Lily Cahill's Blog, page 7

Summer Date Ideas

Ahhh, summer. The warmest, prettiest, sun-shiniest season. Some of the other Lilies might disagree with me, but summer is the best season. Barbeques, art-festivals, baseball, hiking, camping, laying by the pool/lake/ocean. The world gets geared up to play outside in the summer and you and your boo should too! Here are some summer date ideas to soak in while it’s still hot enough to get away with starting a water balloon fight.

Picnic in the park? Check! (Photo by Vincent Anderlucci via Flickr Creative Commons)

If You’re Not Sure You Like Him:

First dates are a balancing act. You need to be able to talk and get to know someone, but you don’t want to be stuck with a dud for too long. Kick it old school with miniature golf. There are a few good reasons for this.

1. You’ll have something to do if you can’t find common ground in a conversation.

2. You can find out if he’s a sore loser (I assume we are all champion mini-golf players).

3. You can look super cute because mini-golf is not that strenuous — break out the sundresses and wedges.

4. If the date is going well you can keep it going with a trip for ice cream and really embrace that 1950s innocence. Or you can go to a bar if you feel you’re too grown-up for ice cream (boring!).

The important thing here is that you have a natural weapon in your hand if the guy is a douche and you can still have fun whacking a ball around. Fun fact about mini-golf: you can actually hit those balls as hard as you want. Mostly they’ll just ricochet off the fake rocks and stuff before landing relatively close to where you would have ended up if you’d been more lady-like about it.

If You Know You Like Him:

If you’ve been dating for a while and you are not afraid to spend some quality time together, summer is the perfect time for a picnic. You can go to any grocery store and get a fabulous snack spread. I, personally, am partial to Trader Joe’s, but literally any grocery store will do. Peruse their deli department and pre-packaged section. Grab some salads (Trader Joe’s curry chicken salad is crazy delicious), hummus, pre-cut veggies, pita chips and whatever else your little heart desires. Don’t forget to swing by the bakery for a couple of cupcakes. Your boo will be so impressed with the spread and you really only had to swipe a card. Bring a blanket, find a shady tree, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. This date just lends itself to stretching out and cuddling. If your town does movies in the park, or weekly jazz concerts, you can time your picnic with another park event. There is literally no time of day that laying in a park or on a beach, snacking, and snuggling is not a good idea. Breakfast picnic anyone?

If You Love Him:

If you love him, you maybe have gotten into a bit of a routine. No judgement, just saying, it happens. Should we watch another episode of “Mad Men” and order Chinese? With an offer that good, sometimes it’s hard not to fall into the couch and never ever leave (I said I wasn’t judging you, so now you can’t judge me. That’s just physics–or something). This is why you should have an epic, all day, fun-time! Plan a few weeks ahead and have an all-day date. My favorite, easy choice for this is an amusement park (that hopefully has some water rides). You can play outside all day and run from one ride to another. This doesn’t take much planning other than making sure you and your partner’s schedule is free for the whole day.

If you’re not afraid of a little extra planning and work, you can stack events on top of each other. Go for a morning bike ride, check out that place with the great patio for brunch, catch an afternoon baseball game, walk from the stadium to a roof-top bar, enjoy some drinks as dusk is rolling in, and cap the night off with a food truck. You’ll end the date happy and exhausted.

Whoever you’re with this summer–get outside and take advantage of summer date ideas that will expire by fall.

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“Ant-Man” — Nothing Small About Paul Rudd’s Abs

Mmm, Paul Rudd.  Ever since “Clueless,” I’ve had a pretty serious girl crush in that general direction.

So pouty, so privileged.

Rudd never ceases to surprise: he can be the hot jerk in “Wet Hot American Summer,” the slightly-crooked straight man in “Role Models,” and a likable goofball as Bobby Newport in “Parks and Recreation.” He seems to have a tongue-in-cheek approach to stardom, always side-stepping the obvious choice and creating a performance that is both genuine and self-aware. He is the sole and only reason I went to see “Ant-Man,” the latest installment of Marvel’s attempt to saturate all media. With virtually any other actor, I would have been skeptical about the ability of this relatively-limited character to carry a whole film. Turns out, even with Rudd’s considerable charm, I was right to be doubtful.

