Hello readers! It’s sequel time. After finishing The Housemaid for book club this month, I had to dive into book two, The Housemaid’s Secret, and boy is it a juicy secret! Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Now let’s find out about…
The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
The Synopsis
Millie is back with another housemaid job but this time in a multi-million dollar penthouse in NYC. After being contacted by Douglas Garrick, she agrees to the job even if she gets the creeps in their apartment. Not to mention, Mr. Garrick has instructed Millie never to disturb Mrs. Garrick who is in the guest room and very ill. Under no circumstances can she knock and disturb her while she gets better. But things start to get a little weird- like when she finds blood on a white nightgown. Then something happens that causes Millie to have to open the door. As soon as she does, everything changes. Millie isn’t one to back down to a dangerous man, though. And she’s not about to start now.
My Review
If you thought the twists and turns in The Housemaid were good, you ain’t seen nothing yet! This book keeps you guessing until the very last page. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, things get flipped upside down. I flew through it due to the super short chapters. You’ll be reading *just one more* well past your bedtime. I do think you need to read the books in order, but don’t let that scare you off. If you’ve got a lazy weekend, you’ll finish them both with no trouble. I gave it 4 stars.
Who Should Read It?
Anyone dealing with a book hangover or in a reading slump. Fans of thrillers. Fans of psychological thrillers.
Pair It With…
I’d pair this with a lazy weekend and book one.
I want to know all your thoughts on this one once you read it! Get your copy of The Housemaid’s Secret at your local library, independent bookstore, second hand book website, or here.
Hello readers! Today, I’ve got a romance set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest with a king crab fisherman for a male lead and a music loving female lead. Lead? Main character. It’s quite charming. Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Without further ado…..
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
The Synopsis
In book one of this duology, It Happened One Summer, we meet the Bellinger sisters, Piper and Hannah. Piper’s story is told in book one. Hannah is our girl for book two, Hook, Line, and Sinker. In book one, Hannah and Piper find themselves nearly broke and in the small town where their father is highly regarded after his death. As they get to know the people in town, they start to make a life for themselves and that’s when Hannah meets Fox, a king crab fisherman who is a bit of a ladies man. They are forced to spend time together on their own and bond over Hannah’s love of music. This causes something to shift in Fox and causes them to strike up a real friendship. Now for book two. Hannah and Fox have been texting each other for about a year sharing songs that perfectly describe their day or the mood they are in. When the film Hannah is working on hits a snag, she suggests heading to Westport for an authentic setting as the perfect backdrop. While planning, she realizes the guest room at her sister’s house is already spoken for, but Fox agrees to let her crash at his place. After all, they’re best friends at this point. When Hannah arrives Fox starts to see Hannah in a new light. But Fox has always been a playboy. Will he have it in his heart to change? Or will he throw away the best thing that might have ever happened to him?
My Review
Admittedly, I was a big fan of book one, so book two was a no-brainer for me. I do not think that you have to read the first one to understand everything about the second book, but I did like knowing the context of everything going on. It’s worth your time to read both. I thought this was a great summer read due to its light and fluffy content. Nothing got too serious, and I had fun reading it. I will warn the more sensitive readers that this has some open door romantic content. If that’s not your thing, skim through those parts or skip this series altogether. I’m sad to not visit Westport anymore, but I’m sure glad I got to visit it for two books. The narrator on audio is a tad annoying, but not so annoying that I needed to stop listening. I gave it 4 stars.
Who Should Read It?
Lovers of romance and romcoms. Readers that don’t mind a bit of spicy content. Music lovers. I didn’t play this up enough. There’s so many music references in this book. I loved that! Read this if you’re a fan of the friends to lovers and forced proximity tropes.
Pair It With…
Any of the records mentioned in this book but playing your favorite record will work. I think this one also pairs well with a pool or the beach. And of course…with book one, It Happened One Summer.
Let me know if you visit Westport and get to know the Bellinger sisters! Get your copy of Hook, Line, and Sinker at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand book website, or here.
Hello readers! If you’re looking for a page-turner, I have just the book for you. Here’s the format for the review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Let me tell you about…
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
The Synopsis
Millie is an ex-con in desperate need of a job so she can move out of her car and not jeopardize her parole. Going back to prison just isn’t an option anymore. When she gets wind of a live-in housemaid position where she’ll be cooking, cleaning, and taking care of a young child, she jumps at the chance. She’s sure her background check will cost her the position, but to her surprise, she gets the job. She’s relieved and can’t believe the beauty of the house where she’ll be working and living. That is until she’s shown the creepy staircase that leads to the room where she’ll be sleeping. She shakes off the unsettling feeling and revels in the relief that it’s not her car she’s sleeping in anymore. But then the first day of work starts, and things take a turn for the worse. But she never expected it to get as bad as it does.
My Review
I finished this book in one day. I listened to it on audio and couldn’t find it in me to hit the stop button. It had me hooked from the prologue and didn’t let go until the end. It was full of twists and turns, the chapters are short, and it was a wild ride. I had a few issues with some things that felt were loose ends, so I am giving this one 3.75 stars.
Who Should Read It?
Anyone who loves a psychological thriller. Anyone trying to get out of a reading slump. I finished this one right after Fourth Wing, and let me tell ya, that one will give you a book hangover. The Housemaid pulled me right out of it and got my mojo going again. I’m a big chicken when it comes to scary things, and this was not bad at all. Creepy? Oh yeah! But not so bad that I couldn’t read it.
Pair It With…
Well a creepy staircase obviously! 🙂 I would pair this with a bright sunny day or a project like painting because I’m a big ol’ baby when it comes to reading scary things. If I were more thick skinned, I’d pair it with a dark and stormy day on my couch listening to the thunder and the rain for all the moody ambiance.
I hope you pick this one up sometime soon. I’m currently reading the sequel now. It’s shaping up to be as spooky as the first one. Get your copy at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand books website, or here.
Hello readers! I can’t wait for you to read about this spectacular book. (See what I did there?) Here’s the format for this review- I’ll give you a synopsis, my review, who I think should read this, and a pairing of some sort. Without further ado…..
The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
The Synopsis
Marion is a nineteen year old dance instructor. She lives at home with her father, Simon, and older sister, Judy. Her mother died when she was just a child, so it’s been the three of them and their housekeeper who has been with the girls their whole lives. Marion also has a boyfriend, Nathaniel, who is just back from a European trip and is ready to settle down with Marion and get started on a family of their own. But Marion isn’t sure she’s ready for that at such a young age. She craves adventure and purpose for her life that doesn’t involve making meals, running a household, and raising children. When she learns of an open audition for the Radio City Rockettes, she decides she must try. Meanwhile, NYC has been plagued by the “Big Apple Bomber” for sixteen years and keeps escaping the clutches of the police. At the end of their rope, the NYPD decides to enlist the help of Dr. Peter Griggs, a psychiatrist who has an interesting and unconventional way of studying criminals and the mentally ill. By chance, Marion and Peter find themselves working together with the police to help find the bomber. Marion soon finds she’s much more of a standout than she thought, and uses this self realization to her benefit and the benefit of the entire city.
My Review
I thought this was a splendid book. I found profound statements such as, “She hadn’t realized until now what a passive participant she’d been in her own life, gliding along with everyone else’s desires for her future.” I was angered by certain, outdated standards placed on women. My heartstrings were tugged several times making me feel sad and sympathetic. My heart rate climbed when the bomber got a little too close for comfort. I also enjoyed a peak into the behind-the-scenes world of the Rockettes audition process. I gave it 4 stars.
Who Should Read It?
This book is for fans of: historical fiction, 1950s New York, the stage life, the Rockettes, family drama, a good mystery, mental illness in the 50s vs. now
Pair It With…
I’m pairing this book with a fuzzy blanket and maybe even a Christmas tree. While the book isn’t even focused on Christmas, the story does take place during December while the Christmas Spectacular is the show that’s performed at Radio City Music Hall. Do you have to save it until December? Certainly not! But if your TBR pile is overflowing like mine, adding this to your holiday reads won’t be a disappointing move.
I hope you pick this one up sometime soon. When you do, let me know how you like it! Get your copy at your local library, independent bookstore, secondhand books website, or here.
One of my favorite things to talk about is reading. I love to discuss books with bookish people and with people that “don’t really get the whole reading thing”. I feel confident that with the right book anyone can totally “get it”. I’ll always share what I’m reading because I love consuming content of what other people are reading, and I know I’m not the only one who loves that. I get some of the best recommendations from this kind of content, and if that helps you with even one book, then I’ve done my job.
I decided to break it down into some unique categories, so this won’t necessarily be a list of my favorites but rather a fun spin on what all I’ve read this year.
Favorite So Far
There’s just something about the writing duo that is Christina Lauren. I was loaned this book by my friend, and I loved it so much. The story of Elliot and Macy was so very good. I laughed and cried my way through it. I loved the dual timeline and truly fell in love with these characters and was rooting for them the whole time. Grab your copy here.
Least Favorite
This one came with high praise and nothing but wonderful things said about it causing me to go in with very high expectations. And yet I didn’t like it. It was the longest short book I’ve ever read. If you want to be a little sad and read about a crack in a pool and someone with Alzheimers, then maybe you’ll like it, but it just wasn’t for me. The writing was actually interesting and kind of beautiful, but the story was a different, well, story. If you’re curious, get it here.
Prettiest Cover
I don’t know what it is about this cover that got me; it’s so simple. But I do love these pink flowers with the muted gray background. I would have picked Pineapple Street, but I couldn’t get through the audiobook due to the narrator. This caused me to be put at the bottom of the wait list for the ebook copy. Anyhoo, The Magnolia Palace is a dual timeline story about Lillian and Veronica and how their worlds intertwine all because of the famous Frick family. Get your copy here.
Longest
In the last book of the ACOTAR series, we get a story written mostly about Nesta and Cassian. I started out unsure of this book, but it did turn out to be an incredible story that I could not put down. It left me with quite the book hangover, and I cannot recommend enough. However, I cannot recommend it to you as a stand alone. You MUST read the entire series in order for this book to make sense. But don’t be scared of a series or of fantasy. It is 100% worth your time. Get yours here.
Didn’t Meet Expectations
I know I just said what I said about this series being worth it and all and now you see this book under the “didn’t meet expectations” category. Here’s what I mean- It is a necessary part of the story, but if you’re in the thick of the ACOTAR universe, this book pales in comparison to the one you will have just finished. However, it is a lovely little palette cleanser, and I would never suggest that you skip it. Get it here.
Exceeded Expectations
After almost writing off Emily Henry altogether due to what I thought were terrible audiobook experiences, I was urged by some friends to give her one more try and to read the book rather than listen to the audiobook. They were indeed right, and I could not have loved this book more. I think I even gave it five stars on Goodreads. Nora and Charlie are work rivals. While on a vacation with her sister, Nora bumps into Charlie and finds out their quaint vacation spot is actually his hometown. Well, it’s a romantic comedy, so what do you think happens? It was so much fun! Get it here.
I’ve usually read a bit more non-fiction this time of year, but I just haven’t been feeling it lately. I’ve read three, and Beth Moore’s memoire was by far my favorite. It’s a beautiful, difficult story but one full of Jesus. If you love Jesus, you should read this memoire. And if you’re an audiobook listener, she reads the book, and it is 100% the way to go. Get your copy here.
Most Fun
Killers of a Certain Age is a fun, action packed story about four 60-something women on the brink of retirement. So on the brink that they’re on a celebratory cruise for that reason. They have earned this relaxing trip because they’ve been working as assassins, and they’re darn good at their jobs. Being so good at their jobs helps them to realize that maybe this cruise isn’t going to be so relaxing after all and that just maybe they are the mark this time. I loved this one! I listened to the audiobook, and thought it was a very nicely done. Get your copy here.
First, how is this year half over?! Second, what a fun way to analyze what you’ve read thus far in 2023. I hope I’ve inspired a few books for you to read. I hope you’ll chat with me in the comments or over on Instagram, where I mostly hang out, about these books. I’d love to know your thoughts if you’ve read them. Speaking of the comments, tell me one book you think I should read before the year is out.
We’ve got makeup, we’ve got jewelry, we’ve got press on nails, we’ve got books, we’ve got art, and we’ve got so much more! Let’s get to it, shall we?
Amazon Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes have been something I have needed for quite some time now. As luck would have it, I was watching Instastories and ran across someone sharing these, a dupe for some really nice and expensive brushes. When I realized they were only $15, I scooped them up and the eye makeup brushes too, which is what I desperately needed. I love them all. They’re a little gaudy, but I guess I can be too. Ha! I think they’re excellent for the price I paid.
Beautycounter Satin Finish Lipstick
Wearing Shade Inspired
Wearing Shade Independent
If you follow me on Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen me share about this new product plenty. But if you haven’t, allow me introduce you to Beautycounter’s newest power play, the Statement Maker Satin Finish Lipstick. She’s beautifully pigmented and lasts until I eat. I do need to reapply after eating, but I think that’s fair in a lipstick that doesn’t promise to stay on all day. Plus, y’all know how much of a stickler I am for clean lip products. I hate that we ingest what’s on our lips, so I like to make mine clean. Grab one here.
Red Aspen Almond Shape Nails
Wearing Wren in White Sands here
I love a good manicure, but I refuse to pay and sit for an actual one in a salon. I discovered Red Aspen on Instagram and gave them a try. I haven’t looked back, and I am LOVING these almond shaped ones. I am normally a short nail gal, but after giving these a try, I think this extra bit of glam is exactly who I’m supposed to be.
Walmart Triple Link Bracelet
Remember when Hoda Kotbe talked about these fancy and expensive bracelets? Well, Walmart came through with a $6 version!!! It has held up pretty well, and I love the chunky style. Plus, it’s 3-in-1. What’s not to love?
