Pierce the Veil's Misadventures Album Review

I've been a fan of Pierce the Veil since A Flair for the Dramatic came out in 2007.  Now, almost ten years later, they're one of my favorite bands.  Every record they release is better than the last and none of the songs are throwaways.  It's obvious they spent a lot of time working on Misadventures, their latest album that came out in May of 2016.

Misadventures is a masterpiece in my opinion because it takes everything I've loved about PTV's sound and made it even catchier, more emotional, and more powerful.  My husband and I pre-ordered the vinyl without hearing any of the songs because we knew to expect greatness from this band, and they did not disappoint.

I love every song on this album, but my favorites are "Floral & Fading", "Circles", and "Today I Saw the Whole World".  I think "Floral & Fading" is the most unique song they've ever written.  It gets me every time I listen to it and it's always in my head.

Last year, I was thrilled to see PTV perform on Conan.  It's rare these kinds of bands get the recognition they deserve.  I remember watching them perform "Circles" and thinking this was the perfect song to play off the new album because it's catchy, there is a lack of screaming, and the subject matter is relevant.  "Circles" is about the Paris attacks, a current event we all remembered.

I have to mention the genius of Vic Fuentes' lyrics.  I've always felt such an emotional connection to his poetic words on every album.  He has a way of making lyrics sound so romantic and powerful.  Some of my favorite lines include "You say you wanna chase the moon like fire, well, together we can fake our own death here..." from "Floral & Fading", "Crashing once again into the center of your moonlit face..." from "Texas is Forever", and  "your undressed spine.." and "My heart is on a pendulum tonight..." from "Today I Saw the Whole World".  

For me to really love a band, I have to love the singer's voice.  Vic's voice is so dynamic and his performances always bring the unique intensity that makes this band so special.

Overall, I would give Misadventures 5 out of 5 stars.  I really think the album is perfect and wouldn't change a thing about it.  I enjoy music that you can tell the artists have put their hearts and souls into.  I believe every member of Pierce the Veil does just that when they write.  Please check out this album if you haven't already!

The Joys of Serving Your Spouse

Disclaimer: I understand everyone is in different situations.  I am speaking in generals here.  

When Brian and I got married, we obviously had to get used to living with each other.  Being the clean freak I am, I went through our whole apartment every morning and straightened up anything out of place.  This included Brian's Bible he left out after leaving for work.  I didn't mind putting it back in his nightstand, but he didn't understand why I had to.  In his mind, there was nothing wrong with leaving it on the table.  But to me, everything should be put in it's place.  I admit I got my way because now our Bibles are kept in our nightstands where they belong and he understands if his things are left out, I will put them away.

Recently, I read an article called Stop Being a Butthole Wife (awesome title by the way).  It has inspired me to write about my own experiences serving my husband.  In her article, this wife describes her nagging attitude towards her husband who she constantly had to clean up after.  Then, when her husband passed away, she realized how ridiculous her behavior was.  I was almost in tears while reading this, because she speaks so much truth.  Why are we as wives so easily annoyed by a few clothes laying on the floor or a few dishes left in the sink?  

Before I go on, I have to acknowledge I am in a unique position because I don't have a full time job and my husband is not a messy guy.  The only times I have to clean up after him are picking up a pair of shorts off the floor or cleaning his dishes.  I'm also an alien because I truly enjoy housework.  I'm serious.  I love it.  My husband works his butt off all day to provide for us, so when he gets home, our house is immaculate, his laundry is done and put away, and there is a home cooked meal ready for him every night.  He shouldn't have to lift a finger.  I absolutely love serving him, because I know if I really needed him, he would help me without complaining.

I'm not trying to depict ours as a perfect relationship, because, of course, we have our disagreements.  I simply want to share my experience, because I see so many people struggle in their relationships because they don't want to serve one another.  I know you're tired.  I know you're overwhelmed.  But what if instead of nagging your spouse the next time you have to clean up after them, you simply complete the task in silence, even if you're cursing them in your head.

Try to think about a positive aspect of this scenario.  You actually have the ability to do this for them.  You're able to take care of the person you love in this way.  They might even notice you've done all that work and not complained once.  It may take a few times for them to acknowledge it, but think about how grateful they will be and how this could positively affect your relationship.

God intended husbands and wives to serve one another.  It has to be give and take.  I'd encourage you to consider all your spouse does for you.  Tell them how thankful you are and strive to serve them without complaining.  This would also be a great example for your children.  Growing up, my mom never complained about having to do housework or clean up after me, my sister, or my dad.  She did it in love and joy.  Watching her serve our family this way and my dad's grateful reactions made it easy for me to step into my role as a housewife.  My mom kept up with the house, cooking and cleaning with two kids, so I know it can be done.

