Spring is around the corner. Daylight Savings time happens this weekend. Warmer weathe is
quickly approaching. Can't wait!
Check out my new recommendations for this season.
FASHION
If you were a hippy in the 70's, then you will adore the Boho clothes, accessories, and makeup for Spring.
For the beach, I love Anthropologie's (known for it's hippy vibe) denim offerings. My favorites are the Atoll Denim Dress for $158, the strapless Denim A-line for $158 and the Marin Chambray Dress for $148. All are great over a bathing suit and then on to dinner.
If you need something a bit more upscale for the evening, I like Brand Assembly's off the shoulder floral balloon dress for $528. Available at Lord&Taylor. Or Diane Von Furstenberg's Simonia ruffled silk dress for $468. Available at major Department Stores.
And if you are going more casual on the weekend, head over to Loft and check out their Poet blouse ($59.50) and Bermuda roll shorts ($49.50). Perfect for a barbecue or a stroll around the city.
Fringe, Tassels, and HIGH heels are all the rage this season. At Bloomies, three great choices are Ivanka Trump's Heta fringey, ankle tied heel ($145) ; Tory Burch's Raya slide with a chunky round wooden heel ($350), and Tahari's peep toe cut out heel bootie in black and tan ($285).Please don't shoot me- I have to give a shout out to the Kendal & Kylie Aries fringed red high heeled sandal for $140 (at Lord and Taylor).
For an all around casual bag, I like the great funky beaded tote for travel and summer fun by Steve Madden. It's called the Sabbie Tote in blush and it's only $98 bucks!
None of these options will break the bank and are fun for a change in your wardrobe and a lift in your spirits.
MAKEUP
Nails: Chanel has a new long wear polish. I like the color Shantung. But beware- if you wear the dark reds, blues, or grays all the time you have residual stubborn stains that stay forever.
For that issue, Zoya has come out with the naked manicure perfector. This is a great product that will neutralize stained nails and provides you with a natural bare look. Perfect for spring and summer.
Eyes: Target has started to carry a Korean makeup line called Laniege. To combat eye puffiness, try their Water Bank Eye Gel hydrating eye cream ($59-a bit pricey for Target!)
Kat Von D tattoo liner-this is a liner that lasts for 12 hours. Try the Trooper which is an intense
black. Available at Sephora for $18.00.
Top off the dramatic eyes with Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara. This is supposedly the most instagrammed product of 2015! It's claim to fame is its ability to sculpt and separate the lashes.
Skin: Prep your skin with Bare Minerals Skin Longevity Vital Power infusion. It brightens,
replenishes, renews, and prevents aging. Your skin will appear to have a healthy glow.
A few new foundations to try are Nars Velvet Matte Skin which is more like a tinted moisturizer
with an SPF 30 ($44). For more coverage, Makeup Forever's Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
is ultralight and provides flawless skin. This was developed for the close up cameras of television.
I also like Elf Foundation for $8.95, which I found on the checkout line of Old Navy. It's a great
base for the price.
For Contour and Highlighting, Tom Ford developed a new duo for $80. Available at Nordstrom
or Bergdorf's.
Lips: Top all this off with a simple matte lip. Try Maybelline's Color Blur Lipstick. Available at
CVS and Walgreen's in five vibrant shades. If you use this on your lip, keep your eyes neutral.
All dressed up and nowhere to go? Stay home and watch a few new shows!
On the History Chanel, watch Craig Ferguson's Join or Die. He was my favorite late night host and he is super funny. I love his close up facial expressions!
The new season of Girls will not disappoint. Funnier than ever and the writing is fabulous. HBO
Samantha Bee has a show called Full Frontal. A Canadian-American writer and comedian, she is
a unique new voice commenting on today's ridiculous political atmosphere. TBS
If you have Netflix, watch the Chelsea Handler four part series on Marriage, Racism, Drugs, and
Technology. The drugs episode is truly hysterical.
Enjoy your Spring! One B
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Some of my "jams" and a few scams
All of you who know me, also know that I have a major television addiction. With the new seasons starting up-I am in absolute heaven.
Recently, I started watching Suits (many of my friends have recommended this for years).
I have just begun the current season and I enjoy it. My husband (an attorney) however, hated the
only episode he watched. I don't feel any need to go back and watch the previous seasons though.
For now, it's holding my interest and I will keep tuning in.
Billions-is a new show with Damien Lewis and Paul Giamatti. The jury is still out on the series
but I like the two main characters, so I will give it a few more episodes.
The Circus-a political documentary on HBO that shows the 2016 political candidates and some of
their shenanigans. Interesting but not great.
Coming Soon: Grease-a live production on THIS Sunday, Jan. 31 at 7p.m. on FOX.
People VS. OJ-starring John Travolta. Tues. Feb. 2 at 10p.m. on FX
Madoff-starring Richard Drefyss and Blythe Danner. Wed. Feb. 3 at 8pm on ABC.
NEW PRODUCTS ("jams")
Burt's Bees-This brand has come out with a lipstick line. Now you can have moisture and more
than just their usual hint of color. At drugstores.
Prada-Olfactories eau de Parfums are ten new scents. Some of the catchy names are Heat Wave,
Double Dare, Tainted Love, Purple Rain, and Pink Flamingo. At $300 a bottle, it's not for the faint
of heart. For a lot less dinero, my personal fragrance by Prada is Infusion D'Iris.
Two other fragrances I also love are Bond #9's The Scent of Peace; and Bulgari's Eau de Toilette in
the Purple bottle.
Radiant Skin-pure Gold Collagen Drink. This reduces fine lines and nourishes within.
At ULTA.
Nivea-in shower body lotion. First soap up, rinse off soap, apply this lotion, and rinse off.
Provides 24 hour moisture for your entire body.
Alpaca Socks-The warmest socks ever. My daughter is stockpiling them. From Edel Haus
Farm in Wall, N.J. Contact John Edelhauser at 732-890-1024. Many items are not on the
website so you should call for additional information. Edelhausalpacas.com
When you are at the Jersey Shore, visit the farm! The alpacas are super cute.
Donald Rumsfeld's new App-former Secretary of Defense developed Churchill Solitaire. This
challenging and addictive game uses two decks and the goal is to move from Cadet to Prime Minister. This is certain to be the new rage.
BOOKS I WANT TO READ ( more "jams")
The Portable Veblen-Elizabeth McKensie
The Vegetarian-Han Kang
The Yid-Paul Goldberg
Fates and Furies-Lauren Goff
Between The World and Me-Ta Nahisi Coates
PLACES I NEED TO GO (totally jammin')
Pennsy Food Court-Finally, we can purchase something other than Krispy Kremes (which I
adore) at Penn Station. Located at 2 Penn Plaza, there are now gourmet options galore. Commuters
can even grab take out for dinner before they hop on their trains to go home. Some of the stores:
Marc Forgione-Lobster Press. A variety of lobster infused choices for the seafood lover.
Adam Sobel-The Cinnamon Snail. This vegan truck chef has a cult following. Many yummy
entrees and desserts offered at this stationary spot. A s'mores donut sounds awesome!
Mario Battali-infamous restaurateur offers up grilled Italian sandwiches and seasonal soups.
Franklin Becker-The Little Beet. An offshoot of his healthy gluten free restaurant. Sounds
great. Right up my alley.
Pat LaFrieda-Meat purveyor opens his first restaurant offering meatballs and filet mignon
sandwiches. Also available is prepackaged beef to cook at home.
Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE-this show returns to The Great White Way, but this time
around,it is, by all accounts, sensational. New star Cynthia Erivo is literally bringing the house
down. RUN - don't walk. Besides, you'll have to wait many months to see Hamilton so give this
a whirl.
