My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Greetings to all my semi constant readers and welcome newcomers. It is almost March a the new year is flying by. It is almost Oscar night and everyone will be reviewing those movies. But not me! So here goes.

1) HBO just released a new series based on Liane Moriarty's best seller Big Little Lies. Starring Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern and Reese Witherspoon in one of her best roles. The story of secrets, friendships and uneasy alliances along the beautiful Monterey Coast. Adam Scott and Alexander Starsgard provide great support for these amazing women.

2) Reese is also developing this thrilling roller coaster of a read In A Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware into a film. A Bachelorette Party in the English countryside turns into a nightmare. An enjoyable read and I anticipate a great movie. A page turner.

3) Get Out , a new genre of horror brought to us from the mind of Jordan Peele. In this political and racially charged environment it is great to see something like this out there. Walking a great line between horror and dark comedy successfully, this is one of the few movies in recent times that got a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Starring Daniel Kaluuya trapped in seemingly racist town to visit his girlfriend's ( Allison Williams) parents played by Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford and things go from bad to much much worse.

4) For all of the Marvel fans of Legion it should not disappoint. although I am not familiar with the story line, I am a fan of good production values and these are very good. Featuring Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens in the lead and the great Jean Smart and Aubrey Plaza in wonderful supporting roles. Our hero has been told all his life he is mentally ill and while off meds he finds out who he truly is. Looking forward to see how it all plays out.

5) The Girl With All The Gifts movie based on the best selling novel by M.R. Carey is a new twist on the Zombie genre. Featuring Glenn Close and Sennia Nanua as Melanie. While it is missing some of the better elements of the book, it is nonetheless a very interesting watch.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Hello to all my semi-constant readers out there ! So much going out there, but on this blog we only celebrate good things and I post only things that resonate with me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

1)  I am furiously watching Taboo with Tom Hardy! This is a captivating series about the shipping trade in London in the1800s. I am sucker for production quality and this delivers . There is a dark grittiness that you can feel and the supernatural thread that runs through adds an eerie tone. Amazing acting from favs such as Jonathan Pryce and Michael Kelly round out a great cast. Tom Hardy is so charismatic that he lives and breathes his character.

2) With the tragic loss of Mary Tyler Moore , I have been watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show on Hulu. Lou Grant, Rhoda and Phyllis all have so much chemistry together it seems like a master class in comedy. There never has never will be anyone like Mary Richards. She can turn the world on with a smile. And we need her now more than ever.

3) A documentary on HBO not to be missed is "Beware The Slenderman".It follows the true crime of two 12 year old Wisconsin girls and the 2016 brutal attempted murder of their best friend to appease the fictional Slenderman. The Slenderman lives in the darkest part of the internet and has become subject of  video games, stories and art and it seems children of the current internet age all are familiar with him. What his purpose is changes in all the stories and this film explores his affect on children.

4)  Reading The Girls by Emma Cline a debut 2016 novel fictional account of a cult closely resembling The Manson Family. Cline carefully examines the wants and needs of a fourteen year girl in a broken California home in 1967. Our main character Evie is exactly the profile that fits with the Manson girls and there is so much detail I really felt and envisioned each part of the story as she gets drawn into belonging in the dark and disturbed world of this cult.

5) Sandra Monica Boulevard- Sandra Bernhard's new incarnation of a show is all the things you want in a Sandra show. Her sharp satirical views on the current political climate, Hollywood and NewYork . She started the show with "Say Goodbye To Hollywood " and did a whole bit on super agent "Sue Mengers" that was hilarious and spot on. No one was safe in Sandyland as she regaled stories of her Trump supporting father and his bevy of ex wives with colorful vignettes on each one. She even delightfully skewered Susan Sarandon and her famous décolletage. it was a wonderful evening of comedy and song that only Sandy can bring.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Hello to all my semi -constant readers , we spent a couple of days in the wine country , making a night in Napa to see a show and visit some friends. Wonderful  sunny weather with a bit of a chill but all the green rolling hills after all the rain was worth it all. Looks like our 5 year drought is over. Which reminds me - I have 5 new obsessions.

1) We were lucky enough to see the incredible Rick Astley at the Uptown Theater in downtown Napa, thanks to our amazing and kind friend Rob Doughty known and loved by all as Rotten Robbie "DJ  Extraordinaire " The concert was amazing and Rick joined us earlier for a photo. A great set list including "Uptown Funk" and a mashup with Rihanna's dance hit "Only Girl in the World" plus cuts from his gospel tinged new release "50". One of the best shows I have ever seen.

2)  Breakfast at Grace's Table downtown Napa was a treat with homemade pastries and a delicious Quiche and Bread and Pumpkin Soup. the perfect place to hole up for an hour and read the paper. 

3) The Oxbow Public Market is the place not to miss. Hog Island Oysters, a bakery, a coffeehouse fresh produce and a distillery all under one glorious roof. Stop by for some of the famous oysters, shop and hit Napa Valley Distillery Tasting Salon & Bar Shop to find some of the best mixers and one of a kind syrups that you can sit and sample a wide array of crafted cocktails.

4) Heading to Guerneville a favorite stop is Korbel Champagne Cellers. A very moderately priced winery with free tastings which is very rare these days or my favorite is to sit outside with a bottle of deep red Korbel Rouge Champagne (not found in the stores) and soak up the sun.

