Hot As Hades - So Chillin in the AC

I didn't think I would be blogging this month, but I have some time and it's too hot to be anywhere but inside.


Recently, I saw several movies:


Juliet Naked-Ethan Hawke, Chris O'Dowd, and Rose Byrne. Cute movie about an elusive rock star and an obsessive fan.  Nothing spectacular but I loved the cast.


Three Identical Strangers-Interesting Documentary about triplets who became separated at birth and raised by three different families. Very good!


The Black Klansman-Spike Lee's newest film about a black cop who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan. The last scene is very powerful. Worth seeing.


Adore-Naomi Watts and Robin Wright. On Amazon. A silly movie about two best friends who have steamy affairs with each other's son's. Guys will like it!! Lots of Sex. Steamy.






Recommended New Jersey Restaurants I haven't tried yet:


The Brick House-Wyckoff, N.J. Bergen County Steakhouse. Pricey.


Chef's Table-Franklin Lakes, N.J. Authentic French Cuisine. Also Pricey.


Vine-Basking Ridge, N.J. Mediterranean meats American. Lovely Varied Menu. Something for everyone.


Pho-Bridgewater, N.J. Authentic Vietnamese beef based broths. Note: not many vegetarian options.


Churasco Grill-Lake Hiawatha, N.J. BYOB Argentinian and Peruvian dishes.


Don Juan Restaurant-West Orange, N.J. Hispanic and Mexican. Awesome Menu. Can't wait to go.






Best Seafood I ate during our Spring Lake Vacay:


Red's Lobster Pot-Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. Dockside Dining and a zillion options: Clams, Oysters, Scallops, Shrimp, and Lobster- fried, raw, steamed.  Fun for lunch!


Klein's-Belmar, N.J. -Fresh seafood, Pasta, and Sushi. Liked this a lot.


The Parker House-Sea Girt, N.J.-one of the nicer restaurants in the area. Pretty Victorian House with pretty deck where you can eat. Delicious seafood, steak, and other fare. Great for lunch or dinner.





Cool Items:


Lunch notes-by Cheree Berry. Set of  12. $12. Little notes to insert for your children's lunch. Adorable!


Ecoegg Stain Remover-$19.95 HSN or Amazon. Removes ink, red wine, olive oil, strawberry. Use on carpet or clothes.


Custom Clothing Stamp-$37 by Mabel's Labels. For Clothes and Books. Perfect for school and camp.


Unicorn Color Changing Umbrella-$14.99 at Nordstrom. Perfect Birthday gift for a girl 3 years and up.


Tecnis Symfony Lenses for eyes-New on the market. An Extended Depth of focus lens for cataracts. Lets you see near, intermediate and far distances. Wear glasses Less. Ask your eye dr.


Rx sight light adjustable lens-This allows the Dr. to adjust your eyesight up to 4 weeks after cataract surgery. It is the only FDA approved lens that can be customized through a power adjustment after implantation in the patient's eye. Again, ask your eye surgeon.


Rhopressa-newly FDA approved drug for open-angle glaucoma.  Lowers pressure/ taken once a day.
Vyzulta-Also fairly new and for open angle glaucoma.. Eye drop that helps lower pressure by draining fluid from the eye.






Upcoming Movies That Sound Interesting:


The Wife. Release date 8/17. Glenn Close. Read the Book. Story about a marriage between a famous author and his wife.


The Children Act. Release date 9/14. Emma Thompson. Adapted from an Ian McEwan novel.  About a  family court judge making life and death decisions about children's lives.


Bad Times at the El Royale. Release date 10/12.  Seven strangers with different secrets meet at a hotel and get one last shot at redemption. Stellar Cast-Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson, Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges, Nick Offerman, and Cynthia Erivo.






Next Book On My Reading List:


Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan.  Three generations of a family meet at the summer home and we visit the theme of dysfunctional families.






