A day in Paris (aka T in Anna Oliphants footsteps)

Both Jeannie and I are massive Stephanie Perkins fans. We love the swoony-ness of her books and can't wait to *flail* over Isla and the Happily Ever After once it is out next year. Back in March we even managed to visit some of the places in San Francisco that are mentioned in Lola and the Boy Next Door.

So when I made plans to go on a daytrip to Paris (it's only 3hrs by train - Europe is awesome) for the Marc Jacobs Exhibit I was also thinking of visiting some of the places from Anna and the French Kiss.

Below the cut you'll find a massive picture spam from my time in Paris. If you have NOT read AatFK yet, be warned, you might get spoilt. Enjoy!

Review: Jeremy Renner in The Bourne Legacy (aka: Watch me use the word "AWESOME" as many times as I can!)

First of all, Tanja will wake up to see that there's a blog post on the site. Surprise! Secondly, I LOVE JEREMY RENNER. You know me, you know my love for Jeremy Renner is limitless. How can you not love this man? Seriously?

When I first heard they were continuing the Bourne series, I was ECSTATIC! Then I heard Matt Damon would not reprise his role as Jason Bourne, I was like:

Who else would be able to surpass Matt Damon as the quintessential amnesiac secret CIA operative? WHO?! No one, that's who. Then I saw Damon in the previews for "I Bought a Zoo:"

Uhhh, ok, I get it now. Matt Damon no longer fit the profile for a secret agent and has since moved on to movies about...well, buying a zoo. Da fuq? So that left to question who or what the next Bourne movie was about. Imagine my utter delight to find out this hotness was filling in the vacated shoes of Damon:

Yes, please.

The premise for the movie at first almost seemed like a reboot of the first movie, The Bourne Identity, establishing Renner as Aaron Cross, a CIA operative from an uber secret organization sanctioned by our United States government to genetically alter humans to become super awesome. And by super awesome I definitely mean to be ass-kickingly hot and able to handle weapons with killer broodiness and unexpected compassion and vulnerability which was viewed as a "flaw" in their programming. Not much is known about Aaron Cross other than his greatest desire which is to not "revert" back to his original programming before the CIA and their program, Outcome (if you are a fan of the original three Bourne movies, Outcome is a branch of Treadstone and Blackbriar) found him as a young army survivor in Iran after an IED bombing. Yes, they were able to rebuild him. Literally.

Unlike the first set of operatives from Treadstone (not much is known about Blackbriar), the Outcome agents seem to have more advance cognitive skills and enhanced physical abilities that were programmed into their DNA by a purposefully introduced viral infection. To maintain these newly acquired attributes, operatives must dose themselves with pills that basically keep the virus working to continue enhancing them. These pills, or chems, as they call them, must be taken daily to avoid retrograde of the virus. Aaron Cross most certainly does not want to miss a dose.

In fact, he's so addicted to being awesome (and lets face it, you would be too if you looked like Renner) when Treadstone starts to go toe up during the whole Bourne Ultimatum debacle (remember when that reporter was threatening to go take a Treadstone expose public, Pam Landy was testifying during a Senate Committee hearing and Julia Stiles went rogue and cut her hair?)when he'd been out doing training exercises, the CIA decides to 86 the program his first priority is to find the drugs. And by 86 I mean to switch their pills from green and blue to the big bad triangle yellow ones. And by that I mean, they were offing the agents one by one. And by that I mean they were being killed by their creators.

And if you were in the theater with me and my friend Georgette at the 9:25pm showing Thursday night at Saratoga 14 you would have heard her say, "Oh No! What a WASTE! He was HOTTTT!!!" Yes Georgette, movies do not discriminate. Even the hot ones die. It's a tragedy, I know.

