A second grandson has arrived.
Oh-such a gift.
A handsome boy that
gave everyone a lift!
Dark hair, long fingers
Angelic little face
Such beautiful features
like an intricate piece of lace.
As each day goes by,
and he becomes more aware
We all watch him focus
and those grey eyes begin to stare.
Big brother Max will teach him cool things.
Music, Movies, Potato Dog and swings.
As they grow they will become best of friends
sharing secrets and toys and love till the end.
As for his parents and grandparents,
we cannot really express the infinite joy,
watching family grow and feeling blessed
for yet another beautiful little boy.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
It's been a long time-so much to say
My head has been swirling with all the information I want to get out to you. From television shows to movies to must have products, etc. So here it is.
As you know, I watch a ton of television since I only sleep about 3 hours a night.
Lately, my favorite show is John Oliver on HBO. I was first introduced to him when he filled in for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. This comedian is hilarious and his political satire is so on point. In my opinion, he is much funnier than either Stewart or Colbert. Tune in on Sunday nights at 11p.m.
You will not be disappointed.
In the sitcom category, there are several I like:
Friends with Better Lives -it's like a grown up version of friends with much better acting. There is a great ensemble cast. I especially like Zoe Lister-Jones as Kate. She is fabulous. And, not bad on the eyes are James Van Der Beek and Brooklyn Decker. Mondays/CBS/8:30.
Californication-my all time favorite. Great new season. Hank Moody has a son from an encounter years ago. The son, Levon (think Elton John), is played by Oliver Cooper. He is hysterical. Heather Graham and Michael Imperioli are also great additions to this season.
Mad Men-another favorite. Has been an interesting season. Will Don stay with the agency and that gorgeous wife? My guess is he will stay with the agency and leave the wife.
Nurse Jackie-used to be a show I enjoyed. The drug addiction storyline is getting annoying and occupies too much of each episode. It's getting boring for me.
Maya Rudolph-I don't know if anyone saw this last Monday. Rudolph, from Saturday Night Live
did a variety show. Remember Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Carol Burnett? Well Maya totally pulled this off. She was amazing. I especially want you to watch the Navigation Parents skit. So funny.....She is incredibly talented. I assume this will air Monday nights at 10pm on NBC.
Finally, I am not a great fan of Late night television hosts. I admit I will miss Craig Ferguson on
CBS. But, the best guy to watch these days is Seth Meyers right after Jimmy Fallon. I find Fallon too syrupy. He never really digs in for an interview. He's too nice-not edgy enough. Seth is funnier and not so correct and careful. He is very witty-he doesn't need a great guest to elevate him. He really is all that.
A side note: Recently, Meyers had The Counting Crows on as his musical guest. Adam Duritz was off the charts amazing. He sang Round Here which is, believe it or not, 20 years old. Such great lyrics and melody. Will be in concert in NYC June 30th, in the Park. Run don't walk.
"round here we're carving out our names"
"round here we all look the same."
Ok-I know I will receive a lot of opposition on this. But here goes: the one show to avoid at all costs is The Americans. It is dumb, contrived, redundant, boring and the lead actors lack chemistry. I know many people love it. I cannot understand why. I have watched the entire first season and some of the current season before I couldn't endure anymore. I kept thinking I must be missing something. I am not. It is terrible-do not waste your time unless you are an insomniac. It will put you to sleep-I promise!
As far as Movies go, I have only seen two. The one I really liked was Fading Gigolo written by John Turturro . Turturro stars in this with Woody Allen, Sofia Vergara, and Sharon Stone. Brilliantly written. Thoroughly enjoyable. Best thing I have seen in a long time.
The second movie, Neighbors, is silly and boring after the first 10 minutes. It is one joke that lasts for the entire movie. A real snooze and not funny. However, Zac Efron is really attractive. So ladies, you may enjoy looking at him for two hours. And his acting was actually well done!
Next topic is Books. I have read two books recently both by Kelly Corrigan. Glitter and Glue and The Middle Place. I can only recommend these books to moms and daughters. I found them insightful and enjoyable due to her concentration on the topic of the mom/daughter relationship. Corrigan's writing is just ok, but still I found the stories interesting.
New Websites I have discovered:
www.joyus.com- all different and interesting products you can buy.
www.houzz.com-all different ways to decorate and get ideas for your home or office. VERY COOL. check it out
Must have products for the Summer:
Chanel's new fragrance-No 5 Eau Premiere is subtle, yummy, delicate. Comes in a spray or bottle.
starting at $98. I am not usually a fan of Chanel scents. This is perfect. Everyone will love it.
Body Bling-Scott Barnes has two 24 hour tinted moisturizers for the body. Naturally illuminates arms and legs. Champagne or Platinum. around $40.00.
Chaiken Watson Blazer-perfect for every season. Buy it in black. Really reasonable and the perfect piece to go with white jeans. About $268.00.
