Top 5: Favorite Greek Gods/Goddesses

Hey Ya'll!

 

I recently finished the Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan and it has reminded me of how much I love Greek Mythology. Rick Riordan's books are a fun twist on old tales and I can't wait to start reading The Lost Hero's Series. These books got me to thinking though, if I was a half-blood, who would I want my parents to be? So these are my Top 5 favorite Greek Gods or Goddesses.

Poseidon

Poseidon is the God of the Sea. His powers are some of my favorite  - breathing under water, talking to fish, riding a whale or shark... yes please!

 

Artemis

So Artemis wouldn't actually have any half-blood children because she is the virgin Goddess, but I think it would still be interesting to be her child and get some of her powers. First of all, she uses a bow and arrow, that seems to automatically make her awesome. She also is goddess of the hunt, which makes her strong and brave.

 

 Dionysus

 Dionysus would be like the cool dad because he is the God of wine and parties. But this could also cause trouble since he is also the God of chaos, drunkenness and drugs. Being his child seems like it could go both ways.

 

Athena

Athena is the Goddess of wisdom and intelligence. Being her child seems like it would have made school a whole like easier. Plus any child of hers could probably do any job they wanted, if they just put their mind to it. She also is the Goddess of battle strategy and warfare, so she must be brave and powerful too.

 Hades

I know. This one is a little strange, but stay with me. Hades is God of the underworld, not just hell. In Greek Mythology all dead people go to the underworld and it is divided among those who did bad things while on earth, those who didn't do anything bad or good (just lived), and those who did extraordinary things. He also is the God of the earths hidden wealth - agricultural and metals. So it would be kinda cool to be his kid. He is God of so much and is incredibly powerful. He also has a three headed dog! Plus, Hades for the Disney Hercules Movie is maybe my favorite Disney villain that every lived.

xo
bre

Top 5: Coming of Age Books

Hey Ya'll!

 

I think it is time for another Top 5 book list. These are my Top 5 favorite "Coming of Age" books or series.

 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares:

I read this series back in early high school and I loved it. It is a great story of four friends who are all incredibly different but their differences help one another. The story spans over 4 summers, starting when they are high school sophomores and ending in college. I have seen that there is a 5th novel in the series that picks up with them years later as adults. I haven't read the 5th but I certainly want to. This series is one that will make you cry but is also incredibly heartwarming as you watch the girls grow up together.

 

Sarah Dessen Novels:

So I couldn't just pick one. Sarah Dessen has many novels that are all coming of age stories and I love them all. Her stories typically are about a young high school age girl who is dealing with a tough situation. All of those situations vary but are each very interesting. Many of the stories involve dating, family dynamics, friendship, abuse, and growing up. Two of my favorites are Lock and Key and Just Listen, both of these stories handle very tough situations that the characters grow through when dealing with. Two other stories that aren't as heavy (but just as good) are Keeping the Moon and Along for the Ride.

 

Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan:

Pearcy Jackson uses Greek Mythology to tell a new and exciting story. When the first book starts Percy is only 12 and by the last story he is 16. The whole story is a fun and exciting read, but it is a great coming of age story because you are able to watch as Percy is forced to make choices that not only affect his life, but the lives of all of his friends, family and even mankind.

 

Looking for Alaska by John Green:

I almost wanted to put all of John Green's books on this list, but I decided to just go with this one. This story starts with a young boy who goes to a boarding school where he learns so much about friends, bullies, girls and life. His relationships that he builds at boarding school change him and force him to grow. But just as a warning - it is a bit of a heart breaking story.

 

 Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky:

I know, I've already mentioned this book on my Top 5 Young Adult book list, but I can't help it! It really is the perfect coming of age story. It follows a freshman in high school named Charlie. He is a bit of a shy kid. Well, a little more than a bit. I think all of the shy/quiet kids can relate to him and his high school experience. He comes in nervous and trying to fit in. He finds a group of friends that are seniors that help him to come out of his shell. Through his experiences as a freshman, he is able to deal with some harboring emotions and feelings that he has kept bottled up. By the end of the novel he is able to grow and come to terms with some tough events in his life. This story has lovable characters but if definitely for a more mature audience.

