Girl Power

I recently found this article on Buzzfeed about exceptional women (click here to check it out). I hope this list of 51 role models inspires you and makes you proud to be an Everyday Gal. Here are some of my favorites:

• Mindy Kaling: I recently saw a few episodes of The Mindy Project and I'm not exaggerating when I say I cried of laughter! Mindy (and her writing) is so witty and funny. She's a huge inspiration to women comedians and screenwriters. If you loved her on The Office, you'll love her show.

Currently reading her hilarious memoir

• Emma Watson: I mean, come on- who doesn't love Emma Watson? Loved her in Sofia Coppola's Bling Ring movie and of course as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies. 

• J.K. Rowling: I remember watching a short documentary on Rowling a couple years ago and I was really inspired. She is so creative! But you already knew that if you've so much as heard the words "Harry Potter". If that magical series wasn't enough, she shocked the world publishing even more incredible books under the pseudonym Robert Galbarith. What a boss!

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."- Albus Dumbledore

• Amy Poehler: One of my biggest role models. Too bad I didn't watch SNL before 2010 because I've seen clips of her on the show, and she was hilarious. Besides being a comedian and star of Parks and Recreation, she founded a girl-power website Smart Girls at the Party. Side note: they retweeted me on Twitter once!! Major fangirl moment. 

With BFF Tina Fey

The next ladies did not make the cut for this Buzzfeed article, but I thought they deserved a spot on mine:

• Lana Del Rey: She's an amazing performer and artist. Not everyone loves her unique style and weird music videos but I am a huge fan! My favorite song of hers right now is (unreleased) Breaking My Heart. 

#1 girl crush 

• Elisabeth Moss: You could argue that Moss steals every scene she's in on Mad Men. She plays Peggy Olson, a determined girl working her way up the advertising ladder in a male-dominated advertising firm. If you haven't seen the show, watch it on Netflix. Catch up before the second half of the final season airs next year!

Know of anyone who deserves to be on the list? Leave it in the comments below!

Film Inspiration

This is the first of many inspiration posts for the Everyday Gal. Today, I want to focus on film and movies that have inspired me. If you've seen any of the movies I'm about to list, you know why they're in this post. But if you haven't, give them a shot because one (or more) just might become your new favorite.

1. The Darjeeling Limited Wes Anderson
I'm a huuuge Wes Anderson fan and needless to say, I had high expectations for this film. This 2007 indie drama was spectacular, and I could watch it again and again. The story is about three brothers (Francis, Peter and Jack) who board a train going across India in an attempt to bond and become closer. The three eccentric brothers are played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman, whose acting performances compliment each other perfectly. The film's quirky humor and sentimental message capture the audience from the start. I highly recommend this anything-but-traditional film because while entertaining, it also contains an important message about family and finding oneself.

If you want to find out more about Wes Anderson and his unique style, check out this article from ScreenRant.

2. Maleficent Robert Stromberg
This new take on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty is truly magnificent. (Get it? Maleficent was magnificent?) The film offers a fresh perspective to a story you thought you knew. Angelina Jolie is cast perfectly as the dark and stunning villainess Maleficent. Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora also shines in this unexpected retelling of a Disney favorite. I don't want to reveal too much so if you haven't seen it, get to it! The movie's message of redemption and love truly wows.

The song from the trailer "Once Upon a Dream" (sung by my favorite- Lana Del Rey) can be found here. It captures the tone of the movie to a tee!

3. Submarine Richard Ayoade 
A friend recommended this unique film to me, and I'm glad she did! Submarine is a coming-of-age story about fifteen year old Oliver Tate played by Craig Roberts. The movie is adapted from the novel by Joe Dunthorne, which I have yet to read but plan on it. I'm sure one of the reasons I liked this movie so much is because of it's Wes Anderson feel. The film's soundtrack is written by Alex Turner of the indie band Arctic Monkeys. The movie deals with serious issues despite its seemingly peculiar style. If you're up it, check out this original take on a teenager's life.