Donoli-only found at the Shop Rite in Nutley. Are you ready for an off the charts treat? A donut filled with cannoli cream. I make runs there weekly. At 99 cents, it's a steal. New York would be selling them for 7 bucks a piece. This is sooooooooo much better than the cronut.
Linea Domani eyelet top-pair it with a black pant, blue jeans, or a skirt. The perfect summer top.
Only $65.00.
BEST FASHION ADVICE FOR THE SUMMER: LADIES, WHEN BUYING YOUR WHITE JEANS ALWAYS SIZE UP. WHITE JEANS SHOULD NOT BE TOO TIGHT.
Enjoy your long weekend! OneB
As you know, I watch a ton of television since I only sleep about 3 hours a night.
Lately, my favorite show is John Oliver on HBO. I was first introduced to him when he filled in for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. This comedian is hilarious and his political satire is so on point. In my opinion, he is much funnier than either Stewart or Colbert. Tune in on Sunday nights at 11p.m.
You will not be disappointed.
In the sitcom category, there are several I like:
Friends with Better Lives -it's like a grown up version of friends with much better acting. There is a great ensemble cast. I especially like Zoe Lister-Jones as Kate. She is fabulous. And, not bad on the eyes are James Van Der Beek and Brooklyn Decker. Mondays/CBS/8:30.
Californication-my all time favorite. Great new season. Hank Moody has a son from an encounter years ago. The son, Levon (think Elton John), is played by Oliver Cooper. He is hysterical. Heather Graham and Michael Imperioli are also great additions to this season.
Mad Men-another favorite. Has been an interesting season. Will Don stay with the agency and that gorgeous wife? My guess is he will stay with the agency and leave the wife.
Nurse Jackie-used to be a show I enjoyed. The drug addiction storyline is getting annoying and occupies too much of each episode. It's getting boring for me.
Maya Rudolph-I don't know if anyone saw this last Monday. Rudolph, from Saturday Night Live
did a variety show. Remember Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Carol Burnett? Well Maya totally pulled this off. She was amazing. I especially want you to watch the Navigation Parents skit. So funny.....She is incredibly talented. I assume this will air Monday nights at 10pm on NBC.
Finally, I am not a great fan of Late night television hosts. I admit I will miss Craig Ferguson on
CBS. But, the best guy to watch these days is Seth Meyers right after Jimmy Fallon. I find Fallon too syrupy. He never really digs in for an interview. He's too nice-not edgy enough. Seth is funnier and not so correct and careful. He is very witty-he doesn't need a great guest to elevate him. He really is all that.
A side note: Recently, Meyers had The Counting Crows on as his musical guest. Adam Duritz was off the charts amazing. He sang Round Here which is, believe it or not, 20 years old. Such great lyrics and melody. Will be in concert in NYC June 30th, in the Park. Run don't walk.
"round here we're carving out our names"
"round here we all look the same."
Ok-I know I will receive a lot of opposition on this. But here goes: the one show to avoid at all costs is The Americans. It is dumb, contrived, redundant, boring and the lead actors lack chemistry. I know many people love it. I cannot understand why. I have watched the entire first season and some of the current season before I couldn't endure anymore. I kept thinking I must be missing something. I am not. It is terrible-do not waste your time unless you are an insomniac. It will put you to sleep-I promise!
As far as Movies go, I have only seen two. The one I really liked was Fading Gigolo written by John Turturro . Turturro stars in this with Woody Allen, Sofia Vergara, and Sharon Stone. Brilliantly written. Thoroughly enjoyable. Best thing I have seen in a long time.
The second movie, Neighbors, is silly and boring after the first 10 minutes. It is one joke that lasts for the entire movie. A real snooze and not funny. However, Zac Efron is really attractive. So ladies, you may enjoy looking at him for two hours. And his acting was actually well done!
Next topic is Books. I have read two books recently both by Kelly Corrigan. Glitter and Glue and The Middle Place. I can only recommend these books to moms and daughters. I found them insightful and enjoyable due to her concentration on the topic of the mom/daughter relationship. Corrigan's writing is just ok, but still I found the stories interesting.
New Websites I have discovered:
www.joyus.com- all different and interesting products you can buy.
www.houzz.com-all different ways to decorate and get ideas for your home or office. VERY COOL. check it out
Must have products for the Summer:
Chanel's new fragrance-No 5 Eau Premiere is subtle, yummy, delicate. Comes in a spray or bottle.
starting at $98. I am not usually a fan of Chanel scents. This is perfect. Everyone will love it.
Body Bling-Scott Barnes has two 24 hour tinted moisturizers for the body. Naturally illuminates arms and legs. Champagne or Platinum. around $40.00.
Chaiken Watson Blazer-perfect for every season. Buy it in black. Really reasonable and the perfect piece to go with white jeans. About $268.00.
Donoli-only found at the Shop Rite in Nutley. Are you ready for an off the charts treat? A donut filled with cannoli cream. I make runs there weekly. At 99 cents, it's a steal. New York would be selling them for 7 bucks a piece. This is sooooooooo much better than the cronut.
Linea Domani eyelet top-pair it with a black pant, blue jeans, or a skirt. The perfect summer top.
Only $65.00.
BEST FASHION ADVICE FOR THE SUMMER: LADIES, WHEN BUYING YOUR WHITE JEANS ALWAYS SIZE UP. WHITE JEANS SHOULD NOT BE TOO TIGHT.
Enjoy your long weekend! OneB
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Books, Television, Movies, Current News Stories/February 2014
There haven't been any great movies lately, but that doesn't stop me from viewing as many as I can.
JACK RYAN SHADOW RECRUIT-global thriller set in present day.starring Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, and Kevin Cosner. Cosner was the only redeeming feature of this movie for me. I suppose it might be a decent home movie. Thumbs down.
MONUMENTS MEN-based on a true story .Platoon rescues art from Nazi thieves. Compelling plot. Too long and edited poorly. Lots of people liked it; I wasn't one of them. See it and Decide. Thumbs sideways.
GLORIA-about a free spirited, likeable older woman, a divorcee. She is looking for love. The trailers seemed so promising. The movie was boring and fell flat. Very dis-
appointing. Thumbs down.
AT MIDDLETON-an on demand movie starring Andy Garcia and Vera Famiga. Two parents accompany their respective teens to a college tour. They have a brief connection after they ditch their kids for the day. I love Garcia and found the story endearing and clever. Good at home movie to watch. Thumbs up.
MATCH POINT-just rewatched this old Woody Allen movie. It was really terrific.
One of his best. Opening scene with the tennis ball is the key to the entire movie. Flash to the end when the wedding ring bounces off the railing-sometimes you just get lucky! Thumbs up.
As for recent books, I have read a few.
ME BEFORE YOU-by JoJo Moyes. I knew I would dislike this book and I did. If you were a fan of The Lovely Bones (I was not), then you will probably like this too.
Calculated dribble.
THE WIDOWS GUIDE TO SEX AND DATING-by Caroline Radziwill. Her debut of a fiction novel. A RHONY, she shouldn't be taken seriously, but a former journalist for ABC news, she is surprisingly witty, humorous, and writes good dialogue.
STILL LIFE WITH BREADCRUMBS-by Anna Quindlen. This was awful. It was
predictable and boring. Quindlen should stick to NY TIMES Op Ed pieces. She is far better at that than writing fiction. Hated it.
THE GOLDFINCH-by Donna Tartt. Not for the faint of heart. 771 pages. That being said, it was beautifully written with perfect sentences, a compelling plot, and complex
characters. Loved it A lot.
THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE-by Ann Patchett. Interesting essays discussing her life, her writing, her loves and friendships. Really a great read.
On to my favorite pastime-Television.
As for all the talk shows:
THE TONIGHT SHOW-Jimmy Fallon excels in music bits with guests and playing games. Don't love his monologue or interviews. In fact, I find his increased 10 minute monologue too long and not too funny. He is too nice-not edgy enough for my taste. Maybe it takes time to grow into this role.
THE LATE SHOW-Seth Meyers. I find him funny and engaging. Liked his first show and think he will be great.
MSNBC at 1pm-Ronan Farrow debuts his new show this week and I caught it today in
the gym. He is a boy genius (college at 11 years old and law school at 16), and Rhodes
Scholar. He has an appealing presence and is pitching the show to a college demographic. Jury is out, but I think it is not going to fly.
As for the series:
BANSHEE-on Cinemax. in season 2. Ex con becomes sheriff of an Amish town. Lots of violence and tons of sex and nudity, so beware. Awesome (Thanks Scott!)
HOUSE OF LIES-on Showtime. Don Cheedle stars as head of an Ad Agency. Like this a lot.
SHAMELESS-on Showtime. Great characters, good plot development, wonderful actors. Very enjoyable.
GIRLS-Lea Dunham creates beautiful, witty dialogue. This season has been excellent-
especially Shoshanna. Who can forget her line to Ray: "Sometimes I love you like the way I feel sorry for a monkey"? Really worth watching.
DOWNTON ABBEY-OMG. Loved the ending scene in the finale Sunday night. The most touching scene I have ever watched on tv was Mrs. Hughes and Carson walking hand in hand into the ocean. Mrs. Hughes tells Carson: "you can always hold my hand if you need to feel steady". Don't we all feel that way about the person we love? I was moved beyond tears. A real joy to watch....
And finally, stories in the News:
FRUIT FLY MAY BE KEY TO CURING SOME CANCERS. A fruit fly geneticist has been able to create a fruit fly that has an exact genetic copy of a patient's tumor. They then test FDA approved drugs in thousands of combinations until they find a cocktail that works. This is being done at the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapeutics at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC.