SCAMS (finally!)
Donald Trump-Seriously? This horrible egotistical man is racist and ridiculous. I cannot
comprehend how any intelligent Republican (is that an oxymoron?) could like this man as their
presidential candidate. He is a complete buffoon. Imagine the white house with him in it. I cannot
believe the wave of popularity. That being said-he is a smart businessman who has figured out
what appeals to the public.
Roger Ailes/Fox News-Now that you understand that I find Trump intolerable and that I cannot
believe he is the frontrunner for the Republican Party, I have to say that Fox News is even more
disgusting than Trump. The fact that they sent out a press release saying that if Trump becomes
president the Ayatollah and Putin will treat him unfairly is pure fabrication. And it is irresponsible
and unprofessional reporting. Fox News has NEVER produced actual news - it is a complete imposter of a news network with crazy individuals hosting nightly shows. Bill O'Reilly, Sean
Hannity and Greta Van Susteren have their own distorted reality and spin on current events.
Please Watch CNN if you want an unbiased view of the news.
REAL SCAMS
Never believe calls that are purporting to be a Windows or Microsoft Technician. They are not
going to fix your computer or make it run better. They want your personal info. Hang up.
If you pick up the phone and no one is on the other end. Hang up after your first hello. These
are "silent calls" also trying to obtain information.
Don't answer emails that offer or suggest anything about credit cards.
Don't answer your door to people saying they are from the electric or gas company. Ask through
the door for a phone number you can call to check if they are authentic.
If solicited on the computer to update to Windows 10 or to buy a security app, Do Not Do It.
If you receive a call or a message from the IRS and they ask you to call back-DON'T! The IRS
doesn't call you.
Recently, I started watching Suits (many of my friends have recommended this for years).
I have just begun the current season and I enjoy it. My husband (an attorney) however, hated the
only episode he watched. I don't feel any need to go back and watch the previous seasons though.
For now, it's holding my interest and I will keep tuning in.
Billions-is a new show with Damien Lewis and Paul Giamatti. The jury is still out on the series
but I like the two main characters, so I will give it a few more episodes.
The Circus-a political documentary on HBO that shows the 2016 political candidates and some of
their shenanigans. Interesting but not great.
Coming Soon: Grease-a live production on THIS Sunday, Jan. 31 at 7p.m. on FOX.
People VS. OJ-starring John Travolta. Tues. Feb. 2 at 10p.m. on FX
Madoff-starring Richard Drefyss and Blythe Danner. Wed. Feb. 3 at 8pm on ABC.
NEW PRODUCTS ("jams")
Burt's Bees-This brand has come out with a lipstick line. Now you can have moisture and more
than just their usual hint of color. At drugstores.
Prada-Olfactories eau de Parfums are ten new scents. Some of the catchy names are Heat Wave,
Double Dare, Tainted Love, Purple Rain, and Pink Flamingo. At $300 a bottle, it's not for the faint
of heart. For a lot less dinero, my personal fragrance by Prada is Infusion D'Iris.
Two other fragrances I also love are Bond #9's The Scent of Peace; and Bulgari's Eau de Toilette in
the Purple bottle.
Radiant Skin-pure Gold Collagen Drink. This reduces fine lines and nourishes within.
At ULTA.
Nivea-in shower body lotion. First soap up, rinse off soap, apply this lotion, and rinse off.
Provides 24 hour moisture for your entire body.
Alpaca Socks-The warmest socks ever. My daughter is stockpiling them. From Edel Haus
Farm in Wall, N.J. Contact John Edelhauser at 732-890-1024. Many items are not on the
website so you should call for additional information. Edelhausalpacas.com
When you are at the Jersey Shore, visit the farm! The alpacas are super cute.
Donald Rumsfeld's new App-former Secretary of Defense developed Churchill Solitaire. This
challenging and addictive game uses two decks and the goal is to move from Cadet to Prime Minister. This is certain to be the new rage.
BOOKS I WANT TO READ ( more "jams")
The Portable Veblen-Elizabeth McKensie
The Vegetarian-Han Kang
The Yid-Paul Goldberg
Fates and Furies-Lauren Goff
Between The World and Me-Ta Nahisi Coates
PLACES I NEED TO GO (totally jammin')
Pennsy Food Court-Finally, we can purchase something other than Krispy Kremes (which I
adore) at Penn Station. Located at 2 Penn Plaza, there are now gourmet options galore. Commuters
can even grab take out for dinner before they hop on their trains to go home. Some of the stores:
Marc Forgione-Lobster Press. A variety of lobster infused choices for the seafood lover.
Adam Sobel-The Cinnamon Snail. This vegan truck chef has a cult following. Many yummy
entrees and desserts offered at this stationary spot. A s'mores donut sounds awesome!
Mario Battali-infamous restaurateur offers up grilled Italian sandwiches and seasonal soups.
Franklin Becker-The Little Beet. An offshoot of his healthy gluten free restaurant. Sounds
great. Right up my alley.
Pat LaFrieda-Meat purveyor opens his first restaurant offering meatballs and filet mignon
sandwiches. Also available is prepackaged beef to cook at home.
Broadway's THE COLOR PURPLE-this show returns to The Great White Way, but this time
around,it is, by all accounts, sensational. New star Cynthia Erivo is literally bringing the house
down. RUN - don't walk. Besides, you'll have to wait many months to see Hamilton so give this
a whirl.
SCAMS (finally!)
Donald Trump-Seriously? This horrible egotistical man is racist and ridiculous. I cannot
comprehend how any intelligent Republican (is that an oxymoron?) could like this man as their
presidential candidate. He is a complete buffoon. Imagine the white house with him in it. I cannot
believe the wave of popularity. That being said-he is a smart businessman who has figured out
what appeals to the public.
Roger Ailes/Fox News-Now that you understand that I find Trump intolerable and that I cannot
believe he is the frontrunner for the Republican Party, I have to say that Fox News is even more
disgusting than Trump. The fact that they sent out a press release saying that if Trump becomes
president the Ayatollah and Putin will treat him unfairly is pure fabrication. And it is irresponsible
and unprofessional reporting. Fox News has NEVER produced actual news - it is a complete imposter of a news network with crazy individuals hosting nightly shows. Bill O'Reilly, Sean
Hannity and Greta Van Susteren have their own distorted reality and spin on current events.
Please Watch CNN if you want an unbiased view of the news.
REAL SCAMS
Never believe calls that are purporting to be a Windows or Microsoft Technician. They are not
going to fix your computer or make it run better. They want your personal info. Hang up.
If you pick up the phone and no one is on the other end. Hang up after your first hello. These
are "silent calls" also trying to obtain information.
Don't answer emails that offer or suggest anything about credit cards.
Don't answer your door to people saying they are from the electric or gas company. Ask through
the door for a phone number you can call to check if they are authentic.
If solicited on the computer to update to Windows 10 or to buy a security app, Do Not Do It.
If you receive a call or a message from the IRS and they ask you to call back-DON'T! The IRS
doesn't call you.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Reviews of Movies, Television, Radio, and Fashion at the Golden Globes
MOVIES
The Big Short-All star cast. Well acted, clever, compelling story about the housing credit bubble
of 2000's. Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell are stellar. A favorite!
Brooklyn-I am definitely in the minority here (or maybe not, since there was no mention of this
film at the Golden Globes) but I thought this movie fell flat. A period piece
telling a story about an "ordinary series of events". And very ordinary movie. Good for a
watch at home flick.
