Top Ten Tuesday: top 10 movies to see this Valentine's Day Part III

Today I am going to finish the whole list of 10 movies to see with your significant other or some friends! You can find the first two segments of the list here and here.

7. Amélie (2001)

This is hands down the best French movie I have ever seen, and let me just say I have seen dozens of French movies. Lighthearted yet full of life lessons, Amélie will not disappoint for a Valentine's Day movie date.

8. Love Actually (2003)

Pretty classic rom-com that tells the story of eight different couples. I don't know why, but I love seeing how many different stories evolve and intermingle. Oh, and did I mention Hugh Grant is in it?

9. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Need I say more? Classic, classic tale that will make you cry and warm your heart. Watch this and see how one radio call changes two people's lives forever.

10. Mamma Mia! (2008)

What is better than a musical in a movie? This is more for hanging out with your friends, but if you got a boyfriend/girlfriend who loves to sing and dance, this can work for couples too! I always dance to the Dancing Queen scene anyway (shamefully walks away).

I hope you all have a wonderful, sweet, and cozy Valentine's Day!

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 movies to see this Valentine's Day Part II

Picking up where we left off last week (Part I), I am here today to introduce three more of my favorite movies that I think are wonderful for Valentine's Day. Today's movies share one thing in common - they are all animation movies! Some may say animation movies are specifically for children, but I guarantee you that is totally not the case if you have seen these three!

4. Frozen (2013)

I'm sure everyone has already more or less heard of the hype about this movie. At first I was like, Disney movie, princesses and all? Come on, people, go see something more original. BUT! After I finally went to see the movie with my boyfriend two weeks ago, it blew my mind! It is hugely hilarious, beautiful, and the songs are so catchy everyone in my dorm is playing them on repeat!

5. Despicable Me 2 (2013)

If you ask me what is the funniest animation movie, I would definitely tell you Despicable Me without hesitating. But after seeing this sequel to the first movie, I realized I was wrong - Despicable Me 2 is even FUNNIER! As if that's even possible! I mean, who doesn't like to see a former-villain falling in love with a villain-busting crazy woman, not to mention the three cutest girls in the world, and a bunch of yellow minions dance around and speak gibberish English?

6. Up (2009)

Let me tell you something: you can never go wrong with Pixar and Disney. Up is a movie with a perfect combination of naiveté, humor, beautiful animation, and.... unexpected romance!

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Movies to see this Valentine's Day Part I

Hey y'all!! With this cold weather going on where I am, I cannot wait to have some warm-themed holiday, such as Valentine's Day. Today I'm here to share with you guys a few Valentine's day favorites of mine or movies that are coming soon in theaters. Watch them with your significant other, or just some friends!

1. Valentine's Day (2010)

Of course, this is a must. I like the multiple story lines and how they cater to all kinds of audiences. Plus, can the fact that Jessica Alba and I share the same birthday be a reason why I like this movie?















2. The Proposal (2009)

Definitely not your classic rom-com. But a hilarious, heartwarming one still! Prepare yourself for some of the funniest couple-y scenes in the history of movies.

















3. Music and Lyrics (2007)

Another beautiful film that borderlines artsy and hipster. Full of mellow, amazing music, good laughs, and hot romance.


















Toodles until next Tuesday!
xx
Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: quick hunger fixes (Part III)

***click here for Part I and here for part II***

Finding myself writing about food late at night once again should be argument enough that this is going to be a good post. And yes, I promise it will be good.

7. Apple slices and cheese

(source)

Many of you probably have heard of or have had grapes with cheese, but how many of you knew apple slices go just as well with cheese? The crispy sweetness and slight juiciness of apples complement the harder texture and more pungent taste of cheese extremely well. 

And if you're feeling fancier, I dare you to try an apple grilled cheese.

(source)

8. Strawberries and Nutella

(source)

Living in a dorm means that you gotta love all things to do with dips. Be it salsa, Nutella, or hummus, everything dipped is just easy to fix and usually super yummy to eat. This strawberries and Nutella combination should be pretty self-explanatory. But the taste! Yum. It'll surprise you for sure.

9. hummus and chips

(source)

What did I say about dips again? Yummmm. What's better is that these two things in this quick hunger fix are pretty easy to find in grocery stores or school stores all over campus!

10. Microwave scrambled eggs

(source)

Got eggs? Craving scrambled eggs but ran out of meals in your meal plan? No problem! All you need is a microwavable bowl or plate that is not too shallow and however many eggs you want (preferably two or three). Crack the eggs and pour them in, add a little bit of salt, and whisk them until everything is combined. Since every microwave is different, I'll just tell you what I like to do, and you can test it out on your microwave to see if it works: I put it in for one minute on high, and it'll come out just right. This recipe is perfect for brunches, complete with microwave toast and perhaps some chunky peanut butter :D

Happy eating!

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: quick hunger fixes (Part II)

***Click here for Part I***

Yay! More yummy food! As I'm writing this late at night, my stomach is starting to protest... might actually get myself to the kitchenette in my dorm and fix myself one of these options later.

4. root beer float

(source)

This amazing drink/dessert combination is SUPER DUPER easy to make - just pour root beer into a glass and dump in a scoop (or two) vanilla ice cream and you're all set for deliciousness!

