Tag Archives: recommendations

Jul19

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Burning Side By Sarah Damoff Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Burning Side By Sarah Damoff Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a novel by Sarah Damoff called The Burning Side. It has been a while since my last book club review as I have been addicted to playing Pokopia! However, when I managed to peel myself away I was able to finish The Burning Side in three sittings. This sentimental read was quite short at three hundred and twenty pages but it definitely packed a punch right in the feels. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Burning Side for Alzheimer’s, a house fire, and loss of a child. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Despite their two beautiful children, April and Leo’s marriage has been on the rocks for a long time. After having both children, April suffered from postpartum depression and Leo began to pull away. He spent less time at home, countless hours at work, and left April to her own devices. In her loneliness, April made a bad decision and that was the straw that broke the marriage’s back. As April prepares dinner, Leo tells her he wants a divorce. In her shock, April forgets to turn the oven off and hours later their home burns to the ground.

Homeless and on the verge of divorce, April, Leo, and their kids move in with April’s parents, Deb and Billy. It will be a full house as her two siblings, Josie and Cameron will be there too. Although the situation is grim, everyone loves spending time at Deb and Billy’s and their marriage looks picture perfect from the outside. But, like April and Leo’s marriage, Billy is deteriorating too. He has recently been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and the disease is progressing rapidly. In April’s childhood home, everyone begins adjusting to their new normal of a marriage falling apart, an increasingly confused father, and what moving forward looks like in the wakes of tragedy.

As the days pass, April and Leo speak minimally and focus their attention on salvaging anything from the remains of their home. What April wants to salvage the most is their marriage but Leo is just not there yet and the divorce will proceed. At the home front, Billy has been getting lost and and confusing his grandchildren for his own kids. As their worlds continue to crash down, a chance encounter and a difficult decision could be what is needed to get everyone back on a steady course. What will become of Deb and Billy? And will April and Leo be able to heal the rift that has broken their marriage apart? Read The Burning Side to find out!

The Burning Side was a lot different than the dishy thrillers I normally read but I liked it a lot and it was a nice change of pace. This book focused on themes of family, sacrifice, and coming together during hardships all wrapped into a riveting story line that kept me invested until the very end. And that ending? Wow! Although some of the subject matter in The Burning Side was heartbreaking to read, it was uplifting to see April, her soon to be ex husband, and entire family trying to handle things in the best way they know how. And, ultimately, growing through changing approaches and perspectives.

While The Burning Side primarily focused on Leo and April’s points of view, it also shifted from time to time to Deb. It was SO sad to experience her agony of watching Billy fade and the way she handled it was inspiring. In her sorrow, she was still able to turn this massive blow into something beautiful by creating new memories and gently brushing off Billy’s bouts of confusion. It was such a testament to true love and was able to open the eyes of everyone in the family about what’s really important. Because, at the end of the day, if you have each other – you have it all.

I am going to rate The Burning Side with an eight out of ten stars. This was a palette cleanser read that was most enjoyable and refreshing. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t ready for another dishy thriller, though!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul15

The Lion King At Playhouse Square Review

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The Lion King At Playhouse Square Review

Hello! This past Sunday Johnny and I had an absolutely fabulous time going to see The Lion King with my entire family at Playhouse Square. It was freaking amazing! When I was about five years old, my family vacationed in Toronto and we saw The Lion King on our trip. I don’t remember much from it but I remember being so wowed by all of the costumes and that sentiment amplified as soon as all of the actors took the stage this weekend. It was awe inspiring to see giraffes, elephants, gazelles, and of course lions right before our very eyes! Whether you are young or old, if The Lion King is coming to your neck of the woods then it is a must see. You are going to love it!

The Lion King opened on the strongest note with “Circle Of Life” and within that first second, we were fully in and delighted in the magic of the theater that followed. The puppeteers, the costuming that transformed actors to animals, and the singing, dancing, and acrobatics made for the most spectacular show that blew the cartoon out of the water. It was such an immersive performance that it really felt like we were all on Pride Rock watching the scenes of betrayal and redemption along with the rest of the cast. From the small practical touches to the big blow out scenes, this viewing of The Lion King can only be described as triumphant.

