Books to Read Before They Hit Theaters 2017

I know it's crazy to think of 2017! THAT'S SO FAR AWAY. Except in the life of a meeting planner, I constantly live one year in the future. So do you blame me for planning out what I want to read before these books become movies in 2017? One of my biggest reading pet peeves is not reading the book before seeing the movie, so I have the scoop on all the books I want to read (and that you should read, too) before they become movies in 2017.

Books Becoming Movies in 2017

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L James

This is the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey, both a movie and a book. And the preview is already out! If you haven't already read this trilogy, I'd take a peek into it. I waited a while to read this because I hated how popularized it became. But I fell into the trap and it's definitely an interesting (and a bit taboo) subject. Plus Olivia Wilde will be in this one! Set to release in February.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKuWJX8oTYc[/embed]

Ascendant (Allegient Book)

This is another one from a series. This is the second part of Allegient which is the third book in the Divergent Series. Hopefully a good movie to wrap up the entire wild ride, it's been. Set to release in June.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Yes, there was already a tv movie made of this but this will be a brand new remake and will feature Oprah! It has a pretty decent film budget so we can expect this one to impress. P.S. The screen play will be written by the same lady who wrote Frozen.

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Have you seen this heart-wrenching trailer. I ugly cried watching it. Thank god I wasn't in public. It's an interesting concept that dogs are reborn into other dogs after they pass away. Set to release in January. (P.S. Don't watch this in public)

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jLOOCADTGs[/embed]

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park according to Goodreads. Elle Fanning will be starring in this movie but other than that there's not too much information on this movie yet. I've seen a lot of my friends reading this book and talking about how much of a hear breaker it is. Apparently a trigger warning for people who are already depressed. I haven't read it yet, but in all of the reviews that's what they're saying.

Live by Night by Dennis Lehane

Set in Boston in the 20's, this book and movie focuses on a son of a police captain who has turned his back on proper society. He's in tight with the mobs, organized crime, and illegal booze. This is actually a second book in the series called "Coughlin". It'll feature Elle Fanning, Zoe Saldana, and Ben Affleck. Set to release in January.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwejneg3sCM[/embed]

Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach

This book is set in 1630s Amesterdam, where apparently tulips, an exotic flower, were all the rage. A couple longs for an heir but have failed to conceive. So they commission a portait, and love blossoms between the talented young painter and Sophia, the wife. The movie looks dark and creepy, and it doesn't help that Christopher Waltz (seriously he's so creepy) is the husband. Also Judy Dench will be in it too! Set to release in February.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omOWlPASLq4[/embed]

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

I'm a sucker for Michael Fassbender movies, especially those based on books (HELLO, Light Between the Oceans!). This one comes from acclaimed crime writer Jo Nesbo and is about his police investigator, Harry Hole. There's a whole series of Harry Hole books, this is the 7th in the series. A woman goes missing and her pink scarf turns up wrapped around an ominous looking snowman that is built nearby, leading Harry Hole to hunt the tracks of a serial killer. Set to release in October.

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

This book and movie adaptation follows two strangers who survife a plan crash in Colorado and are forced to rely on each other for survival. There may be a nice romantic twist to this movie too, between Idris Elba and Kate Winslet.

Still catching up on this year? Here's books to read before they become movies in 2016, there's still a few! 

What are you looking forward to reading next?

10 Reasons I'm Not a Real Foodie

Transitioning to a "Food" blogger is definitely difficult. However, I've always loved food. Food is the biggest determinants of my day. And sometimes my definition of good food can be the cheesiest, messiest nachos at my local sports bar. That being said, I have my likes and my dislikes and that might not always fit the mold of a true "foodie."

Here's why I'm not a Real Foodie

1.My idea for a snack at home is usually croutons or bell peppers.

2. You'll always find a frozen pizza in my freezer.

3. I hate all types of mushrooms. Sorry, Stroganoff, you'll never have a chance with me.

4. If I can't find the right ingredient to a recipe, I'll find a substitution. Even though feta cheese doesn't make a true elote.



5. Sometimes, I'll wing it and try a restaurant without even looking on Yelp or food blogs.

6. I don't savor every flavor. Sometimes, I just demolish an entire plate of chips and salsa without picking apart every flavor in the salsa.



7. I have my "go-to" recipes that I can always make well, otherwise, I'm not very innovative in the kitchen.

8. I'm not a know-it-all about foods. I love to learn and ask questions from serves and chefs, and even my boyfriend who knows a lot more about food than I do. Even if I do know more than someone dining with me about food, I'll never look down upon them or arrogantly tell them off.



9. If I can find a restaurant in that serves good food at reasonable prices, without much of an ambiance, I'll still frequent that more than the trendy joint that serves similar food for 2x as much.



10. Last but not least, I'm not a luxury-food snob. I enjoy food equally. I'll spend $14 on a bowl of mac & cheese while still loving my Kraft dinner at home.

Are you a foodie or just a food lover, like me?

(H/T to In a DC Minute for the inspiration to this post)

 

Cheesetique - Great Comfort Food

It's now been 15 days of rain every day in D.C. I can't take it anymore! I thought it was April showers not May showers. When it's cold and dreary out, the only two things that make me feel better are yoga pants and comfort food. Cooking is not on that list. So last night, Andy and I ventured out to get some good comfort food (I wore leggings ;) ) Shirlington is one of my favorite areas to go out for date nights. The close second is Del Ray, Alexandria. Luckily, either place I could have chosen would have had the restaurant I was aiming for: Cheesetique!



Cheesetique is a specialty cheese shop and also a small restaurant and bar. They serve everything from cheese and charcuterie boards (a must!), to fondue, to mac & cheeses, and grilled cheeses. You can even pair your grilled cheese with a typical creamy tomato soup. I apologize in advance to any lactose-intolerant readers.

Cheesetique also offers a variety of deals for different nights, you have your typical happy hour from 4-7 every weeknight, but on Tuesdays you can get all bottles 20% off and Wednesdays they host "Wine Down Wednesday" which offers $5 house whites and reds (and they're great house wines). What I really enjoy about Cheesetique is that they give you great wine recommendations for each item on the menu. If there's one you really fall in love with, you can grab a bottle to take home from the store in the front!

Andy and I couldn't resist trying the tot poutine. If you don't know what poutine is, it's a Canadian dish of french fries and cheese curds topped with a light brown gravy. I think I may be forever a tot poutine fan because the taters were the perfect complement to the poutine. I'm also pretty picky about my fries (give me steak fries!).





For our entrees, Andy opted for the Mac of the Moment which featured ham, spinach, and a signature blend of Asiago and Cocia Roma cheeses. The sauce is creamy and not oily, which is pretty hard to make a good mac sauce that doesn't separate. He especially liked the bread crumb topping to their dish as an added texture that's flavorful.

I decided to go for the grilled cheese. I was absolutely torn between the Sassy Goat and the Grown Up, a typical cheddar grilled cheese on sourdough. However, the Sassy Goat won in the end, and I'm so glad it did. It was honestly the best grilled cheese I've had in my life. And I don't say that lightly. The sandwich had chevre, bacon, avocado, roasted tomatoes, and a garlic aoili. All of this was served on grilled ciabatta bread. The flavors mixed perfectly without being too overpowering and the avocado was the best addition to a grilled cheese that I wouldn't have thought to do myself. 

 



I'm not a huge dessert person, but Andy is. When we took saw the dessert menu it was all over for me. They had cheesecake, of course, but we actually ended up going for the Key Lime Pie which is one of my weaknesses. I would have preferred more pie and less whipped cream, however, after eating my entire sandwich, salad, and some of Andy's mac, it was just enough for me. I loved the presentation and it was a great finish to my overindulgence day.



My favorite thing about Cheesetique is how it really feels like a neighborhood spot.

Cheesetique. Del Ray. 2411 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301. 703-706-5300. Shirlington. 4056 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206. 703-993-8787. Ballston location coming soon!

How to Get Reliable Feedback For Your Blog

So I've been blogging here at Alanna & Company for almost two years now. That's so crazy to think of how fast it flew by! Anyways, I'm always trying to improve my site to make it better for my readers, my viewers, and to keep me happy. I'm very visual and when things are hard to find, take too long to load, or aren't easy to navigate, I get frustrated. So I'm always looking to get reliable feedback about my blog.

Like I said earlier this week, I've reorganized and designed my site to make it more friendly to what I really want to be blogging about food & life, with a focus on restaurant and local reviews. I'm always curious what you guys think even if I'm totally in awe and love with my design, it might not be your favorite. Or you might have liked it better before.

So first of all, I want to open it up to you guys if you like the new design and look? I think that the navigation is a lot easier to find because I have two menus now. I have a landing page which highlights the main features of my blog, but also a blog page that looks like a typical blog layout. That's just me, what do you guys think?

Another way to get some great feedback, especially from people who aren't 100% familiar with blogs is a company called Peek. I heard about it a while ago from a fellow blogger over at Just the Elevator Pitch. Since then, I've been asking for Peek reviews every time I change my design.

Peek is a user-testing site that will let you submit your site to be reviewed. Someone will then review your site anonymously and give you a four-five minute video review of what they think of your site. And, it's free!



Be prepared for some harsh or awkward comments. When I reviewed my site, it took my reviewer a while to realize that I'm a food blog. So that made me rethink adding a sub-title under my blog header. He first thought I was a restaurant! He also commented that on my "About" page it looked weird because my sidebar was longer than the content (oh well!). However, I really find the review videos informative, especially because a lot of my friends and family aren't familiar with blogs, they might have a similar experience to a tester like this. Or you might get lucky and get a tester who is familiar with blogs! You never know.

So go check it out. You can submit your site for review up to 3 times per month.

Do you like to get feedback from your readers? How do you solicit feedback?

Finally..an Announcement

Ah finally! I can let it out. I have an amazing announcement (some of you may already know about it)

but for the rest of you

Here comes the announcement

Starla, Andy and I are moving to Chicago!

......in 3 weeks!

It's been a crazy month of planning, discussing, organizing, but it's finally happening and I'm happy to say that publicly.

It's been a whirlwind of excitement, anticipation, and anxiety. But it's finally happening.

It’s been weird to not be able to share this with everyone as it was happening; something I've always done as a blogger. During the whole process, it was frustrating to make sure that I didn't spill the beans especially as I had told close family, some friends, but not everyone. Of course there were things that needed to be settled first like telling my job, telling my current apartment and roommate, etc.

We are moving to Chicago. I've always loved Chicago since the first time I've been there and can't wait to explore. Andy is super happy because we'll be closer to his family who live in the area and neighboring states.

We know where where we want to live. We had applied for one apartment but that fell through, unfortunately but we have a couple places were looking at now. The location is super pretty and walking distance from the beach and the lake, which should be perfect for Starla. Less concrete jungles for her.

I have a job! I secured a nice new job (and promotion!) right near the airport. Traffic won't be the best, but hey. It's Chicago.

In the meantime, we are...

Organizing and packing both of our places. Making sure we don't both pack duplicate things.

Perfecting our timing of how to move out of two separate apartments while picking up things from my parents' house on the way. Someone wish me patience and strength.

Preparing for driving the 12 hours to Chicago. In a rental truck, with a dog.

Phew. That's so great to get off my back! I also want to say that I have to apologize for the randomness of the posts recently. I haven't been feeling super inspired, probably because my new focus is on local restaurant reviews, recipes, and drinks and I'm moving. So I promise I will refocus and have more consistent content coming soon. If you've noticed, I've changed around some of the navigation that would be more fitting for my site. Love you guys!

Burger Tour + Giveaway!

Disclaimer: The information, gift card, gift pack and giveaway have been provided to me by Hard Rock International. #WorldBurgerTour

Nothing says "Summer" more like burgers and BBQs. I wish the weather has been more summery the past week, I'm ready for some 80 degree DC weather and cook-outs.

In the meantime, when it's still a bit dreary outside, you can head over to the Hard Rock Cafe for their limited World Burger Tour. This May through June, Hard Rock Cafe will feature burgers from around the globe like an English Breakfast Burger, Tandoori Chicken Burger, Greek burger, and more. Personally, I can't wait to try their Tango Salsa burger, a burger recipe inspired from Buenos Aires that will have andouille sausage, Monterey jack cheese, salsa criolla, and chips de batata. Yum!

Of course, no burger can go without some drinks. Hard Rock specially created cocktails that perfectly complement the burger offerings. Try their Sweet & Fiery cocktail with the ATOMIC! Burger both inspired by Las Vegas.

This year, Hard Rock is also offering a literal World Burger Tour which is a travel package that would tour you around to London, Athens, Buenos Aires, and Seattle for 10-nights. For more details, click here.

If you're not down with travelling you're crazy, I've teamed up with Hard Rock to offer a gift pack to one lucky reader in the US. The gift pack includes an oven mitt pair, apron, and spatula.

Hard Rock Gift Pack

What's your favorite summer food?

In Defense of Millenials & Generation Y

Let me first start with describing Millennials.

Generation Y or Millenials are the generation of people born during the 1980s and up until 1994.

PSA: If you are 21 years old or below, you are not a Millennial. You are Generation Z or the iGeneration.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's get to the main issue I want to address today: Why Do Millennials Get Such a Bad Rap?



I was watching this video the other day from another millennial like myself, completely bash other millennials. She generalized that our generation "contributes nothing to society," "doesn't hold doors for ladies," "spends less time building [IRL] relationships," and disrespects our elders and our country.

Let me just say that I hate generalizations. Maybe she feels all those ways, but for her to project those feelings and actions upon me completely untrue. At every point, in the video, I could easily disagree with each and every single point. But this isn't the only time, I've seen this trend.

There's articles calling Millennials the "Me Me Me Generation," which say that "millennials lack the kind of empathy that allows them to feel concerned for others, but they also have trouble even intellectually understanding others’ points of view." Studies that report that millennials are seen as entitled.

Oh, wait. I'm not done yet. What about saying Millennials don't care about their careers?  It makes me want to scream.

Times are changing and with that so are people. The fact that I have solely "online" friends doesn't mean that I never communicate in real life, it just means I have better access to communicate with my friends, family, and acquaintances who aren't in a nearby vicinity. The fact that I have had three different jobs since I graduated college doesn't mean that I don't care about my career, it just means I'm figuring out what my dream career is and positioning myself to be successful in a lifelong career. The fact that our generation doesn't just hold doors for ladies, means that we are seeing women and men treated equally and everyone can hold a door for each other. The fact that our generation uses slang words like "bae" is just slang, like every other generation before us. The fact that we have unprecedented access to information using the internet and technology, doesn't mean that we're lazy and stupid, it means we have better access to understand and interpret the world.

We see things different. We have different opportunities than any other generation before us. And finally, ask your parents what they want for you or your siblings. Most likely they'll say that they want you to be better of than they were. If that's true, then why so much judgement upon the generation that we want to be better than the last? I for one, hope and know that Generation Z will be better of than our generations, and good for them.

Are you a Millennial? Have you ever faced criticism of your generation?

If you liked this post, you'll love this op-ed comic.