Carol-A visually pleasing and well acted movie about relationships. Starring Cate Blanchette
and Rooney Mara. I didn't like this one either. Slow.
Creed-A great comeback for Stallone. Fun plot, wonderful fight scenes, and well played by Sly &
Michael B. Jordan. Director Ryan Coogler did a fabulous job. Stallone might finally get an
Oscar. Stallone won Best Supporting Actor at the Globes for this role.
The Danish Girl-A vehicle for Eddie Redmayne to showcase a great performance. Story of
the relationship between a husband and his wife; and the husband's desire to transition to a
woman. Well acted by Alicia Vikandler and Redmayne. Didn't love this one either!
The Hateful Eight-Not one of Tarentino's better films, but still quirky and entertaining. It could
have been edited better. Over the top violence. Kurt Russel and Samuel Jackson
were terrific. Worth seeing only if you are a Tarentino fan.
Joy-Story of Joy Mangano, a successful self made businesswoman/inventor seen frequently on
HSN. Jennifer Lawrence stars in this and is excellent, but couldn't save the movie. She won
at the Globes for Best Actress in a Comedy. I thought there were better performances by other
actresses, but what do I know? Just fair-wait to watch at home and you will be entertained.
The Martian-One of my favorites this year. Director Ridley Scott and Actor Matt Damon. A story
about an astronaut stranded alone on a hostile planet. One of Damon's best per-
formances. Damon deservedly won Best Actor for a Comedic Movie at The Golden
Globes.
The Revenant-Directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu and starring Leo DiCaprio. Based on true events
in the American West in the 1820's. A story of a man's love for his son and the
revenge he seeks for his son's murder. An epic that is spectacular to watch. I liked
it. Will probably get Best Picture at the Oscar's. At The Globes, DiCaprio won best
performance by an Actor in a Dramatic movie. Inarritu won best director. And The
Revenant won best picture. I am not in agreement that it was the best picture, but I
predict it will sweep the Oscars anyway. Visually stunning.
Room-Great adaptation of the book. In fact, even better than the book. Brie Larson (won the
Glove for Best Actress) and Jake Trembley were superb. Heart Wrenching. A story of love
between a mother and her son. Excellent acting and a good movie.
Spotlight-An all star cast with Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Stanley Tucci. The story of
the allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In my opinion, the best movie
of the year. A must see! Too controversial to win Best Picture though.
Star Wars-The theme of this flick: FIND LUKE! Exactly what you expect. Fun to watch, a
crowd pleaser, and fabulous special effects. See it in 3D.
Youth-Plot focuses on the topic of getting old, something we should all relate to. Although it
raised interesting questions, it was disjointed and hard to follow. Tedious and lacked
purpose. Harvey Keitel and Michael Caine were great to watch, but could not save
this movie. Don't bother.
TELEVISION
Flesh and Bones-Ballet and Sex. on Starz. Creepy, but I was enthralled. Watch it if you
are curious and have some time. On Starz.
Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD-my new favorite series. I especially like Chicago
Fire. Lucky Lady Gaga-her fiancé Taylor Kinney stars in this and is my new
heartthrob.
Shameless-a new season begins. As good as ever. William Macy is fabulous. Showtime on
Sunday night.
Billions-Hedge fund billionaire Damien Lewis is being watched by U.S. Attorney Paul
Giamatti. So much fun to watch! Showtime on Sunday night.
Downton Abbey-the final season. Boo hoo. Always enticing and mesmerizing. Love it. PBS on
Sunday night. Treat yourself and watch all the seasons on demand.
RADIO
Serial Podcast - Season 2 on NPR. Narrator Sarah Koenig teams with filmmaker Mark Boal
to tell the intricate story of Bowe Bergdahl. Remember he was the U.S.
soldier who walked away from his post in Afghanistan in 2009.
Koenig forces you to reassess your views and opinions about what happened.
You will look at this situation in various ways. This is a fabulous series. I am
only at the beginning of this season, but I guarantee you will love listening.
Try it you will be hooked.
THE GOLDEN GLOBES
Best Dressed
1) Alicia Vikandler -in Louis Vuitton. That all white dress was magnificent. Her skin
looked exquisite. A perfect vision. Simple and Elegant.
2) Jennifer Lawrence-my #2 pick. That red Dior gown and Chopard necklace were
breathtaking. She got it completely right. The gown looked amazing on her body!
3) Helen Mirren-there is no one more exquisite. That body rocks for any age -she is
flawless in a simple black gown and a Harry Winston necklace. Sheer perfection.
4) Jennifer Lopez-only JLo could pull off that mustard Giambattista Valli gown. She is
beyond beautiful and looks so much sexier covered up. And 200 carats of Harry
Winston diamonds didn't hurt the look! Absolutely stunning.
Worst Dressed
1) Jane Fonda-I hate to say it but the gorgeous 78 year old looked like a clown. All those
ruffles were too overpowering for her petite frame. A clear miss. Needs a new
stylist.
2) Cate Blanchett-in pale pink Givency-it was the worst! She looked as if she had a horse
tail at the back. Her hair was horrendous. None of it worked. Scary!
3) Katy Perry-in a pink revealing gown and "bump it" in her hair, she didn't get it right.
Her body and hair have definitely seen better days.
4) Eva Longoria-there was just too much going on with the gown. The bow at the neck,
the belt at the waist , and the embroidery at her hips. If the belt was gone, it would've
looked ok. Not one of her better looks.
5) Kate Hudson- a rocking body that wasn't rocking. If she turned the top around, the
gown would've been sensational. And, please get rid of that ugly choker.
Globes
The Big Short-All star cast. Well acted, clever, compelling story about the housing credit bubble
of 2000's. Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell are stellar. A favorite!
Brooklyn-I am definitely in the minority here (or maybe not, since there was no mention of this
film at the Golden Globes) but I thought this movie fell flat. A period piece
telling a story about an "ordinary series of events". And very ordinary movie. Good for a
watch at home flick.
Carol-A visually pleasing and well acted movie about relationships. Starring Cate Blanchette
and Rooney Mara. I didn't like this one either. Slow.
Creed-A great comeback for Stallone. Fun plot, wonderful fight scenes, and well played by Sly &
Michael B. Jordan. Director Ryan Coogler did a fabulous job. Stallone might finally get an
Oscar. Stallone won Best Supporting Actor at the Globes for this role.
The Danish Girl-A vehicle for Eddie Redmayne to showcase a great performance. Story of
the relationship between a husband and his wife; and the husband's desire to transition to a
woman. Well acted by Alicia Vikandler and Redmayne. Didn't love this one either!
The Hateful Eight-Not one of Tarentino's better films, but still quirky and entertaining. It could
have been edited better. Over the top violence. Kurt Russel and Samuel Jackson
were terrific. Worth seeing only if you are a Tarentino fan.
Joy-Story of Joy Mangano, a successful self made businesswoman/inventor seen frequently on
HSN. Jennifer Lawrence stars in this and is excellent, but couldn't save the movie. She won
at the Globes for Best Actress in a Comedy. I thought there were better performances by other
actresses, but what do I know? Just fair-wait to watch at home and you will be entertained.
The Martian-One of my favorites this year. Director Ridley Scott and Actor Matt Damon. A story
about an astronaut stranded alone on a hostile planet. One of Damon's best per-
formances. Damon deservedly won Best Actor for a Comedic Movie at The Golden
Globes.
