Movie #7: Ocean's 8

While in KC, (which I'll save for another post)I saw the movie, Ocean's 8. I'd seen the previous Ocean's movies and was interested in seeing one with an all-female cast. Like a lot of movies, most of the good scenes were shown in the previews. Womp-womp!

I was pretty impressed with the 8: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, and Awkwafina. James Corden and Dakota Fanning were also in the movie.

The premise is that Sandra is the sister of the now-deceased Danny Ocean and is on her way out of prison. She plans a heist at the Met Gala and slowly starts building her team. As always, things don't go as planned, but they carry off the heist.

See for yourself!

Day 2: Lawrence, KS

Day 2 was a hot day. After working outside in the heat, we had a couple of hours free. I made a friend and convinced her to go exploring. We were going to go to the river, but it was too hot. We walked around Mass Street, downtown. Got a frap at Starbucks and explored stores. We looked at clothing stores, bike shops, book stores, and running shops.

We checked out a cute shop called, Eccentricity. They had jewelry (my weakness) and clothing. I found two bracelets to add to my collection. The clothing prices were high, but the jewelry prices were reasonable.

After that, it was time for dinner and we ate at Free State Brewing Co. I had a really good Apple Walnut Salad and added chicken. It was light and refreshing, since I had to go back out in the heat later. After dinner, we walked around more. Eventually, we ended up at Ten Below Zero for Thai frozen ice cream. So good!!! It was like watching an artist at work.

Then it was back to the track for us for more work. It sure was beautiful out.

Last meal in Lawrence was at Salty Iguana. The hamburger meat in my burrito was unseasoned and ground too finely. Wouldn't eat there again, though their cheese dip was good.

Until next time, Lawrence!

Day 1: Lawrence, Kansas

Even though I've lived 1.5 hours from Lawrence, Kansas all my life, I've never spent much time there. They are the location of our rival school, so maybe that's why.

Anyway, earlier this month, I went to Lawrence to work the Western Athletic Conference Track and Field Championship at Rock Chalk Park. That was the first conference meet that I've worked.

The hotel they had us at was the DoubleTree by Hilton Lawrence. I was impressed with the hotel; the staff were great, the rooms were nice, and the bed was perfect. Would definitely stay there again.

To get me started, my friend gave me an intensive list of her favorite places in Lawrence. After a day in the heat working in track, I changed at the hotel, and headed to Mass Street. Mass Street was really eclectic and fun. They had restaurants, clothing stores, dessert shops, as well as running and bicycle stores.

I started with dinner at one of the recommended restaurants, Port Fonda. It is just off of Mass Street. I actually found parking right in front of the restaurant. I was super hungry, so I ordered their shrimp tacos and a roselle margarita. The tacos were fantastic and the margarita was too strong (the bartender watered it down for me). I would recommend that restaurant and can't wait to go back.

From there, I walked around Mass Street and went in to a few shops. I ended up at the Burger Shack at the Casbah for their highly recommended milk shakes. I ordered and loved their Cinnamon Toast Crunk shake. It very much lived up to the hype. I want another one now!

Thus completed my first day in Lawrence; successfully!

Movie #6: I Feel Pretty

Two weekends ago, my Zumba group went together to see Amy Schumer's, I Feel Pretty. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really like it. It was killer funny and had a good message about loving yourself.

The movie introduced a few actors and actresses I never saw before:

Tom Hopper played the easy-on-the-eyes, Grant LeClair.

You're welcome...

Rory Scovel plays Amy's love interest, Ethan.

He grows on ya!

Aidy Bryant played one of Amy's close girl friends.

There were many other veteran actors in the movie in addition to Amy Schumer:
Busy Philipps
Michelle Williams
Naomi Campbell (also a model)
Emily Ratajkowski (also a model)

Check out the trailer:

I love a good laugh!

Book: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Last month, I finished the uber long book, All The Light We Cannot See. Within the book were three parallel story lines; 1) a blind girl named, Marie-Laure and her father who works at a museum; 2) a German officer who searches for rare gems; and 3) an orphan boy named, Werner with a knack for fixing on radios and transmitters.