I was specifically touched by the woman who wrote the article above, because she actually lost her husband.  This could happen to any of us at any time.  The work has to be done and you can either complain or choose to be joyful and thankful.  By simply shifting your attitude to one of joy that you're able to serve your spouse, imagine how much less stress you'll put on yourself!

Sometimes it's easier said than done, but what do you have to lose?  Just try and see how your relationships with your spouse and children improve, creating a healthier, happier home life.

My Weekly Hair Care Routine

Since beautiful hair is a sign of health and vitality, I believe it's very important to do everything we can to treat our hair well.  Eating a proper diet to include a variety of fruits and vegetables is a significant aspect of hair health because our hair is nourished at the root.  We should also be cognizant of what products we're using on our hair.  With so many hair care products out there, it can be overwhelming to find a routine that is affordable, effective, healthy, and simple.  That's my goal for my hair and today I'd like to share what I've discovered with you.

Before I get into my current hair care practices, I'd like to share that it hasn't always been this simple.  I used to lather my hair with all kinds of conditioners, hair masks, and heat protectants.  I felt like I was doing all this work to try to improve my hair texture, but it was still dry and frizzy.

I realized less is more and started researching hair care, focusing on products that are chemical free.  I found an affordable brand called Acure and that's what I use for shampoo and conditioner now.  The ingredients are pure and it's effective at cleansing and smoothing my hair.  You can find this brand at health stores or Amazon.  Everyone's hair type is different, and since I have very thick, course locks, I only wash it twice a week.

On Mondays, I coat my hair with coconut oil and let it sit all day while I do my house work.  Check out my blog, Why You Should be doing Coconut Oil Hair Masks, to learn how you can do this yourself.  I wash out the oil that night and let it air dry.  I ditched all the hair products I used to use and because the coconut oil makes my hair soft, smooth, and shiny, I have no use for them anymore.  Please check out my other blog, Could Hair Products be Causing your Breakouts?, to learn more about the damaging effects of commercial products.

I haven't used a blow dryer in years and that has definitely helped reduce damage.  I used to straighten my hair every other day, about 4 times a week.  Now, I only straighten it once a week, which has also helped reduce heat damage.

Another trick I picked up is called The T-Shirt Hair Drying Trick.  After washing my hair, I wrap it in an old t-shirt instead of a towel.  In the article above, it explains this helps reduce frizz because the fabric is more gentle to your hair when it's wet and more vulnerable to damage.

If you have thick, frizzy hair like me, you know that brushing your hair when it's dry can increase frizz and make you look like you have a lion's mane.  It's also not good to brush your hair while it's wet because more breakage is possible.  The only time I use a brush is a few days after I've washed and straightened it (also right before washing it to get the knots out).  That way, there is a little oil at the roots that can be brushed through the length of the hair.  Distributing the natural oil reduces frizz and smooths the shaft.

On Thursday nights I usually wash my hair again for the weekend and I'm good until the following Monday.  Of course, sometimes I have to adjust this routine according to my schedule, but in general that's how I do it.

I hope this has helped you to simplify your hair care routine.  I would love to hear if you have any suggestions to improve mine!

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Fall Review

I'm so conflicted about the final episode of the revival because it includes some of my favorite scenes and scenes I absolutely hated.  It opens with Lorelai in a motel trying to fit all her supplies into her pack for the big hike.  This is an example of a very funny part that didn't last too long.

Throughout the beginning of this episode, Rory keeps seeing strange signs about something coming.  I found this very out of place for the show.  The old people at the Gazette continued to be hilarious and I wish we got more of them. 

Jess shows up at Luke's and it got my hopes up we might get more of him in this episode.  We do, but it's still not enough!  He tries to help Luke think through what's going on with Lorelai.  He seems to be a better therapist than the lady Emily and Lorelai were seeing.  I also loved the part where he rips out the WiFi.

The dreamlike Life and Death Brigade scenes with Rory, Logan, and Logan's friends were the worst part of the revival.  This is what all those signs were leading up to at the start of the episode, and it's even more out of place.  This show is founded in realism and these scenes felt like a fantasy.  I really didn't understand why so much time was wasted here.  While watching it, all I could think was how I wished they had used this time to build Jess and Rory's relationship.

Logan showing up and whisking Rory away while he has a fiancee at home is so selfish.  Especially when we consider these people are in their 30's.  The way they're acting is immature and annoying.  Rory and Logan don't seem to be in love.  They just want to do what feels good and have fun, not caring who they hurt in the process.  They end up staying at a small Inn, and of course Rory and Logan spend the night together.

