Watch | Read | Listen {August 2014}

How is it August already? I know everyone has been saying that, but it's so true! I hope you've all been having a lovely summer (or winter) and have been doing fun stuff, like watching fun movies and reading wonderful books. In July, I saw Guardians of the Galaxy and it was so awesome that I want to see it again, but I'll refrain and use that money to see The Giver. 

MOVIES

Into the Storm 

The town of Silverton is ravaged by deadly tornadoes and storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come. Most seek shelter, but several storm chasers (Sarah Wayne Callies and Matt Walsh) follow the storm to learn more about it. They decide to help a man (Richard Armitage) who is searching for his son as the storm gets stronger. Honestly, this movie looks insane...insanely good! (August 8)

What If (known as The F Word)

Wallace (Danielle Radcliffe) is a medical school dropout who puts his love life on hold while everyone else around his is finding their loves of their life. Then he meets Chantry (Zoe Kazan), an animator who lives with her boyfriend, and they have an instant connection, but remain friends. Wallace starts to wonder though if maybe the love of his life is his best friend? This movie looks so adorable and I love both Radcliffe and Kazan. (August 8)

The Giver 

This movie based on the well-known novel is about Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), who lives in an ideal but colorless world that thrives on conformity. After he is given the life assignment as the next Receiver of Memory does he start to see things differently, and that their ideal world is not as ideal as he was led to believe. Also starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard, and Katie Holmes. Though they clearly changed a lot from the book, this movie still looks amazing! (August 15)

If I Stay 

Mia Hall (Chloe Grace Moretz) thought the hardest decision would be whether to follow her dreams to Julliard or be with the love of her life, Adam (Jamie Blackley), but that all changes when her family is driving home one day. Her life hangs in the balance between life and death, and she must decide whether she wants to stay or not. I haven't read the book, but this movie looks so moving. (August 22)

Jamie Marks is Dead

Fifteen-year-old Jamie Marks' body was found near the river and now his old classmate Adam McCormick is becoming fixated on Jamie's death. Eventually, a bond so deep develops that Adam can now see Jamie's ghost. But the more attached Adam becomes to Jamie and figuring out what happened, the weaker his ties to reality become. This is completely different from what I usually watch, however it seems really interesting. (August 29)

Other movies coming out:

• The Boxcar Children (Aug. 5)
• About Alex (Aug. 8)
• The Hundred-Foot Journey (Aug. 8)
• Ninja Turtles (Aug. 8)
• Found. (Aug. 15)
• Life After Beth (Aug. 15)
• Love is Strange (Aug. 22)
• To Be Takei (Aug. 22)
• As Above/So Below (Aug. 29)
• The Last of Robin Hood (Aug. 29)
• Starred Up (Aug. 29)

BOOKS & MUSIC

• My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart -- One day Hannah Hart decided to make a fake cooking show for her friend back home in California and My Drunk Kitchen was born. This book features recipes, stories, and tips and tricks. (August 12)
• Adultery by Paulo Coehlo -- A woman attempts to overcome her dissatisfaction with life by having a passionate relationship with a man she knew when years ago. (August 19)
• Sweetness #9 by Stephan Eirik Clark -- David Leveraux is a chemist at the leading flavor production house in America, but while testing Sweetness #9, he notices that it causes weight gain and depression, but he does nothing to stop its production. Years later, it's the most popular sweetener and his family has these side effects. (August 19)
• One Kick by Chelsea Cain -- Kick Lannigan is a survivor of child abduction. After six years she was rescued and vowed never to be a victim again, so she learned martial arts, archery, and knife-throwing. When two children goes missing, a man asks if Kick will help find them by using her experiences. (August 19)

Sinead O'Connor's I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss (Aug. 11) | Imogen Heap's Sparks (Aug. 19)

Ariana Grande's My Everything (Aug. 25) 

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Photo A Day Challenge (August 2013) + Fall Into Place Giveaway! [CLOSED]

These pictures capture all my adventures in New York City with friends and family. During the course of the month, I went to the Met with my family, went to the Strand bookstore with my brothers, walked around Central Park and visited Alice's Teacup (yes, again) with Rachel, and then again visited the Strand but this time with Rachel. This whole summer I visited the city more times than any other summer before and it was wonderful! I knew I had to take advantage of the fact that I wasn't working because now that I'm back in school and looking for a full-time job, I won't be able to go gallivanting into the city on a weekday whenever I want. Well, maybe some days I will. 

Also, I just wanted to let you know that this will be the last Photo A Day Challenge I do until January. I want to be able to focus on writing and not have to remember to take a photo everyday. 

