To get ready for the premiere of CHEF’S KISS, a Roku Original starring Adrienne Bailon-Houghton streaming Tuesday, Feb 10th, I received a custom pasta kit to enjoy flavors of Tuscany at home.

Note: I was gifted Roku Original #ChefsKiss pasta kit. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

My pasta kit included

- Russo's Pasta Sauce
- Russo's Reginetti Pasta
- A Wooden Cooking Spoon

Once my kit was opened (and photographed) I went straight into cooking mode. Paste boiled. Sause added. Then everything plated in time to start streaming Chef's Kiss!

Chef's Kiss on The Roku Channel

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Tim Robards star in Chef's Kiss. Streaming free on February 10!

Chef's Kiss | Official Trailer | The Roku Channel



Lauren Navarro, a driven American marketing executive, travels to Tuscany to revitalize the struggling Russo Pasta Sauce brand. When Russo heir Francesca refuses to be the brand’s face, Lauren must work with Mason, the handsome but reluctant chef of the family’s trattoria.

As they fight to preserve the legacy of a cherished family business, Lauren and Mason clash, connect, and find an unexpected romance.

Starring: Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Tim Robards

Written by: Amelie Bonnet
Produced by: Steve Jaggi and Kylie Mascord
Production Company: Jaggi Entertainment

Stream The Roku Channel for FREE on Roku devices and TVs, as well as online at TheRokuChannel.com, through the Roku Mobile app, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs, and Google TV and other Android TV OS devices. No subscription required.

Learn more, visit - www.therokuchannel.roku.com

What if your childhood fear brings a real monster to life? To explore that idea, I interviewed Bryan Fuller, writer and director of Dust Bunny film, which is now available on Video on Demand and Digital.

Note: I was invited as media for #DustBunny screening and interview. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

After screening Dust Bunny, I loved the unexpected mix of humor, fighthing action and trauma bonding, that feels weirdly right for the characters. Add in amazing background decor and a monster bunny, that still gives me chills about walking on my floor, and it's a film worthy of watching. More then once.

And the guy who thought it up? Ironically wanted to scare you yes, but also wants you to survive that fear. Read what Bryan Fuller had to share about what went into making the Dust Bunny film.

What in your imagination help shape Dust Bunny’s storyline

Bryan Fuller: Fairy tales and being attracted to the horror elements in the story. Because we had cable growing up in the 70s and 80s, I was exposed to a lot of movies, that I probably shouldn't have, because adult supervision was not a thing in that era.

So I was seeing Wizard of Oz, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, right alongside movies like Black Christmas, and loving all of them and loving that the stakes in all of those stories are very high. They're life and death.

There's witches trying to murder you, or a crazy guy in the attic who's gonna put a grocery bag over your head. So all of those things were kind of hard to separate in my mind, as to what was suitable for me as a child and what wasn't. And that's probably how I ended up making a children's movie that's rated R.

How did you pick the style of Dust Bunny fashion and decor

Bryan Fuller: There were a lot of filmmakers in the 90s, as I was in film school and kind of trying to figure out what excited me about stories.

So I was seeing movies like Alfonso Cuarón's The Little Princess, and his Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, which is dripping with style and creative choices. At every turn, every moment, is heightened and stylized, yet emotionally grounded and had a genuine, authentic quality to the experiences of the humans on screen.

But they were in larger than life worlds.

Bryan Fuller: I loved French maximalism. I remember seeing delicatessen in the theater when I was in film school, and it blew my mind. I didn't know that we could go that far, and make those choices that were that strong. So a lot of French maximalism.

A lot of Spanish language fairy tales. My filmmaking influences were Spanish language films and French language films. They're not afraid of style and they're not afraid of color.

Bryan Fuller: I love the way Sheila Atim is styled in the film. I love her sort of plaid Foxy Brown esthetic. Those were all movies that I was exposed to in my childhood. There was so much style in a lot of those black exploitation movies of the 70s as well.

And movies that were considered exploitation movies, whether it was Hong Kong kung fu movies, like American black quotation films, there was a heightened quality to all of those stories.

Making the Dust Bunny Move: Puppetry and VFX

Bryan Fuller: I love the Jim Henson stories, whether it's Dark Crystal or Labyrinth, and the use of a giant puppet that is going to be your Monster. There was a combination of CG and puppetry in the film.

