Giving thanks to The Help

Last week I was finally able to go and see the movie The Help.  I wish I had read the book before the movie, but I always do things backwards.  It's on my to-do list.  But I can say that I loved this movie!

For those who are unfamiliar with the story behind The Help, it's based off of a book by Kathryn Stockett.  The story takes place in the early 1960's in Mississippi, and follows the lives of African American maids and the white families they work for.  There are tons of great and crazy characters with the main characters being Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter.  Aibileen and Minny are both maids who risk just about everything to help Skeeter, a young white woman and aspiring writer, write a book from the maids point of view.  By helping Skeeter Aibileen and Minny have to break all the rules and out of it come some hilarious, eye opening, and heart breaking stories.

My favorite character was Minny, she was just plain crazy, she spoke her mind, and loved to cook!  I really would not be surprised if this movie wins several awards next year.  There's some amazing talent in this movie including Viola Davis (Aibileen), Allison Janney (Charlotte), Bryce Dallas Howard (Hilly Holbrook), Octavia Spencer (Minny), Sissy Spacek (Missus Walters), and the ever so great Cicely Tyson (Constantine).  The shocker for me was Emma Stone (Skeeter).  I've only ever seen her in crazy comedies like Zombieland, Easy A, and The House Bunny.  But she was great, she was still able to tie in her comedic chops but it was nice to see her in this more serious role.

I'm an "old soul" at times, and maybe that is why I love time piece movies so much.  But this one hit home is another way.  I began to think, if my husband and I were together back in that time and lived in the south we I might have been "accidentally" beaten to death, and something just as bad may have happened to him.  Why's that you say?  Because I married a white man, and in that time is was basically forbidden.  That is one reason I am thankful to live in the time that we do, I was able to marry the person I love regardless of the color of his skin.  I know there are still people who don't agree, but it's nice to know that I don't have to live in fear to be happy.

For me this movie also brought up many other thoughts about my family and my roots, but I'll be saving those thoughts for another post later this week.

If you haven't seen The Help yet I suggest you go see it, and if you haven't read the book check it out!  I know I haven't read it yet, but I will be soon...we can read it together!

Have you seen the movie or read the book?  What did you think?  Let me know, I love comments!

Until next time...

Pinteresting Wednesday: Pure Awesomeness!

Hi all!

Word for the day, Awesome!




I'm finally back for "Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!"  I know I've been MIA for the past few weeks and I'm sorry.  Things are starting to get better, and I haven't been as stressed.  I've been pinning away this week so that I could show you all some awesome Pinterest finds, and link up over at The Vintage Apple.  If you haven't checked out the link up go now, or just browse around Michelle's blog...it's awesome!

I've been trying to keep a theme to my Pinteresting Wednesday posts, but this week I couldn't pick just one.  So I'll be showing off all things awesome that I've found.  Enjoy!

Follow the white rabbit!

Love this built in bench

Mason jar inspiration

In love with Italy!!!

One day I will make it to Italy, maybe then it will feed my obsession and my belly.

How awesome are these cookies?

When I have little ones I am doing this!

Well that is all for this week, hope you enjoyed!  Don't forget to go link up with The Vintage Apple if you are a Pinterest addict like me.  I find myself stalking the website, even if I don't pin anything.

If you need an invite to Pinterest let me know in a comment, and leave your email or email me: info@dreamcreationsdesign.com.  And you can find me on Pinterest here!

Until next time...

Album Review: Mat Kearney's Young Love

So aside from being a lover of food, I'm an even bigger lover of music!  Ever since I was small I have been influenced by music.  I grew up listening to all types of music, creating my own dances, and having dreams of being a music artist.  Over the years I've developed an eclectic taste in music, and I truly believe there is something about good music that can touch your soul.  It can make you connect with the person behind the mic, and if you close your eyes you can make your own meaning to the words being said.  I was recently given the opportunity to review musician Mat Kearney's new album Young Love, and this album will definitely make you close your eyes and smile.

About The Artist & Album

You know how you hear a song somewhere and love it, but you don't know who sings it or where you heard it?  Well that is exactly the relationship I have with a few of Mat's songs.  After doing some light research I found that this is Mat Kearney's 3rd album (although it could be considered his 4th), and his songs have been featured on several TV shows including multiple episodes of Grey's Anatomy.  Some other interesting tidbits about Mat are that he was born in Oregon, he went to college in Chico, CA, and later moved to Nashville to make music after helping a friend move there.

Young Love was released on August 2nd, 2011, and debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart at #4!  Currently it is at #1 among Billboard's Christian Albums, #4 in Rock, and #6 in Digital.  If you're an iTunes lover, it's sitting at #23 among the Top Albums (8-22-11).


Young Love Tracks:
1 Hey Mama
2 Ships In The Night
3 Count On Me
4 Sooner Or Later
5 Chasing The Light
6 Learning To Love Again
7 Down
8 She Got The Honey
9 Young Dumb And In Love
10 Rochester
11 Seventeen

My Thoughts On The Album

Upon listening to these tracks for the first time I was impressed.  It starts off with the albums first single Hey Mama; an upbeat, fun, and hand clapping song that will make you want to dance.  I really love all of the songs and I feel like there is something that everyone can relate to in some way.  The album is appropriately titled Young Love.  Every song is in some way related to love.  From first loves, to learning to love, he finds a way to touch on those points in your life.  If you've ever been in love this album will take you back to when you first fell in love with "the one," and it may also remind you of loves struggles.

There is a unique blend of music styles in Mat's songs, and they make you feel good when you listen to them.  He's in the rock genre on iTunes, but you can hear other influences in his music.  The whole album is infused with rock, pop, hip hop, and country roots while his smooth yet a slightly rough voice adds something extra to each song  You can hear the hip hop sounds in songs like "Ships In The Night" and "She Got The Honey."  And you can really hear the Nashville influence in "Learning To Love Again."   My favorite song on the album, besides the ones that make me want to dance, is "Seventeen."  It's one of the ballads and it reminds me of how innocent and scared people can feel as teens, and how experiences we have as adults can take us back to that point in our lives.

Young Love is definitely something I can imagine begin played on those spontaneous road trips, while you're having fun and feeling free!  Or when you need something that makes you feel good to get your day started.  Highly recommend!

Reminds me of:
John Mayer
Jack Johnson
Citizen Cope
Gavin DeGraw

Additional Links

• Mat's iTunes Page
• Mat's Facebook Page
• Mat Kearney Widget
• Mat Kearney Website

Here is the video to "Hey Mama" if you're curious about this man!

Check out Mat's tour dates starting in September!

Have you heard of Mat before?  If so, are you a fan?  If you haven't check him out, and let me know what you think.  I love comments!

Until next time...

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this album to review as part of the One2Onenetwork.  No monetary compensation was received.  All opinions are my own.