My favorite songs of the performance have got to be Scar’s “Be Prepared” and the sentimental ensemble song of “They Live In You”. The piece de resistance song and scene, however, was when Simba looked to the stars for guidance in “Endless Night”. As he stargazed, the cast somehow assembled the image of Mufasa into the night sky and it was nothing short of glorious for Simba to see his father once more and know what needs to be done next: Take his rightful throne. Another major scene, the stampede was also particularly effective as it literally looked like hundreds of animals running towards Simba on a relatively small stage. There was dusty smoke billowing, the rumble of hooves, and the dread of the knowledge that something really bad is about to happen.

While The Lion King shined in its full scale production numbers, there were so many little moments that added to the sense of wonder. The ingenious costumes worn by the lionesses created the sleek curves of the animal as they danced. During water scenes, fish were projected onto the billowing cloths that formed the rivers. There were cast members twirling bird puppets on poles throughout the audience. Or, my personal favorite: When young Simba sang “Hakuna Matata” with his newfound friends, Timon and Pumbaa. To transition into adult form, young Simba swung off of the stage on a vine. One second later, adult Simba swung in to join the show. Every effect was so clever and intentional and it translated to every seat in the theater!

I am so thankful for this super special viewing of The Lion King with my whole family in tow. It was simply phenomenal and, without a doubt, a theater bucket list performance!

Have you seen a play or musical recently? How was it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul10

Groovy Movies: Obsession Edition

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Groovy Movies: Obsession Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a back to back edition of Groovy Movies! Today, we are going to be discussing the horror movie that everyone has been raving about – Obsession. However, there is a slight change to the usually scheduled programming as this review won’t be fully spoiler free. The synopsis will, as always, not reveal any spoilers. However, as this movie has been out for a while, my opinions will include spoilers because I have A LOT to say and I can’t keep it to myself lol. Should you want to be surprised, that is when you should stop reading! Before we begin, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on Obsession for graphic and brutal violence, highly highly disturbing content (some of which involves animals), loss of autonomy, and abusive relationships. You ready? Let’s do it:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Baron (AKA “Bear”) is desperately in love with his best friend, Nikki, and is working up the nerve to tell her how he really feels. The trivia night him, Nikki, and their friends Ian and Sarah attend could be the place to do so. As Nikki and Bear chat on the phone about the upcoming event, Nikki is disappointed that her favorite crystal necklace fell down the sink. To surprise her, Bear stops in at a metaphysical shop to pick her out a new one. Then, something different catches his eye – a One Wish Willow. The packaging claims that your wish will come true if you snap the stick in half and he purchases that instead of a gift for Nikki.

Revealing his crush at the trivia night is a bust but he still has a chance when he offers to drive Nikki home. In fact, she straight up asks him if he has feelings for her and he lamely tells her how much he loves their friendship. Nikki heads inside and in his frustration, Bear makes his wish: That Nikki would love him more than anyone in the world. He snaps the stick and Nikki promptly returns back to his car, begging to stay with him because she can’t handle being alone.

After a very weird night for both Bear and Nikki, a relationship blossoms and it is picture perfect. Cooking together, watching movies, and basking in each other’s company. Then, things begin to take a dark turn as Nikki’s behavior alters drastically when she fears that she loves Bear more than he does her. Cuddling in bed turns into her standing awake at night while watching him sleep. Bear leaving for work means he has to break open a duct taped door. Even Bear leaving the room to go to the bathroom is too much for Nikki to cope with. This is so not the relationship that Bear had in mind.

As Nikki turns more violent, Bear tries to distance himself and turns to the One Wish Willow company for guidance. Unfortunately, the only way to break the wish will be Bear’s downfall. Bear’s friends no longer want anything to do with the formerly happy couple and both him and Nikki are growing more desperate. Will the wish for Nikki to love him more than anyone in the world be broken? Watch Obsession to find out!

