#BLOGTOBER Day 9- Pumpkin Picking with the Family plus mini Fall Haul #2

Every year, my family tries to schedule a day to go pumpkin picking. My family is pretty big so it can get really hard to get everyone’s schedule to line up. But this year, even though not everyone could make it, we still had a pretty decent sized crew. And it was even more special because it was my niece’s first time pumpkin picking!

Here are some fall shots I took…  

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I spent quite the pretty penny in the little shop that they had there, so I figured why not show you what I bought…

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Treats/Goodies:

Blueberry pie

Apple Cider Donuts

Moon Pie Bites

Red Raspberry Preserves 

Pumpkin Butter

Peach Apricot Cherry Jam

Apple Cider

Décor:

3 little stick figures- a pumpkin, sunflower scarecrow, and ghost 

^I feel like these would be really cute in a floral arrangement. 

A witch

^This can be hung up on the wall or on the door- anywhere really. 

My pumpkin that I picked! I have to think about what I want to do with it this year. In the past I’ve done some fun and funky designs…

RHONDA

rhonda

JUANITA CROMWELL

juanita cromwell

ROXY

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SUNFLOWER SAGE

Sunflower Sage

LOLITA LEIGH

Lolita Leigh

BABY PUMPKIN

baby pumpkin

 

Any ideas for my 2018 design?

*All images are my own.*

 

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#BLOGTOBER Day 8- It’s October again…

In my quest to keep this blog thing going for the entire month of October, I sought out some Halloween playlist inspiration and somewhere along the line, the lyric “It’s October again, leaves are coming down…” slipped into my memory.

And I realized how perfectly it lined up. 

The lyric is from a song called “Let Me Fall” performed by Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. [Haley was portrayed by real life singer/songwriter Bethany Joy Lenz.]

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The lyrics: 

“Let Me Fall”

It’s October again
The leaves are coming down
One more year’s come and gone
And nothing’s changed at all

Wasn’t I supposed to be someone
To face the things that I’ve been running from

Let me feel
I don’t care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I cry a little, die a little
At least I know I lived
Just a little

I’ve become much too good
At being vincible
I’m an expert at play it safe
And keep it cool

But I swear
This isn’t who I meant to be
I refuse to let my life roll over me

I wanna be somebody
Who can face the things that I’ve been running from

Let me feel
I don’t care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I cry a little, die a little
At least I know I lived

It’s October again
Leaves are coming down
One more year’s come and gone
And nothing’s changed at all

 

***

 

I feel like this song is really hitting home for me, right now. All the feels in the world. I can relate, Haley, I get you girl! 

 

I wonder is Joy wrote this song herself for the show?

 

Watch the performance below featured in episode 2×07 titled

“Let The Reigns Go Loose” 

Episode Backstory: In this episode Haley conquers her stage fright and performs at TRIC’s opening night. 

 

Soak in those fall vibes…

*I do not take credit for any images, lyrics, or video clips used.*

 

-<3-

 

#BLOGTOBER Day 6- Witchy Reboots…

It seems like every where you turn, there is another 90’s tv show reboot. To be honest, I’m here for it ALL! I was born in the 90’s and I remember watching these shows and loving them, so these shows are basically my childhood. Nostalgia is so good, sometimes.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Charmed is coming back to The CW (formerly known as The WB) with three new young witches with many new adventures to face and evil to conquer. Looks kind of good, I’m going to see if it holds up to the original. Because I used to love the original. My best friend and I used to “Play Charmed.” Where we would each  pick one of the witches to be and create spells and cast them. We often fought over who would be Prue or Phoebe, but let’s be real eventually we loved Piper because she’d get candle lit dinners with White Lighter Leo. 😉 #BESTFRIENDINSIDEJOKES

 

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Milano, Doherty, Combs

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Combs, Milano, McGowan


The original premiered in 1998 and starred Shannen Doherty as Prue, Alyssa Milano as Phoebe, Holly Marie Combs as Piper, and Rose McGowen as Paige. Doherty’s character dies in Season 3, which is why they had McGowen show up to take the place of the third witch in the Halliwell family trio. The Series aired for 8 seasons on The WB.

