Believe in You

 

Top Ten Favorite: Newer Movies

 "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of someone else's." (Billy Wilder)

Hello, my lovely friends!

   

    I’m back with another Top 10 list because, honestly, I could do this forever and I’m having way too much fun dreaming these up. You all know my heart belongs to the classic black-and-white era, and my Twitter friends still tease me about whether I’ve actually seen a movie made in the last decade. I keep telling them I’m current, but let’s be real,nothing beats the vintage stuff.

 

That said, watching movies with Mike on his nights off has definitely forced me to broaden my horizons. He’s the "new release" champion, so my 2025 watchlist actually saw some modern action. I have to admit, I caught some truly fantastic films this past year that didn't involve a single grain of vintage film flicker.

 

     Topping the list is Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. I know, I know—do we really need another version? But trust me, this one is gorgeous. It’s less "fire bad" and more of a haunting, tragic poem that makes you want to give the creature a giant hug. Following close behind is Sinners, which is Michael B. Jordan’s double-duty masterpiece. It’s a supernatural thriller set in the 1930s South, and let’s just say it puts a very "bloody" spin on the blues. If you’re in the mood for something that looks like a classic but feels totally fresh, these two are the gold standard.

Then we have the Wicked double-feature—the original and Wicked: For Good. I’m not saying I cried during "Defying Gravity," but I’m not saying I didn't, either. Seeing the story of Elphaba and Glinda play out with such scale was a total treat, and yes, I may have hummed the soundtrack for three days straight afterward. On a completely different note, Ballerina took me by surprise. It’s a spin-off from the John Wick world, and watching Ana de Armas absolutely dismantle a room full of bad guys while maintaining the grace of a principal dancer was the kind of catharsis I didn't know I needed.

For those of you who like your movies a little more "edge-of-your-seat," Weapons and The Housemaid are essential. Weapons is a creepy mystery about a whole classroom of kids vanishing, and it’s the kind of story that makes you want to double-check the locks on the front door. The Housemaid, based on that book everyone was passing around last year, is a delicious psychological thriller. It’s full of secrets, wealthy people behaving badly, and enough twists to give you whiplash. It’s basically a high-stakes soap opera with a much better budget.

Rounding out the list are some real gems like Good Boy, which features a dog trying to save his owner from something supernatural—it’s heart-tugging and scary all at once. Then there’s The Monkey, an Osgood Perkins adaptation of Stephen King’s story that is just as unsettling as you’d expect from a cursed toy. Finally, Companion is a wild sci-fi ride about a weekend getaway gone wrong that explores what happens when "companionship" gets a little too artificial. It’s been a great year for movies, and I’d love to know if any of these have made it onto your radar yet!

        Looking at my list makes me want to watch those all over again. I must admit that I’ve seen the two Wicked movies a handful of times already. Frankenstein, Sinners, and Weapons I’ve watched a couple of times. Out of everything Frankenstein and Sinners are my top picks.     

Top Ten Favorite: Newer Movies
1. Frankenstein
2. Sinners
3. Wicked
4. Wicked: For Good
5. Ballerina
6. Weapons
7. The Housemaid
8. Good Boy
9. The Monkey
10. Companion

 It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the sun or moon is doing in your neck of the woods, I hope it’s treating you well. Until our next encounter... Ciao for now!

     

Grab a Cup and Let's Chat

 "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of someone else's." (Billy Wilder)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    It feels like absolute ages since we just sat down for a proper chat. I know I’ve been a bit quiet, but life decided to throw a few curveballs my way lately. I’m learning to navigate the chaos—sometimes with grace, and other times by just making sure I don’t trip over my own feet.

As we all know by now, some days are definitely better than others, but I suppose that’s just the price of admission for this stage of the journey. I’m hanging in there, finding the humor in the madness, and missing our usual banter. I'd love to hear how you're all holding up.

    Well, life certainly has a way of giggling at our plans, doesn't it? My birthday didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet I was expecting. We had those lovely Art Museum tickets all lined up, but instead of a day of culture, they turned into a spontaneous donation. My poor mom woke up in so much pain she could barely move, which promptly put the kibosh on our big downtown adventure.

Honestly, though? The universe might have been onto something. We traded the crowded galleries for the couch, some classic "Moulin Rouge," and a pile of Chinese takeout. There was cheesecake involved (the true mark of a successful trip around the sun), and Mike sent over a few gifts that were a total bright spot. It was quiet, simple, and exactly the kind of "plan B" that reminds you what really matters.

