Sarah Says
By Sarah Coon
Hey! You made it! Welcome to Sarah Says - a (mostly) weekly podcast for me to talk about anything that’s on my mind that week. Make sure you follow along too at Sock Bun Studios on Instagram and on TikTok, or send me email suggestions at sockbunstudios@gmail.com!
Remember - there are no bad (hair) days
Remember - there are no bad (hair) days
Sarah SaysApr 27, 2023
00:00
01:06:36
March Wrap Up
I know I know - it’s almost the end of April! But never fear, I’m here finally with the March wrap up podcast with all the Bonus Original Content movies for Hallmark and the books I read…and didn’t finish. Hallmark had 3 BOC movies in March, The Love Club Nicole’s Pen Pal, Game of Love, and A Winning Team. They were all solid movies but A Winning Team is my overall winner of the bunch. I read six books in March, and didn’t finish three. I started the month on a Sarah Adams kick finally getting to read some of her catalog with The Cheat Sheet and When In Rome. Both were super fun, fast reads and I can’t wait to get my hands on her next book (spoiler alert - I just got an ARC I’m in the middle of now). Next I had a few ARCs sent to me to read, Off The Map by Trish Doller was a very fast 272 page read. Not That Kind of Ever After by Luci Adams had a strong premise but it just lacked something for me overall. Finally I finished the Adair Family Series by Samantha Young with Only You. Instant must read. Top three of the Adair family to be honest. Which you can read all of the Adair family on Kindle Unlimited now! To the DNFs, I hit my first ever DNF for Samantha Young with A Cosmic Love - I never thought I’d say that but it just didn’t grab me. Next I tried to continue the Elle Kennedy Briar U series with Hunter’s book The Play but I think I’m officially done with that series. It just doesn’t compare to the Briar Off Campus OG four to me. Lastly I tried reading Float Plan by Trish Doller, a prequel to Off The Map, but it was just a little too heavy for me at the beginning but I really should give it a second chance. Hear all that and more now!
Apr 27, 202301:06:36
Deep Dive Into Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 6: Sunflowers
It’s time to grab those biscuits with the boss and settle in because we’re officially halfway through the final season of Ted Lasso, episode 6 titles Sunflowers. AFC Richmond head to the Netherlands to play a friendly against Ajax and after that goes stunningly bad with another loss with no goals, Ted gives everyone the night off. No curfew. What could they possibly get into? Rebecca ends up taking a tumble into a canal which leads her to an unforgettable (unless she one day ends up with Alzheimer’s) night with a mysteriously attractive man with a boat. Beard finally gets Ted to “clear his mind” with the help of mushroom tea thanks to Kenneth the bus driver, but does it really work? And then there’s Jamie teaching Roy how to ride a bike in honor of Roy’s Granddad while they sight see the night away. Colin and Trent have a heart to heart in a touching scene and the boys end up arguing the night away before settling on the ultimate pillow fight. All that and more now!
Apr 24, 202301:42:08
Deep Dive Into Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 5: Signs
It’s time to grab your biscuits with the boss and dive into episode 5 of season 3 Ted Lasso titled Signs. The club is in a downward spiral after losing to West Ham and they’re all feeling the pressure. Rebecca runs into her ex and finds her shite in nining armor revelation from Tish. Nate may actually be finding his stride of being confident but not awful after a disaster date with Jade, and the Roy and Keeley train has hit a definite snag. One train that might be rolling into the station? Ted and Rebecca. Do we love it? Do we hate it? In Shandy and Zava land, it appears their story arcs have come to an end this episode, but I wouldn’t be too sure we won’t see them again before the end of this. Listen now to hear all that and more!
Apr 14, 202301:16:47
Deep Dive Into Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 4: Big Week
It’s time to grab those biscuits with the boss and settle in for this belated recap of season 3 episode 4 of Ted Lasso titled Big Week. Written by Roy Kent himself, Brett Goldstein, this episode sends us to West Ham for the first matchup against Nate and Rupert. Jamie starts his training with Roy to be better than Zava and Ted has to tackle the idea that he might be a mess after Sassy’s latest sleepover. And what exactly is going on with Keeley and Jack? All I’m saying is, if Roy and Keeley don’t end up together I’m going to riot. Find all that and more now!
Apr 10, 202301:26:10
Deep Dive Into Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 3: 4-5-1
Zava is here and it’s time to kick off the deep dive into season 3 episode 3 of Ted Lasso titled 4-5-1. This week’s episode kicks off and focuses on Colin, our favorite strong and capable Welsh man, and his somewhat secret love life. After being benched in favor of superstar Zava, Colin isn’t the only one dealing with the effects of his arrival. Dubbed a Precious Moments Figurine, Jamie is still less than happy that his celebrity status has diminished which culminates in Roy agreeing to train him. We finally get to see Sam’s restaurant and maybe a misdirect between his and Rebecca’s season 2 romance saga. Ted finds out exactly who Jake, Michelle’s new boyfriend is - spoiler alert - it’s their ex marriage counselor. Michelle…really?? Richmond is officially under Rupert and Nate’s skin as they are tearing up the leader board behind Zava - all brewing to next week’s first matchup between Richmond and West Ham. So grab your biscuits with the boss and let’s dive in.
Mar 31, 202301:58:58
2022 Hallmark Movie Catch Up Part 2
I’m back again with more 2022 Hallmark movies I didn’t watch last year when we were on a break. As we all remember, Hallmark’s number one fan contest last year left left me in not a great place and I didn’t really get back to the movies until Christmas. Now that I’m in a better place with them again, I’ve been catching up and we have eight more movies to talk about. Romance To The Rescue was a solid movie for Marcus Rosner as he continues to move outside of his “jerk rich boy boyfriend” typecast role, but the ending fell into that sloppy “overheard and misunderstood” trope I hate. Hidden Gems though was a home run, slam dunk for the channel and something I very much want to own. Lastly for Hallmark, Autumn In The City was a nice hug, the kind that Nora Ephron would give you. Over on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries we had a lot to catchup on. Always Amore was a solid movie and another solitude type cast role of “anything involving Autumn Reeser.” 14 Love Letters starred one of my new favorites, Franco Lo Presti, but this script was pretty much a miss for both of them. Groundswell featuring Lacey Chabert was also mostly a miss for me. It was fun to go to Italy, and Lacey played her typical chef role, but it was just incredibly slow throughout. Love’s Portrait was a fun storyline for HMM and the Ireland scenery was beautiful. Finally, Color My World With Love starring Erica Durance and Benjamin Ayres is an absolute must watch. The representation was so amazing and you’ll definitely need tissues. Catch all my thoughts now and make sure you vote for me in Hallmark’s Number 1 Fan Contest this year using the link in my bios on TikTok and Instagram at SockBunStudios!
Mar 27, 202301:19:05
Deep Dive Into Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 2: (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea
It’s time to kick off the football season at Chelsea and dredge up some memories and mercurial diva footballer Zava is leaving Juventus - who will land him in this week’s episode 2 of season 3 on Ted Lasso. We get to the heart of what a Hallmark Christmas movie is, get a little back story into Rebecca and Rupert’s beginnings, and even welcome Trent to the team this week while successfully avoiding Nate all together. On the heels of their split, Roy deals with the backlash of everyone finding out he was the one to end it, while Keeley is still trying to crack loose her uptight employees. Rebecca does her best to sour-yell Zava into joining Richmond and undercut Rupert, while Ted has to tell Roy it’s time to bury the hatchet with Trent so everyone can succeed. But what about all the metaphors and foreshadowing of quitting before being fired and just enjoying yourself along the journey? There’s a lot to unpack and not nearly enough time. Grab those biscuits with the boss and let’s get to it now.
Mar 23, 202301:13:46
Deep Dive Into Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 1 : Smells Like Mean Spirit
The day has finally arrived! Ted Lasso is back and we have a lot to talk about in the first episode Smells Like Mean Spirit, picking up where we left off in season 2 after Nate officially becomes the new coach for West Ham under Rupert’s watch. In the span of one day, Ted says good bye to Henry who had been visiting for 6 weeks, gets roasted by Nate in his first press conference, takes the team on a trip to the London sewer system, and then kills Nate with kindness in his own presser. Keely and Roy have to have “the talk” with Phoebe and we all learn that sometimes, we’re just surrounded by poopeh and need to let it flow right past us to the processing plant that goes to the ocean…thanks Ivor…for that one. So grab your biscuits with the boss and get ready to take a deep dive into Ted Lasso season 3.
Mar 16, 202301:36:51
February Wrap Up
I know it’s the middle of March but look! A February wrap up! We had four new Hallmark Loveuary movies this year, starting with Sweeter Than Chocolate which I thought was okay but not great. Next was A Paris Proposal - sign me up. Anytime we go to Paris I’m all in. I loved this one. Then it was Welcome to Valentine starring one of my new favorites Markian Tarasiuk but it just didn’t deliver the way I wanted it to, and we finished them with Made for Each Other which I thought was a home run but got mixed reviews in the app. I read another eight books this month - I know. I’m shocking myself too. We continue our college hockey binge with The Legacy by Elle Kennedy. That officially closes out the core four boys of Briar and then I immediately jumped into Briar U series with The Chase and The Risk. Both are okay, but it just doesn’t gel as well as the OGs in my opinion. Then I read Ice Breaker by Hannah Grace. Holy Hockey Gods. That book is like all Briar Off Campus rolled into one. Nate Hawkins. Yes. Getting out of college hockey land, I got The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa and The Godparent Trap by Rachel Van Dyken off my TBR list from last year. Both were okay, fast reads. And rounding out the books were two ARCs I received to read and review; Just my Type by Falon Ballard and Too Wrong To Be Right by Melonie Johnson. Just My Type was absolutely a must read for me but Too Wrong To Be Right was not my cup of tea sadly. And that’s it. That’s everything. Whew. Come back later this week for Ted Lasso’s new season three episode 1 break down for a double podcast week!
Mar 15, 202301:34:36
2022 Hallmark Movie Catch-Up
As we all remember, Hallmark and I had a bit of a falling out last year and it left me with no desire to watch any of their movies. Now that I’m in a better headspace both in life and with the card channel, I decided it was time to start catching up and watching what I missed last year. There couldn’t have been a better time to do it than with neck muscle spasms that kept me mostly immobile for a weekend, so here’s a look at nine 2022 movies I finally got around to watching. Absolutely don’t miss Romance in Style and A Splash of Love starring Benjamin Hollingsworth. A Tail of Love is a lot like Love and Sunshine but still a watch in my opinion. Welcome to Mama’s and Pumpkin Everything were both good movies, but they just lacked something that would make them rewatches, while Love in the Limelight could have been good without Alexa and Carlos’ weird married chemistry on screen. Cindy Busby solidified her role as a photojournalist in Marry Me in Yosemite, and HMM had a good out West movie with Big Sky River. Finally, Dating the Delaney’s was such a cute concept for Hallmark, sign me up for more content like that. Find out all those thoughts plus my thoughts on Peter Benson being typecast as every bad ex in Hallmark history plus more now!
