Tag: movies

Weekly Wrap Up | 8/11/24

Aloha friends!

What a week. My kids started school so there were first day jitters, especially for my new middle schooler but he has done SO good. He is walking home from school since it’s closer to our house and let me tell you the first 2 days I was nervous but tons of kids walk in this area, and now he has a cell phone I can track. But it’s HOT at 2pm – and can someone please tell me how kids walk in hoodies and jackets at 91 degrees out? But my son needs a neck fan, and an umbrella and lots of breaks when he walks? lol…I’m so proud of him. His school is about 1.4 miles away and we’ve finally figured out our schedule. I pick his sister up first and then on our way back I pick him up at our pool area parking lot because by the time he is there, we are driving by it. So yay – it took some trial and error this week but I think we figured it out. I’m proud of both of them for having a good week. Unfortunately, my daughter has her first school cold – it only took 2 days of school for her to catch something. Boo!

And of course with everything happening this week, my Macbook Pro of 11 years finally kicked the bucket! I noticed a strange white screen situation happening on Monday and I was like, eh, maybe it’s nothing. NOPE. Now it’s dead…so I had to do some posts from my ipad but typing a lot is so tedious so now I’m using my son’s desk PC and the screen he has is like 24 inches long and it strains my eyes and gives me a headache. So I ordered a new laptop because I can’t live like this lol.

Let’s hope my daughter’s cold goes away and doesn’t get worse and we have a good second week of school.

Anyway, I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • Shadows of Perl by. J. Elle
  • Fear the Flames by. Olivia Rose Darling
  • Butcher & Blackbird by. Brynne Weaver
  • Happy Medium by. Sarah Adler

Currently Reading:

  • The Dagger and the Flame by. Catherine Doyle
  • Guava and Grudges by. Alexis Castellanos
  • Fledgling by. S.K. Ali

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon – finished the last episode and honestly felt this whole season was a filler. There was one good episode I think. Anyway this last episode is a cliffhanger and I love the music that comes in at the end that foreshadows what is going to happen next. I hope the third season is filled with a lot more action.

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 8/4/24

Aloha friends!

This week was just us having some simple fun before school starts and to make sure I got all the school supplies. We went to my daughter’s meet and greet on Friday and dropped off all her school supplies. I have to remind the kids that it’s time to wake up early again lol…they don’t like that but at least it’s still August and not dark outside in the morning. So goodbye summer! Hello school days again.

Anyway, I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • Can’t Help Falling in Love by. Sophie Sullivan
  • Nothing Like the Movies by. Lynn Painter

Currently Reading:

Why do I love this color combo right now in the titles I’m reading?! The pink and green? Love!🥰

  • Shadows of Perl by. J. Elle
  • Fear the Flames by. Olivia Rose Darling
  • Butcher & Blackbird by. Brynne Weaver
  • Isabel and the Rogue by. Liana De la Rosa
  • Happy Medium by. Sarah Adler

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon –

  • Olivia Rodrigo Guts (Spilled) – I just added this vinyl album to my collection! 💜 I love it.

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 7/28/24

Aloha friends!

This one’s a little late because my week was busy. My hubby went back to Okinawa yesterday but that only means the wait for him to come home for good is shorter! Just a few months away. My daughter has her teacher meet and greet this Friday and they both start next week Monday and Tuesday. 😢 So summer and the mornings of sleeping in is over – sigh. But I’m glad my kids will be back in school, mostly for my daughter, because she gets really bored. I just can’t believe kids being back in school means we are close to the holidays. I’m not ready! lol but time doesn’t seem to care if I am or not.

Anyway, I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • The Champions by. Kara Thomas
  • A Fire in the Sky by. Sophie Jordan
  • The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by. Megan Bannen (audiobook)

Currently Reading:

  • Can’t Help Falling in Love by. Sophie Sullivan
  • Nothing Like the Movies by. Lynn Painter
  • Shadows of Perl by. J. Elle

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon – I’m an episode behind but it was such a busy week. Hoping I catch up this week.

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

The Seventh Veil of Salome by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Seventh Veil of Salome

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 8/6/24

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Historical Fiction, Adult, Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Del Rey for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine — but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of Mexican Gothic.

1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times.

So when the film’s mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.

Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination.

But this is the tale of three women, for it is also the story of the princess Salome herself, consumed with desire for the fiery prophet who foretells the doom of her stepfather, Herod: a woman torn between the decree of duty and the yearning of her heart.

Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.

Content Warning: sexism, racism, violence, sexual assault, murder

I am always intrigued by what this author’s work and so I had to read this one. Hollywood in the 1950’s? The story of Salome? Mind you I grew up watching the story of John the Baptist in that big budget sword-and-sandal Hollywood movie called King of Kings and I will say the only thing I really remember from that movie is Salome’s dance for King Herod.