In addition to the parallel stories, the chapters are not laid out chronologically, they flip back and forth in time. The book is a daunting, 544 pages.

The story is set during World War II in Germany and France. It took me about 30 pages to get hooked, but once I did, I couldn't wait to see how the three stories would connect.

I will say that I was disappointed with the ending; it wasn't a happy ending for all the characters. Read it and let me know what you think.

Oil Painting

Growing up, I was into arts and crafts, mainly cross-stitch. I finally took an art class my sophomore year of high school, just drawing. I really enjoyed it and got decent, but like all things, if you don't it, you lose it.

Long before meeting my mom and I, my dad was a painter. Our home and the homes of my dad's siblings feature his paintings. He mainly did landscapes. He sold them for years. As long as I've known him, he hasn't painted.

Since finishing my MBA in May, I've finally had time to think about what I want to do. For some reason, I've been feeling artsy. I started with making wood block signs and then hand lettering. I asked my dad about painting and if he'd teach me to paint. For Christmas, dad got me painting supplies: a table top easel, a canvas, practice paper, brushes, paint thinner, a sample of oil paint colors, and palette paper.

Supplies:

Over Christmas break, I was able to start painting. I used the book in the last photo and painted one of the paintings featured it in. My first painting took a solid SIX hours. I let it dry for a week or two and then I touched it up for another hour or so.

Here's the finished product:

I'm super proud of my very first painting ever. It can only get better from here. :)

Music: Sugarland - Babe featuring Taylor Swift

Just heard this song, tonight. Apparently, Taylor wrote this song and asked Sugarland to sing it. Taylor sang on it too. It's super catchy. I think this song will be hugely popular! See what you think.

My Experience Trying Online Clothing Boutiques

I am sick of all my winter clothes and wanted to add some floral and bright colors to my wardrobe. On Instagram, I've been seeing some cute floral shirts and dresses from boutiques. So, I decided to try ordering clothes from boutiques. My coworker uses Jane and Eleven Oaks Boutique. I checked them out and found shirts and a dress.

From Jane, I ordered:

Colorful Colorblock Floral Tunic from the company, Tickled Teal

I still haven't received this and it's been two weeks since I ordered it. :( They keep changing the date of when they've shipped it and when it will arrive. I'll keep you posted on when it arrives...

Then there's this beauty...I ordered the Floral Raglin top in ivory from Loopsway.

This is what I received...

I absolutely LOVE this Brooklyn Floral Midi Dress made by Liam & Co.

It is so soft, fits like a dream, and has pockets.

I love that Jane offers styles in several different colors.

From Eleven Oaks Boutique:

The nice thing about Eleven Oaks is that they don't charge shipping or tax, though their prices are higher because they must be including shipping and tax in the prices. For a 15% discount, use the code: SUNNY15.

Just Can't Wait Cross Top-Coral looks pink in the photos, but coral in person.

I wanted it to look cute on, but it didn't and the color wasn't right on me. :( Trying to sell it on Facebook Marketplace to avoid paying to return it and then only getting in-store credit (had to end up sending it back).

Summer Colorblock just didn't look right, so I'm trying to sell it on Facebook Marketplace (it sold for nearly what I paid for it).

The only item that I did like from Eleven Oaks was their Brinkly Mixed Media Print Top-Navy.

Unlike the other shirts, this was a tighter fit. I love this shirt's pattern and floral.

Eleven Oaks Boutique has the world's most inconsistent sizing charts. Makes ordering very hard. So, I wasn't crazy about 2/3 of my order.

*What's rough about ordering from boutiques is that return shipping isn't free and you don't get cash back, you get in-store credit (boo!).

Book: Rise and Grind by Daymond John

Daymond John shares a lot about his childhood, path to success, and current life in his newest book, Rise and Grind. This is the first book of his that I've ever read. I must say the title grabbed my attention. The book also features the stories of famous people and not-so-famous people who've achieved great success in their lives. He shares their steps to success that can be replicated.

