Why Sarah Richardson is a Design Goddess.

I sort of have an obsession with HGTV's Sarah Richardson, and for a good reason too. No, this is not a girl crush. This is a full-on designing, house-flipping crush. 

For those that have no idea what I'm talking about, Sarah has a show on HGTV called "Sarah's House." She, and her sidekick designer Tommy, search for the perfect house to buy that needs help and that can be flipped. (flipped = house with beautiful structure containing old blue chipped tile, tiny rooms and nasty outdated cabinets is taken on by a designer. Walls are torn down, rooms expanded, house beautified and designed.)

So why Sarah as opposed to Candice Olson or Genevive Gorder?

She uses antiques. For something to be beautiful and trendy, it doesn't have to be bought from Ethan Allen or Z Gallerie. Although those things are beautiful, of course. Antiques are sturdy and are built more structurally sound, in my opinion. Decades ago, things were hand crafted and weren't sent through a machine assembly line. Also, antiques have a story to tell. The coffee table in my living room is an antique I bought for $75 (yes, a dang steal considering the Carrera marble!) from someone who bought it at an estate sale. Prior to that estate sale, it belonged to someone's great grandmother. So neat. I could go on about why antiques are fantastic for days, so I'll cut myself off here. 

Her shopping style. We get to see Sarah and Tommy rummage through estate sales and stores that sell old fashioned lighting, fireplace hearths and doors. Sometimes she really doesn't know what she's looking for. She roams the aisles (or sometimes sporadically placed piles of things) and pulls out a seemingly hideous light fixture out of the rubble. What's that? She plans on spraying it bright red to accent the room? Brilliant. We also see Sarah visit her storage facility full of her "finds." Sometimes while shopping, she finds something amazing but it doesn't work for the space she's working on. In to storage it goes!

All her designs are original and different. I hate to say this, but at lot of designers are one trick ponies. Some can only design traditional. Some only modern. Sarah's designs are all different, yet they all have her touch that makes the room decidedly Sarah Richardson. 

She doesn't over accessorize. Pet peeve coming on. Sorry Candice Olson, your rooms are fab but they are so accessorized that I think they're practically impossible to live in. Wouldn't want to have friends over tea; I'd have to move all the vases and books you put on my coffee table! I feel Sarah knows where a shelf needs books and art pieces and where there should be space left open. A lamp and a casual, meaningful decor object are all an end table needs.

How she talks to her viewers. When Sarah is filming her show, she talks her viewers through every step of the process. Yes, she's keeping the original molding in the old house. But why? She's tells us. Because it keeps the charm of the house in tact. It's a small little thing. She's educating her viewers. She doesn't treat us like dummies. She doesn't act like some high and mighty designer (although she has earned that); she just talks to us like we're friends and like we want to learn something from her. Which we do!

Her overall design. Duh. It has that lived-in, homey vibe. Always. Even if the look has a high fashion design, something is always left a little disheveled just so that it looks inviting, and you know won't be shot for sitting on the sofa. That's because there's a casual throw blanket that isn't perfectly folded. It's simply cast over the side. That's inviting. She also knows how to use color. Not too much ever. She can do a neutral room, all grays, and it still looks colorful because of the variation of grays she used. She can do a vibrant room. Usually one or two colors stand out like a yellow or a blue or red. And usually those colors are incorporated through gorgeous patterned fabrics. Don't worry, David Bromstad, I'm not hating on you and your color splash-ness. I LOVE YOU TOO. 

So, yes, Sarah is design perfection in my eyes. If you don't believe me, judge these for yourself. (Note: these are all in different homes.)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

 

 

Oscars 2011: How to Throw an Oscar Night Party

Of course, you know, the 2011 Oscar nominations were announced this morning. Some things were expected. Eh-hem: King's Speech, Black Swan, The Social Network. Others, the Academy seemed to turn a blind eye to. Mila Kunis, Christopher Nolan, Mark Wahlberg, etc etc etc. Or at least that is what my Twitter feed exploded with this morning. And each movie connoisseur has his or her own opinion. 

But I'm not here to stir up the great debate of which films, actors and directors deserve the nominations. I'll leave that to some of my more opinionated (and cinematically educated) film bloggers. I'm here for the part that actually affects you. THE OSCAR NIGHT PARTY.