Mar 03, 202301:40:05
Life After Living With Low-Level Chronic Pain
For nearly a decade I’ve been living with undiagnosed low-level chronic pain. From near daily sinus headaches or sinus pressure to TMJ and neck pain, there hasn’t really been a day for at least eight years that I haven’t been in some form of pain. Until last month. A long awaited trip to the ENT revealed a lot of changes I needed to make and after only two days I was feeling changes that I honestly didn’t know existed anymore. That lead me to telling my chiropractor about it and asking about my TMJ and a very painful manipulation later, my neck pain that I’d been going to him for four years was simply gone. Is this what people actually live like?! It’s actually possible to not have a headache every day?! It wasn’t until those changes started happening that I realized something: I had been living in real pain and hadn’t even acknowledged it. I just thought that’s how life was. The happiness I’ve had the last month has been nothing short of a complete mood swing in the positive. Maybe you know you live with chronic pain, or maybe you’re like me and you don’t. Hopefully something here can help you towards a better path of living because it’s NOT normal to be in pain every day. And it’s exhausting. And depressing. But there’s hopefully a chance that with the right doctor listening, you can find hope again too.
Feb 23, 202343:23
January Wrap-Up
It’s a new year and the first month is done which means we’ve got a lot to talk about. I read eight books to kick off 2023 and there were five Hallmark New Year New Movies on TV. Listen now for all my thoughts on The Rom-Com Agenda, The Second You’re Single, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, Courtiers, and the Briar Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy. Hallmark didn’t start strong in my opinion with A Dog Lover’s Guide to Dating, but picked it up with the continuation of The Wedding Veil series with The Wedding Veil Expectations, Inspiration, and Journey. Journey absolutely became my new favorite movie and the storyline to beat. Finally they closed out with Love in Glacier National, which I liked, but it had so many plot holes I’m just confused. Listen now for all the thoughts and lots of laughs!
Feb 13, 202301:56:34
The 2023 Vision board: Why It’s Never Too Late
In the run up to 2023, I was sick, run down, and trying to make another vision board worthy of Pinterest and the year. But I took real stock on what I wanted this year and gave it a few days into the new year to make sure everything on my board was exactly what I wanted. It’s never too late to make a vision board for your year so even if you haven’t yet, hopefully this inspires you to get working on one! We still have 11 months to go this year!
Feb 07, 202301:04:30
2022 Books In Review: Part 2
This week I’m back with part two of my 2022 books in review including the books you never heard about from November and December! Catch all my final (and first) thoughts on the second half of books I read in 2022 including: July
The Littlest Library
A Guide to Being Just Friends
Better Than the Movies
Undercover Bromance
August
The Love Connection
Dream On
Crazy Stupid Bromance
Meet Me Under The Mistletoe
Every Summer After
September
Here For The Drama
Love On The Brain
Never Rescue a Rogue
The Make-Up Test
The Dead Romantics
October
All I Want For Christmas
Something in the Heir
Isn’t It Bromantic
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Below Zero
The Kiss Curse
November
Marlowe Banks, Rediscovered
Merry Little Meet Cute
One Last Gift
Single and Ready to Jingle
December
A Very Merry Bromance
The Christmas Wish
The Matzah Ball
The Littlest Library
A Guide to Being Just Friends
Better Than the Movies
Undercover Bromance
August
The Love Connection
Dream On
Crazy Stupid Bromance
Meet Me Under The Mistletoe
Every Summer After
September
Here For The Drama
Love On The Brain
Never Rescue a Rogue
The Make-Up Test
The Dead Romantics
October
All I Want For Christmas
Something in the Heir
Isn’t It Bromantic
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Below Zero
The Kiss Curse
November
Marlowe Banks, Rediscovered
Merry Little Meet Cute
One Last Gift
Single and Ready to Jingle
December
A Very Merry Bromance
The Christmas Wish
The Matzah Ball
Jan 30, 202301:47:21
2022 Books In Review: Part 1
I know it’s almost the end of January, but I’m here with part one of my reading list of 2022 and my last thoughts. Maybe you missed a monthly wrap, or you’re brand new and looking for some reading inspiration, I’m looking back on all the books I read and giving my final thoughts. In part one I recap everything I read this year from January to June. January Enjoy the View
To Sir, With Love
Never Fall For Your Fiancée
Just Haven’t Met You Yet
February
If The Shoe Fits
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
The Holiday Plan
Eight Perfect Hours
The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl
March
Meet Me In Hawaii
Breaking the Billionaires Rules
The Fastest Way To Fall
April
Return Billionaire To Sender
Hook, Line, and Sinker
The Roughest Draft
To Marry and To Meddle
May
Always You
Bad Luck Bridesmaid
Hero
The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
Book Lovers
The Soulmate Equation (re-read)
The Singles Table
June
Just Not That Into Billionaires
The Love Hypothesis
By the Book
Meant To Be Mine
The Bromance Book Club
Be With Me
To Sir, With Love
Never Fall For Your Fiancée
Just Haven’t Met You Yet
February
If The Shoe Fits
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
The Holiday Plan
Eight Perfect Hours
The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl
March
Meet Me In Hawaii
Breaking the Billionaires Rules
The Fastest Way To Fall
April
Return Billionaire To Sender
Hook, Line, and Sinker
The Roughest Draft
To Marry and To Meddle
May
Always You
Bad Luck Bridesmaid
Hero
The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
Book Lovers
The Soulmate Equation (re-read)
The Singles Table
June
Just Not That Into Billionaires
The Love Hypothesis
By the Book
Meant To Be Mine
The Bromance Book Club
Be With Me
Jan 26, 202302:00:39
Binge or Cringe: Final Week 9 2022 Hallmark, Lifetime, GAC, UpTV, Netflix Christmas Movie Wrap-Up
Happy fa la la la holidays everyone can you believe it’s the end of the 2022 Christmas movie season? After a long nine weeks and 105 movies later this is the final recap of the year! Catch up now to see how the channels fared at the end of the season and excuse the poor voice, my body really has said “you’re done” for the season! Hallmark had its first Kwanzaa movie with Holiday Heritage which I found a snooze fest, but found their chemistry with Twas The Night Before Christmas and finished spectacular with Hanukkah on Rye. Lifetime really brought their A game the final weekend with A Record Breaking Christmas, The Holiday Dating Guide, and Wrapped Up in Love, but faltered a bit with A Christmas to Treasure. Hallmark Movies and Mysteries finished on a four week streak of making me ugly cry with Five More Minutes: Moments like These. UpTV found a hit with Sappy Holiday, but had kind of a blah movie in An Eclectic Christmas. To be fair, they have two more movies, but I won’t be watching them. And finally, GAC missed with Aisle Be Home for Christmas, but came in with A Brush with Christmas and almost made me reconsider next year. Netflix also debuted one last movie, I Believe in Santa, and while it was super corny, it was also pretty cute. Listen now to find their ultimate year-end rankings and have a happy holiday weekend!
Dec 23, 202201:51:32
Binge or Cringe: Week 8 2022 Hallmark, Lifetime, UpTV and GAC Christmas PLUS Amazon Movies Wrap-Up
The second to last week of new 2022 Christmas tv movies is done and we have a lot to discuss! First up, let’s talk about Amazon Prime trying to sneak in Christmas movies against my knowledge- don’t worry I watched them. Your Christmas or Mine is definitely a watch, but leave Hotel For The Holidays alone. Hallmark had a so-so week this week, starting surprisingly strong in my opinion with The Most Colorful Time of the Year, then falling a bit off on Christmas Class Reunion, Movies and Mysteries went a third straight week making me ugly cry with The Gift of Peace, and rounding out with a resounding win in The Holiday Sitter (despite the plot, house, and mom being the same as Christmas Next Door). Lifetime was Lifetime with Scentsational Christmas and A Recipe for Joy, but won the Saturday spot with Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas, and then finished with another A+ title and plot but bad chemistry with Single and Ready to Jingle. UpTV only had two movies this week, A Royal Christmas Match was better than expected but still nothing overly special, and then absolutely shocking us with Santa’s Got Style featuring Franco Lo Presti. Hallmark, get on the phone and get this man in movies! And then there was GAC Family. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I am running away from home and emancipating myself from them next year after The Art of Christmas and Crown Prince of Christmas, aka the worst Christmas movie I’ve ever seen. Ever. There’s no way they actually think they’re competing with the other channels right? Right?? Listen to all that and more now!
Dec 16, 202202:00:11
Binge or Cringe: Week 7 2022 Hallmark, Lifetime, GAC Family, UpTV Christmas Movie Wrap-Up
Ho ho ho the week 7 2022 Christmas movie wrap up is here bringing lots of drama and good cheer with it! On the heels of Neal Bledsoe announcing his departure from GAC Family we have a lot to discuss with this week’s movie lineup. Hallmark and Lifetime went back and forth this week on the best of. Lifetime’s Thursday movie, Serving up the Holidays was not a watch, while Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas on Friday was a redemption chemistry movie for Brandon Quinn, A New Orleans Noel on Saturday took the top award, and they rounded out with Merry Textmas that had a great title and plot but again - the chemistry just wasn’t there for me. Hallmark started with A Big Fat Family Christmas which was good but slow to help the main character, and then moved to a magical storybook movie with A Fabled Holiday starring one of my favorites, Ryan Paevey. Their HMM movie The Holiday Stocking once again left me in absolute shambles and they finished strong winning Sunday with Undercover Holiday. UpTV proved why I could really do without their movies most of the time with absolute train wrecks both Friday and Saturday with Christmas in the Wilds and Christmas on the Slopes. Their Sunday movie Christmas on the Rocks which featured another Sarah, actually earned a high 4 despite their terrible movie poster. That leaves us with GAC Family again. Candace Cameron Bure had another feature film with her good friend Andrea Barber in the lead role in Candy Cane Lane, but what is with all the marriage problems this year?? Sunday they had B&B Merry featuring a typecast Jesse Hutch and Jen Lilley and it was the first movie of hers I didn’t want to turn off in the first five minutes so that says a lot for both films. All that plus more laughs now!
