{ it's a matter of taste }

Sometimes differences in opinion, taste, and perception are so weird to me. Have you ever gotten a book recommendation from a friend, read the book, and thought "What the heck was that even about? How is that your favorite book?" I know I sure have. Have you ever made dinner for someone only to find out later that they don't like goat cheese? Or don't eat salmon? Or are not a "sweets person"? I tend to look at people like that as if they're a different species.

I don't really know where I was going with this one. I guess I wanted to just put it out there. I think a good rule of thumb is to only have a maximum of five foods you refuse to eat. I've determined my five here:

1) Jello
2) Marshmallows (By themselves, that is. Melted in a s'more is just fine by me)
3) Cow tongue
4) Sea urchin
5) Anything aspic related

Source:  I'll admit, this looks really pretty. I just wish it didn't wiggle then crumble in my mouth!

Everything else, you just have to either like or suffer through. The bright side is there's this wikiHow article that guides you through eating foods you don't like in just nine steps. It's a nine step program, folks. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Juuust kidding, it's Determining the Seriousness of your Situation. This is going to come in real handy the next time I'm presented with the dreaded chicken jello the Russians are always trying to make me eat! It's probably just some sort of social experiment that I'm failing miserably at.

On the book front, I think a lot of people confuse actually liking a book with just the simple fact that they've read the book. When you ask someone for a recommendation and the only book they've read in the last year was "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom, that's probably going to be the book they recommend to you. And if that's the case, I would delete them from your Facebook immediately. I know that's harsh, guys, but this is a harsh world. You don't want that Mitch Albom reading, non goat cheese eating, friend who always passes on yummy cupcakes. They just aren't going to enrich your life. #coldhardtroofs

So, tell me the five foods you refuse to eat. And tell me the worst book that's ever been recommended to you. I'm super curious!

{ unconventional love stories }

A few posts ago I waxed poetic about Gnomeo & Juliet, which really got me thinking about my all-time favorite love stories. What I love is a love that, at first glance, doesn't seem like it should be a love. A love where you might be all, him? ... and her? .... okaaaay... But then you kinda fall in love with them yourself. You just can't help it.

So, without further adieu, here are a few of my favorites:

Margot and Richie Tenenbaum
Adopted brother and sister. I know, ew, right? But really, its one of the most touching love stories I've ever seen. "I think we'll just have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that." In the little tent. While "Ruby Tuesday" plays in the background. Swoon.

Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester
The wealthy bachelor falling for the poor homely governess. Ladies, if Charlotte Bronte can teach us anything at all, it is this: find a rich guy who has a crazy wife that he keeps stashed away in the attic of his mansion and make him fall in love with you by being homely and plain. Got it? Now go get a fake nose and a little bonnet, and don't forget to pretend you have tons of morals!

Kitty Shcherbatskaya and Kostya Levin
Levin was horribly miscast in the recent film starring the girl-who-never-closes-her-mouth, aka Keira Knightley. Who would ever think Bill Weasley could pull of the socially awkward, gruff farm owner who is years older than Kitty? When I read, and reread, the book, I always pictured Jean Reno from The Professional as my Levin. Still, Kitty and Levin are the sweetest, purest love in that whole story.

Harold and Maude
She's old, he's young. He's depressed and cynical, she's full of life and cheerful. The video below is one of my favorite scenes from the movie.

UP
This isn't really an unconventional love story, but I feel like it's not common for me to be so moved by a "cartoon". I felt pleasantly tricked when I watched it because, honestly, I'm not one for cartoons. Not even these newfangled Pixar jobs. But, of course, I cried so hard watching this. Pretty much the entire time.

Edward Scissorhands
I'm sure I could overlook some freaky scissors for hands if I never had to step foot in another hair salon again in my life. Hell, if Johnny Depp had light sabers for hands I'd still date him. Too bad Winona Ryder is too much of a crazypants to hang onto that guy.

The Time Traveler's Wife
If you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about. If you watched the movie, you're probably like, huh? Read the book and just try not to cry when...well, I'm not going to spoil it for you. Let's just say a love that transcends space and time is a strong one indeed. Funny story, my dad asked my sister and I what kind of book it was and these were our replies: Me: A love story. Rachel: Science Fiction. Ha! We're just so different, my sister and me.

Little Women 
Even though we all know Jo doesn't love Laurie the way he loves her, she does love him in her own way. This is the unrequited kind of love, and I have a special place in my heart for those just the same. He ends up marrying her sister anyway, so who cares? Ooops. I forgot to say spoiler alert.

What are your favorite love stories? Tell me!

{ etsy loving // gallivanting girls }

Oh, how I wish I could be a Gallivanting Girl! I would have the best time running all around (ahem, gallivanting) finding the coolest vintage treasures and kooky wares for your house, my house, and errrybody's house! This Kalyn McCutcheon lady knows a thing or two about way more than just a thing or two. I'm going to be honest, I've been hoarding pins from her Etsy shop on a secret Pinterest board for months, and every single time I revisit and click the link to the item it's sold! Maybe the goodness of it all is not so much a secret. So, maybe you shouldn't bother liking them on Pinterest or hearting them on Etsy. Maybe you should just be buying the things. And maybe I should just shut up and take my own advice.

I'll take it all! The weirdo hanging wine bottle thingies included!

If you're feelin' froggy and want to follow Kalyn on Pinterest, here's the link to do so: http://pinterest.com/kalynm

Check ya later.