ONE || Big Little Lies
Brian and I binge-watched this in one night—literally 8 hours straight of nonstop Big Little Lies. Per usual, we’re late to the party on this one (it premiered in early 2017), but we’ve been on a murder/darkness kick with Castle Rock and Sharp Objects and needed something to fill in the queue.
Thus, we broke down and watched the first episode. AND IMMEDIATELY LOVED IT.
According to my sweet husband, Reese Witherspoon’s character Madeline Mackenzie is my id. Her dark, petty sense of humor has her saying lots of things I think but would never dare speak aloud.
The show is a thrilling peek into the lives of California’s mega-rich families and their drama.
TWO || What If
Featuring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan (from The Big Sick), What If is really charming and quirky. It straddles the rom-com genre lines without being too cliche. That being said, the plotline is centered around the age-old question: Can men and women be just friends?
I really enjoyed it, and I think it could be the perfect movie to turn on once the weather starts to change and the days get shorter. It’s got that hygge vibe.
What If is a new favorite.
THREE || The Best Ways to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage
This article is based on a divorce attorney’s recently published book If You’re In My Office, It’s Already Too Late.
The advice is good, though somewhat cliche—communication is key? Who knew?—but it offers sage foresight: hints of things to look out for before it’s too late. It’s helpful info all couples need to hear, even those who aren’t married.
FOUR || The New Yorker: Fiction
If you want to feel intellectually superior but aren’t super into NPR, then may I recommend the literary podcast, The New Yorker: Fiction.
Featuring renowned authors/writers each month, the podcast is centered around the magazine’s fiction section. The invited author chooses a favorite story, reads it aloud, and discusses it with Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker’s fiction editor.
There’s like no reading involved, so it’s perfect to stimulate your brain without having to, like, use your brain. Because that’s a major headache.
FIVE || Solvang, California
We went to Solvang over the Labor Day weekend, and it’s one of our favorite spots in CA. About an hour away from where we live, Solvang was settled by immigrants from Copenhagen in the 1900s and is still a beacon of Danish culture. There’s lots of wine, delicious pastries (Aebleskiver is a must-eat), and not much else.