Dec 08, 202202:07:01
Binge or Cringe: Thanksgiving Week 6 2022 Hallmark, Lifetime, and GAC Christmas Tv Movie Wrap-Up
Happy fa la la la holidays everyone! We’re officially on the other side of the 2022 Christmas TV movie season, can you believe it?? There was no UpTV this week and I purposefully didn’t watch Netflix’s The Noel Diary just yet but that didn’t stop us from the biggest week yet featuring a full lineup on Hallmark, Lifetime, and GAC Family. Hallmark started strong with My Southern Family Christmas on Thanksgiving night but fell by the wayside with #Xmas and A Royal Corgi Christmas on Friday. The crushed Saturday night with A Tale of Two Christmases and Lacey Chabert’s Haul out the Holly and then finished strong on Sunday with A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe and easily winning the coveted 8pm Sunday after thanksgiving slot with A Holiday Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. Hallmark Movies and Mysteries’s Time For Him to Come Home For Christmas left me bawling and is my new favorite from that channel. Lifetime stayed solid this week with The 12 Days of Christmas Eve featuring Kelsey Grammer and won Friday with Mario Lopez and Jana Kramer’s Steppin into the Holiday. Their Sunday Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman mini reunion with Jane Seymour and Joe Lando was a fantastic Sunday edition but just didn’t quiet knock off Hallmark. Baking All the Way on Thursday just wasn’t a watch for me. And then GAC Family finally delivered a solid movie on Friday with Christmas at the Drive-In featuring Danica McKellar and Neal Bledsoe. Saturday’s I’m Glad it’s Christmas with Gladys Knight, Jessica Lowndes, and Paul Greene wasn’t a win for me, and Sunday’s Candace Cameron Bure’s debut A Christmas…Present fell a little flat for me. Listen to all that and more now!
Nov 30, 202201:55:50
Binge or Cringe: Week 5 2022 Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, GAC Family, UpTV Christmas Movie Wrap-Up
It’s here, it’s here, just in time for all your holiday weekend travel plans: the week 5 breakdown of all the best (and worst) TV Christmas movies. Netflix crushed it again with another childhood favorite, Freddie Prinze Jr in Christmas with You, and Hallmark hit Christmas gold with Three Wise Men and a Baby (38:40) and Inventing the Christmas Prince. Their Sunday movie, When I Think of Christmas though left a lot to be desired while HMM did their job in making me cry with Long Lost Christmas, but for me there was just something missing in it. Lifetime continued it’s disappointing Thursday movies with Sweet Navidad, and had a bizarrely lackluster turnout of a Sweet Magnolias reunion of Brooke Elliot and Brandon Quinn in A Country Christmas Harmony, but showed up with Santa Bootcamp, and finished okay with A Show-Stopping Christmas. UpTV only had two this week, The Holiday Swap was a Holiday Flop, but Christmas Lucky Charm was a Christmas version of Good Luck Chuck that I loved. That leaves GAC Family. Yet another week of predictable and safe plots and more Christmas tree farms in danger. Steer clear. Find all that and more now, and remember to shop small this Saturday and find exclusive discounts on podcast merchandise and CATC prints on www.sockbunstudios.com
Nov 24, 202201:56:60
Binge or Cringe: Week 4 2022 Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, GAC Family, UpTV Christmas Movie Wrap-Up
It’s our biggest week yet and we still haven’t reached the halfway point of 2022’s Christmas Around the Channels. Hallmark and Lifetime brought their A games this week (minus Christmas on Mistletoe Lake) and it was good to see because UpTV and GAC Family continue to be rollercoasters. The Royal Nanny, In Merry Measure, Christmas at the Golden Dragon all performed well for Hallmark. Our Italian Christmas Memories brought back the proper HMM feels. Lifetime started bad with Christmas on Mistletoe Lake and the Dog Days of Christmas but stole Saturday with Reindeer Homecoming Games and finished strong with Six Degrees of Santa. Then there was UpTV and GAC Family. Out of the four movies, only one was good and that was The Christmas Retreat. I continued to be baffled by GAC and it’s not getting any better as the weeks go. Netflix kicked off Netflixmas with Falling for Christmas which was a triumphant return for Lindsay Lohan. Listen now for all that and more!
Nov 16, 202202:00:52
October Wrap-Up
Only I could record this at the end of October but not publish it until middle of November. The October wrap is here though and we have quite a bit to talk about! There’s more advanced copies of books I was sent but they’re all out now so put them on your TBR list - or in the case of one, don’t. Erin Sterling delivered on her sequel The Kiss Curse, and I’m officially caught up on the Bromance series just in time for the Christmas edition! All that and more now!
Nov 14, 202201:19:25
Binge or Cringe: Week 3 2022 Hallmark, GAC, Lifetime, and UpTV Christmas Movie Wrap-Up
It’s the beginning of November and you know what that means! All the channels have entered the chat and we’re really into the Christmas movie swing now. We had 11 movies this weekend to watch and Lifetime absolutely came in and stole the weekend with Well Suited for Christmas. Hallmark won Saturday night with the 1-2 punch from both channels Lights, Camera, Christmas and A Maple Valley Christmas, while their Friday and Sunday movies played it safe but okay with A Magical Christmas Village and All Saints Christmas. UpTV did what UpTV does and gave me solid 2 movies in Unperfect Christmas Wish and Christmas Masquerade while not surprising me with a super cute and super cheesy Christmas in the Pines. Jodie Sweetin was back again with Lifetime’s premier of Merry Swissmas which was a solid start for the channel. And then GAC continued to confuse me with some of the worst written movies this season. Guys…are we okay there?? You can reach out. I’m here to help. Find all that plus more laughs now and make sure you’re following along on TikTok and Instagram at SockBunStudios for more adventures.
Nov 10, 202201:53:37
Binge or Cringe: Week 2 Hallmark and GAC Christmas TV Movie Wrap-Up
Week 2 is in the books and Hallmark has their work cut out for them this season. There were 5 movies again this week before the real Christmas movie season kicks off and we had the spectacular Ghosts of Christmas Always, the nostalgic A Cozy Christmas Inn, the downright awful Jolly Good Christmas and Christmas Bedtime Stories, and then the winner of the 8pm Saturday fight over on GAC with Catering Christmas. Hear the whole story finally on how my banner ended up in a Hallmark movie after a 326 day wait, and share some laughs over some truly bad decision making on Hallmark’s side with casting Will Kemp as an American. Catch all that plus more now!
Nov 01, 202201:30:09
Binge or Cringe: Week 1 Hallmark and GAC Christmas 2022 Movie Wrap-Up
Happy fa la la la holidays everyone! That’s right! It’s officially the start of 2022’s Christmas TV movie wrap-up season! Every week I watch all the made for tv Christmas movies on all the channels and recap them for you here and tell you if you should binge them or if they’re cringe. We had five movies this week to start off the season. Noel Next Door kicked it off for Hallmark and it was just okay to me. We Wish You a Married Christmas was Saturday’s Hallmark movie and it was a Nikki DeLoach movie but instead with Marisol Nichols that had me pulling out my hair by the end. And then Sunday’s A Kismet Chrisfmas made everything better with a cute magical Christmas cookie story lead by Sarah Ramos and Carlo Marks. On Hallmark Movies and Mysteries they set their bar high with We Need a Little Christmas - it was so good and I cried five times. Lastly on GAC Family, the only other network to start in October, Destined at Christmas tried….they just tried a little too hard for me. If you’re going to remake Serendipity at least have one over the top character like Eugene Levy. Find all that plus more now! And follow along on TikTok at Sockbunstudios to find all the movie reviews plus more Christmas talk daily.
Oct 27, 202201:32:27
September Wrap-Up
Another month down in 2022 - seriously WHERE is this year going? Only one Hallmark movie to review but let’s talk about the trends I’m seeing this year on that channel for a minute. Then it was book review time. I finally got my hands on Kate Bromley’s new book Here For The Drama, which is a semi-follow up to Talk Bookish to Me. I made it through two ARCs that I was sent thanks to Putnam. The Make-Up Test by Jenny Howe was sent to me to review and while it wasn’t my favorite, it was a terrible book either. Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath I asked for the ARC because I loved her first book in the Merriwell Sisters series and I once again laughed my way through the historical romance. I love this new age of historical romance books that are more closed door romance. I made sure not to make the same mistake twice and immediately grabbed Love On The Brain by Ali Hazelwood and it did not disappoint. I just feel like I’m being science-fished because WHERE ARE THESE MEN?! Lastly, The Dead Romantics by Ashley Piston…it’s my favorite fall read and in a tight race for favorite book of the year. It’s another perfectly written book with no obvious plot holes and I immediately need to see it on a screen. Listen now for that and more!
Oct 12, 202201:17:33
Breaking Down 2022 TV Christmas Movies: Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and More
Happy almost fa la la la holidays everyone! It’s almost the best time of the year and do we have a LOT to talk about. Hallmark, HBO Max, and UpTV have announced their full lineup of Christmas movies while we’re still waiting the full schedule from Lifetime, GAC Family, and Netflix. Safe to say though, there’s going to be a lot of movies to binge this season. I want to personally take a moment and thank whoever it is at Hallmark that’s going to listen to this for sparing us the cringiest series: the Godwink movies, but also why are we recycling plot lines in the name of “diversity”?? Give the people originality! GAC Family, I’m going to need some better organization from you, feel free to reach out because I’m ready to help. And who’s going to win the battle of Christmas movies this year? Lifetime absolutely scooped Hallmark and the rest with a reunion of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’s Jane Seymour and Joe Lando. One thing I know for certain, this is the year of widows and reigniting old romance on Hallmark - did y’all not look at your slate of movies when you planned it out? Take a listen now to my early predictions on the good, the bad, and the downright awful. Oh, and lastly, GIVE US THE SEQUEL TO HOLIDAY DATE! I’ve been asking patiently for three years now!
Sep 30, 202201:43:23
Pouring it Out for Queen Elizabeth and Roger Federer
I’m really starting to think Thursdays in September 2022 are cursed. First the Queen dies, and then the king of tennis Roger Federer announces his retirement in consecutive Thursday’s. This podcast is dedicated to honoring the range of emotions I experienced during these events because sometimes it’s hard to figure out why something means so much to you or why it’s affected you as deeply as it does. So let’s pour one out for Liz and Rog today.
Sep 23, 202201:39:23
August Wrap-Up
Two weeks ago I didn’t think I’d even have an august wrap-up but somehow I managed to read five books in the second half of the month and what a wrap up we have! Every Summer After by Carley Fortune was the perfect end of summer read that I finished in under 24-hours, while Jenny Bayliss’ latest book Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, that releases September 27th started getting me in the holiday spirit early. Denise Williams has a cute trilogy of flight-inspired novellas that got me out of my reading slump and it was Lyssa Kay Adams with the third book in her Bromance Book Club series that left me in fits of laughter. Finally, Angie Hockman had a very Ohio-centric new book Dream On that put a fun twist on what happens when you meet your dream man. Let’s get into it!
Sep 02, 202201:04:48
Hi From Spreadsheet Girl: How I Became Public Enemy Number One Of Bama Rush 2022
Who knew one “silly little TikTok” could put me at the front of news articles around the world? Bama Rush is back for “season 2” on TikTok and in order to make sure I didn’t miss a second of it, I made one TikTok wishing the girls good luck so the algorithm gods would send me all the #bamarush videos. But that one video turned into a viral moment that got me talked about in private Facebook groups, Greek Rank, and sent moms to berate commenters on other social media platforms. Now when you google my name and Bama Rush you’ll find a host of articles in different languages telling the tale of how one 34 year old woman in Ohio just wanted to wish girls good luck and got a lot more than I bargained for! So here’s to the spreadsheet heard round the world in 2022.
