Monthly Archives: July 2017

True Crime All The Time

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True Crime is something I’ve been into since childhood, which I know is weird… but I promise I’m not a psychopath. I started watching Unsolved Mysteries around 8 or 9 years old and I believe that jump started my interests in mysteries and true crime. Around the same time, I became obsessed with Nancy Drew books, the crem de la crem of junior fiction mystery and crime solving.  (Sidebar- I blogged many times about my love for Nancy Drew and even wrote a few book reviews. You should check them out because they’re awesome.) As I got older, I read several true crime novels and started getting into true crime documentaries.
Being interested in True Crime is becoming more and more socially acceptable, which in turn allows for more readily available content. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite True Crime documentaries and podcasts!

Documentaries:
1. Mommy Dead and Dearest (HBO) – Whoa. Guys. This documentary is bananas. Munchausen by proxy, fraud, secret romance, and murder. GET ON THIS. (After you watch the doc, go listen to Sword and Scale podcast episode 49)
2. Amanda Knox (Netflix Original) – In 2007 Amanda Knox was an American student living in  Italy. She came home from a night out to find her roommate’s door locked and blood in the bathroom. Amanda was very publically put on trial and convicted for the murder of her  roommate. After several more trials, she’s now free and living in the United States, but many still  believe she’s guilty. This documentary is awesome and has tons of great interviews with Amanda and the Italian police and prosecutors.
3. The People vs. O.J. Simpson (FX, now available on Netflix) – This miniseries was an interesting look into a case we all know about. When the trial was taking place I was old enough to know what was going on, but too young to fully understand the implications of the murders and trial. I appreciate how this documentary humanizes the attorneys involved in this trial.
4. Making a Murderer (Netflix Original) – Everyone has been talking about Making a Murder (especially lately due to some updates in the case) and with good reason. This series implies that Steven Avery, once wrongfully accused and imprisoned for a rape he did not commit, may be currently serving time for a murder he didn’t commit. While I’m not sure if he’s innocent, there’s DEFINITELY lots of small-town police corruption.
5. Who Took Johnny (Youtube) – This doc is super nuts due to the outrageousness of this case. Johnny Gosch was abducted in the 80’s while on his paper route. His mother, and many others, believe he was taken by a sex ring being covered up by prominent politicians.
6. The Keepers (Netflix Original) – I JUST finished this one. The Keepers is a docu series about the abduction and murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a young nun and teacher in Boston, as well as the abuse suffered by numerous teen girls by a priest at the same school. I can’t stop talking about this series! It’s SO interesting and frustrating and unbelievable.

Podcasts:
1. Criminal – Criminal is uploaded bi-weekly and it’s the most interesting of all the podcasts I’m going to mention today. Criminal is hosted by journalist Phoebe Judge who takes a different look at crime. She’s podcasted about forensic divers, faking your death, identity theft, body farms, etc. Real interesting stuff!
2. Up and Vanished – Up and Vanished, hosted by Payne Lindsey, is an in-depth look into the disappearance of Tara Grimsted, a young teacher and beauty queen from Ocilla, Ga. While the disappearance took place a decade ago, this case has had real-time developments happening all year!
3. In The Dark – In the Dark is the first true crime podcast (other than Serial) that I really got into. Season 1 of this show focused on the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota. This case went unsolved up until VERY recently, most likely due to law enforcement’s mishandling of the case. Season 2 is currently in production and I’m sure it’ll be just as compelling.
4. My Favorite Murder – My Favorite Murder is a weekly podcast hosted by comedians and writers, Georgia Hardstark and Karen Killgaref. Each episode they discuss 2 different murders (or “I survived” stories). This podcast is slightly more lighthearted than the rest I’m listing today. These girls are both really funny!
5. True Crime Garage – True Crime Garage is probably the most well-researched of all the podcasts listed. Nic and the Captain discuss a different death/disappearance/crime every week… and they drink beer in a garage.

June 2017 Favorites

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June 2017 Favorites:Growing cacti – Early this year we moved most of our cacti and succulents outdoors. They just didn’t seem to be getting enough light in our sunroom. Guys, they’ve been flourishing! Several have had beautiful blooms over the last month.

Rainy Days – the beginning of June was extra rainy this year, which lead to a few slightly cooler days and greener grass.

Staying Home – Our spring was filled with trips and events, which were all wonderful… but in June we actually had several weekends in a row at home. We were able to sleep in, recover from the work week, get chores done, and be overall lazy. It’s been very relaxing!  

The Jeep – Guys, we were a one car family for a very long time. We made it work, but it wasn’t always easy. Finally, this month, we purchased a second vehicle. We took our time, saved money, did research, and ended up buying a new-to-us (but with very low miles) Jeep Cherokee! 

Lavender and mauve nail polish –  These two colors, in various shades, have been my jam!

T-shirt dresses – Lately I’ve been LOVING easy casual tshirt dresses. I can dress them up for work or down for the weekends. They’re so comfortable and cute! My favorites are the jersey swing dress from old navy (currently on sale) and the lularoe carley (here’s a link to my fave consultant).

Lemon Lara Bars – For the month of June, I was on a restrictive eating plan (very similar to the Whole30) to try and relieve some fibromyalgia pain I’ve been experiencing. There weren’t a lot of “grab and go” type foods I could eat, BUT I could have Lara Bars! Lemon is my favorite flavor and apple pie comes in close second.  

Coconut Milk – I’ve been drinking coconut milk with my coffee lately and really loving it. It’s very summery!   

Riverdale – Ray turned Riverdale on a few weeks ago while we were eating dinner, and after one episode we were both hooked! Riverdale is based off the Archie comics, but it’s not just apple pie and boy scouts. Riverdale takes a slightly darker approach to the beloved Archie characters. It’s awesome and you should definitely check it out.   

Mommy, Dead and Dearest – Mommy, Dead and Dearest is an HBO documentary featuring Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who killed her mother after living her life being the subject of her mother’s Munchausen by Proxy. I love true crime and this case is so bizarre and interesting.

The Dollop – I’m forever on the search for a good podcast. The Dollop is a podcast focusing on hilarious stories though out America’s history.