still working on my book list for 2008. until then, enjoy these things.

predictions for the new year and recaps on the smashing darling blog (that i contributed to).

ustream highlights of 2008 (with me in it!)

continuing the end of year lists, i present the movie list. granted, there are many movies i haven’t seen (especially december ones) so i apologize in advance. of the movies i’ve seen, these are my favorites.

1) the dark knight – as much as this was hyped, it lived up to the hype. the acting was amazing as was the overall darkness of the film. really – i couldn’t have asked for a better batman movie.

2) man on a wire – documentary about a man who walked between the twin towers on a tight rope. an amazing documentary about something i knew nothing about. a lot of people didn’t see it and if you’re one of them, i’d change that asap.

3) iron man – everything i wanted in a summer blockbuster – funny guy, stunts, action, pretty girl. done.

4) milk – if sean penn doesn’t win a million awards for this, i’ll be angry. this movie is incredibly timely and does a great job of paying homage to an important history.

5) cloverfield – i’m surprised this was this year. i guess i saw it right when it came out. loved it. scary and innovative.

6) baby mama – laughed my ass off.

7) hellboy 2 – beautiful and action. what more can a girl ask for?

8 ) death race – this movie had way more story than it even needed. cars racing until the death? that’s something that could keep me in my seat – but death race went beyond the typical action movie.

9) wall-e – adorable robots. nuff said.

10) wanted – i’ll never get enough angelina jolie. same could be said for james mcavoy.

11) slumdog millionaire – i just saw this and i had to make my top 10 into a top 11 specifically to include it. amazing in every way – visually, acting and the story – all great. i know it’s not in many cities but the moment it hits your local theater or video store, i would suggest renting it.

here’s a trailer below:

just in case you didn’t have enough animated daphne in your life.

thanks @hellogeri!

some places to see/hear/read me:

here’s a link to an interview i did with Saturday Night Magazine.

and here’s a link to Television Zombies – a podcast where i did a guest commentary (it’s at the end).

the year ends and i make lists. first and foremost, top albums of 2008.

in no particular order:

1) the kills – midnight boom

i heard this album being played in another room at a friend’s house and ran over to hear more of it. i loved the kills’ last album and this one is even better. hopefully they’ll keep putting out albums in the years to come.

2) the ting tings – we start at nothing

i don’t know how i lived without this album. when people mispronounce my name, i have a little moment to myself where i say, “that’s not my name” in honor of the ting tings.

3) tilly and the wall – o

one member of the band is a tap dancer. what more could you ask for?

4) theresa andersson – hummingbird, go!

adorable, talented, and easy to listen to. this album was an immediate favorite this year.

5) she & him – volume one

i have yet to find an inappropriate time for the she & him album. cooking dinner? yes. getting up in the morning? totally. going to bed at night? good for that too. always appropriate. that has to be a sign of one of the best albums of the year.

6) santogold – santogold

i’m surprised this came out this year. i feel like i’ve been listening to it forever – perhaps because it is so addicting. she is brilliant.

7) mates of state – re-arrange us

any time i have somewhere important to be, the newest mates of state album is all i can listen to. it gets me pumped. i’ve even made up my own harmonies at this point.
the mae shi – hlllyh

this album fulfills a lot for me – good beat, crazy songs, sticks to a theme, clever music videos. feeling fulfilled.

9) hot chip – made in the dark

if you didn’t buy this album this year, don’t hesitate and go get it now. electronic dance and fun at its finest. has light and dark moments that produce an amazing album.

10) girl talk – feed the animals

girl talk has perfected the art of sampling and mashing. don’t go to the gym without it.

11) los campesinos – hold on now, youngster…

i had to add an 11 to my top 10 list because this album was too good to be left out. “you! me! dancing!” is an amazing song. you can’t help but love it.

for those of you who didn’t get to come to the austin event, here are a few photos.

me signing photos.

we’re running! get it?

the crowd at the alamo drafthouse post-heroes episode.

me and john talking. yes, i picked one with a dumb face. (insider info: i used to work with john many years ago at the UT college radio station).

thanks again for everyone who came to the event. here’s a link to all the photos from the event. hope to be back soon!

here’s an interview i did with screen junkies with max powers (who many of you may know better as @michael_bay – fake michael bay on twitter).

Max Powers Inteviews Brea Grant – Watch more Free Videos

you can also go to the screen junkies website here.

Hi! juliedarling here to interrupt your regularly scheduled Brea list (~ insert loud high pitched noise~)

OK, now that I’ve got your attention, Brea has asked me to guest post today with a juliedarling list. Why a juliedarling list you ask, and who is juliedarling anyway? I’m the co-founder of www.smashingdarling.com, a site where you can find over 450 of the hottest indie fashion designers you’ve never seen. It’s my job to rock indie fashion, find hot new designers, and keep people like you looking smashing … and I love doing just that.

So, in the spirit of allowing our waistlines to expand a little during this holiday season (because we deserve it!) I’m going to focus on the one thing that won’t make you look fat, EVAHHH …  Jewelry!  Here are a few of my favorite things out there this season:

1. One of my  all time favorite jewelry designers on the site is Reverie. I recently got to see some of her pieces in person and was amazed at how incredibly large they were in person. THEY’RE HUGE! They are each unique,  all made from vintage elements, and they are all absolutely gorgeous.

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/spring-time

2. Confession time … juliedarling has a bit of a ring problem. So, I couldn’t have a jewelry list without at least a piece or two of my favorite finger-wear. Cynthia Jones’ Modern Ring is simple and fun. It’s enameled copper and comes in yellow, silver, brown or white.

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/modern-ring

Cynthia has a whole line of jewelry to go with this ring, so don’t forget to check out her store here: http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/cynthia-jones

3. Juliet Rutigliano’s jewelry can slide into my closet any day of the week. The thing I love about her pieces is that everything moves, really speaks to the kid who likes to play. And who doesn’t like a little play?? This Chain Bang Bracelet is so delicate, so casual, but you can also dress it up with anything and everything. Can’t go wrong with this one!

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/chain-bang-bracelet

4. Dina Varano’s Spine Pendant is gorgeous. Actually gorgeous doesn’t do it justice, it’s just beyond smashing! http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/spine-pendant Can be worn in front, or in back to give you that sex kitten appeal. Rowrrrr ….here’s a view of someone wearing one of the spine pendants in the back.

http://dinavarano.blogspot.com/2008/10/sexy-spine.html

5. And we can’t forget the men in our life, ’cause we know they need all the help they can get. go robot! is one of juliedarling’s absolute favorite jewelry designers. I don’t just own a few of his pieces myself, I covet them. This Cold-Rolled Ring is something no man should be without.

http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/cold-rolled-ring

Hope that gives you a few ideas of things that I’ve been drooling over lately. If you need any hints or suggestions for that loved one, or you just want to know what to put with that piece you have in your closet you can either comment below, email julie(at)smashingdarling(dot)com, or head over to twitter and look for @juliedarling. Would love to point you in the right direction.

love this. see you guys there!

here’s a blog/video with me and christine from tristinstyling.

here’s the video below. but i’d suggest reading the explanation on christine’s site – otherwise it might not make too much sense.

i’m back to one of the places i call home a week from today – austin, texas!

every week, the alamo drafthouse shows episodes of heroes and on december 8th, i’ll be talking after the episode.

here’s a link where you can reserve a seat.  hope to see you all there. i’ll answer your questions, sign your stuff, all that kind of thing.

p.s. i’m totally excited to come to austin!