Aug 17, 202201:18:54
July Wrap-Up
It’s a true return to Hallmark movie reviews in the July wrap as I managed to watch two of the three new Christmas in July movies. Despite playing the song three times, My Grown Up Christmas List might be the steamiest Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. Campfire Christmas on the other hand, despite giving me the wonderful idea of throwing a Christmas in July party, was forgettable. Moving onto the books, I only made it through four this month but you need to put them on your TBR lists. The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander was good, could have been better, but the perfect escape from life with her imagery of the English countryside. You can’t get your hands on A Guide To Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan until next January, but if you still don’t have her other Jansen brothers books on your TBR I can’t trust you. Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter officially overtook TATB as the best high school love story and my mind will not be swayed. If I don’t see it on the screen somewhere then a true injustice has happened. Lastly I made it through Undercover Bromance by Alyssa Kay Adams, the second in the series. I didn’t know that I could love a group of men reading romance books more, but this was even better than the first one. Listen now for all the news!
Aug 08, 202201:05:26
Is Everyone Body Switched?! All My First Time Thoughts Watching Jane The Virgin Season 2 Part 2
It took me a while to get through (I think I just didn’t want to watch Michael and Jane reunite) but I’ve finally finished season 2 of Jane the Virgin and DO I HAVE THOUGHTS. Mostly revolving around the fact that I really am like Jane except the fact I wouldn’t have gone back to Michael, but I digress. Rogelio became a real stand out favorite of mine the second half of the season. The late second half didn’t have as much of my attention, but they really went straight out of a telenovela in the last few minutes and I’m just trying to decide what I’m most shocked about. Listen now and stay tuned for season 3’s live watch on instagram and recap podcast here.
Aug 05, 202202:10:59
The Pre Bad Place: All My First Time Thoughts Watching Jane The Virgin Season 2 Part 1
Continuing on our emotional support watch of summer 2022, I have a lot of thoughts on Jane the Virgin season 2, mostly that we’ve entered the bad place (aka her and Michael reuniting). After giving birth to Mateo, she and Raf enter a shaky co-parenting life that isn’t made any better because Michael. Won’t. Go. Away. Until he does that is. Petra has also thrown a wrench in the storyline after turkey basting herself with Raf’s actual last sample and getting pregnant with twins. Jane tries online dating while Raf is going THROUGH IT and Michael continues to be a a fairly bad detective. Listen now for all my thoughts on episodes 1-10 of season 2 and come back later for the second half of season 2 which I can only assume is officially the bad place: Jane and Michael’s reunion. #teamrafael
Jul 08, 202201:52:56
June Wrap-Up
We’re over halfway through this dumpster fire of a year and we have books and Hallmark movies to talk about. Yeah, I said the H-word. We’re heading into Christmas in July so it’s time to address the elephant in the room. As for books, I had the time to read this month, but not all of the books were for me. I do need to issue an apology to Ali Hazelwood though. I should have read The Love Hypothesis MONTHS ago. Dr. Adam Carlsen? Sign me up. All that and more in this month’s wrap up. Listen now!
Jul 05, 202201:12:56
Team Rafael or No One: All My First Time Thoughts Watching Jane the Virgin Season 1
I know, I know, Jane The Virgin originally aired from 2014-2019 but I’m finally getting around to watching it. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better time than summer 2022 to pick this as my emotional support show. I’m chatting all my thoughts on season 1 as a first time watcher and boy, do I have thoughts on Jane Gloriana Villanueva’s life. Mostly - HOW can you take a second look at Michael after you see Rafael Solano???? Okay, well I have more than that, but that’s the most important thought. I’ll be back with each season as I continue my journey (I fear season 2 is taking us straight to the bad place of Jane and Michael), but you can also catch all my live thoughts on Instagram at SockBunStudios as I watch new episodes most nights of the week. Until then though, #TeamRafael
Jun 29, 202201:30:12
May Wrap-Up
I finally found my reading groove again in May and when I say we have books to talk about…WE HAVE *BOOKS* TO TALK ABOUT. The month started strong with Always You the third book in the Samantha Young Adair family series, but then got shaky with probably the worst book I’ve ever read in Bad Luck Bridesmaid (it wasn’t the writing style, it was just the main character and her storyline). Samantha saved the day again with a quick 8 hour read of Hero (what I consider her spiciest book I’ve ever read of hers) and then there was Emily Henry’s Book Lovers. You remember my thoughts last year on PWMOV and the redemption in Beach Read. Book Lovers was my litmus test for Emily: if I liked it I’d read her next book, but if I didn’t I probably wouldn’t read any more. Well, not that she needed my test, but she went and wrote the best book I’ve ever read. If you don’t love Book Lovers, I don’t know what to tell you. Move over River Nicolas from The Soulmate Equation, hello Charlie Lastra. Finishing the month I read a new author for me, Sara Desai with her third book, The Singles Table and when I say steam meets spice. It was the best of both worlds. Get full reviews on all that plus a little more now in the May wrap-up.
Jun 02, 202201:16:52
March and April Book Wrap-Up
Guys did you miss book reviews?! Me too! Every time I sat to do the individual monthly wraps I just didn’t have the time so here’s a super combined podcast of all the books I finished in March and April. I guess it’s a good thing I’ve read less than last year? Full reviews on: Meet Me in Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo, Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules by Annika Martin, The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams, Return to Billionaire Sender by Annika Martin, Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey, The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, and To Marry and To Meddle by Martha Waters.
May 11, 202201:27:38
Why I Broke Up With Hallmark
I guess it’s time to talk about Hallmark and why I won’t be talking about them for the foreseeable future. I’d like to say it was an amicable split but I’m still confused by a lot of things they did surrounding the fan contest. On the heels of this, shocking news came from the Queen of Hallmark herself, Candace Cameron Bure when she announced she’s leaving the network. I’ll pretend it’s in solidarity with me, but let’s break down that news too. For all the people that have reached out and tagged Hallmark on all the platforms, I love you. I’m going to be okay, but until then, we’re a Lifetime and GAC family now.
May 02, 202201:13:40
What’s Your Ick? Defining And Naming The Ick List
We’ve all been there at some point. Either talking to someone or dating someone and they do something that changes your whole perspective on them. Maybe it’s that they have a Velcro wallet. Maybe it’s that they point with their pinky finger only. Or maybe it’s before you’re even introduced and it’s their name. Whatever it is, there’s just something you can’t stop thinking about no matter how weird or small it is. This week I laugh my way through a long line of icks from the things we can get past to the ones that are hard lines in the sand. What’s your ick? Also, sorry to Henry Cavill if you ever listen to this - you were just my perfect example to use. Chime in with your icks on Twitter at SarahSaysPod or on instagram at SockBunStudios!
Apr 28, 202201:23:09
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 8: The Viscount Who Loved Me
We made it! We FINALLY made it to the final episode of season 2 and we can finally breathe a sigh of relief that Kanthony get their happily ever after. Of course we have a lot of bafoonery to get through before we get there but rest assured - the twirly happy ending is in sight. What a ride it’s been and now gentle listeners, we get to come to the end and look forward to a better season 3 - although at this point I have absolutely ZERO expectations. Shondaland, reach out so we can make sure we follow the books closer next time yeah? Great. CAUTION: language content warning ahead
Mar 30, 202201:37:44
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 7: Harmony
We’re past the worst of season 2…mostly. Episode 7 was a roller coaster of anger, more anger, and then the hottest scene that we’ve literally been begging for since we knew season 2 was Kanthony. Jonathan Bailey and the hand placement - you know what I’m talking about. You. Know. But before we get to that, there’s a lot of bratty Edwina that never should have happened, and More. Clown. Hours. WHY. CAUTION: language content warning ahead. Let’s take a deep breath, pour it out, and get through this mess to get to the gazebo.
Mar 30, 202201:20:48
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 6: The Choice
Welcome to hell everyone. We’re all suffering. It’s officially the wedding day and Anthony is standing all ten feet firmly on the ground trying to marry Edwina but Edwina finally realizes what we’ve all known - it’s not her. It’s Kate. And the fallout. Is. Brutal. And unnecessary because THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. We’re talking about it and then never speaking of this episode again, okay? First rule of Bridgerton season 2: don’t talk about it once it’s over. Thankfully only two more episodes to go now. Tune in now and rage along! CAUTION: language content warning
Mar 29, 202201:14:53
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 5: An Unthinkable Fate
We’re over halfway through and Kanthony haven’t even kissed once yet? Yep. Feels like an unthinkable fate to me! If you’ve made it this far, we’re almost there, but first we have to get the hottest line of the season “You are the bane of my existence. And the object of all of my desires” directly followed by more terrible decisions. I’ll never forgive the writers. If only Lady Danbury and Violet had been even remotely close to their best this season NONE OF THIS would have happened and I’ll die on that hill. Let’s hash it out now and never speak of it again. CAUTION: language content warning ahead.
Mar 29, 202258:15
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 4: Victory
Well it’s that time. A proposal is imminent but not the one ANY of us saw coming, seeing as how NONE OF THIS HAPPENS in the book. Following the bee sting, Anthony’s emotions are hanging by a thread when he learns Kate intends to go back to India once Edwina is married but even Daphne can’t persuade him to do the sensible thing. All the emotions are here in this episode because I really have them all the faith in the plot until the ending. Rage along now and come back tomorrow for episodes 5 and 6 breakdowns. *CAUTION: language content warning
Mar 28, 202252:11
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 3: A Bee In Your Bonnet
It’s the bee sting heard round the countryside…or is it?? Episode 3 of Bridgerton’s season 2 should have been the kick off to Kate and Anthony’s whirlwind wedding and happily ever after but instead, book readers and non readers alike sat in anticipation for another near kiss. But hey, at least we got to see the “mallet of death” right?? Also in episode 3 we finally meet Edmund Bridgerton, the late patriarch of the family and we truly get to the root of Anthony’s brain as we see how his life changed after his father’s death - minus the biggest part that literally starts the whole book, “Anthony Bridgerton had always known he would die young.” There’s a lot to dissect in this third episode so let’s get to it! *CAUTION: language content warning ahead
Mar 28, 202201:31:32
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 2: Off To The Races
Aka: The episode where NONE of this happens in the book. YO. When I realized we COULD have had the promenade that landed Anthony in the Serpentine and his first pangs of “something” towards Kate and the study kiss after the opera party at Bridgerton house but INSTEAD get a horse race and a soirée at Lady Danbury’s with a half plagiarized poem from Anthony to Edwina - I was beside myself. WHO APPROVED THIS?! Anyway, it’s time break down episode 2 of season 2 and deal with the fallout from Anthony’s beginning courtship of Edwina. Who is Dorset? Not a person I remember. It’s fine. I’m not fine. I just need all of the book scenes as extras and a hug right now. *CAUTION: language warning!