POLIO LIKE ILLNESS SHOWING UP IN CALIFORNIA. Over 20 cases of a virus has shown up in California. All cases had been vaccinated against polio and treatment doesn't help. There is a sudden onset of weakness over the course of hours affecting one or more limbs. The virus is believed to come from Enterovirus 71. Washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with sick, coldy people is the only prevention.
GOVENOR JAN BREWER OF ARIZONA ASKED TO VETO ANTIGAY LEGISLATURE. Arizona lawmakers want to pass a so called religious freedom bill which allows business owners to refuse service to anyone that does not agree with their religious beliefs. This is totally unconstitutional. I am feeling sick about visiting Arizona next week if this bill is not vetoed. We are going backwards in this country. This has got to end. Very scary stuff.
JACK RYAN SHADOW RECRUIT-global thriller set in present day.starring Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, and Kevin Cosner. Cosner was the only redeeming feature of this movie for me. I suppose it might be a decent home movie. Thumbs down.
MONUMENTS MEN-based on a true story .Platoon rescues art from Nazi thieves. Compelling plot. Too long and edited poorly. Lots of people liked it; I wasn't one of them. See it and Decide. Thumbs sideways.
GLORIA-about a free spirited, likeable older woman, a divorcee. She is looking for love. The trailers seemed so promising. The movie was boring and fell flat. Very dis-
appointing. Thumbs down.
AT MIDDLETON-an on demand movie starring Andy Garcia and Vera Famiga. Two parents accompany their respective teens to a college tour. They have a brief connection after they ditch their kids for the day. I love Garcia and found the story endearing and clever. Good at home movie to watch. Thumbs up.
MATCH POINT-just rewatched this old Woody Allen movie. It was really terrific.
One of his best. Opening scene with the tennis ball is the key to the entire movie. Flash to the end when the wedding ring bounces off the railing-sometimes you just get lucky! Thumbs up.
As for recent books, I have read a few.
ME BEFORE YOU-by JoJo Moyes. I knew I would dislike this book and I did. If you were a fan of The Lovely Bones (I was not), then you will probably like this too.
Calculated dribble.
THE WIDOWS GUIDE TO SEX AND DATING-by Caroline Radziwill. Her debut of a fiction novel. A RHONY, she shouldn't be taken seriously, but a former journalist for ABC news, she is surprisingly witty, humorous, and writes good dialogue.
STILL LIFE WITH BREADCRUMBS-by Anna Quindlen. This was awful. It was
predictable and boring. Quindlen should stick to NY TIMES Op Ed pieces. She is far better at that than writing fiction. Hated it.
THE GOLDFINCH-by Donna Tartt. Not for the faint of heart. 771 pages. That being said, it was beautifully written with perfect sentences, a compelling plot, and complex
characters. Loved it A lot.
THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE-by Ann Patchett. Interesting essays discussing her life, her writing, her loves and friendships. Really a great read.
On to my favorite pastime-Television.
As for all the talk shows:
THE TONIGHT SHOW-Jimmy Fallon excels in music bits with guests and playing games. Don't love his monologue or interviews. In fact, I find his increased 10 minute monologue too long and not too funny. He is too nice-not edgy enough for my taste. Maybe it takes time to grow into this role.
THE LATE SHOW-Seth Meyers. I find him funny and engaging. Liked his first show and think he will be great.
MSNBC at 1pm-Ronan Farrow debuts his new show this week and I caught it today in
the gym. He is a boy genius (college at 11 years old and law school at 16), and Rhodes
Scholar. He has an appealing presence and is pitching the show to a college demographic. Jury is out, but I think it is not going to fly.
As for the series:
BANSHEE-on Cinemax. in season 2. Ex con becomes sheriff of an Amish town. Lots of violence and tons of sex and nudity, so beware. Awesome (Thanks Scott!)
HOUSE OF LIES-on Showtime. Don Cheedle stars as head of an Ad Agency. Like this a lot.
SHAMELESS-on Showtime. Great characters, good plot development, wonderful actors. Very enjoyable.
GIRLS-Lea Dunham creates beautiful, witty dialogue. This season has been excellent-
especially Shoshanna. Who can forget her line to Ray: "Sometimes I love you like the way I feel sorry for a monkey"? Really worth watching.
DOWNTON ABBEY-OMG. Loved the ending scene in the finale Sunday night. The most touching scene I have ever watched on tv was Mrs. Hughes and Carson walking hand in hand into the ocean. Mrs. Hughes tells Carson: "you can always hold my hand if you need to feel steady". Don't we all feel that way about the person we love? I was moved beyond tears. A real joy to watch....
