Marriage Movie - Recommend

I was severely surprised at Scarlett taking on a script like this one, but I thought she did a phenomenal job, same with her co-star. Spoiler alert to for any of you who haven't seen it but with some of things I'm writing below, I may be giving away from of the plotline and movie information. 

After finishing the film, I couldn’t help thinking or wondering how the girl's life will be...you could say it's still all processing. It’s one word, “wow”. Not in the sense of amazing and I would replay it over and over again, but “wow” in the sense of it was a really well written plot and where most stories have some sort of happily ever after, this movie did not. When you look at the title of the movie, I didn’t think that this movie was going to be so dramatic or so entrancing to watch, but it was. I don’t know if it’s because the film hits on some items that are close to home for me, but either way I thought it was a pretty good movie to watch.

It’s about this couple getting a divorce after being together for so long and in their marriage, they've had a son together, where the film focuses on the couple aspects in coping with the divorce and each other with the changes that come with divorce.

I really liked how both angles of the story and their lives are shown...I think that the way the world makes divorce seem so easy and “normal”, that this movie did a great job on enlightening the viewer to the deeper sentiments and issues that arise from divorces, on how hard it truly can be for anyone involved, but especially the kids. There’s lots of emotions, then it shows how a man who enjoys being a father handles the whole ordeal, how the mom whose put her whole heart and life into motherhood on top of “side working”-meaning that she never works to her full potential because she's putting her family first...

I can't expand too much or get into too many details otherwise I really am just re-telling the movie. I suggest that you watch it-not one to put on the "favorites" list but commendable in the film itself as well as the actors themselves. It's a good movie.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

Lumière with Inspirato - General/Recommend

If you're looking for a place to venture to and explore, you know I've written about going to Colorado but what I haven't written about is where you need to stay and why. So here's now one of my favorite places to stay at in the nation. Yes that's right I said nation. 

When you travel to Telluride, there are of course some nice places IN Telluride but the more enjoyable spots are in Telluride Mountain Village of Colorado, at least in my opinion. One in particular I can personally attest to and recommend would be the Lumiere, near the downtown area of Mountain Village. They have great accommodations for large groups/large parties but are also lovely for the small family/size group as well as couple/s. I haven't really expanded enough on how dog friendly both Telluride and Mountain Village Telluride is so as long as you take great care of your pets and have kept up with their vaccination records, your furry family member/companion is welcome anywhere (yes even in stores and some restaurants that have the sign "pets welcome"). In the areas/stores/establishments where they don't allow for pets they are still loving towards your dogs and will typically have a bowl of water and/or a bowl of snacks/treats. Apologies, I know squirrel moment, going back on track.

It's not a very large facility but by far the best accommodations and the breakfast buffet provided is delicious. I'm not sure if they still have it to this day (as I went back in 2017) but you won't be disappointed and hey you can't beat good ole Colorado brewed coffee! The room I stayed in was adequate for a couple and/or a family of at least four to five, throw in the furry family of at least two and there was plenty of room. There was a nice kitchen nook area with a great kitchen to use if needed. I know I did during my stay and not just to store and reheat; they have plenty of in room tools/kitchen supplies (outside of food that is). This particular room had a bunk bed room across from the laundry room and the master bedroom off to the side of the living area with its own private master bath. Yes, there was a living room in addition to the kitchen nook. You might be wondering why was the room so large? Well just keep in mind that this city is made for adventures, hikers, cyclists, and winter season sports so many room accommodations are similar if not smaller in square footage, but not necessarily in the layout capacity. 

I had my furry baby with me, Aurora was her name - yes I say was because I don't have her anymore - and the hotel provided the pet daybed so I didn't have to travel with too much extra items for her. They placed the daybed near the master bedroom entrance in the living room. A little ways from the master bedroom entrance is the rooms fireplace located directly in front of the living room couch. The room was decked out in great electronics and appliances especially as you made your way into the master bathroom. I'm not one for baths and tubs, but yes the room had one. Now their shower...state of the art wonderful delicious rainfall water shower heads with the nice bells and whistles on the inside! Double sink vanity in the master where in other room they have there are half baths outside of the master bathroom, but all of their master bathrooms have double sink vanities. 

Don't take my word for it though and make plans in advance (because they do book up quick or fast within seasons) to stay here and venture into the local areas or simply spend the week in Telluride altogether (both the main city and Mountain Village). You will not be disappointed and weather for sites or just a nice reboot from life and the chaos...you will enjoy the quiet and getaway feeling. The link for this place is: https://lumierewithinspirato.com/

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Play Street Museum - Family/General/Recommendation

If you haven't been to one of these gem establishments, you are missing out! Whether you are a parent needing a bigger space for your little one to spread their wings and explore (safely in a controlled visible environment) or just needing a bigger space for your children to play and thrive, or perhaps you're a single parent working from home, or homeschooling and planning a field trip, an aunt/uncle spending a day with their niece/nephew...I could keep going but you get the idea. 

Anyway, the point is these places are great! There are more than a handful of these locations in Texas alone but there are a good amount elsewhere in the nation. These places are themed differently depending on their location. They are all typically about the same square footage with the interior decorations simple and clean (coinciding with the theme of the location), with a lovely entry area and even sometimes a nice little outdoor area as well. Then they have their toys and activities areas nicely organized and stationed with the rest of the interior basically an indoor city in - again - the specific theme of that location. There's a family friendly to the restrooms as well that allows for children of all ages (even infants still in their stroller) and the comfort of moms (and dads) alike. You do have to sign a waiver but once you create your account they keep the information on file.

My sister was the one who found this place and the one we first went to was the one in Frisco, TX. Unfortunately, for some reason that location though shut down years later. I literally can't fathom why since its location was busy (perhaps not as busy as others) and I felt it was in a prime location of the city for any mom to access. So when we first went it was because my sister (in her auntie role) wanted for us to try it out. This day of exploration was for my oldest and I had my youngest in her bassinet stroller.

Ever since that day we've gone back or frequented other locations as well as new ones when we travel. The reason why I really wanted to highlight this establishment was not because necessarily of their family friendly environment and understanding (although that's a huge plus) its because of how amazingly simple yet special they have designed these locations. Ok perhaps I lied, the main reason why I wanted to expand further on this company is because of how clean and sensitive they were for families especially during the worst of the COVID pandemic (and still even now), and their quality of sanitation and protecting families/children.

If you're in any of the states below (snapshot taken directly from their website) then take the time and head over to one. My kids love that place and so does Mommy-and yes even as a single working mother, I've managed to do work there while my kids are playing.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman