What I'm Watching

Over the past several months I have been diving deep into Neflix and have also started utilizing our Amazon Prime Video platform.  I've been procrastinating on little things so in that time I have gathered a few great shows that have had new seasons, a few new shows, I've rediscovered some old loves and also a few that I'm looking forward to. 

I know I have blogged about The Bold Type the first season but I'm talking about it again.  Season two was so awesome.  I just love this show and I feel such a connection to the women and the topics are so modern and real conversation starters.  You must start watching immediately!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was all the buzz on the Internet so once I was out of shows to watched I clicked over to Amazon Prime and gave it a shot. I was hooked after the first episode.  It is hilarious and set back in the 50's and really shows the evolution of the housewife and women that were progressive in that time.  I know not everyone has access to that but if you do PLEASE go watch.  Season 2 is coming soon and I'm excited to see where the journey of Mrs. Maisel goes.

Like the rest of the world I had seen short trailers for A Star is Born and wasn't too interested.  Hendrik saw a longer trailer and it interested him and he wanted to go see it.  A couple Saturdays ago he got off early due to rain so we decided to have an early dinner and then go to the movies.  Ya'll this movie is by far the best movie I have seen in YEARS.  It triggers every emotion, the music is amazing, and the actors totally out did themselves.  Its a true story of fame, love, and heartbreak and I can't wait until it comes out so I can watch it again and maybe even buy it.  Also I had heard and seen people raving about the soundtrack and they weren't joking. I had it purchased by the time we were back in the car once the movie ended and listened to it after for a week straight. It's literally so good.

To gear up for Fall I got super involved in all things super natural.  I rewatched Vampire Diaries, the Originals, and True Blood.  True Blood has been over for years and it was so much fun rewatching it. I had forgotten why it was so good!

Upcoming movies I'm looking forward to seeing!

I have been seeing some really awesome movie previews and a few of them I'm really excited for....
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms- I mean I think any way you make the Nutcracker it is going to be amazing!  Also anyone who knows me knows my love for fantasy, supernatural, witchcraft...just love it all! Hopefully I can drag Hendrik into this one because it looks so good and comes out next week.

While at the movies to see A Star is Born we saw the preview for Rocketman, the movie about Elton John, that is coming out in 2019.  I love Elton John's music and the movie looked really interest.

I LOVE Harry Potter and until just a few late nights ago I hadn't seen the movie, Fantastic Creatures and Where to Find Them.  It is based off the book written by JK Rowling and after watching it I'm even more interested and excited to see the upcoming movie Fantastic Beasts the Crimes of Grindelwald coming out soon!

I guess after writing this post I need to lay off TV, Netflix, and Prime and start READING more!!!

Date Night Away

A couple weekends ago I was going into my Saturday and Sunday with a huge meeting weighing on me.  I mentioned to Hendrik Friday night that if my meeting on Saturday morning went well and we were plan and duty free for the weekend if he wanted to skip off to Dallas late Saturday afternoon.  The new Fifty Shades movie had hit theaters and we could go to a fancy big city movie theater and grab an artsy hotel for the night before heading home Sunday.  I made the stipulation that I ONLY wanted to go if my meeting went in my favor because otherwise I just wouldn't be able to enjoy myself.

To my huge relief and to my sanity my meeting went AMAZING and as soon as I got in my car I called Hendrik to give him the news and confirm that he still wanted to head to Dallas that evening.  I was planning on leaving around 6 and that would give us plenty of time to get to a hotel and a late show of the steamy new movie.

Hendrik's work schedule was really slow on Saturday due to weather so he was home early and we were able to head out around 4:30.  I found us an awesome room at the Lorenzo, a really modern artsy hotel in downtown Dallas.  I had driven by this hotel many times and couldn't wait to see it.  We got all checked in and up to our room by 6:45 pm.  I took some pictures and booked us an Uber to the movie theater.

this was on the ceiling

We headed downstairs to wait on our Uber...this was my first time using Uber and it worked out perfectly.  I panicked a bit in the beginning trying to figure out the app as neither of us had ever used it.

Hanging out in the lobby.

This entire weekend was full of firsts...our first time staying at the Lorenzo, our first time using Uber, and also our first time seeing a movie at a Studio Movie Grill.  

The drinks were really tasty but the food was bland.  I could see the allure if we lived around Studio Movie Grills and we really wanted to see a movie but were short on time.  Seeing we don't live near any we would actually have to make plans to visit one and I wouldn't do it again....I don't think.  It maybe fun for a girls night but I think I would rather eat and enjoy conversation at a regular restaurant and see a movie at a normal theater.  I didn't find it was disruptive just not great food.  

As far as the movie its self...omg it was perfect.  It makes me want to re-read the books for the THIRD time.  After the movie we Ubered our way back to the hotel and crashed.  

Sunday morning we woke up from a not so great sleep.  Our hotel room was super hot and we both tossed and turned a lot trying to get comfortable.  We had a birthday party Sunday afternoon early so we were packed up and sitting at a cozy table at Jonathan's in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas.  I found this place online and OMG...it was perfect.  It was packed, only allowed you a party no larger than 4 due to space, and the food looked amazing.

Hendrik got the peppered biscuit and chicken with breakfast potatoes.  

I got the all in one waffle which is a waffle loaded down with gravy, sausage, eggs, green chilies and hot sauce and probably more stuff I just can't remember.  I would definitely go back and try other items on this menu!

It was quirky, quaint, hipster, and a little Sunday morning adventure that topped off our night out on the town.  After our breakfast we headed home and just in time as the weather was getting pretty bad in Dallas and we would have been stranded there most of the day otherwise.  I'm so glad we acted spontaneous and enjoyed a night out trying new things!

Stranger Things

OMG ok so I may be late to this bandwagon...but not really!  I have had Stranger Things on my Netflix list since the first season was released.  I saw the preview for it on Netflix and thought it was interesting so I earmarked it and moved on.  So there it has sat in my list to watch for a year now and I just never had the time or the energy to commit to a new show. I really just wanted to sit and have something on that was familiar for mainly noise.  The day before Thanksgiving my best friends and I were group chatting and Rachael brought up Stranger Things...the new season had came out so everyone had been binging and talking about it.  Half our group, Piper and Rachael, were on board NaShae and I hadn't tried it yet.  

Both Piper and Rachael were like y'all have to watch! Seeing I had several days ahead of me and was feeling bored in my TV selection I decided to give it a try.  Wednesday night I started watching season one and OMG I stayed up until 1 o'clock binging it and finished season one after Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.  It was so good and I can't believe that I actually didn't try watching it when I first added it to my list.  I'm actually pretty glad because when I finally did watch I not only had one season to watch but TWO!!!! 

Thursday evening I started season two and wow it was still just as good.  I don't know how they can go from there but I know or at least HOPE they continue with a third season.  I wrapped up watching the second season Friday morning and I should have been working on my rental property that day but I couldn't budge until I found out the ending!  

If you haven't watched Stranger Things yet NOW is the time!!! It is weird, and thought provoking, and just all around awesome set in the 80s!  

Glow and The Bold Type

Two shows that have completely grabbed my attention and I can't get enough of are Glow a Netflix Original and the new Freeform show, The Bold Type.

I had been seeing and hearing about Glow around the Internet and blogosphere so about a month ago I decided to give it a whirl.  Well a whirl turned into a complete binge and I watched all 10 episodes in a couple days or should I say a couple nights. LOL  It was so good and actually based loosely on actual event.  In the 80's what is now I guess WWE tried starting or did start the women's wrestling division and this show is a show about a group of misfits making a TV show.  It was so good in a quirky can't look away way. Of course when it ended I felt closure but it was so good I really wanted more.  Good thing a few weeks after I finished Glow a new show premiered on Freeform.....cue The Bold Type

Wow this show...is so good in so many different ways I just don't even know what to say about it.  First off go set your DVR to start recording it immediately then come back and finish reading.... it is the perfect dare I say even better replacement to Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, and possibly Sex and the City...I KNOW!! How could it be right...??? Well the show is about 3 mid-twenty something friends who work at Scarlett magazine....a knock off of Cosmo in the real world and it goes about their lives and their struggles with their own insecurities, money, boys, careers, and sexuality problems.  It literally is one of those shows that makes you want to pack your bags, move to NYC, and become a writer who always is fashion forward living the life of chaos and sexiness. LOL  I'm so hooked I save it and savor every minute that I watch it late at night on Tuesdays when I have the living room to myself.  I know I have a problem but once you watch one episode you will too I promise!

In my notes to research are Riverdale..apparently it is also awesome!

Things I'm Loving

(the above picture has nothing to do with this post except I'm currently loving the little print)

I have had this post titled in my drafts for sometime now and finally am down to the last of my drafts so thought it was a perfect time to share what I'm currently loving.  

• Blurb- Is a book maker that is easy to use, fast, and inexpensive for the quality of the book received.  Not only can you do picture books like you can at Shutterfly you can also do actual books and buy them in large quantities.  I found Blurb through a home design and DIY podcast that I listen to Young House Love has a Podcast and have used it 3 times so far and have photos to make at least 2 more books.  

• Pod casts- Sometimes I get tired of listening to the radio...the same ole songs all the time and since I play the stations through my computer at work I've been listening to podcasts while I go to the gym, run errands, etc....  Some of the podcasts that I have loved in the past and currently found and love enough to binge listen are: 
• S Town is so captivating, weird, and all around addictive.  The same producers that brought us Serial brought us S Town and OMG....not only do you have endings there are some loose ends and just the all around twist and spins of this real life story is crazy addictive.  
• Serial is a complete sensation of real life crime stories that are really unclear and all though there is the news outcome the podcast dives into its own research and tries to give all the views and perspective and allows the listener to really see what went down...they don't really have clear "endings" but they are SO interesting
• Young House Love has a Podcast a DIY and design podcast that is fun to listen to if you're into that kind of thing.  I get a lot of ideas and tips from John and Sherry and even though I may never use them I do like listening to their banter.

• I'm really into medieval TV shows like, CW's Reign, that just wrapped its final season (you can watch on Netflix) and a new series on Starz based on a book, White Princess. 

• Rewatching Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries- over the Winter and early Spring I rewatched Pretty Little Liars before the final season geared up...which just ended. I forgot how much has happened in that show. I love it so much and can easily see myself rewatching it more in the years to come.  I sort of got off Vampire Dairies over the past few seasons so I thought I would catch up by starting over through Netflix.  So far I'm only a couple episodes in but again...love these shows.  

• New friends- I've made some great connections through the fitness world and become really good friends with a  couple girls from the gym.  We are even taking a bday/girls trip to Galveston in a few weeks.  I also have been getting in some awesome workouts with new people at the gym.  I don't do this often as working out is really my me time and I enjoy doing it alone and being focused but a few workouts here and there are awesome to get some outside motivation, perspective, and knowledge.  

• I can not get enough tacos and burritos!  I can literally make some sort of tortilla trap for every meal...I'm talking meat tacos, bean tacos, cheese tacos, any kind of taco just add some Tabasco!

• Summer and not being in school is a marvelous thing!  This is the first Summer in forever that I can actually do what I want...other than day to day work and gym life I have nothing pressing to do..no deadlines, assignments, test or stress just nice adult kid free living.  I feel like 2017 I'm living a more meaningful and slower paced life and I love it.  

• Because of all this easy living I've been doing I have also been reading a lot more!  Check out all my recent book reviews HERE to find what I've been reading and right now I'm currently reading George W Bush's memoir, Decision Points, and also I'm starting to reread all the Harry Potter novels!

• I've been a fan of Youtube for a while now but I've recently started to utilize it in a different way...MUSIC.  This maybe old to many but its new to me.  I've started making my own music playlists to get through my workouts and also I always get a lot of fitness information from Youtube.  Check out my favorite channels! 
• Jessica Arevalo
• Buff Bunny
• Celestial Bodiez

• Hendrik has Amazon Prime and I recently (as in last week) hooked up my Kindle services to his account so I can now read a ton of books for free.  I also can read some of my favorite fitness magazines for free.  We also plan on watching Amazon movies through our smart TV.  We are trying to find as many other resources of TV as possible so we can hopefully get rid of our Direct TV. The bill is ridiculous!

• I'm on the look out for the perfect real estate deal and I recently found it...I wasn't able to pursue the idea alone and by the time I got Hendrik and the contractor lined out to take a look and get me a cost sheet the house was under contract! :(  I'm not giving up and I'm constantly surfing real estate websites and daydreaming of my very own HGTV inspired flip/ rental reno!  

So that is what I'm currently watching, reading, listening to, and eating!!! What else is there in life LOL!!!  Onto July and more adventures!

Addicted to....

Lately I've become addicted to these things and if not addicted then I am highly enjoying them.  Check them out!

These 3 shows...holy hell are they good.  Intrigue, sexiness, scandal, and drama are a part of each one and I can't wait for the new seasons.  Each of these were brand new shows this Fall and ended just a few weeks ago with a bang.  Blood and Oil was our favorite I think...it's just more my style and the twists and turns just keep coming.  I know so many people who watched these shows and all of them raved.  If you haven't seen them then watch for them this Spring.

I am completely addicted to Youtube.  I am subscribed to about 10 different channels but my favorite are both fitness related but uploadvery different videos.