Mar 27, 202258:19
Deep Dive Into Bridgerton’s Season 2 Episode 1: Capital R Rake
Dear listeners, it’s back! Bridgerton is finally back for a second season and the Ton is abuzz with excitement as we finally get to see Anthony’s book The Viscount Who Loved me play out - but was it worth the wait? This podcaster would have to say NO. Y’all, this season was a JOKE. Clown. Hours. In the words of TikTok “THIS is what I wanted (the book) and THIS is what I got 😭 (this show).” I’m going through each episode this week and breaking down the good, the bad, and the downright bafoonery. We start with episode 1: listen now for all the details if you haven’t read the books and find out what we really could have had. And then come right back for episode 2’s breakdown next. *CAUTION: language warning!
Mar 27, 202259:37
Unpopular Opinions: The Popular TV Shows and Movies I’ve Never Watched
Piggy backing off the previous podcast episode where I gave my list of comfort shows and movies, I thought about all those popular programs that I’ve just never seen, mostly because I have no desire to. Then I asked Instagram and BOY did you guys come through and also shock me speechless on some of the answers! I found lists of the top 100 in both and went down to see how I stacked up and let’s just say I did a much better job on the movie side than the tv side! What’s your shocking answer? Find out if yours is on the list and don’t hate me when I tell you I have no idea how many Jurassic Park movies exist! (I really don’t know…) And get ready for all the Bridgerton talk coming up and tune in on Instagram @sockbunstudios for live watch parties as the final countdown to season two is on!
Mar 24, 202201:16:53
Comfort Shows and Movies When Life is Too Much
We’ve all been there - that point where you have no mental bandwidth left for something new, so you put on a comfort show or movie like a cozy sweater. This winter was pretty tough and I was having a hard time even doing that, but now having had a nice break and with spring around the corner, it’s got me thinking about my most favorite tv shows and movies that I turn to when I need a break from everything else. You guys chimed in on Instagram with your picks as well, so tune in to see if yours made the list and maybe jot a few down for when you do have the space in your brain for a new thing!
Mar 22, 202201:40:37
No Wire Transfer: And Other Things I Learned from Netflix’s Inventing Anna and The Tinder Swindler
Let’s face it, Netflix sent us all on a deep dive into all the ins and outs of “millionaire” con artists this year. I’ve had a week off from work and I’m catching up on all the shows I’ve missed and that lead me down the rabbit hole of Inventing Anna and The Tinder Swindler. I get into both in this episode but TL;DL version - skip Anna but stick around for “Simon”. Would you have given them money? Listen now and let me know on Instagram or email at sockbunstudios@gmail.com
Mar 19, 202201:07:01
Pour It Out For Sweet Magnolias Season 2 Deep Dive
As our dear sweet magnolias say - “pour it out!” I’m pouring one out this episode in a full wrap up on all the thoughts behind season two. From Issac’s parent reveal (okay we all knew it was Peggy but did anyone else think THAT was his father??) to the odd storyline of Cal having anger issues, I have a lot of thoughts. Also, at time of release there’s *still* no confirmation of a season three so I’m going to need Netflix to get on it already because they can’t stop where they stopped and NOT give us a season three! Let’s get into it!
Mar 17, 202201:18:24
How You Can Help Ukraine
The world has been in a state of flux since Ukraine was invaded and attacked in February 24th. I wanted to take time to use my platform to help detail some of the charities that have gotten involved to help from around the globe. Charities involved include: Razom for Ukraine, CARE, Sunflowers for Peace, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, Come Back Alive, World Central Kitchen, Hope for Ukraine, Project Hope, Voices of Children, DiozPL, and more. You can also help individual Ukrainians via Etsy and AirBnb. I also highly recommend finding current news from The Kyiv Independent. Find everything and more now by tuning in and make sure to share for others. Slava Ukraini 💙💛
Mar 11, 202201:09:10
February Wrap-Up
I think we can all agree that February 2022 was a hard month. This delayed podcast comes with a lot of feelings attached after recent current events, which I’m finding hard to balance my thoughts between a fun podcast and being cognizant of what’s happening in Ukraine. That said, there were three movies in February for Hallmark’s Loveuary event and I managed to read five books. If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy may go down as one of my favorite reads this year, while Elle Cosimano nailed her follow-up Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead. I gave a second chance to Lia Louis’ Eight Perfect Hours and I’m SO glad I did, and also read a fun valentines book The Holiday Plan by Emma Lynden. Rounding it out was The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl by Annika Martin which was a fun spicy laugh. Somehow we’re going to get through these events together and come out stronger on the other side - find it all on the podcast now!
Mar 09, 202201:25:04
All The Tea On The Winter Olympics
It’s that time again already! I’ve already talked last season about how much I love the Olympics and detailed how you can go be a spectator at the games yourself. Now as we shift to the Winter Games, I thought it would be fun to look up some fun facts about the winter edition. I also get on my soap box for a few minutes to get through the drama and controversy surrounding these particular games with a little extra history thrown in for context. In the immortal words of Leslie Jones: USA, Slay all day! Listen now for your next Jeopardy answers!
Feb 11, 202253:12
January Wrap-Up
January is finally over! Praise! It was a roller coaster of a month, from hearing from THE Hallmark channel, not hearing anything at all, and after two years avoiding Corona, I got that too. Despite that, we had five new Hallmark New Year, New Movies to watch and I somehow managed to read four books still! Now if only the brain fog would go away, that’d be great. Catch reviews on Enjoy The View by Sarah Morganthaler, To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne, Never Fall For Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath, and Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens plus more now.
Feb 04, 202201:23:14
The One Where I Got Covid
Well, it took nearly two full years to finally get me, but after avoiding it through Disney trips, a few weddings, and daily life, Covid finally came calling. In this very non-medical podcast, I thought I’d go over exactly what I experienced with the Omicron variant and what I used to help get over it faster. Obviously this virus affects everyone differently so what I used may not work for others, but maybe there’s something in here that might help you or someone you know! Here’s to never experiencing another Covid headache though - because that was legitimately the worst. Stay safe out there, everyone!
Jan 24, 202250:52
Disney+ Marvel Wrap-Up: All My Thoughts on Hawkeye, Shang-Chi, Black Widow, and Eternals
It was my goal over Christmas to catch up on all the recent Marvel Disney+ additions and I have all the thoughts of a non-comic book reader. All the hype around Black Widow and Shang-Chi was right and I think I could rewatch them a hundred times and not get bored. Hawkeye was good, but does anyone else feel like the shows are dedicated more towards comic book readers? I just feel like I’d understand them a lot better if I knew all the subtle nuances! And then there was Eternals. I won’t spoil the post credit scene here, but BOY WAS I SHOCKED. Where do we go from here??? Wherever it is, sign me up! Also, sorry for my voice and the delay, ya girl got hit with Covid finally, but I didn’t want to get any more behind! Listen now and let me know over on Instagram @sockbunstudios your thoughts!
Jan 22, 202201:17:34
The Good, The Bad, and The Love Square: All About Emily In Paris Seasons 1 and 2
Episodes with music are only available on Spotify.
It’s the first week of 2022 and I’ve already had my first Netflix binge after finally watching both seasons of Emily in Paris and BOY DO I HAVE THOUGHTS. How did so many people hate it last year?? Is it a perfect show? No. But was it *that* bad? No. Not in my opinion at least. After spending 36ish hours bingeing all 20 episodes so far I’m here for all the talk; Alfie vs Gabriel, Emily’s skewed logic, and is Camille actually the villain of the show? Find out in the season 2 premier episode now!
Jan 07, 202201:22:51
December Slash 2021 Books in Review Wrap-Up
It’s a wrap on 2021 guys, can you believe it?! The podcast is officially one year old and what a year it had! From historical romance overload thanks to Bridgerton, to bingeing Samantha Young and setting completely unrealistic expectations for Scottish men, I rapid fire wrapped up all 72 books I read this year, and got into the books I opened but just couldn’t finish. What will 2022 bring?! Find out starting next week! Until next year, remember: there are no bad (hair) days. I’ll see you guys next time!
Dec 31, 202101:17:47
Binge or Cringe: Week 9 Hallmark and Lifetime 2021 Christmas Movie Wrap-Up Finale
It’s the big finale to the 2021 Christmas binge or cringe podcast special! Can you believe we made it?? So, I didn’t exactly watch every single movie this year, but I’d say 105ish out of 112 is pretty close, wouldn’t you? Hallmark finished strong once again with Rachel Leigh Cook and Travis Van Winkle’s ‘Tis the Season to be Merry while Lifetime had its highs and lows. Listen now to find out what you should definitely watch this Christmas week to put you in the spirit! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
Dec 21, 202101:03:28
2022 Vision Board
It’s the middle of December and that means it’s time to dust off the crafting skills and make those vision boards! I’m not trying to be cheesy when I say vision boarding changed my life trajectory. I break down how to put together the best vision board for you going into the new year to set yourself up for success on day one. But remember! Even if it all goes by the wayside, I believe in you, you should believe in you, and we’re going to get through this thing called life together.
Dec 20, 202142:44
Extra Edition of Binge or Cringe: Christmas GAC Family Movies
I know I’m a little late to the GAC Family party this Christmas season, but I am here with all the movie wraps from the first 7 movies in 2021. From must watch Angel Falls Christmas to an absolute skip in Royally Wrapped for Christmas, I’m still on the quest to watch all (well almost all, I tapped out on a few Netflix ones) the 2021 Christmas movies. So catch up with Hallmark Lite and tune into FrndlyTV to catch them all!
Dec 17, 202138:56
Binge or Cringe: Week 8 Hallmark, Lifetime, and GAC Family Christmas 2021 Movie Wrap-Up
Week 8 of (possibly) 10 can you believe it?! I still haven’t fully decided if I’m taking the final week of Christmas off from Lifetime yet, but that’s not the point! We had another full week of movies from 7 Lifetime, 3 Hallmark, 1 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 2 GAC Family, and 2 UPtv to get through. What are you waiting for?! Santa is nearly ready to visit and we have a lot to talk about!
Dec 15, 202101:49:21
Binge or Cringe: Week 7 Christmas 2021 Hallmark, Lifetime and more Movie Wrap-Up
Guys, I think my brain is about to explode from all the Christmas movies. Will I complete this task? At this point I don’t know! Week 7 brought it all: really horrible Lifetime movies, a perfect Hallmark movie, and a whole new channel of movies to catch up on. First thoughts: skip all of lifetime this week but DO NOT MISS A Very Merry Bridesmaid of Hallmark. It’s the new gold standard.
Dec 08, 202101:42:24
November Wrap-Up
Nobody panic, but we’re officially into the final month of 2021. The November wrap-up is short because I literally cannot fit any more on my plate than I already have! Trust me, I’m judging myself and my neglected TBR list. Even though there’s individual wrap-ups on all the movies, I give you the must watch from November and somehow I did manage to read four books this month, three of them Christmas related (obviously). Sarah Morganthaler is going to be a new favorite of mine based on how much I love The Tourist Attraction and it’s sequel Mistletoe and Mr. Right. Tessa Bailey wrote a spicy Christmas book this year called Window Shopping, and I finished out the month with Georgia Toffolo’s Meet Me in London - she had me with Christmas in London. Now, I’m back to Christmas movie watching and thinking about the upcoming 2022 vision board!