And for me, it was about what is Aurora's point of view at this moment? And wanting to lull the audience into a false sense of security, with her perception of reality, and allow them to wonder, is this real? Is this imagination? Where are we? Where are we framing this story?

And I think that sort of informed why we're super wide in our aspect ratio, because that creates a psychological space where danger could be encroaching from the edges of her world. And there's enough room for it to encroach that that felt very exciting to me.

So it really was about creating a psychological space with the monster as well, and having the audience wonder, okay, is this part real? Like, when the bunny comes up from under her bed, and then she wakes up the next day. And we're like, what happened there.

For viewers who recognize their trauma experiences, what do you want to be the take away?

Bryan Fuller: Thank you so much for asking this question. I grew up in a very tricky childhood. I had a very violent father, and the monster under my bed, was really down the hall in my parents room.

And so there was a lot of fear in my childhood, but it wasn't fear of imaginary things, it was fear of the real things. I think the thing that I would love people to talk about, and ask themselves, is how they are Aurora?

That's why when he says, why would you make this wish about your parents? Why would you want a monster to eat your parents? And she says, they're not very nice to me.

Bryan Fuller: I wanted everybody to see that through their own lens, and have their own experience with why you might not have felt safe in your environment, why you might be mad at your parents. Is it because you didn't get cha cha heels at Christmas?, or is it something else?

And some of my favorite conversations, that I've had with people about the movie, because I want it to be a romp first. I want it to be very entertaining. And if you see something more in it, and if you see something more in Aurora's situation, that it might be a little bit of healing.

We as children aren't always given the skill set or the capacity to deal with our hard emotions. Wether that's anger or fear or frustration. Usually, we're told to suppress them, force them down, ignore them, and that's when they become monsters.

Bryan Fuller: That's when rage follows us into adulthood, and we never learned to navigate those hard feelings as children. So it is unresolved from our childhood, and we carry it.

So I would love the message, at the end of the movie, is that you have to live with your bad feelings. You have to understand your bad feelings, you have to accept and forgive your bad feelings, and accept and forgive yourself to move forward and find peace in your life.

SYNOPSIS

Dust Bunny| Official Trailer



Ten-year-old Aurora has a mysterious neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) who kills real-life monsters. He’s a hit man for hire. So, when Aurora needs help killing the monster she believes ate her entire family, she procures his services.

Suspecting that her parents may have fallen victim to hit men gunning for him, Aurora’s neighbor guiltily takes the job.

To protect Aurora, he’ll need to contend with an onslaught of assassins, a mysterious associate with killer heels (Sigourney Weaver), and accept that some monsters are real in this fantastical and wickedly inventive feature directorial debut from visionary creator Bryan Fuller.

Learn more, visit - www.dustbunnyfilm.com

Instagram: dustbunnyfilm
Facebook: @dustbunnythemovie

Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Jimmy John’s brought a karaoke truck to NYC for their ‘Sing for a Sandwich’ Pop-Up experience.

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However, any views expressed are always 100% my own.

The food truck was turned into a mobile recording studio, where visitors had karaoke performances of “Sweet Sandwich Time” and received a free Jimmy Johns “Meal Diamond” sandwich.

Overall the experience was a fun break activity in the day and nice way to enjoy the limited time “Meal Diamond” sandwich.

The “Meal Diamond” sandwich is a ham and three cheese melt just how Meal Diamond likes it (with Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, of course!) which is available at participating Jimmy Johns stores nationwide from February 2-22.

"Sweet Sandwich Time" in Big Game

To remind fans that Hellmann's Mayonnaise makes your sandwich taste So Good! So Good! So Good!, the brand is reimagining one of the most iconic and catchy songs of all time, "Sweet Caroline", for the Big Game.

The commercial will air during the fourth quarter on Sunday, February 8 – stars comedian Andy Samberg as "Meal Diamond," an affectionate, tongue-in-cheek nod to the iconic Neil Diamond. This character was brought to life after working with Samberg to turn the classic song lyrics into a hilarious ode to sandwiches made with Hellmann's.

He's also joined by actress and mayo super fan Elle Fanning, dazzled by his mayo mantra.

