Home » Archive by category 'culture'

culture

culture

Netflix Watch List

netflix watch list

all images via

I have a terrible habit of picking out movies and TV shows on Netflix. I open up the app on my iPad with the best intentions of watching a foreign film or starting a new cult TV show, but usually wind up scrolling through recently-added flicks or top reccomendations for me to no end. My watch list is getting a little bit out of control now (for every movie I watch, I easily save 10 more to watch later), but I have worked my way through a fair number of hidden gems and TV series. If you’re looking for something to watch but don’t want to get sucked into the vortex that is Netflix, here are seven picks that I can personally vouch for.

  1. Beginners // This is a cool, artsy-type movie – it’s told in a pretty original way, and the story itself is gentle, sometimes heart wrenching, and carries some nice messages about life and love (I’m making it sound really cliched, but it’s actually pretty cute and unique).
  2. Moonrise Kingdom // You’ve probably seen this, so it’s more like a reminder that this Wes Anderson gem is available on Netflix. If not, Moonrise Kingdom is a visually stunning, offbeat, quirky comedy that’s well worth a watch.
  3. Scoop // This was a Woody Allen flick that I’d never heard of and watched on a whim – and of course, being a fan of his, I loved it. It’s quite a charming, funny murder mystery (so…expect some dark humor).
  4. A Cat in Paris // I don’t normally watch animated films (aside from Disney/Pixar, of course), but a friend recommended this to me with the note that the whole thing looks like a painting – and it does. Queue it up if you’re in the mood for a really pretty movie, or if you just love Paris (or cats).
  5. Atonement // I love Ian McEwan, but I’ll admit, I’ve never read Atonement. The movie version, though, is fantastic. The costumes and the acting are superb, and the story is haunting.
  6. The Importance of Being Earnest // If you’re a sucker for witty British period pieces based on books, this one’s for you (pretty specific genre, I know). Truth be told, I’ve never seen this Oscar Wilde classic on stage, or read it, but this version with my favorite Colin Firth is a riot of mistaken identities.
  7. Broadchurch // I’d seen the first episode of this show while flicking channels at least twice, and it was haunting – it begins with the murder of a young boy in the seaside town of Broadchurch, and it only gets more intense from there. I intended to savor this series, but found myself at the end of the first season after just a few days of dedicated binge watching – I couldn’t get enough.

Follow along: Instagram • Pinterest • Tumblr • Twitter • Facebook • Bloglovin

0 comment
culture, web roundup

Best of the Web

best of the web 2

1. Sweater Love // I’ve been looking to stock up on extra-warm sweaters lately, and H&M was my first stop (as always). This one is unbelievably soft, substantial and not itchy, and the pattern works all season long.

2. Pep Talk Generator // This website is just the thing if you’re feeling down, or stressed out, or if you just need a little reassurance. It’s exactly what it says it is: a pep talk generator.

3. French Pop // I saw this music video a while ago – and while the song is catchy (despite the fact that it’s about a cheating girlfriend), it’s the video that I really love. It’s such a creative interpretation of the lyrics, and it’s just beautiful to watch.

4. Sweden Dreaming // Motherhood Around the World is easily my favorite feature on Cup of Jo, and this is the installment I was waiting for: parenting in Sweden. I fully intend to live there one day, and this post reconfirmed my love for the country (like this sentiment: “It’s cold and rainy, so let’s go to IKEA!”)

5. IKEA // Little known fact (haha): I’m sort of obsessed with IKEA. I was just there the other day, and aside from a bunch of magical Christmas decorations, they have new stuffed animals that were designed by children across the world. And naturally, they’re all perfectly quirky – like this neon unicorn.

6. Funny Stuff // I saw this link on Cup of Jo a while back, and I think it’s just too funny – these are the three universal New Yorker cartoon captions.

7. Short Stories // Like the (very weird) stories, love the cover.

8. Must-Read // In case you don’t watch Orange is the New Black, or if you don’t remember Piper’s rant on this subject, please read this article. It’s about everyone’s favorite poem, “The Road Not Taken,” and how everyone completely misinterprets it. 