Dec 06, 202146:24
Binge or Cringe: Week 6 of 2021s Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix Christmas Movie Wrap-Up
It’s Thanksgiving Week! That means one thing: the Christmas movies are really heating up now. We had thirteen new movies to watch over the holiday weekend and some were great (Unexpected Christmas and Merry Liddle Christmas Baby), some were okay (Making Spirits Bright), and some just missed the mark (A Castle for Christmas and Christmas CEO). All I really want to know is: is there a spy going around the networks? Because a few of these nearly identical storylines this year are a *little* sus. Catch the whole rundown now and deck those halls!
Dec 02, 202101:29:12
Binge or Cringe: Week 5 Christmas 2021 Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime Movies Wrap-Up
Only 4 weeks left on Christmas movies and week 5 was a huge dumpster fire. I’ve dubbed this week the week of no chemistry pairs and Notebook plagiarized scenes. In the name of Hallmark, Santa Claus, and snow globe promises, PLEASE let week 6 be better than this! It’s all here on this week’s podcast from the third Princess Switch on Netflix, to Hallmark, Lifetime, and UPTV. Remember to download the FrndlyTV app for all your watching needs, now including Lifetime!
Nov 24, 202101:25:12
Binge or Cringe: Week 4 of 2021 Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas Movies
We’re nearly halfway through the 2021 Christmas movie season (in weeks) and what a grab bag it was this week. Hallmark delivered again with four more solid movies, some that I liked more than others, but then there was UpTV and Lifetime. Lifetime kicked of Its a Wonderful Lifetime with two knockoff Hallmark movies and I’m not impressed. UpTV had another painfully long and boring Saturday, but brought it on Sunday. It’s just a shame they failed to put their lead actress Kayla Wallace’s name anywhere. Overall, it’s 5/8 on movies for the week. As I always say, I watch them so you don’t have to!
Nov 16, 202101:22:18
From White Christmas to Love, Actually: My Definitive Christmas Movie Rankings
After learning shocking news this week, I felt like this podcast was a must. Being your resident Christmas Queen, I feel like it’s my duty to make sure you watch all the best Christmas movies every year. But there’s too many kinds of Christmas movies to just have one small list. Oh no, there’s sub-genres here! From your classics (seriously if you haven’t watched White Christmas it’s on Netflix and we can’t speak until you do), to childhood favorites, to today’s pop culture staples, to even yes, the Hallmark best-of, here’s your list of the movies I think are a yearly must watch. Because if you don’t have sub-genre categories for Christmas movies do you even love Christmas?? Listen now and then get to watching!
Nov 14, 202101:05:44
Binge or Cringe: Week 3 of 2021 Netflix and Hallmark Christmas Movie Wrap Up
Netflix and UpTV have joined the chat you guys! That’s right! This week on binge or cringe there are eight movies up for grabs to talk about. Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to survive watching them all but I’m going to try! Hallmark dominated the week with four knockouts; Gingerbread Miracle, Next Stop, Christmas, Debbie Macomber’s a Mrs. Miracle Christmas, and A Christmas Treasure. They’re all worth bingeing. Netflix had one good one in Love Hard - “say it’s the Mormons” will live rent free in my mind now, and one flop in Father Christmas Is Back. And then there’s UpTV - the Big Lots version of Hallmark. I don’t know what was worse, the plot lines of Christmas with a Prince: The Royal Baby and A Royal Christmas Engagement, or the wardrobe and prop departments - who let the plastic hangers on set?! Grab your fuzzy socks and jingle bells, we have a lot to talk about!
Nov 10, 202101:27:15
Build Your Own Story: Hallmark Christmas Movie Romance
Guys, do I have a fun podcast for YOU! This week I found “Build Your Own Christmas Movie Romance” at a local bookstore and the way I snatched that up so fast. Instagram got to pick the story and here it is! If you want to rebuild the story for Chrissy, make sure you’re following along on Instagram at SockBunStudios to pick the story this week! But until then - what will our heroine Chrissy do when she’s let go from her job and dumped by her big city boyfriend? Find out now!
Nov 07, 202101:16:45
Binge Or Cringe: Week 2 Wrap Up On Hallmark 2021 Christmas Movies
Guys, I can’t lie (seriously I’d be off Santa’s nice list) Hallmark absolutely CRUSHED it this week in the 2021 Christmas movie line up. Okay, Christmas in Harmony wasn’t my favorite, but Coyote Creek Christmas with Janel Parrish and Ryan Paevey? If there’s not a sequel next year I swear…and HMM dominated the 10pm spot again with The Christmas Promise with a true American icon Patrick Duffy. Rounding it out was Christmas Sail and I wasn’t expecting much but left crying so, you could say Hallmark nailed this weekend’s movies.
Nov 02, 202159:21
October Wrap-Up
Happy Hallothanksmas everyone! It’s the October wrap up podcast and there’s a little bit of everything this month! To start, we round out Hallmark’s 2021 Fall Harvest lineup - Love Strikes Twice was the easy winner. Book wise, we’ve got everything from: finishing the Samantha Young On Dublin Street Series with Fall From India Place, Echoes of Scotland Street, and Moonlight on Nightingale Way, all the way to spooky reads and Christmas warmups! The SBS book club pick, Witch Please by Ann Aguirre was okay, but the last minute find The Ex Hex gave off all the spooky vibes. Add The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox to the Christmas TBR list, and Mary Kay Andrews The Santa Suit for a quick read. Catch reviews and links to everything on www.sockbunstudios.com!
Nov 01, 202101:26:17
Binge Or Cringe: Week 1 Of 2021 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews
Happy fa la la la holidays everyone!! For the next nine weeks, I’ll be watching ALL the Christmas TV movies and reviewing them, helping you binge the good ones and cringe at the bad ones. This week to kick off the holiday season there’s 4 Hallmark movies to talk about. Earning a solid 4/5 stars to kick it off was You, Me, and the Christmas Trees with two of Hallmark’s big names, Danica McKellar and Benjamin Ayres. Cringe and skip Boyfriends of Christmas Past, but DEFINITELY binge Tamara Mowry-Housley and Paul Campbells’s The Santa Stakeout! Lastly over on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, do not miss out on Christmas In My Heart featuring Heather Hemmens and Luke McFarlane. One movie and I was already crying. If you don’t have cable, you can find all the Hallmark movies on the FrndlyTV app (seriously, this isn’t sponsored but that app is amazing and please FrndlyTV sponsor me). Catch you next week with four more Hallmark movie reviews!
Oct 27, 202141:15
Get In The Christmas Spirit With These Book Recs Plus Spicy Christmas Books?
I know it’s still October but let’s be honest, it’s time to start making the Christmas lists! Here’s a fun list of Christmas books to read this holiday season, plus…spicy Christmas books? Yeah…I…I’ll never unsee what I saw recording this. Detailed books: The Santa Suit, The Holiday Swap, Window Shopping, A Convenient Christmas, In a Holidaze, Christmas Shopaholic, Wallflower Christmas, Skipping Christmas, Pride Prejudice and Mistletoe, Finding Father Christmas series, and the Frost Bothers series.
Oct 21, 202101:06:05
Taking A Sneak Peek At Hallmark’s 2021 Christmas Movies
Halloween is around the corner, so that means only one thing, Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas is about to begin! I’m taking a look at everything we know so far about this year’s lineup and giving my initial thoughts and opinions before the most wonderful time of the year kicks off! Be on the look out for a printable list of all the TV holiday movies coming because ya girl is watching all of them this year. It’s…gonna be a lot. Let’s go!
Oct 14, 202101:09:43
Let’s Talk About Skincare - Yes People Asked Me About Mine
I know, I know, do people *actually* ask others for their skincare routine? I promise I’m not being shady - people really have! Growing up, I was told I over produced so much oil I could give it to all my family and still have oil to go around. It took nearly a decade to get my skincare routine down to a science and I shout it from the rooftops the second someone asks me a question about what I use, because we should all feel comfortable in our own skin. So, get those Ulta and Sephora shopping carts ready for this haul - I’ll give you my tried and true go-tos that I’ve used over the last 15+ years (and also make sure you stay well clear of the dreaded St. Ives apricot scrub). For quick easy links, head to www.sockbunstudios.com for this week’s blog post!
Oct 07, 202101:10:43
When Will Women Get Justice:A Look At Sarah Everard, Gabby Petito, Britney Spears and USA Gymnastics
I’d say it’s been a hard year for women, but they’ve all been hard. Somehow we find ourselves in 2021 still the subject of brutal murders, bizarre deaths, unjust controlling, and outright ignored over sexual abuse simply because we’re women. This podcast was hard to record but necessary to keep it all at the forefront because if not now, when? Trigger warning on this podcast as I discuss the details from the court findings on Sarah Everard’s case from London as well as the horrific miscarriage of justice happening still at the hands of the FBI and more surrounding USA gymnastics. Then it’s just pure fury over the treatment of Britney Spears as more documentaries and more court documents are brought to light after a judge finally suspended her father, Jamie Spears as the head of her conservatorship last week. And what about Gabby Petito? As the hunt continues to find Brian Laundrie, would things have been different if the police had actually helped her at that pullover? We’ll never know. I have a few books that have helped me deal with my increasing dismay and a hope that in my lifetime men will put in the work we women are begging them to do. So, if you can handle listening, I hope this podcast infuriates you and inspires you to help make a change. Because it’s 2021. How the hell are we still here??
Oct 04, 202101:29:43
September Wrap Up
September? More like Booktember! We have a lot of Hallmark Fall Harvest movies to discuss and then eight books. I regret nothing. Back with another Christina Lauren SBS book club pick with Roomies this month, spoiler alert I loved it. Read two Samantha Young books (obviously) Down London Road and Before Jamaica Lane (along with not mentioned two novellas of hers). Kate Bromley is a new author alert with her hit Talk Bookish To Me and Tessa Bailey isn’t new, but she’s new to me. I get why I couldn’t get It Happened One Summer until the end of summer now. Rounding out the reading was Farah Heron’s Accidentally Engaged, Mhairi McFarlane’s emotional hit Just Last Night, and last but certainly not least, the third book in Evie Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Women series, Portrait of a Scotsman. Grab your TBR list and write them down, or just head over to www.sockbunstudios.com and the September Wrap Up blog post to grab all the books to wrap up in now that fall is here!
Oct 02, 202101:44:38
Making A Fall Bucket List
Ever feel like the months and seasons pass by and you didn’t do half of what you wanted to do to enjoy it? That was me until I started making monthly bucket lists last year. This episode I’m talking about why I loved my bucket lists for the fall months and how it really connected me to each month and holiday during the end of 2020. So sit down and get the pen and paper out to jot down ideas of things you want to do this fall to enjoy it the most!
