimes during those rare times, I find myself filling the time I might otherwise spend writing, watching movies.

After all, to me, there is nothing better than escaping into the stories and lives of other people if only for a couple hours at a time. Life is so full of challenges, confusion, bills to be paid, garbages to be emptied, decks to write and emails to file... and sometimes the best thing is just to sit back and escape for a bit.

So, with that long-winded intro under way, I give you the list of my top 15 favorite movies of all time.  Enjoy.

1. The Talented Mr Ripley. So clearly deserving of the #1 spot on the list. TTMR is, for me, the ideal movie. A psychological thriller, an A-list cast with Matt Damon, PSH, Cate Blanchett and Jude Law (how much better can you get than that?!), twists, turns and a setting in the heart of Italia. Absolute perfection on screen.

2. Beaches. If you know me at all, you will know I had a rough time placing this in the #2 spot. It was a hard decision but ultimately I had to decide. Watching Beaches from the time I was a measly 11 years old to now is one of my most precious pastimes. Beaches, the story of best friends CC and Hillary, is so much more to me than a movie. Beaches introduced me to the glory of Bette Midler, the first in my lifetime of diva loves. There is nothing better than Miss M as CC Bloom in this beautiful story of friendship, truth and, at the core, life. So much love.

3. Match Point. Like TTMR, another fucked up psychological thriller (yes, you will see a clear theme emerging here), this one from the equally fucked up Woody Allen. Love him a lot, though... his films, that is. British tennis players, a hot ScarJo, and a mind-bending plot unparalleled to anything previous from Woody Allen. Loves it.

4. Blue Jasmine. Probably the most recent film to occupy a spot on my coveted list. Another theme - I love Cate Blanchett. (See #5 as well). Woody Allen brings the psychological drama again, this time in an interpersonal drama woven with themes of financial fraud, mental illness, family, and friends. Became an instant classic the first time I saw it in the theater.

5. The Aviator. Next emerging theme: the god that is Leonardo DiCaprio. Beautiful and talented Leo playing deranged and yet brilliant Howard Hughes is utterly mesmerizing. Add to that the cast of his women,  including Ms. Blanchett as a spot-on Kathryn Hepburn, his crew of aviary pals and retro sets, I could and have watched The Aviator on repeat.

6. Side Effects. Will keep this short and sweet, A great psychology lover's movie. Rooney Mara's twisted character, her, ahem, ill-fated late husband, the twisted relationship with Dr. Shrink Jude Law and the always lovely other Dr. Shrink Catherine Zeta Jones...there's all of that. Need I say more?

7. Black Swan. Yes. Please. Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. Ballet. Bloody feathers. Swan Lake music. I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. Epic and classic ballet thriller. So much love for this movie.

8. Funny Girl. One of the lovely Ms. Streisand's first films. Ain't nothing like her. Barbra IS Fanny Brice and plays her like no other. Hello, gorgeous! 

9. The Way We Were. This should actually fall above #8 but somehow it landed at #9, likely due to chronological reasons. My personal absolute favorite in the catalog of Ms. Streisand's work. And, please, is there anything better than a young and gorgeous Robert Redford playing her goyisha love interest? Hubbel and Katie take the 60's in this movie... and my heart.

10. Doubt. I was introduced to this intelligent story when I saw it on the Broadway stage with my lovely mother. I love this story because rather than telling us the answers, dictating the takeaway, it allows us to create our own inferences, stories and endings. Telling the story of a priest and teachers at a Catholic school, Doubt inspires just that in its viewers. The late and amazing Philip Seymour Hoffman facing off with a habit-wearing Sister Meryl Streep is an unparalleled viewing experience. Everyone should watch this movie and take it to heart. "Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty."

11. The Devil Wears Prada. Well,  yeah. Classic Meryl Streep as, ahem, not Anna Wintour. Obviously it was Anna Wintour, you know, in movie form with gray hair. Fashion, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Ms. Streep. Epicness. I needn't say more.

12. Terms of Endearment. I am confident all are familiar with the sob story that is Terms of Endearment. I have seen it in the double digits, I know the ending and every time, the water works are inevitable. 

13. Catch Me If You Can. My personal favorite Martin Scorsese/Leo DiCaprio piece. Leo's ever-changing Frank, trying to flee the law from his repeated illegal acts, is, to me, acting incarnate. Solid solid story and even better performances.

14, The Rose. Miss Midler playing Janis Joplin-esque rocker Rose. Think baudy singing, drugs and drinking galore and Bette in her hey day. Her first film, her first Oscar, if you haven't seen it, it should be your first Midler movie. Just trust me.

15. Vicky Christina Barcelona, Love this Woody Allen piece. Kitschy, fun, great scenery, good cast. Enjoyable but yes, the last on my list.

Phew, that was intense. My hope is if you have not had the pleasure of seeing any of the above, that you do so immediately. Movies are life and these are some of the best.

