Current Mood

Happy Fall y'all

Reading...

Social Creature: A Novel

This mystery thriller by Tara Isabella Burton was recommended to me by a friend who loved it. I'm not really into the writing style which lacks a sense of coherence at times but the premise of a poor social media savvy psychopath who strikes up a friendship with a rich vapid social media obsessed millennial and infiltrates her life is interesting. It's kind of dark and mildly implausible yet plausible at the same time. I can't saying I'm loving it because the characters are all so unlikable.

Watching...

Hotel Del Luna

Hotel Del Luna is a fantasy horror romance about a mystical hotel that exists to cater to ghosts and prepare for their journey to the afterlife. The caretaker played by IU has been punished and forced to run the hotel for over 1000 years. Yeo Jin Goo is the human manager who comes to work at the hotel. This drama follows a format that features a sub-story in each episode that supports the overall plot. You get a sense of the high production values is the impressive sets and visual effects and story is quite compelling. There is good character development too. The only element I'm not feeling so much is the romance but that doesn't take away from my enjoyment of this series. There is supposed to be an American remake which I'm sure will just miss out on all the charm. Just watch the original instead. I'm glad South Korean dramas are getting more recognition. Some of us who have been watching them for decades, have know all along how awesome they are.

Watched...

Squid Game

Squid Game is the global sensation with the notable distinction of being the first Netflix show to reach number one in every country the streaming platform is in and is on it's way to being it's top show ever. We started this drama last week and ended up binging it over the weekend because too many spoilers kept popping up. The premise centers around 456 people deeply in debt who have been chosen to compete to win 45.6 million won (about $38.4 million USD) by playing traditional children's games with deadly consequences. Well crafted and acted, Squid Game is a keen commentary on modern capitalist society, social inequality, debt and poverty as well as the inequitable systems designed to keep people from escaping these cycles of debt and poverty. This issue is not limited to South Korea which is probably why this drama has resonated with so many people around the world.

Implementing...

A 16/8 Intermittent Fasting Schedule

This is pretty much how we eat in our house anyway so we're formally adopting it to stay accountable.  16/8 means fasting for 16 hours and only eating during an 8 hour window which is fine since we already make a habit of not eating after 7:00pm in our house already. I'm not doing this for weight loss as much as for overall health and weight maintenance. Fasting triggers autophagy needed for healthy metabolism and has many research-backed health benefits including better brain function, lower blood sugar levels, and lower inflammation. I'm proud that my husband and I didn't gain any weight during the pandemic because we made healthy choices and upped our exercise.

Craving...

Soups

When fall arrives, I inevitably start craving soups. This Toasted Grain Soup with Crispy Mushrooms and Kale is at the top of my list to try making. The combination of vegetables, herbs, beans, and grains sounds so hearty, healthy and delicious. 

Loving our...

Breville Soft Top Cordless Electric Kettle

We have been wanting an electric kettle for awhile and after reviewing countless kettles, we finally decided on this one. It just boils water and shuts itself off so it's not all that fancy but that's really all we need it for so it's perfect. The price is very reasonable and it looks nice in the kitchen. And because it doesn't have a stainless steel exterior, it stays cool to the touch. 

Using up ...

My Beauty Product Samples

As much as we would like to, we just don't feel like travel is that safe right now so I've been using the beauty product samples that I usually save up for vacations before they expire so they don't go to waste. Some real gems from Sulwhasoo and Peach & Lily which both happen to be brands I already adore.

Enjoying...

Weleda Rosemary Invigorating Bath Milk

I've made no secret that I'm a big fan of baths for therapeutic effects and I'm always on the lookout for cool bath products. A combination of uplifting natural essential oils and soft natural soap, this bath milk stimulates my circulation as well as my senses. 

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