Recommendations | Best of 2021 ❤
People, Literature, Movies, Theatre are my source of air. At Treasure Hunter I connect the dots, create collages, draw connections and I share what I feel is beautiful, in all forms, every month. Here are the best treasures I came across in 2021
It’s difficult to differentiate between 2020 and 2021. It feels that these two years have merged into one and it’s challenging to see the difference between them. When I was looking at “Best Treasures from 2020” it was as if the time blurred together. I ended 2020 with a strong message of “Character Matters” — a message of hope for the future.
This year, I haven’t watched as many movies or read as many books as I did in 2020, however my lessons, observations, heartwarming moments continued coming from these mediums. I also had a great privilege to spend more time with my loved ones, close friends and also make a great number of new friends here in Lisbon.
One key message from this year that kept repeating was around mindset, positivity, and the importance of taking accountability for our actions. Lewis Hamilton has been one of the key role models for me in this area. I enjoyed seeing his journey throughout the year. In summary, a message from the year is: “words matter and love liberates. When you get — give, when you learn — teach”. Nobody could have said it better than Dr. Maya Angelou herself.
Best Films…
I love movies and this year I watched 38 of them. Each film had a treasure to discover. The best films that I watched this year (which included some old ones):
- No Time to die (2021) “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” The quote is by American author, journalist and social activist Jack Lond
- Don’t Look up (2021) — A movie that is somewhat designed to make us feel good and bad at the same time. An important message around climate change and the impact it will have on us. Great cast, good message.
- The Matrix Resurrections (2021) — The return of one of most iconic movies after 18 years. the new Morpheus was fantastic and so was Bugs. It was also great to see Neo’s and Trinity (style icon) love connection to remain as strong as it always was.
“You Gave That Gift To Us All, And It’s A Gift That Continues To Bear Fruit.” — Niobe.
“All I Ever Wanted Was To Be Fearless Like Trinity.” Lexy
“The Choice Is An Illusion. You Already Know What You Have To Do.” — Bugs
“At Some Point, I Think I Gave Up Searching For Something Real.” — Neo - Dune (2021) — static, poetic, dreamy, futuristic, powerful, still.
- Free Guy (2021) Comedy was a big part of my year. I was drawn to laugh and to take on easy-on-the-mind movies. Something positive, light, romantic to get through and see more positivity. Free Guy was a big surprise when I came across it. It was an independent super hero movie that was hilarious and very well directed.
- Cruella (2021) Loved the acting, the set design, the costumes. Badass movie that was done with class.
- Home Alone 2 (1992) — “Keep your heart open” a beautiful message to open a new year with
5. Lord of the Rings (2001)
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will.
Frodo “I know what I must do, it’s just that I’m afraid to do it.”
Galadriel: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
6. No Reservations (2007)
I came across this movie by accident on Netflix and I absolutely loved it. I loved that it was about food. It made me want to get into the kitchen and start cooking :) Here is a beautiful scene around human connection:
7. Sing Street (2016)
It is an Irish movie about a boy who likes a girl, and to impress her, he decides to start a band.
8. Benjamin Button (2008)
“I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again”
Some other amazing movies included:
- Coming 2 America (2021)
- The Cobler (2014)
- Tower heist (2011)
- Red Notice (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- First Daughter (2004)
- Titanic (1998)
- Matilda (1996)
- Julie and Julia (2009)
- The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
- 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)
Best Short Film…
Taylor Swift: All too well (2021)
Beautiful directed and acted.
Best Series…
This is a hard category as there have been so many good shows this year. Most of them I watched for pure entertainment purposes and to switch off my brain, but others were there to teach a thing or two, or to stimulate my analytical mind. Here is my try at choosing the best of the best.
1. The Bold Type (2021)— I enjoyed greatly watching three friends going through a multitude of problems and facing them together. They are bold types, because they don’t shy away from feeling and experiencing what they are going through. The topics presented in the series were rough, hard, and important ones. For this, I celebrate The Bold Type. I also think that every young lady should have a supportive and understanding boss like Jaqueline :
2. Drive to Survive (Season 3) 2021
The drama. The energy, The desire. It’s amazing!
3. Suits (9 seasons) — After a couple of months, I have completed the full 9 seasons of Suits. I enjoyed it a lot and I had a bit of a teary eye on the final episode where the characters were saying goodbye. I loved the wit, the drama, the elegance, the confidence and overall the relationships between the characters.
4. Sex Education Season 3
5. Bridgerton (2020) — Not sure where to end or where to begin. It’s Bridgerton. Entertaining, passionate, sexy and a great distraction from the fact that we are living in yet another lockdown.
Other : Firefly Lane, Selling Sunsets, Working moms
Best Books
This year I read 8 books, which has been the most in a while as I had time to catch up on a few old ones. Here is the list of top three:
Thrive by Arianna Huffington
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilmore
21 Lessons for 21 Century
The Flatshare
The Library of Lost Things
One day in December
Universe Has Your Back
Cuban’s Girl to Tea and Tomorrow
Best Music…
Here is a list of songs I enjoyed or listened to most this year.
Best in Self-care
This year was heavy on explorations, experiments, trials, and errors when it comes to self-care. Here is an extended list of self-care experiments from the year of the pandemic Part 2:
- Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen — Good reminder for Mental Health.
2. Developing a Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck
3. Campaign to remind us to Be you — Dove created a beautiful reminder and shared an important message around great message on “ “The pressure of social media is hurting our girls’ self-esteem” #beyou #reverseselfie #mentalhealth
4. Liberation Kriya Challenge
I complete 40-day challenge as per inspiration from Lavendair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_O7850BkO8&ab_channel=Lavendaire
5. Power of Ritual — Journaling By Ana Juma
Best Creative Moments
A selection of creative work or inspiration from this year.
1. Interior Design concept: Feng Shui
Feng Shui is a great concept around how to create balance energy at your home. This 15 mins video provides a great introduction to how to start.
2. Designing Tokyo
Cool, hip. inspiring work by Sojiro Kamatani.
3. Commercial: HK Ballet
4. Natural Colour Pasta
Best of Lisbon
- Facials at Tivoli Spa
- Massage at Terra Heal center
- MIL Festival at Creative Hub
- Chefs on Fire Festival
- Superbock n Stock Festival — seeing moulinex
- Immersive Exhibition: Can you hear me ok? (April 2021)
- Immersive Experience: Alice in the Wonderland (December 2021)
May 2022 be the year of transformation. Until soon, xoxo