Yes, if you've watched at least a few of the films nominated, odds are that your butt is going to be parked in front of your television on February 27. If not for the films, at least for the fashion, the red carpet faux pas and the tragedy that can be live television. Thus, I have a few Oscar party ideas and tips that I will share with you.

DO have a party. You're going to be watching it. Why not do it with other Oscar enthusiasts?

DO provide ballots for each attendee. A lot of people do this, and that' because it's a fantastic idea. It strikes up debate and conversation about the nominees at hand. The person who guesses the most wins correctly is the winner. Oscars.com has the complete list of nominees and a printable ballot.

DO turn it into a costume party. Halloween only comes once a year...so everyone loves an excuse to wear a costume outside of October. You'll be surprised to see your guests arriving as Woody, Buzz, Aaron Ralston, King Henry IV and more. It doesn't just have to be limited to film characters either. You're bound to have the inevitable party pooper who doesn't want to dress up. That's where disguising as an Oscar-attending celebrity is also an option. 

DO make snacks and desserts that relate to the Oscars. A cake that's decorated like a director's "cut" board. Cookies shaped like the Oscar trophies. (Bakerella.com has a fabulous demonstration on how to execute this.) Cupcakes displayed on top of a collage of miniature movie posters from the nomination list. At least serve popcorn, the ultimate movie-related food.

DO nod to the nominees in your decor and food. Hang ballet slippers (Black Swan) and Wrestling gloves (The Fighter) on the wall, display a spinning top on the coffee table (Inception), serve Slurpees or snowcones ("That's no Slurpee," 127 Hours). You get the idea. Incorporate your favorite parts of each movie into your party. 

DO your best to make your space feel like the Kodak Theater. Have a red carpet. Serve sparkling cider. 

You might have noticed that I didn't give you any "don'ts." That's because it's your party, and you're going to enjoy the Oscars differently than I am. These are just some ideas. Heck, my Oscar night will probably consist of a few close friends, greasy pizza, making cupcakes and rooting hardcore for James Franco.

The key to making the party your own is a perfect blend of classy Oscar-ness and kitschy film-related aspects.

Happy Awards Season!

Uncharted Territory: Creative Writing Non Fiction

As a journalism major, I've been concocting non fiction pieces for the past four years. Inverted pyramid. The UNT percussion ensemble performed Tuesday night at the Murchinson Performing Arts Center. Denton's historic Square is hosting the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Friday night. Facts. Concrete, informative facts. I mean, I've had some creative liberties and I've really tried to take them. I always tried to take advantage of the fact that I don't have to start a story with that boring string of facts that'll send any reader's eyes on to the next story. There's the delayed lead, you know. If I can start with a conversation between the audience members that epitomizes that percussion concert, I'm definitely going to do it.

This semester I'm in English 3160: Creative Writing Non Fiction. I didn't exactly understand what that would entail. To be frank, I needed another upper level English course (which I preferred to be writing over literature) and this one fit my schedule. I walk in the first day, surrounded by an array of creative types. There's the guy next to me with a music composition sheet he's scribbling away on. There's the outspoken one near the front. A quiet girl slips in and keeps flipping her head around to observe the other students. And then the professor stumbles inside a few minutes late and starts babbling. I immediately know this is going to be one of those classes I'm never going to forget.

It turns out the professor has her bachelor's in Journalism and her master's in Creative Writing. This REALLY excites me. I'm in an English class, yet the professor is actually going to understand me. Instead of looking at me like: "Yeah, there's that practical writer. How boring is she?" I know that she's going to understand that journalism can be beautiful and artful, too. It's not just news updates. As much as I loathed Feature Writing with Dr. Getschow at first, it's what I've grown to love the most. I loathed it because it challenged me. It pushed me to write more passionately, and encouraged me to reach into the depths of my soul to write a personal essay.

And that is the type of writing that I really want improve on. The one that doesn't require a formula. In fact, it celebrates breaking the rules.

My prof did a mini bashing session on news writing and its formulaicness (yes, there is a red squiggly line under this word that I apparently invented just now, and I'm choosing to ignore it) and I can appreciate that to an extent. No, it's not always attractive, but it gets the job done. (Which is to inform its audience.) She also acknowledged that other areas of journalism can be artistic and can color a little outside the lines.This is where you get into literary journalism, investigative pieces and more New Yorker-type stories. 

