Weekly Wrap Up | 8/17/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ Short week for the kiddos so I got to read a little more, which was nice.

+A friend invited me to a concert at the Waikiki Shell. It was Alex Warren who sings that very popular song, The Ordinary. It’s so funny because I knew that song on booktok edits – they would always use his song on romantasy book reviews or edits! And now he’s on tour 😅. Anyway, it was a little adventure to get to the Waikiki Shell at rush hour on a Thursday! Good thing is my kids had a holiday the next day. I didn’t wanna drive though, so I took the rail for the first time since it started operating I think…last year? I took the rail to near where my friend lived which totally worked out. I avoided traffic and she could pick me up at the rail station and then we both hit rush hour traffic trying to get to Waikiki but she was driving not me. And I forgot how hard it was to find parking around the venue – so we had to circle a few times. Anyway here’s a little video of my adventure:

I didn’t realize Alex Warren’s wife was from Hawaii! I thought his show was very good, he was funny and his voice sounded great live. I only really knew that one song though and it was short since he only has so many songs to sing. He even brought out his mother-in-law to dance a hula which was really cool! It was a nice girl’s night out!

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished


Currently Reading:

Neverthorn by. Shannon Mayer

Sweet Heat by. Bolu Babalola

Heir of Storms by. Lauryn Hamilton Murray

Blood Moon by. Britney S. Lewis

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video) – Season 3 – how was that scene where Belly is cleaning up Conrad’s wound. She needs to call that wedding off NOW.
  • Chief of War (Apple+) – Episode 4 – still watching with my son and enjoying it!
  • Wednesday (Netflix) – Season 2 – Episodes 1-3 – I’m trying to draw this out because I hate how Netflix breaks up a season in 2 parts. RIDICULOUS. 🙄 But enjoying it so far – how can I not? I love Wednesday’s whole personality lol.
  • Love Next Door (Netflix) – wanted to watch a K-drama rom-com and so far loved episode 1.

Listened to Conan Gray‘s new album: Wishbone – 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!

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Weekly Wrap Up | 8/10/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ Kids are back in school so I’m back in the drop off and pick-up routine! And it’s been HOT this week – every time I go out to pick up my kids, I come home dripping in sweat. Yuck!

+ I am seeing Halloween candy and decor at the stores. 😩. It kind of freaks me out because I know that means the next 5 months are gonna go by FAST. School and the holidays always go by so fast.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished


Currently Reading:

Roots of Darkness by. Demi Winters

Neverthorn by. Shannon Mayer

Reckoning by. Gillian Eliza West

Girl, Goddess, Queen by. Bea Fitzgerald

Sweet Heat by. Bolu Babalola

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • The Summer I Turned Pretty (Amazon Prime Video) – Season 3 – so glad Conrad and Belly are finally spending time again. Honestly cannot stand Jeremiah right now.
  • Chief of War – Apple+ – Episode 3 – so good! My son and I are learning so much of Hawaiian history and culture.

Videos I Posted to Youtube:

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!

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Weekly Wrap Up | 8/3/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ We had a very scary tsunami scare earlier in the week. So glad nothing actually happened!

+ Our house painting is done – yay! One big ticket home item crossed off our list.

+ Went to meet my daughter’s 3rd grade teacher and see her new classroom. We brought all her supplies to class.

+ Kids go back to school this week – I can’t believe it!

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished


Currently Reading:

Roots of Darkness by. Demi Winters

Neverthorn by. Shannon Mayer

Reckoning by. Gillian Eliza West

Broken Souls and Bones by. L.J. Andrews

Girl, Goddess, Queen by. Bea Fitzgerald

Sweet Heat by. Bolu Babalola

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • The Summer I Turned Pretty – Season 3 – this week’s episode was boring – I’m over Belly and Jeremiah. 🫠
  • K-Pop Demon Hunters – Netflix – Had it one while I cleaned the family room.
  • Lollapalooza 2025 – Hulu – streamed some of it: Tyler the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, TWICE – gonna try to catch Katseye and Sabrina Carpenter today.
  • Chief of War – Apple+ – Jason Momoa did really good with this one! The visuals are breathtaking and being born here (I’m not Hawaiian by blood though), I loved the stories we got in Hawaiiana class about the chiefs, the royals, the people, the mythology – so seeing this on screen made me emotional for Hawaiians! I also love that the whole cast and show is using the Hawaiian language. It’s a language everyone should hear. It’s pretty intense but glad that Hawaiian culture and history is getting a spotlight! My son actually watched the first episode with me and he likes it a lot so I think he’ll be watching the whole series with me. I love that my kids get Hawaiiana class every year in elementary school (we only had it in 4th grade and it was my favorite time of day in school!), I don’t remember having any Hawaiiana in middle school, and high school (not sure if they have it now). So I’m glad this show will be reaching a huge audience! 🥰.

Videos I Posted to Youtube:

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!

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Weekly Wrap Up | 7/27/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ Saw Lady Gaga in concert last weekend – survived Vegas and got back Monday.

+ Went to pick up my son’s school schedule! He goes back to school in less than a week and a half. My daughter goes back the day after he does, so summer is almost over for my kiddos.

+ From Wednesday to Friday, we were basically trapped inside the house! We had to get our house painted according to our home association 🙄 – I mean, they weren’t wrong the paint outside of our house needs a refresher! Since they had ladders all around and I didn’t want to be in the way, me and the kids stayed home. On Friday, they painted two doors that they had to leave open while it dried so UGH…I got a headache from the paint smell. They will finish up this week, two more days I believe.

+ Going to lunch with my friends today!

+ Ever since coming back from Vegas, I haven’t really been in the mood to read! I still read, but I haven’t found anything that is keeping my attention. Not sure if it’s because I was just recovering from my trip or what…a book slump? Maybe. Maybe I’m ready for fall? 😅

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

  • A Land So Wide by. Erin A. Craig

Currently Reading:

Roots of Darkness by. Demi Winters

A Steeping of Blood by. Hafsah Faizal

Neverthorn by. Shannon Mayer

Reckoning by. Gillian Eliza West

The Executioners Three by. Susan Dennard

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • The Summer I Turned Pretty – Season 3 – why is it weekly episodes now?! I think Steven is my favorite character this season – he’s so funny!
  • Building the Band – Netflix – I saw one of the bands on TikTok and got curious!
  • Pop Star Academy: Katseye – Netflix – not sure why I watched this – just curious!

Videos I Posted to Youtube:

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!

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Weekly Wrap Up | 7/20/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ I’m in Las Vegas right now and will be home tomorrow!

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished

  • Metal Slinger by. Rachel Schneider
  • The Night Prince by. Lauren Palphreyman
  • Direbound by. Savle Sorensen
  • Once a Villain by. Vanessa Len

Currently Reading:

Roots of Darkness by. Demi Winters

A Steeping of Blood by. Hafsah Faizal

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • Lady Gaga – Mayhem Ball Tour in Las Vegas

Videos I Posted to Youtube:

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!

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Weekly Wrap Up | 7/13/25

Aloha friends!

Another week is over and here’s what happened:

+ Hubby and I are going to Las Vegas on this weekend, to catch Lady Gaga on Saturday. I think this is the first time we are leaving the kids behind together (usually one of us stays back or the kids come with us). So yes, I’m a little anxious over that and probably won’t stop worrying until I make it back home lol. But I’m excited to go to a concert – last concerts I went to in Hawaii was Backstreet Boys (they were amazing) and New Kids on the Block (and TLC was the opener!). Lady Gaga is on my concert bucket list. Beyonce is too and I had tickets but it’s for the following week and I told myself it was crazy to flight out 2 weekends for concerts. 😅 I regret I sold the tickets sigh…BUT that means I’m definitely going to her next concert for Act III – hoping it’s in 2027 so I can start saving NOW.

Blog Posts:

Books I Finished


Currently Reading:

Roots of Darkness by. Demi Winters

A Steeping of Blood by. Hafsah Faizal

Once a Villain by. Vanessa Len

The Night Prince by. Laura Palphreyman

Shows/Movies/Music I Watched/Listened To:

  • K-pop Demon Hunters – Soundtrack – music is sooooo good!
  • We Were Liars (Amazon Prime) – finally finished it and I was like OH YEAH that was the twist!! The twist is good but man was it a sad/dark show.
  • The Buccaneers (Apple TV+) – still going since I only get an episode a week.
  • Kesha (new album) – so good!