 

Check out the Reboot Trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OwMppC6qME

The synopsis reads:

Mel and Maggie Vera suffer a shock when their mother dies suddenly, but before they have time to heal from their loss, another surprise shows up on their doorstep in the shape of an older sister — brilliant geneticist Macy — whom their mother never told them existed. The emotional stress takes its toll and the girls begin to exhibit impossible new abilities. An explanation comes from an unexpected place: the new chair of the women’s studies department. Harry Greenwood reveals that the three are powerful witches, and he is their white lighter, there to advise and guide them as they battle dark forces.–[Via Wikipedia]

The idea of this reboot seems relatively similar to the original so I’m interested to see how this plays out. I want the key components of the original, but not an instant copy, and they’ve already changed things up by casting three Latina actresses. Cheers from a fellow Latina! I think this could be really cool. However, the reboot did get backlash from the original actresses, when the reboot proclaimed itself as “Fierce, Funny and Feminist.” OG fans seem to be in agreeance and are skeptical to watch. Alyssa Milano also spoke to Entertainment Tonight saying, “I wish that they would have come to us and we would have been involved since the beginning…But having said that, I do hope that it reaches the newer generation and impacts that generation the way ours was able to do for its generation.” As an OG fan, I feel that the original witches were 4 badass FEMINIST women, but that doesn’t mean we can’t leave room for these new actresses to claim their own feminist badassery. At least they aren’t stepping into the same exact character roles, trying to be something they aren’t. So hey, let’s just give it a chance, shall we? No matter what- Milano, Doherty, Combs and McGowan will always be our original Charmed ones.

The Reboot airs Sunday, October 14th @ 9 PM on The CW

NEXT UP...

The latest 90’s sitcom to be revived is- Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Well sort of…let’s dive in.

The original live action TV series premiered in 1996, and starred Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman. The show follows Sabrina Spellman – a teenager with magical powers who comes from a long line of witches. Until going away to college, she lived with her wacky aunts, who would teach her to use her witchcraft wisely, and Salem, the talking black cat, who always has a scheme up his paw. As a high-school student, Sabrina is less judicious about using her powers than when she enters adulthood. The series is  said to be based on a 1960s Sabrina, a spinoff of the Archie comic franchise, and an animated TV series that originally aired in the 1970s. –[Via Wikipedia.]

The original live action tv sitcom (1996) was funny, and light hearted, even the scariest of adventures had some humor attached, very kid friendly. I remember some of my favorite episodes were the ones where Britney Spears, and *NSYNC guest starred/made musical appearances. Another would be when Brian Austin Green played Sabrina’s Boyfriend for the night-yes they created a dough boy and basically baked her a boyfriend! Seriously I wish I was able to point my finger and be dressed and ready, or to zap myself to work, without the travel. Witches man! LOL.

The sitcom aired for 7 seasons on ABC and The WB and included two television movies and one soundtrack release. The series is also said to be outside the Archie comics. 

Thanks to my free Hulu trial I get to 90’s it up! Hey remember that time DJ Tanner (Full House/Fuller House) played a psycho cult witch and then Sabrina visited Philly in Boy Meets World…SO good! I’ll be watching that episode on Hulu asap. Been on a bit of a Boy Meets World/Sabrina the Teenage Witch throwback kick. 

This Sabrina Witch storyline has been revived/readapted several times, across several mediums. Comic book, Animation, Live Action TV sitcom, cartoon/animated series, films, and now it’s being given a darker, Netflix twist. 

Sabrina: The Animated Series

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In 1999, Hart provided the voice of Sabrina’s two aunts for Sabrina: The Animated Series, while Emily Hart (Melissa’s younger sister) voiced the character of Sabrina. This series lasted one season and produced 65 episodes, the television/direct-to-video movie Sabrina: Friends Forever, and the continuation-spinoff series Sabrina’s Secret Life. –[Via Wikipedia]

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Both of Sabrina animated shows and a movie are all produced by DiC Productions, now called DHX Media. The series is outside the Archie comics. –[Via Wikipedia] 

Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch
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In 2011, Archie Comics announced plans to produce a new animated series based on Sabrina the Teenage Witch to be released in late 2012. The show featured CGI animation that was produced by MoonScoop, and a brand new look for the Sabrina characters. As of October 2012, The Hub has picked up the series, and it finally debuted on air on October 12, 2013. –[Via Wikipedia]

Films (with Melissa Joan Hart) 

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 film)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X17tyz_Chiw

 

 Not to mention the many Sabrina books!

NEW SABRINA NEWS!!!

Riverdale (2017 TV series-The CW)
On July 23, 2016, at San Diego Comic-Con, K.J. Apa, who portrays Archie Andrews in the darker, subversive live action take on Archie, confirmed that Sabrina will eventually appear in the CW series. Sabrina was originally slated to debut in the show’s season one finale, but this was eventually decided against, as showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said it would’ve distracted from the rest of the episode, though she is still being considered for a later season.–[Via Wikipedia]

This could be really cool.
I wonder who will play her? 

