Really Into This: Looking Back at 2016

Really Into This: Looking Back at 2016

Sarah: 2016 was a hell of a year.

Jessica: I actually sent this picture to Sarah – I am definitely ready to have 2016 in the rear view mirror.

Sarah: For me, it was the year of discovering a love of audiobooks, saying goodbye to Downton Abbey, sobbing over George Michael, giving into Hallmark, searching for the perfect flannel PJs & creating a slumber party room in my house.

Jessica: Ahh Downton Abbey,  I miss that show too.  2016 was filled with a few books, new and old TV shows, hanging out in wine country, Tim Duncan’s retirement, fun new recipes and the most baking I have ever done, and three amazing trips to Texas to visit friends, family and eat all the food I have missed!

Sarah: My favorite mystery was I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. I GASPED reading this & stayed up until 2AM. It was THAT good. Clare has a new book coming out early next year & it’s a creepy thriller that I’m sure will do well.

A close second was Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. It’s the book I wanted to talk to everyone about. I’m still thinking about it.

Other books I loved were: A Window Opens, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, Leave Me, Small Great Things & Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.

Jessica:  I didn’t read nearly as many books as Sarah this year (who could!), but there were a few I was Really Into: The House at the Edge of Night, Today Will Be Different, The Girl on the Train and the Veronica Mars book series (I just don’t want that show to die!).  There were a couple of books that I was Not Really Into, but I won’t mention those…

Sarah: I had a hard time finding any music I loved this year, but my whole family was Really Into Todrick Hall this year. Todrick is currently starring on Broadway in Kinky Boots & is an American Idol alum who had an MTV show chronicling his YouTube success. It was so much fun & YES! I still watch MTV. He released a video album Straight Outta Oz this year. I tried to tell EVERYONE about it. It’s amazing & it’s his story told in the same manner as The Wizard of Oz. It’s brilliant & I think he is a total creative genius. The kids & I screamed yesterday because we heard it on the promo for the new NBC show, Emerald City. Derek & I even went to see his concert in August & met Rebecca Romijn & Jerry O’Connell. Here’s the proof.

https://instagram.com/p/BHq210Fh_0T/

Jessica:  One of the highlights of my year was going back to Austin to see Adele with my girlfriends.  She is such an amazing artist and she seemed very humble and appreciative.  And she was fantastic live.  What an amazing show!

Sarah: Bitch Sesh was another obsession of mine this year. It’s a podcast hosted by Casey Wilson & Danielle Schneider & it’s all about my Bravo Housewives. I freaking LOVE it. I get a lot of flack for being a Housewives aficionado, so these are MY PEOPLE. They are super fans like me & can remember scene & fights from seasons past. I die laughing listening to it & these girls are crazy as hell & I love every minute of it.

Jessica: I was really into the WTF with Marc Maron podcast this year.  I am sooo late to the game on this one, but it was a great discovery for me.  The interviews are in depth, personal, and with a great variety of people.  I subscribed to the Howl app which gave me access to every show (there are hundreds), and it was a great escape from the political noise.

There was some fantastic TV on this year.  I am a Game of Thrones fan, and this year’s season did not disappoint!  I will give anything on HBO a chance, and Westworld was a great new addition.  I also enjoyed Divorce a lot more than I thought I would and it had some arguments that felt VERY real.

I started some old shows this year as well, some that are off the air and some that are still running.  My latest binge obsession is Gilmore Girls – I am tying so hard to finish catch up so I can watch the “A Year In The Life” I haven’t even read Sarah’s post on it because I am terrified of the spoilers. The others that I am Really Into right now are Mozart In the Jungle, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Veep.  All I can say is thank god for streaming services.

Sarah: Drag queens rule the world & they ruled my year. I was Really Into Rupaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. My faves are Katya Zamolodchikova, Alaska Thunderf*ck, the one & only Detox, Roxxxy Andrews and Alyssa Edwards. I also love my local Portland drag queens & introduced Annabelle to Darcelle’s this year & she was completely enamored. I mean, it’s make-up, hair, comedy, dance, art, music & fashion for days-she wanted to go back every weekend.

Jessica: For both of us, the biggest development of 2016 was the creation of this blog.  You have no idea how Really Into it we are.  We talk every day about how excited we are to create a community that allows us to share what we love and have others join us too.  As we say goodbye to 2016, I want to say thank you to everyone who has been reading and been supportive, and most especially to Sarah for letting me be a part of this.  I think we are making something really special.   Here’s to 2017!

Sarah: Its better when we are together, Jessica. I am looking forward to 2017 to see what we get Really Into.