The Revenant-Directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu and starring Leo DiCaprio. Based on true events
in the American West in the 1820's. A story of a man's love for his son and the
revenge he seeks for his son's murder. An epic that is spectacular to watch. I liked
it. Will probably get Best Picture at the Oscar's. At The Globes, DiCaprio won best
performance by an Actor in a Dramatic movie. Inarritu won best director. And The
Revenant won best picture. I am not in agreement that it was the best picture, but I
predict it will sweep the Oscars anyway. Visually stunning.
Room-Great adaptation of the book. In fact, even better than the book. Brie Larson (won the
Glove for Best Actress) and Jake Trembley were superb. Heart Wrenching. A story of love
between a mother and her son. Excellent acting and a good movie.
Spotlight-An all star cast with Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Stanley Tucci. The story of
the allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In my opinion, the best movie
of the year. A must see! Too controversial to win Best Picture though.
Star Wars-The theme of this flick: FIND LUKE! Exactly what you expect. Fun to watch, a
crowd pleaser, and fabulous special effects. See it in 3D.
Youth-Plot focuses on the topic of getting old, something we should all relate to. Although it
raised interesting questions, it was disjointed and hard to follow. Tedious and lacked
purpose. Harvey Keitel and Michael Caine were great to watch, but could not save
this movie. Don't bother.
TELEVISION
Flesh and Bones-Ballet and Sex. on Starz. Creepy, but I was enthralled. Watch it if you
are curious and have some time. On Starz.
Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD-my new favorite series. I especially like Chicago
Fire. Lucky Lady Gaga-her fiancé Taylor Kinney stars in this and is my new
heartthrob.
Shameless-a new season begins. As good as ever. William Macy is fabulous. Showtime on
Sunday night.
Billions-Hedge fund billionaire Damien Lewis is being watched by U.S. Attorney Paul
Giamatti. So much fun to watch! Showtime on Sunday night.
Downton Abbey-the final season. Boo hoo. Always enticing and mesmerizing. Love it. PBS on
Sunday night. Treat yourself and watch all the seasons on demand.
RADIO
Serial Podcast - Season 2 on NPR. Narrator Sarah Koenig teams with filmmaker Mark Boal
to tell the intricate story of Bowe Bergdahl. Remember he was the U.S.
soldier who walked away from his post in Afghanistan in 2009.
Koenig forces you to reassess your views and opinions about what happened.
You will look at this situation in various ways. This is a fabulous series. I am
only at the beginning of this season, but I guarantee you will love listening.
Try it you will be hooked.
THE GOLDEN GLOBES
Best Dressed
1) Alicia Vikandler -in Louis Vuitton. That all white dress was magnificent. Her skin
looked exquisite. A perfect vision. Simple and Elegant.
2) Jennifer Lawrence-my #2 pick. That red Dior gown and Chopard necklace were
breathtaking. She got it completely right. The gown looked amazing on her body!
3) Helen Mirren-there is no one more exquisite. That body rocks for any age -she is
flawless in a simple black gown and a Harry Winston necklace. Sheer perfection.
4) Jennifer Lopez-only JLo could pull off that mustard Giambattista Valli gown. She is
beyond beautiful and looks so much sexier covered up. And 200 carats of Harry
Winston diamonds didn't hurt the look! Absolutely stunning.
Worst Dressed
1) Jane Fonda-I hate to say it but the gorgeous 78 year old looked like a clown. All those
ruffles were too overpowering for her petite frame. A clear miss. Needs a new
stylist.
2) Cate Blanchett-in pale pink Givency-it was the worst! She looked as if she had a horse
tail at the back. Her hair was horrendous. None of it worked. Scary!
3) Katy Perry-in a pink revealing gown and "bump it" in her hair, she didn't get it right.
Her body and hair have definitely seen better days.
4) Eva Longoria-there was just too much going on with the gown. The bow at the neck,
the belt at the waist , and the embroidery at her hips. If the belt was gone, it would've
looked ok. Not one of her better looks.
5) Kate Hudson- a rocking body that wasn't rocking. If she turned the top around, the
gown would've been sensational. And, please get rid of that ugly choker.
Globes
Friday, December 18, 2015
IS IT A GO OR IS IT A NO?
OK Ladies-this blog is for you. Anyone who knows me, knows that skin products and jewelry are my two passions. I just can't get enough of either one-ever. Whether the makeup or jewelry is inexpensive or pricey, I am always intrigued. So when the Today Show reviewed the top drugstore recommendations, I spent two days chasing the items down. Here we go.
Best Cover Up-Revlon Photo Ready Instafix-I actually liked this a lot. It comes in a fat stick form
and you can fit it in your purse. It works well as a foundation or concealer. At CVS. (A GO)
Best Foundation-Maybelline SuperStay better skin. It does stay all day, but it has no oil/moisture in
it so it is very drying. If you have oily skin, you may like it. I was not a fan. At CVS. (A NO)
I still think Covergirl + Olay CC Tone Rehab is fabulous and Loreal's Blur foundation is a close
equally good. Try both of these instead.
Best Eyeliner-Sonia Kashluk's twist up longwear liner. It's not waterproof, but stays on ALL
day and doesn't smudge. It's an amazing product. Comes in 4 colors and is hard to acquire. At
Target. (A GO)
Best Nail Topcoat-Essie Gel Setter Top Coat. This can be used on top of any polish. It extends the
manicure by at least a week with no chipping or peeling. It is extraordinary-love it. At CVS.
(A GO)
Best Blush-Flower is a powder to cream blush. It is Drew Barrymore's new line. Interesting con-
cept but it works best, in my opinion, over another blush. So I am not sure if it's worth the effort
of finding. Try her lip glosses though. I think they are a home run.
At Super Walmart locations-don't even ask where I had to drive to for this item! (A NO)
That's it for the Today Show List. Now for some Expensive Items I use and recommend, or I want to try.
ALL TIME FAVORITE SKIN CARE LINES
Nutrabisse-anything they make is luxurious and effective. Rob a bank and try their moisturizers.
Available at Neiman Marcus.
Jurlique-their superior retexturising facial serum is the best product I use. It changes everything
about your face for the better in a short time; your tone, less wrinkles, radiant skin appears and
fine lines disappear. Again this is a luxury item but worth the price. At Sephora.
SKIN AND HAIR SUGGESTIONS ON MY LIST TO TRY
1. Touch and Glo-an at home face lift for $100. After 30 days, skin is more toned with fewer lines.
Hamptonsacupuncture.com
2. TRIA age defying line remover for $249. This is getting a ton of buzz. It is a lazer to remove
wrinkles. People are raving. I am skeptical.
3. Dr. Brandt's Needles No More 3D filler mask. This, too, is a product to reduce fine lines and
wrinkles. It supposedly fills in the cracks. He produces (produced - now deceased) excellent
products, so I am excited to try it out.
4. MD Solar Science evening facial repair. This is a night only cream. My theory any cream is great
as long as you routinely use it.
5. Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer-used by makeup artists on the stars. Supposedly erases
dark circles, broken capillaries, etc. $28 at Sephora.
SOME NEW PRODUCTS THAT ARE GREAT FOR TRAVEL
1. Blingbrush 18-an on the go jewelry cleaner you keep in your purse. How many times do you
look down at your rings and see a soapy film on them as you exit the ladies room? This does
the trick. By Baublerella for $18.
2. Hadaki Jewelry Pouch. This travel pouch has 8 separate compartments for earrings, rings,
and necklaces. No more tangling. It's a fabulous idea. Fits right in your purse.
$32 at Hadaki.com
3. Balance Bead- a bead that comes in small or large size to place at the catch of your necklace. It
is an ingenious idea which prevents the catch from rolling to the front of the necklace. Buy it
on Balancebeadshop.com.