Spoilers starting NOW!

Obsession might be seen through the eyes of Bear but make no mistake, he is not the victim in this movie. It is one thousand percent Nikki. And, if anyone watches this movie and thinks otherwise then they need a crash course in consent and what healthy relationships look like ASAFP. Through his wish, Bear strips Nikki of everything: Her care free spirit, her autonomy, and the ability to even love herself. Bear might be in love with Nikki but to have full control over a person isn’t love. To force someone into love isn’t love. And to want to simply alter the wish rather than cancel it as he talks to the One Wish Willow employee while aware of Nikki’s suffering definitely isn’t love.

Throughout Obsession, glimpses of the real Nikki come forth and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see and hear. Wherever the real Nikki is, she is in so much pain. She can see what is happening to herself, her body, and relationships that she once held dear and can’t do anything to stop it. All she can do is watch as “Freaky Nikki” (As she has been described) takes over. And what does Bear do as she continues to act out? Encourage her to tone down the crazy and be like the old Nikki so he can continue to keep her under his thumb.

Obsession was a full fledged horror movie with (Stating the SUPER obvious here) harrowing themes of consent, autonomy, and what happens when that is taken away from someone. The tension and atmosphere of Obsession was so rich and I could feel myself holding my breath because it felt like something major could happen at any given second. And it was all at Nikki’s expense. This was a gripping story carried beautifully by Inde Navarrette and she more than deserves the glowing reviews she has received. I was in awe of her performance and can’t stop thinking about it to save my own life. I want to see Obsession again SO badly because one viewing just wasn’t enough. If you are a horror fan, you do not want to miss out on this movie!

I am going to award Obsession with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This is, easily, one of the best modern horror movies I have ever seen and I cannot wait to see what Navarrette brings to the table in whatever she does next!

Have you seen Obsession? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

Groovy Movies: Toy Story 5 Edition

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Groovy Movies: Toy Story 5 Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies. In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing Toy Story 5! There is nothing better than going to the movies with my nieces and Johnny, my brother, and I were chomping at the bit to take them to Toy Story 5. Toy Story was a franchise that I could have taken or left but it was Johnny and my brother’s absolute favorite. After this past weekend, however, I am a huge fan and even watched the two that I have never seen, Toy Story 3 and 4. I laughed, I cried, and enjoyed my three movie Toy Story extravaganza so much! In fact, I would happily see the fifth one again in theaters! Let’s discuss:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Bonnie is eight years old now and loves to play with her toys – especially Jessie! With her vivid imagination, she creates the most wonderful stories for her crew of toys that were gifted to her by Andy when he left for college. The only problem? Bonnie doesn’t have any friends to share in play time with her. All she wants is to play with her neighbors but she just doesn’t know how to do that and it breaks her parents’ hearts. In an attempt to get Bonnie to have more friends, they get her the latest hot new toy – the Lilypad. It is a frog shaped tablet for kids where you can play learning games and chat away with your friend group. Bonnie promptly becomes addicted to the high tech toy and her real toys fall by the wayside.

Jessie and Lilypad clearly have different ideas of what it means to make friends. While Jessie chastises Lilypad for not helping children make connections, Lily shows her up. She friends three girls from Bonnie’s dance class and she is immediately invited to a sleepover from the device. Bonnie is ecstatic and packs her suitcase with her clothes, Jessie and Bullseye, and Lilypad too. However, as soon as she arrives at the slumber party with her two favorite toys, the girls begin to mock Bonnie for still playing with them. Rather than stand up for herself, Bonnie gives her dolls back to her dad and the girls spend the remainder of their evening on their Lilypad tablets.

