Thursday, June 30, 2016

Two Movies For Tonight


Looking for a good movie to watch tonight? Maybe you'll have some extra time at home this weekend to watch some movies. Well search no further here's two movies that are worth your time and will entertain you.

The first movie... Independence Day.

I love this movie. This past weekend we went to the theater very excited to see the new Independence Day Resurgence. It was awful. Those words don't even convey how awful the reboot is. It is so awful I wanted to get up and walk out at 20 minutes into the movie. I've only done that once it my life so that should tell you how awful it really is. Don't waste your time, don't waste your money... don't go. Trust me. If you loved the first one they absolutely butcher the new one.

Independence Day stars Bill Pullman as President Whitmore. When these strange alien space ships enter out atmosphere we learn that we are not alone in the universe. President Whitmore decides to show them that we want peace and sends a helicopter to greet one of their ships. We are immediately met with unfriendly fire. At the same time, David (Jeff Goldblum) realizes that the disruption in the world's satellites isn't just a coincidence it's hiding a countdown. David and his father make their way from New York to DC to warn the President that the world is in grave danger. Captain Hiller (Will Smith) planned his weekend out very differently. He was going to stay in Los Angeles with his girlfriend and BBQ. Now he gets called back to base to defend the country. What happens? Watch and find out.

Favorite Quote- "You don't actually think they spend $20,000 on a hammer, $30,000 on a toilet seat, do you? - Julius.

The second movie... National Treasure.

National Treasure is one of those movies that anytime I see it's on television I stop and end up watching it. I think it's clever and includes real history. It always makes me want to visit Philadelphia. I've only ever seen the airport.

National Treasure follows Ben (Nicholas Cage), an American historian and the youngest in a long family line of treasure hunters. When he was a boy his grandfather told him the story of a huge treasure being hidden the Founding Fathers and the free masons. Thirty years later Ben is still searching for that treasure as a grown up. Along with him is his sidekick and computer wiz Riley. When they learn that their next possible clue to the treasure could be hidden on the back of the Declaration for Independence, Ben and Riley begin coming up with a plan to see the back of it. One problem... he isn't the only person trying to get his hands on it.

Ian is his competition and he has less than pure intentions on how to get it and his intentions on the treasure vary far differently. So off Ben and Riley go to the National Archives to meet Abigail and tell her their story. She believes their crazy and wants no part in their plan. Ben realizes he's going to have to steal the declaration to continue. Once that happens no one can plan for what happens next. Watch and find out what happens.

Favorite Quote- "Why can't they just say, 'go to this place, here's the treasure spend it wisely."- Riley.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Summer Shows Worthy of Watching

Summer television can mean non stop repeats and the return of outplayed reality TV game shows. Thankfully this summer we've found a few shows that have kept us highly entertained. While I'm still bitter about my shows that have been cancelled, I'm taking a gamble and watching these shows. Now I'm hoping they don't get cancelled.

Billions
 
This is a Showtime show and it's really interesting and entertaining. The show focuses on Axle who owns a stock exchange. He was the only surviving partner of a huge firm after 9/11 and he's making a huge fortune. We aren't talking millions we are talking Billions of dollars. When the U.S. Attorney gets wind that he might be making some of his money illegal he begins to take an interest in Axle.
 
Even with my limited knowledge of the stock market, insider trading, the FCC etc, the show is really good. I've watched the first episode so far and I really like it. The cast is full with veteran actors that add to the show.

Animal Kingdom
 
Animal Kingdom is the new show on TNT. It follows this California family who's lead by their mother, Smurf. When Jay her grandson comes to live with them after his mother (Smurf's daughter) dies of an overdose the house goes a little crazy. The boys in the family are not excited to have someone new in their household and rightfully so. This isn't your ordinary family. They live a life of crime and keep it all in the family. Smurf is all about family and she wants to include young Jay in their dealings. The other sons don't know if they can trust him so everyone is looking over their shoulder.

I personally think this show is very good. I love Ellen Barkin who plays Smurf and she plays the role perfectly. The family dynamic is entertaining and interesting. They are crazy! So you never really know what to expect from them.

O.J. Made In America
 
The bronco chase happened literally on my 10th Birthday. I can remember my grandma sitting in our living room in our pink chair watching the chase with my mom and I. I have always been fascinated with this case and the fact that he was found innocent. This documentary takes us from O.J.'s beginnings, through his first marriage, his marriage to Nicole, the trial and the years after. It ends focusing on the reason why he's behind bars today. The documentary is broken into 5 parts and lasts 10 hours total.

I thought it was done extremely well and doesn't let the fact that two people lost their lives get lost in the story.

What are you watching this summer?

Monday, June 27, 2016

My 32nd Birthday Vacation

This year for my Birthday we packed our bags, got on a plane and headed to the Great Smokey Mountains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. My mom was able to meet us there and we spent a few days having fun and showing my husband one of my favorite places on earth.

