Thursday, May 30, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Crazy Stupid Love
Crazy Stupid Love stars Steve Carell as Cal, a family man who now finds himself getting a divorce. When his wife (Julianne Moore) confesses that she slept with her co-worker David (Kevin Bacon), Cal packs up and moves out. Once he's out on his own he's depressed and doesn't know what to do now that his soulmate is no longer by his side. When he finds himself sitting in a bar a younger guy decides to take him under his wing. 

Jacob (Ryan Gosling) sees something in Cal that makes him want to help him. He takes him shopping  and shows him how to dress then starts trying to teach him how to talk to women. What Jacob himself is starting realize is that he's lonely just like Cal. When a girl walks into the bar and won't fall for his usual ways, she sticks out in his mind. When she walks back into his life he's surprised and who faces him in his future. It could be a pleasant surprise or a shocking twist...

I was pretty leery of watching this movie. I know I'm probably one of only a few but I am not a big fan of Steve Carell or Julianne Moore. That had stopped me from watching this movie for a long time. I'm glad I finally did watch it though! I'm always a big fan of Emma Stone and now I kinda see why everyone talks about Ryan Gosling! If you haven't seen this movie... watch it. It's funny, heart warming and entertaining. 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly


It's time for another edition of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

The Good
I finally caught up on my television shows and movies sitting on my dvd shelf waiting to be opened and watched. 
I usually read the books before watching a movie but I watched Safe Haven before reading it. Is it worth going back and reading it even though I've already seen the movie? 

The Bad
Northern California experienced an earthquake on Thursday night. I was sitting on my couch reading some magazines when I felt this strange feeling. I thought I was passing out because I felt the room moving then I was like wait... I feel fine. Then it hit me... earthquake! So I immediately called my mom and let her know I was fine. Then I started getting calls/texts/facebook alerts asking me if I felt it too. Good news is I'm fine, the house is fine. It happened about 1.5 hours away from me. 

The Ugly
I was pursuing the isles at Target one day and noticed this new Cheerio cereal. 
It looked pretty good so I thought I'd buy a box and give it a try. The cereal itself is really good. It's kind of a mix between eating frosted flakes, honey nut cheerios and a bran cereal but all rolled into one. The more I started eating the cereal I noticed after I ate it that I'd have some.... gas. What was not unnoticeable though was the fact that the cereal made my gas smell like pure death. I've had to steer clear of it. Anyone want a half a box of cereal? Going once, twice... to the birds it goes. 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Weekend Review

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! My holiday weekend started off on Wednesday. I couldn't count down the minutes fast enough before I could get out of work! When I got home I was tired but determined to make something yummy to eat for dinner. I decided on an extra cheesy, pepperoni pizza... 
Then later that night I went to the 10:00p.m (first showing time in CA) showing of The Hangover Part III. I love these movies! Yes, I know the second one wasn't as good as the first but the third one makes up for it. I thought it probably the best one in the series. I might even go see it again... oh wait, no I won't because it's like 12.00 to see a movie! I can pay that on the dvd when it comes out. 
 
Thursday I figured I should get as many errands done as possible before the holiday traffic started to take over Sacramento. One of my tasks was grocery shopping, during it I found some of the biggest strawberries I have ever seen! Take a look at an example....
It took up my entire palm! The strawberries are just the right color, taste and shape. This one even looked like a heart. I also added to my vintage Merry Mushroom collection by getting the bread box as an early birthday gift from my mom.

It's so cute and it gets all of my bread off the kitchen countertops. I originally had plans of going skydiving this coming week but they had to get cancelled due to people in the group having to reschedule. Since I had all that money burning a hole in my pocket, I finally bought one of the necklaces I had been wanting for months. 

It won't be here for about two weeks but it's going to look awesome with some of my summer attire! Then to top off the weekend, I visited the Sacramento County Fair! I even got an Elvis tattoo (don't worry it's only temporary!)
Among the many foods that I consumed while at the fair, my favorite was probably this madagascar vanilla bean gelato. Pure amazingness!
And that kids is how you spend a memorial day weekend! 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, The Untouchables
The Untouchables is set in Chicago during the era of prohibition and mob wars. Kevin Costner stars as Federal Agent Eliot Ness, who sets out to stop Al Capone (Robert De Niro) and all of the corruption going on in the city. He recruits some men and they ban together to take down Al Capone and dry up the entire city by confiscating all of the incoming liquor. When Capone realizes that these "untouchables" aren't going anywhere and that his bribes aren't working as well that's when the fighting really begins. 