Jessie and Bullseye aren’t going to stand for this and manage to escape before being taken back home. Unfortunately, they are going to have a long journey as an elderly couple finds them, sees the address of Jessie’s old owner, and takes them back to that location. Jessie’s old owner no longer lives at this home and they meet a family with a young daughter named Blaze instead. And Blaze? She could be the perfect friend for Bonnie because she still loves to play with her toys too! All Jessie needs to do is get them to meet.

This is going to be no easy feat in this unfamiliar location with strange new toys and Jessie is going to need all of the help she can get… Even if it comes from tech. Through the help of long forgotten tech toys from Blaze’s youth, the plan to get Bonnie and Blaze to be friends is a go. And, of course, Jessie is so eager to get back to Bonnie – her best friend in the world. Will Jessie and her new companions finally get Bonnie to have a friend that she deserves? Watch Toy Story 5 to find out!

From start to finish, Toy Story 5 was an absolute joy. The story of a little girl who wants nothing more than to make friends is enough to tug at anyone’s heartstrings. I don’t know about all of you, but I have felt like Bonnie in my youth and even as an adult, creating a character that is perfectly relatable to any age group. And, of course, the toys versus tech dilemma that children of this generation face was such a smart story line choice because we see it every day – kids on phones and tablets rather than playing with an action figure or riding bikes. Toy Story 5 truly encouraged everyone to get back to using their imagination and playing the day away.

If you are a seasoned fan of Toy Story 5 you will surely love this flick. And, even if you’re like me and haven’t seen all of them, you are still going to love this flick because of the themes it covers. I enjoyed every minute of this movie and then some. It was hilarious, heartwarming, tear jerking, and packed with adventure. In fact, I think Johnny, my brother, and I liked it even more than the children in the audience. We were definitely the ones who were laughing the loudest and it was just the best time!

I am going to award Toy Story 5 with the coveted ten out of ten stars. It is a must see for ages young and old and you are in for such a huge treat!

What is your favorite Toy Story movie? Who is your favorite character from the movies (I love Jessie!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul5

Lil Red’s Book Club: Remarkably Bright Creatures By Shelby Van Pelt Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Remarkably Bright Creatures By Shelby Van Pelt Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a delightfully charming read by Shelby Van Pelt called Remarkably Bright Creatures. After reading an incredibly disappointing installment to the Stillhouse Lake series, I decided to give it a rest and move onto something new. My mom had just finished reading Remarkably Bright Creatures and watching the movie and I thought that it would be a nice palette cleanser. It most definitely was and I enjoyed it so much! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Remarkably Bright Creatures for loss of a child and addiction. You ready? Let’s go!

Tova is a no nonsense seventy year old woman who has had a life filled with loss. Her solitary days are spent completing her rigid routines and then it is off to the Sowell Bay Aquarium for the evening where she works as a custodian. Tova deeply enjoys the work of restoring the aquarium to a perfect state of cleanliness every night and being surrounded by the sea creatures. Every night at the aquarium is the same as the last until her normal routine flips on its head. The aquarium’s Giant Pacific Octopus, Marcellus, has made a jail break from his enclosure and found himself tangled in electric cords. Tova saves him and a very unique friendship is formed. A friendship that will change her perspective and bring closure to the tragedies that she can’t move past.

Cameron is thirty years old and has lived his life permanently down on his luck. His mother abandoned him when he was young with no inkling as to who his father is and his aunt turned into his guardian. From there, his life seems to serve no purpose and he has no motivation to improve it. He is promptly fired from every menial job he acquires, his band broke up, and all of his friends are getting married and having babies. Something drastic needs to happen, but what?

After begrudgingly refiling through some of his mom’s old high school mementos, Cameron stumbles upon a photo of her and a young man as well as a class ring engraved with unfamiliar initials. This person has to be his father and he is going to track him down, make him explain himself, and demand eighteen years worth of unpaid child support. His findings lead him to Sowell Bay, a long haul from his own home. When he reaches his destination, he learns that his potential dad is much harder to meet with than anticipated. The promise of all of that cash makes him stick around and he eventually lands a job at the Sowell Bay Aquarium too.

