My Favorite Acting Clips #ThrowbackThursday

Here are my top three favorite clips from when I was a younger and funner actress.

It's not always the safest, most glamorous, or creative- but there were a few projects that I thought, alright this was good.



1. I play a bitchy college girl to the main character in the beginning of Noah Baumbach's 'Mistress America'. This filmed up in Columbia University and got me my SAG card.



2. You might remember 'Boyhood' by Richard Linklater as the movie filmed over 12 years where you actually see a boy grow up into a man on film. It was truly an honor getting to work with this production, and I'm so glad I happened to be around when they were making it.



3. A different type of acting gig, I was in Kid Cudi's 'Pursuit of Happiness (Megaforce)' music video. Wearing a fork in one ear and a spoon in the other, I loved getting to wear the sweater which was by an Italian designer and had ice cream and other fruits and candy's knit on.

Things to Do in Panama City Beach, Florida (DAY 4)

To check out the rest of our trip, click here,

Day 1 click here, and Day 2 pt 1 Myrtle Beach and Charleston,  Day 3 Savannah.



Going South from Georgia, we stopped in Jacksonville and discovered a place called Taco Libre that had the most incredible, huge $3 horchatas and tacos. This was the only restaurant that prompted us to take leftovers with us on the road. And let me tell you, eating pork tacos with your feet up at a random gas station in the middle of nowhere, is one of the greatest enjoyments one can have.



Panama City Beach seems to be known more for beach and hotel rentals than hip eats and exciting things to do. But we found it all!



In the New York Times article '36 Hours in Panama City Beach', it's written,

"In this self-styled “Spring Break Capital of the World” — a moniker validated by the hundreds of thousands of students who descend on the town every March and April — you’ll find a predictably high density of tattoo parlors and mini-golf courses. But hidden amid this lowbrow mix are welcome additions including a farmers’ market and the area’s first craft beer pub. And in 2010, the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened just north of the city, making the trip south even easier. So trade in expectations of starched tablecloths and fine-art museums, and embrace the carefree notions that swirl with silly pineapple daiquiris and every facet of the relaxing life aquatic here on Florida’s laid-back Emerald Coast."



We had dinner upon getting into town - at a place called Schooner's Last Local Beach Club. I called ahead and asked if it was busy, and the woman on the phone giggled. I soon discovered why, as we pulled up. This beach-side institution looks like the most popping place in town. People lined up 5 rows deep waiting for a table. We put our names down, and walked along the beach (watched the sun beginning to set) until I got the text that our table was ready.



They seated us right by the water, and the cannon- which they shoot off every night at sunset. Enjoyed a pina colada (in complimentary plastic tumblr- it's substantially large), grouper (me) and chicken (him) sandwich.







We walked back onto the beach at night and enjoyed feeling the soft sand under our feet.

The next morning, we were so excited to wake up.

We had an appointment for the Dolphin Encounter at Gulf Marine World Park!

This was such a bucket list item for me. It was just enough time to really interact and enjoy the moment. But there were a lot of other great things happening as well, and with the Dolphin Encounter ticket we also had the opportunity to see the rest of the park afterwards. Here is a video of some of the highlights.









We stopped by a Sea Lion Show:

Saw some sharks!

Touched a stingray or two:

And then we were off to New Orleans!

24 Hrs in Savannah (DAY 3)

We had so much fun the whole week before and after hitting this city.

To check out our preplanning, click here, Day 1 click here, and Day 2 pt 1 Myrtle Beach and Charleston, click the city names.

(Prints of the photo below, because I'm in love with it, are available here.)







Savannah was a great place to be immersed in Southern Gothic-ness and it's own definite culture. We've heard so many things from friends in the past, and were definitely looking forward to this leg of our East Coast Road Trip.







One of my old coworkers, Paige, had given some great tips. She went to Savannah College of Art and Design, and ended up having her wedding there during the time that we worked together. Everywhere we walked, we would see the SCAD logo and various parts of the campus.



For hotels in Savannah - cannot recommend Mansion on Forsyth Park more. We'd had a relatively smooth ride in from Charleston, but were more than ready to check in to this luxurious place. There was Versace furniture and flavored water and apples we snacked on, in the lobby. If you walk through the lobby out the back, there is this gorgeous pool you can take a dip in.







We got asked later that night (when spontaneously chatting with a couple near us, also watching the sun set) why we picked this hotel, rather than one of the many located at the River. If the above details aren't enough, here are some of the reasons we gave them. When Mark had been here in the past for rugby, he remembered Forsyth Park fondly. We also knew there would be a Farmers Market there in the morning (it's every Saturday rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), so we could just walk across the street and get breakfast there. And as it would turn out, we would also see the start of the Savannah Mile Run that morning. We still enjoy remembering a group of probably coworkers, all in yellow shirts, who started out walking, and later we saw ending the run walking, having a great time the whole way.



We also ended up finding out that the hotel has a complimentary shuttle to their sister property, The Bohemian located on the Riverfront at Bay Street. It runs every half an hour on a first come first serve basis. We ended up going there to see the sun set, with a great view from their rooftop bar. To be able to go back to a quiet room, away from the craziness of the Riverwalk after a night out, was great. And the most incredible soaking tub was in our room, waiting.











(P.S. Don't pay for valet, there is sufficient on-street parking available around the park and side streets and we ended up finding parking on the same block as the hotel, every time we needed it)



Our walking route was along Bull and Whitaker from the Park towards the River and back.



Made a stop at a friendly looking bookstore called E Shaver Booksellers, which had an attached oasis called the Tea Room. They had Outlander-themed tea! (for anyone who remembers that show and the Jamie character fondly) As their website says, first and foremost, they love tea. Mark had a bit of a cough, so they made a batch of 'Emperor's Bride' with a strong recommendation that it would help him feel better, and it did!



Dinner was at Olde Pink House & Planters Tavern at 23 Abercorn Street, which I'm told, is always busy. I had pulled up the restaurant on my phone as I'm apt to do sometimes when I want to go somewhere nice but hadn't thought to make a reservation yet. I'll literally do it in the parking lot right before going in, just to have that to say to the host. But this time, I couldn't do it. There were not open tables, or so we thought. It's a huge, historic place (16,000 square feet) that any host or hostess will give you a tour to show you all the wings and different facts that have occured there. Despite not having even a last minute reservation, we walked in and were treated really well. We were walked around and given descriptions of every room, and it turns out a table opened up as soon as we got back to the entrance.

We were seated in an old bank vault room. It was wonderful. I got the pork, he got the chicken, we both got collard greens and a delicious sweet potato with pecan brown sugar sauce on the side. In total it was around $50 with drinks.



We strolled to the Riverwalk and saw the boats and people milling around. Last time Mark was here, his rugby teammates had spent more of there time here near the water. He'd gone to Smiles Dueling Piano Bar so we stopped and listened for a minute. Got a signature pina colada frozen daquiri from Wet Willies and sat in the park, watching people with glow sticks running around.



The next morning, we walked outside to see this race setting off. So many participants going by the front of the hotel, right at that moment! We crossed that street and walked into the park, strolling through the stalls of the Farmer's Market. I HIGHLY recommend one vendor, Alake's GA Pecan's. His 'Sweet, Salty, Buttery' 2 oz bag of pecans is their best seller, and addictive.

We snacked and munched on our way past the park (the opposite way from our stroll last night to the river), towards Foxy Loxy Cafe. Artwork litters the walls. We got sausage breakfast kolaches from someone named Chloe, and sat in their main seating area along with a few student-looking patrons perched at their various laptops.

After all that walking, we were ready to relax in our room and start thinking about the next destination. And good thing, because it started to rain. Our next city was Panama City Beach, Florida (DAY 4), so it was about to be a long drive.



*A recommendation for the best road stop you could imagine- is on the way out of Savannah heading South- the Smallest Church in America in Darien, GA.

 

Turning 30 | Skin, Makeup, Hair and Health

Hey guys, it’s Andrea. I make things as ‘the codex club’ on here, but I’ve never posted a personal YouTube video where I even talk, so I thought it was about time. I turned 30 yesterday. And for some that’s not a big deal. But for me, it was always something I talked about when discussing goals. Like ‘when I turn 30…’ ‘this is what I want to do before 30’ and I realize I’ve done some of it, and I’m happy with where I am- but there’s a lot I still want to do. Here are some of the things I’ve worked hard to gather and share here.

Skin, Makeup, Hair Loves:

I had to pick up things when I was acting on shoots (and something a makeup artist did worked well), or a friend told me ‘do this’. My little sister actually gives me the most tips. My mom never really wore makeup, and stressed just taking care of our skin. Which is great! And she looks great for her age. But there are some things I do, and I hope it helps. 

Skin

1. Elf 83408 Blemish Control Primer Clear .47 Oz


2. Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist travel size 0.24 oz


3. iS CLINICAL Hydra-Cool Serum, 0.5 fl. oz.

Makeup

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills - Brow Wiz - Granite


2. Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Fiber Gel Gimme Brow+ 5 Deep


3. Buxom Full-On Lip Cream Mai Tai (coral) .14 oz


4. Neutrogena Moisturesmooth Color Lipstick, 80 Rich Raisin, .011 Oz.


5. NARS Blush Orgasm

Hair

1. UNITE Hair 7 Seconds Detangler Leave In, 8 Fl oz

I saw a few Chinese-American makeup tips on youtube, but this is what I do. It’s not really who I am to just talk about products, so I’d like to also talk about general health, and what’s below the surface.

Health:

NutriBullet smoothies. A huge tablespoon of peanut butter plus as many fruits can fit, some spinach, and either milk or almond milk.

A book I like by Aubrey Marcus, Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex

Which I also wrote about in a prior blog post: http://thecodexclub.blogspot.com/2018/05/blog-post.html

Yoga videos on here (yoga at your desk! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAUf7aajBWE)

And just some reflections on Bourdain passing, and life in general. We live in an age that’s increasingly connecting through social media, and I’m inspired to try and make those connections more and listen to you guys so I hope we can keep in touch.



