What I've been Reading, Watching, and Listening To {September 2018}

Hey Guys! September is almost over and that means it’s almost my favorite month of the year! EEEK! I cannot wait for all things Fall and Halloween to really kick off. But anyway, more about that on Monday when I share my monthly goals for October. For now, let’s just talk about what I read, watched, and listened to in September, shall we?

Oh and by the way, I wrote these reviews as I read, watched, and listened to them and actually finished this post before it was supposed to go live. Unlike the last two months!

Books:

Simple Joys: Discovering Wonder in the Every Day by Candace Payne – 5/5 stars

Well Chewbacca Mom is at it again with her new beautiful book, Simple Joys: Discovering Wonder in the Everyday. First of all, this is a beautiful and colorful gift book full of incredible artwork from Candace herself. I’m keeping it on my coffee table to both brighten up my living room and provide some wisdom whenever I need a pick-me-up.

In each chapter if Simple Joys, you get a little glimpse into Candace’s very relatable life. But it’s not only that. She gives little snippets of advice for prospecting joy and questions to ponder all along the way. I both cried and laughed out loud in the first chapter.

One of the insights from the book that really stood out to me was the fact that you need to share when you’re in the storm. Invite others in and look for the simple joys in the people who love you. Your joy-filled life depends on how you respond to storms.

Some other fun ones are to not take yourself too seriously, and that joy is valuable but use it or lose it!

Lessons From Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris by Jennifer L. Scott – 5/5 stars

I got a couple of Jennifer’s books from the library after my bestie Jessy of The Artsy Cajun suggested them. Jessy and I are accountability partners who talk every Friday about life and one thing we’re both trying to be better at is live more simply and intentionally. We’ve both recently created capsule wardrobes and are trying to cut back to a more minimalist lifestyle. Anyway, Jessy discovered Jennifer’s books, blog, and YouTube channel and introduced me. I’m obsessed!

So, this book is all about things Jennifer learned while living in Paris with a host family, “Famille Chic,” as a foreign exchange student in college. I am intrigued by the cultural differences and the lessons to be learned by these Chic French people. I must admit, I was not happy when I saw the first chapter was called “Snacking Is So Not Chic.” I’m trying to eat intuitively and a big part of that is to honor your hunger and eat whenever you’re hungry. But I didn’t hate the chapter. Jennifer was simply sharing what she observed in Paris and how it differed from how she was raised in California. It was so interesting! Plus the very next chapter is called “Deprive Yourself Not” and talked about how “Famille Chic” only ate the highest quality and most decadent and rich foods.

I absolutely tore through this book. I always tend to do that with non-fiction gold like this. I especially loved Jennifer’s emphasis on looking put together every day. No you don’t need to wear makeup everyday, but I believe in the whole “look good, feel good, do good” fenomenon and so does Jennifer. Besides she’s all about “le no makeup look”

I also tweaked my capsule wardrobe a ton while reading this book. Jennifer has a wardrobe consisting of 10 core items and I would love to get to that! But her “living well” mentality is on a broader scale than just clothes. The French live simply but live well with good quality products so not only did I continuously get rid of clutter while reading the book, I kept a running list of new products I want and things I want to upgrade. This book was so enlightening.

Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery – 5/5 stars

I liked this book even better than Anne of Green Gables, and that’s saying a lot! I think it’s because I can identify with Anne more myself now that she’s a little older. And that makes me even more excited for the other books in the series! I do think I will take a little break from Anne though because I want to read something spooky in October.

My Favorite Blog Posts/Articles from the Month:

Why You Shouldn’t Take Off Your Wedding Rings During a Fight by Lauren of Modwife.co
Why Do I Criticize my Husband? by Lauren of Modwife.co
How My Morning Routine Changed My Life by Amanda of Live Organized, Live Simple
Self-Care and Its Importance (And Also Its Pitfalls) by Amanda of Live Organized, Live Simple
Top 10 Tips for Productivity by Amanda of Live Organized, Live Simple
9 Fun Daytime Date Ideas for Married Couples by Amberly of A Prioritized Marriage
Date Night At Home – Dinner by Moonlight by Amberly of A Prioritized Marriage
3 Ways To Fight Comparison by Ashley Bell of Soul Scripts
When I Can’t be my Child’s Everything by Chelsea of The New WifeStyle

TV Shows:

Twin Peaks – 4/5 stars

Ok so I reviewed Twin Peaks last month but that was before we finished both seasons of the original that came on in the 90s. If it had ended about half-way through season two, I would have kept my 5/5 star rating. The show peaked in the middle of season two and it seemed like a great ending with a tad bit of a cliff hanger. Then it just got super weird and silly. Nothing seemed to go together and I now understand why it didn’t get renewed.

Riverdale season 1- 4/5 stars

Ok so take Riverdale for what it is; a teen drama. But it’s intriguing and addicting and somewhat of a guilty pleasure. It’s based on the Archie Comics and I love the format. Jug-head, the writer, narrates the beginning and end of each episode.

Want to know something interesting? Twin Peaks and Riverdale have a LOT of similarities.

They’re both based in a small town in Northern US
They both deal with smuggling drugs over the Canadian border
They both starts with the murder of a well known teen in the town
The kids play sleuth
Everyone seems to be connected to each other and they murder somehow
There’s a diner where everyone hangs out
Even the last name, Cooper is present in both!

Movies:

Steel Magnolias – 5/5 stars (possible spoilers – thought I tried not to)

I had watched the play and I knew the story. I knew the ending. And I still cried like a little baby. Sally Fields’s performance was to die for. I would stop crying long enough to dry my eyes then she would do something else and I’d lose it again. She deserved all the awards for that movie and she wasn’t even nominated for an Oscar! Anyway, watch it. It might be my new favorite movie!

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – 4/5 stars

We watched this the other night because we randomly saw it on Netflix and I mentioned to Pearson that I had never seen it before. It was as hilarious as expected and I was not disappointed. I laughed out loud several times.

YouTube:

Yoga with Adriene

I’ve loved Adriene’s yoga videos. I love how she’s funny and you can select a practice to do based on how you’re feeling that day.

The Daily Connoisseur

This is the YouTube channel of Jennifer L. Scott who wrote Lessons from Madame Chic that I reviewed at the beginning of this post. Anyway, she’s pretty brilliant and I have devoured her channel.

Breaking History

My girl Chelsea of The New WifeStyle‘s husband started this new TV show and it’s pretty amazing. They break world records while bringing attention to big issues effecting our communities.

Podcasts:

Therapy Thoughts

You guys know I love Tiffany from Mindful Counseling. Or at least you know that if you follow me on Instagram. Anyway, her podcast is brilliant and I’ve been listening to it and learning all kinds of great mental health and mindfulness gems!

Our Disney Adventures Podcast

My friend Ali of The Everyday Storyteller and her mom Kristin of Disney the Magic is Real created this podcast! You would never know this was their first podcast. The excitement and energy is contagious and it’s obvious how much they both love Disney. I’m super excited for this show!

Music:

Emily Scott Robinson

I found Emily through Brita who I think is her sorority sister. Not only does Emily’s music fit the bill of folk/acoustic/alt country that I love so much, her songwriting is phenomenal. Every song just strikes a cord with me and I love it all!

What have you been reading, watching, and listening to lately? Have any recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

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