LOVELIST | August...

I discovered my hidden spontaneous side this month, after an last-minute early-morning call from my friend's Greg and Philip inviting me on a weekend camping trip to Bear Lake.  Pitchin' a tent along side a river, warming by an inferno of a campfire under the stars, small- town diners and of course the hours and hours playing in the lake... it was just the unexpected Summer fun I needed. Thank you boys, I had the best time!  #LakeLiiife!

Ru brought back ten of her most fierce and fabulous queens ever for a second chance at the crown.  So far the second season of RuPauls Drag Race All-Stars has been gag worthy and Ah-mazing!  (They clearly learned from their mistakes in Season 1 *Cough*Teams-Fail*Cough!)  Let’s get this party All-Star-ted Okkkuurrrr!  *And for the record, in my humble opinion it’s clearly Alaska’s contest to lose.  #TeamLasky all the way.

A little girl lives in a very grown-up world with her mother, who tries to prepare her for it. Her neighbor, the Aviator, introduces the girl to an extraordinary world where anything is possible, the world of the Little Prince. “Beautifully animated and faithful to the spirit of its classic source material, The Little Prince is a family-friendly treat that anchors thrilling visuals with a satisfying story.” -RT

One of my favorite reality TV show competitions is back but this year, but with a twist.  Tattoo artists compete on two teams for the ultimate Ink Master face-off for Season 8.  Will it be Team Peck or Team Nuñez?  Time to Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and find out!

Netflix’s Stranger Things was the surprise breakout hit of the Summer.  I wasn’t the only one obsessed with all the weird things going on in Hawkins, Indiana back in 1983.  After mega-binging through all eight episodes last month, I needed more. Then I stumbled on the reality of reaction videos on Youtube, where you watch other people watch shows.  I got sucked into viewing far more Stranger Things Reaction Videos than I’d like to publicly admit.  Now the countdown in on for actual new episodes when Season 2 debuts in 2017.

Emotion: Side B was announced on the one-year anniversary of Carly Rae Jepsen's third studio album, Emotion. It features unreleased songs that did not make the cut for the original effort. The EP received critical acclaim upon its release. And Casey acclaim as well! Favorite tracks include:  Higher, Cry, Fever and First Time.

Apparently I was in the mood for some dirty funny women this month, as I took in not one-- not two-- but three freakin’ R-Rated Comedies.  Bad Moms follows three overworked and under-appreciated mothers are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun, and comedic self-indulgence.  in The Boss, a titan of industry is sent to prison after she's caught insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget.  And The Bronze follows a foul-mouthed former gymnastics bronze medalist with local celebrity status reluctantly trains a rising Olympics aspirant.  Thanks for making me laugh ladies!

This month VH1 Classic became MTV Classic, featuring some of our favorite shows from the nineties like Daria, Beavis and Butthead, Road Rules and of course my favorite guilty pleasure, marathons of vintage The Real World.  Get ready for some Music Television nostalgia. 

Prisma is my favorite go-to photo editing app of the Summer. Say cheese!

As we all know I'm an HGTV addict but I’ve already watched all of the streaming episodes of all things House Hunters (in all forms), Love it or List it and Property Brothers.  Then I stumbled on Genevieve’s Renovation on Netflix.  The series follows former favorite Trading Spaces designer as she overhauls her New York City abode.

I checked out two powerful documentaries that followed the aftermath of the tragic Orlando terror attack this month.  MTV’s True Life: We Are Orlando and Viceland’s Gaycation: Orlando; both are available to watch online. Just have Kleenex handy.  #OrlandoStrong  #RestInPride

Admittedly, The Lobster is one of the weirdest and craziest films I’ve seen in recent memory. I can’t stop thinking about it and my opinion is often changing about it.  But the thought provoking art piece is still worth checking out.  In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods.  See, I told you it sounded weird!

One of my favorite things to do this Summer has been going on night walks around the neighborhood once the sun sets, and a pleasant temperature settles in.  Noticing a lot of cute houses and nice landscaping along the way, and realizing how many of you keep your curtains wide open (won’t worry I’m not a weird lookie-loo) and just thinking while listening to tunes.  Gotta enjoy it while I can, Winter is coming!

LOVELIST | July...

Well, it’s only the official breakout sensation of Summer. If you follow me on social media, you are well aware of how obsessed I’ve been with Netflix’s Stranger Things lately. When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back. It’s like a warm hug from your childhood, full of rad 80’s nostalgia. Combining Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action Adventure, Horror; all wrapped into one incredible series with nods to everything from Stephen Spielberg, ET, Alien, Goonies, Stand By Me and more… oh and the music and soundtrack, is pure perfection. (I was honestly hooked from the moment the opening credits played.)  If you haven't already. Get binging!

