Friday, May 28, 2010

More movies and books...

Just finished reading The Glass Castle
just finished watching Flash of Genius
currently watching Pirate Radio...

check back for updates on this post.
It may be a few days if not later tonight, I have to pack for my Memorial Day vacation to Philly, then to DC and maybe even NY!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

more reviews...

It seems my life consists of only movies, but it surprisingly does not. I enjoy reading as well, and it dawned on me that I should start reviewing the books I read.

First I'll begin with what it seems I know best, movies.
I just watched Shrek Forever After this past weekend and I loved it. It was so cute! For some reason I was excited about going to see this Shrek. I saw the first Shrek but I can't even remember if it was in the theaters or on DVD. The second and third installments are kind of a blur and I know for sure I didn't see those 2 in the theaters. I actually think I watch the 3rd movie on the cruise ship on our way to Mexico at our mini family reunion a couple of years ago.
Anyways, like I said, I was excited about this Shrek and so I asked my girlfriend who has a daughter if they were going to see this movie so that I can go with them. Children's movies always seem more fun when there's an actual kid going. We watched it in 3D which was double exciting. The digital 3D is so much more sophisticated than the red/blue glasses we used to wear. The movie was funny and the story was great. It was actually almost touching, I think I almost cried at one point! I recommend it to everyone, with or without children.

I do have to say though, that this may be the summer blockbuster this year. I've seen some of the previews of upcoming movies and so far the Karate Kid was the only movie I've seen so far that piqued my interest (aside from Sex in the City 2) and I think that's kind of sad. Summertime is usually an action movie time and I haven't seen any good previews for one yet. Is it too soon? Summer starts in about a month, so I would think they've already started promoting the summer movies. Then again, I do fast forward through all commercials thanks to the invention of a DVR!! I rarely watch a show during the actual broadcast time anymore. If you know of any good movies coming out this summer, let me know!!

OK on to books -I just finished Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. Chelsea Handler is hilarious and I've read her other 2 books but I think this one was the funniest. If you don't know who she is then you must check out her late night show on E!, Chelsea Lately or read her books. In her latest book, I sometimes feel like I have moments that I can relate to her with. I think it's just one of those books you have to read to understand. (Warning - it can be vulgar, so not recommended for those who are easily offended.)

Currently, I'm reading The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. I just started this book a few days ago and so far it is quite interesting. It's a memoir so I think that's what makes it interesting. I will let you know how the whole book is when I'm done.

I love the summertime, I can catch up on TV shows, movies and books. I recently went back to school to get my masters degree and summer seems to be the only time I can read because I now must read school books which aren't so interesting and the information is easily forgettable. :-)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Long time, no post...

Thanks to our cousin Kilee, she reminded my that we have been slacking on our blog. So here's what I've been doing (in a nutshell)...

During Christmas I was able to spend some time with my favorite niece and had a blast with her.
For Kat's birthday, we went to Glen Ivy. I loved it there and plan to go back again soon. I highly recommend the Hot Springs to everyone. The mineral bath, mud bath and lounge pools are amazing! Next time I will be trying out the grotto in addition to the other baths. If you're looking for spa services, I would stick with your current fave, the massage was relaxing but I've had better.

Movies (in no particular order):
Avatar - was not impressed, as a matter of fact, I fell asleep. But I can't say I hated the movie, I just didn't think it lived up to the hype. We'll see what Hollywood thinks March 7.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - A tad bit weird, hard to follow. Great Art Direction!! :-p
Precious - True to the book, touching story made a good movie.
The Blind Side - Another touching story, enjoyed the movie and the acting. Congrats to Sandra on her nom.
Up in the Air - Liked the story, liked the characters = good movie, worth watching.
The Lovely Bones - Haven't read the book yet but would like to, the movie was a bit slow and some parts could've been deleted but overall was enjoyable to me.
Fantastic Mr. Fox - Very cute, I could definitely watch this movie over and over.
The Hurt Locker - Loved this movie, I was on edge pretty much the whole time. Although it's an intense movie, I could watch this one over and over as well.
Invictus - I have to admit, I did doze off during this movie but not because I thought it was boring but because it was a late movie, but some scenes could've been shorten. Still a movie I would recommend.
District 9 - Interesting movie, didn't think I wanted to see this when it was first released. I was forced to watch it during my Christmas break (my dad rented it). I was impressed, good movie.
Nine - I was looking forward to seeing this movie because I am a big fan of Daniel Day Lewis. This movie was a disappointment, not sure what it was about - maybe some Italians or some people in Italy trying to make a movie - or maybe neither. Need to read the synopsis so I can figure out what it was I watched. Daniel Day Lewis is still an amazing actor to me, hopefully his next movie will make up for this.
Food, Inc - only saw the ending of this movie. I will have to watch it from the beginning (obviously) but from what I saw, looked interesting.

