Weekend wrap up

This was a very inactive weekend, no posting and not much instagramming either. My mother and sister in law are arriving Thursday all the way from Italy to spend a short week with me and the hubs here in good ol' USA. I'm so excited to have them here and show them around, I got a nice tour of their place in December and now its my turn to host them. This weekend was spent prepping the guest rooms and cleaning the house and grocery shopping to make sure I have some foods that they will enjoy and some American treats that hubs and I think they need to try. 

Painted my toes blue to get festive for the upcoming 4th of July weekend, although I do not have any major plans, I"m not huge on holidays. Holidays for me tend to be stressful, so I like more of having grill outs and get-togethers with friends on non-holidays. Take 4th of July for example, there will be fireworks everywhere so much that you can stand in your yard and see a nice display, so I see no reason to pack up the car and sit in traffic trying to go see a major fireworks display or to sit in traffic trying to make a trip out of town somewhere. All camping locations are overly crowded on holiday weekends, parking is a nightmare, it's just not worth it for me, so you won't be seeing any big 4th of July post here.

 Guido relaxed on the deck in the sun as usual, this is his favorite spot to bake in the sun.

 It was a rainy weekend, it's been a wet week for that matter. It was just about impossible to plan anything outside, no pool time with the bestie, so sad. Since the weather didn't permit any outdoor fun the hubs and I decided to have a movie date, we were torn between World War Z and Man of Steel. We chose World War Z because hubs was in the mood for zombies instead of super heroes, a rare occasion indeed. WWZ was overall a good movie, we were both hoping for a bit more action, or should I say blood and violence, these zombies don't eat you like in the Walking Dead, it's more virus taking over the world, kind of like Outbreak. Brad Pitt relies more on his brain than his brawn and I wanted him to rely on both. I am not saying it's a bad movie by any means, I was fully captivated by the intensity but I'm an action girl, I know I should have seen Man of Steel probably for the action, will do eventually.

 The only personal shopping I did this weekend that wasn't for my guest rooms, cleaning stuff, or groceries was a quick stop to TJ Maxx. Those that don't have TJ Maxx, it is a closeout/overstock kind of store, when designers have too much of something or want to stop a certain line they have they sell it to stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall's. I love these stores, you can score great designer merchandise at incredible bargains. Take these sunnies for example, on the top is the pair I scored this weekend, these are Kenneth Cole Reaction aviators, they were $9.99! On the bottom is a pair almost identical to the new ones, I purchased these a few years ago (again Kenneth Cole brand), I lost one of the nose pieces about 2 years ago but I love these aviators so much that I couldn't get rid of them, I have been holding on to them and keep telling myself I'll fix the nose piece. Well this weekend when I saw the almost identical pair I was super excited, I'm hoping the nose pieces can be switched from the new ones to the old ones, I still prefer the old ones over the new ones even though the differences are extremely small and unnoticeable to most. If it doesn't work out then I'll toss out the old and keep the new but they look like the switch should work! I'm so excited to have aviators again, I love them but I have a smaller than average size head so finding sunglasses and hats for that matter that fit me is a difficult feat, that is the reason why I have been keeping broken sunglasses around for 2 years waiting to fix them, because I was too afraid that I would never find a pair that fit quite as well.
Hope you all had a nice weekend!

Tom Cruise is Jack Reacher

Movie of the weekend was Jack Reacher...I had hoped to see the new Man of Steel but on Sunday when we were ready to go to the movies I was wearing glasses, I know so lazy of me, but I did not want to put my contacts in to go see the movie in 3D so we just watched the one we had rented. Jack Reacher is not one of Tom Cruise's best movies, I expected much more action from him. The movie had a lot of slow parts, I actually found it difficult to follow at times. I'm not sure what is going on with movies lately but this one two thumbs down, unless you just like to look at Tom then it's okay, not really any shirtless scenes though, so I would go with one of the Mission Impossibles if you need a Tom fix. 

Identity Thief...Movie Review

This past weekend we only squeezed in one movie, Identity Thief, this was my pick. It seemed like it would be funny from the previews. I'm not sure what is wrong with me but I have been extra picky with movies lately, this one I'll be nice and give it one thumb up. It did make me laugh but not as much as I had hoped for, maybe my expectations were too high. There were definitely funny parts in the movie, so if you are looking for a comedy and have nothing else, I would say give this one a try. Be prepared for time spent on the road with the two main characters, and a few laughs and a maybe a few serious scenes. The ending I did enjoy and felt pleased with the way they closed the movie.

Next on my list is the Tom Cruise movie, Jack Reacher, I have been meaning to watch it for awhile now, I should have it in the DVD player this weekend. 