Through Tova and Cameron’s employment, an unlikely friendship is struck. Cameron thinks Tova is a little weird because of her affection for the octopus, Marcellus. In fact, it almost seems like they communicate with each other and Cameron just can’t wrap his head around it. That’s okay, though, because while Cameron thinks Tova is weird, she thinks he can’t clean properly to save his own life. Little do both of these people know, Marcellus is aware of something that will change both of their lives for the better. All he has to do is make them realize it. What could this secret be? Read Remarkably Bright Creatures to find out!

Reading Remarkably Bright Creatures was a gift. This book was hilarious, heartwarming, and so tenderly written by Shelby Van Pelt. I could tell that every single word was crafted with such care and it reminded me a lot of the writing style of Fredrik Backman who wrote A Man Called Ove and My Friends. This is a style that I really respond to and I fell for Remarkably Bright Creatures hook, line, and sinker. Van Pelt’s expert writing made it feel like I knew every character personally and what a remarkable cast it was as it went round Robin between Tova, Cameron, and Marcellus. It was such an interesting change of pace to read from the perspective of Marcellus – my favorite!

For all of the sadness that plagued the characters in this book, there was still so much joy to be found. The joy of new acquaintances, breaking free from strict routines, and the cast learning that they are stronger than they ever gave themselves credit for. It was so exciting to read about Tova coming out of her shell, Cameron growing out of his man child status, and Marcellus ingeniously moving the plot along. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a testament to the beauty that can be found in life if you know where to look. It might just be under the statue of a sea lion. 🙂

I am going to award Remarkably Bright Creatures with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was a beautiful read that will captivate and inspire and I can’t wait to watch the movie!

Did you read Remarkably Bright Creatures or watch the movie? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun8

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Divorce By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Divorce By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing one of Freida McFadden’s most recent thrillers called The Divorce. Freida McFadden books are very hit or miss for me. Some are pretty good and some just actively suck lol. However, I really enjoyed The Divorce and it was a welcome palette cleanser after reading the second installment of the Stillhouse Lake series. It was easily one of the best Frieda McFadden books I have read in recent memory! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Divorce for violence, disturbing content, addiction, and mental illness. You ready? Let’s get to it!

Naomi lives a picture perfect life. She is a stay at home mom to her darling son, Teddy, while her husband, Jeremy, works hard and makes lots of money as a hedge fund manager. Although Jeremy’s schedule is erratic and he is constantly on call for his posh clients, he is an excellent father and is always home to put Teddy to bed. They are truly a happy family and life is good. Until the rug gets swept under Naomi’s feet. Jeremy tells her that he wants a divorce and that Teddy should stay in his home while Naomi lives in a tiny apartment.

How could her picture perfect life go so terribly, terribly wrong in the blink of an eye? Naomi tries to ignore the fact that there could be another woman involved and makes many attempts to talk to Jeremy but he just doesn’t want to listen. So, Naomi takes matters into her own hands and makes a late night house call to her former home where her worst nightmare is confirmed. Jeremy is seeing someone else and she is beautiful and very young. Then, things start to go downhill and fast.

As their divorce mediation begins, Naomi’s mental health deteriorates rapidly while Jeremy and his girlfriend, Ronnie’s, love blossoms. Jeremy has introduced Ronnie to Teddy and they are even planning a big birthday bash for him while Naomi flounders to earn full custody. Naomi is convinced that if she could just speak to Jeremy then she will win him back and Ronnie will be a thing of the past. He has made it clear that this is not an option and now her attention is fully on Ronnie. If she can’t have her husband back then why should Ronnie have him either?

The divorce is getting messy and Naomi believes that Ronnie is a threat to her and her family’s safety as she begins to experience strange and dangerous behavior. Ronnie attempted to poison her. Ronnie calls her at all hours making threats. Ronnie wants to get rid of Teddy so she can have Jeremy all to herself. But who is tormenting who? One of Jeremy’s primary concerns of Naomi as a parent is her mental instability. Is he just painting her in a poor light or is she really as unhinged as he claims? Someone in this love triangle is not being truthful. Read The Divorce to find out who!

