LOVELIST: October Edition...

Only 13 years in the making...

and I love my new ride!

(I must admit, it's a bit weird driving something from this century!)

Marina and the Diamonds has only been to Salt Lake City twice-- and I've been there both times, front and center (wearing my handmade bright pink Marina tank top, of course).  Performing some of my favorite tunes from The Family Jewels, ElectraHeart and Froot, Marina put on a damn good show!  Come back again soon now, ya hear!  I'll see ya there.

Scottish electronic band CHVRCHES may have just dropped one of my top albums of the 2015!  It's been on a loop all month long.  Favorite Tracks Include:  Leave a Trace,  Keep You On My Side, High Enough to Carry You Over and Empty Threat.  

I'm checking in to Season 5 for an extended stay.

A woman gives up her prestigious job and upscale Manhattan apartment to search for love in California. Lively musical numbers and a refreshing, energetic lead, Rachel Bloom, make Crazy Ex-Girlfriend a charming, eccentric commentary on human relationships. -RT

Electropop, Alternative rock, Dance-punk, and Synthpop band YACHT just released their sixth studio album where it instantly found its way into heavy rotation.  Favorite tracks include:  I Thought the Future Would Be Cooler, Matter, Don't Be Rude and LA Plays Itself.  

Mrs. Clinton had a very good October.  

And it all started with a very special (and she-larious) visit to her SNL doppelgänger.  Maybe Kate McKinnon should just be her running mate? 

Watch it: HERE

10.21.2015

Portlandia Season 5 is now available on Netflix, and it's one of it's strongest outings yet! Taking on everything from  tiny houses, the Post Office, healthcare, Sea World, fashion and the 4th of July...  Carrie and Fred left me in stitches this month!

Nom nom nom!  Thanks in part to an out of town visitor (See #15) I dined out (a lot!) this month; revisiting some old favorites and discovering plenty of new joints.  It's fantastic that there are so many delicious options where I live.  If you visit Sawadee, Blue Lemon, Squatters Brew Pub, Taqueria 27, Johanna's Restaurant, The Original Pancake House, Simply Sushi, Tsunami, Blue Plate Diner or Hub & Spoke, you'll leave a happy camper with a full and belly.  Great, now I'm hungry again!

An outwardly perfect suburban housewife leads a secret life as a psychopathic killer in this gleefully dark satire. When the woman's crimes -- all committed to uphold her vision of family values -- are revealed, the housewife becomes a media sensation, winning the hearts of millions.  Serial Mom may have came out way back in 1994, but thanks to HBO Go, it's won over my heart too!  Finally!

I stumbled upon Black-ish thanks to Hulu's auto-play, and boy I'm glad I did.  It's provocative, timely and  most of all hilarious!  Like the Clevers, the Connors, the Tanners that came before, the Johnson clan has already found a way become a favorite classic TV family.  (Oh, and I also kinda have a bit of a crush on hot Tracee Ellis Ross!)

In the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent [Blunt] is enlisted by an elite government task force official to aid in the escalating war against drugs.  'Led by outstanding work from Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro, Sicario is a taut, tightly wound thriller with much more on its mind than attention-getting set pieces.' -RT

These singles rocked my world this month.  We haven't heard or seen much of Mackelmore, Jake Shears(!♥) and especially looking at you Ms. Adele!  Welcome back. My ears are happy for your return.  Listen and Love:  

Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis' Downtown

Adele's Hello.  

NERVO feat. Kylie Minogue, Jake Shears & Nile Rodgers' The Other Boys.

My friend Alex came to visit Utah this month, and we had a blast. Covering all the usual site seeing spots, a day trip to Antelope Island, a rainy Oktoberfest at Snowbird and of course all the delicious local restaurants.  (See #10) It was fun showing off this wonderful place I call home.  

LOVELIST: September Edition...

It's my favorite weekend of the year!

NorCal or Bust!

English electronic duo Disclosure debuted their sophomore studio album Caracal this month. With the help of such famous friends as Lorde, Sam Smith and The Weeknd, it was on heavy rotation for my entire vacation and kept my ears happy. Favorite tracks include: Omen, Magnets, Jaded and Echoes.

Tandy and Carol 4-Eva! 

By now we all know I'm literally obsessed with Lana Del Rey. It's just a fact.  And her latest album did not disappoint. Favorite Tracks Include:  High By The Beach, Music To Watch Boys To, Freak and Art Deco.

American Experience takes an unprecedented look at the complex life and enduring legacy of one of America’s best-known storytellers – Walt Disney. Featuring rarely seen footage from the Disney archive, scenes from some of his greatest films, and interviews with biographers, animators and artists who worked on his early films, as well as the designers who helped turn his dream of Disneyland into reality, this two-night, four-hour film reveals the makings of the man who would leave an indelible mark on our nation’s cultural history.-PBS  Watch it HERE.

Part American Horror Story, part Glee; Ryan Murphy's horror-comedy anthology series Scream Queens, about a series of murders in a college sorority is just good campy bloody fun!  If only every day could be Chanel-O-Ween!  (Genius!!)

