NC Pride in the Rain Outside

Today, I stood out in the rain with one of my best guy friends Dan, amongst hundreds of other people to celebrate NC’s 31st Annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual + Transgender Festival. The parade was on Duke University‘s Campus which, despite its paths of mud that my boots kept getting stuck in, is quite lovely.

Once we checked out the variety of vendor tents, we came upon the small group of angry hate throwers that always have to show their mean ol’ faces and we had to get a closer look at their thought-provoking signs. I’ll never understand why anyone wants to waste their energy on proclaiming hate during a time when people come together + are happy. But they were highly outnumbered by the amount of advocates and anytime they tried to preach, their words would be drowned out by positivity from supporters, like the Carolina Rollergirls cheering “SKATE NOT HATE“. There was also a really amazing woman walking back + forth in front of them, yelling about the positive impacts of organizations like Planned Parenthood and The LGBT Center of Raleigh, holding up a jar for donations  You can kind of see her behind backwards hat guy in the photo above. She was loud + proud + awesome. Notice the sign of the cross between Dan and I… yes.

The parade was led by this dazzling pink sheriff’s car which made my pink-loving heart all a-flutter. There were a lot of political figures showing their support and tons of kids with ridiculous energy having an absolute blast. Many of the floats had candy throwers and I got oodles of Sweet-Tarts’ trollopy cousin, Sassy Tarts which totally made me laugh.

There was this magical man dressed as my spirit animal, the glorious hummingbird, which symbolizes the enjoyment of life and lightness of being. This magnificent little bird easily dismisses negativity or bad vibes + is a great reminder to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. I cheered quite loudly for Mr. Humming Bird… he was beyond fabulous!

On top of doggie-related vendors + what looked like a doggie-daycare, there were many a pooch on parade, which made me even happier than I already was. I had to run out and give this guy a quick smooch for his collar was superb and his face was beautiful! His name was Melvin and he smelled like Cheerios.

Even though the weather was quite poopy and the rain couldn’t figure out what it wanted to do, everyone was super happy and in great spirits. It was a really beautiful time and I’m so happy I went, despite the cold I will probably come down with. I ran into an old friend, ate some of the best nachos I’ve ever had EVER from Chubby’s Taco and left with a bag full of condoms, slap bracelets, and Sassy Tarts. Saturday was grande.

Plus, I found Jesus…

Lights, Camera, ACTION!!

Since the mid-eighties, North Carolina has been the location for many a film and TV show, particularity the Wilmington (hello, Wilmywood!) + Asheville areas. Movies like “I Know What You Did Last Summer“, “Empire Records” and the TV show “Dawson’s Creek” were all shot in Wilmington while many scenes from “The Hunger Games” and “Forrest Gump” were filmed in the beautiful mountains of Asheville. Even that iconic lift in “Dirty Dancing” was shot in Lake Lure! 

Which means there are A LOT of opportunities to do work as a background “extra”.

My first experience as an extra was back in 2002. I had just graduated high school and it was the end of summer. My friend, Leann called me about a casting crew that was set up at Crabtree Mall in Raleigh. They were in need of “punk” extras for an upcoming episode of “Dawson’s Creek” that was taking place at a “pretend” No Doubt concert. Not really knowing what to expect, I got dressed, grabbed a couple recent head shots and met her at the mall. We waited in a long line of hopeful teenagers + their parents for about 20 minutes before we were able to leave our photos + contact info. We got calls the next day letting us know the filming time + location, which was later on that very same day at the former RBC Center, now known as the PNC Arena in Raleigh. We were told to come camera ready and to bring as many clothing options as we wanted. Being a somewhat-angsty, goth-rock eighteen-year-old girl who needed to look like she was going to a rock show, I had PLENTY to choose from.

In the clip below (it’s cued up for your viewing pleasure), as Michelle Williams + Jensen Ackles (yes, I was in BOTH of their presence) walk towards the concession stand, you can see me in all my nerdy, somewhat-angsty glory as I walk away from the counter of said concession with 2 other girls. I’m in a red, plaid skirt and fishnets, of course. Also, around the 7:00 mark, as Michelle is using me as her “focal point” (director’s orders, yo!), I walk behind her with my lady friends. See how I totally just happened to look towards the camera? That wasn’t a coincidence. For I am an Absolute. Nerd.

