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Linking up with Steph and Jana for Show Us Your Books! I actually read a decent amount this month. Had some really good reads!

His Royal Highness by RS Grey

I absolutely love RS Grey. She is one of my favorite rom-com authors. Her female leads are always a little quirky/nerdy and the inner dialogue from them reminds me of things I actually think too! This one is extra special because it takes place in a Disney-like theme park!!! Who doesn’t want that?!? Like with all RS Grey books, you get a slow burn and funny banter.

Bottom Line: Read it! Such a cute rom com!

**I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.**

I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott

I didn’t know who Mary Laura Philpott was, but I found this book from Laura and liked the cover and the title….so I figured why not? I did this on audiobook, so it felt more like a friend chatting with me in my car, sharing life stories. I really related to some of the things that she went through, and I am now following her on Instagram. Plus, she lived in Atlanta which is a bonus for me, since I used to as well.

I think everyone can relate to something in this book, whether you are a type A personality who always has to have a list, a plan, and do everything right….or a struggling parent, a people pleaser, needing a change and not feeling fulfilled in your life even though you checked all your boxes. There is so much to relate to here.

Bottom Line: If you don’t mind nonfiction, definitely check this out. I really feel everyone can relate in some way.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

This was the cutest book! I have loved everything I have read by Christina Lauren, but this might be my favorite. It is one of those where you know how it is going to end, but you don’t even care because it is so cute. Both of the characters were fabulous, and their chemistry was so good. I was laughing out loud, and had allllll the feels while reading this!

Bottom Line: Read it!

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

I love Joshilyn Jackson. She really knows how to write a character! I thought I had this book figured out early on, but then there was another twist that blew my mind! This was a little different than her others, and it moved slow for me in the beginning. It still had me interested to see what was going to happen the whole time. The secrets are dark, and the characters are playing games the whole time which keeps you guessing.

Bottom Line: If you love a book with some twists and turns, where the past and present twine together to form the story…check out a Joshilyn Jackson book!

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

I have checked this book out from the library three times, and each time two or three other books come in while I have it. I hate when that happens! This time I was determined to read it though! Kristen recommended this one awhile back, and I usually like anything she recommends.

This reminds me a lot of the Stephanie Plum series, but Charley is a much more competent PI, and there is a supernatural piece to it all. I LOL’d several times throughout the book, and found it very interesting. I plan to continue on with the series.

Bottom Line: Read it if you are into cozy mysteries and ok with the supernatural.

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen

I checked this out from the library to browse through, and I have to say, there were some good looking recipes in it! Crab Rangoon, Mexican Street Corn, Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip, Bacon Hashbrowns, Cayenne-Candied Walnut Salad, Honey Balsamic Glaze, etc. It all seemed easy enough, and if you like to collect cookbooks, it would be a good addition.

Bottom Line: Nice option if you are into collecting physical cookbooks. Or at least worth browsing at the library for a few special recipes.

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

This a beautiful, devastating love story. I didn’t know who Tembi was before I read it, which is rare for me to pick up a memoir if I don’t know the person. (Even though it was my second time doing it this month!) It sort of read more like just a fictional story to me. It was beautifully written, and the description of Italy and the amazing foods she consumed really made me feel like I was there! I will say that at times, the book dragged a little for me.

Bottom Line: This book is getting picked up by Reese Witherspoon to turn into a movie, so that is why it had made my TBR. I don’t know that I would have picked it up otherwise, but I am glad I did. It was enjoyable.

It’s Friday, and I am stoked! I have a million things I want to get done this weekend, and I am going to pump myself full of caffeine so I can do them all.

Last night, Zoe had her Christmas program at school. It was the sweetest thing I ever did see. Zoe said “hi mommy!!!” and waved at me from stage…which was the best thing ever. I shared a little snippet from one of their songs on stories, should still be there if you want to see it!

Today is Grinch Day at school, which is super fun. Zoe loves getting dressed for the different themed days and this might be one of her favorites, besides Frozen Day!

Tomorrow I hope to unpack boxes until I can get my car in the garage! And then get the house ready for Zoe’s party!!!! Sunday we have the birthday party, and Zoe is beyond excited about it! She only brings it up every. single. day. I don’t really know what she will talk about after it is over. I suppose how epic she thought it was. She has really raised the expectations bar high on this one.

Favorite Moments: Zoe hasn’t been real big on saying “I love you.” I think she has said it to me twice before this week. But this week, she has said it a few times. It really gives me all the feels.