Last month I ventured over to the City by the Bay to spend time and make memories with old friends, new friends and even some Fair weather friends.  It was a fantastic and fun weekend getaway!   Like the song says, I think I left a piece of my heart there. That settles it, I guess I'll just have to go back...  See ya again soon San Francisco!  [Warning: Future Love List Spoiler Alert] 

Sometimes you just need to leave your daily troubles (and your kitties) behind and head out into the great outdoors. This month my friend Jeff and I did just that.  With a car full of supplies, we made our way to the beautiful Uinta Mountains, near the Utah-Wyoming border.  We eventually found the perfect spot to pitch our tent and go off grid to recharge for a few days. (Yes, even I survived a weekend without the Internet!)  It was an awesome getaway indeed.

It’s been thirteen(!) years since we went under the sea looking for a little fish named Nemo.  It was an additional ten(!) years prior for the last time that I visited a Drive-In Theater.  (Fun Fact: It was 1993’s Jurassic Park, as well as Hocus Pocus!)  So flash forward back to present day, when my friend Max and I wanted to check out the long awaited sequel, he suggested we do so at the Redwood Drive-In.  Of course, as expected Finding Dory was beautiful, adorable, funny and maybe required a Kleenex or two.  And it was fabulous reliving that Summertime experience of watching the ol' big screen from the comfort of your car.  Thanks again for the awesome idea Maxwell!  I had a great time, might have to do it again.

Honestly when HBO cancelled it after Season 2 I was a little heart broken.  I was grateful when they announced there would be a Looking Movie, for fans to have one last opportunity to bid farewell to the boys of San Francisco.  Would I have rather had another full season?  Of course!  But, I’m grateful that I got one more chance to say goodbye to a series that I genuinely loved. Thanks for the memories Patrick, Richie, Kevin, Dom, Agustín and Doris. (yes, even Agustín!)  You will be missed.

Lets just be honest, there will never be another First Lady (at least in my lifetime) as amazing as Michelle Obama.  Beautiful. Intelligent. Engaging. Cool. Entertaining. Stylish.  Inspirational.  Whhhhhy can’t she just stay in the White House forever?  This month she reminded us all just how awesome she is when she found her way into the Carpool Lane with (another Love List favorite) James Corden.  And then  there was her moving powerful DNC speech.  I mean.  Really!  And like they say, if you’re going to copy and cheat, plagiarize from the best.  Yes, that was a read.  C.C. -n- M.O. 4EVA TLA!

Difficult [dif-i-kuhlt] adjective

• 1) not easily or readily done.
• 2) hard to understand or solve. 
• 3) hard to deal with or get on with. 
• 4) hard to please or satisfy. 
• 5) hard to persuade or induce; stubborn. 
• 6) disadvantageous; trying; hampering. 
• 7) fraught with hardship. 

Difficult People Season 2, now streaming on Hulu 

Broods is a music group from New Zealand made up of siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott.  They released their second album Conscious last month.  Upon first inspection I’m not sure I was completely sold on it.  I wasn’t an instant fan, but after a couple listens my outlook turned around and it became a steady presence on my playlist this July.  Favorite Tracks Include:  Free, We Had Everything, Heartlines, Recovery and Couldn’t Believe.

If there’s something strange in the neighborhood, I know who I’m gonna call.  Sexy secretary Kevin (♥) of course!  ...And he’ll put me in contact (hopefully) with the four baddest bitches in town.  Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Kate McKinnon Leslie Jones were hilarious (duh!) and aren’t afraid of no ghosts. Internet trolls and haters be damned. Ghostbusters... and Girl Power!!

