Relaxing Perfect Guide To Skinnypop Popcorn And Wine

It doesn't take a lot for me to unwind. Curling up on the couch with popcorn, a glass of wine, and of course, some of my favorite shows is my idea of a perfect night at home. When it comes to snacking, I've experimented with a few different flavors before, but never quite hit the perfect combination of a timeless snack combined with a smooth spirit.

Trying to narrow down which popcorn and wine make the best pair can be difficult. It's a good thing the people at SkinnyPop have made it easy.

With this graphic below, a night of chillin' is even simpler: Choose your favorite popcorn flavor and pair it with the best wine. And then relax with your snack while watching your favorite shows (or movie).

Spring is a busy time for tv shows and all of us binge-watchers. A lot of series are reaching their final episodes or season finale, as newer shows ready to take over summer.

One of my favorites this year has been HBO's big thriller Big Little Lies. Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, it weaves murder and mischief with the complicated relationships between housewives, their spouses, and children in a serene, beachfront community. With a top-notch cast like Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley, and hypnotizing direction by Jean-Marc Vallee, it's been a gripping, wild ride. For the final few episodes which I've been saving to binge-watch, I chose white cheddar with malbec which is going to be perfect to enjoy with all of the who-dun-it suspense coming to an end.

I can't wait to use this guide for more shows premiering over the next few months. My Monday nights are sealed with a new season of Bachelor in Paradise making me feel better about my love life (or lack of one). And then there's the wild escapade of Fargo on FX, which is getting a third, zany season of Minnesotans solving a crazy crime.

With summer around the corner, movie nights are also a great way to cool off from the heat with my family. I'm already planning ideas for going on an adventurous fairytale with The Princess Bride, grooving down on the beach with Beach Blanket Bingo, and trying to capture a great white shark with Jaws. SkinnyPop's Sea Salt and Pepper popcorn sound delicious with Zinfandel will go well with these...Thanks to SkinnyPop Popcorn, they gave me the bright idea to enjoy guilt-free goodies to wind down and enjoy life a little more.

What shows are you watching lately? What popcorn & wine combination are you going to make?

The Walking Dead S7X16 First Day of the Rest Of Your Life

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

When the war Rick secretly waged against Negan unexpectedly comes knockin on his front gates, Alexandria discovers unlikely traitors and allies. As one of his latest captives, Sasha must contend with her failed revenge scheme and the best method to save her friends. No one has to die, but in an apocalyptic war, that’s not a guarantee. This recap includes spoilers for the latest episode - you've been warned! Hope you enjoy!

The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince by Serena Valentino

In the right hands, Disney villains can be a fascinating source of storytelling for so-called bad guys. Fans can learn more about antagonists on a deeper level that's often lacking in the animated movies. While I wouldn’t consider the Beast / Prince from Beauty and the Beast a villain per say, an intriguing potential backstory can be explored about his value towards superficiality versus true inner beauty.

The Beast Within changes quite a lot about what we know of Disney’s the Prince. For one, he’s great friends with Gaston. Hunting animals and looking down on others, especially women who don't meet their standards, is primarily what they have in common. When the Prince falls in love with a woman who is beautiful, but nothing more than a farm girl, it’s just about the worst thing that could happen. But not in the way he assumes. After a humiliating breakup, she and her sisters reveal themselves to be Enchantresses. Out for revenge, they place a curse on him by turning him into a Beast. He can only break the spell by falling in love, receiving love in return, and the union must be sealed with a kiss before the last petal of an enchanted rose falls.

Something fans don’t quite get in the original movie, and only teased in the recent remake, is what a genuine cad the Prince must’ve been to be turned into a monster. Author Serena Valentino has a competent grasp on what makes him ugly on the inside and outside by focusing on his limited attitude towards women and his material needs. His blatant selfishness and lack of compassion is quite overbearing and exudes off the page. You manage to dislike him but also recognize his fears as he's physically morphing from a human into a beast. At times, he's not necessarily likable, but from the nature of the story and his fate, gives him room to change his ways.

By fleshing out The Prince, the story starts out admirably. But beyond fleshing out The Prince's ego, The Beast Within feels very limited in taking an interesting start and turning into a compelling journey.

Valentino's version ultimately becomes is a little too mixed up in plugging in staple scenes from the original movie while tapping into different backstories that seem cool but aren't well-rounded. Her additions to the story like his friendship with Gaston is a creative place to drawn on as to why the Prince might act the egotistical and conceited, but the story backs from fully committing to the idea. Even romantic relationships with a woman who turns out to be a witch, and another socialite whom Beast prematurely uses to outsmart the curse with, offer interesting twists to female characters other than Belle. But then their unique motivations wear off to reveal the writing and construction is very basic. And, the iconic heroine herself Belle is ultimately used as a bookend and doesn't hold any significant bearing or involvement in Beast recognizing how to be a kind, compassionate human.

Sometimes villains can't be redeemed by their corrupted ways, but for a character who has that room for growth, it's disappointing when re-tellings don't capitalize on exploring the full spectrum. Unfortunately, the story and book are just too small, only a quick 200+ pages with fairly short chapters. If the length and size of the book were bigger, or the author worked with a wider scope, the story had potential to be more detailed. How the Prince acts like a monster is just as important as to the Prince recognizing the error of his ways. The book never aims to accomplish both.
Rating:★☆☆

The Walking Dead S7X15 Something They Need

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Sasha crossed over to the other side by attacking the Saviors, but encounters an old friend and faces the consequences of her failed raid. Meanwhile, Tara broke her promise to the Oceanside community and leads Rick to a sanctuary loaded with weapons and supplies. But will her betrayal and Rick's approach ruin their chances to gain more allies? This recap includes spoilers for the latest episode - you've been warned! Hope you enjoy!

More Magic, More Problems: How the Enchantress Almost Shatters Love in new Beauty and the Beast

Photo Credit: Beauty and the Beast / Walt Disney Studios

The original 1991 Beauty and the Beast left Disney fanatics with a lot of questions. Many stem from the Enchantress, her origins, and why she casts a spell on The Prince as a young child and curses him into a beast. With the new live-action movie, Disney had an opportunity with the revived story to close plotholes. However, with more insight into the Enchantress, come a few more problems. Namely, how the Enchantress nearly shatters the epic love story in the new Beauty and the Beast.

If you haven’t seen the new movie starring Emma Watson, here is your warning: There’s nothing but HUGE spoilers below! You’ve been warned!

The Walking Dead S7x14 The Other Side

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Alexandria is inching its way to a war against the Saviors, but it's not moving fast enough for some. Rosita and Sasha are on a mission to take out Negan, secretly departing from their loved ones and onto their enemy's compounds for the perfect shot. But can they take it? This recap includes spoilers for the latest episode - you've been warned! Hope you enjoy!

Wonder Women: Sasha Williams

Guts and blood? Check. Zombies? Check. Andrew Lincoln looking amazing? Check. Oh yeah, what does The Walking Dead also have: kick-ass women. BOOYAH.

For a while now, we've been celebrating women of The Walking Dead like Lori Grimes and Andrea, and then Maggie and Beth. Lucky for us there are plenty of strong and complex survivors who are worthy of being under the spotlight.

For this edition, we're moving onto the calculating straight-shooter, Sasha Williams. From her skills as a warrior to her devastating losses and post-traumatic stress, she's been an invaluable and complex survivor.

We're going to take a look at how awesome this woman is, and how the flaws or achievements of the writing shape her. What do you love about Sasha? Feel free to share in the comments! Hope you enjoy!

Beauty and the Beast (2017) splendidly reimagines a tale as old as time

Photo Credit: Beauty and the Beast / Walt Disney Studios

A remake rarely fills a gap of something that simply wasn’t there before in the original. As Disney re-imagines a string of their own animated classics into live-action flicks, it’s difficult to imagine why they’d want to toy with perfection. Their transformation of the timeless Beauty and the Beast is truly spellbinding, if a little imperfect.

In a tale as old as time, Emma Watson stars as Belle, an independent bookworm who dreams of a bigger life than the one her small, provincial town expects. As a self-absorbed veteran Gaston (Luke Evans) sets out to own her affection, she is compelled to break a powerful spell held over another self-absorbed beast (Dan Stevens), who is actually a prince in disguise. Only one is truly worthy of her kindness to discover more than what meets the eye.

Enchanting Beauty and the Beast Live-Action Artwork

Disney's new live-action remake Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson is right around the corner. I can't wait to see what Disney has in store re-imagining one of its most popular animated classics (and my favorite princess).

The new take on the heroine's adventure to break a powerful spell promises to be a grand fairytale and is inspiring artists all over the world. Below is a collection of artwork inspired of the re-imagining with credit given to their creators. Be sure to click on the link below the images to see more amazing work. Are you excited for Beauty and the Beast? Feel free to share below. Hope you enjoy!

Wonder Woman (2017) Trailer Reaction

I’d love to know what galaxy you’ve been living on, if you didn’t know Wonder Woman is getting her own movie. WONDER WOMAN HAS HER OWN MOVIE.

This summer, director Patty Jenkins will bring Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to the big screen. The long-awaited adventure centers on the Amazon princess' origins while growing up and training on the island of Themyscira. When she learns about the events of World War I from an American military pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) who's washed ashore, she leaves home to stop the war.

Previously released trailers over the past year have been nothing short of exciting as they’ve hinted at Wonder Woman flying solo. This latest one finally deserves a proper trailer reaction ‘cause I can’t contain my thoughts. Can you? Let’s check it out! What do you think – feel free to share in the comments!

Fifty Shades Darker (2017) Remains Impotent

Photo Credit: Fifty Shades Darker / Universal Pictures

As the sequel to the controversial erotically-charged series, Fifty Shades Darker was touted to be more suspenseful, sexy, and alluring than its dry prequel Fifty Shades of Grey. With major changes made from the first movie like finding a new director with James Foley, and writer (also the author's husband) Niall Leonard, this installment had expectations to be exponentially thrilling. Though its previous flick created a nice foundation for the rest of the installments to build upon, this sequel struggles even more to find a plot, maybe even a pulse.

Fifty Shades of Grey concluded with the literal door closing in Christian's (Jamie Dornan) face along with his aspirations of making Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) his full-time submissive. She leaves of her own free will (yay!!) to bigger and better things ahead until Darker brings them back together after the tiniest of separations. But a dosage of obstacles start challenging their relationship as Ana tries to establish new demands from 'the boyfriend' and her boss Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson) becomes creepy and possessive over her as his assistant. Meanwhile ghosts from Christian's past like an ex-sub Leila (Bella Heathcote) and ex-dominant (Kim Basinger) simply can't let him go.

Author E.L. James and passionate readers would say the star-crossed lovers are focused on building a future together so nothing deters their love. Others will recognize that every conflict threatening to drive them apart are solved through limitless wealth and sterile sex. If a young woman establishing her wants both in and out of the bedroom could be argued as the overall arc, it increasingly exists out of mere convenience. Every time Ana doesn't want to be bought, Christian counters with sex, money, a charity ball, moving in, marriage, to steal her attention away. Even if Mr. Red Flags changes his nature over time, i.e. the dominant becomes the submissive, Ana's non-sexual wants (a job, independence, transparency) are often muted by Christian's privilege. What may be a tantalizing fantasy for readers on the page becomes an absolute hindrance on-screen as any issue the lovebirds encounter are frustratingly handled off-screen via Grey's limitless power.

So the sequel ends up relying on what it's most known for (sex) to make up for a dubious romance.

However, it merely follows in the same footsteps of the first movie of inserting sex to divert interesting conflicts between the leads and becomes even more sterile in its intimacy. Especially since Johnson still displays more than she should in an even stronger male-gaze aesthetic. Where the first movie could make the hook-ups at least tolerable, Foley lacks the judgment to properly set any tangible mood for the sex scenes, even the most vanilla kind.

If there is something to be had for Darker, it's all the best elements of the first movie - the cast and high expectations of production design, costume, and soundtrack, carry over well. As far as performances go, Johnson carries the film by still making us believe that Ana is genuinely invested in giving Christian more chances to change and open up to her. Her maturity on the type of woman she wants to be evolves, even if the script holds her hostage to Christian's whims. And because of that, unfortunately, the alluring nature of her co-star wears a crucial element of her story thin. Though Dornan is quite personable and charming when he doesn't have to deal with Grey's dark, twisted history, any commanding presence the character could have falls flat when Dornan's afforded scenes to dig deeper. As much as the story could intend exploring Ana's wants and needs in life, Christian the dominant becoming the submissive to her must be thoroughly read between the lines.

Established from the get-go by director Sam-Taylor Johnson, Fifty Shades's world remains visually elegant and sleek. Even with writing, production, and costume team alterations, her influence continues with the sequel's opulent, minimalist sets and luxurious wardrobes. Even the soundtrack, which initially kicked off with Beyonce, The Weekend and Ellie Goulding, is matched this time around with 'not being in love equates dying a thousand deaths' ballads by Sia, Taylor Swift with Zayn Malik, John Legend and Halsey. With the exception of a new avenue for the story to wander, Foley serving as the new director imprint is nearly impotent.

Unlike most adaptations where the book rarely lives up to the movie or transforms non-readers into fans, Fifty Shades Darker falls right in line for whom the film is made: E.L. James, her devoted readers, and perhaps curious hound-dogs. For all intents purposes, the sequel is posh enough to gawk at. But if you're looking for anything more than sex, which critics clamoured for and still didn't get, the story leaves everyone and everything pretty much impotent.

for readers: ★★★

for me:★☆☆

for everyone else:☆☆☆

I liked this though.

The Walking Dead S7x12 Say Yes

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Rick’s crew is on a deadline to gather supplies and secure their weapons deal with the Scavengers. With Michonne by his side on a solo run, the couple encounters exactly what they need, but is it all just a sign of something worse to come down the road? This recap includes spoilers for the latest episode - you've been warned! Hope you enjoy!

Who knew scavenging for supplies and weapons could turn into a fans' dream date night in the apocalypse? Well, AMC delivered with Say Yes. They were truly doing the Lord's work if you believe in that sort of thing. The episode was slow and filled with character development, typical filler during this time of year, but it was packed with plenty of walker killers, a death scare, and let's just say, Richonne hotness.

6 Feels You Get After Seeing A Good Movie

There's nothing quite like seeing a really good movie. An okay movie can make me feel life is okey-dokey, a little bit better than average, maybe brought out some laughs or cries and then it's over. BUT an awesome, really good, fantastic, wonderful movie can change our whole life. Ever walk out of the theater and feel excited to the point of invincible? transformed? happy? stunned? YEP. A stupendous, amazing movie gives us something new to fall in love with, brings comfort on the worst days, and a reason to forever geek out.

These are six feels you might get after seeing a really good movie. Am I missing a feeling you feel? I'd love to know! Feel free to share in the comments!

The Walking Dead S7X11 Hostiles and Calamities

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Rick might be on a roll with getting new allies on board to take on Negan, but one innocent bystander still has to contend with being Negan's captive: Eugene. After Rosita failed to assassinate their new leader, the prized bullet maker was taken hostage and back to the Savior's compound. Hostiles and Calamities answered if or how quickly Eugene may join the enemies ranks.

The Walking Dead has always challenged fans to think about what they would have done in a character's position or a part of the zombie apocalypse. Each has their own way of surviving one more day either by scavenging, hunting, being a medical asset, conquering others or building a family. If there's one way that never thinks about getting ahead, it might be lying or concealing your butt off.

Dwight and Eugene were the stars of the latest episode, where we saw the inner-workings of the compound in very different ways.

