Blog Archives
Black Friday: SALE in my Etsy Shop!
Check out the sale!
That’s right, I’ve having a 3-day sale in my Etsy shop! Today is the biggest discount at 20% off, Saturday is 15% off, and Sunday is 10% off – and all items get shipped for FREE! You can’t beat that!
Plus, I have some gorgeous, hand-painted ornaments with gold leaf detail, and the price is perfect, especially with the sale. You should definitely check them out!
It’s a one-stop shop for gifts, jewelry, ornaments, home decor, stocking stuffers, and a super-cute fox cozy for your coffee or tea mug!
Hope to see you in The Bitter Lemon Shop!
Holiday Movie Guide!
Settling in for a long Christmas movie season.
Okay, I waited until AFTER Thanksgiving to mention Christmas… but it’s exactly a month away from today, so let’s get this party started! I often have trouble getting into the holiday spirit, but I feel like this year – we’re all reaching for any drop of joy we can get, as soon as possible.
I’ll be putting up my Christmas tree this weekend, dragging out my homemade wreath for my front door, and of course, watching holiday movies – I admit I’ve already started watching them (as early as two weeks ago #SorryNotSorry).
So, I’ve put together a list of Christmas movies we can all watch, because they’re on TV! Some of them are the classics we all know and love, others are holiday specials, and some are made for TV (a true guilty pleasure of mine). Pick the ones you like, set your DVR, and re-watch them all season long!
The Classics
Christmas With the Kranks (Lifetime) – Starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, this Christmas comedy is the story of The Kranks, who decide to skip Christmas while their daughter is away… until she decides to come home, causing a party-planning ruckus. Airs Sunday, November 27 @ 8pm CST.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (ABC Family) – It’s not officially Christmas without the crazy adventures of the Griswold family! Join Clark and the gang as they attempt to survive Christmas between the stress of decorating, extended family woes, shopping, and waiting for the much-anticipated Christmas bonus. You’ll probably want to buy the official glass moose mug to drink your egg nog from while you watch. Airs Thursday, December 1 @ 6:05pm CST.
WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We’re at the threshold of hell. – Clark Griswold
Disney’s A Christmas Carol (ABC Family) – I know there are so many versions of this classic, but the story of Mr. Scrooge and the three ghosts remains the same, and always gets me in the holiday spirit. Airs Friday, December 2 @ 4:10pm CST.
Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (NBC) – We all know a “Grinch” or two, and frankly, I really just want to be a Who in Whoville so I can hang with Cindy Lou! Airs tonight @ 7pm CST.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC) – For the kid in all of us, Charlie Brown has got to be one of the best little holiday flicks of all time, if only for the great music, and for the tip on not eating December snowflakes. Airs Thursday, December 1 @ 7pm CST.
The Santa Clause (ABC Family) – Tim Allen stars in another holiday favorite with this one, when he TURNS into Santa himself. Gotta love it, and hey, I totally have a crush on one of the elves. Airs Thursday, December 1 @ 8:15pm CST.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS) – A story for our favorite outcast, Rudolph with his bright red nose, and his visit to the Land of Misfit Toys. Produced in 1964, this is a timeless classic. Airs Tuesday, November 29 @ 7pm CST.
Christmas Specials
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Christmas in Rockefeller Center (NBC) – This is a special I have watched each year since I can remember. I love seeing all of the singers in their sparkly outfits, all leading up to the finale of the big, fat tree lighting. This year, expect to see Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Tori Kelly, Dolly Parton, Jordan Smith, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, among others. Airs Wednesday, November 30 @ 7pm CST.
Saturday Night Live Christmas Special (NBC) – Because who doesn’t need laughs around the holidays? And we’re sure to see the Martha Stewart sketch! Airs Saturday, December 3 at 9pm EST.
Made-For-TV
A Christmas Melody (Hallmark) – Starring Mariah Carey and Lacey Chabert, this is the story of two women that meet each other again many years after high school, and a rocky competition over a Christmas pageant creates some small town drama. Airs Tuesday, November 29 @ 3pm CST.
One Starry Christmas (Hallmark) – This is one of my favorite Hallmark Channel Christmas movies! It’s the big shot corporate guy vs. the hot cowboy in a holiday love story, as they win the heart of the same woman. Complete with a starry country song. Airs Monday, November 28 @ 1pm CST.
Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors (NBC) – A movie based around Miss Dolly’s childhood, complete with many songs. Airs Wednesday, November 30 @ 9pm EST.
Of course, there are so many additional holiday movies on this year. What are some of your favorites?