Sep 22, 202153:58
90s and 00 Trends That Didn’t Need A Comeback
We’ve all seen it - the TikToks and Target fashions that definitely DIDN’T need a comeback. From butterfly clips to wide leg and low rise jeans - we elder millennials know what was good and what was bad about the best decades. Here’s my running list of things that I never need to see again, along with a few things I really miss and want brought back - TGIF ABC lineup nights anyone?? There’s gotta be others that miss Polly Pockets like I do! So, buckle up and hit the time machine back to the 90s and reminisce with me while we rebuke and also think back on easier times.
Sep 18, 202150:04
MLMs, Pyramid Schemes, and Kelly Clarkson - Oh My! The Lularich Documentary
We all remember the craze of hideous “buttery soft” leggings and the unicorn print search. Only a few years ago Lularoe was a household name. Now some of the top sellers have come out to speak on the horrors behind the company that is facing dozens of lawsuits. I watched the four part documentary on Amazon this week and have lots of thoughts to share! Mostly that it must be an awkward time in the Mario Lopez, Katy Perry, and Kelly Clarkson households. Let’s get into it!
Sep 16, 202101:01:09
August Wrap-Up
August 2021 can really be summed up for me with two words: Samantha Young. Honestly, I wasn’t influenced or paid to swoon over her books but I will anyway because it’s true. Her books are just that good. Before we get to that though, we have more 2021 Hallmark Summer Nights movies to talk about. They really did knock it out of the park in August! Can we also talk about what soap operas you watched growing up? It’ll make sense when you listen. Ryan - I’m still open to starting a Christmas tree farm together if you hear this. Okay, now to books! There was no August book club pick but there was certainly no shortage of books. From Here With Me to There With You, the first two books in The Adair Family series by Samantha Young, to her first published book On Dublin Street, the only thing that could make all this better is if any of these men existed and if I lived in Scotland to find them. I was also happily surprised by Emily Henry’s Beach Read. After just hearing about Beth O’Leary a few months ago I officially read all three of her books by finishing The Flatshare. I get why it launched her success. And rounding out the books is a brand new author, Lily Menon with her first book Make Up Break Up. You can find links to all of these books on the website www.sockbunstudios.com in this week’s blog post!
Sep 02, 202101:37:33
Deep Dive Into RushTok: From Bama Rush OOTDs to Ole Miss Dorms and Texas Summer Camps - Oh My!
When I say it’s been an absolutely wild two weeks, that is not an understatement. What started as trying to get in on the fun OOTD videos on TikTok from the girls rushing at Alabama, turned into a near Dateline style of info being thrown my way with a series of videos going semi-viral one after the other. Rush coaches, dorm decorators, attending the “right” summer camps - the whole world of sorority rushing in the South was exposed and it’s time to dive in deep and find out just how poor the rest of us are! Honestly, how’d we go from television shows like Felicity with dorm fridge drawings to actual cabinets being specifically made (at the tune of anywhere from $900-$1400) *just* to hide the fridges?! It’s wild, but also fun, and also crazy, and then there’s just some downright weird things happening in Texas specifically. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Aug 28, 202143:13
All About Jill! Discussing the Legacy of Jill Mansell’s Writing
If you know me at all, you know that when someone asks for a book recommendation the first words out of my mouth are, “Have you ever heard of Jill Mansell?” She’s been a powerhouse since 1991 writing the feel-good, behind closed doors, Love Actually style romcoms for the world to enjoy after leaving work at the NHS. Thirty years later, it’s time to get into all 32 of her books (plus a look ahead at her newest one coming out early next year) and telling you which ones to definitely read and which ones you should still read but aren’t my favorite. Let’s face it, if it says Jill Mansell, I’m reading it and telling you to do as well. Head over to the website sockbunstudios.com and check the blog for links to my top 5 (plus a few) that you ABSOLUTELY must read. Then just work your way past that through the list!
Aug 16, 202101:14:10
July Wrap-Up
Sorry that the July wrap-up pod is actually coming out in August but it’s the Olympics. Sorry not sorry! There was only one new Hallmark movie this month during Christmas In July, Crashing Through The Snow. I made it through six books before the games came on and my life was consumed with sports so let’s get into them! Book club pick And Now You’re Back by Jill Mansell wasn’t my favorite of hers but I still liked it. Beth O’Leary had another hit in The Switch. Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano really did kill it: get that book! How no one told me to read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is beyond me, but it and The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata from 2016 were both good reads. And then there was How To Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan. You can’t read it until next January so major thank yous to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy, but put it on your Christmas list! You won’t want to miss that. Want links to these books? Head over to sockbunstudios.com and check the blog for them!
Aug 08, 202101:04:12
Belated Halfway Of 2021 Mental and Vision Board Check In
Soooo let’s just pretend I did this podcast when I was supposed to a month ago and call it a halfway check in! We’re now over halfway into 2021 and it’s time to take a quick temp check on our mental health and our vision boards! How’s everyone holding up? I’m going to be honest, it’s been a rough year in a lot of ways for me mentally and that’s OKAY. Sitting in uncomfortable feelings can be very eye opening and cathartic. That’s why I also make vision boards, to help with these check-ins. So, take a moment, make sure we’re all in a good head space, and let’s make sure we’re on track and working on crushing the second half of 2021, yeah?! We can do this!
Jul 26, 202134:15
How To Go To The Olympics: A 2012 Flashback Story
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Guys I don’t know about you but I *love* the Olympics. A lot. A *lot*. So much that I actually went in 2012 when they were in London! In this podcast I break down the most important parts to attending the Olympics games (spoiler alert: just go sign up at CoSport now for those ticket notifications) and just how much fun you can have while in another country watching the games. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go cry over the opening ceremonies in Tokyo.
Jul 24, 202101:16:25
Ship It Or Skip It: Hallmark Christmas In July 2021 Rundown
Ho ho ho, jingle bell sounds are in the air because it’s officially Christmas in July season! I went through all 93 Christmas movies playing on Hallmark Channel and gave the list of ship it or skip it. Aka, I either really love them or really hate them. Also, learn the three Hallmark guys that have found their way to my Instagram stories and the only one that actually hit the DMs. Which, I’m still looking for a wedding date, Travis if you somehow hear about this. Which, no please don’t. Hope you’re ready for Christmas this year because I’m already prepping for all the TV Christmas movies this season. It’s gonna be a busy two months. But, it’s still July so let’s get into it!
Jul 13, 202101:04:29
June Wrap-Up
We are officially halfway through the year and WOW where is the time going? There was a full slate of Hallmark movies to get into - but can we first talk about how they axed June Weddings this year and went straight to Summer Nights?! From meh You Had Me At Aloha, to the downright bizarre The Baker’s Son, they pulled it together with a Galavant cast for Her Pen Pal before finishing strong with Sand Dollar Cove featuring Chad Michael Murray and Aly from Aly and AJ. Then it was a brief June book club addition since there was already a full podcast all about The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren and a look ahead to And Now You’re Back from my absolute favorite author, Jill Mansell. Finishing the podcast I got into the other books I read in June: from what I liked the least My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren and People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry, to an okay YA Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, to YOU MUST READ THESE: How To Fail At Flirting By Denise Williams, The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary, Much Ado About You by Samantha Young, and Plot Twist by Bethany Turner (it’s a better version of People We Meet On Vacation). What are you waiting for? Grab those To Be Watched and To Be Read lists and hit the listen button!
Jul 02, 202101:40:40
Books That Have Made Me Cry In 2021: Part 2 - The Soulmate Equation
Continuing the series of books that have made me cry this year - this time it’s all the happy tears imaginable. Christina Lauren’s new book The Soulmate Equation will have your head in the clouds by the end because it’s just THAT cute. Sign me up for the Shondaland movie adaptation. Seriously, I need to see Juno Merriam and River Nicolas coming back from ballet class. I NEED REAL LIFE RIVER NICOLAS! Okay, on that note - just get this book and listen to this podcast! You won’t regret either!
Jun 16, 202101:17:31
Books That Have Made Me Cry This Year: Part 1 - The Heir Affair
Honestly I can’t believe I was able to wait two months to make this podcast in the first place. The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan is the long awaited sequel of The Royal We that came out last year and we need to talk about it because...well, a lot of people didn’t like it. Which, I GET IT. BUT - the writing. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s what it needed to be after where we left off in The Royal We. This book was everything it needed to be and when I say I CRIED at the end for Freddie. Whew boy. The emotional rollercoaster! Come back tomorrow for part 2 of this series with the full rundown of the new Christina Lauren book The Soulmate Equation and why I cried all the happy tears at the end. But now - to The Heir Affair.
Jun 10, 202157:45
The Definitive DCOM Rankings According To Me
Every MDW brings up that one year Disney pulled all their DCOMs out of the vault and played them back to back all weekend long and now I’m here to give the ultimate definitive rankings. From where it all started with Under Wraps to High School Musical and everything in between and after, here’s to the movies you should definitely watch *cough cough Rip Girls* to the ones you should skip - Can Of Worms - Disney were you okay?? Also, Christy Carlson Romano and Kimberly J Brown, can we be friends?? Can I join your friendship? I promise I’m cool.
Jun 05, 202101:14:41
May Wrap-Up
Another month gone? How can it be? I’ve gone on vacation, Gemini season has started, I’ve turned 33 and that means my birthday month is officially coming to a close! Time to get into all the things May had - only 2 Hallmark movies this month, Baby It’s Cold Inside and Sweet Carolina. Hallmark, how ya doing? We should really talk soon. The May book club pick The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren got a solid 8/10 rating and it’s another CL book heading into June. Then it’s time to talk about the book I could shout from the rooftops about - Man Enough by Justin Baldoni. It’s so good I’m only halfway through because I have to constantly stop and sit in the validation of finally being heard and understood by a man trying to help other men. Rounding it out, I recap the other books I made it through this month including two historical romance books by Martha Waters; To Have and To Hoax and it’s sequel To Love and To Loathe. Rachel Lynn Solomon’s The Ex-Talk was a solid debut out of YA and finally, it’s so good to be back online British Author land with In Case You Missed It by Lindsey Kelk. Just...read that book. So much goodness - let’s get into it all!
May 29, 202101:39:24
See You Never 20s - And Other Lessons I Learned Turning 30
It’s my birthday week and before officially turning 33 in a few days, I wanted to take a look back at my 20s and why I was so happy to leave them in the dust. If only I had learned some of these lessons before I was 29 and miserable. But it’s okay - as one of my favorite quotes goes, “Your journey has molded you for the greater good.” So, if you’re in your 20s or beyond - just know that comparison is the thief of joy. Your journey is exactly what it needed to be and now is right on time. (Oh and, it’s playoff hockey time *I recorded this to distract me from Game 3 of the Caps/Bruins - but...LETS GO CAPS). Oh and one last thing - please excuse the crying. It’s not normally my thing. It’s a 7 trait for sure.
