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:
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That Weird Girl Life |
Music:
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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:
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Amazon Studios |
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Warner Bros. |
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:
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Twitter/That Weird Girl Life |
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IFC Midnight |
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:
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That Weird Girl Life |
That Weird Girl Life |
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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
I saw Annabelle too! It was so scary, had me jumping at bits!
ReplyDeleteEmily xx
http://www.underthescottishrain.com
I saw it by myself and I kept jumping! The person next to me kept looking at me all annoyed, so I'm glad someone else found it scary too! ;) Thank you so much for reading and for your comment! <3
DeleteSuch a great post - I love the Younger Now song - I've been jamming to it.
ReplyDeletehttp://ohduckydarling.com
Aww thank you!! And thank you for reading my post and commenting! I really appreciate it. :) Same here! It's such a good song, I've had it on repeat for days!
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