The next morning Rory is sadly peering out of a bedroom window.  It feels like she really is saying goodbye to Logan, but I don't feel bad for her.  I also thought her goodbye with Logan's friends was weird because they all seemed too clingy for what we saw in the original show.  I don't remember them all being such good friends.  And I have to say, it drove me crazy when they were touching the steak without washing their hands!

Now we can get to the better parts of Fall.  Lorelai ends up not being able to hike because she can't find her permit.  She finds her own private spot with a breathtaking view of trees and mountains.  It only takes a few moments for her to realize what she needs to do.  The phone call to her mom was so well acted by both women.  The story Lorelai shares about her father was very touching and it made up for her drunken speech in Winter.

She abandons her pack and we get that energetic music from the original show when something big is about to go down.  She goes home to Luke and it's clear she's excited to talk to him.  He's surprised she's home early and before she can speak, he delivers an amazing speech about how much he loves her, how he would do anything for her, and she shouldn't leave him.  Then, Lorelai proposes again.  I loved this scene because it was electrified with passion and we get to hear them say all the things they should have said years ago.  Luke gives her a ring and the wedding is set.

The best Rory scene of the whole revival is when she goes to her grandparent's mansion and relives scenes from the original show.  It was very emotional to see those past scenes with Richard.  She begins writing her book at Richard's desk, which I thought was very fitting.

My favorite Michele scene comes when he and Lorelai are interviewing people to replace him.  He's his usual grumpy self and it's clear he won't be impressed with anyone.  His best line is when he says to one of the girls "Your name is Molly.  Why?"  I laughed out loud.

Rory comes home and we see her first interaction with her mom since they had the fight about her book.  They are both quiet at first but warm up to each other over junk food.  They talk excitedly about wedding plans and Rory asks her mom to read the first 3 chapters of the book, promising if it's too invasive, she won't finish it.

Emily's disruption at the DAR meeting was so fun to watch.  This show is famous for showing stereotypical rich white women being awful and Emily finally stands up to them and says what we all think of their ridiculous antics.  She's kicked out and walks happily away from that part of her life.

It wouldn't be complete to show wedding planning without an appearance from Miss Celine.  I also enjoyed Luke and Lorelai getting excited about the wedding because it feels like they are both fully committed and there's no trace of impending doom.

Rory goes to see her dad in a particularly sad scene.  She tells him about the book and asks him how he felt about Lorelai raising her alone.  He seems regretful, but says knows that's how it was meant to be.  This scene reveals to be even more significant once we get to the final four words.

Lorelai visits Emily and finds out she is selling the house and moving to Nantucket.  It's understandable she would want to get away since the mansion no longer feels like home without Richard there.  I loved the way many things get resolved in this scene because there are so many loose ends that don't get tied up in this revival.  Lorelai wants to expand her Inn and Luke has no interest in franchising the diner.  She asks her mom if they can use the diner money for the Inn instead.  Emily is surprisingly agreeable, but of course, it comes with a deal about her and Luke coming to visit in Nantucket several times a year.  The theme of the circle of life comes up again and there's a rare moment where Emily and Lorelai simply enjoy each other's company.

Jared Padelecki's short scene with Rory was perfect.  We find out Dean is happily married with kids and even though he and Rory reminisce a little, there's no romantic tension.

Melissa McCarthy's cameo was of course hilarious and her cakes, with the exception of the milestone cake, were gorgeous.  Her interaction with Michele was funny too.

Emily's story line has a satisfying ending because she is so content.  She's teaching at a whaling museum in Nantucket and it was funny seeing her scaring the tourists when talking about how the whales are killed.  I also enjoyed the idea that she kept the same maid and has  embraced her family, giving them jobs and shelter.  This shows a lot of personal growth and by the end, she's a completely different person for the better.

Lorelai gives Rory the first three chapters back and without reading it, gives her the okay to finish it.  Her one suggestion is to change the name from "The Gilmore Girls" to just "Gilmore Girls" in a cheesy nod to the fans.

I really enjoyed the dynamic Luke and Jess have in this revival.  We get one more Jess scene when Luke is modeling his suit for the wedding.  Jess tells Luke he's over Rory but then looks longingly through the window at her.  Honestly, I'm torn because I really liked this scene and what it could mean, but at the same time, I feel like Jess is too good for Rory now.  She needs to grow up before entering into a real relationship.

The night before the wedding, Luke and Lorelai are discussing how they will feel relieved once they're finally married.  They grab Rory and have a secret night wedding.

