Life's instructions

1. Have a firm handshake

2. Look people in the eye

3. Sing in the shower

4. Own a great stereo system

5. If in a fight, hit first and hard

6. Keep secrets

7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.

8. Always accept an outstretched hand. Be the bigger man.

9. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be (no one can tell the difference).

10. Whistle - or learn how to.

11. Avoid sarcastic remarks

12. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this decision will come 90% of your happiness and/or misery.

13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out

14. Lend only those books you never care to see again!

15. Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.

16. When playing games with children, always let them win (or face the consequences)

17. Give people a second chance, but not a third

18. Be romantic.

19. Become the most positive enthusiastic person you know

20. Loosen up, relax, take it easy. Nothing is as important as it first seems.

21. Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the callers.

22. Be a good loser

23. Be a good winner!

24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret

25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go. (warning: this may cause never ending hugs)

26. K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid!)

27. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.

28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose

29. Don't burn bridges, you'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.

30. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did.

31. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

32. Remember no one makes it alone. Be grateful and acknowledge those who helped you.

33. Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.

34. Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; that may be you one day.

35. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.

36. Once in a while, take the scenic route. There's more adventure

37. Send a lot of Valentine cards, and sign them "from someone who thinks you're terrific"

38. Answer the phone with a smile on your face, they can hear it in your voice.

39. Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 am

40. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.

41. Send your loved ones flowers, think of a reason later.

42. Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.

43. Become someone's hero.

44. Marry only for love.

45. Count your blessings.

46. Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home

47. Wave at the children on a school bus

48. Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.

49. Don't expect life to be fair.

50. Write down your memories for future reference.

Free Fonts Find!

No need to thank me...

(but you're welcome :) )

I found some smokin' retro fonts for this New Year! Time to kick it up with some new invites, pretty letters, and any DIY you can think of with these new alphabets.

And I promise, these are just a few of them!

I tried to link every photo to the website where you can get the download, but just in case it didn't work, click here to link to Demilked magazine for free retro fonts!

Enjoy typing <3


ps. show me what you create! e-mail me at curlsandfrills@gmail.com, or comment below!

Sherlock Holmes -- a game of shadows

Overall, I was pleased with this movie.

Pleased. Not overjoyed/ecstactic/amazed.

I think we can all agree that the first Sherlock Holmes was brilliant. Visually amazing, beautifully casted and acted, and the entire plot was one twisty turn after another. 
This plot however, wasn't all that I had hoped it would be.
!!????
My main question would be; what happened?
This movie was one of those that you really have to think and follow along with the story, because every detail is important. 
I'm still not sure how the gypsy brother became involved. 


Well, let's start with..


likes
1. The imaging was amazing, such a beautiful movie
2. Robert Downing Jr. (<3)
3. Jude Law (<3 <3)
4. I loved the costuming, it was perfect for the time period (1890s), and characterized Holmes, Watson, and the Madame Simz very well. 
5. I really can't say enough about how beautiful this movie was. Not only the cinematography, but the scenery and the costumes, and the special effects. b e a u t i f u l
6. Special effects! Especially during the scene where they were running away from the industrial weapons factory in Germany. The way it was filmed and slowed in the movie made it so intense and dramatic that I absolutely loved it!
7. Oh definitely the acting. As always Robert Downing Jr played the part to perfection, Holmes is absolutely my favorite character. Jude Law did a fantastic job as well, there really is no describing how incredible I think that man is.


dislikes
1. The plot. I understood what was happening (sort of) at the end, but really - I'm still very confused. Lemme lay it out for ya
spoiler alert!
The professor (Moriarty) is a bad guy (duh). Holmes has this theory that all of these bombings and industry tycoons deaths are connected through Moriarty. The entire movie is their quest to prove it and take him down. So Holmes challenges Moriarty, so the evil professor retaliates by trying to kill Watson and his new bride on the way to Brighton for their honeymoon. Of course they get away, and Holmes and Watson start off for France to find the Gypsy. Whose brother is crucial to defeating Moriarty. I didn't really catch how... They find the gypsy (madame simz), and then head to Paris to find her brother - who was at one point involved in the anarchist movement of the time. They find the anarchist headquarters, only to find no brother. But Holmes uncovers information leading to a bomb plot which he believes is in the Opera house. Only its not, it's at a hotel where a "peace treaty" of sorts is being discussed. 
That's as far as I'll go, because the plot becomes easier to follow from there. 
2. There were too many loose ends spoiler alert! Like when that girl died? (whats her name? The one Holmes loved?)
There wasn't a definite ending. I thought she was going to come back and I was very disappointed that she didn't.
3. Oh, one more thing about the plot. The very ending wasn't up to snuff. I won't spill the beans! But I didn't like how it happened. To abrupt.


