I actually bought this album last year but I lost it, and was so dissapointed so of course i loved it so much I had to replace it :)

Every song on this album is wonderful. Paint and Pillows is kind of a new twist on the typical "cheating" song. And I love the line, "I ain't nineteen, I ain't naive."

Men and Mascara has been on the radio, and what a lovely song about looking for love in all the wrong places.

Girl Next Door has been getting air time but it is sung by Saving Jane. But I actually like Julie Roberts version better, give it time you will too :)

Her other songs about love, heartbreak, and moving on are just as well-written. Her soulful voice makes every song she sings shine :)

I eat a bagel almost every day of my life. They are the essential food! Morning, Noon, and Night or even a snack. Ok this sounds like that bagel bites commercial, i will stop now :)

To be honest I only had a small interest in this film and for the most part avoided seeing it. I didn’t think there could be a good treasure hunt movie if it didn’t involve pirates. But my tivo I guess knows my tastes better that I do and randomly recorded it for me. Having nothing else to really watch I thought what the hell.

Some Spoilers May be included.

I wasn't that excited by the movie  till they actually stole the declaration of independence. Than I couldn't stop watching it. I love Riley he steals the show forget Cage.  I also love the intrigue and the history involved (though I realize it’s not all credible.) My grandfather was actually a high ranking free mason.

But really it’s such a good adventure/mystery story. I love every time he gets a new clue.

It has some funny parts too, “Sorry I had to drop you!” “Oh Don’t Worry I would have dropped you too.”

The downfalls? I thought the bad guys were a little hokey and I didn't believe Gates would get off so easily in the end no matter what he found. I thought the kiss scene when going down the stairs was highly implausible and awkward.

But really I do recommend it and may watch it again.

Britt

I love Christina. Not the Christina from the genie in the bottle days but I adored her on the cd right before this one-Stripped. I listened to it so much that I wore it out and had to buy a new one. But Back to Basics disappointed me in some ways.

It did have some high points. I do like Ain’t No Other Man, Mother-Mother, Still Dirtty, Candy Man, and the Right Man. And in the right mood I can enjoy the other songs also.

But I feel this Cd isn't up to par. The last one I loved every song. This one I can take or leave most songs.

I think the big fault in this album is half the songs are about the songs she chooses to sing on her albums, why she isn’t leaving the music industry anytime soon, the clothes she chooses to wear in private and in public, her personal choices, and the people who have wronged her over the years. This is all fine and well for two songs tops. But when I hear songs that I can relate to, I fall in love with them. I can relate to these songs.

On the other hand, her voice is amazing in this album, she wrote/co-wrote all the songs, it has a jazzy feel as a throwback to the old days, and listening to “Nasty, Naughty Boy” makes me feel like I’m a sexy porn star :)

It was a good album in that I don’t regret buying it. But I feel it could have been oh so much better and it is not near as good as stripped.

Britt

I got this CD because I fell in love with her song Tim McGraw this summer. In a whimsical type of way it reminded me of my ex-boyfriend because my favorite artist then was Tim McGraw.

But I had also checked out some of her songs on her web site and I really liked them.

The cd is really, pretty good but I was disappointed that some of my fave songs by her weren’t on there such as “I’d Lie” or “What to Wear.”

The only song I don’t really care for on the album at all is Stay Beautiful; I think it is a little hokey. And I might have liked it better if she hadn’t placed a name in the song. It’s harder to relate to when the guy’s name is mentioned.

My favorites are Cold as You, Should’ve said no, and Our Song.

Her voice is strong and when she sings you forget she is so very young. This one I will definitely be listening to for weeks to come :)

Britt

Another great installment by a wonderful author, there just isn’t much more to be said :) But I will any way. Small Spoiler alerts.

I've waited all year for this book since I have read every book in her Tudor series. And I can definitely say Gregory is why I love to study the Tudors.

I agree with Gregory that Henry was more offended by her rejection of him than the fact that she was actually ugly. And I love of Anne of Cleaves appears to be in this book a charming queen.

Poor Katherine Howard, young and in love and terribly naive. I loved her in this book and I hated her in this book. Her vanity drove me crazy but really she was nothing more than an immature girl. And to turn a young girl into a queen is such a foolish move.

But anyway this book is very well crafted and engaging. I recommend it to anyone. But I think it is best to read her other books first or at least in order :)

I just saw this movie today and I have to say it is the best movie I’ve seen in a long time. I fell in love with it from the first five minutes. It touched me in the way that love actually did the first, second, and third time I watched it.

It has a kind of crazy premise-two women who are having slightly varying problems with cheating men decide to exchange houses for the holiday. One going to L.A. and one going to a small town outside of London (do people actually do this?) And of course they fall in love but in very different ways.

It was interesting to see Jude Law in this role. I usually associate him as the man from Alfie. Charming but misguided. But in this role he is sensitive and kind, and it suits him.

Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black give equally good performances but Jude Law steals the shows.

So go see it now.