Tag Archives: Netflix recommendations

Forget Netflix & Chill, It’s Time For Netflix & Inspire

The pandemic has introduced new ways of approaching your spare time and thinking about your health. As a result, you’ve probably been looking at ways of making self-isolation productive! If we’re brutally honest, Netflix and Chill has become a new way of life in many households. What’s not to like about it? You can sit back on the sofa all in the name of staying safe and healthy. 

But have you ever considered that Netflix could be a surprisingly effective source of inspiration? Don’t assume that your time spent watching TV has to be synonymous with laziness. In fact, you’d be pleased to discover that a lot of watchers are turning to the small screen for life inspiration, guidance, and a creative boost. Here are some shows to consider —

Lose yourself into the tidy world of Marie Kondo

Being at home for such an extended period, surrounded by all your stuff, can feel mentally exhausting. Clutter weighs on your mind, and it affects your mood dramatically. Did you know that sitting in a cluttered room can make you feel angry and sad? While if you were to sit in the same room in a decluttered environment, you are less likely to experience negative feelings. Nobody better than Marie Kondo can explain the joys of decluttering. If you are unsure how to start decluttering your home, watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo can provide plenty of positivity. Kondo’s approach sparks joy in the household, which is all the motivation you need to get started. 

Discover the relatable Venus of Daegu 

Oh My Venus is a romantic tv show from South Korea that follows the journey of a young woman from Daegu, aka our Venus of Daegu, through her weight loss challenge. The show reflects on health rather than weight loss when it comes to beauty. More importantly, it also highlights the need for self-healing, both mentally and physically through exercise and mindfulness. If you’ve fallen off the track in your fitness journey, this show could be your wake-up call as you meet Venus’s coach, the inspirational character who makes health a priority in her life. Perhaps if you already have a healthy approach to fitness, the show can help you understand how some people can develop unhealthy and harmful habits. And for any fitness enthusiasts, it could even be the show that makes you want to become a health coach yourself. After all, as Oh My Venus reveals, watching your clients get strong and fit is the best reward.  

Bake your own creation

It came as a shock to fans when Netflix didn’t renew The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell. Yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t dive into McConnell’s world of quirky creatures and mind-blowing creative baking. McConnell is a talented Instagram influencer who uses her creative skills in thematic baking and styling. There’s something oddly inspiring about her Halloween treats, from a realistic chocolate and peanut butter bone to the mesmerizing house-shaped cake. But, what’s more exciting about this marvelous little show is that it awakens your inner child. Sure, it’s too late for Halloween bakes, but you could certainly apply McConnell’s tips to make a Christmas village cake, too! 

In short, it’s hard to understand why the phrase Netflix and Chill has become so popular when, in reality, it should be Netflix and Inspire. There’s so much to discover that you’ll be buzzing with new ideas after a few hours! 

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mid-week round-up

windshield view

I hope everyone is having a great week! Did you do anything fun over the weekend? On Saturday, Chet and I went to Arcade Odyssey and Tropical Park! I like the older games at the arcade–pinball, Tapper, Burger Time. We had never been to Tropical Park before, but as with all the parks we’ve encountered in Miami it was well maintained and lots of fun. I hope all the Mamas out there enjoyed their special day on Sunday! Now, let’s talk links! There’s a lot of long-form this week so grab a cup of tea and get comfortable…

I will literally read any article written about Mt. Everest.

A fascinating look at these famous sisters. (I had no idea about most of these details!)

bell hooks on Beyonce’s Lemonade

If you’ve seen the FX drama The Americans then you’ll love this article.

Freezer meals!

My favorite beauty blogger/YouTuber opens up about her 9 to 5.

Star Wars and Civil War medicine.

What to watch on Netflix this month.

Is Britney Spears ready to stand on her own?

A super easy weeknight dinner. (I made them the other night and they were delish!)

Monica Lewinsky turns her dark time into a force for good.

The right and wrong way to load a dishwasher.

Binge-Worthy TV Shows

FARGO YR 1

Emmy Nominations Snubs Surprises

master of none

man in the high castle

making a murderer

Do you binge watch TV shows? Or do you tune in live each week to catch your favorite programs on cable? I’m definitely more the former. I love getting to watch an episode or two (or three…or four….) of the same show each day. It is just so satisfying to click “next” when you run head first into a cliffhanger. But on the flip side, after totally immersing yourself in another world, it sucks just a bit more when you suddenly find you’ve come to the end of a series. (Have you seen this Portlandia sketch?)

The first time I really remember binge watching was when I was home for the summer after my sophomore year of college. My sister and mom were on a trip through Europe, I was baby-sitting in the mornings and cashiering later in the day. When I came home each day, exhausted, to an empty house, there was nothing better than pounding through episodes of Gilmore Girls on DVD. The next year, my room-mates had several seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. When I wasn’t spending the weekend at a speech tournament, I could curl up with my laptop and episode after episode of hospital drama.

After that Netflix really started to catch on and the rest is binge watching history!

Chet and I actually started to hang out regularly when a group of our friends was binge watching Mad Men every night. (There was one day I literally don’t think we saw the sun because we watched so many episodes.)

But even during a stint without Netflix, or internet for that matter, I managed to watch 8 seasons of McLeod’s Daughters by checking it out, disc by disc, from the public library. Unfortunately, that was more of a solo venture as it can be a bit tough to convince people to commit to an Australian soap opera about female ranchers.

Lately, our forays into TV viewing have been knocking it out of the park! If you’re looking for some binge-worthy shows, I would highly recommend the last few we’ve watched, including;

Fargo,

The Americans,

Master of None,

Man in the High Castle, and

Making a Murderer.

What have YOU been binge watching lately? Have you seen any of the shows listed above? What did you think? Comment below! 

mid-week round-up

rocky surf

How is everyone doing this week? Not loving all these rainy days we’ve been getting! It’s definitely warm enough for the pool so why can’t the sun just peek out a little bit! Oh well, I guess this is what Fall in Florida is like. Anyways, the threat of rain inspired us to go to the art museum the other day so I can’t complain TOO much. The exhibits were beautiful! Also, did anyone watch the So You Think You Can Dance finale? This was such a good season!!! I think I’ve successfully convinced Chet that we will be replacing it in our weekly line-up with Dancing With the Stars (which just started on Monday). I’ve only caught bits and pieces of this show over the years but I’m ready to dive in. The “stars” this year look nuts! Hope the rest of your week brings you lots of happiness, and here are a few links for you to enjoy today…

Joni Mitchell’s breakfast of champions.

I’m a Samantha with a touch of Molly. You?

I suddenly want to add a cute kitten to my desk set-up.

Traveling abroad on a budget.

The business of funerals is no longer a male-dominated industry.

I can’t stop watching Casey Neistat movies.

And speaking of movies, here’s an enthralling Vice News piece on schoolgirls for sale in Japan.

I would very happily eat these school lunches.

Netlix recommendations so you can curl up and watch when the weather turns yucky.

BRB, off to convince Chet that we need to make mini no-knead pizzas for Pizza Friday.