Coming up - Julie and Julia, Adventureland and Valkyrie

I'm back in school and super busy at work so I won't get to watch movies as often as I'd like or other things for that matter but I'll keep you posted on any raves, reviews & rejects I experience.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Busy bee

It's been a busy month, so I haven't had time for raves, reviews or rejects. I'll be back in a couple of days with some new rr&r's.

~Mary

Friday, October 30, 2009

My new bed by Mary

So I finally got my bed, so much more comfortable than my 8 year old Ikea bed. I'm not at all happy with The W Store or the delivery company but I'll just sleep away that stress.

I don't want to complain about them anymore, I just want to enjoy my bed. So far, so good. I would definitely recommend this bed, but only if you can deal with poor customer service.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Where's my bed?!?!

So I'm long overdue for a new bed. I currently have an Ikea bed, the frame and mattress are from Ikea. I love Ikea, they have great prices and their products are getting more stylish and the quality, well it's not the best but you get what you pay for. I've had this bed for about 9 years - I think it's time for an upgrade.

I had my heart set on a Hastens bed, my dream bed!! They are quite expensive but I've researched the bed and gave it some thought for many years. (OK so I thought about it for many years mainly because I couldn't afford it when I first found out about it, but at least I can say I have put some thought into it!) The quality of these beds are outstanding, they are guaranteed for 25 years, they are hand made, they are made of all natural materials (no bed bugs!!!), they are even the purveyor for the Swedish Royal Court! I finally went to the Hastens store and got a price list. Again, they are extremely expensive but it was my lucky day - August Dream Sale or whatever it was called, I don't care they were offering 30% off (all items in stock)! So I asked the sales girl when the promotion was over and again, it was my lucky day, I was there on the final day of the promotion. Of course, I didn't buy one then and there, I still had to think about it. So before I left, the sales girl, Lily, tells me it's possible they may extend the promotion, so I gave her my email address. A couple days later I get an email from Lily, the promotion is extended til the end of the month!! So I emailed her and inquired about a queen size Naturally bed in silver check - I couldn't believe how close I was to purchasing not only a new bed but my DREAM BED. To make this already long, but still ongoing, story shorter, the promotion didn't include the Naturally model beds, she offers me a queen size adjustable bed, "Would you at all be interested in an adjustable bed? We have a Queen Naturally floor model available. It is originally $10,700." Yeah, what's 30% off $10,000?!?!. poopoo on her and her Hastens adjustable $10,000, but only $7,000 with the discount, beds!! I don't even want an adjustable bed, how old am I? 75??

So I decided to go with a W Hotel bed (suggested by Kat, THANKS!). I figured if the beds in the hotels I've stayed in are more comfortable than my bed then a W bed had to be super comfy and they were offering 30% off ALL beds. I ordered the bed Sept. 1, everything was great. 30% off, free shipping and no tax - I was amazed. Well I'm obviously getting what I paid for in shipping because I am still waiting on the delivery of my new bed. Shipping was estimated at 2-3 weeks. I finally called last week and was told the order is still good but the delivery is behind so it'll be more like 3 weeks. So I wait...

Friday, September 18, 2009

Halloween is here!

There aren't many things better than a chocolate covered Marshmallow. The soft squishy texture of the marshmallow combined with a firm outer shell of dark chocolate (my preference) is illuminating. Russell Stover seems to take the cake on this particular treat. I have tried many others but R.S. definitely has it down. And just in time for Halloween, they have come out with Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pumpkins in dark and milk chocolate. THANK YOU.