The Seventh Veil of Salome, is told in a documentary style. Various people who were around for the making of this movie, The Seventh Veil of Salome, are giving their accounts about what was going on on/off set. The actress playing Salome in the film is a Mexican woman named Vera. The story alternates actually from the documentary style interviews, narration from the main characters, Vera, Nancy and Salome. I did enjoy the story of Salome and the political happenings and how it compared to Vera’s experiences as a new Hollywood star in a big budget film where there are lots of politics and drama happening behind the scenes. I love all the historical context of this story – the Hollywood era, what happens on and off set, the mentions of sexism and racism that occurred in Los Angeles at that time period.

I found Vera to be a compelling character and one who embodied what a female actress was during that time. She’s a good girl, raised to follow authority and not make big waves and start a scandal, and being in Hollywood makes her come out of her shell because she is exposed to many people. She experiences the sexism and racism in the industry but she stays strong and stays a professional. There is a romance for her but it comes with some challenges.

Nancy was a fascinating character too though she is a hateful woman. She was obsessed about the role of Salome being hers and was totally racist towards Vera. Nancy had lots of issues and spiraled out of control and even though I really didn’t like her, I did enjoy her parts of the story. She was Vera’s opposite.

As much as I was enjoying the story, I felt like when the story ended something was missing and I’m not sure what it is. Maybe the alternating documentary style and Salome’s story didn’t flow easily enough for me or the climax didn’t hit hard like I was expecting. Or maybe because it’s not a happy ending for any of the women in the story.

My Thoughts:

As a historical fiction novel, this was an engrossing read because I could picture that time period and the making of this movie. I could actually see this story made into a movie. If you like this author I think you will enjoy this one!

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Book Links:

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Mexican Gothic by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia | Audiobook Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Beautiful Ones | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Weekly Wrap Up | 7/21/24

Aloha friends!

What a week! It started off slow but then Wednesday came around and I got to see my old college friend and her family. We hung out at the beach and talked while our kids played in the sand and water. I haven’t seen her in 5 years and it felt SO nice to catch up with life. I love those friends where you don’t see for years and you pick up where you left off like you were never apart. 🥰 It just made my soul happy to see our kids together.

We hung out for almost three hours but my hubby flew in while we were at the beach so the kids were excited to go see him at home! So it was nice. It was so nice that my hubby and I both forgot the day he flew in was our 13th wedding anniversary LOL. Anyway it was a nice week and tomorrow my son goes to pick up his school schedule. It just makes us realize summer is coming to an end for us, only 2 more weeks left. That’s crazy. It’s going to be August. 🤯

Anyway, I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • Birding with Benefits by. Sarah T. Dubb
  • The Mist Thief by. L.J. Andrews
  • The Paradise Problem by. Christina Lauren

Currently Reading:

  • Shadow & Storms by. Helen Scheuerer
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love by. Sophie Sullivan
  • Nothing Like the Movies by. Lynn Painter
  • Shadows of Perl by. J. Elle
  • The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by. Megan Bannen (audiobook)
  • The Champions by. Kara Thomas

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 7/14/24

Aloha friends!

First part of the week we did nothing really because my son had covid. But he recovered quick (yay!) then we went to the library and they had a dental appointment. So it was a very chill, and boring week but at least my son is better and my daughter and I stayed healthy. I did get a chance to read some books which is nice!

My hubby told me there is a conference at his old work place here that he wanted to attend since his employer would be paying for it so he’s coming back home for a week and on Wednesday! An old college friend of mine who I haven’t seen in like 5 years is also visiting and I get to see her on Wednesday as well so it should be a fun and busy week.

I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • A Winter Wish by. Emily Stone
  • The Thirteenth Child by. Erin A. Craig
  • All Roads Lead to Rome by. Sabrina Fedel

Currently Reading:

  • Shadow & Storms by. Helen Scheuerer
  • Not In Love by. Ali Hazelwood
  • The Mist Thief by. L.J. Andrews
  • Birding with Benefits by. Sarah T. Dubb
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love by. Sophie Sullivan

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 4) – what a dragon battle. But UGH I hate Ser Criston Cole with a vengeance.

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 7/7/24

Aloha friends!

I hope all of you had a nice, easy week. It was pretty chill for us, all we did this week was grocery shopping and then we went to Chuck e Cheese for 4th of July since my daughter requested we go – and it was packed even though we went right when they opened. And then I thought my son’s allergies were acting up but then yesterday he kept feeling worse (itchy throat, slight cough, congestion) and then before bed I took his temp and he had a fever. A friend of mine just had Covid last week so I decided to test my son and sure enough his test turned positive quickly! 😫 I mean, yay, hopefully this means he won’t get it when school begins in a few weeks (because both my kids usually get sick in the first month of school). But, BOO, because it’s summer and he’s sick. My daughter and I already had a cold last month so I really, really, REALLY don’t want to have Covid. I’m just so tired of being sick and it’s summer time. Being sick in the summer SUCKS.