This Month's Favorite Quotes:


It's not how tall you get. It's if you keep your feet on the ground. (don't know the author)


People will forget what you said
People will forget what you did
But People will never forget how you make them feel.  (Maya Angelou)








Wishing Dani, Lily, and Owen the Happiest of Birthdays! I adore all of you and can't wait to celebrate with you.   Mom/Nonni (aka One B).

Can't Wait For Family Vacay at The Shore and Shortly Thereafter it will be FALL-HURRAY!

I was walking into Wegman's the other morning and they were busy setting up displays for Fall and Halloween. Although it is way too early for that, it still put a smile on my face. The whole world loves summer but me!  Here are my July/August lists for you to peruse.


Books I've Read:
From the Corner of the Oval-Beck Dorey Stein. Working at Lulu Lemon, she answers a Craig's list
                                               ad and it lands her a job in Obama's Whitehouse. I liked this a lot!
Grist Mill Road-Christopher J. Yates. Three teenagers bound together by a terrible crime. Absorbing
                                               and scary. Liked!
Crazy Rich Asians-Kevin Kwan. Entertaining, fun, easy read. A good beach read.
A Place For Us-Fatima Farheen Mirza. First time novelist. Interesting story about an Indian Family
                                             living in America; keeping their identity and yet, trying to "fit in".
Mrs. Fletcher-Tom Perrotta. I'll just say it's about fetishes in human behavior. Love his writing.
My Ex-Life-Stephen McCauley. A divorced couple end up living under the same roof after 30 years.
                                              Enjoyable.
What We Were Promised-Lucy Tan. Beautiful first novel about modern day issues in China and
                                              Shanghai. Well done.


Next On My Reading List:
The Sunshine Sisters-Jane Green. Mom asks three estranged daughters to help end her life.
The Great Believers-Rebecca Makkai. What it was like to live in the time of Aids.
Educated-Tara Westover. A memoir about a girl born to survivalists and didn't go to school until 17.


Currently Watching on Television:
Better Call Saul-AMC. Season 4. Love this show! Bob Odenkirk is great!
Ballers-HBO.  Season 4.  All of you know that I love The Rock. Dwayne Johnson is the bomb.
Suits-USA. Season 8. Katherine Heigl joins the cast. Meghan Markle leaves. Hate the show!
The Affair-SHO. Season 4.  Don't really like this show, but I've dug in for too long to abandon.
Queen Sugar-Own. Season 3. One of the best written shows I watch. Love every second of it.


Movies I've Seen:
Eighth Grade-13 year old making her way through middle school. Well done!
Won't you Be My Neighbor?-About Fred Rodgers. Didn't like him until I saw the movie. Liked a lot.
Mission Impossible-Typical action packed sequel. Tom Cruise does incredible stunts. Fun.
The Black Klansman-Powerful Spike Lee. Very upsetting but very good. Last scenes bring it home.




Movies Coming Soon or Here:
Crazy Rich Asians-Highly rated on all reviews. Can't wait! (based on Kevin Kwan novel above).
Dog Days-62% on Rotten Tomatoes. Love story and dogs-what could be bad?
A Star is Born-Remake of the Streisand movie. This time Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. 10/5.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post-story about a girl and gay therapy conversion. Out now.
Active Measures-Putin's 30 year history. His influence on world events. Documentary. 8/31.




Food and Restaurants I want to try:
Haagen Daz Crispy trio layer Coconut and Chocolate Ice Cream.  Does anyone remember snowballs for dessert? Not the pink marshmallow cupcakes with coconut from Hostess. But rather a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce and coconut sprinkled on top. I used to love that as a child.


Bellisima Prosecco-Zero Sugar! And only 3 Weight Watcher Points! Slam Dunk....


Marcus Samuelson's new restaurant in Newark; Marcus B&P. 56 Halsey Street.


Zest-Faifield, NJ. Gluten Free and Dairy Free. acai bowls, smoothies, salads, baked goods.


Ok All-Next time I check in, there will be a cool, crisp feel in the air. Can't Wait!!!
 
One more thing:  A Big Shout out to Jud! Bravo for your Lawyer of the Year Honor. Well done and Well deserved. You're always #1 in my heart. xo, One B