The Story of Yanxi Palace, The Art Thief by Michael Finkel, a few 4th of July Sales and more on Monday Musings No. 79
MONDAY MUSINGS NO. 79
Good Monday morning friends, how was your weekend?
The heat and humidity are finally here and boy is it hot. The minute you step out the door you are a soggy mess. With the heat has come thunderstorms, thankfully we only had one severe one. But boy that was a whopper.
This weekend we spent time at the farmers market, car show, pool and puttering in the house and yard. A lazy, leisurely few days. Then an early breakfast with friends and the afternoon with my brother and family.
Today we are headed to a barbecue and the fireworks. I made 2 pound-cakes, one lemon, one plain to grill and serve with berries and whipped cream.
What have you been doing this weekend? I hope that you are not flying anywhere.
What a mess and so sad for all of the people stranded. Honestly, I don’t even want to get on a plane with the way things are. Have you had any issues flying or traveling lately?
Ok, let’s get to the good stuff, what I read, watched and found.
+5 THINGS
1.READ
The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, the best-selling author of The Stranger in the Woods brings us into Breitwieser’s strange world—unlike most thieves, he never stole for money, keeping all his treasures in a single room where he could admire them.
For centuries, works of art have been stolen in countless ways from all over the world, but no one has been quite as successful at it as the master thief Stéphane Breitwieser. Carrying out more than two hundred heists over nearly eight years—in museums and cathedrals all over Europe—Breitwieser, along with his girlfriend who worked as his lookout, stole more than three hundred objects, until it all fell apart in spectacular fashion.
In The Art Thief, Michael Finkel brings us into Breitwieser’s strange and fascinating world. Unlike most thieves, Breitwieser never stole for money. Instead, he displayed all his treasures in a pair of secret rooms where he could admire them to his heart’s content. Possessed of a remarkable athleticism and an innate ability to circumvent practically any security system, Breitwieser managed to pull off a breathtaking number of audacious thefts. Yet these strange talents bred a growing disregard for risk and an addict’s need to score, leading Breitwieser to ignore his girlfriend’s pleas to stop—until one final act of hubris brought everything crashing down.
This is a riveting story of art, crime, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.
2.Watched~Story of Yanxi Palace
I rarely if ever watch tv but while searching for a video on Youtube the Story of Yanxi Palace was suggested. To say I am hooked would be an understatement. Apparently I am not alone because in 2018 when it came out it was the most Googled show on earth and was watched 15 billion times!
It is a fictional story about a young girl who enters the Forbidden City to search for answers about her sisters death. I cannot all you any more because I am only on episode 28 of 70. The costumes, history, drama, romance and palace intrigue in the harem have me hooked.
More about The Story of Yanxi Palace:
‘Story of Yanxi Palace’ Review: Cathartic Harem Drama Is a Must-Watch
Yanxi Palace: The Most Googled Show On Earth
3.Weekend Links
Surprise! You Work for Amazon.
How Did One Man Steal $2 Billion in Art?
‘Passengers have almost zero rights’: Why flying is likely to be a nightmare again this weekend
32 Free Things to Do to Make the Most of Your Summer Travels
How Thomas Edison Tricked the Press Into Believing He’d Invented the Light Bulb
Supreme Court Sets New Limits on Affirmative Action Programs in Landmark Ruling
Add this blackberry limeade to your summer menu.
9 Things in Your Home You Should Never Declutter
If you have never baked with lavender this is the season to try it, these lavender cupcakes are easy and delicious!
4. SHOPPING BREAK~FINDS
Anthropologie – up to 40% off furniture, outdoor, candles, bedding, and more; extra 40% off sale. Here are a few of my Anthropologie favorites:
Pottery Barn – up to 50% off furniture, outdoor, lighting, and more + free shipping on 1000s of items. You can find the complete Pottery Barn sale page here.  Here are a few Pottery Barn favorites:
Anthropologie – up to 40% off furniture, outdoor, candles, bedding, and more; extra 40% off sale. Here are a few of my Anthropologie favorites:
Pottery Barn – up to 50% off furniture, outdoor, lighting, and more + free shipping on 1000s of items. You can find the complete Pottery Barn sale page here.  Here are a few Pottery Barn favorites:
4th of July Red, White and Blue Sales and Finds
Red
White
Blue
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT~WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
Saturday on weekend meanderings, I shared RH Aynho Park, Nina Long, 4th of July Sales and lots more on Weekend Meanderings.Â
Don’t forget to read Kim and Juliets’ post as well. Juliet shared her amazing trip to Italy and Kim shared her equally beautiful and fun holiday in Hawaii.
You’ll  find all of the weekend meanderings posts here if you missed any.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
What do you have planned for the 4th of July? Whatever you do  have a great time and be safe.
I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings. Â There are millions of blogs to read and I am lucky that you choose to read mine.
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We had a nasty thunderstorms on Saturday.