Good Morning, dear friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week. The highlight of my week is meeting one of my readers, Christine, in where else but .... Marshall's yesterday!
Here is a list of all the things that made an impact on me in 2014.
Best Movies
Positively adored this movie. I walked out of the theater smiling.
Just watched this movie on the plane from Dallas. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson are positively brilliant in this feel-good flick. A great movie to watch over the holidays with the family.
Best Music
Madalyn is a high school buddy of mine. I have been listening to this CD in my car for days. I think I have memorized the words to every song. Maybe they would be interested in changing their duo to a trio? You can find the link here.
Best Beauty Products
Without a doubt, Day By Day Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid have been game changers for my skin this year. My milia, age spots, and prodigious pores are a thing of the past since I have used these miracles in a bottle. If I keep using this stuff, they'll start carding me by 2016!
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My new favorite mascara. I can barely open my eyes, my lashes are so thick and long when I use this stuff!
I have been using Jane Iredale mineral foundation for about 3 years now. My dermatologist recommended it to me and I have never looked back. It covers any skin imperfection and the amount of coverage is controlled by how much you apply. Also has a high SPF.
My #2 discovered this perfume last year. Instead of borrowing it all the time, I bought my own bottle. Every time I wear it, I get compliments.
Best Books
I was so curious about this book. The Amazon Editors voted it #1 on their best fiction list of 2014 and it had very little hype. They were right. It is not only beautifully written, it keeps you guessing until the very last page.
Loved this thriller - couldn't put it down. Shocker ending which I couldn't get out of my mind for days.
One of my favorite things about Jojo Moyes' writing is that she does not use the same formula for any of her books. This novel has a quirky, lovable cast of characters as well as an endearing plot. I finished it with a big ol' smile on my face and mist in my eyes.
and last but certainly not least...
Surviving Thanksgiving
and
A Very Chic Christmas
These books are written by one of my favorite bloggers, Ellie O'Connell Decret, who pens Have Some Decorum. My copies arrived last week and I have read them from cover to cover. Both books are illuminated with Ellie's wry humor and chock full of fabulous, mouthwatering O'Connell family recipes.
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Best TV Shows
I can't believe it's over. I watched all 3 seasons of Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and loved every minute of it. The last and final show aired last week which made me very sad. If you're looking for a good series to binge watch, I strongly suggest this one.
My friend, Jelly Bean and my #1 turned me on to this 10-part limited series following a murder in a small town. It ended last week with a shocker of an ending. Great acting and tons of twists and turns. Another great one to sit on the couch and binge watch.
I am addicted to this new show. I count the minutes until the following Sunday, where I can inhale another mesmerizing show. It takes place in beautiful Montauk and centers around a gorgeous cast. It is chock full of insatiable lust and sizzling sexual chemistry. When watching, make sure the kids are in another room.
Most Addicting Site on my Laptop
Vicky from The Westra World wrote a post about how much she enjoyed this photo editor. It is user-friendly and great fun.
Amazon has a deal going on now. You can buy a year membership for you or your loved ones for $33.00.
Best Stuff I listen to on my Phone
My #1 turned me in on to this podcast. It follows a true life murder case that occurred in Baltimore in 1999. Real life witnesses and even the man that is serving time for the murder are interviewed. I'm hooked. Before I started listening to Serial, I didn't even know what a podcast was.
Shout-out to my friend, Sudbury Sweetheart, Mary, for convincing me to try listening to a book while I stroll run, instead of music. I will say that I enjoy autobiographies as opposed to fiction when it comes to the audible format.
As always, my boyfriend, Andy, wrote another funny, entertaining book. I think my neighbors think I'm a little cuckoo when they see me laughing while I am getting in my 20 miles.
As always, my boyfriend, Andy, wrote another funny, entertaining book. I think my neighbors think I'm a little cuckoo when they see me laughing while I am getting in my 20 miles.
Most Comfy
Last Christmas, my #2 gave me these deliciously comfy slippers. I love these things so much, I dream about them!
Last Christmas, my #2 gave me these deliciously comfy slippers. I love these things so much, I dream about them!
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What a fun post!! I read two of the three books you showed but am intrigued to get the first one and will order it for my vacation reading so thank you!
ReplyDeleteI do love my UGGS slippers and dream during the day about slipping into my pjs and jumping into bed at night..lol. Its been a great year overall, with some adjustments still in the works (becoming an empty nester) but not really being ready quite yet!
Of course our fun blog meetups were a huge highlight of 2014 getting to connect with such a fun bunch of girls......hope you have a great day, this was a really fun post!