The Divorce was an ultra quick read and I finished it in three sittings because I just couldn’t put it down! It is rare that I find myself truly excited about a Freida McFadden book because they always fall on an average or way below average scale for me. This is mainly because I figure out the grand reveals really quickly! I am pleased to report that I did not see the twist coming in The Divorce whatsoever and it really did put the thrill back into her thrillers for me. The Divorce had more twists and turns than the most intense of rollercoasters and all I could do was hang on tight and enjoy the ride.

What was so interesting about The Divorce was how I felt about the characters throughout it. Normally when I read a book, I have the characters who I like set in stone and that doesn’t falter. With every new surprise that this book offered, my opinions shifted until I didn’t even know what to think. I went from despising Ronnie to feeling sorry for her. From rooting for Naomi to fearful and rocking back and forth from “good for him” to “what the hell?” on Jeremy’s part. This made the delicious plot of The Divorce all that more enticing and made the grand reveal even more shocking. There is no solid ground in this book and it left my jaw on the floor until the final page!

I am going to award The Divorce with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was an excellent thriller and it is hands down some of Freida McFadden’s best work which must be commended. Highly recommend!

What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? What are you currently reading? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun5

Great Lakes Science Center Titanic Exhibit

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Great Lakes Science Center Titanic Exhibit

Hi! I recently visited the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland with a friend to see their newly installed Titanic exhibit. I don’t know much about the Titanic and I have never seen the movie but my friend is most fascinated by it and I was more than happy to tag along. We spent a solid hour and a half making our way through the exhibit and I really enjoyed myself and learned a lot. It was set up beautifully with replicas of different rooms, artifacts recovered from the sea floor, and an actual iceberg which really blew my mind! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss further:

After paying for tickets for the exhibit, we were given a boarding pass of one of the passengers of the Titanic to hang onto until the end. Then, we could see if our passenger survived or not and gained insight into their outcome. With boarding passes in hand, we explored the exhibit with a fine toothed comb and it was wonderful. My favorite part was definitely seeing the restored artifacts that were recovered as the displays featured a picture of when they were found on the sea floor. The before and after was nuts! A particularly interesting display had au gratin dishes that were found in perfect rows. They were stored away in a box that disintegrated and they were still lined up as they were left. I also was drawn to the different clothing and accessories that were found but it was so sad to think of the people who were meant to wear them.

As well as artifacts, there were also room replicas including the boiler room, first class cabins, and the bunking rooms. A fun fact I learned was that a first class ticket on the Titanic would have been equivalent to over one hundred thousand dollars today! As we went about the space, there were direct quotes from passengers and employees and their portraits along the walls. The quotes recorded from when the ship was sinking was harrowing and reminded me a lot of the last messages that people sent during 9/11. I could tell how lovingly those displays were made and it was inspiring to read about their bravery.

The piece de resistance of the Titanic exhibit was twofold. There was the iceberg, of course, which I’m not quite sure how that worked out and neither did the employee that I asked. It had something to do with a cooling plate and gathering moisture in the air? From what the employee said, the iceberg has actually grown since the exhibit opened in late May. There was also a display of part of the ship that was recovered that we were allowed to touch and that was way, way cool. It’s not every day that you get to touch a literal piece of history!

If you are in the Cleveland area or traveling nearby, I can’t recommend this exhibit enough. Even if you haven’t seen the movie like me, you are still going to be in for a treat!