Kirk has decorated the town square in lights and we get a gorgeous montage of Luke, Lorelai, and Rory discovering different parts of the set up while "Reflecting Light" plays.  I was happy with the wedding even though we didn't get to see the actual day with everyone there.  It was very fitting for this couple.  The only thing I didn't like was how it seemed to focus on Lorelai and Luke was in the background.

The final scene of the revival occurs where it began.  The girls are sitting on the gazebo the morning after the wedding.  Rory receives a break up text from Paul and it reminds us how terrible she is to have still not broken up with him.  We then get the final four words.  "Mom?" "Yeah." "I'm pregnant."  The first time I watched it, I was caught off guard when it ended.  I instantly felt like there had to be more episodes, because it can't possibly end there.  This also makes the scene with Christopher much more meaningful because Rory is trying to decided whether or not to tell Logan.

This revival had some very satisfying moments and some very disappointing moments.  Overall, I'm happy they made it and with the exception of Rory's story line, I'm very happy with how everything turned out.  I still feel like there is still a lot to explore in this world and would not be surprised if they made more.  

Let me know what you thought of the Gilmore Girls revival and check out my reviews for Winter, Spring, and Summer!

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Summer Review

It's summer time in Stars Hollow and this episode opens at a community pool where Rory and Lorelai are sun bathing.  I've always liked the playful friendship between Rory and Lorelai, but they were very unlikable in these pool scenes.  They made fun of people who were overweight and acted like they were better than everyone there.

April comes to visit and acts very confident in her new college lifestyle in front of Luke and Lorelai.  She talks about pot and is dressed in an ugly baggy outfit.  Later, she breaks down in front of Rory and confesses she only tried pot once and is struggling to make friends or be a normal person at all.  I was glad she got some screen time, but was disappointed with how she's turned out.

We get another town meeting where we find out the Stars Hollow Gazette is closing down and Rory is the only one upset by this.  She ends up volunteering to take over the paper since she's got nothing else going on.

The Stars Hollow Musical was also brought up in the town meeting and Lorelai volunteers to be on the review board.  When they first started discussing this idea, I had high hopes it would be entertaining.  I especially loved Miss Patty and Babette reacting to the attractive men trying out for the musical.  

The secret bar bit was great.  I felt bad for Lorelai and Michel when they were discussing him leaving the Inn.  Zack and Lane playing background music was a nice touch.

The paper delivery scene was funny at first, but I feel like it went on for too long.  Also, the 30 something gang was super annoying.  The only part I thought was funny was when their parents tried to get Lorelai to join them and she couldn't get away fast enough.  

The Stars Hollow Musical takes up ten minutes of screen time, which was way too long.  Even though I did laugh at some of it, we got the point at two minutes.  The best part was Lorelai's reactions because she seems to be the only one who sees the insanity of it.  This musical and the scene where the review board shares opinions was a waste of valuable time we could have spent on Jess or Lane?  Just saying.

Speaking of Jess, I was very happy with his scenes in this revival, even though there weren't enough.  I like how he has clearly grown up and he looked great.  Once again, he encourages Rory.  He says she should write what she's passionate about and suggests she write a book about her relationship with her mom.  It's obvious that up to this point, Rory has been struggling to find a successful writing topic, and it's kind of weird she didn't think of this on her own.  The hug between Luke and Jess was great and I cracked up when Jess threw his hat.

The old people at the Gazette were some of the best additions to the cast because their jokes were subtle.  I also loved the short scene where Rory finds an old article from when her and her mom arrived in Stars Hollow.  This was one of the few Rory scenes I connected with.

Emily is still grieving and is shown sleeping in until noon.  I'm glad they continued to show her still struggling with the loss of Richard.  She's also shown at a DAR meeting gradually caring less and less about the frivolous affairs they discuss.  This is foreshadowing for one of my favorite scenes in Fall.

Lorelai visits Emily and a friend of the family named Jack is there.  Lorelai freaks out because she thinks Emily is dating him and this is never clearly confirmed or denied.  Another fight in the kitchen ensues and Emily is delighted to know Luke never told Lorelai about going to look at franchise properties.  Lorelai is obviously caught off guard and unfortunately Emily uses this against her.

When Rory tells her mom about the book idea, Lorelai is not at all supportive.  She doesn't want her private life on display for the world to critique, which I totally understand.  Rory does have a point that this is something she could thrive at, but she's not considering her mom's feelings and once again acts selfishly.

Lorelai's day gets worse when she has a third fight, this time with Luke.  She confronts him about keeping the diner property outing a secret.  He responds by pointing out she lied about Emily not going to therapy anymore, escalating the fight.  These communication issues come to a head and they start to wonder why they have kept their lives so separate.