We were on set for nearly 12 hours that day. I arrived at noon and didn’t leave until 11:30 that night. Once I checked in + filled out the appropriate paperwork, I headed upstairs to a huge lobby where about 100 other people were scattered amongst racks of clothes and bags of shoes. After I found Leann, we waited around for about 45 minutes before we were instructed to follow a chick with a walkie-talkie + badge who was obviously important. We were led downstairs to a roped off area where there were dozens of cameras, crew-workers and even more extras. We were placed at a concession stand and told to make small talk while buying popcorn. After about 15 to 20 seconds, we were to exit to our left. Easy, right? It’s something we naturally do whenever we go to a concert or movie. Imagine doing it 11 times in a row in silence while the main actors are ACTUALLY acting behind you. It starts to not feel “natural” at all and is kind of weird. I had to make a constant effort to not laugh each time we walked away from the concession stand.

Once that shot was complete, we were moved to a column and told to wait until the actors passed us before walking behind them. After two takes, the director instructed Michelle to look towards “plaid-skirt blonde” as she walked (we are now best friends). Each time I walked into the frame, I was determined to look towards the camera, to gaurentee an “AHA! There I am!” moment. Like I said: Absolute. Nerd.

****

Fast forward thirteen years later to this past weekend where I once again, got to be a “punk” extra. This time, it was in downtown Wilmington  where I filmed scenes for “London Calling“, the upcoming biopic about The Clash‘s Joe Strummer starring Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (hubba hubba).

My mom actually found the posting on an NC film website and left me a voicemail about it. I looked up the official info and emailed my photo to the casting agent. I didn’t hear back until a few days later but was eventually told to be camera ready at 7pm to film in the streets of downtown Wilmington on Sunday Sept. 20; holding would be at The Hilton Riverside. Well, ALL RIGHT. 🙂 (Thanks Mom!)

After a lovely two hour drive with music blaring + the windows down, I was in Wilmington. Once I got to the hotel, I went upstairs to the DeRosset Room, located on the third floor, where I waited with about 50 other people. We all checked in, signed release forms and got into whatever we planned to wear for filming.
Around 8:00, an assistant came up and took everyone across the street to an alleyway behind a parking deck. He put us in random groups and gave different directions. I was to walk across the street and up the stairs as this beautiful London Black Cab or “hackney carriage” drove down the narrow street, carrying Mr. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (hubba hubba again).

I also had to run up and down the street a number of times, which was closed off by police cars on either end, their lights flashing. A nice size crowd ended up gathering to watch us “punks” gallivant in the streets. It was pretty wild.

I was in Wilmington all of 3.5 hours before I needed to drive back home but it was pretty much nonstop the entire time. “Should I Stay Or Should I Go“, “London Calling” and “I Fought the Law” were on repeat in the background and are STILL stuck in my head. The whole trip was kind of a blur + went super fast but I met some cool + interesting people, ran around in the streets as cops watched and “filmed a movie“. I think that’s pretty rad for a Sunday night…

Just Friends Bloopers

If you have never seen the movie Just Friends, you must do so immediately. It’s one of Ryan Reynolds finer moments (although his body in the Amityville Horror remake is sinful) but its Ana Farris who steals the show! Her performance alone makes this movie ridiculously funny, especially her toothpaste “bubble” scene. Chris Klein is superb as the dork-turned-stud Dusty Dinkleman (excuse me, Dusty Lee) and Amy Smart is lovable per usual as the perfect girl next door.

If you’re anything like me, you dig blooper reels and seeing people mess up and/or be extremely silly. Even if you’re not familiar with the movie, I guarantee you’ll laugh anyway…

“I’M MAKING GINGERBREAD COOKIES!!!!”

Take A Break, Learn + Have Fun

Hello.
My name is Jenn and I am a self-criticizer.

You know the old saying, ‘you are your own worst critic‘? That fits me perfectly. I am especially hard on myself whenever I start a new venture or take on something different. I judge my thoughts, mock my ideas and roll my eyes at the thought of me doing anything well. I take the fun out of things that I once found enjoyable because I turn them into a “job”. Instead of letting things flow and allowing whatever happens to occur naturally, I start making mental schedules, setting deadlines and try to always ensure a perfect outcome. I beat myself up when things don’t go according to plan or for not having enough time or not spending my time wisely enough or just simply for not being better then I am. It’s an energy-sucking, vicious cycle that has existed all throughout my life (kind of like that comparison void I’ve often found myself in).

