August 2017 Monthly Favorites!

Oh, August. That gross (at least in my area of the US) transition month between summer and fall. Nothing that exciting happens in August, except for the start of school for some kids and the anticipation of autumn and the coming of the big holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas). But there were a few things I hearted in August, despite it being a sticky and hot month that does not at all seem like fall is coming (again, in my neck of the woods. How I'd love to live in a place where the leaves actually turn red and gold. *sigh*). There were a few pop songs that I thought were so incredibly catchy that I should be ashamed that I like them, but honestly, I don't care if someone catches me singing to them in the car. That's how much I like these bops! I also mentioned a few new horror movies to get you in that Halloween mood (and to help cool you off in this heat by sending a chill down your spine!) and my DIY Chocolate Frog making homage to the start of the Hogwarts school year/anniversary of the epilogue of the last Harry Potter. Like me, this Monthly Favorites is a mish mash of random things but hopefully you'll enjoy reading it anyway!

Books:

That Weird Girl Life

Who loves free books? I love free books! (Did you sing that? I know I did) I've been pretty infatuated (I feel like I've been using the word "obsessed" a lot, so I'm trying to switch it up every so often) with Goodreads lately and the fact that they have a GIVEAWAYS section! If there's one thing I love more than books, it's giveaways and contests! (That's a lie. Books will always be my #1) After entering dozens and dozens of these Goodreads giveaways (like, over 500 giveaways. Yeah, I'm pretty dedicated) and winning four books (I know! I'm the unluckiest person ever and yet I won a few times! Crazy!), I compiled a list of all of my best tips to better your chances of winning a giveaway! You can read my post about Goodreads giveaways here. If you do read my post and use my tips and win a giveaway, let me know! I'd love to hear what you won! Good luck and have fun entering the giveaways and discovering new books! As for me, I'm going back to entering more giveaways and adding way too many books to my to be read list. It's a problem, guys.

Music:

RCA Records

Younger Now- Miley Cyrus

I love how Miley Cyrus songs have now currently infiltrated my iTunes library as she's been releasing new song after new song. I loved the stripped down, honest quality of Malibu, and Younger Now is no different. Which is so weird because I've never been a Miley fan, but I absolutely love this new raw and simple sound of her new songs. Seriously, listen to Younger Now. It's nostalgic yet hopeful for the future. Who would have thought that I'd be crossing my fingers hoping that Miley Cyrus' new album is good???

Interscope Records

Fetish- Selena Gomez

I don't know why I like this song but I do. I really, really do. Selena Gomez doesn't have my favorite singing voice of all time (I'm not sure who that award goes to yet. When I do I'll have a trophy made and sent to that person. I'm sure they'll appreciate that more than a Grammy), but this song is sultry and catchy, which makes for an excellent song that you don't really mind getting stuck in your head. (But that music video is totally batsh*t bonkers. I don't get it and I probably never will and I'm completely fine with that.)

Simco Limited/Epic Records/Sony Music Entertainment

He Like That- Fifth Harmony

And here I thought Little Mix were the queens of bops! (From my past few Monthly Favorites, you can probably tell that I am now an official Little Mix fan) But Fifth Harmony's new songs are really growing on me. Ever since that one girl left (Camilla Cabello, maybe? Listen, it's bad enough for a twenty-something like me to like girl groups and their poppy songs, but it may seem even more sad if that certain twenty-something- who shall remain nameless- is caught up with the drama of a member of a girl group going solo), I've been liking their songs even more. He Like That is the perfect song for the end of summer where you just want one last pop song to help you celebrate the end of the warm months. And honestly, it's kind of nice when girl groups' music grows up to more than just some bubblegum, sugary pop and gets a bit more edge- and dare I say, sensuality? (Oooh la la!)

Big Machine

Look What You Made Me Do 

& 

Ready For It- Taylor Swift

What the hell is up with Taylor Swift and why do I love it?? I used to love Taylor Swift back in her Fearless days, which is something since I actually hate country music. Like, a lot. I mean, some of the poppy country songs are catchy and fun (who can not love and sing along to Before He Cheats whenever it comes on?), but there was something about young country Taylor Swift's songs of heartbreak, yearning, and being in love that were so wonderful. I'm not ashamed to admit that her songs literally helped me through numerous breakups and boy troubles. She was quite possibly the soundtrack to my late teen-early 20's life. But once she went full steam on the pop train (choo choo!) I lost interest. Not that I don't like pop music (obviously. Look at the previous songs on this list), I just didn't like Taylor's 80's inspired, electronic-style music. Plus there was this whole overexposed in the media thing, what with her dating life, her friends (squad goals, gag me!), and controversies (not counting the court case, which I thought was a big step in awareness in sexual assault and how the victims need to report the assailants so they can be held accountable for their actions). I was just kind of done with this new Taylor Swift we had in our lives.

But I am completely okay with her new set of songs! Which a lot of people aren't (have you seen the hate on Twitter? Yeesh). Sure, she's still riding that pop train- to, I don't know, pop town?-but these songs are catchy and I love the self-awareness she has in the Look What You Made Me Do music video and Ready for It is just a great song. I'm now cautiously excited for her new album, reputation, but I'm not going to get my hopes up, just in case. Please don't disappoint me, Taylor! I need a new slam dunk pop album to play on repeat! (My Katy Perry CD Teenage Dream is currently asking me to put it out of it's misery. I swear I once heard it whisper "kill me now...")