5. cookie dough dip

(source)

This is assured to fix your cravings for sweet and rich things. Dole out frozen cookie dough into a container and let it sit until the dough turns soft but still cold-ish. And then - dip animal crackers, Oreos, Saltines, whatever you feel like munching on really, into it and enjoy! 

This is great for when you have friends over to hang out or when you're pulling an all-nigher and just need some sugar.

6. Nutella & banana sandwich

(source)

Just looking at this picture makes my mouth water, no joke! This heavenly delicacy takes only about three minutes to make, and it can be easily done either in the cafeteria or in your dorm. Just toast one or two slices of bread and slather on Nutella generously. Then add banana slices on top, and you're all set for this crunchy, thick and chocolaty treat! Great for breakfast or an energy boost snack.

Hungry yet? Try your hand at some of these!

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: quick hunger fixes (Part I)

Now that I've been living in a dorm and going to classes and parties and football games and late-night Cheesie's runs (Cheesie's is this amazing grilled cheese place in town) for a while, I feel legit to declare myself as a college student. As most of you college kids out there would agree, I think food is a very important aspect of college life. I know that personally I can't focus on anything on an empty stomach, or after an unsatisfying meal (which could happen in the cafeteria sometimes..).

So today I'm here to start a new Top Ten Tuesday topic: food!!! Yayyyy :D 

And I'm not just talking about any food, I'm talking about easy-to-make snacks or DIYs that you could create in the cafeteria that are sure to leave your tastebuds content.

Without further ado:

1. EXTRA CHEESY Easy mac n' cheese

(source)

Throughout the weeks, I've started to discover that microwave mac n' cheese is a college/dorm life essential. Late night hunger pangs while rushing through an essay that's due at midnight? No problem - pop one of these plastic bowls into the microwave and you'll have deliciousness in three minutes! My personal favorite is the Kraft brand mac n' cheese, those pretty little blue bowls with mouthwatering pictures of mac n' cheese on top. 

How I usually make it is the EXTRA CHEESY way - where the instructions tell you to put water, I put milk. But NOTE THAT you shouldn't fill up to the line that's meant for water. Pour in enough milk so that it's just below the line. That should be good. Otherwise microwave catastrophes might ensue...

2. Chai Milk Tea

(source)

So I got these packets of chai tea (the bagged kind) from Whole Foods the other day... and it turns out they come out clear, just like green tea. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MILKY YUMMINESS that I'm used to call chai tea?!?

In order to solve this problem, after making tea the regular way (heating up water and seeping the tea bag for 3-5 minutes), I pour a little milk in and add honey. The reason why I added honey is because I think it's healthier than plain sugar yet gives the same sweetness that's essential to a good cup of chai. After discovering this way of making chai, I've been addicted to this drink. The cold weather helped further solidify this addiction, let's just leave it like that.

3. Sliced Coconut

No, you did not hear wrong. I did say sliced coconut. I took the picture above while dying in its deliciousness last night. So before this I never knew they existed in this form - small, peeled slices that you can eat whole. The white part is harder than I thought, and very fiber-y, but it makes a good chew, and leaves a slight sweet, creamy taste on your tongue that I swear is magical. Try it.

Happy eating and foodie-ing!

xx

Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Fiction Fall 2013

After watching so too many TV shows that aren't even that well executed, I decided that it's time to jump back into the arms of my good old friend who never disappoints - books! Here's a list of 10 fictional novels that I can't can't can't wait that I came up for myself, I thought I'd share it with you guys!

*there is no specific order to the list.

(source)

1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
The third and final installation in the quick-paced, adrenaline-inducing Divergent series = huuuuuge anticipation

(source)

2. The Bones of Paris by Laura R. King
Okay, just the name gives me chills. I've always automatically associated Paris with romance, love, lightheartedness, and all things good and sweet. But bones? No-o-o-o-o. So I'm really curious about what story this "novel of suspense"entails, especially because, oh la la, it takes place in the sensual Jazz Age.

(source)

3. How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
Yet another mystery/thriller set in my favorite time of the year (for reading mystery/thriller and otherwise): Christmastime! Can't wait to feel the clash between the tension and the festiveness.

(source)

4. The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis
This story is about a girl abandoning modern life to pursue another living in the Amish community. I've never read any book about the Amish people and their ways of living, so I think this should be really interesting!

(source)

5. Paradise City by Joe Gunther
Gotta love this misty & mysterious cover. Another mystery/thriller about a thief stealing eccentric items across town.

(source)

6. United We Spy by Ally Carter
An intense spy story in a high school setting...ooh...

(source)

7. The Hero by Robyn Carr
Yet another hauntingly beautiful cover. A story about falling in love when you least expect it, and how this seemingly romantic act can also require courage and determination.

(source)

8. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
A novel by Stephen King and a sequel to The Shining - need I say more?

(source)

9. The Returned by Jason Mott
Seriously, what is up with these just breathtaking covers? They just make me want to read the book so much more! This story has a very captivating premise: After having lost their eight-year-old son many many years ago, the parents find their son on their rooftop one morning, very much alive, still eight years old. He has "returned."

(source)

10. The Longest Ride by Nicolas Sparks
A Nicolas Sparks book is always an enjoyable read (and most likely a tear-jerking one.)

xx
Vanessa :]