Do you know a lot about the Titanic? What is a classic movie that you haven’t seen? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser Review

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ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser Review

Howdy!! I am an avid fan of the skin care brand, ValJean Labs, and have really enjoyed their Radiant Glow Scrub and Hydrate Foaming Cleanser. Their products are so gentle but effective, super long lasting, and cruelty free. During my last skin care haul at TJMaxx, I purchased the Deep Cleansing foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and tea tree and have been using it for the past two weeks or so. It is such a refreshing pick me up every morning and I have been loving the results! Let’s discuss:

The Deep Cleansing foaming cleanser by ValJean Labs is fabulousness in a bottle. I seriously can’t even begin to describe to you how invigorating it is! It’s like an icy cool blast but not in a harsh way – more like in a “Hey! Wake up!” kind of way lol. This bubbly, sudsy cleanser leaves my skin tingling and I can still feel that little buzz hours after my morning shower. Although the key ingredients of salicylic acid and tea tree are known to dry skin out, it has not had that effect on me in the slightest. My skin still feels so well nourished and it has beat my blackheads to boot!

This cleanser also features a scrub brush which is an especially nice touch. I have never seen that offered on a face wash before whether it be high end products at Sephora or bargain shopping at TJMaxx. I got this cleanser for six dollars and it feels like such a steal! After washing my face with my hands, I like to take the time to use the scrub brush and it’s just like getting a mini facial. The bristles are quite soft and I love knowing that it’s getting to all of the nooks and crannies that you won’t get from a regular hand wash. I’ll definitely be keeping the scrub brush even after this cleanser is complete for further use. 😀

If you are on the hunt for a new cleanser, I highly recommend anything by ValJean Labs! This Deep Cleansing face wash will be perfect for washing away the grime and sweat from summer days!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Are you loyal to one brand or do you use anything? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun2

Lil Red’s Book Club: Wolfhunter River By Rachel Caine Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Wolfhunter River By Rachel Caine Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine called Wolfhunter River. I have been so enjoying this twisty series about the ex-wife and family of a serial killer and couldn’t wait to dive into the third book after a palette cleanser called The Midnight Show. The Stillhouse Lake series has been a page turner from the jump and Wolfhunter River was no exception. I devoured it in three sittings! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Wolfhunter River for graphic violence and highly disturbing content. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Gwen Proctor shot her ex-husband, Melvin Royal, dead. So why does it feel like he is still everywhere? Through meticulous planning, he has managed to sent posthumous correspondence to Gwen and the internet trolls have never let up. What’s more, one of Gwen’s nightmares has come to fruition. That’s right, a documentary is being made about Gwen and her involvement in Melvin’s crimes despite being acquitted. She will be thrust into the spotlight along with her children, Lanny and Connor, and partner, Sam, and the light will be anything but flattering. Documentarians have already swarmed on Stillhouse Lake and it takes immense self control for Gwen and her family to not smash the cameras.

Gwen, Sam, and the kids have all but been sequestered to their home to avoid the documentary crew but they won’t be cooped up for much longer. While her and Sam are doing the dishes, the phone rings and Gwen hears the voice of a terrified woman named Marlene. This is not uncommon. Since killing her ex-husband, Gwen has received a lot of calls from women trying to escape their abusers. Marlene requests that Gwen visits her in nearby Wolfhunter so she can learn the full story as she’s not comfortable discussing it on the phone. Gwen refuses as this is surely a trap. Why would a stranger want to lure her away, alone to a remote one stoplight town if not for something nefarious?

One day later, Gwen receives another call from Marlene’s number but it isn’t Marlene on the phone. It’s her daughter, Vee. Vee has found her mother dead after returning home from a bender and the police are moments away from breaking down the door and arresting her. Vee claims her innocence and Gwen somewhat believes her. Then, she thinks back to her conversation with Marlene. Someone or something was scaring her to death. Could this be the repercussion for Marlene reaching out to her in the first place?

As a family, the Proctor crew makes the trip to Wolfhunter to find out who killed Marlene and protect Vee from the death penalty. In this small town, no one is a friend to the family of outsiders. The cops are crooked, the locals refuse to speak, and Gwen finds herself in the middle of a plot that goes far beyond the murder of Marlene. With no one to trust but each other, the Proctors tread carefully to begin their own investigation. Time is of the essence and not just for Vee. A little girl needs Gwen’s help too. Will Gwen and her family crack the case? Or will those she needs to save succumb to the brutality of Wolfhunter? Read the Stillhouse Lake series to find out!