Movie review

This weekend I fit two movies in, one good the other not so much. We usually pick two movies every weekend, one picked by the hubs and the other my choice.

 Hubs picked Dark Skies, he likes to scare me sometimes, which I don't mind, I like movies that keep me on the edge of my seat and this one definitely accomplished that. It was a good movie because you don't find out the story behind what is happening to these people right away and you are constantly waiting for something new to happen or should I say go wrong. I was fully enthralled for most of the movie, the beginning was a bit slow because they had to develop the characters and try and make you care about them so when strange things start to happen you of course get worries about what is going to happen to this poor family. I give this one a two thumbs up for being a thriller.

Now my choice, I was looking for a comedy this weekend and I did not find it. I chose Guilt Trip because I expected Seth and Barbara to make me laugh, and there was a little laughter but not as much as I hoped for. Maybe this comedy is made for moms of older children and that is why I did not laugh so much, but it was a slow movie. I found myself getting easily distracted and picking up my iphone and ipad for entertainment while the movie was playing. This one is a definite two thumbs down.

Movies from the weekend

I watched a few movies on Sunday, ones that I know my husband wouldn't enjoy, you know the girly movies that make us cry or the ones that portray the man as some kind of prince that does not exist in the real world. 

So of course you know I went with Safe Haven, based on the Nicholas Sparks book. I was pretty surprised by this movie, I was expecting more love and crying but there was a bit of mystery and a twist. Overall this was good but is there any movie about a Nicholas Sparks novel that women don't love. 

I tell you another thing I loved about this movie, the town it was filmed in. No wonder Julianne Hough's character decides to stick around there it's a gorgeous little fishing town. I loved the houses, the neighborhoods, and the styling. Julianne wore some cute and chic outfits that would be good for summer inspiration, especially for the lake house vacation we are taking in late July.

The other movie I went with was Hope Springs. This was a cute movie but not as good as I had hoped, I was expecting something like It's Complicated but it didn't have the same zing. There were parts of the movie that were boring but it's a very true movie about how relationships change and develop over the years. Glad I watched it but wouldn't call it anything special. 

Taken 2

Finally watched Taken 2, and it's not as good as the first but certainly not bad to watch. Overall I'm going to say the movie was decent. There was a little bit of romance, not much, and a good amount of action, you can tell Liam is getting a bit old but he can still kick some @$$. I would say if you like Liam or you want some light action then go ahead and give it a try.

Django

Went to the movies Saturday and saw Django...has to be said Quentin Tarantino is fantastic. The movie was very good, combining action with comedy and a fantastic twisted story as usual for Mr. Tarantino. If you don't mind his totally fake gruesome bloody content it's a great date movie since most guys tend to love his work. There is a bit of a love story but it's not lovey dovey for sure so don't except to be swept of your feet by any characters but overall it's got both my thumbs in the air.

Hit & Run

I watched this movie Friday night, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised, I was expecting some dry humor but nothing spectacular however this movie made me laugh out loud a few times. I would say it's a pretty good date movie, has cool car chases for the guys but a slightly goofy romantic story for the girls. And bonus my hubs didn't fall asleep before it ended so it's gotta be good.

Weekend wrap-up

This weekend wasn't too eventful, I was still fighting off my cold/flu. I did sign for my new house Saturday, just leasing for the time being but can't wait to move in January! Sunday had to pick up a few more Christmas presents and take Guido for a nail trimming.

Here is Guido wearing an old sweatshirt of mine, it's too cute not to share.



Saturday night my hubby took me out for dinner to Flippdaddy's burgers and beers, it was delicious. I went with the French connection burger and he had the El Paso and we split an order of flippdaddy chips (saratoga chips with bbq sauce, cheddar, and bacon) this was our splurge meal of the week to say the least.

Dinner last night was prepared by the both of us, I did the sauteed green beans, fresh garlic, a shallot, and olive oil, while the hubs grilled up the chicken with some olive oil and rosemary, yummy!
Movies this weekend, one was an old classic, Dazed and Confused, had to rent it because my husband never saw it and it has a bit of history to it, he ended up liking it quite a bit. Next was MIB 3, turned out to be pretty good, of course not as good as the first but a good trilogy to say the least.

Movies

 This weekend we continued our horror flicks with "Wrong Turn", I really liked this one, it achieved what horror movies should and got me to jump a few times. I also love Eliza Dushku, so I was a bit partial to this one.

Loved this movie, I enjoy old fashioned type movies from time to time, I think I would have made a great Bonnie back in the days of Bonnie and Clyde. My husband had a bit of trouble understanding some of the accents in the movie, you know back in that time people didn't speak proper educated english and there is a but of grumbling and mumbling in some of the baddass characters.