Last Love List I tuned into the fascinating CNN docu-series about the 1960’s, and this month I checked out the following decade that I was (barely) born into; The Seventies. ‘The eight-part documentary examine the people, events and cultural touchstones that defined the '70s, delving into everything from the impact of the Vietnam War to the unprecedented scandal of Watergate. Also covered are the Iran Hostage Crisis, the sexual revolution, the Munich Olympics massacre, and the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Combining archival newsreel footage, personal movies, interviews, and comments by historians, journalists, politicians, celebrities and others, bringing new perspectives about a consequential and groovy decade.’ Available on  Netflix 

Maybe I’m just a glutton (or is it gluten?) for punishment attempting to diet and still tuning into this classy baking TV competition each week.  I just can’t deny myself from this charming and strangely addicting British television export.  From the entertaining cohosts, to the sweet- but stern judges (awe Mary, love!) and the batch of talented and genuinely nice contestants, TGBBO proves there’s always room for dessert. Even when you're dieting. [Season 3 now airing on PBS in the USA]

As we know by now, I had an amazing time in San Francisco.  Staying with friends at the historic (and not haunted, but it was more fun to pretend it was... Heya Lady Gaga!) Hotel Whitcomb.  Having breakfast each morning across the street at SAMS, to late night food grub stop at Mel’s Diner, to a fancy delicious Italian dinner in the Castro at Poesia.  And the drinks seemed to be always flowing at hot spots The Eagle, The Edge, Midnight Sun and Hole In The Wall.  Yah.  It was an amazing weekend indeed.

Cash Cash is an American electronic dance music group from New Jersey.  Made up of brothers Jean Paul and Alex Makhlouf, along with Samuel Frisch, they produce, record and master all their music together as a trio.  They released their fourth studio album a couple months ago.  Checking them out based on a friend’s Facebook post, I found it perfect addition to my gym playlist.  Favorite Tracks Include: How to Love (ft. Sofia Reyes), The Gun (ft. Trinidad James, Dev & Chrish), Lightning (ft. John Rzeznik), Arrows in the Dark (ft. Anjulie) and Take Me Home (ft. Bebe Rexha).

Thanks to Hulu’s auto-play feature I checked out this latest game show reboot by accident  Truthfully, I didn’t even know Match Game 2.016 existed, and I really didn’t want to like it.  But guess what, I did.  Alec Baldwin is perfect as the smarmy but entertaining wise-cracking host and the stars are equally fun.  (Obviously some more than others- naturally.)  If you do nothing else, track down the Leslie Jones episode. She was so crazy, (How crazy was she?!) She had me in... Stitches.    

LOVELIST | July...

Well, it’s only the official breakout sensation of Summer. If you follow me on social media, you are well aware of how obsessed I’ve been with Netflix’s Stranger Things lately. When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back. It’s like a warm hug from your childhood, full of rad 80’s nostalgia. Combining Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action Adventure, Horror; all wrapped into one incredible series with nods to everything from Stephen Spielberg, ET, Alien, Goonies, Stand By Me and more… oh and the music and soundtrack, is pure perfection. (I was honestly hooked from the moment the opening credits played.)  If you haven't already. Get binging!

Last month I ventured over to the City by the Bay to spend time and make memories with old friends, new friends and even some Fair weather friends.  It was a fantastic and fun weekend getaway!   Like the song says, I think I left a piece of my heart there. That settles it, I guess I'll just have to go back...  See ya again soon San Francisco!  [Warning: Future Love List Spoiler Alert] 

Sometimes you just need to leave your daily troubles (and your kitties) behind and head out into the great outdoors. This month my friend Jeff and I did just that.  With a car full of supplies, we made our way to the beautiful Uinta Mountains, near the Utah-Wyoming border.  We eventually found the perfect spot to pitch our tent and go off grid to recharge for a few days. (Yes, even I survived a weekend without the Internet!)  It was an awesome getaway indeed.

It’s been thirteen(!) years since we went under the sea looking for a little fish named Nemo.  It was an additional ten(!) years prior for the last time that I visited a Drive-In Theater.  (Fun Fact: It was 1993’s Jurassic Park, as well as Hocus Pocus!)  So flash forward back to present day, when my friend Max and I wanted to check out the long awaited sequel, he suggested we do so at the Redwood Drive-In.  Of course, as expected Finding Dory was beautiful, adorable, funny and maybe required a Kleenex or two.  And it was fabulous reliving that Summertime experience of watching the ol' big screen from the comfort of your car.  Thanks again for the awesome idea Maxwell!  I had a great time, might have to do it again.

Honestly when HBO cancelled it after Season 2 I was a little heart broken.  I was grateful when they announced there would be a Looking Movie, for fans to have one last opportunity to bid farewell to the boys of San Francisco.  Would I have rather had another full season?  Of course!  But, I’m grateful that I got one more chance to say goodbye to a series that I genuinely loved. Thanks for the memories Patrick, Richie, Kevin, Dom, Agustín and Doris. (yes, even Agustín!)  You will be missed.

