Thursday, March 31, 2016

2 Movies For Tonight



For years I've posted Theater Thursday! I thought it was time to try something new. Which leads me to 2 Movies for Tonight! I'll feature two movies that I've recently watched and give my review of them. I'll try to steer clear of giving out any major spoilers and hopefully this will help you find something to watch tonight or over the weekend! It could be two brand new movies or some oldies but goodies. Check out this week's two movies for tonight!
 
First up... Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation
Mission Impossible is back for it's latest film installment. This time Impossible Mission Force Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is out hunting down the Syndicate, an international criminal consortium that the CIA doesn't believe exists. While he's out in the world trying to prove they do and being held hostage, back home a Senate Committee has just disbanded the IMF and the group is being absorbed into the CIA. Before Ethan can come in he gets word and is told by IMF Operations Director Brandt (Jeremy Renner) to stay undercover. Ethan is now cut off from the rest of the IMF and CIA and is being sought after by the CIA.
 
Six months later Ethan is still a fugitive and still trying to track down the syndicate. He finally gets a lead and heads to Vienna where he enlists the help of previous IMF agent Benji (Simon Pegg). That's when it all hits the fan and Ethan and Benji stumbled on to the syndicate. Now the CIA is on to him and they soon join in the chase. Ethan will only have one shot at proving the syndicate exists and getting the IMF reinstated. Can he do it? Watch and see for yourself!
 
I personally loved the old television show and no movie can ever beat it. I watched every episode on DVD with my mom. Granted after a while the episodes would come predictable and the effects weren't always great but the show was entertaining. It lasted many seasons and even had a reboot in the late 90s/early 2000s. If you've only ever watched the movie trilogy then give the old show a try. You'll see why they brought it back to the big screen.
 
Favorite Quote- Join the IMF. See the world, on a monitor, in a closet.- Benji
 
 
The second movie to watch... The 33.

The 33 follows the true story of the 33 Chilean Miners who were trapped in 2010 in a San Jose Gold mine for over two months. The San Jose Mine Company ignored warnings from their workers that the mine was shifting and their safety concerns. On August 10, 2010, the mine collapsed and the only way out for the miners is completed sealed off. The 33 miners were able to get into the rescue chamber. However, when they get there they realize that the radio doesn't work, the emergency ladder was never finished and they were only given 3 days of food supply. Against all odds they hold hope that they will be rescued.
 
The 33 miners families descend on the mine and the Chilean Government begins monitoring the situation. They send a government worker to the site to monitor the progress of the attempted rescue. When the miners are out of food and water the clock begins to tick. On the surface companies are drilling over 2300 feet below the surface trying to make contact with them to see if they are alive. At this point the 33 miners begin to really wonder if they will ever get out or if they will die inside the mine.
 
I had wanted to see this movie since I first saw the preview but I just now got the chance to watch it. I can remember watching all of the news footage as it was unfolding in 2010. I also watched all of the miners when they were interview them below the surface and during the rescue mission. I thought the movie was done extremely well done. I would recommend this movie to everyone.
 
Favorite quote- If this is our last supper then I quit!- One of the 33 Miners.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Wedding Party

We kept our wedding party to four bridesmaids including the Maid of Honor and four groomsmen including the Best Man. We wanted our wedding to be really intimate and that meant keeping our wedding party small. The people we including in our wedding party have been a part of our lives for decades.
 His best man. They've known each other for over 10 years.

 His groomsmen Kevin has been his friend for years and is always entertaining.

His cousins are almost like his brothers. They do everything together from vacations to fishing to sporting events etc.

My bridesmaid who is also my husbands cousin. She flew in from DC for the wedding because she's in her senior year at Howard University.

 One of my three best friends. I've known Newt for over a decade and she's always been there for me.

My bridesmaid Cara was my little sister in Phi Mu during college and we've been friends ever since. She's so crafty and will do just about anything for her friends.

My maid of honor Erica helped me plan and listen to me wedding planning for over a year. She came in from Virginia for the wedding and was such a big help!

 The entire wedding party but minus our ring bearer. He was a little bit shy.






We were so appreciative of everyone who took time out of their holiday schedule to spend our wedding weekend with us!

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

5 Days of Fashion: Prints!

Spring is here and in Northern California we are seeing the 70s steadily in our weekly weather. The mornings are still chilly but by afternoon we are in the mid to high 70s and heating up! This week I decided to bust out some of my fun patterned pants and vibrant color outfits to get things started off on the right foot! I've decided that I don't have enough of these pants in my closet. I might have to start looking around for some more!