‘Insecure’: Guilty as F**k.
Funny girl Issa Rae.
Well, I told you guys I was done with HBO’s “Divorce”, and I meant it! But seriously, someone tell me if the show takes a turn for the better.
But, last night I still cozied up for a brand new episode of “Insecure” – I’m going to be really sad when we get to the season finale; I really love this show!
So, this week’s episode is the one happening right after Issa slept with her ex, Daniel. At the beginning of the episode, she is driving home from Daniel’s studio and she can she Lawrence sitting in their living room.
She walks in, and immediately tells him she slept with her ex. And Lawrence slaps her across the face, and I literally shrieked in my living room!
Quickly we realize this is just in Issa’s head, and she’s still sitting in her car, outside her apartment. She goes inside, for real, and plays it off – not saying anything.
Instead, Lawrence shows her that he got a friend to help him get the “Broken pussy” YouTube video removed. Issa starts crying and tells Lawrence how thankful she is and how much she loves him. The next morning, she makes him a big breakfast and says they should finally have a date night – look who’s feeling guilty…
Meanwhile, Molly wakes up on Jared’s couch after her wasted night at her coworker’s engagement party. Jared is still pissed off, even after she apologizes to him and thanks him for letting her sleep on his couch.
When she tries to leave, though, he caves and they end up having sex. Very loud sex. Later, she cooks him dinner at her apartment, where they hook up again. But, as they are eating the meal, they start sharing stories of their dating pasts.
Molly admits to kissing a girl in college and also hooking up with one of her professors. Jared tells her he slept with his first boss who was married, and also says he hooked up with a guy once. This does not go over so smooth with Molly. She wants details, and wonders if he is bisexual.
On their date night, Issa and Lawrence see a movie at the mall, and Lawrence takes her to a jewelry store to look at engagement rings. Issa has flashbacks of her night with Daniel and immediately says they need to go.
At work the next day, Lawrence breaks the good news to Issa that he has a job interview at a tech company. Things, he says, might be finally falling into place for them. And Issa feels like a piece of dirt.
Molly and Issa go out for a drink where Molly says she just can’t shake the fact that Jared was with another guy. She really wishes he wouldn’t have said anything to her about it so she could just keep dating him, but she can’t.
Issa tells Molly she slept with Daniel, but that it won’t happen again. Molly advises her not to tell Lawrence, but instead to just move on.
When Issa gets home, Lawrence is looking in the bathroom mirror, practicing some interview questions. Issa immediately kisses him, and they sleep together.
In the middle of the night, Lawrence gets up to use the bathroom, when he trips over Issa’s bag – and her cellphone comes out. On the screen is a text from Daniel: “So we really not talking?”
END OF EPISODE!
Because of course! My jaw dropped. Because now we have two secrets. Issa has clearly made the decision not to tell Lawrence about Daniel… but will Lawrence bring up the text? Now he has to know something went on between them.
There are only two episodes left, and the previews for next week look insane (think Daniel and Lawrence at the same party for Issa’s work)!!!!! GAH!!
I also watched “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” last night because I’m just so excited that Sheree is back. But I’ll spare you – if you’re watching it, let’s chat. Happy Monday, y’all!
Fresh Friday: Flower.
Smell the flowers!
If you’re starting to get the winter doldrums on this Black Friday, try getting a whiff of Flower by Kenzo — this might just be spring in a bottle (minus the pollen). Upon first spritz, it’s floral of course, plus a little powdery. I really like this scent!
As described by Sephora, “Originally launched in 2000, this scent marked Kenzo’s invention of the poppy fragrance. At once soft and floral, notes of violet, vanilla, and rose flourish with sly giddiness. It’s a contemporary perfume for urban women who look to nature for inspiration and renewal.
Uniquely packaged in a bottle embossed with a poppy, both the scent and the flacon have become contemporary classics. As Kenzo’s commitment to nature continues to evolve, so has this iconic bottle: Flower by Kenzo is now refillable. An easy-to-use refill pouch ensures that each bottle can last forever. Flower by Kenzo. A flower in the city.”
With notes of Wild Hawthorne, Bulgarian Rose, Parma Violet, Cassia, Hedione, Cyclosal, Opoponax, White Musk, and Vanilla. And a style that’s powdery, floral, and contemporary.
Sounds about perfect!
And now for the real reason we’re all awake today: THE SHOPPING! If you’re like me, and not big into crowds with shopping carts, check out Amazon, because they’ve got some seriously great deals today! Here are some of my favorites:
