As I celebrate my fifth year as a film critic with Nashville’s Music City Film Critics Association and gear up for awards season, I'll share more film content here. Actually, all content will increase since I’ll be covering my annual gift guides as well. Today, however, my focus is on the new Black Bear Pictures film, Wicker, which has just hit theaters.
Courtesy: Black Bear Pictures
No matter what you call offline hobbies, they are back and bigger than ever. I’m happy to see young and old alike take up analog hobbies like reading a print book instead of reading on their Kindle, growing a garden, taking care of houseplants, lighting a candle during downtime, or cooking at home. My Friday Faves is a fun look at what analog hobbies have been vying for free time lately.
We’ve made it through September! A month I usually love and view as the kickoff to all things Autumn, but Mother Nature had other plans. The Metro Nashville area broke records, but not in a good way. After August’s searing heatwave, we then had the second-hottest September on record and the first-ever September with no rain. Thankfully, it’s cooled down a bit, and I can actually turn on the oven without guilt. Just in time for this special day.
Hello and happy September, dear readers. I’m coming back from my lackadaisical summer blogging routine, refreshed and ready for all the busyness of fourth-quarter blogging and film award season. I can’t think of a better kickoff than celebrating two major milestones.
August has been a long, hot, and humid month here in Middle Tennessee. Everything in the garden, including this gardener, is looking a little tired and weary this late in the summer. Still, I’ve found peaceful and pretty moments in my August garden to share with you today.
I’m excited to share this sweet tidbit of news in today’s Friday Faves post. When I first received the email invitation to try Levain Bakery’s handcrafted cookies, I literally did a happy dance and immediately replied to that day-brightening email.
Did you miss the opportunity to see Disclosure Day in theaters as I did? With showings winding down across the country ahead of its release to Blu-Ray and 4K later this month, you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video or Peacock, like we did. My mostly no-spoiler review is here to help you decide if it’s worth it.
I’m back from another little mini vacation from work, feeling refreshed and ready to embrace all the “summerween” vibes I’ve been seeing. Even though we’re in the midst of the dog days of summer, I’m ready to start adding a few warm fall decor pieces, so I started in my dining room.
Over the long Independence Day weekend, my husband and I streamed Project Hail Mary. Since we didn’t have the opportunity to screen the film back in March, it’s been challenging not to dive into all the reviews posted about it since then, but I managed to go into this viewing with a clean slate, which is always what I aim to do as a film critic. Check out my mostly no-spoiler review below.
 |
| Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios |
Happy Friday and happy summer, dear readers. I know we hear this a lot, but seriously, it feels like this year is zooming past. Yesterday marked just six months until Christmas! While I love the idea of a Christmas in July sale, I’m keeping things seasonal here. Today, I’m sharing three great books I received for review.
I can’t believe it's the middle of June already! This spring is flying by. My husband and I got to enjoy another weekend movie date, this time seeing his highly anticipated choice, The Mandalorian and Grogu, since the last time we saw mine. The Devil Wears Prada 2. Read on for my no-spoiler review of the latest Star Wars film.
 |
| Movie Poster at our local AMC Theater |
Last weekend was full of Memorial Day and birthday fun for me. I got to spend time with my family, eat delicious food at our annual summer kickoff BBQ, and my husband took me to see The Devil Wears Prada 2 on a special date. I am a huge fan of the original The Devil Wears Prada film, and my husband has watched it with me countless times, so it was sweet that he wanted to share in the experience of attending the sequel with me.
Happy Monday dear readers! I can't believe we're only one week away from Memorial Day, the unofficial kick off to summer. With kids getting out of school soon, and travel season underway, I thought it would be fun to team up with this fabulous group of bloggers to give you an opportunity to win some fun money.
I’m finding it difficult to believe we’re almost to the end of April. The spring is flying by so fast, I didn’t have an opportunity to share Friday Faves in March, so I’m making sure I get this one shared for April. Some of my faves are so good, you may even consider them for last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas if you’re still shopping.
Happy Friday, readers. It’s been a few weeks since I reviewed a book and hosted a giveaway, so I’m happy to say, I’m fixing that today with a wonderful new garden book from Stephanie Hafferty, award-winning homesteader and no-dig garden expert, called The Productive Garden.
Happy April, dear readers. I’m back from my no-blogging spring break, and I must say, the break did me a world of good. I’m back with creative ideas flowing. Today’s post is one of those fateful things. My daughter gave me a gift, which happened to be part of a Gen Z trend of analog hobbies, and I thought, I’ve been enjoying several analog hobbies forever, I should share them on the blog! I’ll start with five hobbies today.
I'm still in movie love mode after the 98th Academy Awards last night. Did you watch it? I loved the romantic gowns and dapper men with their sparkling lapel pins. Jessie Buckley's acceptance speech for Best Actress in Hamnet made me misty-eyed, and Barbra Streisand's tribute to Robert Redford was truly touching. I was equally touched while screening He Calls Me Daughter for today’s post. Below are my thoughts and a giveaway.
 |
| Courtesy: Fathom Entertainment |
I’m pleased to share my first film review of 2026 with you today. What I assumed would be a sad, hard-to-watch film brought me more smiles than tears. The Optimist covers heavy topics, including Holocaust remembrance, mental health awareness, infidelity, suicide, love, loss, grief, and yet, after watching this film, I find it to be perfectly named. Please consider these trigger warnings before reading my no spoiler review or seeing this film.
 |
| Courtesy: Trafalgar Releasing |
For a short month, February sure has felt long this year. I think it’s because of all the harsh winter weather we’ve had to endure. I felt like we all could use some cheering up and hosting a giveaway is a great way to do that! I’ve teamed up with a great group of bloggers for the last Friday in February.
Happy first Friday in February! I’m excited to watch the replay of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games with my husband tonight, so dinner has to be quick and easy. I’m sharing a dinner that fits busy nights, a set of lovely books for the American Horticultural Society and a few bedroom closet organization essentials in this edition of Friday Faves.
Posts
All Comments
