Tag: Life

2024 To Be Read (TBR) List

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Introduction

Thanks for following/reading my blog. This is the year that I got back into reading (for fun), though I didn’t finish a LOT of books. I’m a slow reader, though I was English major (LOL)! I shopped via Amazon Prime, Loyalty Books (a DMV-based indie bookstore), and Thrift Books (a web site w/ a wide selection). There were a LOT of “Reylo” (the shipper name for Rey + Kylo Ren) books published in pandemic life (2020-2023). On Reddit, some Adam Driver (AD) fans have a weekly book club; this also motivates me to read. I’ve been following a few gals who are “BookTubers;” they put reviews on YT.

Currently Reading: Fall/Winter 2023

  1. Loathe to Love You (Ali Hazelwood) – 3 stories in 1 novel; for modern rom com fans
  2. The Love Hypothesis (Ali Hazelwood) – Reddit AD fans are reading; one of the many Reylo books.
  3. The Lives of Robert Ryan (J.A. Jones) – For classic movie (esp. film noir) fans.
  4. Love in the Afternoon (Lisa Kleypas) – Almost done reading; historical romance.
  5. Where Dreams Begin (Lisa Kleypas) – I’m in the middle of the story; historical romance.
  6. Heat 2: A Novel (Michael Mann; Meg Gardiner) – Reddit AD fans book club.

TBR 2024

  1. The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act (Isaac Butler)
  2. The Hurricane Wars (Thea Guanzon) – Reylo/romance/fantasy (dedicated to “rats” AKA AD fans).
  3. Book Lovers (Emily Henry) – From my mom’s book club.
  4. Cruel Beauty (Rosamund Hodge) – Beauty and the Beast retelling.
  5. Thief of Shadows (Elizabeth Hoyt) – Historical/Regency romance.
  6. Yellowface (R.F. Kuang) – Another from my mom’s book club.
  7. A Promise of Darkness (Bec McMaster) – Reylo book; 1st of Dark Court Rising series.
  8. Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman (Alan Rickman; Rima Horton)
  9. Seven Plays (Sam Shepard; Richard Gelman)
  10. The Outsider (Penelope Williamson) – Historical/Western romance.

What are your fave books? Do you have a preferred genre?

Happy holidays (OR happy Winter break) to ALL!

-EMMA

Happy New Year (2023) & Life Update

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Hey wonderful readers,

Can y’all believe this blog started 15 yrs ago (when I was still in my 20s)!? Whoa… Also, it has been almost 3 yrs since the COVID-19 pandemic began (March 13, 2020). I even lost my pandemic weight (12 lbs.) in 2.5 mos- YAY! I got another vaccine (bivalent booster) in mid-NOV 2022. Are some of you continuing to work from home (WFH)? My team voted to ALL do WFH; a few had been doing the hybrid work. We met for lunch (OCT 2022); it was V nice to see some of work team (esp. those who were hired in the middle of the pandemic).

Are you more comfortable being social (indoors)? I’ve been out in the past 4 mos. for a few events, mainly b-days of friends. I went to Arizona (Scottsdale) for Thanksgiving; my nephews are growing up SO fast (and looking cute, as always)! As I noted before, I was at the Noir City DC film fest (OCT 2022) in AFI Silver Spring (my neighborhood). Going to new movies about 2x/mo. (as I did for several yrs.) is NOT common anymore! Since 2019, I’ve noticed that MANY new movies have a (short) theatrical release, then go over to a streaming service. What is your fave streaming service?

You can follow me on IG and Twitter at knightleyemma. On IG, I’ve posted mostly re: beauty and food (in the past), BUT am branching off into other topics. Lately, I tweet (or retweet) re: Adam Driver’s work and related matters. The actor was shooting Megalopolis in Atlanta before the Christmas holidays; this is a movie dir. (and financed) by Francis Ford Coppola. The trailer for 65 (a sci-fi movie out in March 2023) was released recently, so do check that out (below). There will be a new podcast out soon re: Driver’s work.

Thanks for reading, subscribing to, and sharing my blog!

Best wishes,

Emma.

UPCOMING REVIEWS (2022 Releases):

Everything Everywhere All at Once (rent: Amazon Prime)

The Menu (HBO Max)

White Noise (Netflix)

UPCOMING REVIEWS (Film Noir):

Impact (1949) (rent: Amazon Prime)

Niagara (1953) (rent: Amazon Prime)

Elevator to the Gallows (1958) (HBO Max)

UPCOMING REVIEWS (TV/Streaming Shows):

House of the Dragon (E5-10)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (S4 & S5; Amazon Prime: Paramount+ Channel)

The White Lotus (S1 & S2: HBO Max)

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

Doctor Who (S6; HBO Max): Starring Matt Smith (recently on House of the Dragon).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (S6): 2nd re-watch of this season.