1. Something beginning with N {notebooks} // 2. Incomplete {my novel} // 3. Skyline {NYC}

4. Fresh // 5. Early {still in my pj's} // 6. This means a lot to me {my necklace}

7. A sign {where my novel takes place} // 8. Peek-a-boo // 9. 2 o'clock 

10. Beverage {mango smoothie} // 11. I love doing this! {relaxing by the pool} // 12. Macro

13. Fast {cyclists on Park Ave.} // 14. Trash 

15. The best {getting new goodies via giveaway -- all items are from Lulu & Georgia}

16. Cooking {my version at least lol} 

17. Exercise {Central Park} // 18. Someone you spoke to today // 19. Lost {among these books} 

20. Stairs // 21. Slow // 22. A room {at work}

23. Yellow // 24. In the background  {at the mall} // 25. Culture {American birthday party}

26. Entrance // 27. 10 minutes from home {movie theater} // 28. Corridor

29. Lucky {to have two awesome little bros} // 30. Cluttered {my desk} // 31. Dangerous

♥♥♥

Amy / Dani / Janelle / Jenn / Katie / Nathalie / Sara / Seun / Tiffany / Vicki

These lovely ladies have teamed up with me to present Style Honestly’s First Annual “Fall Into Place” Giveaway!

Fall is a time where the colors change and the desire to shop grows stronger. Who wouldn't want a little extra pocket change to help with the shopping!?

Just because we love our readers so much, we wanted to offer the opportunity for you to win a little extra from us!

This giveaway is open to all and ends 9/11 at 11:59 PM. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
Have a great weekend!

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Inspired By: August Best Selling Books

I got a lot of reading done this month!

I read The Fort by Aric Davis, which was an interesting murder mystery that was not only in the minds of three boys who saw the killer and the kidnapped girl in the woods, but also in the killer's mind. It was creepy and weirdly exhilarating. However, it was unbelievable that the parents would suspect that their children were lying about seeing the killer, but the suspense made up for it. (I won this book via a giveaway on Kristin's blog. Read her review here.)

I enjoyed reading Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. I had to read this because I love everything about Mindy Kaling; her show, her humor, her awesome Instagram (it's like getting a peek into her life). The book was funny and poked fun at her childhood and love life without being depressing. 

I also read Matched by Ally Condie, which was surprisingly better than I expected. As a YA romance I thought it was going to be overly-cute, but the story actually made me think about what people are willing to do for each other, and the romance wasn't superficial (in fact I thought the relationship between Cassia and Ky felt realistic in the circumstances). Most of all I liked that Cassia wasn't a pining girly girl; her progression from girl who follows the Society to free-thinker was believable. 

I read Morning Light by Holland Kane (read review here) and Heirs & Spares by J.L. Spohr (review to come). 

The Cuckoo's Calling

{Click here for item info}

Written by Robert Galbraith (AKA JK. Rowling), this novel is about Cormoran Strike, a man who fought in Afghanistan and who is now a private investigator in debt. When a man walks into his office, saying that his famous supermodel sister was actually murdered and didn't commit suicide, Strike can't turn it down. Soon he's plunged into a world of wealth, beautiful people, and enticement. 

For a party girl look, dance in a tight yellow dress, gold bracelets, and black ankle-strap heels. Or go for a daytime look that can be worn at work or in class: pair a brown moto jacket with a yellow dress, buckle booties, and bright pink clutch. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Orange Is The New Black

Written by Piper Kerman, this non-fiction hilarious and heartbreaking book is now a popular Netflix series (it's so amazing go watch it!). Ten years ago, Piper delivered a suitcase of drug money, but now the past has caught up with her and she must face fifteen months in a federal correctional facility. She has to navigate a world of body searches and enforced rules.

For a comfy look, wear a lace orange sweater, black jeans, black flats, and a white necklace. Or wear a polka dot t-shirt, orange cut-off shorts, and black sandals. Don't forget your orange pencils for the letters you can write in prison. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The Infatuations

Written by Javier Marias, this novel follows Maria Dolz, who visits the same Madrid cafe every morning and sees this one couple there everyday, but on this day the man is fatally stabbed in the street and Maria goes home with the widow to console her. While at the woman's home, she falls in love with a man who sheds light on the crime. This murder mystery is told through Maria's eyes as a metaphysical tale that deals with love, death, chance, and coincidence. 

Wear a button up blouse, black pencil skirt, black peter pan collar blouse, beige belt, and black wedges to the office. Or don a pretty pale dress with black wedges (I have these and they're so comfy!), a black crossbody, and coral drop earrings.  

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Night Film

Written by Marisha Pessl, this literary thriller begins on a damp October night when young Ashley Cordova is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in Manhattan. Veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath digs into Ashley's life, even though her death was ruled a suicide, and realizes that her father is a legendary horror film director who has been a recluse for other thirty years.

When the weather cools, wear a orange blazer, skull print tank, distressed jeans, black short boots, and camera earrings. Since it's still hot outside, try an orange sleeveless top, jean shorts, a blue ombre scarf, and cut-out booties.  

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Which book do you want to read?

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Movies I Want To See (August 2013)

There are so many giant blockbuster movies coming out this month that it's a little crazy. I wish I could see all the movies mentioned, but in reality I'm probably going to end up seeing only two of them -- Elysium with my brothers and Austenland with my friend Avra. Though hopefully I can convince her to see The Mortal Instruments as well. I can't wait for those movies to come out!