Sean Connery stars as Eliot's side kick, Jim Malone and together they use each other's expertise to fight Capone's boys. Along the way they have to do things they swore they would never do. They also have to cross the legal line which is something Eliot hadn't bargained for. Will the untouchables all make it out of the mob war with their lives? Watch this classic movie and see. 

I had actually never seen this movie until this past week. I don't know why I waited so long to watch it because it's really good. Kevin Coster, Sean Connery and Andy Garcia do an amazing job in this movie. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Booze Bottles

Let's talk about miniatures. 
Today I want to talk about miniature alcohol bottles. The majority of the time people pick up these small liquor bottles when they are traveling. The bottles are easy to stow away on cruise ships, carry on a plane or just keep in your pocket/purse. The small bottles are convenient and not as pricey as buying a whole bottle. Now... while all of that is true. That's not why I'm talking about miniatures here. I'm talking about them because of this movie...
Yep! If you've read for awhile you know that one of my all time favorite movies is Romancing The Stone. I have a major obsession with it. I know it. I admit it. Oh well! So in the movie, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) has a large collection of miniatures in a curio cabinet that she is seen getting bottles out of a few times before she leaves for Columbia. I don't know why but I've always had a little bit of an obsession with the small bottles. Maybe because they are cute? Well every time I see the movie, I think that would be cool to have a collection like that. Plus when I was growing up I can remember that in my household we had a small collection as well in the kitchen. I can even remember a tequila one with the worm in it! Sooo... guess what I've started to collect? Yep, you guessed right! Miniature alcohol bottles. 

I have the three pictured above and I've recently acquired a few more. Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect curio cabinet. I think my grandma has one that will work. It's just getting out to California all in one piece. Here's to hoping this project works out! I'll be sure to show it off once I get it. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Weekend Review

I started the weekend off by eating ice cream right out of the carton. It's just me so why not?!? The vanilla was very good...
 I did some furniture shopping and hit up a few antique/vintage places...
I jammed out to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack...

I made some home made potatoes....
I had mentioned to my mom that I wanted a waffle maker... well guess what she sent me in the mail?! A waffle maker! So of course I had to make some. They didn't look that great but they tasted yummy. I have a feeling I'll be perfecting my waffle making craft over the next few weeks. 
Now it's back to the grindstone at work! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sunday Social


Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite kind of surprise? 
A surprise vacation! I also like hand written notes/cards and of course little presents. 

2. Flowers or chocolate? 
Both! My favorite flowers are pink roses and peonies. As for the chocolate I'm a fan of chocolate truffles. 

3. What is your favorite summertime activity? Being in the pool and traveling. 

4. Do you have any vacations planned this summer? Santa Cruz and San Francisco, California. I'd like to go to Seattle and Vegas but we shall see. 

(At Alamo Square in SF)

5. Favorite summer holiday? 
Memorial day! To me that always marks the real start to the summer. 

6. What is your dream vacation? Australia.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Reading Continued...

I caved and finally read the second book in the Delirum series....
Pandemonium is the second book in a trilogy following a Portland girl named Lena. If you haven't read the first book in the series Delirium don't bother reading this book because you'll be lost. Pandemonium builds upon the first book and starts where the first book leaves off. 

Lena is in the Wilds and all on her own. This isn't how she thought she would start her new life. The memory of Alex is still with her and she can't shake it. She doesn't know what else to do but close him off from her heart and try to build a new life for herself out in the harsh, new world that she has chosen. She stumbles upon a homestead and gets taken under the wing of a girl named Raven who's been in the Wilds for awhile now. It's with this group that Lena begins to get stronger and begins to realize the reasons why people escape out of the cities. 

However, Lena has been sent back inside the walls to help out the revolution. Lena has to work in gaining the trust of the DFA (people who are against the invalids) and attend a rally that's featuring the son of the organization, Julian. When the rally becomes an all out disaster because of the scavengers, Lena finds herself hostage with Julian. It's during this time she begins to learn a lot about herself and about Julian as well. 