And finally, stories in the News:
FRUIT FLY MAY BE KEY TO CURING SOME CANCERS. A fruit fly geneticist has been able to create a fruit fly that has an exact genetic copy of a patient's tumor. They then test FDA approved drugs in thousands of combinations until they find a cocktail that works. This is being done at the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapeutics at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC.
POLIO LIKE ILLNESS SHOWING UP IN CALIFORNIA. Over 20 cases of a virus has shown up in California. All cases had been vaccinated against polio and treatment doesn't help. There is a sudden onset of weakness over the course of hours affecting one or more limbs. The virus is believed to come from Enterovirus 71. Washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with sick, coldy people is the only prevention.
GOVENOR JAN BREWER OF ARIZONA ASKED TO VETO ANTIGAY LEGISLATURE. Arizona lawmakers want to pass a so called religious freedom bill which allows business owners to refuse service to anyone that does not agree with their religious beliefs. This is totally unconstitutional. I am feeling sick about visiting Arizona next week if this bill is not vetoed. We are going backwards in this country. This has got to end. Very scary stuff.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Nanny Nonni's mostly yays and a few nays
GOLDEN GLOBES
YAYS
Best Dressed: 1)Olivia Wilde - who looks that great ever(?), let alone pregnant?
2)Cate Blanchett-that backless black dress, her skin, makeup, hair-she is
always flawless.
3)Tina Fey and Amy Poehler-both looked fabulous in their opening
dresses. Both looked toned, coiffed, and better than ever.
4)Lupito Nyong'o-she rocked that red Ralph Lauren. What a
stunning woman.
5)Zoe Saldana-in a Prabal Garung dress. You either loved or hated
this dress. I thought it was really great for her. Very cool.
NAYS
Worst Dressed
1) Jennifer Lawrence-I thought this gown looked horrible on her. It was
not fitted properly. It looked baggy, wide, and generally awful! Except
for those emerald earrings-be still my heart....
2)Amy Adams-didn't like the dress and didn't like the hair. For someone
who is not overly endowed in the chest department(which I like), she
should stop showing so much cleavage. It's unattractive.
Others I thought looked really pretty: Sandra Bullock, Laura Dern, Sosie Bacon.
MOVIES
YAYS-The Philadelphia Story- Yes, that is the 1940 romantic comedy with James
Stewart (he won the Oscar), Cary Grant-has there EVER been a more
magnificent looking man, and Katharine Hepburn(check out her 20" waist in
those exquisite dresses. Watch it again-you won't be disappointed.
NAYS
1)August Osage County- I hated it. The fact is,I didn't even think they were
so dysfunctional. What does that say about me and my relatives?
2)Her-I also disliked this a lot. Very disturbing. Not being a fan of Kindles,
Ipads, cellphones, and apps, etc; this was SCARY. The fact that you see
people all over the streets of NYC not making eye contact and speaking on
their cells, texting, and checking their emails is very upsetting to me. What
happened to scintillating conversations with actual humans?
PRODUCTS
YAYS- 1)Covergirl Outlast stay brilliant glosstini nailpolish- This polish literally
stays on for a week. No touch up needed-even the dark colors stay on the
tips of your nails, where it usually wears away faster.
2)Lancer retexurizing treatment-$75.00. Available at Nordstrom. A
moisturizer using glycolic acid to promote cell turnover. Love it!
3)Natura Bisse The Cure-I have mentioned this manufacturer before. The
products are sensational. This one uses hyalauronic acid which helps
improve moisture and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Feels silky and
great under a foundation. It isn't cheap. $180 buckaroos and available on
their website.
4) Jonathan Adler Totes-I love me a good tote. They should be lightweight,
pretty, have several pockets, and ideally a zipper. These can be found at:
Target (diaper bags), Bloomies, Jonathan Adler, Shopbop. From
$46.99-$228. A fabulous gift for a young mom.
5) Longchamp LM Cuir Medium Leather Tote-My favorite at the moment.
In Saddle brown trimed with bronze. $675 at Saks or Bloomies. So
pretty, I think!
6)Florabotanical Eau de Parfum by Balenciaga-$70-$130. Available at
most department stores. This scent is in a gorgeous bottle; has great
longevity, which is rare, and has a not too sweet, fresh green,
modern take on florals. The longer it is on, the prettier it smells.
7) Macy's Hotel Collection bath towels and bath sheets-100% micro-
cotton loops. For my guests-these are absolutely the best. Warm,
fluffy, absorbent, fast drying and very durable. Mine have lasted for
years, Trust me-they are better than Ralph Lauren or the ones provided
by the finest hotel you've stayed at. $29-$75 at Macy's. And they
ALWAYS have a 20% off coupon offered.
YAYS
Best Dressed: 1)Olivia Wilde - who looks that great ever(?), let alone pregnant?
2)Cate Blanchett-that backless black dress, her skin, makeup, hair-she is
always flawless.