Lets just be honest, there will never be another First Lady (at least in my lifetime) as amazing as Michelle Obama.  Beautiful. Intelligent. Engaging. Cool. Entertaining. Stylish.  Inspirational.  Whhhhhy can’t she just stay in the White House forever?  This month she reminded us all just how awesome she is when she found her way into the Carpool Lane with (another Love List favorite) James Corden.  And then  there was her moving powerful DNC speech.  I mean.  Really!  And like they say, if you’re going to copy and cheat, plagiarize from the best.  Yes, that was a read.  CC n'MO 4EVA

Difficult [dif-i-kuhlt] adjective

• 1) not easily or readily done.
• 2) hard to understand or solve. 
• 3) hard to deal with or get on with. 
• 4) hard to please or satisfy. 
• 5) hard to persuade or induce; stubborn. 
• 6) disadvantageous; trying; hampering. 
• 7) fraught with hardship. 

Difficult People Season 2, now streaming on Hulu 

Broods is a music group from New Zealand made up of siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott.  They released their second album Conscious last month.  Upon first inspection I’m not sure I was completely sold on it.  I wasn’t an instant fan, but after a couple listens my outlook turned around and it became a steady presence on my playlist this July.  Favorite Tracks Include:  Free, We Had Everything, Heartlines, Recovery and Couldn’t Believe.

If there’s something strange in the neighborhood, I know who I’m gonna call.  Sexy secretary Kevin (♥) of course!  ...And he’ll put me in contact (hopefully) with the four baddest bitches in town.  Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Kate McKinnon Leslie Jones were hilarious (duh!) and aren’t afraid of no ghosts. Internet trolls and haters be damned. Ghostbusters... and Girl Power!!

Last Love List I tuned into the fascinating CNN docu-series about the 1960’s, and this month I checked out the following decade that I was (barely) born into; The Seventies. ‘The eight-part documentary examine the people, events and cultural touchstones that defined the '70s, delving into everything from the impact of the Vietnam War to the unprecedented scandal of Watergate. Also covered are the Iran Hostage Crisis, the sexual revolution, the Munich Olympics massacre, and the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Combining archival newsreel footage, personal movies, interviews, and comments by historians, journalists, politicians, celebrities and others, bringing new perspectives about a consequential and groovy decade.’ Available on  Netflix 

Maybe I’m just a glutton (or is it gluten?) for punishment attempting to diet and still tuning into this classy baking TV competition each week.  I just can’t deny myself from this charming and strangely addicting British television export.  From the entertaining cohosts, to the sweet- but stern judges (awe Mary, love!) and the batch of talented and genuinely nice contestants, TGBBO proves there’s always room for dessert. Even when you're dieting. [Season 3 now airing on PBS in the USA]

As we know by now, I had an amazing time in San Francisco.  Staying with friends at the historic (and not haunted, but it was more fun to pretend it was... Heya Lady Gaga!) Hotel Whitcomb.  Having breakfast each morning across the street at SAMS, to late night food grub stop at Mel’s Diner, to a fancy delicious Italian dinner in the Castro at Poesia.  And the drinks seemed to be always flowing at hot spots The Eagle, The Edge, Midnight Sun and Hole In The Wall.  Yah.  It was an amazing weekend indeed.

Cash Cash is an American electronic dance music group from New Jersey.  Made up of brothers Jean Paul and Alex Makhlouf, along with Samuel Frisch, they produce, record and master all their music together as a trio.  They released their fourth studio album a couple months ago.  Checking them out based on a friend’s Facebook post, I found it perfect addition to my gym playlist.  Favorite Tracks Include: How to Love (ft. Sofia Reyes), The Gun (ft. Trinidad James, Dev & Chrish), Lightning (ft. John Rzeznik), Arrows in the Dark (ft. Anjulie) and Take Me Home (ft. Bebe Rexha).

Thanks to Hulu’s auto-play feature I checked out this latest game show reboot by accident  Truthfully, I didn’t even know Match Game 2.016 existed, and I really didn’t want to like it.  But guess what, I did.  Alec Baldwin is perfect as the smarmy but entertaining wise-cracking host and the stars are equally fun.  (Obviously some more than others- naturally.)  If you do nothing else, track down the Leslie Jones episode. She was so crazy, (How crazy was she?!) She had me in... Stitches.    

LOVELIST | June...

After celebrating Utah Pride, it was time to check out how other cities celebrate.  Thankfully a few weeks later, my friend’s Rusty and Chris invited me to hop up to Seattle to enjoy the festivities there, as well as their yearly BBQ party.  I had an amazing time... it was just what I needed.  It’s already been ten years since I’ve been there and  I can’t wait to return to the Emerald City again soon! 

