Reading: Surprise Me – I am only about 10% in to this right now, but so far so good. I am not sure anything will stand up to My Not So Perfect Life for me from Kinsella.
Listening: I am almost done with All the Summer Girls on audio book.
Watching: When we were at the beach, we had to actually watch commercials. Ugh, I know right?!?! Well, it wasn’t all bad because I saw an advertisement for Take Two and I squealed in delight when I saw Rachel Bilson. You know our love for Hart of Dixie. We watched the first three episodes and it is really cute.
Eating: I am trying so hard to get back on the healthy train. Once I fall, I fall hard. Amy is doing a mini Whole 30 reset starting on the 15th and I plan to join her. Let me know if you are going to follow too. I would love as many accountability partners as possible. I started taking workout selfies again this morning, and hope to add them to my monthly review post next month. We shall see how many I did. This weeks menu looks like this….
Monday: Salad
Tuesday: Turkey Burgers with Lima Beans for me and Zucchini for Chris
Wednesday: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Thursday: Korean Beef and stir fry veggies
Friday: Braised Pork Chops and Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Buying: I am probably pouring over the NSALE right now, but I did stop in Loft yesterday and found two things I couldn’t leave without. Right now, a lot of their pants are on sale for $35. I tried a pair on a whim and OMG!!!! They are so flatting and so comfortable! They are lightweight too, so you wont die in the heat of summer. I cant seem to find them on their site though. I also found this this adorable striped tank at Loft. This is an additional 40% off right now. I adored the flutter straps, it flows away from the body so comfortable for summer, and would be super cute under cardigans or jackets in the fall/winter. And um, have you met me? I tend to be drawn to black and white stripes. What can I say?
I also scooped up the Kiehls Avocado eye cream. Nothing I have used lately has worked, and my under eye area was in desperate need of some good hydration! I have had samples of this in the past, and remembered that I liked how hydrating it was. I bought the smaller container and will report back in a few weeks.
Madeline King and Grace Pancik are best friends and the envy of Nantucket for their perfect marriages, their beautiful kids, their Sunday night double dates with their devoted husbands. But this summer, something’s changed, and if there’s anything Nantucket likes better than cocktails on the beach at sunset, it’s a good rumor.
So this is my third Hilderbrand book, and I have to say that I liked Here’s to Us and Winter Street better. But that is not to say that this is a bad book. I enjoyed it, I just felt like the characters weren’t as likable. What I love about Hilderbrand is that she must have a map/family tree of fictional characters for Nantucket, because “Fast Eddie” was mentioned in Winter Street, and here he is one of the main male characters in this book. There was another character mentioned in another book, as well as a few of the places around town. So you really feel like you are part of that world while reading. I do love a good story about town drama, but since this book is called “The Rumor” you get an extra amount of gossip. I felt like most of the characters in this book are not all that identifiable. However, I still enjoyed it and finished it in less than a week. So that says something!
A novel of suspense that explores the complexities of marriage and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.
Man, this book!!! It was a really slow build up, but I never saw the twists coming! They were so clever! The tag line says that you will make assumptions about the book and to assume nothing…and it sure delivers! I didn’t super love all of the characters, but that didn’t take away from the book at all. I don’t always love a book with a unreliable narrator, but it works well in this one.
Bottom Line: If you like suspense type books, read it!
Will’s brother Shawn was just murdered. Will is on an elevator with a gun in his waistband, revenge on his mind. As the elevator stops on each floor, someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if WILL gets off that elevator.
This is such a powerful read. It took less than two hours to get through, so I highly suggest reading it! I listened to it on audiobook because the author reads it himself and it was written in verse. I love knowing that it was delivered exactly as intended. The ending is really left up for interpretation though. I listened to it about four or five times trying to decide how I thought he meant it to go. If you have read it, I would love to know how you took it.
One tequila-soaked night at a comics convention, the usually level-headed graphic novelist is swept off her barstool by a handsome and anonymous Batman. It turns out the caped crusader has left her with more than just a nice, fuzzy memory. She’s having a baby boy. But before Leia can break the news of her impending single-motherhood (including the fact that her baby is biracial) to her conventional, Southern family, her step-sister Rachel’s marriage implodes. Worse, she learns her beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, Birchie, is losing her mind, and she’s been hiding her dementia with the help of Wattie, her best friend since girlhood. Leia returns to Alabama to put her grandmother’s affairs in order, clean out the big Victorian that has been in the Birch family for generations, and tell her family that she’s pregnant. Yet just when Leia thinks she’s got it all under control, she learns that illness is not the only thing Birchie’s been hiding.
I feel like I waited forever for this book at the library. I have really come to love Joshilyn Jackson. She is such an engaging writer and I feel like her books are deeper than just a beach read. She knows how to develop a character. Small town Alabama can feel like you walked right in to the 80’s, and that is how Jackson writes about Birchville in this book. I loved all the drama that was written in to the Birch family history. So many secrets. I also like that there is a story within a story with the graphic novel series that Leia wrote.
Bottom Line: This is a very enjoyable read! You get the good, bad and ugly of the deep south, some family drama, secrets, a super hero and a woman who just wants to solve all the problems and doing the best that she can. Read it!
Nina Browning is living the good life after marrying into Nashville’s elite. Tom Volpe is a single dad working multiple jobs while struggling to raise his headstrong daughter, Lyla. Amid so much wealth and privilege, Lyla doesn’t always fit in—and her overprotective father doesn’t help—but in most ways, she’s a typical teenage girl, happy and thriving. One photograph, snapped in a drunken moment at a party, changes everything. As the image spreads like wildfire, the Windsor community is instantly polarized, buzzing with controversy and assigning blame. At the heart of the lies and scandal, Tom, Nina, and Lyla are forced together—all questioning their closest relationships, asking themselves who they really are, and searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning.
I finished this book in just a couple of sittings at the beach. It was actually a heavier topic than most of Giffin’s books. I felt like it was very realistic and now in terms of the issue and what happened. I do feel though that Giffin just touched the surface, and it could have gone a little deeper. I liked the way the book switched between Nina, Tom and Lyla. You got to see the story from each of their points of views and know what they were feeling. I didn’t really get attached to any of the characters the way I like to, but they were likeable enough. The ending sort of wrapped up a little too quickly for me, leaving me wanting something more from the book.
Bottom Line: I think Giffin fans will appreciate this book for its heavier subject matter. This was a quick and enjoyable read.
**I received a copy of All We Ever Wanted from Netgalley in exchange for me honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
You may or may not have noticed my absence the last week or so. I am not here to apologize, because I don’t feel one needs to apologize for living life…you know? I basically took a break from everything. I did not open my laptop one time at the beach. I stayed off Facebook, Twitter, and just randomly checked in on Instagram to share a few moments of our trip. I didn’t think one time about work or how miserable I am. I didn’t think about the things we still need to get done around the house. I didn’t think about the mental list I have of accomplishments and dreams that are just sitting out there without any action. All I did was sit around our condo, take long walks with Zoe, take in the views of the ocean, and lounge around in the pool. (In one hour increments the best you can with a toddler who is go go go.) I ate some spicy Doritos and golden Oreos. We stopped at Steak n Shake in Prattville on the way down, as we usually do. We took Zoe for ice cream and out to eat one night at Sassy Bass where I indulged in crab claws and crab cakes.
On Friday morning, Chris and I took a walk and decided that we had enough vacation. We consulted with Zoe, who nodded in agreement that she wanted to go home, and packed up our car and headed back to Birmingham and our much more comfortable bed. Just like that, vacation was over and reality slapped us in the face. I had about 10 loads of laundry, Chris had a jungle in the backyard to tame, and poor Mac had a long overdue grooming that he needed recovery from.
This weekend, we laid low. Chris had a little side work to tend to. Zoe and I took a trip to the outlets near our house since I didn’t get to hit up the ones at the beach. (Where I discovered we now have a Michael Kors outlet store!!!!!!!) A rain storm came through while we were there, so we took cover in the food court where I decided it was high time that Zoe tried Auntie Anne’s! She was obsessed and kept saying “mo pwease”. We knocked out our grocery shopping for the week. I indulged in some Publix sushi Saturday night, Chris grilled hot dogs for lunch, and last night (thanks to Amy!) we enjoyed some paleo chick fila nuggets with garlic and parsley smashed potatoes.
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th week! Linking up with Biana.
Favorite Moments: Laura and I crossed another thing off our Birmingham Bucket List this week with burgers at Hero Doughnuts. The burger was sooooo delicious and Hero’s is such a cute spot.
Chris and I had a lunch date on Wednesday. We went to Sushi Village and then stopped by Bargain Hunt. Bargain Hunt left much to be desired, but the sushi was delicious! I love our day dates!
When I picked Zoe up from daycare on Wednesday, she had her hair up in a pony tail courtesy of one of her teachers. She was also wearing a jean skirt that day, and looked so cute and sassy. Unfortunately, she wasn’t totally herself when I picked her up. When we got home, I realized it was because she was at the beginning of a 24 hour bug. There is nothing sadder than seeing your child getting sick and being scared because she doesn’t understand what is going on 🙁 Luckily she seems to be feeling better today. You can tell in the picture I snapped of her pony tail when we got to the car that she wasn’t amused or feeling well.
We had lots of snuggles and fun yesterday though. Just look at her sweetness.
Favorite Recipe: Saw Defined Dish post this whole 30 approved recipe for buffalo potato salad. Ummmmm sign me right up!!! How perfect is this just in time for the 4th BBQs?!?!
Favorite Purchase: I grabbed one of these mesh back tank tops from Old Navy on a whim without even trying it on. I need some new casual tops that don’t look completely disgusting and clingy on me. Why do all work out tops need to cling? This one fits so good!!!! It is loose enough that I am comfortable and it is very flatting on. It is also doesn’t move around and get on my nerves either. Perfect combination! Plus the mesh back with the fly away opening is nice and airy on these hot and humid days. Fall, where you at? Basically I plan to buy them in every color.
Favorite Funnies:
Linking up with Amanda, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
We have a heat index advisory today. Hey summer, I see you. More like feel you. Gross. I will be chilling indoors with my AC on full blast if anyone needs me! We did get a little outdoor play in this weekend though.
Friday, Chris and I had an impromptu lunch date at Taco Morro Loco. I have been wanting to try this place forever and ever and just never made it over there. I have been missing out on the best tacos in Birmingham. I kid you not, they were seriously sooooooo amazing!!!! Unfortunately, the service was slow as shit because they had a million to go orders, and we ended up having to take our food to go because Chris had a meeting and we waited almost an hour after our appetizer came out. But it was totally worth it. I am already thinking I need to go back again. I ordered a chorizo taco, a beef one and The Pastor which was pork with pineapples. I can’t tell you which was my favorite, because each one was so fresh and amazing.
It was stormy and nasty on Saturday morning, so we spent the morning playing indoors and enjoying homemade waffles.
After Zoe’s nap, her and I made an Aldi run and then headed to her first classmate’s birthday party! She had so much fun running around and seeing a few of her friends from school. The mom did an amazing job on party decor. It was Peppa Pig themed and seriously a Pinterest Perfect event. I am going to have to step my game up big time if we invite school friends to her next party. She came home with a pretty sweet bag of loot too. I am glad that the rain had cleared out just in time for all the kiddos to have fun. Even if it was so humid that I stay soaked pretty much the entire time I was standing out there. Making a mental note to never wear my hair down to an outdoor party again.
Chris spent his Saturday getting this awesome Beat Saber VR game to work on his computer. It is insane the things that he is able to do.
Saturday night, I made a plate of black bean nachos and ended up watching The Notebook since it was on tv. Chris came up about half way through and admitted he never did actually see it, so I made him watch it with me.
Sunday, Zoe and I headed to the grocery store pretty earlier. When she went down for her nap, I made some Italian Sausage for Chris and I for lunch and let it simmer in the skillet while I cleaned the bathrooms, did dishes, put a few loads of laundry in, and started getting some stuff together for our beach trip. Zoe had taken a pretty long nap, because I had gotten a lot done! When Zoe got up, she had a snack and then we went outside to blow bubbles and draw with sidewalk chalk. We took a few quick walks as well. Zoe got her first skinned knees and handled it like a pro.
Sunday night, we ate the rest of the sausage for dinner and knocked out a few more episodes of Blue Bloods. It is seriously such a good show!
I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! Last week was so crazy, I am hoping this week will be a little less so. Linking up with Biana. Happy Monday!