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Sabrina Carpenter??? I could totally see her on Riverdale and her name fits the role! Or they may opt to do a crossover with Kiernan Shipka, who knows!

*Read the FULL Sabrina history HERE

Check out the trailer for the latest Sabrina journey-

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, where Kiernan Shipka (will be taking on the role of Sabrina Spellman.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybKUX6thF8Q

The synopsis reads: 

Her name is Sabrina Spellman.

Half witch. Half mortal. On her 16th birthday, Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) has to make a choice between the witch world of her family and the human world of her friends. With her aunties (Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis), her cat Salem, and her boyfriend Harvey Kinkle (Ross Lynch), Sabrina will face horrors and new adventures in the mysterious town of Greendale. From the executive producers of Riverdale comes a haunting new tale. –[Via Released by Netflix]

From the trailer I can definitely see the Riverdale esque influence. To be honest I didn’t even know the character Sabrina was based on an Archie comic. I was never a comics kid, but I loved TV, (clearly still do!) Being a kid in the 90’s, Melissa Joan Hart was my Sabrina. Although all Hart’s Sabrina related content (Live Action TV series, Animated Series, Films) was considered “outside the Archie comics,” it does still say she was based off the original Archie comic character. So I’m guessing it’s a loose adaption. Hart was the Sabrina I know and love, as she is for many. So now I can understand the difference in direction for this Netflix reboot, it isn’t based on the 90’s sitcom. However, wasn’t Archie more humorous and silly? Where is this darkness coming from? But then again I wasn’t an Archie comic reader.

WAIT!!!! 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is an American comic book series published by Archie Horror, an imprint of Archie Comics, beginning in 2014. The series focuses on Sabrina Spellman during her teenage years in the 1960s. The series is a darker take on the characters and setting of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.— [Via Wikipedia]

NOW I GET IT….DUH???

I know I’m intrigued just to see the same few characters pop back up. Looks really cool! 

The Reboot Premieres Friday, October 26th. Only on Netflix.

 

*DISCLAIMER: I used Wikipedia/IMDB to fact check, so please don’t quote me on any of this. Sometimes their information can be off. My apologies for any mistaken information. 

So who’s watching these Witchy Reboots? Any takers? Let me know how you think they’ll measure up to the original content in the comments below.

 

*I do not take credit for any images, video clips, films, trailers, or Wikipedia information*

 

-<3- 

 

#BLOGTOBER Day 5-Where to find the best Halloween Movie Marathons

Want to wear a big ole hoodie, some fuzzy socks, brew a cup of tea and watch some Halloween/Fall flicks? I got you covered.

Freeform just upped their 13 Nights of Halloween to 31 Nights of Halloween

Check out the schedule below: 

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AMC Fear Fest starts October 14th, click HERE for full movie schedule! 

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*Check your cable provider for local channel listings.

As for the beloved Disney channel original movie Halloweentown, I couldn’t find tv listings, but the website does have all 4 movies available, click HERE to watch!

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Netflix….I am so impressed! #NetflixAndChills Nicely done, #PromotionalGold

 

So friends…Do you like scary movies? 😉

 

*I do not take credit for any images, movies, or movie clips used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#BLOGTOBER Day 4- Fall Haul-Treats, Teas, & Décor

 

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I bought all of my fall goodies at Christmas Tree Shop, and they were all fairly inexpensive. 

The T-shirt, I purchased from Target. ($14.99-$16.99)

Hand Soaps were (3 for $2) – I got fall scents: Mulled Cider, Pumpkin Spice, & Fig and Brown Sugar

Treats:

Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Biscotti- I bought these a year or two ago and I just loved them, so I had to repurchase. ($2.99)

Pumpkin Spice Werther’s Original Soft Caramels ($1)

Fall Teas:

Bigelow Salted Caramel ($2.49)

Red Rose Caramel Apple Pie ($2.49)

Blue festive mug with sunflowers “Crisp air and crunchy leaves” ($4.99) I have way too many mugs and I had to put this one back. But my aunt was really sweet and got it for me anyway, because she knew how much I wanted it! LOL.

Décor:

Cupcake Papers [mini & large] ($1 each)

Two packs of beautiful leaves in various fall golden colors. Gorgeous! (Each $1.99)

Hello Fall Napkins- ($1.99) we use these hand towels for our restroom, and its so hard to find the long decorative napkins for each season/holiday, so this was a steal!

