Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster (book)

I would give this book an overall “C” or “so-so” rating. It had it funny moments not nearly as many as her past books (Bitter is the New Black, Big Lights Fat Ass, and Such a Pretty Fat). This was defiantly my least favorite book by Jen Lancaster. I have not read My Fair Lady or her latest novel, Welcome-If You Were Here.


This book is a look back at childhood, high school, college and getting her first “careers” out of college. Her childhood years and the job search areas were the most entertaining to me. She has unusual love for the Green Girl Scout uniform (not to be mistaking for her strong dislike of the brown brownie one) with the sash and all the patches you could get to show how much you know. It got me thinking, I don’t think my mom ever sewed a single patch on mine. Then again, did I ever get a patch?


I am not recommending that you don’t read this book, but if you are an avid Lancaster reader you might want to lower your expectations a little bit. That came out a bit more harsh then I intended.


If you want more of a laugh Jen Lancaster style check out her blog at http://www.jennsylvania.com/ or follow her on twitter at @altgeldshrugged.

Currently My Favorite Website is.....

I recently came upon the website pioneerwoman.com and I am obsessed. This is the website of Ree Drummond. She is a girl who fell in love with a rancher and now has become a true country girl. Her site has everything from adorable photos of her kids, dogs, and ranch animals to great recipes that make you hungry just by looking at them. There are funny stories about her life (the confessions section) and a home and garden sections. You can even get on some great give a ways. Ree Drummond also wrote a book and a cookbook that also fall under the category of newest obsession. Stay tuned for a post on the books too. If you ever need a new recipe idea, want to look at pictures of wonderful flowers and animals, or wanted an insider’s look at living on the farm this is a wonderful site to check out.

Little Fockers (2010)

Another good movie from the Meet the Parents spin offs. Of course there are the hilarious conflict between Greg (or Gayload) Focker and his father-in-law Jack. There is a series of misunderstood events that leads Jack to believe Greg is not worthy of leading the Burns family once Jack is gone.

The characters are still interesting and entertaining. The addition of Jessica Alba’s character added a new element to the plot. She plays a drug rep that is very high strung. She and Greg become friends and as you can image, this relationship does go over well with Jack.

This was a 3rd movie that I really liked. If you like Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers you will like this one too. There is not really surprises and you can predict the outcome but worth watching.

127 Hours (2010)

An outdoor enthusiast gets trapped in by a boulder while climbing in the canyons in Utah. There is not a sole around and very little hope that anyone will be coming soon to rescue him. Luckily he is intelligent and was equipped with the gear needed to give him some hope of survival while stuck there. Over time the mind beings to wonder and play tricks on you. What is real and what is not? What would you resort to in order to stay alive and get out of there?

This was an amazing storyline. Being based on true story makes it even more remarkable. It is so fascinating to see that someone’s will to live is so strong that they could get through something so difficult in life.

When my husband and I watched this movie, my husband was not sure what it was about. Once he learned that it was about a guy stuck in a cave for 127 hours he wanted to stop watching. His thought, like many out there, was “boring” He was wrong and we are both glad that we decided to watch it the whole way through.

The movie could have been very slow and boring but it was the complete opposite. While stuck in the cave James Franco’s charter began to think about this life and flash back to places and people in his life. He also had a few hallucinations which added to the excitement of movie.

This movie has it all; it was funny, suspenseful, heartwarming, and even gross at times. I had to look away during one scene. I would recommend this movie. It is a must-see in my book.

The Dilemma (2011)

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James’ characters are best friends and business partners, who are about to embark on the biggest business deal of their careers with Chrysler Motors. They just need to put the finishing touches on their invention. Which as you can imagine requires a lot of focus, on Kevin James’ part. In the mean time Vince Vaughn finds out that his best friend’s wife (Winona Rider) is cheating on him. As he searches for a way to tell Kevin James, without hurting him too badly, he finds himself in some comical and difficult situations.

The tag line for the movie is “How far would you go for your best friend?” This is the perfect way to sum up the movie. Would you be willing to mess up this huge business deal, your own relationship, friendships, and even your car, just to make sure you are being honest with someone you care about?

Vince Vaughn character is very, Vince Vaughn. He was funny but not a big variation from how you have seen him in recent movies (Wedding crashers, The Break-Up, Four Christmases). The unbelievable part was that Kevin James is the brains behind their business. Without his skills to create the engine that Chrysler wants, the deal will not happen. Not exactly who you would type cast in that role. Queen Latifah was hilarious, with her talk of “lady wood.” I would have liked to have seen more of her charter in the movie.

This movie defiantly had its funny moments; however the best ones were in the previews. This is a renter no need to pay theater prices but it is a good Friday night in movie.

Saw VII

I have seen all 7 of the Saw movies. Can I say I loved every one of them? The answer would be no. Did I like more than the first one? Yes I did. I normally enjoy the twisted plots of who is connected to Jigsaw and helping him with all these kills, especially when he has been dead for the last few installments.
Saw VII was quit a disappointment. I was hoping for more thrills and even for them to leave you hanging, even though it is supposed to the final one. The acting was awful and the twist in the plot was not that shocking or even that good. It defiantly had the blood, guts and crazy ways to die that all the other Saw movies are famous for. So if that is the only reason you watch it, then you will like it just fine.
In all fairness, I did not see this movie in 3-D. That might have made it a better movie, but then again 3-D does not improve acting or the writing of the movie. I am happy this is the last one, because even thought I get excited each time a new Saw is about to be released ,I don’t know that I would went to see Saw VIII.
I would not recommend this movie unless you are just looking to see lots of blood and really crazy ways to watch people die.

Black Swan (2010)

This movie has a ton of previews so you all know what it was about. A dancer wants to lead in the ballet Swan Lake. The role takes its toll on her mental and physically. She really becomes another person while preparing from this role.

Natalie Portman is up for a Golden Globe for this role and rightfully so, she was amazing. Mila Kunis was also very impressive. Guys that watch this film will, for sure, walk away talking about how hot Mila Kunis is.

As for the actually movie, I am on the fence. I honestly don’t know I felt about it. It was not great and it ended leaving me a bit confused. However, I could not stop watching it and once it was over I was still thinking about it. If I had to grade it, I would say a C. It is worth watching but don’t pay theater prices, wait for the rental.

Warning: way more girl on girl love then I expected.