May 20, 202155:21
Why You Should Stay On Property - and Other Disney World Tips
If you followed along last week on Instagram then you already know - STAY ON PROPERTY. I go all in on the nightmare AirBNB house saga and give my absolute Disney must haves for your next trip (especially if it’s in the summer months during this Panda Express.) Essential number 1? The fan necklace (iykyk). So what are you waiting for? Let’s go to Disney!
May 11, 202101:20:42
April Wrap Up
It’s already that time again! Where is 2021 going?! I dig into the rest of 2021’s Hallmark Spring Fling movie lineup: One Perfect Wedding (ugh), As Luck Would Have It (meh), Right In Front of Me (cute), and a Bonus Original - Hearts Down Under (SO CUTE I BETTER GET A SEQUEL!) Then it was time to move into all the books I read in April (I actually didn’t talk about 4 of them) including our April Book Club pick - The Cul-De-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson, and a look ahead at May’s pick, The UnHoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Hear me absolutely gush over two of the best written books (in my opinion) of all time, The Royal We and it’s sequel The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, a new author I would read again, Sophie Sullivan with Ten Rules For Faking It, and a quick extra book I somehow snuck in, Shipped by Angie Hockman. Rounding it out, I officially finished the Bridgerton children stories by reading Hyacinth and Gregory’s stories - spoiler alert - I now feel very bereft to be done with a 27 year span of family stories! So, what are you waiting for? Get those book lists out and the popcorn ready - this is a good one!
Apr 29, 202101:18:11
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly About Etsy
This week I go all in on why I’m happy I started my shop on Etsy, and also why in 2021 I absolutely would not advise anyone to open a new shop through their platform. Take a look back at how Sock Bun Studios was formed - spoiler alert, I knew the name 4 years before I even opened the shop! I give my fair credit to them for helping launch Scrunchies to the stratosphere - while then also helping crash them into the ground. Also, I go all in on all the other scrunchie shops that have copied directly on my items. You know you want to hear about that! So what are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Apr 23, 202101:05:14
Deep Dive Into Colin, Eloise, and Francesca Bridgerton Part 2
It’s time to marry off three of the Bridgerton’s in this part 2 of the deep dive into Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, To Sir Phillip With Love, and When He Was Wicked. Julia Quinn really released three books all within the same two months. London 1824 doesn’t know what hit it. Also please ignore the several times I cry in this podcast - it’s just SO. GOOD. Let’s get to it!
Apr 16, 202101:47:31
Deep Dive Into Colin, Eloise, and Francesca Bridgerton Part 1
1824! What a season! Ah dear listeners, it is I, your faithful podcaster here with the chronological rundown of how Colin, Eloise, and Francesca’s storylines all intersect in the season of 1824. On the heels of Netflix’s announcement that there shall be seasons 3 and 4 of the show, this serves as a nice companion of what could easily be season 4. There’s just so much goodness to be found in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, To Sir Phillip with Love, and When He Was Wicked that we had to have not one but 2 parts! Come back later this week for part 2 where we conclude Colin and Francesca and talk about Eloise’s own story as well. Ah! So many things. So. Many. Things. What are you waiting for?
Apr 13, 202101:38:20
Deep Dive Into Benedict Bridgerton: An Offer From a Gentleman
It’s time to get into Benedict Bridgerton’s book An Offer From a Gentleman this week. Why he is super sweet and also kind of the worst. Did the script writers for A Cinderella Story consult Julia Quinn?? I think they might have....oh and we still stan Violet Bridgerton in this house. She is the best. Colin’s Matchmaking Services merch coming soon....cause seriously... ”just marry the girl” is his tag line. What are you waiting for? Make sure to follow along on all the social media sites @sockbunstudios and check out the Bridgerton line already in stock at www.sockbunstudios.com
Apr 07, 202101:01:56
March Wrap Up
Where on Earth did March go?? I’m not exactly upset but 2021 is speeding by. I’m here to give a quick Corona Vaccine update, recap the three Hallmark movies from this month, and get into ALLLLL the books. I read 5 this month! That’s a new record for me. A League of Extraordinary Women novels by Evie Dunmore, Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade, Francesca’s story When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn and our March book club pick Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella. They were all SO GOOD you need to read them all. Oh, and if you haven’t watched Derry Girls yet - catch yourself on! Get to it! What are you waiting for? Let’s get into all of this!
Mar 31, 202101:17:56
Deep Dive Into Anthony Bridgerton: The Viscount Who Loved Me
Ah Dear Listeners, it is I, your exalted Scrunchie CEO and historical romance book lover back again with a deep dive look at Anthony Bridgerton and what will be season 2 of Bridgerton: The Viscount Who Loved Me. I tried to keep it under an hour but...I guess there’s always next time. I hit on the key points from Anthony’s book - the things that BETTER be in season 2 (are they ever going to start filming?!) and why enemies to lovers might be my favorite story setting.
Mar 26, 202101:21:32
Why We Should Care About Sarah Everard
Sarah Everard’s life was cut short two weeks ago when she was abducted and murdered while walking home alone from a friends house at the age of 33. It’s 2021. We should all care about this as women and as humans. It’s not about “but nothing happened” anymore - it’s about why this is so still completely unacceptable. Helping break down the “not all men” hashtag - yes that’s a thing, and practical things that can be done to help change this narrative at the societal level. Because it may not be all men but it’s all women and it’s enough.
Mar 20, 202159:01
A Look Back At How I Survived Quarantine: AKA The BWG Corona Starter Edition
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It’s officially been 1 year of Corona virus quarantines and lockdowns starting this week and I decided to take a look back on how I managed to stay sane on the heels of getting the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. Pretty much realized I was a walking “Basic White Girl” starter pack edition to the last year. TikTok dances? Check. Whipped coffee? Yep. Nintendo Switch and Animal crossing? You bet! Clearly Twilight’s Midnight Sun and The Hunger Games’ Prequel were also involved. But friendly reminder - stock up on the inflatable pools NOW! In the famous words of HSM: We’re all in this together *clap*
Mar 12, 202101:00:07
February Wrap Up
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Two months down in 2021 - wooo. Getting into all of the Hallmark Love Ever After movies this year and what complete dumpster fires most were. Also reviewing the February book club pick The Sunday Lunch Club by Juliet Ashton. It’s a 10/10 read for me. A look ahead at March’s pick by Sophie Kinsella - I just adore her. And then a Bridgerton book roundup. WHEW do I need Netflix to green light the next 4 seasons!! Lastly - I went viral-ish on TikTok this month....over To All The Boys and more specifically.....Lana Condor and Noah Centineo’s relationship. What an unexpected journey February was! As Lara Jean Covey said it best though, “I guess that’s where my life has taken me.” Listen now for all the scoop!
Mar 01, 202101:15:42
Using Hygge to Fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder in a Pandemic
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Seasonal Affective Disorder + a pandemic = the absolute worst. I realized last week that a lot of us have hit a mental wall this February and maybe we all needed a bright spot to look forward to. This week I’m discussing how I use the Danish practice of hygge (hoo-guh) to fight off my own SAD thoughts in hopes that maybe something can help you use as a tool as well in these last weeks of winter. Winter can be tough, but we’re tougher. Always know that I’m here and I love you!
Feb 25, 202157:48
Deep Dive Into Netflix’s To All The Boys 3: Always And Forever Lara Jean
Episodes with music are only available on Spotify.
What can I say? I’m a person who remembers things. I’ll hold on forever...especially to Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky. That’s right, it’s time to discuss the 3rd and final Netflix film To All The Boys: Always and Forever Lara Jean. I had astronomical expectations and boy did we get to outer space fast. More PK doing hot boy shhh moments - THAT ENDING! Jenny, please write another one. WE NEED IT! Did you love it? Hate it? Let’s discuss!
Feb 14, 202101:34:26
Deep Dive Into All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Episodes with music are only available on Spotify.
Basically me gushing about Peter Kavinsky for an hour and a half. Kidding. Kind of. This week I’m gearing up for the final TATB movie coming out this Friday, February 12th on Netflix by looking back at all three books and the two movies so far. Plus I name the 11 best PK moments of book 3 Always and Forever Lara Jean that I want to see in the movie. You’ll hear my scream of happiness if they happen. And, what would a 4th book look like if Jenny Han ever decided to revisit LJ and PK? Jenny - text me back again! I think I have a good pitch! All that plus more - I might even cry a few times. What are you waiting for? Let’s do this! Scrunchie up everyone and jump into this podcast.
Feb 10, 202101:39:24
January Wrap Up
This week I took a look back at the five new Hallmark “New Year, New Movies” debuts - four that I loved. One that I’ll never watch again. Called out some Hallmark app reviewers, you know - some people I just never wanna watch a Hallmark movie with! Also recalled the 3.5 books I read this month - yes there’s some more Bridgerton talk. Then I look ahead to February things including the Book Club pick and new things coming to the shop this Friday at sockbunstudios.com
Feb 01, 202145:16
Memory Lane Lookback at My First Disneyland Trip
Episodes with music are only available on Spotify.
It’s been just over a year since my first trip to Disneyland and I thought we could all use a little bit of magic this January. Hear my thoughts - and a bunch of your opinions on who does it better: Disneyland or Disney World? The answers just may shock you!
Jan 26, 202156:16
Recapping and Raging about The Crown
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Take a look back at past seasons of The Crown and then a full rage discussion about just how terrible Charles is to Diana in season 4 in today’s podcast. News about new Queen and Prince Philip casting - do you think they’ll be good for the role? Let’s get into it!
Jan 19, 202146:54
Bridgerton Book vs Netflix
Episodes with music are only available on Spotify.
Did you think I was done with Bridgerton? I sped read book 1 by Julia Quinn and now it’s time to compare and contrast season 1 and book 1. What’s the same, what’s different, and WHY did they completely change storylines?! Time to head back AGAIN to 1813 London and swoon.
Jan 16, 202101:06:57
All About Bridgerton
Episodes with music are only available on Spotify.
My fellow listeners - it’s time to discuss the biggest event to start 2021 - Bridgerton. We’re going ALL IN through 9 hours of season 1 to talk about it all. We play a game of make-out, marry, and maim with characters, get into THOSE scenes and more. What are you waiting for? Xoxo Lady Whistle...just me Sarah
Jan 10, 202101:03:27
Vision Board Your 2021
Bonus episode! Vision boards are my jam and this is why they should be yours too. Learn everything you need to know about them and why I think you need to make one too this year (despite 2021 being pretty uncertain). Feel free to reach out at sockbunstudios@gmail.com with questions or what you want to hear about in January! Also follow along at Sock Bun Studios on Instagram
Jan 02, 202119:38
Introductions and Diva Lists
Welcome to my very first podcast! I promise I’ll get better at it! I get into all of the “about me” info and give you a super handy first date game to play at the end. So what’s on your Diva List?? If you’re not already, follow along on Instagram at Sock Bun Studios or feel free to send an email (only nice ones though) at sockbunstudios@gmail.com
Dec 31, 202032:43