To find nearest Jimmy John's, visit - www.JimmyJohns.com
To learn more, visit - www.Hellmanns.com

My Other Related Posts

• Hellmann’s Sandwich Swap w Bobby Flay & Lori Loughlin
• Hellmann's & Billy Ray Cyrus Swap-n-Share Sandwiches

National Quitters Day (January 9th) is suppose to be the day people “fall off” their goals. But when it comes to mental health, quitting isn’t something to be embarrassed about, it can be your nervous system speaking up.

photo credit: Max Nikhil Thimmayya (Pexels)

When Goals Ignore Mental Health, Quitting Is Protective

Many New Year’s resolutions are created from pressure, not care. We promise to “do more,” “be better,” or “fix ourselves” without considering our emotional capacity.

If you quit a goal because it increased anxiety, exhaustion, or self-criticism, that’s not failure. That’s your mind and body setting boundaries.

Mental health doesn’t improve through force. It improves through safety, flexibility, and compassion.

Quitting as a Signal, Not a Shortcoming

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” try asking:

• What felt overwhelming about this goal?
• Did this expectation add stress or support?
• Was I trying to change myself—or punish myself?

Quitting often reveals misalignment. It tells us when a goal was rooted in shame rather than care, or urgency rather than readiness.

The Harm of All-or-Nothing Thinking

All-or-nothing thinking—I failed, so I stop—is especially common when mental health is involved. Missing a therapy appointment, skipping journaling, or breaking a coping routine can trigger feelings of guilt or hopelessness.

But mental health progress is not linear. Healing includes pauses, detours, and rest.

Stopping doesn’t erase the benefit of what you’ve already done.

Sometimes quitting isn’t about giving up—it’s about choosing a gentler path. Rest is not quitting. Adjusting expectations is not weakness. Choosing ease is not failure.

What to Do After You Quit a Mental Health Goal

If you’ve already stepped away from a goal this January, try this instead of starting over:

• Lower the bar — ask what feels manageable right now
• Keep the intention — even if the action changes
• Remove guilt — shame makes change harder, not easier

Small, consistent acts of care are more effective than big promises made under pressure.

National Quitters Day, Reframed

For mental health, National Quitters Day can be a check-in rather than a verdict. It’s an opportunity to ask whether your goals are supporting your nervous system—or overwhelming it.

Quitting doesn’t mean you failed. It means you noticed something important.

And noticing is the beginning of real care.

Based on an incredible true story, Focus Features’ inspirational love story SONG SUNG BLUE, is exclusively on digital* platforms January 13, 2026, and on Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 17, 2026, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Featuing Academy Award® nominees Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) and Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Almost Famous), in her Golden Globe® and Actor Award® nominated role, go backstage and experience the strength and perseverance that drives this unforgettable romance as the feature film adaptation.

With never-before-seen extended musical performances and all new behind-the-scenes featurettes, diving deeper into the drama, humor, and Diamond’s timeless anthems.

Based on the award-winning 2008 documentary by Greg Kohs (The Great Alone, AlphaGo), writer and director Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, The Poor & Hungry) brings the remarkable true story to life by exploring the power of music and the timeless influence of iconic musician Neil Diamond.

Boasting a stellar “A” CinemaScore and Verified Hot with a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes

SYNOPSIS

Mike (Hugh Jackman) and Claire (Kate Hudson) are two down-on-their-luck musicians who prove that it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams. They form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning and Thunder, rising from a humble garage to dive bar gigs to unexpected hometown stardom.

When tragedy strikes, their love for each other and passion for music give them the strength to overcome hardships, rediscover hope, and inspire everyone around them.

Reminding audiences that music has the power to heal and unite, SONG SUNG BLUE showcases emotionally riveting performances as Jackman delivers a transformative depiction of a Neil Diamond tribute band performer, with powerful vocals that combine heartbreak and redemption, while Hudson who gives a heartfelt and moving portrayal of a woman who discovers resilience through music as she navigates longing and adversity.

The film’s star-studded cast also features Emmy Award® winner Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos,” Goodfellas), Ella Anderson (Suncoast, The Glass Castle), King Princess (Bottoms, Crush), Mustafa Shakir (Ghosted, Emancipation), Hudson Hensley (The Wildman of Shaggy Creek), and Academy Award winner Fisher Stevens (The Cove, the Short Circuit franchise) and Emmy Award® nominee Jim Belushi (“Saturday Night Live”).