Trailer for “65” starring Adam Driver

Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” in Peril Amid Ballooning Budget, Crew Exodus (Exclusive): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/francis-ford-coppolas-megalopolis-in-peril-1235284875/

Francis Ford Coppola: No Truth To Apocalypse On “Megalopolis” (includes response from Driver): https://deadline.com/2023/01/francis-ford-coppola-no-truth-to-apocalypse-on-megalopolis-1235216222/

Happy New Year (2022)!

Emma1 Comment

Hey to ALL my wonderful readers,

Can you believe that it has been almost 22 mos. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 13, 2020)!? A few wks. ago, someone on my Twitter feed wrote: “Your reward for surviving the pandemic is more pandemic” (TOO real- also a BIT funny). My 2nd nephew was born- V cool! I became permanent at my job at GWU (after a long wait). I got a holiday bonus (rare in past jobs). Most importantly, I was able to get vaccinated in a timely manner (and later got the booster); I stayed healthy all year (luckily)! I cut way back on the news after the past Summer; I was a MSNBC watcher for several yrs. I don’t know how I’d have made it through this (crazy) time w/o my neighbors/friends, podcasts, and this blog (which helped me feel less anxious- NO joke).

Thanks for reading, subscribing, and sharing my blog posts!

You can also follow me on IG and/or Twitter: knightleyemma.

-Emma

UPCOMING REVIEWS:

Movies w/ Adam Driver:

Silence (2016)

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

The Dead Don’t Die (2019)

The Report (2019)

The Last Duel (2021)

Star Trek Universe:

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) – This is the final TOS movie.

Star Trek: Voyager (S7) – This is the final season.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (S4-7)

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

And Just Like That… – This is the SATC reboot; 5 eps are available on HBO Max. I’m most interested to see what happens w/ Seema (Sarita Choudhury), who is Carrie’s realtor and new friend.

Girls (S4) – I’m re-watching the series on HBO Max (b/c Driver is part of the ensemble).

Sephora Spring 2021 VIB Sale (4/9-4/19) Recommendations

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Skincare

Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence: A great toner for ALL skin types (I’m combo to oily- FYI). Get mini size to try, or see if part of a skin set (good value). This brand is ONLY at Sephora, not at ULTA (where I mostly shop).

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum: I already like it, though have ONLY been using it for the past 3 mos. I (luckily) found it over at my local TJ Maxx. I’m NOT so knowledgeable re: serums, BUT this works on me!

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40PA+++: Having grown up under the desert sun of AZ, I take sunscreen very seriously! This is a great choice, esp. for those of you who have tan to deep skin tones (leaves no white cast) and/or need a natural-looking sunscreen under makeup.

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 42: Another great SPF choice, if you’re seeking something non-greasy and natural.

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator: I’ve used this 2-3x in the past- need to get one soon. My lips are just in bad shape!

Makeup

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: I almost couldn’t believe that I used up the bottle in early 2020; I rarely finish my foundations! (FYI: My shade is 300). This MAY be a bit too thick/full-coverage for some, if you’re in hot/humid weather this Summer.

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick: These were recently on sale (Sephora and on the brand’s site). I’m all stocked up for myself and gifting! Here are the best colors for those w/ tan skin tones: Spanked (my everyday color), Thicc, Ma’Damn (red), S1ngle (nude), and Freckled Fiesta (terracotta- great for Fall).

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer: If I didn’t have a stack of new lip glosses, I’d get this product again- LOL! I used the original color (Fenty Glow) in 2019; the brownish color (Hot Chocolit) looks fab for tan skin tones.

Sephora (Fall 2019) VIB Sale Recommendations

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Top 5 Products I’ve Tried (& LOVED):

  1. Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder (for gentle/daily exfoliation, or try a kit w/ a selection of products in smaller sizes)
  2. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter (great for Winter or those of you w/ dry skin all year round)
  3. Supergoop SPF 40 Unseen Sunscreen (current sunblock; won’t leave white cast on tan or deep skin tones; great under makeup)
  4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (a must for nights, incl. in Winter)
  5. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Fenty Glow (a current fave)

Products I’m MOST Interested in Buying:

  1. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (tried before; great reviews from those of all skin types)
  2. Fresh Evergreen Routine Gift Set (b/c love this brand)
  3. Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm (b/c just always into lip balms, starting from my “low maintenance” years)
  4. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer (great reviews; tested the product before)
  5. Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (Y355 is my shade; recently tested product)