The Spectacular Now

Based on a novel, this film is about how Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), a high school senior and charmer, unexpectedly falls in love with good girl Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley). It starts as an unlikely romance, but soon becomes a relationship of haunting passion and heady confusion. This romance looks realistic, heartbreaking, and emotional. (August 2)

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

In this sequel based on the best selling novel, Percy Jackson, the young demigod, goes on a journey to find the fabled Golden Fleece. Percy (Logan Lerman) and his friends (Brandon T. Jackson and Alexandra Daddario) embark on a dangerous journey to the Sear of Monsters (known to us as the Bermuda Triangle). Although I haven't read the novels, I really liked the first movie and I'm looking forward to this one. (August 7)

Elysium 

The year is 2154 and two classes of people exist: the wealthy who live on a space station called Elysium and the poor who live on our overpopulated, crime-ridden planet. The only man who can bring equality is Max (Matt Damon), who desperately needs to get to Elysium because his life hangs in the balance. This movie looks so freaking awesome! (August 9)

Austenland

Based on the novel by Shannon Hale, this romantic comedy is about 30-something woman named Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), who is obsessed with all things Jane Austen. She decides to spend her life savings on a trip to an English resort where men and women pretend they are in Regency-era England. I read the book and now I'm way more excited about this movie than I should be! (August 16)

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Set in contemporary NYC, an ordinary girl named Clary Fray (Lily Collins) discovers she is a descendant of Shadowhunters, half-angel warriors who protect our world from demons and creatures of the night. After Clary's mother (Lena Headey) is kidnapped, Clary joins forces with the Shadowhunters and realizes there's more to our world than she realized. Also starring Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. Despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of the book, the movie looks much, much better. (August 21)

The World's End 

The third movie in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (the other two being Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) is about five childhood friends reuniting twenty years later to attempt an epic pub crawl. They are convinced to do this by Gary King (Simon Pegg), a 40-year-old who won't grow up, as the world is coming to an end. Starring Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, and Rosamund Pike. (August 28)

Other movies coming out in August:

• 2 Guns (August 2)
• Europa Report (August 2)
• Blood (August 9)
• Disney's Planes (August 9)
• I Give it a Year (August 9)
• Ain't Them Bodies Saints (August 16)
• Cute and the Boxer (August 16)
• Kick-Ass 2 (August 16)
• The Butler (August 16)
• Drinking Buddies (August 23)
• The Grandmaster (August 23)
• Passion (August 30)

Which movies do you want to see?

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(via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)

Movies I Want To See (August 2012)

There is tons, I mean TONS of movies coming out in August: action, documentary, fantasy, horror, and lots of indie / foreign films. There really is something for everyone this month.

Craigslist Joe

The tagline is "31 Days > No Money > No Contacts > Endless Possibilities." A young man leaves his whole life behind to see if he can survive for one month by using only Craigslist. He is depending on others from the site for travel, places to stay, food, etc. It seems like an interesting film. (August 2)

Also available on iTunes on August 2.

Total Recall

Starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel in this updated version, the movie follows factory worker Douglas Quaid, who has a beautiful, loving wife, but he wants to use a mind-trip to escape his boring life. He goes to Rekall, the company that turns your dreams into reality, so that he can have the life of a spy, but something goes terribly wrong and now Quaid is a hunted man. 

The main difference between the two movies is that the original with Schewarzenegger took place on Mars, whereas this one is on Earth. I've seen the original more times than I can count, so I definitely want to see this one. (August 3)

The Bourne Legacy

Featuring Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross, who is an agent of Operation Outcome. Because of Jason Bourne, Cross' life is now in danger. Also starring Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton. I loved the first three films, so I'll be in theatres to watch all the action unfold. (August 10)

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

This film about a happily married couple (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who want a child and then surprisingly find a boy (CJ Adams) on their doorstep one stormy night looks so sweet and charming. The couple discovers that Timothy is both strange and magical. (August 15)

Compliance

This chilling film is about whether someone should trust a figure of authority and how far they should go. A manager (Ann Dowd) at a fast food joint gets a call from a police officer that an employee (Dreama Walker, Don't Trust the B-- in Apt. 23) has taken money from a customer. The manager follows the officers step-by-step instructions, believing that she's doing what's right, but how far will she go? And how does she know that the man on the line really is the police? (August 17)

Watch the trailer here.

Sleepwalk with Me

Comedian Mike Birbiglia stars in this insightful and hilarious film as a stand-up comedian who can't express his true feelings to his long-time girlfriend, so his anxiety comes out in increasingly dangerous sleepwalking incidents. (August 24)

Watch the trailer here.

 

Other films coming out in August:

• Celeste and Jesse (August 3)
• The Babymakers (August 3)
• Hope Springs (August 10)
• The Campaign (August 10)
• Cosmopolis (August 17)
• ParaNorman (August 17)
• The Expendables 2 (August 17)
• Sparkle (August 17)
• Premium Rush (August 24)
• Solomon Kane (August 24)
• Lawless (August 29)
• 7500 (August 31)

Which movies do you want to see this month?

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(Posters via ComingSoon.Net)