Sia was Alive.  Nick was on the Levels.   Ellie Goulding was On My Mind.  And Kylie was in Black and White.  Yes, they all gave us new singles this month and made my California playlist even better.   Now download, crank it and repeat!  

"While on a cross-country motorcycle trip, Pat Doody found a badly burned kitten at a Nevada gas station, scooped the little guy up, and continued on his trip, later returning the cat to safety and health. On the road, Doody cared for the kitten -- who he has since named Party Cat -- with cans of tuna and Neosporin to heal his burns. From Nevada to the East Coast, they took plenty of selfies, archiving the adventure on Instagram. And when the pair returned home in New Jersey, Party Cat had his first veterinarian appointment, receiving proper care for a mild case of ear mites and shots to get him back to feeling like his cool kitty self.  Biker buddies for life!" -HP

Sure there were plenty of ah-mazing praise worthy viral Kim Davis funnies flooding the web this month (Here's looking at you @SitNextToKimDavis.)  But the absolute best has to go to Rainbow Randy's The Kim Davis Cell Block Tango.  She had it coming.  She had it coming.  She only had her self to blame.  Huck-a-bee.

Troye Sivan, is a South African born-Australian actor, singer, songwriter, and YouTuber (so multi-talented!) released his latest EP 'WILD' this month... And I was just, well, wild about it! For someone so young (Born in 1995(!!!)) he's got endless talent and can't wait to see where his talent takes him!  Favorite Tracks Include:  WILD, BITE, FOOLS and EASE.

Since I don't live in Orlando and won't be visiting Florida for the foreseeable future, I'll settle for the next best thing.  Experiencing the new Walt Disney World Hocus Pocus stage show performance online, of course! 'Tis the season after all!  Bibity Bobity BOO...  It'll put a spell on you too!  Watch it HERE.

I've concluded Nabisco is the devil.

And these are freaking delicious.

#ThinMintsAllYearLong

English singer and song writer Jess Glynne dropped her second album this month  and it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart.  Since I am half Brit after all, you knew I'd love it.  Favorite Tracks Include:  Gave Me Something, Hold My Hand, Don't Be So Hard On Yourself and Rather Be. 

Tiny House Hunters is partly comical, partly infuriating (complaining about lack of closet space or no dishwasher... Really!?  And did you see the one about a family of six (plus a dog) going small. Really small!)  Just another show to continue my love of HGTV!  

Cookie's BACK!

LOVELIST: August Edition...

It's not every day that the world famous queen Coco Peru comes to Salt Lake City, but when she does-- you better believe that you snatch up a VIP Meet and Greet ticket!  Even though the night started as an unorganized mess, (like most club Grand Openings can be, I suppose) by the time she finally took the stage, all was forgiven.  Now pass me some Tension Tamer.

When my friend Jeff moved out of state two-and-a-half-years ago I never thought I'd walk through Cafe Ramona's front door again.  Well, guess who just moved back into his once former abode?!  Thats' right!  Even though the previous tenants left it a mess, we spent a lot of time cleaning and then transforming her too!  I couldn't be more proud of the makeover we gave her!  It's never looked better.  Super Ramona is open and back in business. Home Sweet Home, the sequel.

'Set in a city where dreams and fortunes are made every day, along with hundreds of new cases of herpes. Meet a fresh batch of real Hotwives loving and clawing their way through the town with smiles on their faces - cause the Botox won't let them frown.'  Hulu's hilarious original series is back as Jenfer, First Lady Ivanka, Denise, Leona, Callie and Phe Phe (yes, that PhePhe) bring the drama and that Sin City heat!

Who Do You Think You Are?

Well, now I know I'm half Brit, with a quarter West European and quarter Scandinavian.  

All that from a vile of spit!  Pretty cool, eh?

 Documentary Now! brings you an in depth look at the daily lives of two aging socialites and their crumbling estate. This mother and daughter live in extreme squalor, but the documentarians find more than just dirt and clutter on the property.  This is Sandy Passage.  

Life is really tough for Julie and Billy, two 30-something aspiring comics living and working in New York City. While their friends and acquaintances move on to find success and love, they continue to struggle with careers and relationships, getting more bitter by the day. Between Difficult People and The Hotwives (See #3) Hulu sure is on a roll this month!  

One can never have enough Robyn in their life.  Thankfully, with the assistance of La Bagatelle Magique, every one's favorite Swede dropped a new mini-album this month. Favorite tracks include:  Got To Work It Out, Set Me Free and Tell You (Today).

Models, Makeup and Mood, oh my!

(P.S. #TeamNyle all the away!!)

I use the word Obsessed a lot, but I was truly next level o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d with the new single from Lana Del Rey's upcoming debut of Honeymoon.  This bodes very well for the rest of the album arriving soon.  Now let's just all Get High By The Beach, over and over, all day long!  I love my LDR!

While one Jon left us (farewell Mr. Stewart, the world will never be the same without our Daily Show!)... Another John just keeps getting better and better!!  Last Week Tonight is on fire.  John Oliver's take-down of tax exempt churches was brilliant!  Hallelujah! Amen.

