“Girls in white dresses, and blue satin sashes. Snow flakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes. Silver white winters that melt into Spring. These are a few of my favorite things!” Was anyone else blown away by Lady Gaga’s performance at The Oscars? I think that moment was the oddest combination of memories for me on screen. Here a few of my favorite things. The Oscars. Julie Andrews. Winter melting into Spring. When will that be happening? Lady Gaga does not typically belong in the mix.

Flashback – I am in 8th grade wearing a long cotton skirt, a white button up shirt, and a yellow striped apron that drops to the floor. My hair is in a bun high atop my head and I have braces on my teeth. I’m standing in front of my English class for our largest report of the year. I had a friend play the piano and I shakily belted out “My Favorite Things” to about twenty other awkward thirteen year olds.  When I chose to present for thirty minutes on an artist of my choice for our English class masterpiece, Julie Andrews was a no-brainer selection. From falling in love with Mary Poppins to acquiring a taste for Maria Von Trapp, the characters played by Julie Andrews literally sang and danced through my childhood. It was odd for me to watch such a wonderful tribute to a magnificent human being performed on the screen on Sunday evening.

I delight in the Oscars. I’m not sure why, but I have had an appreciation for the cinematic spectacle since I stopped wearing stirrup leggings. (4th grade ok!…. are those coming back?) I think maybe my obsession started because I was able to stay up way past my bedtime in elementary school. The jokes, the dresses, the glamour, the famous people. It draws me in if only for one night. This year I thought amazing progress graced the red carpet with the #askhermore hashtag, and Patricia Arquette’s speech certainly caused a stir. It was only minutes until Meryl Streep’s reaction became a GIF. Women are continuing to make their mark on an industry that openly admits that The Academy has a way to go in terms of progress in equality for all gender identities. As a woman, this is beautiful to me. We do have ideas and creativity and contributions to make that go beyond the clothes we wear.

Once New Year’s passes my next holiday to look forward to is the release of the Academy’s nominations. This day is bigger than the Super Bowl. I try to watch as many movies that are in the running as possible before the show. This year, I’ll admit, I watched less of the contenders than I had hoped. However, The Theory of Everything did make an appearance in my house last Friday night. This. is. a. beautiful. movie. (Congratulations to Eddie Redmayne who won the Oscar for Best Actor).

This is one of the movies that speaks to your heart if you let it. The bravery exhibited by Jane Hawking. The courage and determination demonstrated by Stephen Hawking. The beautiful cinematography that uses spiral imagery to spin you into the moment and out to the grand spectrum of how we connect and relate to time. There exists an intense emotional portrayal of accepting our own limitations, and hoping with all you have that love will compensate for the gaps that we want others to be able to fill for ourselves. The movie made me tear up a little bit, and I’m not one to usually weep at movies.

I know that Hollywood, and celebrities, and fancy dresses are desirable. Wouldn’t it be nice to be wealthy and seemingly have all your worries wiped out by the promise of financial security. No? That’s just me? Yet, when all of the glitz and glam and gets wiped away, and that image of Neil Patrick Harris in his undies fades from your corneas, truly invoking stories remain. That is what this movie is; a truly invoking story. Watch it. It is beautiful.

Essie Nail Polish: none this week

Biscotti Update: Pumpkin Biscotti dipped in melted Caramel Chocolate Truffles by Whole Foods

Ps – thanks to Nick and Hannah who let me invite myself over so I can enjoy your company and mooch your cable TV to make the dream come true