4. Pom Pom ID Luggage Tag-no more rainbow striped straps wrapped around your luggage. This
new item you tie to the handle of your suitcase and you instantly know that black suitcase is
yours! It's only $5.99 at Bed and Bath.
5. Fitkicks-a footware you can leave on at security or just walk around in the comfort of your
home without slipping on wood floors. A sock with a rubber sole. It's great for yoga too.
fitkicksshoes.com
Wishing all of you safe travels, beautiful skin, and a Happy and Healthy New Year! xo, One B
(And to my precious daughters-don't purchase any of the above items-hint, hint!)
Best Cover Up-Revlon Photo Ready Instafix-I actually liked this a lot. It comes in a fat stick form
and you can fit it in your purse. It works well as a foundation or concealer. At CVS. (A GO)
Best Foundation-Maybelline SuperStay better skin. It does stay all day, but it has no oil/moisture in
it so it is very drying. If you have oily skin, you may like it. I was not a fan. At CVS. (A NO)
I still think Covergirl + Olay CC Tone Rehab is fabulous and Loreal's Blur foundation is a close
equally good. Try both of these instead.
Best Eyeliner-Sonia Kashluk's twist up longwear liner. It's not waterproof, but stays on ALL
day and doesn't smudge. It's an amazing product. Comes in 4 colors and is hard to acquire. At
Target. (A GO)
Best Nail Topcoat-Essie Gel Setter Top Coat. This can be used on top of any polish. It extends the
manicure by at least a week with no chipping or peeling. It is extraordinary-love it. At CVS.
(A GO)
Best Blush-Flower is a powder to cream blush. It is Drew Barrymore's new line. Interesting con-
cept but it works best, in my opinion, over another blush. So I am not sure if it's worth the effort
of finding. Try her lip glosses though. I think they are a home run.
At Super Walmart locations-don't even ask where I had to drive to for this item! (A NO)
That's it for the Today Show List. Now for some Expensive Items I use and recommend, or I want to try.
ALL TIME FAVORITE SKIN CARE LINES
Nutrabisse-anything they make is luxurious and effective. Rob a bank and try their moisturizers.
Available at Neiman Marcus.
Jurlique-their superior retexturising facial serum is the best product I use. It changes everything
about your face for the better in a short time; your tone, less wrinkles, radiant skin appears and
fine lines disappear. Again this is a luxury item but worth the price. At Sephora.
SKIN AND HAIR SUGGESTIONS ON MY LIST TO TRY
1. Touch and Glo-an at home face lift for $100. After 30 days, skin is more toned with fewer lines.
Hamptonsacupuncture.com
2. TRIA age defying line remover for $249. This is getting a ton of buzz. It is a lazer to remove
wrinkles. People are raving. I am skeptical.
3. Dr. Brandt's Needles No More 3D filler mask. This, too, is a product to reduce fine lines and
wrinkles. It supposedly fills in the cracks. He produces (produced - now deceased) excellent
products, so I am excited to try it out.
4. MD Solar Science evening facial repair. This is a night only cream. My theory any cream is great
as long as you routinely use it.
5. Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer-used by makeup artists on the stars. Supposedly erases
dark circles, broken capillaries, etc. $28 at Sephora.
SOME NEW PRODUCTS THAT ARE GREAT FOR TRAVEL
1. Blingbrush 18-an on the go jewelry cleaner you keep in your purse. How many times do you
look down at your rings and see a soapy film on them as you exit the ladies room? This does
the trick. By Baublerella for $18.
2. Hadaki Jewelry Pouch. This travel pouch has 8 separate compartments for earrings, rings,
and necklaces. No more tangling. It's a fabulous idea. Fits right in your purse.
$32 at Hadaki.com
3. Balance Bead- a bead that comes in small or large size to place at the catch of your necklace. It
is an ingenious idea which prevents the catch from rolling to the front of the necklace. Buy it
on Balancebeadshop.com.
4. Pom Pom ID Luggage Tag-no more rainbow striped straps wrapped around your luggage. This
new item you tie to the handle of your suitcase and you instantly know that black suitcase is
yours! It's only $5.99 at Bed and Bath.
5. Fitkicks-a footware you can leave on at security or just walk around in the comfort of your
home without slipping on wood floors. A sock with a rubber sole. It's great for yoga too.
fitkicksshoes.com
Wishing all of you safe travels, beautiful skin, and a Happy and Healthy New Year! xo, One B
(And to my precious daughters-don't purchase any of the above items-hint, hint!)
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
A cracked pelvis, A missed trip to Ireland, and a very Happy Thanksgiving
On August 26th, I took a major fall in a NYC restaurant (due to a slippery floor) and long story short, ended up in the hospital that evening. I had a minor concussion and a major fractured pelvis.
Walking was difficult, moving was not fun, and lifting was out of the question. The cure for this: lots of rest and (in my case) no meds for the pain. So, of course, movies and books were the only remedy for the next 12 weeks. The pain was excruciating, and did not subside for 8 of those weeks. There was no gym time to distract, no taking care of my beautiful grandsons, and lots of alone time. I watched many movies on demand and many in the theaters. I will try to recall as many as I can. I read several books and have many more on my to read list. See below.
MOVIES ON DEMAND
Dirty Weekend-a layover in an airport allows two work colleagues to discover more about each
other. Stars Matthew Broderick. mediocre but held my interest.
The Duff-a high school senior finds out she is labeled as the Designated Ugly Fat Friend. A teen
movie starring Mae Whitman from Parenthood. Younger audiences will like it.
Breakpoint-about an aging doubles tennis player and his brother. Stars Jeremy Sisto. Terrible!
Some Kind of Beautiful-a romantic comedy with Pierce Brosnan, Selma Hayek, and Jessica Alba.
an entertaining and bad movie!
She's Funny That Way-a screwball comedy by Peter Bogdanovich. A Woody Allen Wannabe. Stars
Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. Worth watching.
The Gallows-a bad horror film starring Kathie Lee Gifford's daughter, Cassidy Gifford. Don't bother.
I'll See You In My Dreams-a funny heartfelt film about a woman who finds love again later in life. Stars Blythe Danner and Sam Elliot. Worth watching.
MOVIES IN THE THEATER
Black Mass-About Boston Crime Boss, Whitey Bulger. Johnny Depp's best film in years. See it.
Ricki and The Flash-Jonathan Demme and Diablo Cody's film about unsuccessful aging rocker and the trials and tribulations with her family. Stars Meryl Streep and real life daughter, Mamie Gummer.
I loved it-not a good movie, but I love anything with Streep. Now available On Demand. See it.
The Intern-Robert DeNiro becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site run by Anne Hathaway.
Charming and entertaining. Nothing fabulous, but worth seeing.
Danny Collins-Aging rocker, Al Pacino embarks on a journey to rediscover his family and change
his hard living ways. Annette Bening stars with Pacino. Pacino delivers a great performance. Fun to
watch.
While We're Young-Noah Baumbach's comedy about a childless NYC couple in their mid-forties.
Stars Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, and Adam Driver. Interesting and Entertaining. Liked it.
San Andreas-Earthquake hits California. The "Rock" (Dwayne Johnson) and his extranged wife
save their daughter. Action packed and stars The Rock-who needs more than that? Love him-my
fav!
A Walk In The Woods-Even Robert Redford and Nick Nolte couldn't save this movie. HORRIBLE.
Trainwreck-Judd Apatow directs Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in this hysterical movie about
monogamy. LeBron James is AMAZING. Definitely see-but beware: very raunchy humor.