3)Tina Fey and Amy Poehler-both looked fabulous in their opening
dresses. Both looked toned, coiffed, and better than ever.
4)Lupito Nyong'o-she rocked that red Ralph Lauren. What a
stunning woman.
5)Zoe Saldana-in a Prabal Garung dress. You either loved or hated
this dress. I thought it was really great for her. Very cool.
NAYS
Worst Dressed
1) Jennifer Lawrence-I thought this gown looked horrible on her. It was
not fitted properly. It looked baggy, wide, and generally awful! Except
for those emerald earrings-be still my heart....
2)Amy Adams-didn't like the dress and didn't like the hair. For someone
who is not overly endowed in the chest department(which I like), she
should stop showing so much cleavage. It's unattractive.
Others I thought looked really pretty: Sandra Bullock, Laura Dern, Sosie Bacon.
MOVIES
YAYS-The Philadelphia Story- Yes, that is the 1940 romantic comedy with James
Stewart (he won the Oscar), Cary Grant-has there EVER been a more
magnificent looking man, and Katharine Hepburn(check out her 20" waist in
those exquisite dresses. Watch it again-you won't be disappointed.
NAYS
1)August Osage County- I hated it. The fact is,I didn't even think they were
so dysfunctional. What does that say about me and my relatives?
2)Her-I also disliked this a lot. Very disturbing. Not being a fan of Kindles,
Ipads, cellphones, and apps, etc; this was SCARY. The fact that you see
people all over the streets of NYC not making eye contact and speaking on
their cells, texting, and checking their emails is very upsetting to me. What
happened to scintillating conversations with actual humans?
PRODUCTS
YAYS- 1)Covergirl Outlast stay brilliant glosstini nailpolish- This polish literally
stays on for a week. No touch up needed-even the dark colors stay on the
tips of your nails, where it usually wears away faster.
2)Lancer retexurizing treatment-$75.00. Available at Nordstrom. A
moisturizer using glycolic acid to promote cell turnover. Love it!
3)Natura Bisse The Cure-I have mentioned this manufacturer before. The
products are sensational. This one uses hyalauronic acid which helps
improve moisture and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Feels silky and
great under a foundation. It isn't cheap. $180 buckaroos and available on
their website.
4) Jonathan Adler Totes-I love me a good tote. They should be lightweight,
pretty, have several pockets, and ideally a zipper. These can be found at:
Target (diaper bags), Bloomies, Jonathan Adler, Shopbop. From
$46.99-$228. A fabulous gift for a young mom.
5) Longchamp LM Cuir Medium Leather Tote-My favorite at the moment.
In Saddle brown trimed with bronze. $675 at Saks or Bloomies. So
pretty, I think!
6)Florabotanical Eau de Parfum by Balenciaga-$70-$130. Available at
most department stores. This scent is in a gorgeous bottle; has great
longevity, which is rare, and has a not too sweet, fresh green,
modern take on florals. The longer it is on, the prettier it smells.
7) Macy's Hotel Collection bath towels and bath sheets-100% micro-
cotton loops. For my guests-these are absolutely the best. Warm,
fluffy, absorbent, fast drying and very durable. Mine have lasted for
years, Trust me-they are better than Ralph Lauren or the ones provided
by the finest hotel you've stayed at. $29-$75 at Macy's. And they
ALWAYS have a 20% off coupon offered.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Quick Summary of Movies I've Recently Viewed
December was pretty much filled seeing movies.
American Hustle-a star studded cast based on the story of Abscam and Senator Harrison Williams. Christian Bale was beyond amazing. Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Louis CK were a superb supporting cast. The movie was worth seeing, but I thought it was just fair. Fell short of all the publicity it received. Thumbs up
Dallas Buyer's Club- Liked this movie, but didn't love as much as the rest of the world.
Jared Leto's performance trumped Matthew McConaughey's (in my opinion). I felt this was just a vehicle for everyone to comment on McConaughey's body transformation. Another Tom Hanks "Philadelphia" reprise. But Hanks and Philadelphi was sooooo much better. Thumbs sideways
Enough Said-I forgot to mention this flick last month. Enjoyed this romantic comedy. Julia Louis Dreyfus and James Ganndolfini had great on screen chemistry. Also applaud the supporting cast: Catherine Keener and Toni Collette. Fun to watch. Sweet. Thumbs up
Inside Llewyn Davis-Coen Brothers movie. About 1961 Village Folk Scene where the main character (Oscar Issac) struggles to make a name for himself. Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, and Justin Timberlake were great. Not the best Coen Brothers movie, but I enjoyed it! Favorite Coen Brothers Films: Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski. Thumbs up
Out Of The Furnace-A movie about two brothers hoping to make better lives for themselves. One of the brothers gets drawn into a vicious crime ring and things go from bad to worse. The movie could've been good, but totally fell short. The acting, however, was beyond incredible. Christian Bale was mesmerizing. Casey Affleck, Willem Dafoe, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Sam Shepard, and Zoe Saldana were fabulous supporting actors. I have to say Christian Bale is one of the greatest actors out there - no question. This movie is worth it, just to watch him. Thumbs down
Philomena-Story of a woman looking for a long lost son that she gave up for adoption.