5)  Downtown Guerneville has one of the best seafood places around . A Trip to The Russian River is not complete without the Seaside Metal Oyster Bar of the most delicious Seaside Chowder I have ever tasted.Featuring fish, mussels,squid, shrimp, smokey bacon and potatoes. Fresh oysters and Champagne and chowder is the best evening ever!

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Greetings to all my semi constant readers!! Everyone is having the post holiday blues. I will give you a quick 5 this time , some of my favorites right now.

1) La La Land has got to be one of the most creative musicals to come out of Hollywood in years. The pairing of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is magical. The love story between Gosling -a jazz pianist and Stone an aspiring actress is told with a lush score and some great numbers . Purchase the soundtrack while you are at. I cannot stop playing it. "City of Stars" is hauntingly beautiful.

2) The OA has got to be one of my favorite series on Netflix right now. It has a compelling story and a great cast. There are all the elements that made Stranger Things such a surprise hit with a more adult theme. No spoilers here!! Brit Marling is luminous as Prairie Johnson and a favorite of mine Phyllis Smith from The Office is a revelation. This series offers hope to the hopeless and faith to those with doubt. The emotional impact of the final episode of the season shows why we need both!

3) Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix with the Amazing Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf is a darkly funny watch with a fav of mine Joan Cusack. The Baudelaire Children are adorable and the production has all my favorite aspects of Pushing Daisies thanks to Barry Sonnenfeld and Bo Welch.

4)  City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin - the third installment of The Passage is as engrossing a read as the first two installments. It follows our protagonists as they fight the final battle with the virals. If you loved the first two you will love this as much as I did. Our heroes will stay with you long after the book is done, Get all three right now!

5)  Rounding out number five is M. Night Shyamalan's new movie offering "Split" starring James McAvoy as a man with 24 different personalities who kidnaps three teenage girls. If you are a fan of M. Night Shyamalan You love this even more because the last few minutes there is a big jaw dropping tie-in!

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

🏝🌞Puerto Vallarta Edition🌞🏝

It is that time of  year, when the chill factor is a topic of conversation and you realize after careful shopping for friends and family, you never really got what You wanted. And to top it off we all got new unsavory neighbors in The Whie House. Pack Your Bags!! It is time to treat yourself and grab your closest friends and head to PV. Where you can let yourself be who are you are and nobody cares.  The locals have seen it all , honey and they don't bat an eyelash. We have been going for years and I have so many favorites but I will narrow it down to 5.

1) I have stayed in sumptuous villas with a chef, housekeeper and a private pool to the infamous Blue Chairs right on the beach, however an all new all adults all suites luxury resort is nearing completion and rooms are now available. The Almar Resort Luxury All Suites and Spa. Run by an amazing staff featuring my friend Erika Tello the Sales Manager who is delightful and wants to make your
stay a vacation to remember. Large king bed rooms with big in room jacuzzis, fridge and wet bar and an ocean view  plus lovely L'Occitane amenities. If that is not enough a delicious breakfast included and the topper is an all day access to Mantamar the beautiful beachside pool situated right on the beach with waiters who will swim up to you!! You may choose a large cabana for two on the top deck or one right by the pool and three hot tubs. Comfy beds with curtains to close for privacy or open for viewing and sun. Either way keep lunch and the icy cold tropical drinks coming. Or.... a lovely deep massage on the beach by the talented Jehu Ochoa. He was amazing. And as a friend of mine please contact Erika Tello and she will be happy to offer you some amazing deals. See email address below.

salesmanager@almarresort.com

2) After a day of fun in the sun head over to La Palapa for delicious Ceviche and Cranberry Margaritas. Right on the beach and you can watch a beautiful sunset sipping an snacking in paradise.This place is an institution in PV.

3) We were lucky enough to grab some tickets to see the Unsinkable Varla Jean Merman at The Palm Cabaret and Bar. Although we have seen her many times, she never fails to disappoint. A combination of videos , songs and lively banter with the audience not to mention costume and wig changes as the perfect way to spend a warm PV evening.

4) One of the best meals I have had in PV -and there have been many is at Cafe Des Artistes by Thierry Blouet. We were seated in an amazing magical hanging garden outside with twinkling lights and the bustling of the super attentive staff ,we ordered The Temptation Menu featuring 5 choices- I had a fresh Oyster  with San Blas Vinaigrette with Cucumber pearls and Smoked oyster mousse on a fresh tostada.A Butter Tamale Gnocchi Style with Cilantro Pesto, Goat Cheese and a steaming Veg Bouillabaisse poured over. A delicate spiced Sea Bass baked With  a light citrus sauce, a Confited and Roasted Duck Leg with  Chilhaucle Mole from Oaxaca ,Potato Mousseline and Smoked Beets. Dessert was Fresh Figs Tarte and Cheesecake. All with delicious chilled Chardonnay and a complimentary plate of French  Macarons was the Perfect Ending.

5) After a lovely walk on the Malecon watching the sun set on all the beautiful sculptures along the way head over early to Panchos Takos where for about $11.00 US you can get 8 Tacos Al Pastor and 2 large fresh Margaritas on the rocks. Some of the best tacos around but go early -the line gets long ! This is the best treat for your last day in the sun but check their hours online first.