Song Sung Blue | Watch At Home on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD



Exclusive Bonus Content When Purchased At Participating Retailers:

• EXTENDED PERFORMANCES:
• Crunchy Granola Suite
• Sweet Caroline
• ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS THREE - There is no Lightning without Thunder. Watch as Hugh and Kate reminisce on their characters' love story, co-dependency, and their undeniable electricity.
• LIGHTNING IN THE BOTTLE - A love letter to the small-time performers, go behind the scenes with Writer/Director Craig Brewer to see how he brought SONG SUNG BLUE to life.
• EYE FOR STYLE - In this featurette, Costume Designer Ernesto Martinez reveals the art of storytelling through stitch and style.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR CRAIG BREWER

*A digital purchase provides a limited license to access the content. See the retailer’s terms for details.

The film is co-produced by Emmy Award® nominee John Davis (Prey, I, Robot), John Fox (Game Night, Uglies), and Craig Brewer.

Learn more, visit - www.universalpicturesathome.com/movies/song-sung-blue-2025

Facebook: SongSungBlueFilm | UniPicsAtHome
X: @songsungbluemov | @UniPicsAtHome
Instagram: @songsungbluefilm| @unipicsathome
TikTok: @unipicsathome

Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical hit, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" the movie is available On Demand and Digital ($14.99 SD / $19.99 HD) November 11, 2025.

SYNOPSIS

Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).

Bill Condon’s visionary new adaptation is based on the acclaimed 1976 novel Kiss of the Spider Woman by Argentinian writer Manuel Puig and the Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical of the same name by the multiple Tony Award®-winning playwright Terrence McNally (Master Class, Ragtime) and composer/lyricist team John Kander and Fred Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago).

Written for the screen and directed by Bill Condon, this visually stunning and emotionally charged adaptation stars Emmy Award® nominee Diego Luna (Andor, Y tu mamá también), Tonatiuh (Carry On, Promised Land), and Emmy®, Grammy® and Golden Globes Award-nominated superstar Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers, Out of Sight), who also serves as an executive producer alongside Diego Luna.

Produced by Barry Josephson, p.g.a., Tom Kirdahy, p.g.a., and Greg Yolen.

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN | Official Trailer



Bill Condon, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Mark Scheinberg, Dani Bernfeld, Kevin Halloran, Michael Joe, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Whitney Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Courtney Baxter, Diego Luna, D. Matt Geller, Pamela Thur, Sam Weisman, Daniel Weisman, and Margaux Weisman serve as executive producers.

An Artists Equity and Mohari Media presentation, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a Josephson Entertainment / Tom Kirdahy / Greg Yolen / Nuyorican production.

Learn more, visit - www.kissofthespiderwomanfilm.com

This October, join Behind the Sweets: Chocolate Tours on a journey through Philadelphia's chocolate history, hosted by Historic Philadelphia, Inc. (HPI) every Thursday starting October 9.

photo credit: icimageworks

Immerse in the artistry and heritage of local chocolate-making traditions and learn how experts at Shane’s Confectionery transform cacao beans into delicious bars. Discover the evolution of chocolate from Colonial times to today while indulging in handcrafted tastings that exhibit changing flavors and techniques throughout time.

Date: Thursdays in October 2025
Time: 5:30-6:30 pm
Location: The Cacao Pod, 104 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
Price: Tickets: $30 per person

Along the way, you will taste four unique sweet samples that showcase the evolution of flavor and technique. With vegan and gluten-free options available, this hands-on experience includes up to 18 guests per session.

Learn more, visit - www.historicphiladelphia.org/events/behind-the-sweets-chocolate-tours/

About Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

In partnership with Independence National Historical Park, Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s Once Upon A Nation features immersive walking tours and field trips, History Makers, Storytelling Benches throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District and at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and the Benstitute to specially train all staff.

Franklin Square is a family-friendly play place with playgrounds, Fountain Show at the Rendell Family Fountain, Philadelphia-themed Mini Golf, the Parx Liberty Carousel, SquareBurger (operated by Cooperage), and parties and special events in the Pavilion in Franklin Square.

The Betsy Ross House takes visitors into the life and stories of America’s most famous flagmaker, with interactive exhibitions.

Learn more, visit www.historicphiladelphia.org