Judi Dench is delightful. A simple plot and well acted. A bit of a snooze... Thumbs down
Saving Mr. Banks-Story of Walt Disney making Mary Poppins into a movie. Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks do a fine job. Supporting actors Paul Giamatti and Collin Farrell. A well done story. You either love it or you don't. The people we were with loved it. I felt it was too long winded and could have been edited better. Thumbs sideways
The Wolf of Wall Street-Ok, I admit it. I loved it. 572 "F"bombs and all. The sex, the drugs, the story-all great fun. A superb small cameo by Matthew McConaughey. Leo DiCaprio is fabulous, along with Jonah Hill as his sidekick. The quelude scene-beyond hysterical! And Margot Robbie, is gorgeous to look at. Who is she anyway? Many of my contemporaries didn't like this flick, and thought it glorified Jordan Belfort's (Leo DiCaprio) lifestyle. I thought just the opposite. Martin Scorsese is a brilliant filmmaker, and I thought he portrayed the wallstreet lifestyle as repulsive and excessive. Go see it. Thumbs up
Old Movies I have recently watched and recommend:
Shattered-Gretta Scacci and Tom Berenger. The best opening scene ever. A Car
crash opens the movie. And a car crash ends the movie....a great plot. Watch it in
surround sound.
Girl Most Likely-Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, and Matt Dillon. Not a great script,
but it is a good watch at home movie. Kristen Wiig is a great comedic actress. Fun to
watch for $4.99. Struggling playwright and her crazy family. Set in NYC and NJ.
Only You-Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Bonnie Hunt, Billy Zane, and Fisher
Stevens. Lame romantic comedy that I really enjoyed. Much of the movie takes
in Positano at the Hotel Le Sirenuse. That just happens to be my favorite place on the
planet (yes-better than San Pietro!). Thus, the movie is worthwhile to just to look at
the scenery. And as always, Robert Downey is terrific.
American Hustle-a star studded cast based on the story of Abscam and Senator Harrison Williams. Christian Bale was beyond amazing. Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Louis CK were a superb supporting cast. The movie was worth seeing, but I thought it was just fair. Fell short of all the publicity it received. Thumbs up
Dallas Buyer's Club- Liked this movie, but didn't love as much as the rest of the world.
Jared Leto's performance trumped Matthew McConaughey's (in my opinion). I felt this was just a vehicle for everyone to comment on McConaughey's body transformation. Another Tom Hanks "Philadelphia" reprise. But Hanks and Philadelphi was sooooo much better. Thumbs sideways
Enough Said-I forgot to mention this flick last month. Enjoyed this romantic comedy. Julia Louis Dreyfus and James Ganndolfini had great on screen chemistry. Also applaud the supporting cast: Catherine Keener and Toni Collette. Fun to watch. Sweet. Thumbs up
Inside Llewyn Davis-Coen Brothers movie. About 1961 Village Folk Scene where the main character (Oscar Issac) struggles to make a name for himself. Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, and Justin Timberlake were great. Not the best Coen Brothers movie, but I enjoyed it! Favorite Coen Brothers Films: Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski. Thumbs up
Out Of The Furnace-A movie about two brothers hoping to make better lives for themselves. One of the brothers gets drawn into a vicious crime ring and things go from bad to worse. The movie could've been good, but totally fell short. The acting, however, was beyond incredible. Christian Bale was mesmerizing. Casey Affleck, Willem Dafoe, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Sam Shepard, and Zoe Saldana were fabulous supporting actors. I have to say Christian Bale is one of the greatest actors out there - no question. This movie is worth it, just to watch him. Thumbs down
Philomena-Story of a woman looking for a long lost son that she gave up for adoption.
Judi Dench is delightful. A simple plot and well acted. A bit of a snooze... Thumbs down
Saving Mr. Banks-Story of Walt Disney making Mary Poppins into a movie. Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks do a fine job. Supporting actors Paul Giamatti and Collin Farrell. A well done story. You either love it or you don't. The people we were with loved it. I felt it was too long winded and could have been edited better. Thumbs sideways
The Wolf of Wall Street-Ok, I admit it. I loved it. 572 "F"bombs and all. The sex, the drugs, the story-all great fun. A superb small cameo by Matthew McConaughey. Leo DiCaprio is fabulous, along with Jonah Hill as his sidekick. The quelude scene-beyond hysterical! And Margot Robbie, is gorgeous to look at. Who is she anyway? Many of my contemporaries didn't like this flick, and thought it glorified Jordan Belfort's (Leo DiCaprio) lifestyle. I thought just the opposite. Martin Scorsese is a brilliant filmmaker, and I thought he portrayed the wallstreet lifestyle as repulsive and excessive. Go see it. Thumbs up
Old Movies I have recently watched and recommend:
Shattered-Gretta Scacci and Tom Berenger. The best opening scene ever. A Car
crash opens the movie. And a car crash ends the movie....a great plot. Watch it in
surround sound.