Ant-Man stars Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll. It’s the story of Scott Lang, a catburglar/mechanical engineer who has just been released from prison. (How, might you ask, does one achieve mastery in both mechanical engineering and catburglary? To which I reply, shhh, shhh.) He’s a good-guy criminal, we are assured; his crime was honorable, and he and his fellow ex-cons are a rather cheerful, slapstick bunch. Unable to find a job and support his daughter, he is convinced to commit one last crime–breaking into a scientist’s house because he’s got a big safe. (Shhh, shhh.) He finds the Ant Suit, which allows him to shrink and return to normal size in the blink of a an eye, and proceeds to embark on all kinds of eye-popping adventures that have the best small-world effects since “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.” If you are the kind of moviegoer who can happily put your brain away for two hours, you’ll enjoy this predictable but entertaining entry into the Marvel Universe. And if you are the kind of moviegoer I am, you’ll enjoy some sweet shirtless Paul Rudd action.

Did you need some help with that?

Or some help with anything else?

“Ant-Man” is far from my favorite Marvel movie. The plot is absurd on its face, and all the characters lack depth or conflict. Evangeline Lilly seems to exist to scowl and model clothes, and Corey Stoll puts in a bombastic performance with virtually no backstory as to his hurt and rage. Michael Douglas is basically playing himself while wearing weird clear-framed glasses. Marvel again fails to offer up interesting female characters. There are only two women in the movie, and they are defined by their status–daughter, ex-wife. No spoilers, but I found Evangeline Lilly’s character arc disappointing because she is not given the opportunity in this film to be a true equal.

But for all that, this is a charming and watchable summer blockbuster. The fight scenes show a real flair for the possibilities of this character, especially the final battle which takes place in a room full of toys. The intense action between our pint-sized hero and villain is counter-cut with a real-world view of two squeaking dots engaged in brutal combat. It’s played for laughs, but it also works as a compelling action sequence with viable stakes. It requires some suspension of disbelief, but “Ant-Man” will give you some laughs and some thrills and, most importantly, some sexy Paul Rudd.

Worth it.

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Romance in the Marvel Universe: The Good, the Bad, and the Painfully Disappointing

Marvel is in the midst of a full-court press to dominate television and film with characters from their well-established comic book universe. Since the release of “Iron Man” in 2008, the franchise has released one to two movies per year as well as launching three popular television shows that fill in the blanks between the films. The movies are action-packed and illuminated by a wry sense of humor that can be correlated to Joss Whedon’s influence on the project, especially “The Avengers.”

I love a blockbuster as much as the next girl, but as much as I enjoy watching explosions and cool tech, it’s the relationships between the characters that always stick with me. Romance in the Marvel Universe has a very spotty track record in this respect. Why can’t superheroes have satisfying romantic relationships? In some cases they get it right, but in most cases they get it wrong.

The one that started it all

The Good: Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, “Iron Man” franchise

From the very first “Iron Man,” it is clear that there is sexual tension between Tony Stark and his personal assistant/ad hoc CEO of Stark Industries, Pepper Potts. Their quick-witted banter is reminiscent of a 1940s comedy, and it’s clear through the teasing and jibes that both parties respect each other’s talents and appreciate what each brings to the partnership. The chemistry between them is obvious in “Iron Man,” especially in the scene where Pepper replaces Tony’s synthetic heart. When they finally get together in “Iron Man 2,” it’s a cute moment—Tony saves Pepper’s life and she responds by quitting her job. They are talking business when he kisses her the first time.  In “Iron Man 3,” we get to see them ironing out the kinks in their relationship. Pepper and Tony work as partners in his business endeavors and she helps him wrestle with the reality of his new role as an Avenger. At the end of the film, Pepper, who has been injected with the Extremis virus (srsly, that’s the best you could do?), demonstrates superhuman strength and powers. That will be an interesting new dynamic to their relationship in the inevitable fourth installment of the series.

Whoa there, big fella

The Bad: Black Widow and pretty much everyone

At the 2015 Denver Comic-Con, I attended a panel on Superheroes and Science. Someone in the audience asked the presenter which of the Avengers would win if they all fought each other. The presenter’s answer: Black Widow, because she could manipulate everyone else. Is this really Black Widow’s super power? She can talk people into doing things? I am not a particular fan of this character, mostly because it seems like her role in the Marvel Universe is to be the hot chick who the male main character flirts with. In “Iron Man 2,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” and “The Avengers,” she is repeatedly sexualized by pretty much every male she encounters. In “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” there is ostensibly a romantic plot between Black Widow and the Hulk. This attraction to each other seemingly comes out of nowhere, but okay, fine. In this film, we do get to see some of the “real” Natasha Romanov, in that she does actually seem to want a relationship with Bruce Banner and is willing to make herself vulnerable to him. However, Banner chooses to leave the Avengers and disappear rather than pursue the relationship. How can a character who is physically so strong be so emotionally weak? I want to see people with incredible abilities figuring out how to negotiate their specific relationship needs, not using their abilities as an excuse to bail on love.