Movies:

Amazon Studios

I have a soft spot for romantic comedies. They're silly, unrealistic, predictable, but so fun and comforting to watch. I know the story and formula, I know it's going to end with the couple getting together, but I still enjoy the ride and root for the couple to end up together. Most rom-coms are ridiculous and have really contrived plots (they hate each other at first-he's a scientist and atheist, she's in a wacky religious cult that thinks the world is flat!-but after being forced to live on a working goat farm together, they eventually fall in love over their shared interest in pancakes! But only with Aunt Jemima syrup), but some come along that are just so good and relatable. The Big Sick is one of those and I cannot not say enough kind and wonderful things about the movie. It's written by an actual married couple, actor Kumail Nanjiani and producer/writer Emily V. Gordon, and it is based on their actual love story. (Really, look up the story, it's crazy and amazing) It's hilarious, moving and the relationship portrayed is so realistic and honest. Please, go see it! I think it may be my new favorite romantic comedy of all time! (Of course my most favorite romantic drama is Atonement) Comas have never been so romantic! (Hence the title of the movie!)

Warner Bros.

In case you've never read this blog: Hi, I'm Emily and I love horror movies. Specifically the supernatural/paranormal kind aka ghosts and demons centered ones. It seems like good supernatural horror movies are hard to find (meanwhile the world is lousy with gory slasher movies), but when the first Conjuring movie came out, I knew that good ol' supernatural movies were back and better than ever. The Conjuring movie first introduced us to the demonic doll, Annabelle (based on a supposed real like haunted Raggedy Ann doll) and our lives were forever changed (at least, mine was). The popularity of the Annabelle story-line spawned a spin off movie about Annabelle's origins, Annabelle. While it's not my favorite scary movie (after a strong start, I felt like the story and scares kind of tapered off throughout the movie), you bet I saw that movie and relished and shivered in the idea of a possessed doll (seriously, is Annabelle not the creepiest doll you've ever seen in your life??).

So when the prequel to the Annabelle movie came out (is it weird to have sequel that's a prequel? A sprequel, so to speak?), I knew it was going to be good, especially after hearing about the premise. Annabelle: Creation is about the origin of Annabelle, and you guys: it's so much better than Annabelle. Really! The story-line was so creative, the movie was incredibly scary and had some great jump scares, and it tied into the first Annabelle movie so seamlessly. I was incredibly impressed. And I love that they are expanding The Conjuring universe even more. After the success of the two Annabelle movies, they're making The Conjuring 3 and a spinoff from The Conjuring 2 about the demonic nun, titled The Nun (duh). To say my horror loving heart is excited is probably the understatement of the century. Bring on the scary movies that give me goosebumps and make me run to my room after I turn off the lights in the house because I'm terrified that there's a demon behind me!

Also, fun fact: James Wan, the director of the first two Conjuring movies, once liked one of my tweets:

Twitter/That Weird Girl Life

I know. I'm such a classy broad!

IFC Midnight

This is probably the most original horror movie I've seen in years. Really. I had no idea where the plot was going, but I was along for the ride and the twist was just so unique and brilliant. I don't want to give away too much, but an autopsy reveals a dark murder that has dangerous consequences for the morgue workers. Trust me, it's going to be a underrated horror classic, so watch it this Halloween and show it some love!

TV:

You know how in my last Monthly Favorites, I talked about how I signed up for a free trial for Hulu, just so I could watch The Handmaid's Tale and Harlots? Well, I decided to keep Hulu and basically it may be one of the best decisions I ever made! (That's an overstatement, but you get the idea) I don't have cable, so I love the fact that I can watch shows from Comedy Central, TLC, and so much more. I had forgotten how much I loved The Mindy Project, ever since it moved from FOX to Hulu (booo) and I stopped watching. But now I'm back and forever shipping Mindy and Danny (even though he got really controlling once they started getting really serious, but I'm hoping they'll both mature and work it out in the end) and watching old seasons of Fixer Upper and Cake Boss. Ah, this is the life! I 💗 you, Hulu!

Odds & Ends:

That Weird Girl Life

On September 1st, 2017, it was the historical moment when the epilogue of the last Harry Potter book took place. In honor of this hallowed day and the fact that everything that happened in the Harry Potter book is now in the past (*sob*), I decided to try my hand at making my own Chocolate Frogs! I thought they turned out pretty cute and I filled them with a variety of different fillings (Reese's spread, Oreo's, marshmallows, etc.). I wrote a blog post about making them and you can check it out to learn more and see more pictures of these adorable (and yummy) froggies!

That Weird Girl Life

Pinterest

You guys, I'm back on Pinterest after a long hiatus and I have to say, I don't know why I left in the first place! Oh wait, I know: because I was spending way too much time on it. But I'm showing some restraint and having a great time pinning storybook style homes to my Dream House board and imagining when I'm super rich and can build my own. Or move into a historic English cottage. Or a haunted Victorian mansion. Do I just want to buy a house? Anyway, follow me on Pinterest if you want to see all of the weird things I've been pinning!

One last thing...

Is it too early to say Halloween? No. It's never too early to say Halloween! Christmas fanatics have all of November and December to get ready for their big day, so why can't Halloween enthusiasts have all of September and October? Keep autumn Halloween! (And Thanksgiving too, I guess, but Halloween comes FIRST! Respect it!!) So to sum up, I'm very excited for Halloween.

🎃

What did you think of August's favorites? What did you think of my song choices? I know, I'm turning into such a pop fan! I can't help it though, pop is sooo catchy! Have you seen any of the movies I mentioned? Did you like them or not? Let me know in the comments!

Stay Weird,
Emily