Rustic Apple Kitchen Towel ($1.99) 

Decorative wooden pumpkin ($1.69)

Magic Potion Cauldron ($2.49)

Black Cat Cauldron Polish Spell bottle ($1.49)

 

I can’t wait to decorate and use all my fun fall goodies!

 

What’s in your Fall haul? 

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 3- My Fall 2018 TV Schedule


tv

Fall is the time where all the returning shows start their season premieres, or when the new shows have their series premieres. And it is seriously like Christmas morning to me.  This year there are a few newbies and some good oldies that I’ve invested a few seasons in already. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Warning…I watch ALOT of tv, it’s my favorite form of storytelling. I love getting to know characters and having them be there every week with new adventures. Hey it’s research! One day I’m going to have my own TV show, that’s the dream!

day 2 sneak peek

I try to watch live as much as I can, because I hate spoilers and I like the sense of community. #Livetweeting for the win! But sometimes I just can’t, because life and well sometimes I have to actually #Adult. But I usually catch up when I can, thanks to free on demand, and the internet. Here’s a peek at what I’m watching this fall season…

MONDAYS

The Resident @ 8 PM FOX *New for me [On it’s 2nd Season]

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Oh man oh man, so this show just started it’s second season and I had seen a bunch of promos for it. Of course it peeked my interest because Matt Czuchry (Logan from Gilmore Girls) and Emily VanCamp (Amy from Everwood & Emily/Amanda from Revenge) are in it! But I figured it was a hospital drama and it would break my heart just like Grey’s Anatomy did. So I kind of strayed away. And then one day YouTube happened, and I started to watch a few clips and I quickly realized that I was going to be in LOVE with Czuchry’s character, Conrad Hawkins. He’s basically a younger/sexy version of Dr. House. He uses unconventional methods to save his patients lives, and he’s lovably arrogant. He’s a third year resident supervising new first years, and he has one rule “He is always right.”  Very rough around the edges because he had a rough go at childhood and served in the marine corps as a medic. I love how he doesn’t even wear full scrubs he just wears the shirt and black jeans and combat boots, with his beaded and leather bracelets and chains and bolt like rings, and tattoos. He’s just so damn cool, I can’t take it. 

However he really cares about his patients and will break any hospital rule (especially when it involves billing and insurance) to help save them. Just the way he walks is amazing. It’s like a strut.

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I LOVE him, and even more so, I love his relationship with VanCamp’s character Nurse Nicolette “Nic” Nevin. You know if there’s a love story, complexities and all…I am ALL IN!

Thanks to hulu I just finished Season 1 and caught up on the first two episodes of Season 2. I will admit it’s my current obsession. This happens when I find a new tv show, I just can’t stop thinking about it. LOL. Season 1 was really strong and I am so happy I gave in and watched it. 

The show takes place in Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta Georgia, and it drops us in the middle of these character’s lives, so there is a lot of backstory still left to uncover. Especially when it comes to Conrad and Nic’s relationship. It’s really interesting because I’m used to seeing these relationship stables play out- when did they meet? Who asked who out? What’d they do on their first date? When did they first say I love you? When did they have their first love scene? SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!! But I kind of like how they are showing their relationship unfold. It’s very cool. 

In college I had a college writing professor who used to always tell us to “tell it later,” I would always get so frustrated, because I felt like I wanted to tell it now, from the beginning. But as I grow older and watch tv shows and see how they differ in their storytelling, I totally see the appeal of dropping your audience smack dab in the middle of a couple’s complex relationship. For instance in the pilot, the first scene we see between Nic and Conrad is him pulling her into a room and kissing her, telling her he’ll do “whatever it takes to get her back.”

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SWOON! It leaves us wanting more. Nicely played FOX. I’m hooked. 

I don’t mean to go off on a tangent on this one show, but it’s a new one for me, so I have to get the obsession feels out! I also really like the way the show is shot. Very  hand held, snory cam- at times first person shots. The music they use is pretty dope too. For instance in Season 2, they used these two songs and I am obsessed!

I think I may need to do a full on review of this show so I will just stop rambling here and move on… 

TUESDAYS

New Amsterdam @ 10 PM NBC *NEW Series [1st Season]

All these doctor shows coming in and taking over…another doctor who is not a fan of billing or the medical system and is trying the fight for patients, you may think it’s the same as every other doctor show but…there is a mega twist at the end of the pilot…watch and wait for it…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_5EvoL1Is

This Is Us @ 9 PM NBC [3rd Season]

You guys…come on now, do I even have to explain how good this show is. I would just like to meet these writers and directors and creators and just give them a standing ovation because, the way they let these stories unfold is just brilliant. I cry almost every week, but it’s still just such moving television. 