Spotlight-The true Boston Globe story about the pervasive and ongoing sexual abuse performed by
a large number of priests in the Catholic Church. Compelling. All Star Cast. A MUST SEE.
Brooklyn-story of immigrants from Ireland coming to America. The trailer was better than the
movie. Very disappointing.
Bridge of Spies-Directed by Spielberg. Do I need to say more? Tom Hanks is fabulous in this Cold
War-set thriller. A true story. Another MUST See.
Creed-Sylvester Stallone and Michael Jordan star in the best "underdog" movie since the original
"Rocky". Stallone as an aging Rocky Balboa trains Apollo Creed's son (Michael Jordan) for a
major bout. RUN DON'T WALK. Loved every minute. I talked to the screen with the rest of the
audience. Jordan's acting deserves an academy award.
BOOKS I'VE READ BOOKS I WANT TO READ
Big Little Lies-Liane Moriarty Boys In The Boat (Brown)
The Luckiest Girl Alive-Jessica Knoll Everything I Never Told You (Ng)
In The Unlikely Event-Judy Blume Devil In The White City (Larson)
In a Dark Wood-Ruth Ware Purity (Franzen)
Go Set A Watchman-Harper Lee My Brilliant Friend (Ferrante)
The Whites-Richard Price
The Round House-Louise Erdrich
TELEVISION I ENJOY
Stephen Colbert (channel 2@11:30)
Seth Meyers (channel 4 @12:30)
Ray Donovan (Showtime-season 3 now On Demand)
The Leftovers (HBO Sunday@9)
The Affair (Showtime Sunday at 10)
The Grinder (Channel 5 on Tuesday at 8:30) Rob Lowe-does this guy ever age?
Grandfathered (Channel 5 on Tuesday at 8) John Stamos-does this guy ever age?
QUOTES I NEED TO TELL YOU
"Getting Older is inevitable. Aging is Optional."
"It's not the big things that people do that make them special. It's the small things they do that make
them big."
Walking was difficult, moving was not fun, and lifting was out of the question. The cure for this: lots of rest and (in my case) no meds for the pain. So, of course, movies and books were the only remedy for the next 12 weeks. The pain was excruciating, and did not subside for 8 of those weeks. There was no gym time to distract, no taking care of my beautiful grandsons, and lots of alone time. I watched many movies on demand and many in the theaters. I will try to recall as many as I can. I read several books and have many more on my to read list. See below.
MOVIES ON DEMAND
Dirty Weekend-a layover in an airport allows two work colleagues to discover more about each
other. Stars Matthew Broderick. mediocre but held my interest.
The Duff-a high school senior finds out she is labeled as the Designated Ugly Fat Friend. A teen
movie starring Mae Whitman from Parenthood. Younger audiences will like it.
Breakpoint-about an aging doubles tennis player and his brother. Stars Jeremy Sisto. Terrible!
Some Kind of Beautiful-a romantic comedy with Pierce Brosnan, Selma Hayek, and Jessica Alba.
an entertaining and bad movie!
She's Funny That Way-a screwball comedy by Peter Bogdanovich. A Woody Allen Wannabe. Stars
Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. Worth watching.
The Gallows-a bad horror film starring Kathie Lee Gifford's daughter, Cassidy Gifford. Don't bother.
I'll See You In My Dreams-a funny heartfelt film about a woman who finds love again later in life. Stars Blythe Danner and Sam Elliot. Worth watching.
MOVIES IN THE THEATER
Black Mass-About Boston Crime Boss, Whitey Bulger. Johnny Depp's best film in years. See it.
Ricki and The Flash-Jonathan Demme and Diablo Cody's film about unsuccessful aging rocker and the trials and tribulations with her family. Stars Meryl Streep and real life daughter, Mamie Gummer.
I loved it-not a good movie, but I love anything with Streep. Now available On Demand. See it.
The Intern-Robert DeNiro becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site run by Anne Hathaway.
Charming and entertaining. Nothing fabulous, but worth seeing.
Danny Collins-Aging rocker, Al Pacino embarks on a journey to rediscover his family and change
his hard living ways. Annette Bening stars with Pacino. Pacino delivers a great performance. Fun to
watch.
While We're Young-Noah Baumbach's comedy about a childless NYC couple in their mid-forties.
Stars Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, and Adam Driver. Interesting and Entertaining. Liked it.
San Andreas-Earthquake hits California. The "Rock" (Dwayne Johnson) and his extranged wife
save their daughter. Action packed and stars The Rock-who needs more than that? Love him-my
fav!
A Walk In The Woods-Even Robert Redford and Nick Nolte couldn't save this movie. HORRIBLE.
Trainwreck-Judd Apatow directs Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in this hysterical movie about
monogamy. LeBron James is AMAZING. Definitely see-but beware: very raunchy humor.
Spotlight-The true Boston Globe story about the pervasive and ongoing sexual abuse performed by
a large number of priests in the Catholic Church. Compelling. All Star Cast. A MUST SEE.
Brooklyn-story of immigrants from Ireland coming to America. The trailer was better than the
movie. Very disappointing.
Bridge of Spies-Directed by Spielberg. Do I need to say more? Tom Hanks is fabulous in this Cold
War-set thriller. A true story. Another MUST See.
Creed-Sylvester Stallone and Michael Jordan star in the best "underdog" movie since the original
"Rocky". Stallone as an aging Rocky Balboa trains Apollo Creed's son (Michael Jordan) for a
major bout. RUN DON'T WALK. Loved every minute. I talked to the screen with the rest of the
audience. Jordan's acting deserves an academy award.
BOOKS I'VE READ BOOKS I WANT TO READ
Big Little Lies-Liane Moriarty Boys In The Boat (Brown)
The Luckiest Girl Alive-Jessica Knoll Everything I Never Told You (Ng)
In The Unlikely Event-Judy Blume Devil In The White City (Larson)
In a Dark Wood-Ruth Ware Purity (Franzen)
Go Set A Watchman-Harper Lee My Brilliant Friend (Ferrante)
The Whites-Richard Price
The Round House-Louise Erdrich
TELEVISION I ENJOY
Stephen Colbert (channel 2@11:30)
Seth Meyers (channel 4 @12:30)
Ray Donovan (Showtime-season 3 now On Demand)
The Leftovers (HBO Sunday@9)
The Affair (Showtime Sunday at 10)
The Grinder (Channel 5 on Tuesday at 8:30) Rob Lowe-does this guy ever age?
Grandfathered (Channel 5 on Tuesday at 8) John Stamos-does this guy ever age?
QUOTES I NEED TO TELL YOU
"Getting Older is inevitable. Aging is Optional."
"It's not the big things that people do that make them special. It's the small things they do that make
them big."
Saturday, August 15, 2015
New Recs and a little Dreck
Anyone who knows me, is aware that Summer is my least favorite season. I will admit we have had some glorious days with no humidity that were absolutely perfect. But, they are too few and far between the hot, humid bad hair days. So, I have spent several afternoons and evenings in the cool dark venue of a movie theatre which is my favorite place to be in this heat.
Some of the movies I have seen:
Infinite Polar bear-stars Mark Ruffalo stars as a bipolar man attempting to rebuild a relationship with his daughters and wife. It is superb. Loved it!
Love and Mercy-stars John Cusack, Paul Dano, and Paul Giamatti. Another movie focusing on psychosis! This is the story of Beach Boys leader, Brian Wilson. Most of my friends loved this movie. I did not. It was just ok. Good on demand feature for home.
Gallows-stars Cassidy Gifford (Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee's daughter), which was my purpose for viewing it. It was a supposedly scary movie. It was a bad take on the Blair Witch Trial. Thumbs down-DRECK.