There you have it folks! Sherlock Holmes, a game of shadows. Not-so-neatly wrapped in a box with a funky bow on the top. But it's a basic review nonetheless.


I hope you liked the movie ;)

I'm feeling directionless

Oh and I'm feeling directionless yes

But that's to be expected

And I know that best

And in creeps the morning

And another day's lost

You've just written wondering

And I reply fast

All you need to save me

All you need to save me

Call (call)

And I'll be curled on the floor hiding out from it all

And I won't take any other call

And I feel like a fool

So I'm going to stop troubling you

Buried in my yard

A letter to send to you

And if I forget

Or God forbid

Die too soon

Hope that you'll hear me

Know that I wrote to you

All you need to say to me

All you need to say to me

Is call (call)

And I'll be curled on the floor hiding out form it all

And I won't take any other call.

Tegan and Sara - Soil, Soil

Yudi Eli Photography

{Neil Simon's Lovers Retreat}

1. For a second I thought that was Sean and Juliette! I kinda freaked out.

"Make sure you water my plants thrice daily, but don't talk to them , because once you do they never stop, especially Jim." "Jim is the Ficus?"

"Come on son!"

"read my mind!" "I can't do that" "yes you can" "fine.... waffles!"

2. This is gonna be a disaster

3. Poor gus... shopping alone :(

4. Gus is gonna kill him.

5. ruh roh. The badguys are back

6. Why barbie??

"It's called being an adult. You should try it some time." "I'm wearing a mans robe."

7. Those girls just walked in with BYU shirts! I <3 BYU

8. This competition is awkward

9. That's the guy!!

"I wish someone had told me a long time ago that being an adult was about hanging out with cool people and making fun of other people."

"I admit that I was seduced by delicious flavor!"

"You're acting like a child Sean!"

"I'M NOT ACTING!"

"I've never seen a girl eat like that, except in caveman drawings..."

10. I hate the way she laughs.

"Explains your face." "Is it obvious?" "It looks like spam."

11. Why did he close his eyes when he said that?

"And every bite of delicious lobster was a buttery reminder of your face."

"Clive and Barbie are cold blooded murderers who lie and make tennis dates they have no intention of keeping."

12. Mind reading? yes. But no.

"How many ways can we think of to kill ourselves?"

"You never, NEVER tell a crazy woman where you are." "She's not crazy!" "Yes she is."

"Piracy makes me sick!"

"You guys are horrible people, but your so cool!"

"I hate my family.... I don't have a son and if I did I'd hate him too."

13. I didn't see that one coming. I thought he was the nice guy!

"Worst gentlemen's weekend ever."

"People are never what they seem to be. Except on reality TV"

"I think after this weekend, I can go without seeing you guys for a while."

"It's much hotter than I was anticipating.." "It's jalapeno cheddar!"

"Spencer get your head in the game, I'm gonna kill you!"

14. Lassie is enjoying this waaaay too much.

"What do you think, I'm a gymnast?"

"Do you wanna see how long it takes for this grape to hit the ground?" "Yes, I really do!"

"Sorry Phillipe"

"tag team champions."

15. THAT'S WHY HE WAS FREAKING OUT OVER THE NINTENDO SO MUCH!!!! I THINK I'M GONNA DIEEE!!!

Nativ(ity) hobby

I haven't been around for a while...

In my defense, finals have almost literally sucked the life out of me. I had French III, AP english, AP US history, Physics, Alg II trig, and even PE to worry about, so I've been stressed out these past two weeks. 

But have no fear, I am here!

This morning on my way to school, me and my friend Cambrea were talking about nativities. And I realized that maybe it's a little bit of an abnormal thing to have 16+ nativities scattered throughout your home. But that's ok, I like it that way :) 

(wow I'm on a rhyming role!)

So I took pictures of some of my favorite nativities for you lovely readers to enjoy.

I love the ornamental painting on this one. It's a simple set-up, but the details are brilliant.

I don't know where we got this one, but I love it because of the fact that it's basically aluminum molded and pressed into shapes and images. The bumps give you the picture..

I can't even begin to imagine how long that took, or how many beads they used.

Actually, I think they're wood shavings... not straw. 

This is made completely out of colored aluminum. 
I kid you not.

This one was kind of blurry, I did my best to edit it... but it didn't turn out like I wanted. I posted it anyways because you have to see the details on my Wise men.

These are my metal men.
I am very intrigued with their "metalness." 
I love the sparkles, the marbled look, and the curly-wirey detail on each of them.