I was really skeptical about reading this book because I wasn't really into the first book. I have to admit that this book was much better than the first and that I've already went out and bought the final book in the series. Read the trilogy! It's pretty good!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Pitch Perfect
It's not too often that I feature really new movies but this one is totally worth talking about! I had not seen this movie until this past weekend and it was hilarious! I think it's going to become one of my new favorite movies. Pitch Perfect follows an all girl, college singing group. The group is trying to work their way into winning nationals. Be warned this is a musical! The songs are great and did I mention it's funny?! 

Anna Kendrick stars as Beca who will come into the all female group The Bellas and help give them a new outlook and help them get back into the competition. If you haven't seen this movie you are in for a good laugh! Also the songs are pretty great! Watch it! 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

All the Hype

I'm not one to read too many books just because they have a hugh hype associated with them. My friend the librarian kept telling me over and over that I needed, had to, must read this book. It had been sitting on my night-stand since Easter but I finally got around to it and finished it pretty quickly considering my busy schedule. The book... 

Gone Girl follows the lives of Amy and Nick Dunne. When the economy causes both of them to lose their jobs they head back to Nick's hometown in rural Missouri. Nick gets Amy his wife of just a few years to leave NYC and head deep into the south on the promise of a better life and to help take care of his ailing parents. Nick doesn't know if Amy can really settle into the new surrounds and life but he's hoping the best will come out of the situation. 

Amy is not happy about leaving NYC but she's willing to go with Nick to the south on the hopes that things will get better in their marriage. They've had to use her life fortune of being a childhood book star "Amazing Amy" and now they've got to make their own way in a new town. She even lends Nick the last of her money to start a bar with his sister. 

When their fifth wedding anniversary rolls around Nick has one idea how the day will end and Amy has another. When Nick comes home from working at the bar all day he finds the door ajar on the house, a burning tea kettle and no sign of Amy. The living room shows a sign of a struggle and Nick calls the police. From then on out it's a race to find out what's happened to Amy. Nick is also the prime suspect in her disappearance because he's the husband. As the story unfolds we see both sides of the story. It's intriguing and suspenseful to the very end. 

I thought the book was very well written and a good read. Did I think it was everything that people are making it cracked up to be? No. Personally I've read some books that I was more interested in but it definitely was a nice read. 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Weekend Review

This weekend was a relaxing one. It was also a HOT one. The weather in Sacramento has been heating up and this weekend was proof of that.
I of course treated myself to some In-N-Out. Yum! I never get tired of that place.

I went to Bev-Mo this weekend and guess what I found? Um... bacon soda/pop! I am a huge fan of bacon so this was a definite win for me. They had other flavors like Peanut butter and Jelly, sweet corn and turkey. I went with the bacon but maybe next time I go back I'll try out some of the other ones. A lot of people want to know how it was... it was actually pretty tasty. It left an after taste though which wasn't great. It was kinda like a cream soda but bacon. I'd buy it again but it's like $1.79 a bottle. 
I got my car back from the repair shop! They had it for eight days and and got it looking brand new again. I'm so glad to have my car back. I really liked the rental I had and miss all the high end gadgets it had, however I do not miss the gas guzzling it did. I was really surprised that the Fusion ate so much gas. It made me appreciate the awesome gas mileage that my Kia Spectra gets. 
It's as good as new! They even detailed the inside of my car and gave it that new car smell. They were suppose to tint my windows (I had been wanting to have it done since the California sun can be brutal) but they didn't have enough time so I have to tae it back in another day. When they detailed the inside of my car... I guess they forgot to put my protective mats back on top of my nice mats cause they weren't in my car! Oh well! I have my car back and it's good!
I also got to Skype with my mom! I'm so excited because she'll be here in a month! We are trying to get all of our plans lined up for while she's here! It's going to be a great time! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

Friday, May 10, 2013

California Dreaming

It happened again. I had a moment where I thought, "Oh my God, I'm in California."

I've been having a lot of these moments lately and I don't know why. This one hit me when I was driving home from work. The sky was about seven shades of pink and purple and it just looked amazing. That's when it hit me....I live in California. I'm on the west coast and I bought a home here. When it hits me it's like someone threw a brick at me. I can't believe it. I can't believe it all finally happened, the way it happened and what's unfolded since then. 


If I've learned anything in the last few months it's that you can't plan everything. You just have to let go and learn to do only what you can. Some things will be simple while other things will feel like you're climbing up a mountain. There will be days that are hard and then there will be days that you never want to end. 