Girl Most Likely-Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, and Matt Dillon. Not a great script,
but it is a good watch at home movie. Kristen Wiig is a great comedic actress. Fun to
watch for $4.99. Struggling playwright and her crazy family. Set in NYC and NJ.
Only You-Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Bonnie Hunt, Billy Zane, and Fisher
Stevens. Lame romantic comedy that I really enjoyed. Much of the movie takes
in Positano at the Hotel Le Sirenuse. That just happens to be my favorite place on the
planet (yes-better than San Pietro!). Thus, the movie is worthwhile to just to look at
the scenery. And as always, Robert Downey is terrific.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Final thoughts 2013/ Welcome 2014!
DD
or a friend-is HONESTY . Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't beat
around the bush. Don't evade the issue. Anyone who knows me, knows that I live
this mantra (maybe to a fault!). But you ALWAYS know where you stand with
me-I never keep you guessing. As difficult as it may be to be truthful, just do it. In
the long run, it will be the best policy. If you don't lie, you don't have to create
more non truths to cover up the original lie.
Next, Communicate. TALK to the person. Stop with the texts, the
emails, and the voicemails. Long before all this technology, we talked to one
another. We hashed things out. We had back and forth conversations, exchanged
ideas, learned from each other, actually listened to one another and "really heard"
what the other person had to say. It is so difficult to decipher what the emotion is
in a text or an email, or how sincere you are in a voicemail.
Do all of this in a TIMELY MANNER. Don't let a misunderstanding drag on.
Stay on point. Don't ever allow confusion to arise. When time passes frustration
ensues, doubt creeps in, questions amass. In other words, don't delay what you
must say today. Wounds begin to fester and they are hard to heal.
But, then, Forgive, Move on, Let it all go. We all have faults. No one is perfect.
We have to overlook. Erase the moment.
Finally, value each and every relationship in your life like it is the ONLY one.
Everyone of the people in my life are there because I want them there. I try and
treat everyone with respect, love, kindness, and attention. I try to be a good
listener. I try to put their feelings above my own. I try to be honest even when it
may not be what they want to hear. Cherish and hold dear all of the people that
matter. Because if there is any lesson I have learned, it is that life is fragile. You
never know what tomorrow brings. Don't take the ones you love for granted-
EVER.
Wishing all of you that I Cherish-A Happy and Healthy New Year.
Recently, I had an experience that hurt me to the core. People I have been friendly with for over 30 years did something, which in my opinion, felt calculating and spiteful. I was totally blindsided by their actions, and couldn't figure out what precipitated their behavior. It really doesn't matter what the details were. What does matter, is what I learned from this experience and how to implement these lessons in my life.First and Foremost, crucial in any relationship, whether it's your parents, spouse
or a friend-is HONESTY . Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't beat
around the bush. Don't evade the issue. Anyone who knows me, knows that I live
this mantra (maybe to a fault!). But you ALWAYS know where you stand with
me-I never keep you guessing. As difficult as it may be to be truthful, just do it. In
the long run, it will be the best policy. If you don't lie, you don't have to create
more non truths to cover up the original lie.
Next, Communicate. TALK to the person. Stop with the texts, the
emails, and the voicemails. Long before all this technology, we talked to one
another. We hashed things out. We had back and forth conversations, exchanged
ideas, learned from each other, actually listened to one another and "really heard"
what the other person had to say. It is so difficult to decipher what the emotion is
in a text or an email, or how sincere you are in a voicemail.
Do all of this in a TIMELY MANNER. Don't let a misunderstanding drag on.
Stay on point. Don't ever allow confusion to arise. When time passes frustration
ensues, doubt creeps in, questions amass. In other words, don't delay what you
must say today. Wounds begin to fester and they are hard to heal.
But, then, Forgive, Move on, Let it all go. We all have faults. No one is perfect.
We have to overlook. Erase the moment.
Finally, value each and every relationship in your life like it is the ONLY one.
Everyone of the people in my life are there because I want them there. I try and
treat everyone with respect, love, kindness, and attention. I try to be a good
listener. I try to put their feelings above my own. I try to be honest even when it
may not be what they want to hear. Cherish and hold dear all of the people that
matter. Because if there is any lesson I have learned, it is that life is fragile. You
never know what tomorrow brings. Don't take the ones you love for granted-
EVER.
Wishing all of you that I Cherish-A Happy and Healthy New Year.
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