This is one of my favorite nativities. It's so simple. It reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas,
Christ's birth.


xoxo

{The Tao of Gus}

All warm and cozy? 

Good! Get ready for yet another fantastical episode of Psych!

"Serious business? You're going to the opening of a new cupcake store."

"Bring me back a red velvet."

1. Will Gus ever realize he never actually GETS the girl?

"A crime in progress, she's stealing my heart. But I'm not pressing charges."

2. I actually like his cheesy pickup lines. Don't judge.

"That's the weirdest flirting I've ever heard."

3. Gus always picks the crazy ones.

"Whatdoya say we hit the lactose intolerant museum?"

"First of all, do not try to put me in a box. I'm a complicated man who likes complicated women, and brazilians. Secondly, I've seen you take a case based on a cat." "It was suspicious meowing."

"And don't think I didn't see Gus doing that thing with his lip, I really hope this isn't you being some elaborate wing-man."

"I hope nothing terrible happens to us."

4. That was inevitable. But I'm glad Juliet didn't get shot. She's too pretty.

5. This is getting creepy.

"We have a children, of the corn situation happening here."

"Fine, they'll die happy!"

"I'm Burton Guster. I'm just a man. A man who cares."

6. Why is she stroking him? Awk.

"I'm afraid I can't abide by those stifling restrictions."

7. Its a cult. Oh gosh.

"We're so far off the grid, I actually think we're back ON the grid."

8. Gus is lonely :(

9. The plot thickens.

"I don't love you." "Sweet."

"Dude, this is like footloose!"

10. Gus is playing dead! Haha :)

"You listen to me you little snoot, we're trying to help....!"

11. I don't like Internal Affairs

"I'm washing my bloomers. Well, truth be told, their community bloomers."

12. She's sooo creepy. And she has arm fat.

13. He's totally gonna get caught snooping

"Brother Gus, may I speak with you gently but sternly on the porch?"

"That kiss was not just between her and me, it was with everyone."

14. Gus has gone cult-o

"Short-cut the heck outa here!"

15. The plot thickens AGAIN!

16. I liked that puddle plowing :)

"We are not hippies here, we enjoy the serenities of nature."

17. Love circle!

"love love love love love love love..!"

"Eli, I'm gonna need to interrogate your entire herd of weirdos."

"Dare I even ask what you call this flowery gathering of nonsense?"

"The barn of truth."

"Keep it loose, speak freely, get it all out into the open."

"The gord of transparency please!"

"We have a history... he washed my bloomers."

18. Yeah she's a psycho with crazy arm fat.

19. Confusion confusion!

"Maybe when we get two gords we can solve that."

"Where's Jeff's hut?"

"You got a problem with us searching your hovel?"

20. Dead body! And slightly anti climactic. 

"You're so very close to me..."

"I'm a slave to love Jack, and Fashion."

21. Why does he take off his shoe?

22. She just brought him down.

"Are you eve gonna let me forget this?" "No I'm not."

80s Flashback

This morning, while getting ready for the annual Christmas Church Brunch, my mother pulled out a magical gift from her jewelry drawer. 

Pins.

Lots and lots of pins.

She handed them to me in a sort of non-chalont way, and said,

"I've been saving these for my kids, they were really popular to put on our jackets when I was younger."

so beautiful! 

My mom was voted "Most Stylish" by her Senior class. So receiving these pins was like seeing my cool-cat mom back in High School. Where all the girls probably looked at her clothes with a little green tint in their eyes, telling themselves that they would go out and find something like that next time they went shopping.

It's not like she grew up with the money to spend on her fashionista wardrobe. In fact, she grew up kind of poor. She worked for the money to buy her clothes, she did it all by herself. That's what I think she's most proud of. That she did it and no one else did. 

My new favorite commercials to watch are the BareEscential make-up commercials. I think they're message is so true, girls are forgetting that life isn't about being pretty. It's about getting out there, taking action, fixing mistakes, embracing flaws, and being yourself. I see my mom in that campaign. She inspires me to remember who I am. I'm not some princess waiting around for someone to fight my dragon. 

No way.

I'm my own force. And you can't stop me. 

My mom taught me to be my own kind of beautiful.

After all these thoughts ran through my head, I settled down with my pins on the table and meticulously placed each one on my jacket (well, almost each one. I still have a couple left over). I had to  pick and choose some of my favorites, so the end product turned out to be a very glitzy 80s jean jacket. 

Whenever I wear this jacket I think of my mom. Not only because she gave me these pins, but because they remind me of her and her determination to make the best of her circumstances and be a force for beauty.