I'm thrilled to be taking this course. Heck, I'm thrilled to read the textbook. Since it is CREATIVE WRITING, it's actually well-written, witty material. I think it's going to challenge me as a writer. I write about myself a lot here on my blog, but I rarely do in the form of memoir or personal essay. I'm going to have to write about things I don't like to talk about because those are the things that make for the most riveting stories. If I get the guts, I might even share with you some of the pieces that I create.

"What good, alive writing always comes down to is an individual--one person, writing in a way not quite like anyone else's, yet enough like everyone else's (grammar, structure, language, syntax, content, form) that other humans can make sense of it. And past mere sense comes emotion, from the rawest--anger, fear, joy--to the most refined: intellectual pleasure." (The Art of Truth, Bill Roorbach)

And yes, that is from my textbook!

The Final Semester Begins.

Today was my last first day of college. Ever.

I think I'm the opposite of most college seniors. It seems the overwhelming majority of students in my position can't wait to be finished, to never take an exam again and to move on to "real" life. I, on the other hand, am shaking in my boots. Once I walk the stage, I'm not sure what will become of me. I'd like to think I have a pretty good resume. I did my time at the NT Daily. I've interned in several different areas. Editorially at The Dallas Observer and at Gateway Church. I also tried my hand at public relations with Big Ink PR last semester. But is it enough?

I know of many journalism grads who haven't found a career-oriented job yet. And, most of them had great internships and are great at what they do. Okay, it's not completely bleak. I know of several grads who found jobs in the field and are having the times of their lives. I just really hope that I'm one of them. 

That means this semester I will be applying my butt off for various writing jobs. I will be religiously be keeping up with Twitter chats like #EntryChat and will continue following PR and journalism pros. In spite of this job-scarce market, I won't let myself stop dreaming about where my career can take me.

Review: Take Me Home Tonight

Over the weekend, I went to see a movie at Cinemark Plano and a man approached me and gave me a free pass to see a preview screening of "Take Me Home Tonight." Last night I went.

"Take Me Home Tonight" is a Relativity Media film starring Topher Grace and Anna Farris. The film takes place over the course of one night. Think "Night at the Roxburry" or "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist." The high school class of 1984 has just graduated from college. Grace's character, Matt Franklin, graduated from MIT and is working at Suncoast Video in a mall. Matt, his twin sister Wendy (Farris) and his best friend Barry Nathan (Dan Folger) are all going to a wild Labor Day party hosted by Wendy's high school sweetheart. Matt spends the entire night trying to get his high school crush Tori Fredericking (Teresa Palmer) to like him. 

Thinking about the plot of this movie, it seems that it should be starring Seth Rogen, Michael Cera and Zach Galifianakis. I was refreshed to see a different cast in this stupid-humor comedy. Topher Grace seemed to have dropped out of the public eye for a while, so I was pleasantly surprised to see him back on the big screen. It was also nice to see Anna Farris stepping out from her ditzy blonde role. (Literally. She is brunette for the film.)

Before the movie, a Relativity Media rep came up to talk about the film. Besides trying to get us to tell everyone about the movie and to follow them on Twitter, his big point was that this movie was a nod to the John Hughes era. I'm thinking, "Okay. This is set in the 80s. How can they try to compare themselves to such classics?"

Topher Grace also made a 60 second appearance to introduce the film. 1) Do you like John Hughes moives? 80s music? 2) Most importantly, do you like to party your f****** a***** off?! The crowd cheered as Grace disappeared into a seat in the audience to watch the film with us.

Let me just say this: I WANT THIS SOUNDTRACK. The best of the 80s, truly.

Grace's character reminded me of Patrick Dempsy's ultra nerd of "Can't Buy Me Love," even down to the suit outfit he wears to the Labor Day party. He just can't seem to get anything right. He walks up to Tori "freaking" Fredericking, as he calls her to his friends, and starts talking about his mad athleticism in windsurfing. That's what Tori listed in the high school yearbook as a hobby. Turns out she isn't really interested in it and Matt is just digging himself into a hole. 