The day after

No shopping for me on black friday, I'm not going out with those crazy people for a sale on something that is going to be on sale still next weekend. I understand if you want one of those 46" TVs that is on sale for a crazy low price, but just to buy regular gifts like clothes, make-up and what not it's just not worth it. So instead I woke up this morning and made some vanilla bean scones.

 A nice breakfast, vanilla bean scone, strawberry yogurt with a little whipped cream and a nice cup of tea, while reading The Londoner blog.

Can't leave Guido out he had a nice doggy bagel for breakfast that we picked up yesterday at the Pet People, a nice pet store that just opened in our area, however I'm a little saddened because they don't do pawdicures, was hoping to get those nails trimmed Wednesday but no worries we are taking care of him today with a trip to Petsmart.

Oh one quick movie review, we watched "The Campaign" on Wednesday evening, it was very funny I totally reccomend it especially for the Will Ferrell fans. I love Will, he makes me laugh all the time, except for that Casa di mi Padre that he did that is all in spanish, maybe is I spoke spanish fluently I would have found that one funny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend wrap up...

So Saturday was me doing homework while the hubby went to cars and coffee with the guys at Fuel coffee shop, then some shopping at Kenwood (still no jammies), and finished off the evening with a trip to Joe's Crab Shack with a few friends.

Sunday was an errand day...started with a trip to the drugstore for some necessities, then Best Buy to get the Go Pro camera for my husband's car, then a drive around to look for houses to rent, a trip to Blockbuster, and ended with a trip the Fresh Market for dinner items.

I made sausage stuffed zucchini boats, the recipe is from skinnytaste.com, however I made a few changes. The recipe on the website uses a light chicken sausage but I just can't do that so I used a mild sweet italian sausage (1lb) and I used fresh parmesan and fresh mozzarella. They turned out so yummy the zucchini were still a bit crunchy though, the recipe calls to boil the zucchini for 1 min I would go until you can insert a fork easily, unless you want them crunchy. 

 I also drained all the grease from the sausage then sauteed the red pepper, onions, garlic, and the chopped up insides of the zucchini, oh and when these are done and you add the sausage back, I mixed a little marinara in with the meat mixture.

 They turned out fantastic, these will get rotated in the dinner recipe book regularly from now on!

Then dessert time after the 2nd movie of the day. We picked up a mini fruit tart, some petit fours, and mini canollis, all very yummy, I would like to learn how to make that fruit tart!

The movies of the weekend were, The House on the Left, not bad but a little disturbing for sure, I wouldn't classify this as horror so much as drama and slightly disturbing images. Then we watched Savages, I did like this movie a lot but there were some slow parts overall it was good and I recommend watching it.

 New pair of pants from Abercrombie, they are a grey velvety texture and so soft and comfy I love these, will be wearing them a lot! I also got a navy blue sweater from hollister, I was in search of one, my whole reason for going shopping and couldn't find one in the women's section that I liked at all so I ended up buying one from the men's section in a small and it worked nicely. I also got a tribal print big button chunky sweater from H&M, and a new compact (Nars Mountain pressed powder) and a new eyeliner (clinique intense quickliner) from Sephora. Think I should be good on shopping for November next will be Italy so should save space in the closet for those buys.



Weekend wrap-up

Here are some Sunday pictures...a new sweater from Forever 21 it's the cutest comfiest sweater I may have ever owned. I can't wait to make a dinner date with my mom to show her since she loves elephants.

 Guido got to eat a nice doughnut, haha his dad thought it was a real doughnut from the pictures but it's just a nice gourmet doggy treat, he really enjoyed it.

And while Guido has his doughnut I had some lowfat honey grahams with a little natural crunchy peanut butter and hot cup of tea.
This weekend has been rather chilly and haven't seen sunshine in at leat 3 days now and we still have a few more to go before it pops back out. Sunday was spent running some more errands, cleaning, and I had to take a friend to the airport. I watched a lot of movies this weekend since the weather didn't allow for outdoor time. I watched "What to Expect When Your Expecting" this was quite funny and I think it could be a good date movie because there was some male humor in there for sure. Last night I watched the "5 Year Engagement" I think this one could be a good date night movie also, it had Jason Segal (I think that was his name) he is very funny he's on "How I met your mother" there were some parts of this movie that were slow but over all very cute and funny. I also watched "Magic Mike" this one I would not reccomend letting a man in your life watch, it would probably make a man as uncomfortable as "Brokeback Mountain", just saying.