We visited the Titanic Museum. We got candy at the Country Candy Kitchen. We drooled over amazing ornaments at the Christmas stores. We saw hilarious shows like Comedy Barn, Hatfield & McCoy and the Dixie Stampede. We ate good food, rode the chair lift in Gatlinburg and even saw some black bears. We also hit up the best theme park... Dollywood! I even met someone who reads this blog.... Hi Erin from Dollywood! Thanks for saying hi!
 


Needless to say we had an amazing time and can't wait to go back. It was exactly what we needed and seeing my mom was one of the best things. I always miss not getting to see her everyday so getting to spend several days with her was the best Birthday present.

My husband also surprised me by buying me Christmas village pieces from the National Lampoon set. I was very excited! Now it's back to reality and back to work. I'm counting down the days till we can get back to Pigeon Forge.

Friday, June 17, 2016

32 Birthday!

32 years young today!
 



 



Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Last Minute Birthday Ideas

Last week I mentioned my Birthday is coming up. My mom and my husband both asked me to make a little list of things I'd like to receive. While I'm more than happy to just eat Blondies and go on a vacation, I complied and made a little list. You can find it here. Once I posted my list my husband said I needed to give him more options. Shew... this birthday list is getting serious. So I went back to the drawing board and thought about a few more items I would like to have. 
 
1. Wallet.
I've been carrying around a pink wallet since I can remember. I've literally had this wallet at least a decade but somehow in the last few months it became ripped and my cards keep spilling out of it. Now everytime I have to get my ID or debit card out I have to hunt for it in my purse.
 
2. Wall Art.
 
I have been looking at palette knife painter Leonid Afremov since I was in high school. I love the colors and brightness all of his paintings have. I was looking on his website and Instagram and it turns out he does random auctions for large canvas prints. Our house needs something on the walls and I refuse to buy some random poster at IKEA to put on our walls. 

3. Life Magazines.
 
Remember the old Life magazine? Well I have this idea of giving our laundry room a vintage feel. My mom has sent me some old life magazines with the covers featuring the NASA space program. I'd like to get a few more of the magazines featuring big moments and frame them. Maybe I'll even carry on my moms tradition of old washing powders displayed. 
 
4. Ornament Supplies
 
I've been making a huge amount of ornaments gearing up for the Christmas season. I go through dress pins and foam balls like no tomorrow!

Friday, June 10, 2016

Why I Can't Get Too Attached to a Television Show

We've all been there. It's the evening, you've just ate dinner and now your looking for something to watch on television. You see or hear about a new show and turn it on. You watch the first episode and get hooked. You set your DVR and tune in the next week and eventually you can't wait for your show each week. Then one day your looking at Google news or someone tells you that your beloved show has been cancelled. I know what you're thinking. It can't be true! They are all wrong! You frantically type the show name and cancelled into the Google search bar and sadly the results let you know that the dirty word cancelled. It is indeed correct.

Well folks, this happened to me recently and I just can't let it go. First it happened a year or two ago with a show called Stalker. This show was amazing. My husband and I couldn't wait each week to watch it. It was never predictable and you were always surprised by who the killer was or the plot turns that they took. We were completely shocked when it didn't get a renewal for season 2. I even emailed CBS and let them know my level of pissed off. Yep, I sure did e-mail them!

Slowly I got over it and found other shows to watch. The thought of having one of my shows cancelled right out from under my nose long forgot. Then it struck again.

My favorite summer show got the ax.

For the past two summers, I've been watching the Halle Berry show Extant.
 
Last week with the approach of June, I knew my show would be coming back soon. I thought it odd that I hadn't seen any of the previews for the show but since we DVR most of our programs and fast forward the commercials I didn't think too much about it. So I went to my trusty Google search and typed in Extant season 3. In 0.003 seconds I saw multiple articles with the headline Cancelled. NO!!!! Say it isn't so! So what did I do? Read through every article I could find with my finger tips and found out that my beloved summer show would not be back for season 3.

What am I suppose to watch this summer? The 27th version of a game show or survivor season? No. I mean really... how am I to go along all summer wondering if Holly and JD are still together?!

Ok... I've calmed down. Now I've caught the pilot episode to Animal Kingdom and it's very good. I really like it but I'm scared to get attached. TNT Don't let me know or you'll be on my list of haters like CBS. So word to the wise kids... only invest in shows that are on minimum season 4.

What summer programs are you watching?

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Two Movies for Tonight

 
Looking for something to watch tonight? Maybe you have a long weekend? Well have no fear! Here's two movies that are worthy of your time. These two movies are very different but equally good to watch. Sit back, relax and watch these two movies.

The first movie... Get Hard.
Hedge Fund Manager James King (Ferrell) is in the prime of his career and personal life. He's engaged Alyssa to be married and living the multi-million dollar lifestyle. When Alyssa throws them an engagement party with his soon to be father in law/boss in attendance it all takes a turn for the worse. The FBI comes in and arrest James for fraud and embezzlement. James swears up and down that he's innocent and is sure justice will find the truth. A trial takes place and he's found guilty even though he continues to preach his innocence. Now facing a serious prison term and his fiancé dumping him James must get ready for the prison life.
 
That's when Darrell (Kevin Hart) comes into his life. Darrell just wants enough money to send his daughter to a better school outside of their neighborhood. So when James asks him if he can teach him how to get ready for prison life for cash then he agrees. There's only one small problem. Darrell has never been to prison. Darrell and James embark on a journey how to get James ready for prison and Darrell is just trying to get the money. When he realizes that James really might be telling the truth about his innocence he decides to really find out what's happened. Is James really guilty? Will Darrell's secret come out? Watch and find out!
 
You never know what you might get with a Will Ferrell movie. I randomly caught this movie on HBO and was pleasantly surprised how funny it was in parts. It's definitely worth watching for a laugh.
 
 
The second movie... Triple 9.
 
In the deep south of Atlanta, Georgia Michael (Chiwetel Ejoifor) and two of his criminal friends along with two corrupt cops rob a bank to retrieve a safety deposit box. When their almost caught the men agree to meet up a few days later. The box was retrieved for a Russian Mob Boss' wife who is hoping to get her husband out of prison. When Michael takes in the box to claim his group's reward money he's told by Irina (Kate Winslet) that the job isn't finished. They must complete a second job to earn their money.
 
Michael knows the second job is even harder than the first. He assembles the men and the two corrupt comes and explains the situation to them. They realize why he has to do the job and they go along with the second job and work on a plan to complete it. The two corrupt cops Marcus and Franco come up with a Triple 9 situation. A triple 9 is when an officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty. They believe that will draw all of the attention of the police force away from their second job which is highly risky. Now that they have their idea they need to figure out who they can sacrifice. It doesn't take long for Marcus to give up his new partner Chris (Casey Affleck). Marcus attempts to befriend him and let him believe he's really on his side and that they are the same kind of cop.
 
On the day of the second job will their plan and 999 work? Watch and find out.
 
While I wouldn't watch this movie again, I thought it was really good. It's just not the kind of movie I would sit around and watch over and over. It's very good and worth watching at least once.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

The Greatest of All Time

On Friday night the world lost a living legend.
The greatest boxer of all time... Muhammad Ali.
 
At the age of 74 he left this world. Not only known for his boxing but his amazing spirit. He will not be forgotten. "Float like a butterfly. Sting like bee."
 


Monday, June 6, 2016

June Stitch Fix

Another month, another box! My June Stitch Fix box is here! This month around I asked my stylist to send me clothing that had a summer feel with splashes of color. Well Becky my stylist rocked it! She sent me five great items that were stylish and comfortable. They look great for the summer season.
So how does Stitch Fix work?

Start by filling out your style profile. You will complete questions on sizing, pricing, preferences, colors, etc. You can also write notes about likes and dislikes. Make sure to link your fashion board on Pinterest so your stylist can see what you like. This really helps! The notes to your stylist can really help determine what you get in your box. Take the time to write your stylist a note! I feel that's one of the most important things to getting the items you really want to see in your fixes.

Next, order your first fix! You will be charged a $20.00 styling fee however, if you keep any item [one or more] you will be credited back the $20.00 towards that purchase. I always recommend keeping at least one item or you are essentially giving away $20.00 and getting nothing in return. You will receive 5 items (made up of clothing, jewelry, and handbags). I personally never want jewelry in my fix so I just always let my stylist know! If you refer a friend you get credit so your styling fee could potentially be free.
When your box arrives decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back (in the pre-paid postage envelope)! You have 3 business days  from receiving your fix to decide so use this time to try everything on and see what works best for you. Go out of your comfort zone!

This is what makes Stitch Fix fun! It's like being a celebrity and getting clothing sent to you! I've chosen to receive monthly fixes but remember it is in no way a subscription service and you are able to decide when you want another fix, whether that be in 6 months or 2 years from your first fix! As always, if you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments section below. To save some cash on future fixes they offer an awesome referral package, if you use my referral link I'll get to bypass the styling fee at least once!

Let's get started! Remember - If you see anything that you like below, feel free to pin it and/or ask your stylist in the notes section of your next fix for something similar! 
 
1. Renee C. Canvey Lace Detail Blouse.
 
 
2. Collective Clothing. Cindi Embroidered Shoulder Top.
 
3. Gilli Chandler Wide Leg Pant.

 
4. Collective Concepts. Zari Romper.

 
5. Just USA. Anjuli Dark Wash Denim Jacket.

 
So what would you keep and what would you send back?

Thursday, June 2, 2016

10 Classic Movies for Summer

For three glorious months, summer hits the United States. Days are filled with BBQs, afternoons spent in the swimming pool and many concerts, festivals and fairs. Let's not forget summer vacations to the beach and beyond. What the summer gives a large majority of people is extra time. These movies will get your heart and feet pumping and geared up for summer. So if you're not going on vacation just yet or your BBQ gets rained out sit down and enjoy some of these classic movies...

1. Grease

2. Footloose

3. Bad Boys 2

4. Jaws

5. Heavy Weights

6. I Know What You Did Last Summer

7. The Sandlot

8. Dirty Dancing

9. Summer Rental

10. Gidget