However, I’ve gotten better with how I deal when all the ‘crap‘ starts really piling up. I know that when I’m passionate about something, I get excited. My heart rate speeds up, my eyes widen and I smile…a lot. I have fun working on whatever it is I’m doing and the end result is usually quite positive. Thankfully, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned the remedy that I need when things stop being fun + I no longer get excited: I need a break.

I need time to simply relax and let my brain unwind.
To stretch + meditate; to read; to color (yes!), to watch movies…
to be inspired!

(and of course eat a lot of Butterfingers out of the freezer +
cuddle with my dog,Tammy Faye Barker)

I basically do whatever makes me happy and enjoy the little things in life. I make time for work as well as time for my own mental health.

And why not? It’s important to take care of yourself. In fact, it’s absolutely crucial.

I’ve learned that instead of beating ourselves up + critiquing all of our flaws, we need to be our own support system. When you cheer yourself on and take time to find happiness, you get a hell of a lot more accomplished. Instead of thinking ‘I’m a huge loser‘ or  ‘I could have done better‘ and sulking, focus on how much you actually DID and try to learn something for next time. Life is a series of trial + error. Don’t waste energy on the mistakes you make. No one is perfect. Make it all a learning experience and simply have fun. Life is way too short not to.

So get lost in a book or discover a new movie. Find some park swings and hang outside or simply eat some chocolate. Figure out what helps you shift your crap thoughts and start enjoying life a bit more. I promise, it’s totally worth it…

How do YOU take a break and unwind?

Everyday Inspiration

Inspiration + motivation is all around us.

We just have to see it.

This is a simple car ad in a magazine…

“Find who you have not yet become“.

How rad is that?!

Go out and live your life and become the person you want to be!
Do your own thing and find your talents + goals.
Life is what you make it. Make it awesome…

When you start seeing good + positive little things in your everyday life, it will change the way you see the world. When you no longer focus on the negativity in your life and begin taking cues from the teeny tiny signs around you, the world will appear just a little bit brighter. You’ll find yourself smiling more and being genuinely happy. And you definitely have plenty of reasons to smile… just look around you.

Whenever I find a random inspiration, I will share it.
Because who doesn’t love a little dose a motivation, however small it may be?!

And I’d love to see what YOU find! Post your random everyday inspirations below!!

Turtle Love (or something like that)

Girls hit your hallelujah and just TRY to not laugh at this ridiculousness…

“Take On Me” has never sounded better!

Happy happy Friday everyone!!! It’s finally here!!

The Last Lecture : Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt,
just how we play the hand.” ~ Randy Pausch

Carnegie Mellon developed a series of lectures where top academics are asked to think deeply about what matters to them and then give a hypothetical “final talk” on the wisdom they would want to impart on the world if it were their last chance. For computer science professor Randy Pausch, those questions became all too real when he was invited to give his “last lecture”. A month prior to giving his speech, Pausch received a prognosis that the pancreatic cancer, which he had been diagnosed with a year earlier, was terminal. He had 3-6 months to live.

“Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” was delivered on September 18, 2007 to over 450 Carnegie Mellon students, staff members, and friends of Pausch.  Through tales of his childhood, he talked about lessons learned throughout his life and gave advice to those in attendance on how to achieve their own career + personal goals. The Last Lecture explains the speech in more depth as well as the events leading up to it through many wonderful stories of Pausch’s life that are relatable, funny and ultimately melancholy. But its the small bits of Randy’s quirky personality + simple wisdom mixed throughout the pages that make this book something truly special.

The book focuses on 3 main topics: Randy’s childhood dreams, enabling the dreams of others and important lessons learned along the way. He talks about the importance, as a parent, of letting your child express themselves and that “inspiration and permission to dream are huge“. He encourages people to chase their dreams and to be driven but emphasizes that nothing should be handed to us and that hard work is the only way to really achieve your goal.

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

Randy repeatedly stresses the importance of fun and that we should live life to its fullest because we never know when it might be taken. His positive mindset + no-time-to-waste attitude is evident throughout the book and is inspiring to say the least.

“Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier.”