Lane finally gets another scene, but is unfortunately overshadowed by Rory and Logan drama.  Rory "breaks up" with Logan over the phone and is once again jealous of Odette- LOGAN'S FIANCEE!

After feeling overwhelmed and lost, Lorelai attends a last minute addition to the musical and I was a little afraid of what we'd be in for this time.  The song speaks to Lorelai in a personal way because the theme is "never or now".  She has an epiphany during the song and we get the final scene of this episode.  She tells Luke she is leaving for 3 weeks to go hiking in California in order to clear her head and think things through.  Luke is shocked and warns her of all she'll have to endure in the woods, but she insists and that is the conclusion of summer.

Between the lengthy musical, more selfish Rory moments, and cheesy bits like the 30 something gang, summer is definitely my least favorite episode of the revival.  It did have some great moments as well and the stories building up for the conclusion made moving on to Fall all the more appealing.

Check out my Winter, Spring, Fall reviews and look out for Fall coming soon!

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Spring Review

Spring opens to an awkward silence during a therapy session with Lorelai and Emily.  They have several sessions throughout this episode and most of that time is spent in silence or bickering as the therapist sits uncomfortably listening.  She doesn't seem to contribute much at all.

The townies are on full display at an around the world food festival where Kirk and Taylor are being melodramatic about it being perfect, which was funny.  This is the only scene with Mrs. Kim, which is a shame because she's hilarious.  I laughed at the tambourine scaring the Korean students while they're singing.  We get a brief glimpse of Lane's father, Mr. Kim, who has never been shown before.  It was like a little nod to the fans that he's been here the whole time.  I'm still not sure how I feel about it yet, but I did laugh.  We also see Jackson, but no Sookie and no kids.  I really wish we could have seen how their children turned out.

Naomi, the woman Rory is writing her book with, continues to be difficult.  Rory is trying to stay focused but Naomi cannot.  I started to relate to Rory's obvious frustration during their meetings.

There was bad blood between Rory and Logan's dad, Mitchum, in the original show.  When Rory and Logan are eating lunch together, Mitchum shows up and there is still tension between him and Rory.  Rory gets nervous because now Logan's dad has seen them together, which could be a problem because Logan is engaged to a French heiress named Odette.  

At this point, I can't stand Rory's behavior.  She's sleeping with Logan knowing she's the other woman.  In the original show, she was furious when she found out Logan was with other women when they were on a "break", so she knows what it feels like to be cheated on.  Yet she still appears jealous when Odette comes to town and we get some awkward scenes between her and Logan trying to make plans about when they can sneak around to see each other.

Unfortunately, this isn't out of character for her because of course, she lost her virginity to Dean while he was still married to Lindsey.  Has she not learned anything from her mistakes?  She didn't want to marry Logan, but now they are carrying on a secret affair.  This has to be the most disappointing aspect of the revival for me.

I was also disappointed Liz, TJ, and Doula were not shown.  There is a phone conversation about them accidentally joining a vegetable cult, but that's all we get.

In one of the therapy sessions, Emily brings up how she's still hurt by Lorelai leaving at 16 with Rory.  After all this time, she hasn't let it go, which is perhaps the underlying source of all their conflict.  

The movie theater is still open and we get to see Kirk's second film about his pig, Petal.  He and Lulu are still together and I enjoyed the joke when she offers Luke and Lorelai the love couch stating "Kirk and I have had some great times on this couch" right after they've sat down.

This is also the episode of the Gilmore Guys cameo at the Dragonfly Inn.  I didn't know they were in it so that was a great surprise.  They're probably my favorite cameo.

Luke and Lorelai go to dinner at Emily's and we find out Richard left Luke money so he could franchise Luke's Diner.  We know from the original show Luke has no desire to do this and is content to keep his business small.  I am totally on Luke's side because I've personally been around people who act like being content with what you have is not enough and you should always want to be more successful.  But not everyone has that desire and this scene shows how people of privilege don't even consider how one might be content with a simple lifestyle.

The scenes with Rory and Paris at Chilton were nostalgic.  I'm guessing Rory's lame speech about music composition was just to contrast Paris' scary speech because there was really no substance to it.  Headmaster Charleston offers Rory a teaching position and she dismisses it pretty quickly.  Paris freaks out over seeing Tristan, and even considers she's still in love with him.  The discussion this causes between Rory and Paris does further the story, but I don't think Tristan should have been the catalyst for it.  It seems like Paris would be stronger than to break down at the sight of a guy she had one date with over fifteen years ago.  But maybe it's just because she misses Doyle.

