we come to this place for magic
we stay in case we get to watch someone get slapped, and when that doesn't happen, it is just a three and half hour broadcast with a lot of commercials and maybe five (feels generous tbh) nice moments
You’re getting this a bit later tonight because I wanted to wait to be able to include my thoughts on the Oscars. To start things off, within the first 5 minutes of the show…
Andrew Garfield gifted us a perfect reaction gif
Then Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian and only the second woman of color to win Best Actress. Embarrassing for The Academy, but so delighted for her.
Austin Butler did NOT win, which now has me wondering whether he’ll finally drop the Elvis voice or simply choose to commit even harder. Hoping for the former, expecting the latter.
Nicole Kidman, the spokesperson for THE MOVIES, was in attendance looking insanely gorgeous, so smooth, and majorly checked out. Aspirational, really.
And before the show, in an interview with Ashley Graham, Hugh Grant seemed like he would have rather been literally anywhere else
Really my biggest takeaways are so happy for Everything Everywhere All At Once, bummed for Angela Bassett, glad Women Talking got SOMETHING, and at peace with the fact that if I didn’t watch one of the nominated best picture films before tonight, odds are good I’m never seeing it. Looking at you, All Quiet On The Western Front.
My favorite films nominated for best picture were Women Talking, Triangle of Sadness, and Everything Everywhere All At Once, so if you haven’t watched any, start with those. Or Top Gun: Maverick I guess since I don’t know anyone who had a bad time watching that.
Tonight was also a nice reminder that there is no official timeline for your career or success. That if you stick around long enough and do the work, it will be noticed and hopefully rewarded. Yes, Ke Huy Quan’s speech made me cry. Did you NOT cry? Are you a feeling person? Oh and also, loved the below moment from (one of) The Daniels’ acceptance speeches.
Watching Lately
So besides all 3+ hours of The Oscars, here’s what I’ve been watching lately…
Shadow And Bone Season 2
I attended the premiere (thank you Netflix for having me!) where they showed the first episode of the upcoming season (which comes out Thurs March 16th I believe.) Going in, I had only seen the first episode of Season 1. Fully intended to binge the rest of the first season over this past week before the Thursday premiere; then…yeah that didn’t happen. BUT the season 2 opening episode was so action packed, I was still far more entertained than I was confused.
For anyone curious about how these premiere events work, basically you get there and walk the carpet, you watch the episode, and then you get ushered over to the after party. This time, it was in the Netflix Lounge. I made friends immediately with the other two content creator girlies and we spent the whole night on the dance floor. I could not have had a better time. Oh and would you look at that, a photo of me on the carpet…
YOU Season 4 Part 2
When I tell you I GASPED. The TWISTS! Oh. My. Goodness. Why did I let myself think for even two seconds Joe Goldberg was capable of being a good person?? At the risk of spoiling aboslutely anything for those who haven’t watched yet, I will leave you with the below tweet:
Abbott Elementary
They never miss. I don’t know what else to say. I laugh out loud every week, and you should be watching.
Shrinking
I remain behind on this show, watching episodes in 15 minute increments. Which is not the way a 30 minute show is meant to be consumed. I know this. But here we are. Enjoying it, but not enough to finish an episode in one sitting. I’ll work on that for next week I guess.
It is with a heavy heart that I also must report New Girl is leaving Netflix after 10 years on the platform. Please respect my privacy at this time; this has been my comfort rewatch, the show I fall asleep to on nights my anxiety is bad, for YEARS. I simply do not know what I will do*
Netflix DID announce that season 3 of I Think You Should Leave will be streaming on May 30th. Because triples is best. Watch the show. Get the reference.
* I might pay for Peacock, a simple solution, as that is where New Girl will be moving to, but truth be told, I don’t think even this will get me to pay for that streaming platform. Only time will tell.
**UPDATE LITERALLY 30 MINUTES AFTER HITTING POST** New Girl will also be on Hulu, which I do pay for ad free, and so all is right in the world again.
Reading Lately
This week I finished reading Lisa Jewell’s latest thriller, None of This Is True. It comes out in August (thank you Atria for the advanced reader copy). Two words for you all: PRE ORDER. Three more words: I loved it.
The premise briefly: one night, two women— Josie and Alix — meet in a pub where they are both celebrating their 45th birthdays; they are birthday twins, born on the same day in the same hospital. A few days later, they cross paths again. Unassuming, if not odd, Josie suggests that Alix, a fairly successful podcaster, should feature her as the next subject of her series, as Josie feels herself on the cusp of a big change. Alix agrees, but the more she comes to learn about Josie, the more unsettled she becomes; And yet she cannot stop herself from indulging further. Which ultimately leaves Alix as the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her families’ lives in MAJOR danger.
I won’t say more because SPOILERS but basically no one is doing it like Lisa Jewell. She’s the master of the thriller, and I found myself completely unable to put her latest novel down, eating up every single unhinged twist and turn, wondering what and who I can believe up until the very last page.
And now I’m sad now because it means I have to wait that much longer for Jewell’s next book. UGH.
My next read is also a thriller, and also an advanced copy (sorry!), from another one of my must-read authors, Samantha Downing — A Twisted Love Story. I read her book, For Your Own Good cover to cover in one sitting, so odds are VERY good I’ll have a review for you on this book by next week.
Listening Lately
After releasing the anthem that is Flowers (I will be singing along to this as I buy myself tulips at Trader Joes all spring), this week Miley Cyrus dropped her highly anticipated album Endless Summer Vacation. Off my initial listen (don’t worry, my thoughts will evolve as I listen more) my favorite songs are Jaded (the one that hits too close to home), Rose Colored Lenses (the ultimate winner for me), and Wonder Woman (the one that made me cry).
Loving Lately
Quick roundup of products I’m going to be obsessing over for a minute…
T3 Curling Iron: how I styled my hair for the Shadow And Bone premiere and pretty much every other day, too. Life changing, actually
Kush Queen Bath Bombs: made with CBD and THC I fully intend to use one tonight and you can get them at a discount with code SAMANTHA
RAD Pickleball Paddles: a major upgrade from the paddles I’ve been using since 2020, you can get yours 15% with code Samantha15
Athleta Advantage Dress: as soon as the weather warms up catch me living in this dress as I play with the above paddles
Eating Lately
First off, I am newly addicted to Beli App, which is like Goodreads for restaurants, so if you’re on there add me! I spent a solid hour yesterday compiling a list of 200+ restaurants (!!) I’ve tried in LA, so if you ever need a rec, this will be a great resource.
Two restaurants I enjoyed this weekend, both in Venice…
Super intimate and romantic date night vibes. I tried the shrimp pasta special, as well as the Tagliatelle Al Cioccolato con Ragu' Di Cinghiale All' Amarone. Both delicious, as was the wine (let the waiter help you decide what to drink and you get a nice little tasting experience, we learned)
A steak house where the sides shine just as brightly as the main dishes. I recommend the Short Rib, the Stuffed Hash Brown, the Brussels Sprouts, and the Broccolini
And now that I’ve left myself salivating over the thought of hash browns, I’m signing off. The time change has me feeling immensely sleepy. A CBD bubble bath and my book are calling my name. And given Monday is sure to look a bit like the below tweet, except it’ll start at 7am rather than 9am, I need to shut my laptop NOW
If you read this far, once again, I appreciate you. And as always you can find me on Instagram and TikTok. Come say hi and thanks for reading!