Why does this song make me think of all the red-flag MMC’s we all fall for in the books! LOL…

Videos I Posted to Youtube:

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!

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What I Watched: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between

Another movie I watched while working on stuff was Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between! The book is written by Jennifer E. Smith and I’ve read two books from this author but not this particular one.

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:

On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions. 


Here’s the trailer for the movie which you can find on Amazon Prime Video:

I thought the movie was cute and fun and Jordan Fisher is an amazing actor. He’s been in P.S. I Still Love you on Netflix and he was on the live tv version of Rent! I am so impressed with his acting and singing skills – he just leaps off the screen, he has that blinding smile and his energy is just infectious.

The story basically takes place in the span of 24 hours. Aidan and Clare have their last date before ending things (like they planned in the beginning) and it’s going well until Aidan tries to convince Clare they should try it out and be together long distance. I loved all the scenes with Aidan and Clare on their dates – they really were the cutest couple. It was a good movie, short, sweet and a little problem that gets resolved in the end.

Have you read the book or watched the movie?

~ Yolanda

The Summer I Turned Pretty Series Trailer | Books to Screen

Jenny Han was another author I devoured in my early 20’s and this book series came out way before To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. The Summer I Turned Pretty was a book series my best friend and I read together. I remember she could relate because she was torn between liking two brothers, so she loved this series. As for me…this was the series that kind of made me wary of love triangles featuring brothers. Oh the drama – I couldn’t handle that it was between brothers. Like no…😒😩, that’s a no for me – I hate the thought of brothers fighting over a girl. But am I going to watch it? OH HECK YEAH. I’m so much older now and have heard worse real life drama in my lifetime now LOL and I’m sure my bestie will be watching this too! It’s nostalgic for me and it’s a summer vibes story and with summer coming, it’s perfect. Plus we have the bad boy brother, and the good one. So much drama…lol…

About the Book:



Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer—they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along. 

And here’s the trailer:


I mean they knew what they were doing using Taylor Swift’s song in this trailer. Good…BAD…yeah…I was so into the bad boy brother. LOL. It’s coming out on JUNE 17th on Amazon!

Did you read this series? Are you planning on watching the series?

~ Yolanda

Along for the Ride on Netflix | Books to Screen

I spent my late teens and early 20’s devouring Sarah Dessen books and loved them! And today Along for the Ride is on Netflix! So guess what I’m doing right now as I’m typing up this blog post? Yup, I’m watching it! ☺️

About the Book:

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect. 


And here’s the trailer:

What are you watching this weekend?

~ Yolanda

Heartstopper on Netflix

I just finished watching Heartstopper on Netflix and it was so sweet and sensitive and it made me tear up in so many parts.

I never read the books, so I can’t say how they compare at all but the whole cast of Heartstopper did such a good job in their roles. The music is great and the aesthetic seems to fit what I’ve seen of the book covers of the Heartstopper series – the colors and such. Even the characters look like the ones from the book which is amazing, at least Charlie and Nick does since the cover is all I’ve seen. It’s a series you easily binge quickly since each episode is about 30 minutes long.

Charlie is so earnest and hopeful even when he gets hurt constantly by boys he likes and just the kids at school. He is so brave being out. I love his tenacity to keep being himself, no matter what awkward and hard situations he is put into. Nick on the other hand is trying to figure out how he feels and I love watching his journey and his struggle. He’s a new kid, but a popular one right away because he’s a star on the rugby team but seeing him fall for Charlie and want to care and protect him was just the sweetest thing ever.

I love the friendships and all the diversity we get in the cast and characters. Tao is fantastic! Elle and Tao are the cutest best friends – love them. This is really one you shouldn’t miss. It gave me all the squishy, giggly, lovey-dovey, squealing feels when I was watching this. It is so wholesome. ❤️ I kept saying aloud, “Why are they so cute?!!!!!!” 😅 I wanted to squish them all into a big bear hug. I was feeling like a protective mom over all of them (except the bully).

Here is the trailer if you haven’t seen it yet:

Anyway watch it and fall in love with this whole series like I did!🥰