Irrational Man-stars Joaquin Phoenix (who is screwy to begin with) as a philosophy (which is a weird subject to boot) professor with an alcohol problem. Emma Stone and Parker Posey both have the hots for this loser and ultimately, he commits an act which turns his life around. Allen's movie is Dreck. However, he is a master with conversation and for that alone I will tell you, it might be
worthwhile.
Southpaw-Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a light heavyweight boxer. I adore boxing and boxing movies. That being said the plot is ridiculous and unconvincing. Gyllenhaal's body transformation is pretty amazing though. Dreck.
Mission Impossible-Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt. The plot is fun and action packed. The stunts are amazing. It is a thrill a minute. Although, I am not a fan of Cruise, he looks great, and plays the part extremely well. Lots of fun to watch. Loved it!
Ricky and The Flash-stars Meryl Streep and her daughter. To quote A.O. Scott, "a gentle-hearted baby boomer guilt-trip family drama." Meryl Streep performs song covers throughout the movie and is believable and pretty mesmerizing in every scene. Loved it! She's worth the price of admission.
When not seeking refuge from the dog day afternoons of summer, I can be found either reading or watching shows on demand in the wee hours of the night. Some particularly entertaining shows this summer have been ones you probably haven't ever heard of or have ever seen.
HUMANS-on AMC. A science fiction series where the newest must have gadget is a "Synth". A Synth is a robot servant which looks and acts exactly as Humans do. The plot line raises very interesting issues and is written well. William Hurt is awesome and Gemma Chan is a magnificent looking robot. I am not usually a fan of Sci-Fi, but this series is worth a look. Chilling...
WAYWARD PINES-M. Night Shyamalan's show about a secret service agent sent to Idaho to locate two missing federal agents. He is unable to leave alive once in this town for a variety of spooky reasons. Matt Dillon stars with Carla Gugino. At first, this show had promise, but it fell short and lost my interest quickly. DRECK-don't bother.
YOUNGER-A single mom decides to lie about her age so she may reboot her career. Great Cast with Sutton Foster, Hillary Duff and Debi Mazar. Watch it on TV Land-geared to a younger audience, but I thought it was really well done. LOVE IT!
SEX,DRUGS,ROCK & ROLL-Denis Leary and John Corbett star in this FX series about a middle aged rock and roller who never achieved fame and fortune. Super Fun-I recommend it!
GRACE AND FRANKIE-For all of us who loved Lily Tomlin on SNL, you must watch this series. For all of us 50 and Older, you must watch this series! Jane Fonda looks amazing. Lily is fabulous and the subject matter is hysterical. Watch it on Netflix and laugh out loud!
PLAYING HOUSE-stars two women I am unfamiliar with. Comedy about two best friends raising a baby. Not Dreck but after several episodes, I am weary. Don't waste your time.
BALLERS-Dwayne Johnson "The Rock" (my favorite!) stars in a series about football players and their agents. Love this show! On HBO.
THE BRINK-a geopolitical satire focusing on the crisis in Pakistan. Tim Robbins is super fabulous and Jack Black is also very good. Excellent fun to watch. On HBO
RAY DONOVAN-what can I say? Possibly the best show on t.v. Liev Schreiber is a HOT MESS and Jon Voight is phenomenal as his out of control father. On SHO.
Ok-so I have only read two books recently. The first being The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins. I felt this was exactly like Gone Girl and a rip off. Very fair read. However, if you liked Gone Girl, you will also like this.
The Second Book was Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman. I also thought this was just fair, but it raises some relevant racial issues and I feel it should be required reading along with To Kill a Mockingbird (which was an all time favorite.)
Finally, some skin care recommendations since I am so concerned about avoiding sun and maintaining nice skin.
These are all recommendations: Any products by Jurlique, Roc, Nutrabisse, and Skinn (from evine t.v.). All of these produce nice, noticeable transformations in skin appearance.
Not Dreck but not my Favorites either: Peter Thomas Roth un wrinkle serum, Genius Algenist anti aging vit c serum, ZoSkin Heath by Zen Obagi. I see little change from these products although they are highly rated.
Now, I want to leave you with a smile on your face. Watch the best commercial on television. You can catch it on You Tube. It is Our Song Commercial/ United Health Care.
Check it out-it's hysterical, I promise!
Enjoy the rest of the summer. As Countess LuAnn de Lesseps says from The Real Housewives of NYC, " Be Cool. Don't be all, like uncool." (ok-I know I should be quoting Shakespeare or Longfellow or some actual literate human - don't shoot me)
Some of the movies I have seen:
Infinite Polar bear-stars Mark Ruffalo stars as a bipolar man attempting to rebuild a relationship with his daughters and wife. It is superb. Loved it!
Love and Mercy-stars John Cusack, Paul Dano, and Paul Giamatti. Another movie focusing on psychosis! This is the story of Beach Boys leader, Brian Wilson. Most of my friends loved this movie. I did not. It was just ok. Good on demand feature for home.
Gallows-stars Cassidy Gifford (Frank Gifford and Kathie Lee's daughter), which was my purpose for viewing it. It was a supposedly scary movie. It was a bad take on the Blair Witch Trial. Thumbs down-DRECK.
Irrational Man-stars Joaquin Phoenix (who is screwy to begin with) as a philosophy (which is a weird subject to boot) professor with an alcohol problem. Emma Stone and Parker Posey both have the hots for this loser and ultimately, he commits an act which turns his life around. Allen's movie is Dreck. However, he is a master with conversation and for that alone I will tell you, it might be
worthwhile.
Southpaw-Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a light heavyweight boxer. I adore boxing and boxing movies. That being said the plot is ridiculous and unconvincing. Gyllenhaal's body transformation is pretty amazing though. Dreck.
Mission Impossible-Tom Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt. The plot is fun and action packed. The stunts are amazing. It is a thrill a minute. Although, I am not a fan of Cruise, he looks great, and plays the part extremely well. Lots of fun to watch. Loved it!
Ricky and The Flash-stars Meryl Streep and her daughter. To quote A.O. Scott, "a gentle-hearted baby boomer guilt-trip family drama." Meryl Streep performs song covers throughout the movie and is believable and pretty mesmerizing in every scene. Loved it! She's worth the price of admission.
When not seeking refuge from the dog day afternoons of summer, I can be found either reading or watching shows on demand in the wee hours of the night. Some particularly entertaining shows this summer have been ones you probably haven't ever heard of or have ever seen.
HUMANS-on AMC. A science fiction series where the newest must have gadget is a "Synth". A Synth is a robot servant which looks and acts exactly as Humans do. The plot line raises very interesting issues and is written well. William Hurt is awesome and Gemma Chan is a magnificent looking robot. I am not usually a fan of Sci-Fi, but this series is worth a look. Chilling...
WAYWARD PINES-M. Night Shyamalan's show about a secret service agent sent to Idaho to locate two missing federal agents. He is unable to leave alive once in this town for a variety of spooky reasons. Matt Dillon stars with Carla Gugino. At first, this show had promise, but it fell short and lost my interest quickly. DRECK-don't bother.
YOUNGER-A single mom decides to lie about her age so she may reboot her career. Great Cast with Sutton Foster, Hillary Duff and Debi Mazar. Watch it on TV Land-geared to a younger audience, but I thought it was really well done. LOVE IT!
SEX,DRUGS,ROCK & ROLL-Denis Leary and John Corbett star in this FX series about a middle aged rock and roller who never achieved fame and fortune. Super Fun-I recommend it!