Maybe it's the 50% Brit in me, but I couldn't get enough of the UK's Celebrity Big Brother drama this month.  (Thanks Youtube!)  It's the Yanks vs the Brits this season, and seeing as most the the Americans are loud annoying trash, I'm obviously on Team England!  Watch them HERE. 

Insomnia: Obsessed!!

Watch the whole thing HERE.  

This month I added another two new tasty spots to fill my belly.   Zao Asian Cafe and Pot Belly Sandwich Shop; both awesome options to grab a bite to eat for lunch.  Nom nom nom.

 It may not be the happiest place on Earth, but it just might be the most intriguing!  

How does Banksy do it!?

To be clear, I hated Call Me Maybe.  However, this new album, I did not hate.  I actually quite liked Ms Jepsen's E•MO•TIONs.  Favorite tracks included:  Run Away With Me, I Really Like You, Gimme Love, and Warm Blood. 

LOVELIST: July Edition...

I've been living in my current apartment for ages now and just renewed my lease, yet again. It was clear, Trolley Manor was needing some sprucing up for our new year ahead.  Gotta keep it fresh after all.  So after countless trips to Target, IKEA, Home Depot and other stores- not to mention all the hours of painting (oh the carpal tunnel!) I can say I've never loved my Home Sweet Home more.  As for the credit card bill I just racked up, yah-- not so much.

When it became clear that I wasn't going to be traveling anywhere fun for my birthday and was going to be stuck at home, I needed to come up with a worthy Plan B.  So that Sunday I headed down to the Cathedral to cross another thing things off my bucket list.  The shop was great and my artist Adam was amazing. I'm very happy with my two latest additions!   As they say in the tattoo world, I'm sure I'll be back for more.  #Addicting.

When my friend Greg called with an extra ticket for the Lissie show at Urban Lounge, admittedly I was not that familiar with her.  That all changed that night.  I became obsessed with the American folk-rock artist!  She's literally been on a loop all month long. Favorite Tracks Include: I Don't Want to Go to Work, Further Away (Romance Police), What's It Like, Can't Take It Back and I Bet on You.  But also, not to forget about some of her amazing covers of songs like Bad Romance and Pursuit of Happiness!

'Since she was a little girl, it's been drilled into Amy's head by her rascal of a dad that monogamy isn't realistic. Now a magazine writer, she lives by that credo-enjoying what she feels is an uninhibited life free from stifling, boring romantic commitment-but in actuality, she's kind of in a rut. When she finds herself starting to fall for the subject of the new article she's writing, a charming and successful sports doctor, Amy starts to wonder if other grown-ups, including this guy who really seems to like her, might be on to something.'-IMDB  Trainwreck was amazing and hilarious, but also really sweet.  Basically flipping the script of the traditional romantic comedy.  This is officially the Year of Amy Schumer, and we all bow down to her brilliance.   Also, try to spot Tilda Swinton, (it's more difficult than it may sound.)

I was hooked almost instantly from the moment the incredible opening credits had played. And then I truly got super-obsessed with the latest Wachowskis project for Netflix. In Sense8 'a group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world's order.'-RT   

I ♥ Riley, Nomi, Lito, Will, Sun, Wolfgang, Kala and Capheus and their truly amazing gifts!

'Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.' -RT  Ant-Man beat every one of my expectations.  No buggin', just a fun wild ride of a super-hero movie!

In the stylish and cerebral thriller, Ex Machina, 'a young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breath-taking female A.I.'-RT  This incredible science fiction flick will stay with you long after the movie has ended.  I couldn't stop thinking about it!

English electro-pop singer-songwriter Little Boots has released her long awaited third album Working Girl this month.  It was worth the wait.  Favorite Tracks Include:  Taste It, Real Girl, Business Pleasure and Get Things Done.

Perhaps I spoke too soon;  We may have a worthy challenger for 

Official Song of the Summer!

Listen it HERE!

But first...

The guilty pleasure of Summer is back.

(Don't judge!)

Also, for obvious reasons... #TeamClay 

New York-based indie-pop duo MS MR (pronounced Miz Mister) is back with their fabulous Sophomore album How Does it Feel.  Favorite Tracks Include:  No Guilt in Pleasure, How Does it Feel, Tunnels, Pieces and Reckless.

Less reality shows, and more of meaningful television documentaries.  Both Cait and Jazz are changing minds... and changing hearts... And it's a wonderful thing!

Another band I discovered this month was Future Islands. (Thanks Erik!)  I knew from the first song he played, I was going to be an insta-fan! Favorite Tracks Include:  Seasons (Waiting On You), Spirit, Back in the Tall Grass and Light House.   

When I first saw the infomercial for the Jurassic Park Boxed Set: High Heels Edition I almost laughed myself out of the chair.  This viral video gave me everything and more. Category is: Dinosaur Stiletto Realness.  [Clip Clop Clip Clop Clip Clop Clip Clop Clip Clop.]  Watch it HERE.

The struggle is real...

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!