Considering he tortured Daryl when he was previously hijacked in the compound, Dwight probably shouldn't be a character to care about, but he really is.

There's a certain amount of privilege that comes with being a Savior, especially one in his position - his own apartment, the ability to take what he wants from the community pool of supplies and food, and overall treatment of prisoners. But with every win for him i.e. force prisoners to submit their independence and perks, there seems to be a loss, like losing his wife and every piece of his morality.

Once Negan found out that Daryl escaped, Dwight was pushed to find out who it was and prove his own innocence. Left with a mysterious note, and the simultaneous disappearance of his and Negan's wife Sherry, Dwight returned to their former home where he found a goodbye note from her, admitting that when she signed up to Negan's wife and keep them alive, they both died a little inside. And that living a life like the one Negan has them forced into is just as worse as dying. She admitted to letting Daryl go because he reminded her of who Dwight once was.

Dwight has always had a certain ambivalence when it comes to being Negan. Certainly, there's a sadistic side to him that loves to be in control and have power, to yield orders down to other Saviors and enjoys sitting on his high-horse. But his morality is always in a contest with itself and the lengths he'll go to stay ahead of Negan.

With Sherry gone, he has nobody to bring to Negan. Given a run-in with the Saviors' doctor, Dwight takes the opportunity to muster up a story or two about Sherry having an affair with him and letting her and Daryl escape. The move saves Dwight to stay in good graces with the boss, but it obviously comes with a price - the doctor has thrown into the fiery pit to be killed.

There's also another side to his treachery and throwing the doctor under the bus, Dwight lies to Negan about Sherry's whereabouts. We know that she is gone, simply taken off  and we don't know where. But her husband tells Negan that she was killed by a walker as he was trying to get them home so she could be held accontable. And the affair with the doctor were merely more exaggerated details. Surely, Dwight got the doctor killed but in a twisted way, it's also an attempt to prevent Negan from leading a search for her, while simultaneously, saving himself.

Without anyone to pin Daryl's disappearance on, Dwight had to get creative. Same thing with Eugene.

Besides the hair game, Eugene doesn't have a lot of cool points, so he let his verbal skills save his skin throughout most of the apocalypse. The last time we really saw Eugene's deception was back in season five when he finally revealed to the group that he was not a scientist; that his lack of weaponry skills and ability to kill walkers would speed up his expiration date.  He's increasingly leveled up and built his stamina, but Eugene being taken hostage was surprisingly all about him playing the game and moving Saviors around like chess pieces.

Of all the attempts we've seen characters make quick, even miraculous getaways, there may be no other episode where Eugene was playing the game.

No doubt he's is an asset to the Saviors, and they knew it by charming him up with a bachelor pad of his own, access to electricity and pickles, even some of Negan's wives for a night or two. It's practically like he's back at home before the apocalypse playing video games and living a comfy life.

But he's also walking a tightrope of going back to what was comfortable for him and having to evolve into a better survivor. Not just to lie so other people do the dirty work, but pulling wool over people's eyes and camouflaging into the environment. Does he lie to lock himself in his room, or it is all part of a bigger plan?

He entertained Negan's wives by making home-explosives and playing video games. In his meetings to Negan, he proved to be a Doctor Smartypants by giving directions of melding the walkers to the fences, but also slyly seeming to be holding something back. While walking the compounds he witnessed Saviors on the lower end of the totem pole stealing supplies and used some of his privileges to his own benefit. When Negan's harems propositioned him to make a cocktail to help Amber commit suicide, Eugene mustered all of the random items he could get his paws on - a toilet bowl, a stuffed monkey, capsules for the drugs. He also figured out that the sex slaves were planning on drugging Negan instead of Amber, and for that he could get in big trouble and didn't help them out. Even though he was living like a king, Eugene was taking notes on what he can use later.

By the end of the episode, it was difficult to determine who team Eugene was on. When interrogated by Negan, he had no problem claiming he was Negan. But it's really the final moments of Hostiles and Calamities that was the most telling. Eugene and Dwight standing on their perch overlooking the walker backyard:

Eugene: Eugene. You’re Dwight. We are Negan.
Dwight: Yeah....