Preppy geniuses belong together!

The Painfully Disappointing:  Fitz-Simmons in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” :

Throughout the whole first season of  “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Jemma Simmons and Leo Fitz have an adorable friendship and working relationship where they are colleagues, companions, and competitors. They finish each other’s sentences, enhance each other’s ideas, and have a level of communication that borders on telepathic. The relationship slowly develops romantic overtones, culminating in the final episode of season one when, in the midst of a perilous situation, Fitz alludes to his feelings and Jemma reciprocates. They escape with their lives, but Fitz suffers some unspecified brain damage. For basically the whole of season two, there is no development of this relationship. It’s such a bummer, because they are by far the most compelling couple on this show. They demonstrate that intelligence can be its own superpower, and I would love to see them bring their partnership to the next level. Oh well, there’s always season three!

So, romance in the Marvel Universe. Nearly every new installment, either movie or television, has a love plot. Lots of times I’m left disappointed. But not all the time. And that gives me hope that over the next million installments of these movies–where, yes, I’ll be in the theater opening weekend–I’ll see a romance that doesn’t just get it right, but gets it really right. Sign me up for that one.

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“On the Waterfront” – A Cinematic Classic from 1954

When we decided to set our series in 1954, I was a little bummed. I’m a complete nerd for music of the late ’50s and early ’60s, but our books are just a bit too early for The Platters, The Drifters, and so many great musical acts. Come on, who doesn’t want some romantic lovin’ set to “This Magic Moment?”

My disappointment was brief, however, because then I remembered: movies!

Because, oh yeah.  I’m also a total film history nerd.

So: 1954. The Cold War is in effect. The Red Scare is still doing its scarin’. And “On the Waterfront,” directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint is released to much critical acclaim. It almost does a full sweep at that year’s Oscars, winning eight awards out of twelve nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Screenplay, and Supporting Actress.

Most people can quote the film’s most famous line—“I coulda been a contender”—and yet not everyone knows the interesting history and context behind this particular story.

The plot, for those who haven’t seen it (and if you haven’t, you really ought to—it’s on Netflix!), follows Terry Malloy (played by Marlon Brando), a longshoreman and former boxer whose brother works for Johnny Friendly, the crooked mobster who runs the union on the docks. Terry once had a promising career in boxing until he intentionally threw a match so that Friendly could win some extra money.

The police and the Waterfront Crime Commission want to end Friendly’s tyranny, and Terry is encouraged to testify. He resists; there’s a code of silence on the waterfront that everyone is supposed to respect. The violence escalates, and Terry has trouble ignoring his conscience—but if he testifies, he risks everything, including his life.

The film was loosely based around real events (and, in fact, the person who inspired the character Terry Malloy later sued for having his story appropriated), but the most interesting part of the film is how it’s been interpreted as Elia Kazan’s defense of his own actions some years earlier.

In the 1940s and ’50s, the House Committee of Un-American Activities (HUAC) created a blacklist of people working with the entertainment industry—movies, televisions, radio—who had been at any time associated with the Communist Party. Being blacklisted was a huge deal; nearly every person who was named was ruined. If they managed to find work, it was usually under a nom de plume, or in another country.

Elia Kazan was called to testify before HUAC in 1952, and when asked, he did something that most of Hollywood considered unforgivable: he named names.

Before his hearing, Kazan was close with playwright Arthur Miller—he had directed several of his plays, and they were very good friends. Miller was so appalled by Kazan’s decision to inform that the two men didn’t speak to each other for years. Miller wrote “The Crucible.” Kazan directed “On the Waterfront.”

(spoilers for the end of the film) Terry testifies. He defies those who try to ostracize him, saying that he is proud of what he did, and is severely beaten by Friendly’s goons. The film closes as Terry continues to rise, despite the fact that he’s bloody and injured, to the cheers and encouragements of his fellow longshoremen—it’s an easy connection, to see how Kazan felt about his own persecution within Hollywood.

Covered in blood, still smokin’

When Kazan was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oscars in 1999, protesters waited outside the theater, decrying the decision. Hollywood has a long memory.

Still, Kazan directed some of the most enduring films of all time—not only “On the Waterfront,” but also “Gentleman’s Agreement“ (1948), “” (1951), “East of Eden” (1955), and many more.  Whether you think he did the right thing or not, his contribution to film history is undeniable.