Anyway, I hope it’s a mild case and it goes away by the end of this week and my daughter and I and my parents who were exposed to him yesterday – don’t get it. 🙏🏼

I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • The Ever King by. L.J. Andrews
  • The Ever Queen by. L.J. Andrews
  • The Seventh Veil of Salome by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Currently Reading:

  • A Winter Wish by. Emily Stone
  • Shadow & Storms by. Helen Scheuerer
  • Not In Love by. Ali Hazelwood
  • The Mist Thief by. L.J. Andrews

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 3)

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 6/30/24

Aloha friends!

It’s been an easy, chill week for me – lazy summer days for sure! Took my kids to the pool, went to the mall to play at the arcade and that’s about it. I cleaned the house, took some bags for donation but nothing exciting at all. I do have time to read though so that’s nice!

I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • The Unmaking of June Farrow by. Adrienne Young
  • Dungeons and Drama by. Kristy Boyce
  • House of Thorns by. Isabel Strychacz
  • The Monstrous Kind by. Lydia Gregovic
  • The Girl with No Reflection by. Keshe Chow

Currently Reading:

  • The Seventh Veil of Salome by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  • Shadow & Storms by. Helen Scheuerer
  • Not In Love by. Ali Hazelwood

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 2) – what an ending 😦
  • Gossip Girl – so I never watched Gossip Girl when it came out in 2007 because I felt I was too old for it and Sex and the City was my show and related to that one more. But since I have my Max subscription for House of Dragon I decided to watch it!
  • Brat – Charlie xcx – I listen to it when I’m cleaning the house and it makes the time go by! lol
  • The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and Good Luck, Babe- Chappell Roan – because I’m addicted to her voice.

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 6/23/24

Aloha friends!

It was a chill week and I got to finish two books at least! Can you believe June is almost over? I cannot. Because that means I have to go back to school shopping already. I went to Target last week and they still had their summer stuff but we’ll see if the school stuff appear soon. And that’s that – my daughter will be in 2nd and my son will be in 6th and time just keeps flying by! 😅

I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • This Summer Will Be Different by. Carley Fortune
  • The Break-Up Pact by. Emma Lord
  • The Mirror of Beasts by. Alexandra Bracken

Currently Reading:

  • House of Thorns by. Isabel Strychacz
  • The Unmaking of June Farrow by. Adrienne Young

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • House of Dragon (Season 2, Ep. 1) – not much to say so far. Expected more but it is episode 1 and I know it has to build. 🐉
  • Dune 2 – now that I renewed my Max subscription, I’m trying to watch what I can before I cancel after watching House of Dragon lol. Honestly the story is slow but I love this movie series because of the visuals. It’s really amazing! 📽
  • Inside Out 2 – my kids and I went to the theater and loved this movie! I love how they portray our complicated emotions. It’s a great way for them to learn about it and I wish I had a movie like this when I was young. 🍿
  • Brat – Charlie xcx – I bought the vinyl (yes how am I a vinyl collector now?! As if I needed a new expensive hobby). This album is so good, who needs coffee? This album is like caffeine.🎧
  • The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan – I just bought the vinyl so definitely had to give it a listen. 🎵

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 6/16/24

Aloha friends!

My daughter and I are recovered and we had a much more chill week, which was so needed. My son did a summer program this past week at his new middle school and he came home excited each day. He’s really looking forward this new phase of his life and I just hope it stays that way. I know when the work begins he’ll probably have a change of heart but we’ll see.

I did a lot of cleaning around the house, took things to be donated, cleaned up the rooms – especially with all the stuff my kiddos bring home at the end of year from school. So much papers to go through and decide what to keep and trash. It gets overwhelming but I got it done. I hope I get to read more this week since we don’t have much planned. We’ll probably go watch Inside Out 2 today or tomorrow.

I hope all of you have a good week!

Blog Posts:

Books I Read:

  • A Magic Fierce & Bright by. Hemant Nayak
  • Happily Never After by. Lynn Painter

Currently Reading:

  • The Mirror of Beasts by. Alexandra Bracken
  • The Break-Up Pact by. Emma Lord
  • This Summer Will Be Different by. Carley Fortune

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Hierarchy (Netflix) – So much drama! Too many long dramatic looks with music but I still ate it all up.
  • Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 (Netflix) – I hate that there was two parts to season 3 because it’s such a fun season. I felt like there was more humor in this one. I love how this one was about friendships whether it’s about best friends or friends to lovers. There were so many different relationship dramas going on but in the best way. The Queen is hilarious and her wigs are magnificent! But from what I’ve heard of Francesca’s story…I feel like that one will devastate me so I’m scared for hers – already her love story is so sweet. I think Kate and Anthony is still my favorite couple and I love seeing them still in the show. ❤️
  • Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish – cleaning the house and playing this album really passes the time!
  • Brat – Charlie xcx – Honestly I only picked this up because she was all over my FYP on tiktok and I liked what I was hearing and honestly it’s summertime and I wanted to put away the sad girl music! THIS is summer music. Makes me wish I was in my 20’s and still partying lol.
  • The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan – This was on repeat for me at the end of 2023 and my kids and I loveeeeeeee singing her songs (no, they don’t know what any of the sexual stuff in her songs mean lol). So happy to see her star is rising!

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!