An episode dividing up the group again might not have worked like it did in the first half of the season. It's certainly a gamble. But the writing, directing, and acting made it intriguing enough to watch. Austin Amelio and Josh McDermitt might be supporting characters, especially McDermitt who used to have Michael Cudlitz or Christian Serratos to play off of, but they're really coming into their own.

The combination of Eugene and Dwight dodging suspicion and using their cleverness to their own gain might end up being one of the better aspects of the second half of season seven. In Twice as Far Eugene clamped down on Dwight's crotch, which isn't the greatest beginning of a beautiful friendship. Are they completely obedient or just walking on a leash until they can sneak away? Dwight is a mere Savior, while Eugene knows how to make bullets, so how long will it be before Dr. Smartypants ends up the furnace too? Will Negan catch on, and will they possibly team up to escape or take down the regime, or use each other to their own means?

Velcro: The Ninja Kat series by Chris Widdop

With a harrowing protagonist and imaginative setting, Velcro: The Ninja Kat by Chris Widdop brings a fun twist to the vengeance-driven hero.

This spirited adventure centers on The Ninja Kat, a feline who's vowed for vengeance and justice against the Devil Corps, a military organized that's waged war against its own people. For what reason, only the Ninja Kat knows. In a bid to stop the carnage before it's too late, the masked vigilante thwarts their evil schemes and infiltrates nearby regions to make alliances with survivors and give aid to prisoners. The tale's sequels The Green Lion and The Masquerade ventures further along Velcro's journey as the world becomes more aware of the Devil Corps. In this strange, new world, a hero and fellow inhabitants are pushed to join in the fight or succumb to evil.

Even though I'm not a seasoned reader of action/adventure, and couldn't remember the last time I've read a series with anthropomorphic animals, Widdop's trilogy was so engaging, it was easy to leave my bookish genre preferences behind. His cast of characters, who exhibit human intelligence and emotions as well as animal traits, are distinct from each other as they uncover dark, magical secrets.

That is most obvious with Velcro. The crusade to bring peace throughout the Country of Widows clashes with morals on how to do it. Obstacles along the way aren't just physical like combat, they're emotional. Every book guides Velcro to keep to the course and also look within. Being a warrior isn't just about combat, but coming to terms with a deeper meaning of revenge and justice, when to refrain or use the skills that have been learned, and the importance of family and sacrifice. From discoveries of magic, infiltrating the government, and providing help to flailing survivors, a moral compass lends itself to explore compassion, regret, frustration, impatience, and most of all, ambition and determination.

War affects everyone, and each supporting character has their own personal battle too. Velcro leads the revolution in an animated world populated by hamsters, bees, spiders, dogs, and rabbits - to name a few. A variety of personable and fun supporting characters are delightful, creepy and whimsical like Honey, a sassy and determined friend of Velcro's, to an evil scientist Spider. The Devil Corps may be attacking their own people, and the damage they cause may be their downfall. The victims they manage to leave behind turns many into fighters or allies, each one having their own distinct personality and motives.

The enemies Velcro duels against are clever and fascinating. In terms of world-building, if there is something that could be improved, it might be geographic details, but that's honestly just nitpicking. Every place Velcro treads are notably different by its culture and how Velcro is treated by enemies or allies, but it was a bit difficult to grasp where Velcro was at times without backtracking the story a little. Widdop's use of world-building gives villages and characters enough contrasting personalities where all of his threads tie together nicely.

Velcro: The Ninja Kat series offers thrills, humor, and heart. Widdop's adventure is perfect for readers looking for an enjoyable, short set of books to dive into. He's an engaging writer who comes into his own and improves every book. He has a true keen sense of describing what his characters are doing in bite-sized details.  Each installment picks up where the last one ended and takes you on an action-packed, offbeat journey with unique characters.  (And has inspired me to get a cat to call Velcro too!).

Rating: ★★½☆