LOVELIST | October...

I've lived at Trolley Manor for a long time now.  (Happy 10 Year Anniversary to Me!!)  That doesn't mean that I don't mix it up and keep it fresh every-so-often.  When I mentioned the possibility of getting new carpet to my (amazing, wonderful, super-duper) landlords and they said Yes, I was over the moon. After painting the ceilings (ugh!) and throwing in some new art, furniture and accessories, it's never looked better.  I can honestly say I've never loved this place more.  Home Sweet Home, indeed!

One of my favorite bands St. Lucia has been to Salt Lake a few times now, but I've never been able to make it.  Well, I finally got to pop my St. Lucia concert cherry this month.  The only thing that could make a great show even better, would be seeing it with a great group of guys.  Which I did. Come back real soon now, ya hear and I'll be there.

My friend Alex just came to town for another Utah visit.  Since we covered a lot of the obvious tourist hot spots on his trip last year, we had to come up with some new ones.  A favorite of mine was the gem of incredible beauty in Salt Lake City's gorgeous Red Butte Gardens. I'd actually never been, but if you ever find yourself in SLC, be sure to check them out.

The upcoming Empire of the Sun album doesn't come out until November, but that didn't stop me from being a super-fan for the past few weeks; as I counted down to the new tunes arrival.  Literally they were rocking my Spotify a good chunk of the month. And will likely be doing the same in the next one too.

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet,

 Give me a Bucket of these to eat.  

No seriously, like for real.  So addicting. 

Tyler Glenn just put out his most personal album ever and it spoke to me (for obvious reasons.)  I love and respect him for being so honest and open with his core internal struggles and triumph at moving forward creating art and freedom in the process. Favorite Tracks Include:  Trash, Shameless, Midnight and Devil.

One of the only good things that have came from the lunacy of 2016 is Kate McKinnon as Hillary and Alec Baldwin as some orange snake oil salesman con man on Saturday Night Live.  So spot on it’s scary.  And thankfully, funny too.  If we don't laugh, we'll surely cry. Right?

A few months ago I gave a Love List shout out to the many Stranger Things reactions on the web. Now, I admit I got tired of The Walking Dead a few seasons back and quit watching.  After hearing about it’s shocking (and I do mean S-H-O-C-K-I-N-G!) season premiere, Youtube was soon flooded with episode reaction videos, and I got sucked in.  I couldn’t seem to stop watching them either.  Watch a gasp-worthy, tears-inducing, heart-breaking, gutted, pissed, distressed highlight reel HERE.  Lucille was a thirsty girl indeed. Speaking of thirsty, I also discovered a new crush for 2016.  Negan!  I mean holy crap... Negan!!  Is it bad to root for the bad guy. Cause I’m Team Negan all the way! 

I’ve said it once, I’ll stay it again- there are just too many damn good TV shows out there in 2016!   And a bundle of returning favorites just hit the air again this month.  Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Bob’s Burgers, Last Man On Earth, Fresh Off The Boat and The Real O’Neals all  fought for attention and space in the DVR.  I may have to start breaking up with a few series, but for  now, these funny sitcoms will still get my love.   

Remember how about ten-seconds ago I was complaining about the era too much must see TV, well here’s another new hilarious series to add to the watch list.  The Good Place follows a New Jersey woman after she enters the afterlife and tries to become a better person and make amends for past bad behavior, once it’s clear she may be there by mistake.  I forking love this show!

When you have a friend come to town, it’s always a great excuse to go out and explore new places to chow down.  I got to discover several new (and new to me) restaurants like HSL and Kyoto; Coffee Shop, The Rose Establishment; Speak E-Z, Good Grammar, and one can never go wrong with the mega popular Red Iguana.  I was definitely well fed in October and happily recommend each and every joint.

It’s the televised baking competition that the world has fallen for!  Sadly, Season 7 might just be the last go around before it looses it’s tasty magic.  Behind the scenes drama, the loss of both it’s wacky pun-loving hosts and the always delicious bun-loving Mary; who knows if The British Bake Off will ever be the same.  A major thanks to who ever posted the episodes on Youtube.  I appreciate ya for allowing me to follow along as it was actually airing, and not having to wait an eternity for the US broadcast like us Yanks usually are subjected too.  Now, Bake!

Truth be told, I wasn’t instantly sold on Gaga’s latest more folksy twangy offerings but after giving it a bit of a chance, it’s grown on me. And major props to Mother Monster for putting her self out there with risks and doing what she loves. She’s a true artist in every sense of the word.  Whether we get it or not. And luckily, I’m coming around to jumping on board this one too.  Favorite Tracks Include: Perfect Illusion, Million Reasons, Diamond Heart and A-YO.

Was she a cold-blooded psychopath who brutally murdered her roommate or a naive student abroad trapped in an endless nightmare? In the Netflix Original Documentary Amanda Knox, directors explore the notorious case that made headlines around the world.  

In Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, hard-partying brothers place an online ad to find the perfect dates for their sister's Hawaiian wedding. Hoping for a wild getaway, the boys instead find themselves outsmarted and out-partied by the uncontrollable duo. Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza (my favorite!!)

In Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, When their new next-door neighbors turn out to be a sorority even more debaucherous than the fraternity previously living there, Mac and Kelly team with their former enemy, Teddy, to bring the girls down.