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.