A simple question that Randy often asked others: Are you a Tigger or an Eyore? Are you positive or negative? It’s pretty obvious where Randy stood. The love for life Randy displayed is how we should all choose to live our day to day lives. Instead of focusing on who has done us wrong + what we don’t have, focus on all the good stuff and work hard to get what you want. It really is just that simple.

This small, whimsical book is such a lovely treasure that beautifully focuses on the power of positivity and the love of a man for his family, career and life. There is a bit of cancer talk but its crucial to show the time-frame of how quickly this story came to an end. Randy chose to live out his remaining days as only he knew how: having fun + being positive. Leaving behind the love of his life and 3 children, his last words were not just meant for the viewers + readers of the lecture but as future guidance for his children since he wouldn’t be there to instill his wisdom himself.

As unfair as it all is, what an incredible gift.

—————————————————————-
If you had asked little me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have said a writer first, followed by an archaeologist (thank you Jurassic Park) and then a rock star.

I think she’d be pretty proud of where I’m at…

…and would definitely tell me to keep going.

Skin Care Secret Weapons

I’m often asked about my clear skin + “youthful glow” (not my words). After my discovery of makeup + fashion magazines in middle school, I became a moisturizing fiend. I put it on every morning, anytime after I’ve washed my face or showered and right before bed. Being in my 30’s now, those fiendish ways have gone full blown obsessive! I’m NEVER without my moisturizer. I’ve tried many different kinds: cheap, OTC drugstore creams to high end, super ‘spensive tubs of goo. And to be honest, most of my favorite products are under $10. I’m a HUGE fan of Dermalogica but sometimes, my wallet is not. The only brand I’ve wanted to try (moisturizing-wise) but have yet to do so is La Mer because hello, that stuff is super DUPER ‘spensive!

Below, you’ll find all of my skin care secret weapons! Please keep in mind, what works for me may NOT work for you, depending on your skin type. I have super dry skin as well as eczema on my cheeks + scalp (thanks mom + dad) so most products I use promote mucho hydration (something that someone with oily skin may not necessarily need).

Currently, I’m using St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen and Elastin Facial Moisturizer, which I absolutely adore. On top of being roughly $5, its super light + hydrating for my dry skin, is non-greasy and does NOT cause breakouts. Elastin proteins + collagen help improve elasticity while safflower oil + glycerin hydrate to combat dry, rough skin. Its a big win for my thirsty, Sahara-like face.

I’m a big fan of all-natural products because who likes putting icky chemicals on their face that cause burning + acne? Not this gal. After trying many different cleansers, I really like Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream. This rich (and I mean super thick!) cream cleanser is formulated with Soap Bark, a natural cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt, oil and make-up.  Infused with Aloe Vera, Chamomile + Echinacea (a lovely pinkish-purple flower), it helps moisturize + soften your skin while getting rid of impurities. (Anything that adds more moisture as am extra-bonus is definitely my friend!)

Because of my dry skin, I need all the help I can get to remove the dead skin from my face.  I do a weekly enzyme peel with my handy-dandy Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel, which has become a HUGE exfoliating life-savor.  After washing + drying my face, I gently massage this gel in a circular motion to to roll, lift and sweep away the dead skin cells; you can literally see the grossness clumping up on your face! This is definitely the most expensive product currently in my skincare regimen that I use on a weekly basis but its an absolute necessity. It keeps that layer of microscopic dirt, dead skin + other ickies at a minimum (which can definitely help your makeup go on MUCH smoother).

However, my main secret weapon for all things skin-care is the one and only coconut oil.

Ladies (and gents), allow coconut oil to be your best friend!! Not only is it ridiculously cheap but it has SO many health benefits for your hair, skin, teeth, nails as well as your insides! It contains lots of easily digestible, fat-soluble vitamins: A,D,E and K. (Vitamin A is good for the immune system, Vitamin E has strong antioxidant properties for the skin and can provide some protection against UV rays, Vitamin D is good for strong bones and teeth, and Vitamin K is good for blood-clotting.) There are also self-massage benefits, which i will talk about more in my Healthy Sunday blog. Do your own research on coconut oil to read about even more benefits. 

5 favorite uses for coconut oil
UNO. Makeup remover
(before I wash my face; sometimes I mix it in with my face wash)
DOS. Shaving
(its way more hydrating than ANY shave cream + forget razor burn)
TROIS. Hair Masque
(I soak my entire head once or twice a month for at least 30 minutes)
QUATRE. Sugar + Oil scrub for scalp (combine to a grainy paste-like texture)
(mean ol’ eczema: I WILL fight you! The sugar is a gentle exfoliant that feels so wonderful on tight dry scalps like mine. I do this 2-3 times a month)
FIVE. Sugar + Oil Foot scrub (combine to same grainy paste-like texture as above)
(not only does this get your feet baby soft but it feels UHmazing)

I could go on and on about why I love coconut oil so much but I have one last important “secret weapon” I want to talk about: Essentia Water.

This stuff is my heaven in a bottle. I have one with me nearly all the time. Its super hydrating, velvety texture is one that cannot really be described but must be experienced and it has honestly turned me into a water snob. In the past, I’ve had awful experiences with bacterial infections due to my PH getting wonky during that time of the month and being prescribed antibiotics for said infections. The bad thing about antibiotics is that while they get rid of the bad bacteria, they also take with it, the good bacteria, leaving you on a merry-go-round of endless infections. The trick that I found, after many, MANY uncomfortable months was a lovely combination of probiotics (Fem-Dophilus works miracles) and water water water WATER! I had done some research on how to control my PH balance myself and came across alkaline water, which helps to neutralize acid in the bloodstream that causes your PH to rise. Essentia water has a PH of 9.5, which means through ionization, acidic ions are removed and a charge is passed through the water, literally energizing it. The taste is so smooth + refreshing and in my opinion, helped me clear out all that crummy bad bacteria in a much healthier and natural way through simple hydration. Hydrating from the inside out not only affects your inner organs but your huge, outer organ called…yep, SKIN. When your skin lacks hydration, it lets you know by turning dry, tight and flaky. Then, while drinking your H20, apply more moisturizer.

Look it up. I promise its all true.

What some of your favorite moisturizers?
Have you tried Essentia?

(a random shot of me clutching my heaven in a bottle)

And FYI, none of the companies listed here paid me in any way to promote their products. These are my true, genuine opinions…

Porch Fly Clothing

As a growing source of art, entertainment and education, Raleigh, the second most populated city in North Carolina (after Charlotte), is rich with an incredibly talented local scene. From circus arts to breweries; restaurants and rad clothing designers, there is always something new + exciting going on in “The City of Oaks“. The culture here is one of laid-back relaxation + happiness, which is probably why I love living here so much.

Established in 2012 by Joshua Gruder and Bryant Szabo, Porch Fly creates super comfortable + stylish shirts that represent not just the culture of Raleigh but the unique vibe itself.

Made out of strong poly cotton + tri-blend materials which make them less susceptible to shrinking and/or stretching, these are some of my favorite shirts to wear because they are so ridiculously soft + comfortable. I’ve received numerous compliments and questions when I’ve worn them out, especially my Whisk-Key tank as well as The Streets of DTR. The visually pleasing designs are interesting + eye-catching without being overly in-your-face, making anyone who wears these shirts stand out.

With a motto that says no matter where you’re from, or what you do, there is always time to “enjoy the porch”, these guys give due respect to the simple and great things in life. Family, friendship and hometown love are high on their agenda. I absolutely love what they’re doing + how they’re representing Raleigh.

You can also grab a sweet, super-sturdy, hand-made all-natural leather koozie for all of your afternoon back porch needs as well as snazzy cases to give your phone some unique NC flair.

What are some of your favorite local spots? Brands?

I’m always looking for new places to explore, delicious food to eat and all of the things in*between..

Porchfly on..
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Billy Squier – Rock Me Tonight music video

It doesn’t get much better than a cheesy, 80s music video for this Funny Friday post.

Poor, poor Billy Squier. With badass hits like “The Stroke“, “Everybody Wants You“ and of course, “Lonely Is The Night“, it was his decision to make the following music video that ultimately ended his career.

I’m sorry (but not sorry) to admit that I actually dig the song but every time I hear it, I always envision scenes from this train wreck of video and start laughing. He totally gives new meaning to that whole white-people-can’t-dance stereotype. Its just SO HIGH– lariously horrible.

The choreographer (Richard Simmons?) + stylist (Jennifer Beals?) have hopefully moved on to other careers.

But damn Billy. Damn…