Beauty & Braun and Heidi Somers are my top two that I watch faithfully.  Beauty & Braun is about a couple that lives in Florida and both own their own business.  It's a Youtube based reality show on their day to day activities.  I had bought all their products before the show started so I'm a super fan I guess. LOL  I love seeing their success not only is it interesting but also motivating.

https://youtu.be/5FszRpAjkdk

Heidi Somers is a super awesome fitness model and bikini competitor that has a fully loaded channel that is FREE and she posts EVERYTHING from weekly competition updates, fitness advice, food intake, and fun how to's.  She's so amazing and also lives in Texas!  She posts videos like twice a week so I'm a bit behind on her channel but plan on catching up soon.  If you haven't then go check her out!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqrBZiHY6SyzJGqyadx5HQ

blueberry lemonade pre-workout is the shizzz  it gives me super vascular pump and tastes so amazing!  I love all Optimum Nutrition supplements its almost all I use these days.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/optimum-nutrition/gold-standard-pre-workout.html

my new muscle building workout it makes me so sore and I get some major pump

Buff Bake snickerdoodle almond butter OMG  packed with protein and makes for the most yummy snack.

http://buffbake.com

I recently stumbled upon the best jewelry website that has fitness style jewelry called Fit Style Brand.  I ordered me and a friend some cute charms that I'm going to put on a short chain.  I can't wait to get them in the mail!

http://www.fitstylebrand.com

water so much water it's all I drink and I'm up to a gallon or more a day.  My body craves it and if I don't get enough I can definitely tell.  The saying that you don't know dehydrated until you've had enough water is so true.  I used to never drink enough water and thought oh its just my body and I don't need it but yes I and YOU do too.  I can tell so many things with my muscles, mind, and overall well being is so messed up when I don't drink enough.  Get your gallon in girls and boys!

Case who couldn't love and be obsessed with this super cute face?  He was so much fun over the holidays I can't wait till the Spring when he's toddling all over the place!

I've started reading the Mortal instruments books and I'm currently on the 2nd in the series.  I started these after watching the movie on HBO for about the millionth time.  I love the movie and want to bad for another to come out so I search and found that it all started with the books....like most things do and immediately bought the entire Mortal Instruments series.  There's something like 6 books and they are pretty long but so good.

So that's what I'm into these days....have you tried any of the things on my list or leave a comment and tell me what you are into!

Fall TV & Magazine Indulgence

It has been a while since I've done a post on TV and what I'm watching. It hasn't changed much but you know these are shows that I look forward to all week until they come on again. Sad I know but TV is literally addicting. LOL 

Sons of Anarchy- Last year was my first season to watch and that is all it took…I was hooked.  So hooked that Hendrik and I purchased all the seasons so we could watch the entire lot together over the course of the year and I would be all caught up and in the know.  Now this season is the last season!  We are about three or four episodes in and so far it is a whole lot of killing and not too much else.  I think the writers are more wrapping up all the story lines and not breaking open any new drama since this is the last season.  I'm sad to say I'm a bit disappointed I'd rather it gone out last season with a huge bang...but I guess I will just have to see how it progresses until the finale...maybe I will be surprised.

 

Amazing Race- This season premiered on a new day…Friday and I’m going for a couple teams.  I haven't really got to narrow down my opinion yet as there are some real winners and just great people this season.  Some of my favorites are:

The Dentists

Soul Surfers



Total Divas- and E! show in its second season and I'm loving everything about it.  I'm not sure if it is the fitness aspect of the shows base or the inside look you get into these characters of WWE lives but it is really good and it's not high drama like housewives just a good look.

 

Of course we all need a little fantasy and supernatural in our lives so for that I’m sticking to Vampire Diaries and a spin off from it The Originals.  Although the Originals is a spin off I'm liking it more than the original show the Vampire Diaries. 

 

What are your Fall TV guilty pleasures?

Magazines that I'm scooping up of the racks each month are Oxygen and Hers Muscle and Fitness.  I like Hers a bit more as it is geared to more of the weightlifting that I'm drawn too and more tips and tricks of the trade.  Oxygen is a fantastic all around fitness magazine that I also like reading.

Netflix obsession is Downton Abbey-  This is a British soap and it is FANTASTIC.  I know tons of people who've been hooked on this show so I thought I'd give it a try and they aren't wrong.  It's based on an 1900's aristocratic family in Yorkshire, England and the story lines are based around the family in live in the house, Downton Abbey, and the servant staff. 

 

Fall TV

Can we talk fall TV for a minute or maybe 30?!  I have come across a new show that I’m in love with + I’m HIGHLY anticipating my all-time favorite shows premiere their new fall season + a show that I know I’m going to love that is a brand new spin off. 