    Can we just talk about the Olympics for a second? I don’t know about you, but we’ve been glued to the screen every chance we get. There is just something about watching people at the absolute peak of their game that makes my morning coffee feel a lot more intense. And here’s the thing—while we certainly love our home team, we’ve found ourselves cheering for, well, everyone.


And here is a fun little bit of trivia for your next pub quiz: did you know I was actually born on the day of the opening ceremony? Talk about being born for the spotlight! I may not be able to do a backflip on a balance beam (my knees sent a formal protest just thinking about it), but I’ve definitely got that Olympic-level spirit.

    Well, we survived the whirlwind that was the first week of February, and honestly, I needed a minute to catch my breath! But no sooner had the dust settled than Valentine’s Day came knocking. Now, if I’m being totally candid with you all, this has never exactly been my favorite holiday. It usually feels like a lot of pressure for one calendar square, doesn’t it? However, this year I decided to toss my cynicism aside. I was determined to make the day feel special for my mom, regardless of how I felt about the "Hallmark" of it all.

I went straight to the source and asked her what she wanted for our big Valentine’s dinner. To the surprise of absolutely no one, she immediately requested coconut shrimp. I headed to the store to gather the goods, but I couldn't just stop at shrimp. I ended up grabbing flowers for both of us—because why not?—and, of course, a healthy supply of chocolate. I’ve also spent my evenings tucked away watching all my favorite romantic movies. There’s just something about those classic love stories that hits different when you’ve got a bowl of treats and zero distractions.

I had everything perfectly staged for her when she wandered downstairs on the big day, but the universe apparently had a few more surprises up its sleeve. Not only did I get a beautiful bouquet from Mike, but he went ahead and got my mom flowers, too! I mean, come on. Just when I thought I couldn't be more impressed, he pulls a move like that. It’s official, everyone: he is a keeper for sure.

How’s everything been going with you all? I hope it’s all been good. 

It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the clock says where you are, I hope your morning, afternoon, or evening is a total win. Until our next digital rendezvous... stay wonderful!

Put Yourself First

 

Happy Valentine's Day Ladies

 

Top Ten Favorite: Romantic Movies

 "Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." (Phillips Brooks)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!


    Let’s be honest, denying the pull of a top-tier chick flick is a losing battle. Whether you’re a devout disciple of the "slow burn" or just here for the inevitable rain-drenched confession of love, there is a certain cinematic alchemy in watching two people realize they’re soulmates after ninety minutes of manageable misunderstandings. I live for this genre—the sweeping scores, the questionable career choices of the female leads, and the relentless optimism that love actually does conquer all, or at least looks great in soft lighting.


With Valentine’s Day looming, I’ve curated a definitive list of my personal cinematic north stars. Narrowing this down to a mere ten felt like an impossible feat of emotional editing, but I’ve managed to pull together a variety of stories that capture the messiness and magic of falling in love. I’ve aimed for a balanced diet of timeless classics and modern heart-string-tuggers to ensure there’s something for every brand of romantic. Peruse the list, grab the overpriced chocolate, and drop your own "must-watch" favorites in the comments, I’m always looking for a fresh reason to cry into a bowl of popcorn.


    If my life were a movie, I’d like to think it would be a seamless montage of grand gestures and witty banter, but in reality, my romantic aesthetic is a chaotic blend of eras and intentions. One minute I’m a high-society runaway in a sharp-tongued 1930s comedy, and the next, I’m weeping over a misplaced letter in the Italian countryside. This Valentine’s Day, I realized that my favorite films aren’t just stories; they are a collective roadmap of the heart, starting with the absolute purity of City Lights (1931). There is something profoundly humbling about a love so selfless it doesn't even need words to break your heart, proving that the best connections are often the ones where we simply see each other for who we truly are.
    

Of course, once the silent pining ends, the sophisticated chaos usually begins. I’ve always been drawn to the sharp, jagged edges of romance found in Private Lives (1931), where the only thing more dangerous than being married to your ex is being in the hotel suite right next to them. It’s the perfect cinematic chaser to The Awful Truth (1937), where divorce is treated as a competitive sport and sabotaging your spouse's new flame is considered a valid love language. These films remind me that love isn't always a straight line; sometimes it’s a zig-zag of beautiful, hilarious mistakes, much like the frantic, brilliant desperation found in Love Crazy (1941), where "til death do us part" apparently includes feigning insanity just to keep the marriage license intact.
        

