Hey guys! Sorry for the radio silence the past week.
May was the busiest month of my life. Between three work events in three weeks, driving down to Virginia twice in two weeks, my mom getting hip surgery, and meeting an great guy I've been super happy but super exhausted and unmotivated. Today starts a week-long work event called Wine & Food Festival that goes from today until Sunday and my mom is recovering from her surgery, so I have too much to keep me occupied at the moment.
But fear not! I'll be back on June 19th!
Until then, I hope you have a great start to June!
It's May! That means flowers springing up, warm weather, and my best friend's wedding! Let's do this! I've already seen the new Guardians movie and it was hilarious. The next on my list is the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie. I'm a sucker for those. What do you want to see and read this month?
MOVIES
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
The gang is back for another kick-ass space adventure with lots of action, humor, and heart. Old foes are back as allies and now there's a new unexpected villain. I've already seen it and I LOVED IT! (May 5)
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Guy Ritchie brings his dynamic style to epic fantasy action adventure. Tracing Arthur's (Charlie Hunnm) journey from the streets to the throne after his father is murdered, Vortigen (Jude Law), Arthur's uncle, seizes the crown from him. It's only when Arthur pulls the sword from stone that his life begins to change. I have to say this looks really intense!(May 12)
Everything, Everything
Based on the novel by Nicola Yoon; Madeline, a teenage girl (Amanda Stenberg) who lives her life stuck indoors because of her immunodeficiency. When a boy named Olly (Nick Robinson) moves in next store, they develop a friendship and message each other back and forth, but Maddy wants to leave her house and see the ocean. I NEED to read this book before the movie comes out! I hear it's really good! (May 19)
Baywatch
A reimagined Baywatch follows devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) as he butts heads with a brash new recruit (Zach Efron). Together they uncover a local criminal plot that threatened the future of the Bay. Who else thinks this looks hilarious?!(May 26)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Lies
Johnny Depp is back as everyone's favorite pirate! The latest adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazar (Javiar Bardem), escape from the Devil's Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea--especially Jack. These movies are so much fun and I need to see it!(May 26)
Other movies:
Dead Awake (May 5)
Snatched (May 12)
The Wedding Plan (May 12)
Abacus (May 19)
Alien: Covenant (May 19)
Fight for Space (May 19)
Berline Syndrome (May 26)
Black Butterfly (May 26)
Drone (May 26)
BOOKS & MUSIC
--Astrophysics For People In A Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson -- The essential universe, from our most celebrated and beloved astrophysicist. What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. (May 2)
--A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas -- Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. (May 2)
--Into The Water by Paula Hawkins -- A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.(May 2)
--The Dark Prophecy (Trials of Apollo #2) by Rick Riordan -- After experiencing a series of dangerous trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he's gaining in new friendships. (May 2)
--Spill Zone by Scott Westerfield -- Nobody's ever really explained the Spill. Was it an angelic visitation? A nanotech accident? A porthole opening from another world? Whatever it was, no one's allowed in the Spill Zone these days. (May 2)
--Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy -- Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever. Since then, it’s been Ramona and her family against the world. Standing over six feet tall with unmistakable blue hair, Ramona is sure of three things: she likes girls, she’s fiercely devoted to her family, and she knows she’s destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. (May 9)
--Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdhieh -- The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place and her future has always been out of her hands. En route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace. Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. (May 16)
--York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby -- It was 1798 when the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York with a vision for a magnificent city: towering skyscrapers, dazzling machines, and winding train lines, all running on technology no one had ever seen before. Fifty-seven years later, the enigmatic architects disappeared, leaving behind for the people of New York the Old York Cipher—a puzzle laid into the shining city they constructed, at the end of which was promised a treasure beyond all imagining. By the present day, however, the puzzle has never been solved, and the greatest mystery of the modern world is little more than a tourist attraction. (May 16)
--When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon -- Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. (May 30)
My word for 2017 is progress. I want to make progress in many aspects of my life, most importantly my writing and my health. My goal is to have the second draft of my fairytale retelling done by March 1st. It's just a deadline I've given myself so I can push it back if I have to since I don't know how long it will take me to go through the first draft and make edits because I've never done it before. Wish me luck!
My other goal is to be healthier. I did really well the first half of last year -- I went to the gym with my friend Avra two or three times a week and I drank at least one bottle of water each day, usually two. But then in July things went downhill. I went gluten-free in September and it's made all the difference. I feel lighter and healthier and I'm more aware of what I eat, but there are still plenty of bad foods out there that are gluten-free (I'm looking at you, french fries!). So I'm going back to the gym and making a conscious effort to eat better.
Say goodbye to Rose Quartz and Serenity, and hello to Greenery! This light green is refreshing and soft and I can see myself wearing it a lot this year (and for years to come). Pantone says "Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew." Something we all need this year.
Greenery is the perfect neutral color that works year round, but it's especially great for spring and summer. Pair a light green dress with a nude shoe for a feminine and classic look. When mixed with navy heels and tassel earrings, it makes for a cool, fun look.
Tops
Who says you can't go for an all-out green look? Mix Greenery with a beautiful emerald green for a darker, sexier feel. If neutrals are your thing then pair a light green shirt with jeans, and some taupe -- a watch, earrings, and booties.
Outerwear
Usually olive is a popular color for jackets, but show off your love of Greenery by wearing a yellow-green coat. Make Greenery feel light and girly by adding a pale pink dress and flats to your outfit. Or if you want to up the fun, sunshine-y factor, pair Greenery with a bright yellow cable knit sweater and Converse sneakers.
Accessories
If you're like me and don't have a green thumb, you can wear Greenery accessories or add it to your home. Brighten up a black dress and booties with a green belt, watch, and nail polish. And Greenery pairs beautifully with this pale blue sweater and blue jeans.