 

o   Pretty Little Liars Halloween Special October 22^nd

OMG!  I can’t stand the wait on this show.  I know it’s high school and, like Gossip Girl, it will end in the next year or two because they will all be leaving Rosewood but holy molly the writers keep you hooked through twists and turns so fast and hard I have whiplash.  Piper and I love this show and we are constantly texting back and forth OMGs and What the Hells when something dramatic happens.  Is Ezra “A” or is he just following and worried about Aria now that Maggie and Malcolm are out of the picture?   I can’t wait to see what the spooks they have in store for us on the Halloween Special!

 

o   Ravenswood- first season premiere October 22^nd  following PLL

This show is a spin off from PLL and Caleb will be starring in this show along with a recurring role in PLL.  This show, I think, is going to be on the darker side and way more mysterious than PLL but I think the tie in will be good.  I’m giving it a shot because the preview looks pretty suspenseful.

 



o   NCIS new season premiere September 24^th and spoiler Zeva is leaving! 

I love NCIS. I got hooked on it while in Iraq because out of the 5 channels that came in USA was one of them and they always have NCIS on.  I love the episodes with Zeva rather than Kate and I’m sad to hear she’ll be leaving the show.  I hope they replace her with someone equally as good.  I love all the characters on this show, each are unique and I love them all differently. LOL  I am excited for this season because the finale of last season really left us hanging.  I didn’t realize how many people love this show because it’s not super talked about but I’ve found that if I do bring it up people are always on the NCIS bandwagon. 

 

o   Amazing Race season premiere Sunday Sept 29^th
As we all know I LOVE the Amazing Race.  I’ve talked about it many times before HERE and HERE and many other times. LOL  I still vow that one day you’re going to see me on this show and who knows Hendrik might be my partner.  I think besides my girlfriends we would make a great team because we work well together and respect each other’s opinions as well as ask for each other’s input on things.  After browsing the CBS website and looking over the teams I’m going for the dating couple Jason & Amy and I also like the baseball wives Nicky & Kim.  Now this may change because last year I was wwwaaayyy wrong with my initial prediction at who was going to be a top team and it took me a while to find the groove of another favorite team and really root for them.  I'm going to cook etouffe for the premiere just like I did last year so it will be a night of treats!
 

o   Sons of Anarchy
FX has gone and outdone themselves…this show rivals True Blood when it comes to the sex and the scandal.  Hendrik is a SOA watcher and even got Direct TV just for the season premiere.  Before he was in no hurry…he’s been in his house for about 6 months now. LOL  That shows how important it is right there.  I’ve  just started watching this season (6) and I’m hooked.  I’m ready to go back from season 1 and watch from the beginning so I don’t have to ask so many questions but WOW these people are crazy, loyal, backstabbers, and drama!!!  If you don’t watch this show and don’t mind a little raunchy motorcycle club action then check it out. Oh and the main guy, Jax, has been cast as MR. CHRISTIAN GREY!

 o   Vampire Diaries season premiere October 3^rd

It seems like Vampire Diaries has been off the air for a year.  I love this show and have been watching it from the very beginning I’ve also read all the books that the show is originally based on.  Like True Blood the books vs. show are completely different but just as good in their own right.  Damon! Oh Damon!  Is there anything left to say….I think not.  Here's the perfect run down of what's happened...what's to happen!

 

o   Top Chef New Orleans season premiere October 2^nd
Oh my.... like the Amazing Race I’ve watched Top Chef for years.  I can’t really remember when I first started watching or what got me hooked but I love it.  I love cooking and although the food that they cook is nowhere near my level I’m sure I’d like it if I ate it.  I also love how this show is based out of a different city each season.  This season is New Orleans and that makes it even better.  NOLA is on my wish list to go visit and explore on a super long weekend and this will only increase that craving. 

 

Obviously by my list of shows I’m a loyal follower to shows that I love and have loved for years.  Another thing is that even though most of these shows have been on the air for a long time they are just as interesting and noteworthy as the first season was.  I guess that’s why they are hit shows and why I keep coming back for more. 

 

What shows are you looking forward to watching this Fall season?

At the Movies

Well I have been MIA lately but I have enjoyed just relaxing and getting a ton done around the house over the past couple weeks.  This past week was even better because I was on Spring Break from school. 

Last Sunday Averie and I went to see Oz the Great and Powerful! 

It was a great movie and even though it was rated PG I'm not sure small kids (Averie is 5) would really understand all of it.  The design of the movie was so beautiful and fantastical....think Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton but prettier and not dark at all.

I knew when I saw the trailer that I wanted to see it and I made it happen.  It was a fun day spent with the witty Ave!