The scene at Paris' house made me sad because her kids are being raised by the nanny.  This is an echo of Paris' relationships with her mother and nanny.  Paris and Doyle argue in the only scene we get of him and their chemistry is still hot, even when they're fighting.  I almost expected them to start making out like in the original show.  Paris is complaining about having to figure out what to do with the kids since Doyle didn't feed them and it made me wonder why Paris couldn't just spend time with them? 

Rory finally gives in and takes Mitchum up on his offer to talk to Conde Nast, so her interview with them will finally stick.  The interviewers were annoying and it was so awkward to see Rory struggle to talk about the things she's working on.  Everything is left up in the air after this interview.

Emily quits therapy and Lorelai is irritated but stays and talks to the therapist.  We get a little more insight as to why she and Luke aren't married, but it's still pretty vague.  We also get a great emotional story of how she felt when she got the news of her father's death.

Emily drags a reluctant Luke along with a real estate agent to look at potential franchise locations for his diner.  Emily also tells him she quit therapy.  That night, Luke asks Lorelai how therapy went and she lies saying "mom did most of the talking like usual".  Why does she lie?  Is she too lazy to explain Emily quit or is she embarrassed she ended up staying and talking to the therapist by herself?  Either way, this seems pointless.  Luke neglects to tell Lorelai about looking at property with Emily and their lack communication strains the relationship.

Jason Mantzoukas gets a short cameo as Naomi's lawyer and I was excited to see him as well because I've heard his podcasts on Gilmore Guys.  Naomi has him call Rory to tell her the book deal is off and she must relinquish all her research.  Rory seems relieved to get out of this project so she no longer has to deal with Naomi's drama.  She immediately calls Conde Nast insisting she take the stupid "lines" story they suggested in the interview.

This leads to an overnight trip in New York for the Gilmore girls.  I didn't care for all the scenes with the people waiting in lines, and I especially hated the scene where Rory reveals she had a one night stand with a guy dressed in a Wookiee costume.

She does finally tell her mom about the affair with Logan and Lorelai's reaction is very nonchalant.  Rory becomes more unlikable in this scene with all her complaining.

She gives up on the lines story and gives in to Sandee Says, an online website that has been begging her to work for them.  I thought the interview between her and Sandee was annoying all the way through.  I couldn't stand the way Sandee talked and Rory was ridiculously unprepared.  She didn't have any ideas and unsurprisingly didn't get the job.

This episode ends with Rory declaring she's moving home.  All her career endeavors have dead ended and her love life is a mess.  She still hasn't even broken up with Paul!  

We're left with a lot of unanswered questions by the end of Spring, which is why I couldn't stop there when watching it for the first time.  Check out my reviews for Winter, Summer, and Fall!

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Winter Review

I have been watching Gilmore Girls since it was originally on TV in the early 2000's.  I'm 26 and like many people my age, I grew up watching these characters argue, make mistakes, and be there for each other through life's ups and downs.  I watched all 7 seasons on Netflix last year with my husband and was overjoyed when I heard they were bringing it back.  I've also enjoyed listening to the Gilmore Guys Podcast where two guys talk about each episode.  The weekend after Thanksgiving, my husband and I bundled up on the couch with blankets and snacks thinking we would just watch the first two episodes.  We ended up watching all four.  Like many people, I have mixed opinions on the overall revival and since I have so much to say, I thought I'd do in-depth reviews for each episode.  So this is what I thought of episode 1: Winter.

The introduction was quite grand and cinematic.  We see Lorelai and Rory reuniting at the gazebo in the middle of Stars Hollow.  I thought all the sets looked great and it really took me back to the original feel of the show.  Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel look amazing.  This is pretty unrealistic for the show considering their junk food diets.  That plot point is still in full swing during the revival.  I was thrilled to see Luke at Lorelai's house because after 8 years, they are still together.

Luke has always been my favorite character in the show.  He's similar to my husband in that he's manly, loves the outdoors, is handy with tools and fixing things, and is incredibly reliable.  With the exception of keeping April a secret in season 6 and being hateful to Lorelai after their breakup in season 7, I love his character.  He shares many of my viewpoints on the ridiculousness and hilarity of the town's shenanigans.

Rory's story begins rocky and continues that way throughout.  She's been dating a guy named Paul for two years and no one can remember him, even Rory.  She almost acts like she's too good for him.  I can't tell if we're supposed to like him or not, but I just felt sorry for him.

The death of Edward Herman, who played Richard Gilmore, was definitely felt throughout this revival.  The scenes of the funeral flashback were handled very well and you can tell the actors don't have to try to look sad in those scenes.  I did tear up a little when Emily was standing over his casket.

The intense fight between Emily and Lorelai about her drunken speech after the funeral was a testament to the talent of these two actresses.  I started getting emotional myself when they were yelling in the kitchen.  I can see both sides because of course, what Lorelai said about her father was inappropriate and it seems like she should have been able to come up with something better, even if it wasn't super sentimental, as Rory later points out.  But at the same time, it does speak volumes about Lorelai's relationship with her dad and how he was more focused on his work than spending time with her.

Next, we discover Rory and Logan Huntzberger are in an open relationship where they're basically friends with benefits whenever Rory is working in London.  She is also keeping this a secret from her mom.  I admit, I liked Logan for Rory in the original run of the show, but this changes everything.  It's obvious, even in this first scene, this relationship is doomed.

We're introduced to a British woman named Naomi, who is a boisterous drunk.  Rory is trying to interview her for a book they're writing together on Naomi's life.  She's crazy and fun to watch, but it's clear she's going to be a challenge for Rory.

During Emily and Lorelai's fight, Emily points out that Lorelai has never asked Luke if he wanted to have another kid.  This leads to them briefly discussing it and ending up in a fertility clinic called Dynasty Makers.  Paris' unmistakable voice is heard and we find out she's the head of this clinic.  Someone should really explain to Luke he will not be having sex with the surrogates because he's genuinely confused throughout this whole scene.  Ultimately, he's too freaked out and they decide against it.  This story line doesn't go much further, but it does depict how Luke and Lorelai's communication skills still need work.

Speaking of Paris, she's very successful in her career, but is in the middle of a divorce from Doyle.  I was sad when I found out they were splitting, but for some reason it doesn't seem final.  They seem crazy enough to belong with each other.

It was great seeing all the townies again and to know nothing has really changed.  Kirk is still creating weird and hilarious businesses, Taylor is still in charge of the town's affairs and invested in making sure Stars Hollow is the best it can be, and Miss Patty is still teaching dance.  Rose Abdoo, who plays Gypsy, is still working on cars, but she also plays Emily's new maid.  The first time I watched the revival, I completely missed this detail.  I listened to the Gilmore Guys Podcast where they pointed it out and thought it was hilarious.  Especially since she made up her own language for the role.

Lane and her band life was always one of my favorite aspects of the original show.  I always thought she didn't get enough screen time, and the same is true in this revival.  Nevertheless, I loved the scene at her house where we get a glimpse of her and Zack's twin sons.  The camaraderie between Lane, Zack, Brian, and Gil has not changed.  Brian still lives with them which is funny, but I wish he would have been married to Kyon.  I liked the short performance we got, which was only made better by Paris' line "Are they serious?"

I didn't care for the scenes in the Inn with Michel and how they're having a hard time replacing Sookie.  Her absence left an emptiness for sure.

The decluttering scene with Emily and Lorelai was entertaining and it was nice to see them connecting and grieving the loss of Richard together.  Winter ends with Lorelai getting manipulated into going to therapy with Emily, who surprisingly took her daughter's advice to go in the first place.  We as the audience were right with Luke, who tried to warn her.  But honestly, therapy is a great idea for them both.

Overall, Winter was a pretty good start to the revival.  We get to revisit this quaint town with all the characters we know and love.  There's always a coziness to the show and they were able to recapture it.  

Check out my reviews for Spring , Summer, and Fall!

Why Breakfast Isn't the Most Important Meal of the Day

We've all heard it before, from loved ones, movies, and commercials: "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day".  But have you ever really stopped to think about what this means?  Do you ever just listen to what your body is telling you rather than what some company wants everyone to believe in order to promote their products?  Based on nutritional research and my own personal experience, morning is not the time to load up on a big meal.  Starting the day off right is important, but all meals are essential to keep our bodies and minds energized.  

I have never been a breakfast person because I don't really like breakfast foods and I don't have a huge appetite in the morning.  I remember forcing myself to eat processed protein bars before school, just so I didn't skip breakfast.

These days, I have a new approach, thanks to living the Beauty Detox lifestyle.  The philosophies of this program make so much sense because they focus on how our bodies can best handle foods for optimal nutrition.  I only eat when I'm hungry, and that is super important.

I use the morning to continue cleansing from the night before.  Everyone wakes up with bad breath, sleep in their eyes, and oil build up on their faces.  This is the body's way of detoxing through the night.  You can optimize that cleansing process by allowing your body's digestive system (which must use a ton of energy to digest) to rest.  Allowing your body to get rid of excess waste by using the bathroom is also an important part of the morning.

