Everything you ever wanted to (or didn't want to) know about me and One Tree Hill

So I'm finally posting my OTH master post.  As a lot of  you know I recently started watching this show again from the very beginning and wow...what a nostalgic journey it has been.  I know that to some it may seem silly to have so many emotions tied into a TV show.  A TV show for teenagers that originally aired on the WB nonetheless.  To you I say, watch one episode.  Just one.  It has more heart in that one episode than most shows these days do in their entire series run.  It's honest, real, moving, funny, relevant.  So I went online and there is a whole post of questions about OTH favorites that I thought I would share along with some favorite moments AND a OTH playlist consisting of all my favorite songs from the show (thanks to my BFF Beth for that idea).

OTH QUESTIONS

Favorite Male character?

Nathan Scott.  I love the evolution he makes throughout the seasons.  I'm also currently having a fight with my shallow girl side who wants to say "plus he's super hot"

Favorite Female character

Brooke Davis.  She is amazing.  In the episode when they are going to make a movie based on "An Unkindness of Ravens" Julian gives her the sides on the character "Brooke Davis" which describes her to a T
"Gorgeous brunette with an amazing energy and smile.  Funny.  Intelligent.  Kind-hearted.  Strong Headed.  Simple.  Complicated.  Motherly.  Childish.  Tough.  Sensitive.  Beautiful."

Your favorite couple

I adore Nathan and Haley.  They are wonderful BUT (and don't hate me for saying this) they got on my nerves sometimes!  So.....I'm gonna have to say Brooke/Julian

Your favorite friendship

All the friendships are so great on this show....Peyton/Haley, Lucas/Haley, Nathan/Lucas, Brooke/Haley, Clay/Nathan, Brooke/Millie, Mouth/Jimmy but I think the ultimate for me is of course Brooke/Peyton.  I have to choose them because there is something so special about your best best girlfriend that can't be replaced by anything else.

Your favorite actor

Paul Johansson.  Hands down.  He's flawless!

Your favorite actress
Sophia Bush and Bethany Joy

 Your favorite season
Seasons 3-4 were the BEST (I also really really enjoyed the 9th and final season)

Your least favorite season

Season 5....it felt strange.

Your favorite episode
THIS IS HARD but my Top 4 are
1. With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, and Tired Souls We Slept
2. Danny Boy 
3. You Have To Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil's Brain)
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water

Your favorite quote

"Every once in awhile, people step up, they rise above themselves.  Sometimes they surprise you and sometimes they fall short.  Life is funny sometimes.  It can push pretty hard but if you look close enough, you can find hope in the words of children, in the bars of a song, and in the eyes of someone you love.  And if you're lucky, if you're the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love decides to love you back."

- Everyday Is A Sunday Evening (Season 4)

Favorite CODA

The final one.  It doesn't get any better than when the chords of U2's song "One Tree Hill" start playing and you see the original 3 cast members flashing back to high school...chills and tears every time.

Your favorite song played on One Tree Hill
Strays Don't Sleep - For Blue Skies
Changed my life.

All time favorite One Tree Hill scene



The end of Season 4 is just the most beautiful scene.  It makes me sob every time I watch it.  You can feel the same feelings they would be feeling at the end of high school.  The same feelings we've all felt...excitement, fear, longing.  Love love love

I'll finish my playlist post tomorrow!  While we're on the subject, I know a lot of you come from an OTH fanbase.  Any other favorite moments or memories you want to share?  Leave me a comment!

Weekend Collage (and the big announcement!)

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring logo watches

I hope you all have had a good weekend so far and that you are gearing up for the THREE DAY WEEKEND!! I love 3 day weekends.  It's like when you pay for one packet of peanut butter M&M's in the vending machine and two accidentally pop out!  It's the best!

I will (for once) not be working on Memorial Day!!  Instead I will be spending it (literally) in Park City and I'm very excited.  I hope you enjoy your extra day!

I spent a lot of my weekend listening to 60's rock.  I LOVE 60's rock music.  Bob Dylan, The Zombies, Blue Oyster Cult, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Doobie Brothers....can't get enough.  If you've never listened to 60's rock...give it a try.  It does not disappoint.  