My friend James came to visit Salt Lake earlier this month for a long-weekend getaway.  We had a lot of fun as I showed him around my home city.  (It wasn’t his first visit, so we got to skip over the usual sites, thankfully!)   On Sunday we made our way to Utah’s Disneyland with a visit to Lagoon. It was the morning after the tragedy in Orlando and it was just what we both needed.  And I finally got to check out the new coaster, The Cannibal.  Wow.  Hold on tight. It’s a white knuckle thrill!  LOVED it!

I have to admit, Season 3 was a bit of a disappointment.  So understandably I was a bit nervous going into the new season of Orange is the New Black.  Thankfully my doubts were quickly resolved a few episodes in,  because it’s fantastic, and heart breaking, and funny, and moving.  Just the way I like my Ladies of Litchfield.  

We’ve been waiting years (four to be exact) for Ladyhawke to release some new material, and this month she finally did with her third album Wild Things!   Favorite Tracks Include:  A Love Song, Golden Girl, Dangerous and Wonderland.

Sure we just finished the fantastic FX Series The People vs OJ Simpson, but there’s another fascinating ESPN five-part documentary on the rise and fall of American football star, O.J. Simpson, from his days growing up in Los Angeles to his murder trial that polarized the country.  Featuring interviews and never before seen evidence, I was completely riveted. 

On my first night in Seattle, my friends took me to the Skillet Diner in Capitol Hill for dinner.  Not only was it my first time eating poutine (which by the way was ah-mazing!!) the rest of the dinner was just as tasty.  Best kale salad of my life.  So I either need to find a way to sneak Skillet home with me, or just go back and visit again real soon.

Our favorite twin-sister-lesbian-pop-stars just released their eighth(!!) album Love You To Death, and instantly I loved it to death.  Favorite tracks include:  Faint of Heart, Boyfriend, Stop Desire and U-Turn.

It’s the most fun day of the year here in Utah, and this year did not disappoint.  From the energetic parade, to the fair with friends, followed by the awesome after parties— this was definitely one Pride for the memory books.   

“With the Vietnam War, the British Invasion, Woodstock, the Civil Rights Movement, and JFK's assassination, the 1960s represent, perhaps, the most consequential decade in U.S. history. It was a period of monumental social and political change, altering virtually every aspect of American life for future generations. The Sixties, a 10-episode documentary  explores the people, events and discoveries that defined how citizens came to think about their government, their place in the world, and themselves.” Personally, I’ve heard about many of the events in name alone that occurred over the 60’s, but this brought a deeper understanding and knowledge of exactly what went down.  Thus, how it shaped this country in the generations to come. Fascinating stuff. I can’t wait to check out The 70's and The 80's next!

Anyone know where I could get a good drink around here!?  C.C. Attles, The Eagle, Diesel and The Cuff showed me a good time while I was in Seattle!  And Cheers to double pours! (Outside of Utah, those do exist!)  Can’t wait to come back and visit again. 

The Chenbot and Summer’s Guiltiest Pleasure are back.  And I’m #TeamSexyBeard all the way! 

In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy. The brilliantly well-rounded Zootopia offers a thoughtful, inclusive message that's as rich and timely as its sumptuously state-of-the-art animation. -RT 

I stumbled upon Tom Odell’s sophomore album around the same time of the tragic events in Orlando.  It was really timely and really spoke to me.  Especially the single, Sparrow.  Favorite Tracks Include:  Sparrow (as mentioned), Magnetised, Here I Am and She Don’t Belong To Me. 

Best Picture Oscar winner Spotlight is a tense investigative dramatic-thriller, tracing the steps to one of the biggest cover-ups in modern times. It’s the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world's oldest and most trusted institutions. Whe reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world.  

When Doris meets her company's hip new art director, sparks fly-at least one-sidedly. In the cluttered house she shared with her late mother, Doris mines the Internet for information on her one-and-only.  When Doris begins showing up at his regular haunts, she wins over his Williamsburg friends. Her new life brings Doris a thrilling perspective, but also creates a rift between her and her longtime friends and family, who believe she's making a fool of herself over a guy half her age. Eager for all the experiences she has missed out on, Doris throws caution to the wind and follows her heart for the very first time.  Sally Field’s remarkable performance is worth checking out Hello, My Name is Doris, alone. She is phenomenal.  It’s just a sweet, funny and lovely film.