Matthew McConaughey has just been announced as a Best Actor nominee for the Oscar because of his performance in “Dallas Buyers Club”
Several years ago, I used to pile on the jokes about Matthew McConaughey.
Whether it was the Texan accent, his ubiquitous voice on commercials for energy companies (fellow Texans know what I mean), or his penchant for run-of-the-mill romantic comedies, it has always been easy to make fun of his often shirtless self.
Lately though, the humor has been harder to conjure. Ever since I saw his performance a year or two ago in William Friedkin’s Killer Joe, my thoughts on McConaughey began to change. It wasn’t exactly movie of the year in my mind, but Killer Joe displayed his range and ability to take on more intense roles, which in this instance meant a slick but deeply sinister cop moonlighting as a hit man with a moral code of little to none. It happens.
Unfortunately I haven’t seen the dark comedy Bernieor the mystery-drama Mudyet, but those are on my never-ending Netflix queue. The recently released Dallas Buyer’sClub, which is based on a true story,is a startling transformation for Matthew McConaughey.
His portrayal as a carefree, fast-living cowboy who discovers he has HIV and decides to smuggle in drugs to help others with HIV but also make a profit showed a riskier but yet more personal side to the actor that has rarely been seen.
It’s going to be interesting to see if his role in the new HBO series True Detective will be just as memorable, but considering it’s HBO I’m certain it will at least push boundaries.
From left to right: Soap & Glory Righteous Body Butter sample, Gucci Guilty sample, Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler For Her, Wei Royal Ming Firming and Hydrating Cream sample, Phyto PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Cream sample, Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum
Wow, I haven’t kept up with this blog in over a year. It’s embarrassing really, but a new year means more self-motivation (at least for several weeks).
My first post back is just a recollection of a few products I ordered from Sephora online back in December. The benefit from buying them online instead of in the store is that the purchase comes with three free samples. In addition, I was able to get another free sample as a 100-point reward with my Beauty Insider membership (which is free by the way, so I definitely recommend it).
I’ll be doing some product reviews later once I’ve had time to test all of the products. There’s links for each product on Sephora’s website, but only for the full-size versions since most of the samples are no longer in stock.
If you clicked the link, yes, you’re reading that right. The 1.7 oz version of this cream in $98. I just had to pick this sample to see if it’s so hydrating, because I’ll never be slapping any $98 product on my face!
Unfortunately, the bottle is absolutely tiny (smaller than my index finger), but hopefully will last at least a few days. I’ve always had problems with exceedingly dry skin, so that’s another reason I’m eager to try out this cream.
I’m already loving this fragrance. It’s a little too strong for my easily affected nostrils, but still a very unique smell. I’ve never had a scent with a hint of citrus before, and there’s also pepper as well.
I had actually ordered a Soap & Glory facial cleanser sample, but apparently it was already out of stock (or someone made a boo boo), so I have body butter instead.
Soap & Glory Righteous Body Butter sample
That’s okay, because body butter is something I’ve never tried.
Itchy legs is something that’s been problematic for the last few years, so maybe this will help. The packaging says it was voted “Britain’s best body butter.” Challenge accepted.
There’s mixed reviews about this styling cream on Sephora’s website, but since it’s just a sample I don’t mind giving it a try. However, my frizzy mane is really long and unruly too, so I’ll probably be able to test this product only one or two times before it’s empty.
Frizz is the number one annoyance I have with my hair, and it always has been. I’ve tried different serums and conditioners, but none have made any remarkable difference.
Josie Maran Oil Hair Serum
This serum is made with argan oil, which has surged in popularity lately. I’ve only tried the product once so far, but it did work better the current Garnier anti-frizz serum I’m using. The drawback? It’s $12 for a .5 ounce bottle. We only live once guys!
Fragrances have never been an interest of mine, but after gifting them for other people I decided to try this five-count sampler as a starting point.
Sephora Favorites Fragrance Rollerball Sampler For Her
If you’re not a fan of sweet, floral scents this isn’t for you. Pretty much all of the scents are floral. Fragrances included in this set are Chloé’s Chloé See, Gucci’s Gucci Flora, Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy, Marc Jacobs’ Dot, and Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb.
The bonus, though, is that it includes a certificate for a free rollerball of whichever scent. My favorite so far is probably the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, though the Marc Jacobs perfume Dot smells delightful as well.
In the next few weeks I’ll have some reviews of the products once I’ve been able to sample all of them. Let me know of some great fragrances, because I’m still a newbie with this!
I am as shocked as anyone else here in North Texas, but it actually snowed on Christmas day. It wasn’t a sleeting or an instantly melting winter mix either. There was a good couple of inches of snow on the ground. Thankfully I had my Long Johns, camera, and an adorable Husky to help me survive this elusive thing called “cold.”
The weather on Christmas day also reminded me how incredibly beautiful and breathtaking nature can be. It’s easy to forget if you’re someone like me that is driving around more concrete and pavement than grass and trees. Sometimes it’s just nice to take a minute (or 30) and admire the natural world that surrounds us.
I hope everyone has a great New Year’s, and remember to take some quiet time for yourself in this fast-paced world we live in.