I've had a lot of hard days. I moved here only knowing one person in this entire city. I had to take care of an entire house myself. I had to do things I had never done before. I had to learn how to use power tools and mow my enormous lawn. I was the only person to take out the trash and separate the recycling. I learned to cook more than just breakfast foods and pasta. I started to hone my baking skills. 

The hard days are starting to get fewer and farther between. Do I miss my mom and friends? Of course. Some nights when I'm home alone, I could cry if I think about it too much but then I decide that I moved out here for a reason. I wanted a better life for myself. I've started to make some friends and I've started getting invited to a few things. It feels good. I've started to put myself out there and I've learned when you do that, that's when you finally started to make friends and see things in a new light. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Collateral Damage

Of course I read the newest book by my favorite author! 
Collateral Damage brings two of Stuart Woods' main characters together again. Stone Barrington a retired NYPD detective turned lawyer is at it again and this time he's got company. Holly Barker a high level CIA agent and friend is visiting NYC due to work and is spending her free time with Stone. When a mad, terrorist bomber starts seeking revenge for the deaths of her siblings. 

Stone and Holly will have to race against time to figure out where the terrorist plans to strike next. What they don't know is that the terrorist has other plans and it involves terrorizing them personally as well...

Stone's sidekick Dino is also involved and has a few surprises of his own up his sleeve. 

I always love Stuart Woods and his books. If you've never read one you should check them out. Since all of the the Stone Barrington novels build on each other start with the first Stone book which is New York Dead

Monday, May 6, 2013

Weekend Review

Last weekend while I was out shopping some blowhole hit my car. It was parked and they sideswiped it. Didn't even leave a sorry note! I mean really?!? Who does that? How rude! I have insurance of course but the damage was over $2,500.00. It was really noticeable too because my car is black and clearly their car was white...
Now I'm cruising around town in this sweet rental for the next week while my car gets repaired. It's a pretty sweet ride. It's the brand new Ford Focus and it's fully loaded. They gave it to me with only 750 miles on it, leather seats, xm radio, the works. I kinda don't want to give it up because it's that nice. It makes me really want a new car even though I'm just getting done paying mine off. 
 And of course, I had to jam out in this sweet ride...
I also tried out another Sacramento food place, Buckhorn Grill. 
I would definitely go back for seconds. The food was pretty good and the wait time wasn't that long. I had also got invited to a BBQ Bash/Pool Party. It was a lot of fun and I'm really thankful for the group of friends that I've made in Sacramento. 
Now I just have to make it through another week of hard work. Then hopefully, another weekend of fun times! Have a great Monday!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Non Stop On The Go

The last few weeks I have been on the go, non stop all the time. I work 10 hour days so on my three days off either having fun or catching up on errands. This past week I did quite a good mixture of things... I made this awesome breakfast pizza. It included scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon. It was pretty yummy and I might make a second one this week. 
I had to make a grown-up purchase at Lowes... a weed trimmer. Since I'm the one who's been having to mow the lawn, I've noticed that I can't get close enough to the fence so it's been causing weeds to grow. I finally broke down and got one of these bad boys...
Was I excited to spend the money on it? No! But I was pretty impressed with myself that I was able to pick out the right thing, put it together and then get the job done. #epicwin So that's another point for me doing manly things. Also my quest for the white bedroom continues on.... 
I decided to add a white chalk board and cork board. I've also found a new home for my three owls. Plus my trip to Reno resulted in some cute photos that I already had an empty frame waiting to be filled. Only a few more things and the white bedroom will be complete. Then of course there is the amazing amount of roses in my yard. I have so many!
Now let's see what happens this weekend! Have a great one everyone! 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Bad Teacher.
Bad Teacher stars Cameron Diaz as a seventh grade school teacher who's recently been dumped by her very rich fiance. When the money is gone she realizes she's going to have to keep teaching school. When the summer ends and school starts up she's back to work at JAM (John Adams Middle). Problem is... she doesn't teach. She plays movies for the students while she drinks and sleeps at her desk. She's holding on to her dream of getting a breast enhancement because she believes that will help clinch a rich husband. 

When she learns that the teacher who gets the highest marks on their students yearly testing gets a cash bonus, she goes full force into teaching and doing whatever it takes for her class to get the highest scores. She's determined to win that money BUT she's got some major competition from one of her fellow teachers. 

If you've never seen this movie then you need to watch it! It's hilarious! It also stars Justin Timberlake as a fellow teacher and Jason Segel!