I was surprised to open my email and see a House Warming present from Lindsay. Thanks sweet friend!!!! Honestly, there are some days I don’t know what I would do without her, even though we have never met in person.

Favorite Things: I repurchased the moisturizer my dermatologist recommended. I have really noticed a difference in my skin since switching my morning and evening moisturizer back in May. I really love that this doesn’t come with a ridiculous price tag too! I mean, its more than drugstore, but not give a kidney for it level. Plus, dermstore still has it on sale, so it is a great time to scoop it up! (They also do free shipping!)

I got this Clancy Chocolate Drizzled Kettle Corn from Aldi for $1.99 last weekend. It is a delight!!!! If you aren’t shopping at Aldi, I don’t know why you are wasting your money elsewhere! I am hoping to get a post up soon on how I have cut our grocery bill down by $20-50 per week.

Favorite Recipe: I found this ranch bacon chicken stuffed sweet potato recipe from Healthy Little Peach that looks amazing!!!! Cant wait to try it out! How amazing does this look????

Favorite Funnies:

I am going to put two posts in one here, since I meant to have my Thanksgiving recap up earlier this week…but that clearly didn’t happen. And I love to link up with my girl Kristen with a What’s New With You.

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are speeding right into Christmas! It was really nice to have some time off to spend with family. I had set out to get a lot done around the house, but that didn’t quite happen. I did get some more things unpacked, and painted Zoe’s playroom.

One of our niece’s took this picture. How incredible is this???

We got to spend a lot of time with Chris’s family. Our nieces were in town, and Zoe was really excited to see them. We went bowling with them on Wednesday, spent the day at his parents house Thursday for the usual Thanksgiving festivities, and were back over there Saturday for the Iron Bowl. I still cant talk about that game.

I also got to go shopping with my mom for awhile on Friday. We didn’t go out all day like we have in the past, but got to hit up a few stores and have a fabulous late lunch at Ferus. Zoe was with us, and was a champ the whole time. She really loves shopping and eating out, so it wasn’t hard to keep her happy. My mom came back over to the house after to help me build a desk and shelf. Neither one was successful. I HATE buying furniture you have to assemble. It is the worst.

Sunday, Zoe and I did our grocery shopping at Aldi and ran some errands to Home Depot and Target. I unpacked boxes while she napped, and when she woke up, my sister came over to hang out with her for awhile so that I could paint the playroom. I was at it until 8pm, and so over it! I got two coats up on most of the walls, but ran out of paint and said screw it. I am leaving two of the slant walls with one coat. The lighting in there isn’t all that great anyways, maybe no one will notice. Except me. I know. I still need to paint my office, and I would really like to paint the dining room and half bath….but I think I am going to take a break for awhile! My hands are covered in blisters and I think I have inhaled enough paint fumes for the time being.

We started Elf on a Shelf this year. We introduced him with a welcome breakfast of waffles, eggs and bacon…Zoe’s favorite! I am not going crazy with him, he is just doing silly little things around the house each night. Occasionally he brings her a little present or candy cane or something.

Zoe’s birthday was yesterday. I can’t believe she is 3!!!! She got a special mermaid donut before school, I sent her with brownies and cookies to share with her friends during snack time, and she came home to a stack of presents to open. Even the Elf had brought her a new pair of boots. I hope she had a good day! We will have her birthday party on Sunday. It is all she has talked about for the last month, so I know she is excited!

This weekend, I am hoping to unpack enough boxes to make room for my car in the garage. I do not like parking outside. My windows ice over, and Zoe is terrified of the dark and hates getting out of the car in the drive way at night. It’s so weird to see her afraid of the dark all of a sudden. I know it is common at this age, but you wonder what has changed that makes them afraid?

It has been fun seeing rooms come together in the new house. Our living room is mostly set. I really hope to get our Christmas tree up in the next few days! It is really late for me this year. I need to pick up a few more things to finish off the half bath on the main floor, and we need to move the furniture in our dining room so that everything is in order for the party! I like that we have a deadline to get things done, but it has been a little stressful. Not going to lie!

This year, we have a lot to be thankful for. Our wonderful kid, health, jobs, and the new roof over our heads. I have been dropping hints on Instastories the last week, but I can officially say on here that we have moved!!! It has been the craziest, most stressful two months ever. It has been a fight on both sides, but it is finally done. I say it was worth it, and we are moved in to our beautiful new home!