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Peanut Butteroons

I wanted to put on my crinoline, curl my hair, and make a fancy cocktail, but when I asked my husband what 1950s drink we should master he said that a 1950s cocktail was hard liquor poured into a crystal glass. I couldn’t argue with that, so I made these delightful cookies instead. Delightful might be a stretch, but they did get eaten. In one night. By Livia’s less-than-discerning husband.

Here’s the recipe:

Peanut Butteroons

Gradually beat 2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar into 1/2 cup peanut butter.
Beat 2 egg whites until stiff and fold into first mixture.
Drop teaspoon-sized dollops of the dough on a foil-covered sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

That’s it! Those were all of the instructions. I dug up the recipe for these peanut butteroons on Click Americana, where it was literally a photo straight from an old cookbook. I love to bake, but this experience was bizarre. Let me break it down for you.

1/2 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup sugar

Listen to what Michael Jackson says and Beat It!

That part was easy. And then came the egg whites. I have not made many meringues or anything that requires “firm peaks,” perhaps because I am a twelve-year-old boy and giggle and get distracted before I get to the end of the recipe. But this recipe didn’t say “firm peaks.” I just assume that’s what was wanted. Isn’t it what everyone wants deep down?

Egg cloud

This looks like nothing because I had my mixer on max. A speed I had never dared before. It was scary. At some point I convinced myself that I had beaten the eggs too much and that they were wilting. So I stopped. But looking back I think I just wanted my mixer to stop scaring me.

Fold the eggs into the peanut butter mixture.

Keep folding.

Here is a fun fact: peanut butter mixed with confectioner’s sugar (the thickening agent for lots of icings) makes for a pretty stiff substance. I do not believe that it folds. I eventually gave up and just mixed the shit out of it.

Mix the shit out of it.

That started to look a little better. But I am pretty sure it was my demise. Macaroons are supposed to be chewy and round and wonderful, but I ended up with flat little peanut butter blobs.

Peanut Butteroons!

They tasted like peanut butter and sugar tinged with foam. Have you had elephant ears at a Chinese restaurant? They tasted nothing like that, but if you took two tablespoons of that texture and added it to peanut butter cookies, that would be a pretty good comparison. Decently tasty (it’s peanut butter and sugar, after all) but kinda weird. And peanut butteroons are definitely not as elegant as macaroons. Looking back, I should have made some icing to sandwich in between these bad boys. Maybe next time.

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Sundresses with vintage flair

Summer is here! Summer! The time of year my chalk-white legs make their debut for the first time in months. That is a.) frightening to children; yet b.) exhilarating. (Seriously, my natural skin color is “Victorian lady who’s hitting the lead-based make-up a bit hard.”)

But paleness aside, summer is when not only my legs, but all my adorable sundresses come out to play. There is nothing better than a fun, sometimes-flirty,  summer dress. And lucky for us, there are some adorable, vintage-style sundresses to make your summer look timeless and effortless.

One of my favorites right now is a blue gingham dress from Mod Cloth.

“As Potluck Would Have It” from Mod Cloth

I mean, the name of the dress is “As Potluck Would Have It,” which screams summer. The simple scoop neck and full skirt will be flattering on basically everyone, plus a cute cut-out at the back is sassy yet still demure. And hello—blue gingham. It’s just too perfect. Throw on a red lip and a pair of red sandals (like this fun pair!) and you’ll be a Fourth of July superstar.

Lindy Bop is a great go-to for vintage chic (that’s also affordable—yay!). For summer, I love this floral tea dress. It’s a simple fit-and-flare silhouette that doesn’t compete with the bold “English rose garden” print. I’m seeing floral everywhere this summer, so this marries a very on-trend print with a sweet, ‘50s style.

Willow print tea dress from Lindy Bop

To keep from looking too twee—that is a lot of floral, after all—I’d probably pair this with my favorite worn in canvas sneakers for day and a simple tan leather sandal for night. I’m a sucker for Bensimon sneakers, but Target always has fantastic pairs for those on a tighter budget.

If you’re an accessories girl, check out a simple sundress like this one at Gap.

Dobby fit & flare shirtdress from Gap

The white shirtdress is a neutral palette to pile on your favorite accessories, like maybe some eye-popping wedges and—perfect for summer—a silk headscarf.

With these easy vintage sundress styles, it’ll be a breeze to embrace the warm weather. And look great doing it. Now if someone can come stick a cool drink in my hand, my summer will be made.

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