So without giving away the whole movie, Aaron meets up with, er, I mean he tracks down Dr. Marta Shearing, who was one of the doctors that engineered the viral compound to build the awesome operatives. This man needs the pills, lady. Long story short, he and Dr. Marta head to the Philippines because, quite honestly, what's a Bourne movie without international travel that brings on that tense scene of trying to get through airport security with your fake I.D.? And just like the first movie where you couldn't really understand why Jason and Marie would even like each other much less fall in love in the end, you really understand the potential liability and risk an operative like Aaron would encounter when he lets someone into his heart. (cue the awwws, now).

Don't get me wrong, there is no sappy love story here. What it is though, is a fundamental understanding of how we as humans need to behave. We are not meant to be lone wolves in life. Even wolves cannot survive on their own. We are made to be pack animals, we are stronger, faster, smarter and more awesome in groupings and pairs and this movie fully illustrates that point. There is an interesting parallel in the movie between Aaron and Marta running for their lives, each one only as strong as the weaker one and going up against another operative, you can guess who won that fight. What it shows is vulnerability and compassion do not make for a weaker human, because what's stronger than the desire of the human heart? Nothing, my friend, the answer is nothing.

In summary, I really think this movie held up to the high expectations the original Bourne movies set up. It's near perfect in my estimation, but there's hardly a thing Renner can do that I won't love, so take my comments with a grain of sea salt. I will say however, that I am not a fan of Rachael Weisz but after this movie, I may be convinced that Mrs. James Bond is herself, pretty awesome too.

Fans of the original Bourne movies: Go see this movie, you won't be disappointed.
Fans of Jeremy Renner: It would be considered criminal to NOT see this movie.
Never seen a Bourne movie before: Start with Bourne Identity, not this movie but then work your way to this movie.
Fans of awesome: Watching this movie will make you more awesome. Trust.

Daily "Squeeee!"

Sometimes, we are so excited about certain books that we end up preordering them months in advance before we even know what they are about (see, for example, The Fault in our Stars).


This time it was Chris Colfers first novel called The Land of Stories.


There has been so much talk about this in advance that I COULD.NOT.WAIT. to have this book. I kept checking Amazon over and over the last few days after it has been released waiting (im)patiently for it being finally shipped.  


And here it is!!!

mah face

Sadly, Jeannie's copy has still not been shipped so I will start reading and try not to spoil too much for her and you guys will get a thorough review once we both are finished.

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (aka How T and I Learned About Jase and All His Swoony Goodness First)

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man (aka: Girls Like Superhero Movies Too)

Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner.

Movie Review: Snow White and the Huntsman (aka: How This Movie Made Me a Fan of Sam Claflin)

In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

Review: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

for a Second Chance Summer playlist go here

orginally posted here 

“You are the child of my heart, and I know you’ll make me proud. You already have, every day, just by being yourself.”

Taylor’s family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it’s stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

originally posted here

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

originally posted here

“I’ve left some clues for you.

If you want them, turn the page.

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

originally posted here

Sixteen-year-old Maya and seventeen-year-old Lochan have never had the chance to be 'normal'. Having pulled together for years to take care of their younger siblings while their wayward, drunken mother leaves them to fend alone, they have had to become much more than simply brother and sister. And now, they have fallen in love. But this is a love that can never be allowed, a love that will have devastating consequences... How can something so wrong feel so right?

Review: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

orignially posted here

Who is the real Mclean?

Since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, Mclean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Review: Letting Go by Jeanette Grey

originally posted here


Between taking care of his dying father and putting himself through college, David Mackenzie is approaching his breaking point. A twenty-year-old virgin, he doesn’t have the time or energy to date or socialize. When his father agrees to try medicinal marijuana as a treatment option, David meets an attractive, outgoing young man named Zev, who becomes the friend David never realized he needed. David’s father is nearing the end of his life, and Zev is becoming far more than a shoulder to lean on — he might be David’s first opportunity to embrace life and let go.

Review: Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

originally posted here

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out. 

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare. 

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

Pain, Ink, and Inspiration (Or “Jeannie Gets a Tattoo and Lives to Tell About It”)

So, I got a tattoo today. Really, nbd. Just kidding, it’s a HUGE deal! 