Just-fired-from-my-job-so-I-want-to-be-wild Barry Nathan (Folger) was a great counterpart to Matt, who is afraid of everything in life from asking a girl out to finding a good career. Barry's motto of the night, which he also impresses on Matt, t is "Don't think. Just do." You can only imagine what shenanigans this might lead to.

Honestly, it was a 2000s version of a John Hughes. Just sprinkle in some cocaine, nudity and newer 2000s humor. I didn't expect a deep plot or twists and turns. I expected a good laugh, and that's what I got. I was highly entertained, and I certainly enjoyed the 80s ponytails, the shoulder pads and neon suits. I didn't leave the theater in deep thought, left to ponder life's biggest questions. I left wanting to go out and have some fun of my own. It's the kind of movie I'll want to own and watch at night when I can't sleep.

"Take Me Home Tonight" hits theaters March 4. If you've had enough of teenage comedies that are all bathroom humor and dirty jokes, go see "Take Me Home Tonight" for a different kind of laugh that'll take you back to the golden years of teen comedy.

 

 

Note to the advertisers: I really, really hope you don't put all the best parts of this movie into the trailer. I was lucky that I hadn't heard or seen much about this movie prior to viewing. Don't give it all away.

Posterous

My brother Paul was watching me update my blog via Blogger and was literally lurching at my laptop he was so frustrated with how confusing Blogger can be. "Please just use Posterous!" he said. "It's so much easier."

So here I am. On Posterous.

He made it for me a while ago, but now I'm going to start using it. Never fear, 7 followers, my blog at sheatellefsen.blogspot.com will still be active. When I post via Posterous, it will update Blogger too.

Here goes.

Biking Adventure: White Rock Lake

First off, I've been attempting to write this blog all week long. AND I have a super awesome excuse as to why it's just being posted today. Two actually. (1) I kept trying to sign into my Blogger account from the wrong email. I'm clearly a very smart, almost college grad. (2) My laptop literally had 0 KB and clearly had no room for uploading photos. So there's that.

I had serious cabin fever last Thursday. Like will do anything to leave this house, will literally end someone's life if I watch another episode of daytime television kind of cabin fever. My dad took the whole week off work, and my dad is the kind of guy who will pull you off your butt and throw you on the racquetball court or the elliptical machine. He works out three times a week, and has his whole life. No fail. Today the grand idea was...a bike ride. (Okay, so this may sound a little sarcastic toward my dad. But once he gets you motivated to get up and do something active, it's ALWAYS a blast.) So after careful consideration, we decided to take on the 10 mile White Rock Lake Trail.

We were truly geared up. Camelback full of water. Helmets. Gloves. Sunglasses. I was really excited. "I can do this, right!?"

One mile into the trail I. AM. DYING. I felt so incredibly pitiful. I hadn't biked since the summer, and my work out schedule this past semester was less than satisfactory. But there's Dad a few (okay, several) paces in front of me saying with a little grin, "Come on, Shea! You can do it!"

A mile or two-ish later, I worked past that oh-my-gosh-I-can't-do-this pain and was really starting to enjoy the ride as we arrived at the lake. Every hill, I would think I wasn't going to make it but then I'd get to the top. And I'd get to coast to the bottom. Did I mention the wind wasn't at our backs? Makes hills alllll the more frustrating. Yes, it's possible that I yelled at the wind while I was on a hill by myself. Don't judge. The wind didn't. It just pushed at me harder.

We saw lots of interesting people on the trail, too. Some couples riding tandem. A unicyclist, and, no, I'm not kidding. He was seriously biking the trail, too. Two 15 year olds on a roller blading date. Try this motivation on for size: packs of seemingly semi-professional cyclists. The matching uniforms and everything. When I felt like giving up, I wouldn't. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of people who were probably on their way to biking 20 miles that day.

Probably halfway through the trail, dad's pedal started getting loose. He had literally packed every tool in the Camelback...except the pedal tightener. On our way back, we came across a bike shop where they so kindly tightened the pedal for us.

At the end of the trail there are lots of little bridges. My dad's favorite thing to do was speed across them. At the last bridge he says, "Push it! Go as fast as you can!" I pushed my legs as fast as they would go, which wasn't full full full speed ahead. But you know what? I made it. I biked 10 miles on a windey, hilly trail with my super athletic dad.

I plan on doing these biking adventures more frequently. I could really get into this.