I've been drinking warm lemon water first thing every morning for about two years and I've never felt better.  This rehydrates your body and activates your organs for the day.  The lemon has vitamin C and helps cleanse your liver.  I continue the morning slowly by sipping on the Glowing Green Smoothie.  This gives me energy and nutrients without weighing me down with heavy foods.  If I get hungry before lunch, I'll snack on fruit, which should only be eaten on an empty stomach because it digests the fastest of any other food group.

You may be thinking you couldn't ever try this because you need fuel in the morning, but you'd be surprised how much more energy you have when your body isn't struggling to digest solid food.  The few times I have strayed from this routine, my body feels heavy, sluggish, and full the rest of the day.  Once it got used to this extended time to cleanse, it lets me know when I've messed up by giving me a stomach ache.

Lunch is definitely an important part of the day because you do need fuel and brain energy.  I try to keep my lunches simple and my favorite combination is soup and salad.  Contrary to popular belief, dinner is actually the best time to eat heavier foods.  As long as you're not eating right before you lay down for bed, eating more dense foods is best done at night.  This is because you will be giving your body the entire night to digest without loading your digestive system up with more food.

I believe the idea breakfast is most important of all meals is flawed and outdated.  We need to stop buying into everything we hear about food and really listen to what our bodies are telling us we need.

Give the lemon water and smoothie routine a try for about a week, and I guarantee you won't want to go back to feeling weighed down by heavy breakfast foods in the morning!

Vinyl Haul

My husband and I started collecting vinyl in 2015, and since then we've accumulated quite a collection.  Today I wanted to share my vinyl collection and discuss the stories behind how we got each one.

The first record we ever got was a spur of the moment decision.  We were at a concert to see Wolves at the Gate in April of 2015.  We saw records at the merch table and my husband decided we should get one, just for fun.  We aren't really spontaneous people, so this was a big deal.

We bought VxV and got it signed by all the band members.  At this point we didn't even own a record player, we were just excited to have this piece of memorabilia.

The next vinyl we got was Emery's You Were Never Alone.  We listen to The BadChristian Podcast (two of Emery's members are hosts) where they were promoting this album.  They were selling the record for a fair price so we ordered it online.  We still didn't have a record player, but planned to get one in the future.

We did some research and decided to buy one from Urban Outfitters.  It's a great first record player and eventually, we might get one that's more high tech.  While at Urban Outfitters, we picked up A Day to Remember's Homesick and Death Cab For Cutie's Kintsugi.  

Crosley Vinyl Record Player

Brian and I were checking out vinyls at Hot Topic one day and found Blink-182's Greatest Hits, The Devil Wears Prada's double record featuring Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord and Plagues, and Sleeping With Sirens' With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear and Feel.

Our collection was growing and I decided I had to have Little Machines by Lights on vinyl.  We also pre-ordered To Those Left Behind by Blessthefall.

In November of 2015, we attended Emery's 10 year anniversary show for The Question and got one of the few vinyls they had left.  Unfortunately, we didn't get any autographs, but we did get to briefly meet Matt, the guitarist.

Something strange happened to me at the beginning of 2016.  I discovered Nirvana.  I know I'm pretty old to be discovering such an iconic band, but I guess when I was an angsty teen I got stuck in the early 2000's emo band era and never bothered to look back.  I was only a year old when Nevermind came out in 1991.  I kept seeing their posters in movies and TV shows and heard about them so often I decided to check them out.  I ended up really enjoying their music so I went to Urban Outfitters and picked up Nevermind. 

Lights released Midnight Machines in April of 2016 and of course I had to pre-order that vinyl.  It's one of my favorite records to listen to because of the vibe of the slowed down songs.

In May of 2016, Pierce the Veil released Misadventures.  I hadn't heard one song from the album but I pre-ordered it because I knew it would be amazing.  They raise the bar with each album and they did not disappoint with Misadventures.  I'm so glad I have the vinyl because it's their best album yet.

In October of 2016, Brian and I went to see Hawthorne Heights in concert and we were lucky enough to get the lead singer, JT Woodruff's autograph on our Hurt vinyl.  

Next we pre-ordered The Devil Wears Prada's new album, Transit Blues and got their Space EP.

Finally, the last vinyl we got is by the same band we started with.  Brian surprised me and pre-ordered Wolves at the Gate's latest album, Types and Shadows.

Our collection isn't complete and it's actually a big deal I would collect anything considering I try to create a minimal living space.  But this is one thing I feel is a really special collection because records are so personal and there are creative ways to display them.  I never thought I'd be into vinyl but I believe it's a great way to support the artists.  Investing in records is a way to truly value the music you love.