I’ve been thinking about getting one for the last 20 years or so but was never certain about what I’d get or where I’d get it. I’m really glad I waited because if I had gotten one at 19 I’d be stuck with a floral tramp stamp, I’m almost sure of it. So I approached getting a tattoo much like I approach most things, I wanted something that made me happy and something I could look at every day and be proud of. Basically, I just wanted to really feel like getting this would make it a part of who I am and what’s important to me. What’s important to me? My family, my kids, especially, books, the written word, creativity and fun. I wanted never to lose myself in what society thinks of me, whether it’s a career path I’ve taken or whether someone has labelled me “Mom” or “wife” or “geek,” I want a reflection of who I am to be evident in everything I do, essentially, make my life an inspiration of things that are important to me. I want to inspire. Inspire my kids to be good, kind sould, I want to inspire strangers to be courteous and thoughtful and I want to inspire... SHUT UP JEANNIE.

Really, people just want to know one thing: HOW BAD DID IT HURT?!

Review: Forever Freed by Laura Kaye

originally posted here

A heart can break, even one that no longer beats.

I stalk my new neighbors, a single mother and her child, drawn by the irresistible scent of their joy and love. I crave their blood, starved for some healing respite from my ancient grief. Now to lure them into my grasp.

But they surprise me. Little Olivia accepts me without fear or reservation—talking, smiling, offering innocent affection that tugs at my long-lost humanity. Her mother, Samantha, seeks me out when she should stay away, offering sweet friendship, and calling to the forgotten man within me. They lure me instead.

Ah, Dio, Lucien, run and spare them while you can…

Is Clarifying Randomness a Paradox? (or From “Pie to Glambert”)

People that follow both of us on Twitter keep telling us how funny our conversations are. Which confused us very much because this is just how we talk.


A typical conversation on Twitter between us:
@TheyCallMeT_: Tomorrow’s a holiday, I can sleep in!
@gojeannie: Great! Maybe you should eat pancakes.
@TheyCallMeT_: what is with your sudden interest in pancakes lately? You’ve had them three times this week already, once for dinner.
@gojeannie: They are nom good. Almost as delicious as Jeremy Renner.
@TheyCallMeT_: OMG, did you see the gif I tweeted you? It’s this Avengers/Glee AU where Tony and Steve are Blaine’s DADS. Isn’t that All Kinds of GREAT?
@gojeannie: SO PERFECT. I totally see it. Dude, I’m currently obsessed with nutella, did I tell you?
@TheyCallMeT_: are you putting them on your pancakes?
@gojeannie: ...genius! What would I do without you?


Conversation elaborated for dramatic effect, in the event of an actual twitter conversation between us there would be many more mentions of Jeremy Renner and/or Darren Criss. (only short excerpt, this convo could go on and on and on with talks about books, movies, tv shows, celebs, music, fashion, RL stuff ie)


Do you ever do that train of thought thing in your head where you think of something:

Pie.

Then you take that thought and go to another level with it:

The crust is definitely my favorite thing about pie.

And from there it just kind of escalates into something that bears no resemblance to the original thought at all:

The word “crust” reminds me of that goop that’s in the corner of my eye in the morning after I’ve fallen asleep and forgot to take off my eye makeup.

And then it starts to frightenly devolve:

Eye makeup. Guyliner. I wonder what my hubs would look like wearing guy liner. Would he be more Adam Lambert or Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day?

And that’s how you go from pie to Glambert.

Well if that’s ever happened in your head then you kind of get where most of our conversations on Twitter can go. Not that we make any apologies for it, we just want to make you all well aware that following us or this blog may spiral your path of thinking into the depths of confusion. “WTF?!” is a perfectly logical reaction to most things we say. I do believe there was a conversation once about the taste of unicorns. I do believe we determined that they taste like Darren Criss. (Or was it Darren Criss that tastes like unicorns? We may never find out) Mmmm, Darren Criss...nom nom nom...

And...we’ve explained nothing. Yet, again.

WTF?!

Daily "Squeeee!"