 Those are my favorite coming of age stories, what are yours?

 

xo

bre

Top 5: Imaginary Worlds

The Wizarding World

 

If you have been reading my blog for a little while you have probably figured out that I am absolutely crazy about Harry Potter. If I could visit or live in any imaginary world it would be The Wizarding World. There are so many awesome things about it! First - MAGIC! It would be awesome to be a witch and use magic. I also love the old world feel of The Wizarding World. I love that they use quills instead of pens, that they still use coins as payment instead of credit cards, and that they use owls to deliver mail instead of email. Of course they are able to live this way, without computers or phones, because they have magic which wins compared to the Internet any day.

 

The Land of Oz

The Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies as a kid, even though the monkey's scared me! ha. I love Oz. I love all the different people, the talking animals, and the techo colored horses. When the new movie, Oz the Great and Powerful came out, I was so excited to see more of the land of Oz and I was not disappointed. I was able to see different scenery, more of the Emerald City and the little china doll town.

 

The Enchanted Forest

Once Upon a Time is an awesome show that combines so many fairy tales into one place: The Enchanted Forest. I love that all of the fairy tales belong to one place and are all intertwined and so many of the characters know each other, it's awesome. Their world is magical, exciting and unpredictable. I would like to be Snow White for just a day in The Enchanted Forest.

 

Camp Half-Blood

Camp Half-Blood belongs in the world of Percy Jackson. It is a place where half-blood children go to be safe and train there powers since they each have one part that is a Greek God. I love the whole world created in Percy Jackson - not just Camp Half-Blood though. I love the Greek Mythology, the excitement and quest, and even the underworld was really interesting (but I would only want to stay in the part that was for the good people or the little island paradise part).

 

Narnia

Narnia is awesome. It is beautiful, filled with talking animals and their leader is an all knowing lion. I would love to visit or live in Narnia where I could ride a horse and talk to him at the same time or fight along side a beaver. I mean, even the trees can be used as communication and how can you not think that is awesome?

 

xo

bre

August Favorites

Hey Ya'll!

August is almost over so I thought I would share some beauty and life things I have been loving all month.

Beauty Favorites:

Burt's Bees Miracle Salve

This stuff is awesome. It is for pretty much anything. It is a waxy texture that moisture's so well. So it is perfect for dry hands, feet, scalp or hair. I have been using this product by rubbing a little bit on the ends of my hair to keep them from drying out in the August heat.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 

I know this isn't a new product and I've actually been using it for a while, but I have just been really grateful for it this month since it has been so hot and humid. It saves my makeup from running down my face daily!

Revlon Photoready Concealer in Fair 001

I have never really been a big user of concealer because I always felt like I didn't really need it and it was just another step. But this month I decided to try one out for under my eyes and redness around my nose and I love it! It has a thick but creamy texture that covers really well. Even though it is a little thick, I only have to use a little and it doesn't feel heavy once it is blended in.

EOS lip balm in Summer Fruit

I'm normally not picky about lip balm. I will pretty much use any kind. When I was waiting in line at Target I saw a group of these little lip balms and decided to try one out. First of all, the Summer Fruit smells amazing. Plus, it is super moisturizing with out being to heavy or waxy. 

Life Favorites:

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

I finished this book at the beginning of August and it is so good! I have to warm you though, it is really dark and creepy. It is a great mystery that kept me guessing throughout the whole book. In the end though I felt incredibly sad but the writing is great and it is a really interesting story!

Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief

I saw this movie in theaters a while back and told myself I needed to read the book, but I never did. So after I watched the second movie, Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters, I decided it was time to start reading the series. I actually went and picked up this book the same day I saw Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters. It took me a week to finish. I love Greek mythology, so mix that with a modern day adventure and I was hooked. Think Harry Potter with Greek Gods. It was really cool and as usual it had so much more detail than the movie. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Vera Bradley Phone Case

Ken went on vacation earlier this month to visit his family in Colorado. While he was there he picked up this phone case for me and I love it! I have a small obsession with animal prints and these elephants are just too cute!

What are some of your favorites?

xo
bre