The book highlights hard work/grind as a step to success. He urges readers to chase their dreams, to not be content with one job, but to grind and make their dreams happen. His message resonated with me as I've worked since I was a kid. Now, as an adult I grind to make my dreams happen. In addition to my full time job, I work two flexible part time jobs and am always looking for ways to make money. I also, sell clothes and shoes online. The dream is paying off my car, buying a house, traveling more, and getting a puppy. These are the dreams I can control and work towards.

The book is full of great tips for success and inspiring quotes.

It was an easy read and re-inspired me to Rise and Grind.
May we all put in the work to meet our dreams.

Movie #5: I Can Only Imagine

I had long known the MercyMe song, I Can Only Imagine, but I didn't know the story behind it. This movie tells the story.

It opens with a young boy in the 80s, Bart. He loves music and constantly carries a walkman. He goes to bed to the sound of his parents fighting and screaming, in the morning his mom has bruises around her next. His dad is an angry man. He beats Bart too. Bart's dad is played by Dennis Quaid.

His mom drops him off at camp. There he sees classmates of his and starts journaling. He sees his crush, Shannon and learns she likes him too. He returns home to a moving van. His dad tells that his mom has left them. Bart is devastated. What mom leaves her kid?!

Anyway, Bart grows up trying to avoid his dad. His dad was a football player, so Bart plays football. His dad makes a remark about how many players it took to tackle him, since it just took just one to take down Bart. So, Bart tries harder, which results in two broken feet and the end of his football career. His dad is disappointed again.

So, Bart must find a new elective mid-semester. The only thing that's open is glee club, but he doesn't sing. So, Bart is in charge of sound until the teacher accidentally hears him sing and casts him as Curly in the musical, Oklahoma. He's mortified, but she gives him no way out. He rocks the part to massive applause. While at a diner, his dad sees an ad for Oklahoma with Bart's name in it as the lead. His dad then collapses and is taken the hospital. He's seriously sick. He meets Bart's girlfriend, Shannon and tells him that she's a keeper.

Bart graduates, breaks, up with Shannon, and starts doing sound for a band. Then he starts singing with a band. While on the road, he randomly calls Shannon and leaves her messages.

Meanwhile, Bart recruits a manager to start promoting the band. The new manager gets recording labels to come hear them in Nashville. Despite all the writing and work the band has done, they're told that they aren't good enough. Well, this devastates Bart and he loses it. He takes a break from the band to "go home." The band says he's family and they'll wait for him.

Bart gets home and tries to avoid his dad, but his dad has made breakfast. His dad, Arthur talks about how he wants them to do, like re-do the Jeep. It brings up all of Bart's feelings from growing up. His dad acts like nothing ever happened. Bart storms off and finds a paper in his dad's truck that says he has pancreatic cancer. Then Bart hears his dad beating the Jeep up with a baseball bat. He falls over and tells Bart to hit him, but he doesn't.

Arthur says he's changed and listens to sermons on the radio. Bart takes him to church. He remembers and regrets the abuse. Bart starts to teach his dad more about God. The end is coming near for him. Bart gets the Jeep going and they go for a ride. Arthur is a changed man and the anger is off of his face for the first time in a long time. He's now filled with peace. He encourages Bart to follow his music dream. Bart's dad sets it up so that when he dies, he'll get a monthly check to live off of. Bart is with his dad as he passes away. He sings Amazing Grace at the funeral and it's beautiful.

The band picks Bart up and they're playing again. He writes a song about his dad in heaven. His manager records it and sends it to Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Amy's crew thinks it's the song to bring her career back. Bart calls Shannon and leaves a message that he's written a song that's going to be big. At an event, Amy is going to debut the song. Bart is in attendance. She decides she can't take Bart's song, so Amy invites him to the stage to sing it. He does and as they say, the rest is history. MercyMe becomes famous, the song goes triple platinum, and Shannon and Bart get married.

What a terrific story of redemption and love. I laughed and I cried. I can only imagine what it will be like to be in Heaven, free of the pain of this body, free from sin, and forever with God.