Wolfhunter River was a fast paced thrill of a ride that kept me on my toes the whole way through. There was, admittedly, a lot going on in this book and it was somewhat difficult to keep track of it all. However, when the pieces began to come together everything became crystal clear and it turned the urgency dial up to one thousand. As always, Gwen led this book like the badass she is and it was exciting to see Lanny and Connor come into their own as more major parts of the story. And, of course, the “Will they? Won’t they?” of Gwen and Sam continues to add a delicious touch of romance!

The third book in the Stillhouse Lake series was interesting because it was the first one where Melvin was dead. Rachel Caine expertly crafted Wolfhunter River because despite Gwen killing him, it was like you could still feel Melvin lingering on every page. Every fork in the road the Proctors encountered felt like something Melvin would have planned and delighted in himself. There are far more monsters in the world than just Melvin, though, and Wolfhunter River gave Gwen and her family a crash course in the danger that goes beyond one of the worst serial killers the world has ever seen.

Overall, I am going to rate Wolfhunter River with an eight out of ten stars. I liked this one a lot better than the sequel and can’t wait to tuck into Bitter Falls next!

What are you currently reading? What is your favorite book series? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May28

May 2026 Finishes

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May 2026 Finishes

Howdy!! It’s about to be a wrap for May which means mine and Johnny’s birthaversary season is right on the horizon! We are SO excited to celebrate both of our birthdays and fifth wedding anniversary at the beginning of June and are going to host a party at chez nous. It should be a hoot and also Gemini crew say whatttttt! Before all of the big plans for June, we have to tie the month of May up in a pretty little bow by discussing my beauty finishes. There are A LOT of good ones in this batch and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can find my new favorite moisturizer of all time again at TJMaxx. Let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again?

Clinical Works Vitamin C + Tea Tree Foaming Facial Cleanser: YES

Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Body Lotion: YES

Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Shower Gel: YES

Vital Beauty Brightening Eye Cream: MAYBE

Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Gel Moisturizer: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

Clinical Works Cleanser: I used up my last cleanser in mid January and finished the Clinical Works one a few days ago – making it an excellent value with daily use! This Vitamin C + Tea Tree foaming cleanser was where it’s at. It was so fresh and invigorating that it left my skin tingling as the foamy bubbles wiped away all of the grime from the day before. Two healthy pumps of this product was all that was needed for a full cleanse of the face and neck and it left my skin bright and blemish free. Although I don’t get pimples, I get blackheads around my nose and this cleanser made them a thing of the past. Highly recommend if you are looking for a new one!

Vital Beauty Eye Cream: I am especially partial to Vital Beauty’s Cooling Eye Gel and have been using it for the past several years. However, I decided to change it up when I saw the Brightening Eye Cream at TJMaxx and had been using it for the past two months and change with twice daily use. It was a nice enough eye cream but it just didn’t have that same blast of coolness that I have come to know and love with the eye gel. I also didn’t notice any major differences in radiance or fine lines so the Brightening Eye Cream didn’t exactly wow me. If it was the only available option at TJs then I would get it again but I’ll be sticking to the eye gel from now on.

Glow Hub Moisturizer: The peach scented gel moisturizer by Glow Hub was a complete and total dream product and I would more than happily use it again. It took about a month and a half of twice daily use to finish the jar and I saw fabulous results. My skin was simply glowing with each use and was left baby soft. It absorbed quickly, sat well under makeup, and a small dollop of the gel went such a long way for full face and neck coverage. Also, did I mention that it’s peach scented?! Such a delightful pick me up morning and night! This is one of the best moisturizers I have ever used and I know you will love it too. Definitely grab a jar or two (or ten) if you see it!

Despite one minor dud, this was a solid month of beauty finishes. Now, bring on the birthaversary!!!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah