book review, books

Books Lately

Books, books, books!!! So this month, I didn’t read as many books as usual. I had a busy work month and  having to stay late and work a little on weekends…..we had lots going on most weekends….and it took me forever to get through The Forgotten Room. Still, I had some winners this month so let’s take a look!

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

I found this book very fascinating. Sure, it is a bit morbid thinking about what happens to the body after death but this book really opened my eyes up to the idea of donating my body to science. I never really thought about the fact that even after you pass you can help the world by possibly curing a disease or making safety features in cars more successful in crash tests, helping authorities determine the time and reason of death, etc. I did this via audiobook, I tend to only enjoy nonfiction by listening over reading.

Bottom Line: If you are in to non-fiction, this is a great read!

Rating: 4/5

The Forgotten Room by Karen White

The Forgotten Room

I am going to be very honest and say that this book was very slow going for me. You have to keep up with three women in three different time periods. The chapters rotate between the three women and their time periods. There are a lot of similar last names and it can be a little confusing at first. It took me quite awhile to get through this book, much longer than usual. However, I was interested in the stories from each of the women and I wasn’t going to quit it. I figured out early on how the three women were connected and had ideas of how the men in their lives were connected but I wasn’t 100% right. I liked that the book was different, I have never read a book about a room in three different time periods.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for something different and a time jump sort of book, then this is for you! If you have a hard time keeping up with characters and enjoy fluffy reads, this would not be your cup of tea. I was glad I read it, but it won’t be making my list of top books of 2016. Not all books can, you know? It had a really good idea, and I wish it was executed better.

Rating: 3/5

*I was provided a copy of The Forgotten Room by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You (Me Before You, #1)

I know a lot of you have already read this one and are like…about damn time!!! But you guys!!!! If ever a book were to break  you, this would be it! I loved the characters and the way the story was written. It was beautiful and it really made me think about what I am doing with my life and what kind of person I am. When a book makes you think deep, it rates high on my list!

Bottom Line: Yes yes yes!!! You must read this book if you haven’t already. I absolutely adored this book. I can’t wait to dive in to After You. This is my first Moyes book and I can promise you it wont be my last.

Rating: 5/5

Zeke by Kelly Gendron (Breaking the Declan Brothers)

ZEKE (Breaking the Declan Brothers, #3)

This is book three in the series. I didn’t realize that when I started but you don’t have to read the first two books to enjoy this one. So this book is basically your guarded bad boy MMA fighter who is really a sweet guy deep down but damaged…and the good girl that tries to break down all his walls. Zeke has 4 rules:

Rule #1 Don’t call him. He’ll call you.
Rule #2 He doesn’t date.
Rule #3 No sleepovers.
Rule #4 Absolutely, no virgins.

I wasn’t a fan of how many ridiculous names are in this book. Lurlene, Rayna, Emmie, Rusty (a girl), Nix, Jax, Slate, Token, Zeke. Meh. You can’t tell me that many weird names are in this little pocket of people, that isn’t realistic. What I was a fan of, is how Lurlene sticks to who she is the entire time. And I was not able to guess what happened to Zeke until the very end so it wasn’t as predictable as some books can be.

Bottom Line: This was a light, quick and easy read. I needed a break from the other books I had read this month. This wasn’t mind blowing, but I read it in 4 days so obviously it kept my interest. This book wouldn’t be for the prude. I mean, look at the cover. It passed the time just fine.

Rating: 3/5

*I was provided a copy of Zeke by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Home Made Simple

 

My mom got me this book a year or two ago for my birthday and I can’t tell you how many times I have referenced to it for something. There are recipes, how to chapters on meal planning, streamlining your house, how to pick house plants and grow an herb garden outside, there is a how to on making your own front door mat, how to set a table for a party, so much information!!! I like looking through the decorating tip section also.

Bottom line: This makes a great coffee table book that you will actually use time and again!

Rating: 4/5

I haven’t started a new book yet, but I need to!!! What have you read lately?

Linking up with Steph and Jana.

weekend shenanigans

Weekend Shenanigans

The first weekend of March has come and gone. Have you guys noticed that the sun has decided to come out and play a little earlier in the mornings, and hang around a little later in the evenings?? Of course, next weekend we spring forward and then it really will be lighter longer, yay!!!

The weather was absolutely amazing here in Birmingham this weekend. We dont get many days of the enjoyable 70’s where the humidity is low….so I like to soak them up whenever possible!

The Friday Lunch Club met up at Babalu, and it was amazingly delicious as always. We split the guac and all three of us ordered the enchiladas of the day because how can you not? A little red sangria might have been had because Friday!

Babalu

Friday night I made paleo sloppy joes over baked potatoes and we caught up on some of our shows. I fell asleep during something, cant even remember and when I woke up I remember thinking oh gosh, it is probably after midnight. But it was just after 10:00pm. Hehehehe. Old person status over here guys.

Because I didn’t get enough Mexican on Friday, can anyone really have enough??? Chris and I headed to our favorite little Mexican spot in Trussville on Saturday. We wanted to enjoy the patio but there was a loud ass kid out there as we were walking up, so we decided to dine inside instead.

Munoz

Afterwards, I talked Chris in to going to TJ Maxx to start getting stuff to organize our drawers and cabinets. We also found some towels and a really cute anchor while were there!!!

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We hit up the Flea Market Mall in Leeds and then headed home to devour this delicious meat and cheese plate I made up!!! I had grabbed an organic red cheddar cheese from Whole Foods earlier in the week and OMG!!! Probably a good thing that Whole Foods is a 40 minute drive from our house or I might be in trouble.

cheese plate

Sunday I got our meal planning and grocery shopping done early. I also organized the shit out of our spice cabinet. Look at it’s beauty!!!

Spice Cabinet

I did some meal prep which included making Paleo Jalapenos Popper Chili for lunches and this Grain Free Paleo Blueberry Lemon Bar for breakfast.IMG_8177

We also enjoyed Sweet Potato noodles in a homemade cashew sauce with bacon, spinach and green onions. It wasn’t all the pretty to look at, but man it tasted delicious!!! I want to make it one more time and do a few little things different to make it even better….then you know I will share the recipe!!!

IMG_8178

We caught up on Vampire Diaries and The Originals last night after dinner, and just like that the weekend was over. I got no blog stuff done, no other computer things I needed to work on, I didn’t finish organizing the rest of the things I meant to get around to….but I suppose all of that will be here next weekend.

I hope you all have a great weekend!!! Let’s do this, Monday!

Linking up with Biana.

friday favorites

Friday Favorites

Favorite Song: Amanda introduced me to Tritonal last week. I love Blackout!!! I decided to search some of their other songs and really liked Anchor.

Favorite Recipe: I made this Mexican Chicken Soup for lunches this week and it is legit!!! Lots of flavor and it is Whole 30/Paleo approved! It’s a crock pot soup, super easy to throw together and forget about it.

Healthy chicken and vegetable soup recipe:

Favorite Workout: Do this work out while your shower water is getting warm or while you wait for your water to boil or oven to preheat.

6 minute workout when your looking to squeeze in a workout on a busy day. Looks easy enough to use on a clinical or work day.:

Favorite Lust: The weather is going to start warming up here and it is time to transition in to some spring pieces. I have my eyes on a few things…

Stripe dresses! This one is on sale at JCPenney!

This one would  be perfect for work.

This Lauren Conrad dress is so pretty and feminine! It is less than $50 right now, too!!!

 

Favorite Links:

–I mentioned on Wednesday that a glass of red wine a night is equivalent to 30 minutes of exercise. Here is an article on hoe to pick a good wine. I can tell you about 25 wonderful beers, but wine? I have one or two that I lean towards but would like to explore more! What is your favorite wine? If you tell me Cupcake I wont believe you! I tried an Angel Food Cake Cupcake wine that tasted like total shit and now I have no trust in that brand. If you swear by another of theirs and thought Angel Food was gross then I might believe you lol.

–Tank top season is just around the corner, tone your arms with these tips!

–There are some cosmetic items that I have had for years and I still use them and everything is fine, but here is a list of when make up “expires.” Do you follow this??

–Have you ever done a skin cleanse? This girl shares what she did and her results after two weeks. There are some great habits to take from this article regardless.

Favorite Funnies:

 :

17 Hysterically Funny Makeup Quotes and Memes | Funny Makeup Quotes at http://makeuptutorials.com/best-funny-makeup-quotes-and-memes/:

Memes are funny little gifts that keep giving!:

How I felt listening to Me Before You…

When I come home with something bad….

When you are waiting at Starbucks for your coffee the baristas are having a chat with a cute guy instead of making your drink….

Me on Monday mornings….

When you get the last word in…

Leaving the Walmart parking lot…

This post is a little late getting out today, sorry about that! You know…life and shit. Not sure what we have going on this weekend, all I know is that the weather is going to be beautiful!!! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Linking up with Amanda.

 

about me, currently

Currently

Reading: Zeke. After being broken by Me Before You and spending a month trying to get through The Forgotten Room, I need something light and quick. This is working perfect for that! You will read my thoughts on all of these books next Tuesday for the Show Us Your Books link up! YAY!!!

Listening to: Birmingham Shines and Call Your Girlfriend Podcasts. I had been listening to an audiobook for a few weeks, so it was time to get caught up on my podcasts. I don’t listen to all the CYG episodes because some are a bit ridiculous but this one is about bestiepreneurs and my goal one day is for my bestie and I to run a business so it is very inspiring!

Also listening to this song on a million times repeat, thanks to Joey!

Watching: We watched Scandal, SVU and PLL so far this week. Chris and I joke every time we sit down to watch PLL. Last night he said, “Are you ready to waste 42 minutes of your life?” I always remain hopeful, “Maybe it will be good?” Chris, “Well if I am going to waste 42 minutes of my life, I am glad it is with you.” Awwww.

Working On: So many things!!! I made a mess of mine and Laura’s food blog last weekend when I tried to install a new theme. I need the help of a serious IT person. Thank goodness I am married to one! I am going to proposition some beers or his favorite meal for his expertise.

I also have been working on fixing up and organizing certain areas of our house. I took a break from this last weekend but hope to pick back up.

Researching the shit out of a IIFYM and a few other things.

Pinning: All of the things! But mostly recipes. I can’t tell you how many new things I have made in the last two months! At least a few new recipes every week! And most of them have been winners. Like this Butter Chicken I made in the crockpot yesterday. And friends, this is Paleo, Gluten Free and Whole 30 approved! I made it with my carrot fries, duh.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken:

And all the Spring and Easter things!

10-Ways to "Springy-fy" Your Home by The Everyday Home Blog:

via

Laughing:

Won't be on there tomorrow either:

Excited: For Friday lunch club! Not sure where we are going this week, but it is always a good time. Also, the weather this weekend is supposed to be beautiful!

Thankful: For amazing friends. Ones that know how to make you laugh or just let you vent about your day or what’s on your mind. Ones that just know how to lift you up and give you a compliment that you didn’t even know you needed. I know without a doubt that certain people were brought in to my life for a reason, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that!!!

Thinking About: All the people just a little south of Birmingham that were surprised by an EF2 tornado that came ripping through the area Tuesday night when we were all trying to get home from work. I had just got my stuff together to leave and the tornado sirens started up. Scary shit!!! All I could think was, I don’t want to die at work!!! I also felt loved because Chris and my sister called at the exact same time to check on me, and Laura texted me shortly after that to make sure I was ok. Could you imagine those that were in their cars when it happened? Yikes!!!

 

What's New With You

Linking up with Kristen and Gretchen for What’s New With You and Joey and Kristin for Stuff and Things!! I hope you all have a fabulous Friday Eve!!!

confessions

Confessions

–I have a huge confessions this morning. You guys, I started drinking Diet Dr Pepper again. WTF?!?!?!? I went 2 months without it and then last week I had a bad day and I just wanted something. That something was DDP. And now I am having a hard time stopping!!! I can’t help it. Ugh. I swear it’s worse than crack. #addict

–On a healthier note, I was listening to a podcast on my way home last night and it sort of was the pick up I needed to get back on track 100% and not just 70% like I have been the last two or three weeks. It has also been a day since I had a DDP and I plan to keep it that way. #constantworkinprogress

–Remember how I told you all last week that I hurt myself opening up the coffee creamer? My finger is still messed up from that. WTF? #coffeeinjuries #worthit

–My coworker was telling me that his wife read an article stating that drinking a glass of red wine per day is equivalent to 30 minutes of exercise. I fully intend on checking out said theory. It was on the internet so it is clearly legit. This is the article. There is also one saying that it isn’t true…but I don’t believe everything I read online. #wineforeverybody #itsscience

–It took me nearly a month to get through the book I finished on Monday. A month!!! I have never taken so long to read a book before. I guess I just wasn’t as excited to read it as others. Not that it was awful but…it took a lot effort to get through each chapter and keep up with the information. #booknerdprobz

–Every time I think about our impending election, I can’t help but think back to the episode of South Park where the kids are trying to pick their school mascot and their choices are a douche or a turd sandwich. Basically real life! #theyallsuck #douchevsturdsandwich

–I really feel like I have my life together when I get gas on my way home from work, and not wait until the next morning when I stand the chance of running late. #adultwin

Confessions in ecard

 :

I can tell. Seriously!:

Truth hurts people ;):

Yep!:

The year of new hobbies:

Quotes / brennanmckissick: I came to the realization I’ve worked every day for the past 3 weeks.:

I'm getting tired of waking up and not being at the beach. Minion funnies:

Amen.:

Link up with Kathy and I and get those confessions out!

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