Happy Friday, happy Valentine's Day, and happy long weekend, all!

Philip Seymour Hoffman

While it may seem delayed, I could not immediately bring myself to write one more word about the late, wonderful Philip Seymour Hoffman. As it was and still is, there is way too much attention being paid to trivial matters that took place in his life... and in typical Hollywood fashion, posthumously. But a couple of weeks later now and a couple recent viewings of two of my all time favorite of his films, I did want to take a moment to pay respects to one of the most talented actors I have ever seen grace the screen & stage.

Unlike others, I say this now not as a posthumous discovery of a raw talent but as someone who enjoyed and appreciated PSH for his brilliance while he was still living. In writing the list of some of my favorite films the other day, the realization that Philip Seymour Hoffman was in a majority of them slapped me in the face. My clear #1 favorite The Talented Mr. Ripley, Boogie Nights, Doubt, Capote, Synecdoche... among countless others. The slap was harsh. The thought of going to see a movie, never again having the thrill of an upcoming PSH film release, is a morose one. It is a void that has already made its way into my life and undoubtedly into the lives of so many others.

I do not wish to add to the media's insistence on capitalizing on this man's death to write about addiction in broad terms. Whatever the cause of his death, heroin, alcohol or otherwise, the fact of the matter is that he died. Addiction is a bad thing - it has always been and always will be. Ain't nothing pretty about addiction. But a brilliant, much-too-young talent is no longer here and that, my friends, is all that sadly matters.

So, in summary, Philip Seymour Hoffman, thank you for gracing the public with your superb skills, your ability to portray all the characters you played with grace, truth and passion, and for being here for the time you were. You made this movie loving girl's life more enriched with your presence.

Rest in Peace.

-Rachel

Made Up Media Words / Acronyms Take 3!

And it's back, folks... Made Up Media Words Part Trois! All it took was a gentle reminder from a most amusing Tumblr post. Yeah, it was just that simple.

So, on this frigidly frosty Friday, the Bunnylogue presents, MUMW 3.0!

• EOD. The use of the famed EOD is pretty epic merely due to its widespreadness. Throwing an EOD into any verbal exchange, email, im, or any other mode of communication for that matter, makes said exchange instantly rude. Those three little letters, just by sitting next to each other, have an amazing ability to morph an exchange from casual to INSTANT, URGENT, RED FLAG!!! "Yeah, hey, I need that report from you... by EOD." Just before the three dots, you felt totally okay about the report. Mmmm, not so much afterward. 
• POV. Not that POV is in any way exclusive to media, however,  I estimate its usage to be about threefold in media what it is in other, non-media-oriented places of employment. The POV, like the EOD, can be fairly used in written communication and spoken dialogue alike. Writing a POV can be a lofty project. Well, maybe not lofty but you know. Stating your POV is a bit simpler. For instance. "Rachel, please put together a 'quick' POV on that 14 page proposal in the next hour." Errrr, ok. Versus. "Rachel, what is your POV of Cate Blanchett's dress?" Loves it. You get the difference here, right? But either way, the POV makes its sneaky way into media life each and every hour of every day. 
• COB. Once upon a time, in another place and another time when I was a little baby assistant, the difference between EOD and COB was lost on me. But, what do you mean I have to have it done by COB? So that means 8p when I leave, right? Okay, cool. Fail, Rachel, fail. Little did I know back then that that 8p delivery time was 3 hours tardy to the party. The COB is less commonly used in media than, say, finance, since, well, no one really leaves at the close of the business day in the lovely land of media. But the COB still does manage to find its way into media on occasion. Perfect example: See you COB Friday... for happy hour. #priorities
• One-sheeter. I am fairly certain that other industries make use of one-sheeters, which typically are indeed more like two-or-three-sheeters. But you get the point. The one-sheeter is a pretty epic document in media. The one-sheeter boasts a magical ability to synthesize pages and pages of slides in a deck (see original MUMW blog post) into one little Word document!! Wow, just wow right? Well, I mean, oftentimes it really isn't one sheet like I said. But just calling it that gives it a prowess far greater than calling it by any other name. "Ugh, I cannot look at this 10 slide deck. Please hang up the phone and reschedule this meeting with a simple one-sheeter instead." #epicdeckfail
• Round Robin. THE ABSOLUTE WORST!!! Yes, please, can we all go around the 20-person conference call that we have every single week and announce our names and where we work? Please, pretty please? That sounds like soo very much fun, so much indeed that we should do it every single week! Ugh, the round robin should spread its wings and fly far, far away.

That about wraps it up for this fab Friday. Part 4 to come in coming days. Toodle-oo for now!

I die just a little bit every day

Epic classic. Thank you for sharing, Ms. DiBara! We heart media.

http://whathappensinmediaplanning.tumblr.com/