I love both of those movies, especially Saving Mr. Banks - what a great surprise! I am about halfway into the Affair and if I had time I would sit a binge watch it all. Hoping for a few snow days this January so I can check out The Newsroom. It has been on my long long list. Some of my favorite things? A Chef's Life of PBS - a show about a two married chefs that move from NYC to countryville North Carolina an opened an amazing restaurant. We are going in Feb. that is the first available reservation available. Another favorite this year has been lavender oil. Just using it as a little aroma therapy when I get in a tizzy does wonders.
ReplyDeleteThis is SUCH a great post, I may just have to copy it myself!!! It is amazing how much we are on the same page with so many things - agree completely with "100 Foot Journey", "The Good Girl" (on your recommendation) and "Newsroom" (I am SO sad to see that end!). I need to buy the first book you recommended - I have been too busy to read since Thanksgiving and am definitely ready to bury myself in a book this weekend. I am going to echo Tina's comments - our blog lunches and meeting all of you is at the very top of my "Best of 2014" list! It has been a fantastic year! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love your book picks! I am in a book club, but this is like being in another with a friend who likes all the same books :-)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog from a link on Life in my Empty Nest. Thanks for listing all your favorites. I love using these lists to get new ideas. All of your books are already on my "to read" list. I really liked Saving Mr. Banks, which I also watched on a plane. I read the 100 foot journey (great book) but still haven't seen the movie. I'm looking forward to following your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tanya, for taking the time to comment on my blog. I hope you enjoy the books and movies as much as I did. Have a wonderful holiday!
DeleteDelightful post and I'm going to check out the perfume. I'm flat out and looking for something that no one else has, well, no one around here anyway. :o)) And, PicMonkey, I'm addicted and have been for a couple of years. It is the BEST! And, the skin cream, may have to try it out as well. Christmas blessings!
ReplyDeleteDitto on The Affair! Saw "Alison" on one of the morning talk shows this week. She's British!! and she said Noah is too!!
ReplyDeleteIt's gonna win big at the awards this yr....
I love those slippers; I am on my third pair! My list includes a sugar hand scrub a friend just gave me. It feels so good on dry hands.
ReplyDeleteHad to come back to tell you......based upon your recommendation just ordered those beauty products for both me and my mom:) Next time I get carded I will certainly have you to thank almighty supermodel:)
ReplyDeleteThe perfume and skin care look appealing. Based on your past posts, I believe you have great taste. Going to give them a try. I'd love to be carded again!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing all of your favorites. I want to see both of those movies. I am still mourning The Newsroom and wondering what happened on Gracepoint. I am going to look into that foundation, because I need
ReplyDeletewhat happened to the rest of my comment? should have said I need a new one. xo Laura
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm going straight to amazon to order the beauty products. Dying for a new product that works! We would be best buds if we lived closer…definitely on the same wavelength on movies and books and ugg slippers…heaven!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Katie and thanks for sharing your exquisite taste!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie !
ReplyDeleteYour blog is the highlight of my day !! Great post...I'm a fair Irish girl... as you are... and wondered what shade of the Jane Aerdale mineral make-up you use ?
Wishing you a Merry Christmas !
Hello dear Ellen! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Even tho I have fair skin, I wear Suntan in Jane Iredale. I don't know why they named it that because it is not dark at all. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Ellen!
DeleteMerry Christmas Katie! I love when everyone share's their favorite products! I am going to try the Vitamin C serum. I also am a fan of The Affair! Marvelous acting! Have a beautiful winter weekend ahead!
ReplyDeleteOne of our favorites things this year was meeting you in person, Katie, and we hope our blogging get-togethers continue into the new year. Reading you blog puts a smile on our faces and we look forward to every posts. We'll have to check out some of that skincare you like... We'd love to look a decade younger! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletexxoo
C + C
Merry, Merry Christmas Katy!! Loved your list of favorites. It is always so much fun to see what others are interested in and/or using. have a wonderful Holiday with your family and friends,
ReplyDeleteKathysue
So happy to have shared a little something with you that worked for you too! Great list and between looking for the books and wanting to sniff the perfume, I think I will find some "bests" for myself.
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog and very interesting stuff you got here! I definitely learned a lot from reading through some of your earlier posts as well and decided to drop a comment on this one!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try your skin care...looks interesting. Favorite tip if you want to get carded at 60 years old...buy your wine at Target..lol. Favorite movie.."The Judge"..sure to bring a tear to your eye. Happy holidays.
ReplyDeleteLove your list! I am so behind on reading and watching (even RHOBH!). Once I get home from FL I think I will stay in my jammies for a week binge watching shows and binge reading blogs and maybe a book or two. Now if I can just keep myself from binge eating, too...
ReplyDeleteI love the affair movie so far. But in Season 3, at the finale allows the series to return to Juliette’s point of view, yet I still can’t help but feel like her perspective is a little awkward in the larger scope of the season. There’s no question that Irène Jacob does a fantastic job in the role, but we got to know Vic better than we did Juliette and yet he was someone whose perspective we never got to spend time within.
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