For a list of my goals (for the next thirty years) please see the updated 'About' page here.

A Day in Charleston, South Carolina (DAY 2 pt2)

WE LOVE CHARLESTON.

Here is a video montage of our morning biking through this wonderful city. A lot of people visiting Charleston South Carolina, choose to rent bikes and go by the water, and I completely understand why, now. This is the third part of our earlier road trip posts along the East Coast (see also, Virginia Beach and Wilmington, and Myrtle Beach).

Stayed at the Spectator Hotel, easily one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in or will ever. There was a butler! His name was Chuck and he had the best stories about the city and his life. Even helped us figure out where to go to dinner. Note: there are so many free snacks (My favorite were the benne wafers by Charleston Specialty Foods), and free cocktails in the room (as well as water, coke, and local sweet tea) that you might not get that hungry.







But the weather was wonderful and we could hear a local troubadour singing from City Market nearby, so we wandered down a block or two and saw the night stalls that were open. Through there and another block or two, we made it to Anson Restaurant. Really nice ambience, and a perfect romantic dinner of chicken for him, and grouper for me, by candlelight. On the way back from the restaurant, back through City Market, the singer was now singing 'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran, and I couldn't help but hum a little bit and stop with Mark against a wall to listen to him finish til the end.



Can we just talk about the view one wakes up to?







Brunch was at Butcher & Bee, a super hipster cafe where I got a Lamb Pita and Turmeric Tang juice, and Mark got the Roast Beef Sandwich. Took this photo outside:







'A good time occurs precisely when we lose track of what time it is' -Robert Farrar Capon



Drove to the nearby Shepherd Fairey mural that was still on the wall of their old location, then it was on to Savannah, Georgia.

Surprises at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (DAY 2 pt1)

DAY 2 of our East Coast Road Trip is split up because of just how much happened when we hit the Carolina's. (DAY 1 on Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, and Wilmington here)



The rain was coming down really hard, the morning we set off for Myrtle Beach. This city is on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, and the hub of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile string of beaches. The plan had been to get toes wet at the water's edge, but the downpour and a slight burn from Virginia Beach the day before discouraged us. Went to Wal-Mart to get some sunscreen and snacks, and I researched from last minute indoor activities.







Black Biker Week was going on, as it happens, every year over Memorial Weekend at Myrtle Beach. It was the coolest thing to see all the bikers and their motorcycles. I remember seeing the event on an episode of Eastbound and Down, and it was something we also hadn't planned but were really happy to be unwitting spectators.

There was an area on Celebrity Circle that had a bunch of cute shops. The rain had stopped a bit we were able to feed fishes from a boardwalk. I'll never forget, relaxing in one of the deck chairs under a shop awning, watching the rain. Everything smells more clearly when it's wet, and the all the colors around you look richer, more saturated.

Wandered into a Laser Maze Challenge. This was probably more for children, but made us feel like Catherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment. And we beat the Expert Level- twice! There was also a connected Mirror Maze, that was really fun. They give you gloves when you go in, because you keep your arms out to check which pathways are real, and which are the mirrored halls.

Grabbed lunch at a big restaurant by the water called the Sea Captain's House, mostly because it had a big parking lot across the street and you could walk from the dining area to the water. Pleasantly surprised to try she-crab soup for the first time there; it was really good.



Went back to another boardwalk and shops area but this time to see some tigers!

The best possible last minute thing ever - the T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station at Myrtle Beach Safari. The first time slots start at 5:00 pm, so we hit up a magic store across from the entrance (saw a 'Zoltar Speak's machine, just like they have at Coney Island and the Tom Hanks movie, Big). When the time finally came- we were so excited. The admission goes to funding preservation efforts- and the monkeys, wolf cub, and two-month-old tiger were so amazing to hold and touch. I still can't believe we had that once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it was my favorite part of our time at Myrtle Beach.

And then it was off to Charleston for the evening.

The history of the codex club

Something not a lot of people know about the codex club, is that we've been doing it for a while (the license to the name was filed in Sept 2015). Moving to Baltimore from New York was one of the scariest things I've ever done. My first job was very corporate and utilized my technical graphic design skills, but not as much the creative part of it. To still have fun, I made greeting cards, about cultural events and inspiration around me (Trump, the Kardashians). Some of the coworkers I liked were creating their own illustrations- I started printing some of their designs on the cards too, and set up an etsy shop for us. Did some in-person sales as well, and had a lot of fun. When I left that job late last year, I had to think about the next steps for the club, and what I really wanted it to be. People and experiences come in and out of your life- and it's always been really important to me to document and keep records. That was the whole point behind the name; codex means a written record, the earliest form of books.



Updated the logo from a simple riff of two c's mirrored/interacting, to a fresh version of Mark's family coat of arms. Tossed around the idea of a sort of key-club, or organization that would be a little like a creative workspace. Most of all we want to continue branching into other sorts of products like clothing and home goods. The codex club website blog has been up since the new year, in an effort to connect and share news/inspiration. We hope you'll check it out and keep in touch!