My Birthday Outfit
My birthday isn't until June but to me this outfit I will always call my birthday outfit. My mom was visiting me and helped me pick it out over my birthday week. I love these pattern pants because they are super colorful and really comfortable. It feels like I'm wearing pajamas! The shirt is also a really comfortable knit with a front pocket.

The Saks Maxi
This colorful maxi dress was purchased from Saks and is another comfortable find. In the summer it gets so hot out here in the desert so wearing dresses helps keep me cool. This one has a fun print and is very lightweight.


Tropical Print Pants
I could wear these pants every day of the week. They are so comfortable and everyone I know commented that they love the pattern and colors. You can style these pants casually or more dressed up depending on the top you pair it with. I also have a coral color shirt that matches the color in the pants that I pair it with.


Mauve Maxi
This maxi has been in my closet for awhile now and I've only worn it once before. It's really comfortable and light. It's a longer maxi so I wear my wedge sandals to give me the extra height. It's a mix of purples and pinks and comes off as a mauve color. It also has a Aztec/tribal print to it so it gives it some spunk!


Red Print Maxi
This red and brown maxi is one of my favorites. It's light weight, comfortable and can go with almost anything. The front has a matching deep back V so I wear it with a tank top underneath. It's very sliming and it was under $20.00 from Forever 21.




If you'd like to see my fashion in real time follow me over on instagram @jmomiller

Monday, March 28, 2016

Happy Easter: Muir Woods



Easter 2016 is in the books. I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter weekend. We spent the day enjoying each others company and the gifts that the Easter Bunny stopped by and dropped off. The house was even a little decorated for the holiday. We decided to get out of the house and head over to the Muir Woods.

We had never made the two hour drive over so we decided to go on Easter Sunday. We thought it would be less crowded with people doing Easter activities but we were outsmarted because it was packed! We had a really great time though and did one of the three mile paths.

Muir Woods is filled with giant and ancient redwood trees. It's a haven for wildlife deep inside the national park and the trails are perfect for novice of advanced hikers. We had a really great time and enjoyed the leisure trail.



The trees are literally so tall that a majority of the sunlight doesn't touch the ground so moss and green plants grow.
 


 

 
We saw this giant spider web and the spider hanging out in the middle of his web.

We also saw these green plants every where. I have no idea what they are but we thought they looked very Willy Wonka and Tim Burton.

 
 
It was a great first Easter holiday married. If you get the chance to visit Muir Woods don't pass it up!

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Saturday Smiles

Every Saturday, I try to post 4-5 things that made me smile during the week. Often I find myself getting caught up in the small stuff but this year I'm making an effort to be conscious of it. This year is about being happy and finding happiness even in the small things! Want to join me? Go ahead and post your Saturday Smiles!





1. Donald Trump.


My husband sent me this photo of Donald Trump in response to a comment I made and it cracked me up. I couldn't stop laughing and now we keep sending it again and again as a response. It's hilarious!

2. Christmas Ornaments.

Attempting to make my own Fabric Christmas ornaments. I'm starting these at the end of the month while I'm on a staycation. I've been gathering all the supplies and I'm hoping I can pull these off!


3. Our Wedding Video
(Photo taken by our videographer)



In true fashion, I have tagged him several times on instagram letting him know I'm impatiently waiting to see our wedding video. Well he finally told me this week that it's almost done! I'm trying not to rush perfection but I just can't wait to see it! We chose him because his 8-10 minute all day recaps are stunning! Plus of course we get all the raw footage from the day! Any day now!




4. Stuart Woods books.


I just finished one of his latest books and I always love them. I've been reading his books since I was 14 and they just get better and better. The main character is Stone Barrington, an ex- NYPD detective turned lawyer who always finds himself in the craziest predicaments. His ex-partner who's still his best friend is still on the force and together they work through all of the crazy situations they get each other in to. Each book builds upon the other so if you decide to start reading them start with his first book, New York Dead.



What's making you smile?

Friday, March 25, 2016

Summer Essential: Sunglasses

It's Friday! Start the party now!

Living in sunny California means that you need to own one other essential item besides sunscreen.... Sunglasses! The rays out here can last from 6:00 a.m. to around 9:00 p.m. in the peak summer months. Since no one wants to get those frown lines then you better have a pair of cheap sunglasses but quality sunglasses on hand! 

GlassesShop.com can provide you with stylish shades to keep all the rays at bay. They offer styles that are currently trending but have traditional frames that will remain timeless. Their glasses are meant to be worn and I've got a discount code to share with you today! 