WEDNESDAYS

Riverdale @ 8 PM The CW [3rd Season]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr_XjNuiJk4

Chicago PD @ 10 PM NBC [6th Season] 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzFBTqD-fI8&t=35s

THURSDAYS

Will & Grace @ 9 PM NBC [2nd Season Reboot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x6nay26Blw

How To Get Away With Murder @ 10 PM ABC [5th Season]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SByiHnyUxJI

FRIDAYS

Dynasty @ 8 PM The CW [2nd Season] 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYabs1_VqLM

SATURDAYS

FREE DAY! (Catch up day?) haha

SUNDAYS

Supergirl @ 8 PM The CW [4th Season]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcsOph_nqm0

Charmed @ 9 PM The CW [*New Series Reboot]

We shall see how this holds up to the original…I loved the original!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ycEPoT1Nzw

YOU @ 10 PM Lifetime [*New Series]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKSYTlSaGik

This show is so good, and is so creepy you just can’t help but be intrigued by what’s going to happen next. It takes stalker to a whole new level. 

 

Happy Watching…what are you guys watching this fall? 

 

* I do not take credit for any images used in my edit (or otherwise)

or any videos/music used.* 

 

-<3-

 

 

 

 

#BLOGTOBER Day 2-My 2018 Fall Bucket List

 

sneak peek day 2

 

  1. Go see movies: Halloween, A Simple Favor, Life Itself, Colette, Hell Fest, and A Star is Born, (CLICK TO WATCH THE MOVIE TRAILERS)

     2. Go Pumpkin Picking

     3. Go to Applefest

     4. Buy pies, jams, cider, other fall drinks

     5. Host my 2nd Annual Pumpkin Party

     6. Host a Wine & Cheese Party

     7. Watch Hocus Pocus & Halloweentown

     8. Trick or Treat with my niece

     9. Fall Fashion

   10.  Decorate for Fall, Halloween & Thanksgiving

   11. Research some good Thanksgiving recipes

   12. Dye & cute my hair (I’m thinking of trying purple this time!) 

   13. Go see J.T. in Concert

   14. Participate in NaNoWriMo November

**More things may be added…

SNEAK PEEK FOR DAY 3…

day 2 sneak peek

What’s on your Fall Bucket List? Did I miss anything?

-<3-

 

 

An Update & Announcing #BLOGTOBER

Hello there friends.

pumpkin

October 2017

I know it has been quite some time, since I posted consistently here on michelle leigh writes. 

I was having some technical issues and it involved paying fees to upgrade my account, and I just had to really do some research and budgeting before I was able to figure out my next step. 

For now, I think I have one. At least a short term solution. 

I thought about changing hosts, and starting over. A new blog. Fresh Content. But I just couldn’t leave this one the way it’s been currently; inconsistent/not posting for months, and then what? I just decide to never come back to MLW? I couldn’t do it. It’s my baby. Besides, my current short story series “Move” was never fully finished so…keep an eye out for new chapters of that too! 

MOVE poster

RECAP from the beginning HERE

So I caved and purchased the upgrade. Not a super fan of the yearly cost, but I put 5 years of heart into this blog, I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet. In fact, I now have my own domain- michelleleighwrites.com is my new site name. 😀

However, when my year mark resurfaces, I will re-evaluate and make the best decision for my blog from there on out. And if that means starting new then it will be an exciting adventure and I will of course keep you posted. Transferring 5 years worth of files seems like a tall order, so we will have to just see how things go in a year. 

In the meantime I have many things in store for the coming  fall months. 

Now, because I’ve been gone for what feels like forever, I wanted to start things off with a BANG! So I will be doing #BLOGTOBER. A blog post everyday for the entire month of October. And I have a lot of fun stuff planned, from movie and music reviews to fun party planning ideas, to fall love stories. It’s going to be a good time. 

DISCLAIMER: 

In the interest of transparency. I must admit I do not know where or who the idea of BLOGTOBER originated from. I didn’t even know it was a thing. I just thought of it, because I know on YouTube they do VLOGTOBER or VLOGMAS, where video bloggers post video of their everyday lives as content for the entire month of October or December. I was even more so inspired by one of my favorite youtubers, Kalyn Nicholson, who does something on her channel called #Youtober, videos posted for everyday of October. She explains it in last year’s video. [See Below:]

SNEAK PEEK FOR DAY 2…

sneak peek day 2

-<3-

*Images are all my own, except the images used in my “Move” Edit artwork*