Today, I got a letter from New York. Seeing that I life in Germany I don't usually get mail from New York so I was of course curious to see what it was.


Inside was this: 

A letter with the Penguin Group header, "signed" by Dutton Books and a signed bookplate from John Green!!!


You probably wonder now how I came to get this so below is what happened.

The backstory: 
Back in June 2011, John Green announced that he would sign every copy of the first print of his new book The Fault In Our Stars (which is supermegafoxawesome and Jeannie will actually write a real review about it now that she FINALLY read the damn book). (See video here) This means about 150,000 books to be signed until November. So of course everyone went and preordered and anxiously waited for the book release in early January of this year.


As a big John Green fan I, of course, went a head and preordered the book. Sadly, my copy arrived unsigned, as did a lot of other copies order from Amazon UK and Amazon DE. John Green did something amazing tho. After signing all the books he went ahead and send out signed bookplates for everyone that preordered but didn't get his signature.

So this is the very much uninteresting tale of how I came to get a letter from Dutton Books. If you have NOT read The Fault In Our Stars yet (or any other John Green book) WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? In case you are still not sure if you want to read it, here is a video of John Green reading the first chapter and also the second chapter.

Review: If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman

originally posted here

 In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck... A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

originally posted here

DUFF: abv. for Designated Ugly Fat Friend; Term men use to describe a fatter, less attractive friend, a woman brings with her to a party or social gathering to make herself look better by comparison. In some cases the more attractive woman will not "put out" for any male, unless one of his friends "takes one for the team" and "hits" the Duff. -- from UrbanDictionary.com

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Review: Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

 

originally posted here 


Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. 

Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. 

Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

 

originally posted here

 Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

 

originally posted here

There were once two sisters
who were not afraid of the dark
because the dark was full of the other's voice
across the room,
because even when the night was thick
and starless
they walked home together from the river
seeing who could last the longest
without turning on her flashlight,
not afraid
because sometimes in the pitch of night
they'd lie on their backs
in the middle of the path
and look up until the stars came back
and when they did,
they'd reach their arms up to touch them
and did.      

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

originally posted here


Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

 

originally posted here

"I did not expect to love his words. I did not expect to find myself in them. Is falling in love with someones story the same thing as falling in love with the person himself?"

Review: Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

originally posted here

Grace is fascinated by the wolves in the woods behind her house; one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. Sam leads two lives. In winter, he stays in the frozen woods. In summer, he has few months to be human. Grace and Sam finally meet and realize they can't bear to be apart. Sam must fight to stay human - or risk losing himself, and Grace, for ever.

Hello! Hallo! Ciao! Salut!

Where do we start? So there’s the two of us. And we are friends. Not just regular pals but we’re besties of the best kind. Kindred souls. Same Brain Theory, it’s all very scientific and kismet-y. But before we bore you with the tale of our girlmance (we totally just made that up!) we think the only relevant thing you need to know is that we have a lot of things we find funny, interesting, touching, disgusting, and incredible we’d like to share and because really, it’s just too good to keep to ourselves. Most of what we will share will come in the form of book reviews, television show recaps and/or reaction posts, fashion reviews of stuff we like (we are by no means experts but we know what we like), and at times we may even fangirl (Fangirling will only commence after proper and adequate warning is issued so as not to offend).  

A few ground rules: we will always keep things SFW and PG, because honestly, we have kids! (ok, only Jeannie does at the time of this writing and even though they are not old enough to surf the web yet, it’s only a matter of time before they uncover all our internet follies and we’d like for them to NOT know everything we do *eyebrow waggle* ifyouknowhatImean...) PG technically means “with Parental Guidance” which means there may or may not include mention of Jeremy Renner’s butt, but no naked pictures of such (we just lost all our followers!). Also, we don’t do hate here, so if you want to hate on something we post we will delete your rude and hateful comment. You know a blogger loses his wings every time a comment is deleted so lets all be respectful here, ok? And that’s it! We’ll keep it simple, keep you entertained (hopefully) and keep the bar open until 10pm. What? Nevermind.