All posts filed under: Films In Review

Culture: Who’s Your Celebrity In-Character Crush

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I thought about this topic a few days ago, when I decided to watch ‘You’ve Got Mail’, (for the millionth time) to help me get out of the funk I was in, and also to do character study for my novel. And it did, giggling, tearing up, beaming, and feeling over the moon about the idea of two people, who cross paths on a daily basis, end up falling in-love in the most peculiar of way, over the internet/and kind of in person. Realizing the influence of certain actors in character have over us. Who’s your celebrity-in character crush?  {featured image source}

What Were We Expecting From The Crown – Season 3

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Although I followed loosely the making of Crown 3, mostly who will play what role, and the era the season would cover, I had no idea what to expect. The element of some surprise is very important to me in films. And so I was, completely intrigued by the ‘Hollywood style”of story telling about the events which shaped the monarchy throughout the 1960’s.  Thus far watching episodes 1-4. The true story behind Princess Margaret’s visit with the American President Johnson – covered in episode two   Princess Alice, Philip’s mother – who was misunderstood and perhaps a historic figure worth learning about – covered in episode four In episode two and three – cover up of Prince Philip’s connection to a affair and the fallout from it all had me doing research and connecting the dots – sort of in the approach the filmmakers took to make Season 3 relatable to stories we are all currently following or not of the royal family’s lifestyle. Churchill’s funeral played a significant part in episode one – and the …

Inspired By the English Countryside

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This morning while commuting to work, bits of the film The Holiday came to mind. Particularly the English cottage where one side of the story took place. Followed by the eclectic decor of course, and then how wonderful the connection between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law’s characters were, sparkly eyes, and bright smiles, make the perfect holiday film, don’t you think? Add Cameron’s/her character’s fashion sense, and basically it is a well rounded and my favorite modern holiday film  I happen to watch every year. So you can imagine me wanting to share these beauties, and my desire to simply hibernate for the entire month of December or maybe trade places with someone itching to hang out in San Francisco. Any takers? So, here are my questions?  Have you seen the film The Holiday?  Which side of the story do you relate to?  If you had the chance to trade places, what part of the world would you consider?  Is the fact,  we are near completing the first week of November freaking you out?  I’m …

Food: Sunday Fun Dessert – Apple Cider Pudding

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Love a lazy Sunday – where you roll out of bed whenever your heart desires, and simply stay in your cozy pajamas or sweats throughout the day, napping, reading, watching football, or not 🙂 and deciding what to make for dinner. Well, Salmon is in order in our household this Sunday evening paired with a bottle of Cabernet – yes red, since I am not a fan of white wine. But the special treat for this Sunday is that I am testing out this apple cider butterscotch pudding recipe for dessert. The only trouble is – do I indulge in one cup or two? Ingredients  6 cups apple cider 3 tablespoons cornstarch 3 large egg yolks 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 1/2 cups half-and-half 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract  {more} What better way then to eat dessert than to watch Hallmark channel – and all of the back to back pre-holiday and holiday films 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Honey, Apple Panini

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I bought a first generation Panini press a decade ago from Williams-Sonoma (similar to this one) with the intend to press-grill a few of my favorite ingredients together into a delicious sandwich to pair with my homemade soups. But then ‘bread’ became a bad carb choice and I put away my Panini press. Fast forward to today, as we learn how best to eat, bread and other carbs or variations thereof, in moderation, my eyes lit up when I saw this recipe. So, Panini it is tonight for the fam! INGREDIENTS 8 slices sourdough bread 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature 4 tablespoons apple butter 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups shredded havarti cheese 1 honey crisp apple, thinly sliced 8 slices cooked bacon honey, for drizzling 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves  {more} And of course with a great recipe  comes a wonderful film recommend – Lost and Found – a film made in Ireland – five stories intertwined and very greatly told.  Not too many stories have me at the edge of my seat, but this one did. 

Zucchini Muffins Kind of Day

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I watched a movie on the Hallmark channel last night – where the perfect single mother bakes zucchini muffins for a road trip to drive her perfect daughter from Los Angeles to Oregon, where she would be attending college. Cute movie, great chemistry among the characters Amy and Noah, and perhaps it is one of the only films from Hallmark where there is actual sexual tension portrayed between the characters. So, besides the chemistry, all I could focus on was the zucchini muffins. Funny how things work on the ‘interweb’, because all of a sudden this recipe popped up across my screen and naturally, since it’s all gluten-free, I decide to bake them over the weekend and…share with all of you right here: INGREDIENTS 1 cup grated zucchini (about 1 medium/large) 2 eggs 1/3 cup olive oil (or avocado oil or coconut oil) 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt 3/4 cup almond flour 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or superfine rice flour) 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 …

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Soup

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I do most of the cooking for my household and my mothers and last night while helping her with dinner, she expressed she was craving a certain white bean soup she made for us while growing up. So tonight, I’ll be making this recipe, adding diced potatoes to the mix. Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion chopped 2 garlic cloves minced 1 large carrot chopped 1 celery rib chopped 6 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 3 15-ounces canned white beans drained and rinsed 2 cups baby spinach Fresh parsley for serving Grated parmesan cheese for serving  {more} On another note – have you seen the show Pennysworth? If you have a dark side or can stomach the concept of savagery, then take a peek, and let me know what you think?  Just to clarify I had no idea what to expect, and but now I am hooked and feel I should continue to watch the series. 

Food: Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

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First craving for soup means my body is acknowledging that Fall is around the corner and although we normally have our Indian Summer this time of year, too bad, soup is officially on the menu and this one is a great start – at least I think so: INGREDIENTS • Drizzle of coconut oil • 1 white onion, peeled and roughly chopped • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped roughly • 2.5cm/1in piece of root ginger, peeled and chopped roughly • Pinch of salt • 1 tsp ground turmeric • 1 butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and roughly chopped • 1 tbsp tamari • 1 x 400ml coconut milk, plus a little to serve • 1 ltr/1 3/4pt vegetable stock • 4 heaped tbsp nutritional yeast • Dried chilli flakes and sliced fresh chilli, to serve {more} {featured image source and recipe inspiration} On another note: Do you adore watching classic films during the Fall/Autumn months? I do – here’s a list in case you’ve forgotten which ones. 

Fashion: Fall Coats for 2019

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The best ‘weather’ in season for San Francisco is Autumn, in that we get our Indian Summer – hot sunny days, and cooler evenings and we can literally see the moon at night (no fog). So thinking about coats for that season right before Winter sounds weird to us locals.  But, I can’t help share a few of my favorite coast from this list of twenty stylish fall coats for 2019 {featured image source and inspiration for today’s blog post} On another note – just started watching Mozart in the Jungle – and at first hated it, and now I am very curious to see the progression/story unfolding. Have you seen it? Will you see it? Does the show interest you or not your cup of tea? 

Fashion: Dresses for The Mature Woman

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Or as I’d like to call it – those over 40, since sometimes maturity has nothing to do with wearing age-appropriate or those that compliment the figure. But then again, if it makes a person feel good, by all means, I say flaunt it as you vision it. But just in case you are curious, here’s what’s suggested and as always my favorites below. Let me know if you agree or disagree, if a certain dress code should be followed after 40. On another note – are you as excited as I am about the Downton Abbey Movie – which opens in the U.S. on September 20 {featured image source and credit}