You may notice that I am subtly trying to hint at the big news that I've been gearing up to announce for practically 2 months now.....can you guess what it is?  I'll give you a minute....I'll be Googling pictures of babies in kangaroo costumes while you think.....

...........................................................................................................................................

Did you guess???

Well for those of you who were also Googling pictures of babies in kangaroo costumes instead of guessing (I don't blame you) the big announcement is......

I got a promotion at work!!!  I am the new COUNTER MANAGER of the CLINIQUE counter!!!

ARE YOU FREAKING OUT????

Me too.

I'm so excited to embark on this new adventure!  Any good news you want to share?

I'd love to hear it!!

xoxo

Vanessa

Help Wanted

I hate when magazines rag on celebrities for being "high maintenance".  If I had that kind of power I would totally abuse it too.  There are so many things in life that I would be great at making other people do instead.  I've wasted dedicated a lot of time thinking about how I would manipulate people into being my personal assistant and what their job would entail.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO VANESSA LOUISE NELSON

BY SIGNING THIS CONTRACT I HEREBY AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Ms. Nelson would like to be referred to as "Mrs. Timberlake"

2. No eye contact whatsoever

3. The weather can cause Ms. Nelson to be temperamental.  You need to be prepared to cater to her needs if and when she calls upon you.  This may include (but is not limited to) buckling her seatbelt when it's hot outside, commanding the rain to cease, making several trips (a day) to Maverick to replenish her thirst (ONLY juicy peach green tea will suffice),  tell her she looks pretty when the dry dry air is causing her hair to be unruly etc..

4. Laugh at her jokes even (ha as if) they aren't funny.  She needs to be validated constantly.  Anything less will cause her to slip into a deep depression.

5. When she has received a voicemail it is your job to listen to it, delete it, and then relay the message to her.  She hates to be bothered with human interaction as well as the notifications that pop up on her phone.  THOSE NOTIFICATIONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE TAKEN CARE OF.

6. Everyday at 4:00, no matter where she is, she will require an ice cold Diet Coke.  Fountain Diet Coke to be exact.  She will only drink it if there is pebbled ice and it's in a soft Styrofoam cup.  Always give her a fluorescent pink bendy straw.  

7. Ms. Nelson tends to overreact 90% of the time.  It is your job to justify her behavior and ratify her emotions.  i.e.: if she gets teary eyed while talking about Titanic, an appropriate response would be asking if she wants to watch it while braiding her hair.  If she gets angry because someone asks her a stupid question, stay quiet and let her yell out a few choice words.  Then, applaud her for being honest with her emotions.  If she has a bad face day stroke her ego until she semi-blushes and then text her pictures of Ryan Gosling.

8. She needs theme music to walk into every room.  Examples include (but are not limited to)  The Saved by the Bell theme song, "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey, Dirrty by Christina Aguilera, and "What Up Gangsta" by 50 Cent

9. No one is ever prettier than her.  Ever.

10. Occasionally while driving Ms. Nelson will want to loudly sing a power ballad.  This power ballad is ALWAYS a duet, no questions asked.  Ms. Nelson is always the girl part.

11. Ms. Nelson must always be fully stocked on NyQuil and Excederin PM.  Please keep her phone away while she's under the influence of any or all.  

12. Newsies must be watched, quoted, and all songs sang to.  All the time.

13.  Never bring Ms. Nelson around Wal-Marts or high school girls,  you will be terminated immediately.  

COMPENSATION

You will be paid never and benefits are short (and rare) compliments and a handful of aspirin if you have a sick day.

I am normal.

• Train - Drive By
• Nicki Minaj - Starships
• Kenny Chesney - Come Over
• Bob Seger - We've Got Tonight
• Stevie Nicks - Stand Back
• When In Rome - The Promise
• The Lumineers - Ho Hey
• Fiona Apple - Every Single Night
• Jason Reeves - More In Love With You
• Lee Brice - Hard To Love
• Fleetwood Mac - Silver Springs
• The Naked And Famous - Punching In A Dream

I can't wait for gift to be over.  Today I could barely get out of bed and while my first thought was that clearly I had heart cancer, I then remembered that we were in gift....which is kind of WORSE.