GRACE AND FRANKIE-For all of us who loved Lily Tomlin on SNL, you must watch this series. For all of us 50 and Older, you must watch this series! Jane Fonda looks amazing. Lily is fabulous and the subject matter is hysterical. Watch it on Netflix and laugh out loud!
PLAYING HOUSE-stars two women I am unfamiliar with. Comedy about two best friends raising a baby. Not Dreck but after several episodes, I am weary. Don't waste your time.
BALLERS-Dwayne Johnson "The Rock" (my favorite!) stars in a series about football players and their agents. Love this show! On HBO.
THE BRINK-a geopolitical satire focusing on the crisis in Pakistan. Tim Robbins is super fabulous and Jack Black is also very good. Excellent fun to watch. On HBO
RAY DONOVAN-what can I say? Possibly the best show on t.v. Liev Schreiber is a HOT MESS and Jon Voight is phenomenal as his out of control father. On SHO.
Ok-so I have only read two books recently. The first being The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins. I felt this was exactly like Gone Girl and a rip off. Very fair read. However, if you liked Gone Girl, you will also like this.
The Second Book was Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman. I also thought this was just fair, but it raises some relevant racial issues and I feel it should be required reading along with To Kill a Mockingbird (which was an all time favorite.)
Finally, some skin care recommendations since I am so concerned about avoiding sun and maintaining nice skin.
These are all recommendations: Any products by Jurlique, Roc, Nutrabisse, and Skinn (from evine t.v.). All of these produce nice, noticeable transformations in skin appearance.
Not Dreck but not my Favorites either: Peter Thomas Roth un wrinkle serum, Genius Algenist anti aging vit c serum, ZoSkin Heath by Zen Obagi. I see little change from these products although they are highly rated.
Now, I want to leave you with a smile on your face. Watch the best commercial on television. You can catch it on You Tube. It is Our Song Commercial/ United Health Care.
Check it out-it's hysterical, I promise!
Enjoy the rest of the summer. As Countess LuAnn de Lesseps says from The Real Housewives of NYC, " Be Cool. Don't be all, like uncool." (ok-I know I should be quoting Shakespeare or Longfellow or some actual literate human - don't shoot me)
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
On Being a Daughter and Grandparent-two cherished roles.
My role as a daughter, a spouse, a parent and as a grandparent are cherished. To provide eternal and unconditional love to my parents, husband, children and grandchildren is a privilege and a blessing. No one gave us a rule book as to how we take on these roles. We learn by our trials and tribulations and do the best we can, hoping for success.
In the past month, I have had the unique opportunity of spending "quality" time with my 91 year old Dad and 88 year old mom and shortly after that stint, I had the honor of babysitting my 8 month old and 35 month old grandsons. What I realized is that there are many similarities when caring for these two very different age groups.
What my parents want most at this point in their lives is to be independent. They don't want help stepping off a curb, or for me to chauffeur them when I am there, or (for me) to buy food and stock their refrigerator. They still want to do everything on their own. I totally understand their desire to be independent, but at what point, do we suggest no more driving, or that someone else should shlep the groceries and bottled water into the house? I continually worry about their safety. I want to create an accident free environment. No area rugs, bars in the shower and by the toilets, etc.
Proper nutrition and hydration is also a concept that they really don't value at this age. I am constantly asking them to eat more and drink more. Please take your medications with food! Doctors don't coordinate with each other or care about medications being prescribed by other physicians. This is a huge issue that creates added stress. So, I am now their child telling them what to do. This, understandably, creates uneasiness and tension.
And, finally, I have concerns about their loneliness and their fear and depression that they are outliving their money and their contemporaries. Since they live far and I can't get there every few weeks, this creates a lot of guilt on my end. When I am there, I am consumed that nothing will happen to them while on "my watch". I worry about their safety and their needs 24/7 and I never feel I am doing enough to ensure they will be ok.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, as a grandparent, you want to foster independence in your grandchildren. You encourage them to take that first step, say their first word, drink from a cup, play by themselves and with friends. Of course, you love that they need you and want to be with you, BUT you still cheer them on when they show you they can do it all by themselves. And at the same time you want to create an environment that will ensure they are safe.
As far as nutrition and hydration for our little ones, the parents and grandparents, are constantly aware of providing the proper ratios of vegetables, fruits, fats, carbs, water, protein, and not too many sweets or juices. All we want is for our grandchildren is for them to thrive, and grow big and strong with very few hiccups along the way.
We don't worry so much about loneliness as we do with my elderly parents. Rather, with the toddlers, we worry about proper socialization skills: sharing toys, playing nice, no bullying, no hitting or biting, etc.
Recently, I heard Diane von Furstenberg sum up the essence of motherhood and I think she hit the nail on the head when she said:
"The first rule of motherhood is to do everything you can to make your children independent and confident. Stay true to yourself, to your love for your kids, and to your values. By the time your kids become parents themselves, you will smile as you watch them repeat to their children all the things they heard you say-but pretended not to!
I tried to do just that with my daughters. Now the really hard part comes along-raising your parents and grandchildren with the same grace, compassion, humility, and a lot of love.
In the past month, I have had the unique opportunity of spending "quality" time with my 91 year old Dad and 88 year old mom and shortly after that stint, I had the honor of babysitting my 8 month old and 35 month old grandsons. What I realized is that there are many similarities when caring for these two very different age groups.
What my parents want most at this point in their lives is to be independent. They don't want help stepping off a curb, or for me to chauffeur them when I am there, or (for me) to buy food and stock their refrigerator. They still want to do everything on their own. I totally understand their desire to be independent, but at what point, do we suggest no more driving, or that someone else should shlep the groceries and bottled water into the house? I continually worry about their safety. I want to create an accident free environment. No area rugs, bars in the shower and by the toilets, etc.
Proper nutrition and hydration is also a concept that they really don't value at this age. I am constantly asking them to eat more and drink more. Please take your medications with food! Doctors don't coordinate with each other or care about medications being prescribed by other physicians. This is a huge issue that creates added stress. So, I am now their child telling them what to do. This, understandably, creates uneasiness and tension.
And, finally, I have concerns about their loneliness and their fear and depression that they are outliving their money and their contemporaries. Since they live far and I can't get there every few weeks, this creates a lot of guilt on my end. When I am there, I am consumed that nothing will happen to them while on "my watch". I worry about their safety and their needs 24/7 and I never feel I am doing enough to ensure they will be ok.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, as a grandparent, you want to foster independence in your grandchildren. You encourage them to take that first step, say their first word, drink from a cup, play by themselves and with friends. Of course, you love that they need you and want to be with you, BUT you still cheer them on when they show you they can do it all by themselves. And at the same time you want to create an environment that will ensure they are safe.
As far as nutrition and hydration for our little ones, the parents and grandparents, are constantly aware of providing the proper ratios of vegetables, fruits, fats, carbs, water, protein, and not too many sweets or juices. All we want is for our grandchildren is for them to thrive, and grow big and strong with very few hiccups along the way.
We don't worry so much about loneliness as we do with my elderly parents. Rather, with the toddlers, we worry about proper socialization skills: sharing toys, playing nice, no bullying, no hitting or biting, etc.
Recently, I heard Diane von Furstenberg sum up the essence of motherhood and I think she hit the nail on the head when she said:
"The first rule of motherhood is to do everything you can to make your children independent and confident. Stay true to yourself, to your love for your kids, and to your values. By the time your kids become parents themselves, you will smile as you watch them repeat to their children all the things they heard you say-but pretended not to!
I tried to do just that with my daughters. Now the really hard part comes along-raising your parents and grandchildren with the same grace, compassion, humility, and a lot of love.
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