This past week we have been moving, cleaning, unboxing, cleaning some more. We have had contractors in our house every day since move in day, ripping up floors, installing new floors, painting, having new furniture delivered. We are slowly getting things set up! And a major plus, I have enjoyed my shorter commute!!!! As I was leaving the daycare last night, my apple watch told me it would be 32 minutes to get home. I was like HAHAHAHA NOPE!!!!! NOT ANYMORE! It takes me exactly 13 minutes to get from my driveway to the daycare parking lot.

Zoe is super excited about her new bedroom, playroom and our awesome piece of land! She was literally just running around this past weekend because she could! I can see many happy memories being made here.

I am usually very into Black Friday with my mom, but with the move this past week, I will probably be keeping it low key. I have been painting the upstairs myself, and still have Zoe’s playroom to do. So probably hitting that up this weekend. We stay in town and spend Thanksgiving with Chris’s family. Plus, I still have to finish planning Zoe’s birthday party! And I am going to try to channel Sierra, and do a Welcome Breakfast for Zoe’s elf this weekend!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!! May the odds be ever in your favor if you plan to shop Black Friday!

I read some really good ones this month, so let’s jump in! Linking up with Steph and Jana.

The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

Straight away, this book starts off with characters I could relate to. There are many women in the book who are having to play along with the boys club mentality at work. They have to think before they speak to drop the “likes” and square their shoulders to seem more confident. They are trying to balance their careers with their time they spend with their children. The main women aren’t always the most likable, but that didn’t take away from the book. They are more realistic I suppose.

I really liked the structure of the book. It started out with “If only you had listened to us, none of this would have happened.” The book moves between when it all started, interviews with witnesses and suspects,
deposition transcripts, etc.

Bottom Line: Read it! This sort of reminds me of Big Little Lies.

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

I didn’t know this was in the same series as Devil Wears Prada until I saw the top of the cover before I started. I felt like Emily was a strong enough character to have her own book, so that was exciting! I really enjoyed this one. Sort of a novel about second chances for all three of our leading characters. I enjoyed each of the three leading ladies, and was very interested to keep reading to find out how it would all go down.

Bottom Line: Read it! This is a great Chic Lit palette cleanser, and you don’t have to read any of the books in the series to enjoy this one, could definitely be a stand alone.

Midnight Clear by Mary Kay Andrews (Callahan Garrity Mystery #7)

I am still really enjoying this series. To refresh, it follows an ex-cop turned owner of a cleaning business (House Mouse) who does a little PI work on the side. In this book, we meet her younger brother, Brian, who shows up after ten years of not hearing from him. He has a three year old daughter, and his wife turns up murdered shortly after his arrival.

Bottom Line: A very good “cozy mystery” series, definitely one you should check out if you are in to that sort of thing. There is only one more book to go for me, I hope that she continues to write more!

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

This book was so cute! I absolutely loved Stella and Michael. I laughed and smiled and just really enjoyed this entire book. Stella has Asperger’s, and it really added a unique spin to the book. It was deeper than your normal romcom and addressed issues around not wanting to be labeled a certain way. We saw Stella working through her anxiety and issues due to Asperger’s. And Michael had his own issues he was trying to overcome as well. I was really sad when this book ended, I miss the characters.

Bottom Line: Read it! Probably my favorite romcom read of the year so far.

Truth or Beard by Penny Reid

I have had this forever, and was so excited to read it after hearing Kristen and Heather gush about it. I absolutely loved Duane, he may be one of my favorite lead male characters. I had a hard time relating to Jessica because she has wanderlust and I do not. At all. I love to have somewhere to call home and feel settled. I am a homebody. I enjoyed the canter back and forth, and LOL’d several times throughout the book. Really, all the Winston brothers were fabulous. I cant wait to read the rest of the series.

Bottom Line: If romance is your thing, read it!!!IB

Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Mary Kay Andrews. (As shown from the series above!) She is usually a solid read for me. I don’t know what it was about this one though, I just didn’t care for it. In fact, I quit about a quarter of the way in. It was just dumb, I didn’t like any of the characters.

Bottom Line: Pass

How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan

This book is all about secrets, and the fallout when they are revealed. It follows three generations of women from the same family. We get to hear from each of the four perspectives, which I really liked. It was easy enough to follow along with the shift from each character, and I felt like you got to know them better. Each had their own secrets and issues they were dealing with. I liked how the secrets were revealed one at a time, it kept you wanting to know more then entire book.

Bottom Line: You have secrets, family drama, teen angst, infertility, tragedy, love. You get it all! Read it!

Currently Reading

His Royal Highness by RS Grey