9. For Food Lovers // I haven’t watched this whole series yet, but it’s very cool – and guaranteed to make you hungry.

10. Cream Scones // I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made these scones in the last month – they’re quick to make and without a doubt the best scones I’ve ever had. Make them at your own risk.

Follow along: Instagram • Pinterest • Tumblr • Twitter • Facebook • Bloglovin

0 comment
culture, personal

Fall To Do List

fall to do list

I get really excited about the start of any new season (except winter), but fall always seems especially full of promise. The weather is perfect for light sweaters and long walks, it’s the perfect time to stay in the kitchen and bake, the holidays are approaching…you all know why fall is great. Lately, I’m feeling especially inspired to make this fall fantastic.

In the spirit of this post, I’ve come up with another seasonal to do list. I think I did pretty well on the last one (8/10!) and I think posting them here helps keep me accountable – plus, I know I like reading these kinds of things on other blogs. Let’s see how I make out! What kinds of things are you looking forward to doing this season?

1. Read 10 books. 2. Find a new brunch spot. 3. Host another board game night. 4. Find a great new fall recipe. 5. See at least two plays. 6. Go to the BSO. 7. Start planning out my trip to France next summer. 8. Learn enough Swedish so I can sort of read a children’s book. 9. Find a new magazine. 10. Gather inspiration in one place.

Follow along: Instagram • Pinterest • Tumblr • Twitter • Facebook • Bloglovin

1 Comment
culture, personal

Checking In

image

I’ve been a little behind on blogging lately – I’ll spare you the details, but last weeks have consisted of some work things rearing their ugly heads, a handful of anxiety attacks over upcoming changes, and some very unpleasant dental work. All of that has left me a little drained, or at least not quite as happy and inspired as I like to be.

sarah kate style just turned three a few weeks ago, and I’m now getting a little reflective. I’m giving myself s small pat on the back for posting so much this summer, but now I’m going to cut myself a little slack. I plan out posts a month in advance, and I tell myself to stay as far ahead of schedule as I can. But then some posts I end up not wanting to do, or I can’t do them as well as I’d like, and then I feel a little guilty, and I usually have no alternative ideas. If I let myself, I go crazy with my blog. And it’s draining. A post that takes a few hours to create gets published and read in a few minutes, and is just as quickly forgotten. Doing that every day can drive you a little mad. I don’t like that, so I’m not going to make myself spend hours in front of the computer if I know it won’t make me happy. Because – and I knew this, I think, but I just said it out loud to myself when I was thinking about my blog last weekend – I don’t want blogging to be my job. Not that I’m in a position where I have to make that choice, but it’s a bit of a relief to recognize that that’s not my goal and I can relax. I started this blog as an outlet (funny how you see that line on so many small blogs, but really, my guess is about half of them want to be full-time bloggers) and I want to fully return to a schedule and content that makes me happy, which maybe means I won’t post every day.

And then, personally, my schedule this summer has left me feeling a little meh. I thought I’d try holding myself to a strict list of deadlines and to-dos this summer, each hour or so having its own activity. And it worked great for a while, but now I’m finding myself uninspired by it. Some days instead of returning to my desk, I’d waste an hour or so online, or watching TV, and end up feeling terribly unproductive and tired and sad, and not get anything done at all. And that’s another thing – I’m feeling almost a little attacked by social media and how superficial it all is, not to mention that there’s always a TV show or movie I should be watching, a blog to catch up on, Internet black holes like Buzzfeed that can snatch all of your free time…so I’m going to be more intentional about the things I take in during the day, so I’m less overwhelmed and less drained, and so that I can ultimately get more done.

I actually wrote all of that a week ago, and it’s taken me this long to get over my inspirationless slump and post it. I have a few more ideas now and some motivation to get back to posting. I’ve been resetting myself with little indulgences like watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s with a scone on a rainy day and a leisurely backyard picnic. Those things work wonders.

(Image source)

 

Follow along: Instagram • Pinterest • Tumblr • Twitter • Facebook • Bloglovin

0 comment

1 2 3 4