So I'm doing what any stable human being would do....continuing to watch One Tree Hill from the beginning and sobbing.

I am normal.

Any other good music?  Send it my way!  And to those who have emailed me volunteering to do a guest post...I got the emails.  I will be getting back to you shortly...and THANK YOU.

xoxo

Weekend Collage

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring a chiffon dress

Hi guys!

I hope you had a good weekend!  Lancome is in gift right now so that's what has been keeping us apart...

Hope you haven't missed me too much ;)

xoxo

Vanessa

P.S. Did you guys watch SNL last night and the send off for Kristen Wiig?  Did you BAWL YOUR EYES OUT like I did?

If not...congratulations on being more emotionally stable than me (and also probably dead inside)

Summer Make Up Essentials

make up stuff by vanessanelson featuring a cream eye shadow

1) Clinique BB Cream -$37

Love the lightweight texture.  It helps correct skin tone, hydrates, and protects!  

2) Dior Bronzing Powder - $46

LOVE a great bronzer all year round but especially in summer.  I usually like to get a matte one just because you can add shimmer with your blush.

3) Nars "The Multiple" Cream Blush -$39

Love love love this blush!  Super easy to use and the perfect shades.  

4) Bobbi Brown Cream Shadows - $24

I like using cream shadows in the summer because they are lightweight and natural looking.  

5) Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Liner - $18

One of the smoothest eyeliners I've ever used.  It's good to have a waterproof one in the summer because there's more opportunities for it to run (humidity, sweat, swimming)

6) Laura Mercier Lip Glace - $24

Seriously the best gloss EVER.  My favorite shade is "Opal" because it's a gorgeous beige/pink.  It's perfection.  These glosses are lightweight, not sticky....amazing.

I know a lot of these are pricey so.....I made ANOTHER  set of summer essentials just because I love you!

Untitled #42 by vanessanelson featuring revlon cosmetics

1) Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse Foundation - $10.49

I love the PhotoReady line from Revlon.  I think it's one of the best that drugstore brands have to offer.  The mousse make up is super lightweight, has good coverage, and a little goes a long way.

2) Maybelline Fit Me Bronzer - $4.49

Matte finish, 3 different shades.  The staying power isn't the best but it works well for the price!

3) Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush - $9.89

Sonia Kashuk is a make up artist who developed a line of cosmetics for Target.  I LOVE her products.  Good quality without the high price tag.  Her cream blush is FABULOUS.

4) Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadow - $4.94

Before I worked at a department store cosmetics counter...these were the only shadows I used!  I love them.  Not a lot of staying power but I bet if you splurged on a really good eyeshadow base, these would stay on a lot better.

5) Cover Girl Lash Blash 24H Liner - $6.99

Love the precision point on the liner and the fact that it's long lasting!

6) Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - $6.49

My friend Morgan introduced me to these and I'm OBSESSED.  Wears so comfortably...almost like a balm but has great great color!  My faves so far are: Strawberry Shortcake, Cherry Tart, and Raspberry Pie

Everyone should own at LEAST one of these.

I hope this post was helpful!  I'll be doing more of these so if you have any questions or tips you'd like to see...let me know!

xoxo

Instagram and a Playlist

Sorry I've been M.I.A. this week (missing in action...not a female gangsta.  I don't fly like paper OR get high like planes).  I've been on a little adventure and until today I haven't had internet access but I'M BACK with an Instagram update and a few songs that I'm loving right now!

Dog sitting this cute little demon

Bubblegum pink nails and coconut water?  Life is perfect.

Got a new mascara Diorshow Iconic by Dior...I think I like it

(pricey though...looking for a cheaper alternative)

Morgan is clearly obsessed with me.  Her phone knew what she really meant.

All my OTH fans out there will know why THIS was a very exciting day

CURRENTLY PLAYING:

Andy Grammer - Fine By Me

Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - If I Had A Gun

Blind Pilot - Half Moon

Gavin DeGraw - Soldier

The Horrible Crowes - I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together

Brand New - The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot

Switchfoot - Vice Versus

Brooke Annibale - I Believe

Michael Logen - Goodbye, Goodbye

Boy & Bear - My Only One

Cary Brothers - Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Alex Clare - Too Close

City and Colour - Sorrowing Man

Have a good one! 

xoxo

P.S. I have some SUPER exciting news to share with everyone soooonn!!!!

Friday Letters

Dear Disney Cruise Line,
Using "Under The Sea" as your theme song is not very reassuring.
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear Florence + The Machine,
Thanks for "Shake It Out" buuuttt I've really gotta stop listening to it in public because I keep pretending I'm in a music video and lip syncing for my life.
Love,
Vanessa

Dear Food Network,
WAYS TO IMPROVE DINERS, DRIVE-INS, AND DIVES 1) Fire Guy Fieri 2) Hire me as host 3) Bring all the food to my house 4) No cameras.
Think about it.
Vanessa

Dear Everyone,
Raise your hand if you haven't had to use "proofs" in real life situations and then use that hand to smack your old math teacher.
I mean really.
Vanessa

Dear Kristen Stewart,
You seem like one of those missing milk carton kids who was raised by their kidnapper.  Smile every once in awhile will ya!?
Vanessa

Dear Dominos,
I really appreciate your commitment to reminding everyone how crappy your food used to be.
Keep up the good work.
Vanessa

Dear Ke$ha,
Who exactly ARE these lovesick crackheads you're talking about?
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear Readers.
Thanks for spending the week with me (even though I wasn't around all that often....we already know I'm the worst....forgive me?)  I adore you all and you're all fabulous and wonderful!  By the way....my friend Morgan from The Dime Diary did a guest post over at The Sparkle Fashion Blog!  Check it out HERE...soooo good!  Have a great weekend!
xoxo,
Vanessa

Guest Blogger Playlist

Hey guys!  I'd like to introduce you all to my 3rd guest blogger Eilidh!

Hey my name’s Eilidh

I’m going to give you a couple of my favourite songs in a minute but I thought I would share a couple of facts about me first.

·         I live in Inverness Scotland.

·         I have two adorable indoor rabbits called Buster and Bessie.

·         My last birthday cake had cooked sausages on it.

·         I’m left handed.

·         I have a lot of trouble sleeping so when I can’t get to sleep I listen to music and that keeps me sane.

·         I have an addiction to the book bzrk and the bzrk web series.

Okay I think that’s enough of an intro so I’ll just get to the playlist I hope you enjoy it.

Amy kuney - thank you for last night. I first heard one of her songs on One tree hill and I’ve loved her ever since  

Bobby Darin - start of something big I was reading a book called for one more day by Mitch Albom and it mentioned this song.

Jayme Dee - love whiplash. she does amazing song covers on YouTube.

Deana carter - we danced anyway.  I can’t remember how I found out about her but I’m glad I did.

Grace Potter and the nocturnal – apologies. Yet another song I heard from One tree hill.

Rozzi crane - song about you. Sometimes I get mixed up with this song and love song by Sara bareilles because they’re so different. I’d love to know if you had a favourite of the two.

Jana Kramer - I hope it rains. I think I’ve listened to this song about two billion times.

The staves – Mexico.  I went to one of their concerts without knowing who they were or what they sounded like because the tickets were cheap and I didn’t have anything to do on that day. It was definitely worth going.

Peter Gabriel - red rain. I heard this song on C.S.I. New York the episode was called dead inside.

Regina spektor – Braille I love all of Regina Spektors songs some of them do have a couple of swears but her voice is amazing.

Lenka – sad song I think this song goes very well with the next one because they’re so alike. 

Jason reeves - you in a song. Girls with glasses did a nice interview ages ago with him it’s worth checking out.

Kina Grannis - the one you say goodnight to (she also does amazing song covers on her YouTube channel).

Sorry there’s more than one genre of music here but that’s what my iPod playlists look like. 

Thank you so much for sharing your music with us!!!  

If you're interested in being a guest blogger leave me a comment! 

xoxo