Go to GlassesShop.com and check out all of their prescription sunglasses as well as their wide selection of frames. If you find something you like use my code GSHOT50. That will save you 50% off on eyeglasses and sunglasses with FREE lenses (sale frames excluded)! Check out the great pair that I got from GlassesShop.com!


These trendy glasses are durable and didn't break the bank! They came with an eyeglass case and a cleaning cloth. I'll be using these bad boys all summer long! So what are you waiting for? Head over to GlassesShop.com and use your 50% code today!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Two Movies For Tonight

 
 
For years I've posted Theater Thursday! I thought it was time to try something new. Which leads me to 2 Movies for Tonight! I'll feature two movies that I've recently watched and give my review of them. I'll try not to steer clear of giving out any major spoilers and hopefully this will help you find something to watch tonight or over the weekend!
 
The first movie you should watch tonight...
The Intern stars Anne Hathaway as Jules, Founder and CEO of About A Fit which is a quickly growing e-commerce fashion site but based in Brooklyn, New York. When About A Fit starts a senior citizen internship program 70 year old , local Brooklyn resident Ben (Robert DeNiro) applies to the program. Impressing everyone Ben gets hired as an intern along with three other normal age interns. Each intern is assigned to a person/area inside the company and Ben is assigned to Jules.
 
Jules isn't too thrilled with the idea of senior interns but goes along with the idea and Ben is assigned to her. At first Jules has nothing for him to work on because she goes about her normal business of keeping busy, attending meetings and frankly ignoring him. In the mean time to keep busy Ben is learning everything he can about the company and becoming a favorite employee to everyone else working at the company. Everyone begins to rely on Ben for advice, his expertise and his all around personality wins everyone over. He's just so happy to be back to working and not sitting at home being bored he's thrilled to be there. Finally, Jules takes note of his work after he cleans up a desk that was annoying her daily.
 
Ben begins driving Jules around and eventually she begins to get comfortable around him. They start working closely with each other and Ben starts to come into contact with her husband and daughter daily. Jules begins to rely on Ben and he on her. They aren't just co-workers they begin a genuine friendship.
 
I personally really liked this movie but the ending left me a little upset. I'm not a huge fan of Anne Hathaway so I was worried I wouldn't like the movie but it worked! There was one part I was laughing so hard I was almost crying. Give this movie a try and watch it. It'll entertain you for sure.
 
Favorite Quote-"Back in action. Thank God!"- Ben
 
The second movie you should watch tonight...
I'm going to preface this whole review with Black Mass is not my type of movie. I wouldn't see the preview and say, I can't wait to watch that! More like... "eh..." But I watched this movie with my husband and I didn't think it was that bad. I was expecting it to be more violent that what it really is and it's based on a true story which is always interesting to me.
 
Black Mass stars Johnny Depp as James "Whitey" Bulger leader of the Irish-American Winter Hill gang in south Boston. In 1975 he controlled almost all of the organized crime in the area. Their rivals are the North End Angiulo Brothers but when FBI Agent John Connolly moves back to his old neighborhood he brings Whitey in as an informant. Whitey doesn't want money though, he wants favors from the FBI and Agent Connolly gets them to comply. Whitey continues to wreak havoc on anyone who tries to get in his way. He expands his business to Florida and brings in a bundle of cash and deaths in his wake.
 
When things start getting a little too fuzzy around the edges for Agent Connolly the new attorney begins to close in on everyone that's involved. Which side will they come out on? The right side or the wrong....
 
This movie is based on the true story that changed south Boston. Even if this type of movie isn't your kind of film give it a try. I did and I thought it was pretty good! It also gives you an idea what it was like in Boston in the 1970's when mafia/gang crime was running rampant.
 
Favorite Quote- Take your shot but make it your best. 'Cause I get up, I eat ya.- Whitey

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wedding Portraits

On our wedding day we wanted to maximize the natural light and take the majority of our photos before our ceremony. Getting married in California in the winter time means that by 5:30 p.m. you are in darkness. Our ceremony was starting at 4:30 and we didn't want to chance it and only have about 30 minutes of sunlight to do all of our wedding party, family and couple shots. I'm so glad we did this because we were able to get a lot of outdoor shots that we wouldn't have been able to get at night.










Northern California was hit with a huge wind/rain storm that morning so in a lot of our outdoor shots my dress was bustled in hopes of keeping it clean and dry for the ceremony and reception. This worked and we were able to keep my shoes from getting dirty (we were married on a vineyards property).





After the ceremony we took family portraits and a few more wedding party shots.




We also took some nighttime shots of just the two of us.