Sara Recommends 5

Winking
I think it is one of my favorite facial gestures. From the exagerated Will Ferrell wink to the subtle mischevous wink, it is hands down adorable. Plus, at times it can be very mysterious.

Recreating holidays with friends
Easter has never been a big deal for me. It is not one of those I-need-to-be-home kinda deals. When you are a kid it's fun because of the bunnies and hollow chocolate and easter baskets and the plastic grass that gets stuck in your peanut butter cups and the cadbury eggs and all of that. But when you are older, and don't really do the whole Christ thing.... it loses its meaning. So thus, I am going to a Chinese buffet. As I told Saucier, "Nothing says Christ died for my sins like a pupu platter."

Beer in a wine glass
Anything is a wine glass is just more fun. Not to mention classy and sexy as hell. I love the traditional pint glass, but hell, you could put some PBR in a wine glass and it's refined.

Ginger
I will always be a sucker for my citrusy-scents, and Love Spell will always be my standby, but as of late I have a warm spicy aroma that has been bewitching me. Ginger is now the scent of choice. It's hard to find sometimes, and I have yet to find it in one product that I really like. Its comforting yet a little exotic and biting. Plus, I like the idea of kissing someone and having left a ginger imprint on them.

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Amy, as I like to call her, writes in short bursts, and then collects them all in a way that is very refreshing. In The Book of Eleven, she put them all in quirky lists of eleven. In Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, she creates an encyclopedia of her experiences and observations. It's humorous, poignant, and a great read.
http://www.encyclopediaofanordinarylife.com/

Gods and Monsters
I have not watched this movie in a few years, and it was great to rediscover it. Believe it or not, Brendan Frasier can act! And, Sir Ian McKellan, how I adore thee. He is stunning in his pain and his humor. And I never would have given a second thought to Vanessa Redgrave, but she is pathetic and witty as the housekeeper who condemns and loves her master. This movie is just beautiful, and subtely so. It does not go for the over the top, it goes to the moments of the human core without bleeding all over you. Bill Condon, director of Kinsey, wrote and directed this film.

My Funny Valentine
Some people might read this and think, "I know she hates Valentine's day, and prefers to wear black and support the Frankenstein Day movement (see: Ham, Torrey)." But this is one of my favorite songs ever. Like maybe top 10. Or at least top ten songs I love no matter who covers it (i.e.: "Halleluia" or "Tangled up in Blue"). But this song makes me want to find that love. I know the person I finally give up my cynical side for is going to be that quirky person that I find more precious than anything. That person who never needs to try to make me light, they just have to walk into the room and they flip that little light switch in me. It has not happened. Maybe I have tricky wiring, or my bulb needs to be changed... but it has not happened yet. Blah, blah, blah.... being bitter and single does not make me unique, so moving on...
The song ends with "Each day is Valentine's Day", which I agree with. Not the going to an expensive dinner, dozen red unnatural roses, and lots of pressure kinda Valentine -- but that simple expression of love that is at the core of what it is supposed to mean. You don't need a day -- it should happen all the time. This moment of cheesy expression is brought to you by Geary's Summer Ale.