It was 80 degrees outside today, so I’m not sure that this playlist actually compliments the climate I’m in, but for those who are already experiencing snow or want to pretend you are, here is a playlist for you.
Some of these songs don’t include any references to snow or wintertime (and I promise- very few references to Christmas), but it’s a nice collection of melancholy and delicate. A few of the music videos for the tunes also align with the theme.
That infamous “Ahhaahhhhh…ah!” gives this such a primal feel, it belongs to scenes of hunting in the fierce winter winds of… England?
Also, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Karen O did a fantastic cover version for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack.
2. “In the Cold, Cold, Night”- White Stripes
Before Jack White was in a gazillion other bands
Megan White was never the focus of the band, so it’s nice to see her take the spotlight and sing this simple, slightly bluesy track.
3. “Let Me Sleep”- Pearl Jam
Eddie Vedder has a great voice and all, but he must be one boring Christmas buddy. Anyways, here’s a rarity from their Lost Dogs two-disc collection.
4. “Glósóli”- Sigur Rós
It is just such a beautiful, breathtaking song. Sigur Rós are one of those bands that make mesmerizing music videos that compliment the music- “Glósóli” included.
5. “Untitled”- Interpol
I always imagine a visual of New York City on a chilly evening when “Untitled” is playing, or maybe just a crowded subway and people pushing each other during rush hour.
6. “White Winter Hymnal”- Fleet Foxes
The whole debut album by Fleet Foxes could be applied as sounds for winter. However, this one doesn’t just mention the season in the title, it also perfectly fits the mood of wintertime forests and cabins.
7. “A Hazy Shade of Winter”- Simon & Garfunkel
They probably wouldn’t get away with those hairdos in the music industry now.
Leave to Simon & Garfunkel to create an upbeat tune about dreary winter weather. However, it is a beautiful song, and shows off their famed songwriting prowess.
8. “Violet Hill”- Coldplay
Go ahead haters, hate away. I like this album and I shall listen to it anyway.
9. “This Ship Was Built to Last”- The Duke Spirit
The Duke Spirit are an underrated British band led by the smoky vocals of Liela Moss. They even opened for Jane’s Addiction this year.
10. “Breaking Down”- Florence + the Machine
A beautifully arranged song about gradually losing sanity. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Florence Welch.
11. “Farewell to the Fairground”- White Lies
Happy times with White Lies
There’s a U2-ish quality to this building track, whose video perfectly correlates with the theme.
Are there any other songs I should add? Just let me know!
Veer away from the normal. Come to the wacky, weird, and downright disturbing side of horror and suspense for Halloween.
Instead of watching Halloween or Friday the 13th for the 15th time, try these independent and criminally overlooked films. Some are beautifully laid out, and some downright insane.
Some of my favorite French films were made in the late ’50s and early ’60s. It was when America was still producing relatively tame movies in comparison with France, mostly because of the ridiculous Production Code enacted at the time. Watching a movie like Eyes Without a Face might be shocking to those who think this era of movies as just a bunch of happy-go-lucky tales about girls and cars.
It’s basically about a surgeon whose daughter has become disfigured, and he attempts to amend the heartbreaking situation by taking the faces from other girls and transplanting them onto his daughter’s. Just like Gidget, right?
There’s one scene in particular that might even still make some people (including my mother) squeamish. Perhaps the most disturbing part of the movie is its relevance to today’s society- because there really are people getting face transplants.
Where do I even start with this one…there’s people-eating pianos, floating heads, blood-spewing clocks, evil cats- everything you could want in a 1970s Japanese movie! There’s no doubt it was made with a tongue-in-cheek vibe. The animation is purposefully silly, and the acting is amateur and borderline annoying. However, it’s a lot of fun, and certainly memorable. Fans of David Cronenberg’s movies will love it.
There’s not really much to the plot: a girl and her friends go to a haunted, messed-up house, furniture attacks, and mayhem ensues, but the mayhem is unlike anything else.
Here we go with those French films again! It’s just so good I can’t help myself. One of my favorite French films ever, it blends suspense, eerie cinematography, and a twist ending into a mysterious and nail-biting ride. Simone Signoret stars and Henri-Georges Clouzot directs this mystery/suspense film, so that’s reason enough to see it.
If you’re looking for something immediately gratifying and fast-paced, this isn’t for you. The slow build to a shocking ending is the reason I love it in the first place.
Maybe I’m kind of cheating by allowing this one on the list, but it’s Stanley Kubrick, so why not? This will forever be one of my favorite horror movies because it’s so unlike anything else. There’s more than just a case of misguided cabin fever going on here.
The most enjoyable experience is right after the film- when everyone can discuss what the heck just happened, and argue aimlessly about the true meaning and explanation for the last few minutes, or really, the whole movie. All I know is Jack Nicholson is great at acting like a maddening, psychotic killer. What a compliment!
Have any other suggestions? Leave a comment below and let me know!
It was 80 degrees outside today, so I’m not sure that this playlist actually compliments the climate I’m in, but for those who are already experiencing snow or want to pretend you are, here is a playlist for you.
Kristin Lockhart 