But when the slapstick fades, I find myself craving the kind of atmosphere you can only find in a dimly lit Parisian lounge or a starlit ship deck. I often dream of the smoky, clandestine charm of Love in the Afternoon (1957), where a cello case and a few well-placed lies make for the ultimate seduction, or the bittersweet ticking clock of One Way Passage (1932). There’s a specific kind of magic in a "star-crossed" romance that knows its time is limited; it forces you to appreciate the cocktail and the company before the ship hits the dock. It’s that same thirst for life that drives the mid-century wanderlust of Rome Adventure (1962), reminding us that sometimes you have to cross an ocean and leave your comfort zone just to find a heart that beats at your tempo.
    

    Eventually, the vintage glow gives way to the high-definition ache of the modern era. If I’m looking to truly lose myself, I turn to the neon-drenched, "spectacular spectacular" tragedy of Moulin Rouge! (2001), where every emotion is turned up to eleven and the music does the heavy lifting for our souls. It pairs surprisingly well with the quiet, persistent hope of Letters to Juliet (2010), a film that argues it’s never too late to go back and find the "one that got away." And for those nights when I need to believe that love is an unbreakable tether, I watch The Vow (2012) and contemplate the terrifying, beautiful task of making someone fall in love with you all over again. Whether it’s 1931 or today, these ten films are my go-to reminders that love, in all its messy, musical, and silent glory, is the only script worth following.

Top Ten Favorite Romance Movies
1.One Way Passage (1932)
2. The Moulin Rouge (2001)
3. Rome Adventure (1962)
4. Love in the Afternoon (1957)
5. Private Lives (1931)
6. Letters to Juliet (2010)
7. Love Crazy (1941)
8. The Awful Truth (1937)
9. The Vow (2012)
10. City Lights (1931)

 

 It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the clock says where you are, I hope your morning, afternoon, or evening is a total win. Until our next digital rendezvous... stay wonderful!

Treat Yourself

 "Love yourself, so others love you. Believe in yourself, so others believe in you. Respect yourself, so others respect you. In short, the way you treat yourself sets standards for others." 
(Author Unknown)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    Valentine’s Day often orbits the needs and expectations of others, yet the most enduring relationship you will ever cultivate is the one you have with yourself. This weekend, shift the focus inward and reclaim the holiday as an opportunity for intentional self-restoration. True self-care isn't about fleeting indulgence; it is a vital practice of checking in with your mental and physical well-being to ensure you aren't pouring from an empty cup.

 

Indulging in your own happiness shouldn't carry a "guilt hangover" the next morning. Meaningful self-treats can be as simple as a long-overdue digital detox, investing in a hobby that sparks genuine curiosity, or curating a space of absolute quiet. By prioritizing your own joy, you build the emotional resilience necessary to show up more fully for the world around you.

 

 Here's a few ideas to treat yourself without the guilt in the morning. You have an idea post it in the comments. 

1. Give yourself a manicure: pull out your favorite red or pink nail polish and paint those nails.

2. Bubble bath: I love taking a bubble bath with candles, soothing music and time to relax. 

3. Drink a glass of wine: Give yourself a treat with a glass of red or white wine, you deserve it. 

4. Watch your favorite movie: Put aside a couple of hours and watch your favorite movie. 

5. Find a healthy dessert to make.

Joke 1
A husband and wife came for counseling after 15 years of marriage. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the 15 years they had been married.

She went on and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of un-met needs she had endured over the course of their marriage.

Finally, after allowing this to go on for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and, after asking the wife to stand, embraced and kissed her passionately.

The woman shut up and quietly sat down as though in a daze.

The therapist turned to the husband and said, "This is what your wife needs at least three times a week Can you do this?"

The husband thought for a moment and replied,.. "Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Friday's, I fish!

Joke 2
A husband, proving to his wife that women
talk more than men, showed her a study
which indicated that men use, on the
average, only 15,000 words a day, whereas
women use 30,000 words a day.

She thought about this for a while and then
told her husband that women use twice as
many words as men because they have to
repeat everything they say.

Looking stunned, he said, "What?"

 

So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care!

Just Start Here