Book Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

 

Hey Ya'll!

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman is a young adult novel about the power to choose life or death and the way the death affects family and friends. It is reminiscent of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, except written for a younger fan based. Since it is written for a younger crowd, it is much less graphic and heartbreaking.

 

The story still tugs at the heart strings and has wonderful characters who you just can't help but love - I'm looking at you, Mia's Grandpa.

 

I don't want to say much because it will give a lot away. Although it didn't end the way I thought it should have, I'm still looking forward to reading the sequel - Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

 

Have you read it? What did you think?

 

xo

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Ice day

Hey Ya'll!

 

I live around the Houston Area in Texas and our winters are not very extreme. We will hit the 40's and 50's during the day and the 30's at night, and then other days we will be in the 60's and 70's during the day. Every once it a while it actually gets cold. And yesterday was the day it happened.

 

Our high was 36 degrees and it stayed below freezing majority of the day. This wouldn't have been a big deal, except that it was also raining and sleeting all morning. Another thing about Houston - we have giant highways. I drive over those highways every day for work, including several bridges that go over water. And you guessed it, those brides/highways had ice all over them. So many of you are thinking "So what? Big deal!" but it kinda is a big deal since our city is very unprepared. We don't have snow plows or trucks to salt the streets.

 

This whole situation caused for an ice day in Houston. I was stuck and unable to make it work, along with my family. This meant I was able to watch the newest episode of Pretty Little Liars, Law and Order SUV marathon, drink hot chocolate and snuggle with my puppy.

 

Today is back to normal. Our high is 62 degrees with a low of 42 degrees and all the ice is melting away. At least it was fun while it lasted.

 

Here are some photos from my ice day. :)

Ice on the grass and baby icicles,

Jaidyn Snuggling with Ken

 

Harry Potter Weekend

Jaidyn laying with me

 

And then I started watching YouTube videos and decided to see what I look like with short hair. I posted this on facebook, and even though I have now said I didn't actually cut it, people are still commenting on it. I think I look like a soccer mom.

 

xo

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Fashion Inspiration: Emma Watson

Hey Ya'll!

 

Emma Watson is maybe one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. And it is not just because she played my absolute favorite character, Hermione Granger. I love her for many reasons - She really seems like a sweet and down to earth person, she is pretty, a great actress, and she has great style. In the style department, she is a risk taker but even when she takes those risk, she always remains classy. Here are some of my favorite looks.

 

Her look from the Golden Globes 2014 is great! That color is amazing on her and its pants! I love this. Plus the pop of color of the shoe is pretty too.

 

Yellow/Gold is another color I love on Emma and this dress is adorable.

 

During the premier tour for the last Harry Potter Movie Emma seemed to favor dresses with a fitted bodice with a large A-line skirt. This one is beautiful and feminine.

 

Although a lot of people didn't like this dress since it looks a little undone, I still think the color is great and she looks amazing.

 

This was one of her more risky choices during the premier tour for the final Harry Potter film, but it makes her look fantastic. It is a twist on a little black dress and I love the feathers and the pop of red.

Another risky choice for Emma, but she comes across as classy and sexy instead of over exposed.

 

These are some of my favorite Emma Watson looks. What are yours?

 

xo

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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
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Book Review: Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

 

Hey Ya'll!

 

Bond Girl is Erin Duffy's first novel and I loved it. Mrs. Duffy worked on wallstreet for 10 years, so the novel has an inside look as to what it is like for a girl working in the shark tank of wallstreet.

 

This story is funny, a little sad, and inspirtational. I think anyone who enjoyed Girls in White Dresses will also be a fan of Bond Girl.  

 

This story is about Alex, a 22 year old college graduate who gets her dream job on wallstreet. But to her surprise, it isn't what she expected. The book follows her through the first couple years at her new job as she figures out dating, friendships, and that wallstreet isn't just a job, but a lifestyle.

 

Have you read Bond Girl?  What did you think?

 

xo

bre

January updates!

Hey y'all! 

Ken and I on a recent date night

 

Ken and Jaidyn 

It feels like such a long time ago since my last blog post! Life, as usual, has gotten a little crazy and caused me to slack on my blogging. But as I have missed my blog and the blogging world, I thought it was time I do a life update.

January has been nice so far. A few little hiccups, like having to get new tires due to two of them being flat while on my way to work (yikes!) and getting food poisoning (yuck!), but other than that it's all good. 

Work has been super busy, but normal busy. Which makes me happy, since all of the holidays and holiday events are over. (People seem to get crazier around the holidays!) 

Our church is doing a 21 day Daniel fast and we just started on this past Sunday. It's tough, but good. I already see God working in our lives. I had to adjust the fast a little for myself but Ken is following the fast all the way, including the days that he doesn't eat and only drinks fluids. I have found some cool recipes and they have turned out pretty good. I plan on sharing some soon! I will say though, I can't wait to have a hamburger and diet coke when this is over! :) 

The rest of January looks peaceful and quiet. Just what is needed after a long holiday season. We do not have any big plans other than seeing some of my family that we were unable to see during December. My cousin and his wife just had their first baby and we can't wait to meet her.

February will be eventful. First Valentines Day (yay!), then my moms birthday, and the last week of the month we will be flying to Colorado to visit Ken's family and play in the snow for a week! I can't wait, it has been several years since I've been in snow. 

So what have y'all been up too? 

Xo

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