New Balance 237
One of the happiest birthdays was my 37th. My husband spoils me to no end, and I am not ashamed to say how much I love it. I sent him a link to these adorable sneakers after falling in love with the 327s. He surprised me with them, and I have found them extremely comfortable and so pretty.
Not the Norm Boutique
Cinco de Mayo top
Harlow Satin Tank
Listen, I am loving all the things from Not the Norm and am so happy to be able to support them. This local boutique hosts pop ups and is always open online. I am still loving my Cinco de Mayo top (wore it today but it’s out of stock) and I got so many compliments when I wore the Harlow Satin Tank. I got the size x-large in beige and find it fits pretty true to size. I could wear the large but liked the extra room in my chest. The quality of these clothes is fantastic, and you must give them a follow on Instagram and shop online right now!!!!
Loopy Case
I love a Loopy Case. I’ve had so many over the years. I just can’t quit the convenience of having the loop to carry on my hand. I thought this butterfly one was perfect for spring and summer. Paul must have listened to me talk about it, because it was a late birthday surprise for me. Highly recommend trying these out if you haven’t yet. Use code THANKYOU10 at checkout for 10% off.
Mallory Mize Art
We gifted our moms a piece of Mallory Mize art this year for Mother’s Day, and Paul got me one too, from the dogs. I don’t know if you’re aware of what paper art is or what it can be, but I’m here to tell you this is such a unique and beautifully crafted piece of art to add to your collection. I already have plans for an Iris Apfel piece because it reminds me of my Aunt Sharon and maybe the oranges in the bowl because those colors are GORGEOUS! If you have children, consider having her custom create a silhouette. They are remarkable!
From a recent Instastory. I 100% think adding lime juice makes it even better!
The happiest of summer cocktails is this!
Frozen watermelon cubes (the amount is trial and error until you get the desired consistency) 2 shots of vodka (or less, or more, or none-it’s an excellent mocktail) A squeeze of fresh lime juice (or the bottle stuff- I use it too) A spoonful of simple syrup (but only if your watermelon isn’t very sweet-otherwise, it’s not needed) Blend in the blender
I tried it with tequila, specifically reposado. It’s okay. But watermelon pairs best with vodka or silver tequila in my opinion.
Simple Syrup 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water Heat in a boiler over med to high heat (don’t boil) until sugar dissolves. Stir as needed. Set aside and let cool to room temperature. Add to cocktails/mocktails as needed.
Hello, summer! I am so happy I’m officially on summer break. I have two work days this week, but after that I’m D.O.N.E. May is such a ridiculous time for teachers. I don’t know how I found time to read anything. Yes I do-audiobooks! Keep reading for what I read this month. Hopefully you’ll find one or two to put on your summer reading list.
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn comes highly recommended by a coworker. I’ve tried to listen toThe Alice Network several times, but I cannot get into the audiobook. That being said, I didn’t have super high expectations for The Diamond Eye, but once I pressed play I was hooked. A lot of WWII historical fiction is about women in Paris or women who were nurses or women who helped people in an undercover fashion. But this story tells of Lady Death, a Russian sniper, and a real person, who fought against Hitler and also somehow developed a friendship with First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. I was completely captivated by the story and appreciated a different type of woman as a WWII main character. Highly recommend.
Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? by Gare Thompson
Because I read The Diamond Eye, I had to pick up this one to give me a little more background on Eleanor Roosevelt. She seemed to be quite the character, and the same coworker recommended that I follow up with this quick non-fiction book to give me just a bit more info on her. I’m glad I did and learned a lot from this children’s book.
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
I’m going to go ahead and throw my mama under the bus here, though I was totally on board with her choice for a book club pick. She and I had both heard how wonderful The Swimmers was. One of our favorite podcasters even deemed it her favorite book of last year. I truly cannot see how this was her favorite one. It is honest and raw and weird and sad. It’s also short, so it makes the weirdness and the sadness of it totally doable, but I do not think most people will enjoy this book. It tells the story of a group of people who swim at an underground public pool. One day the pool gets a crack in it. The author fixates on this crack in the pool for entirely too many pages. One of the swimmers is a woman who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease, and after the talk of the crack is over, the book jumps to the facility where she will be living. That part is equally as weird, though I did find humor in it. The last part is about everything that the woman’s daughter will experience as the disease progresses. This is the sad part. If you’ve experienced this within your own family, you’ll find similarities and maybe even comradery in the awful club that you become a part of when someone you love receives this diagnosis. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, but it certainly wasn’t the best. And I don’t think it’s one I will outright recommend to people. If you do give it a shot, at least you know now what you’re getting into. Also, I read and listened to this one. The reading was tedious. The narrator was good. I don’t think either was better than the other.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I was not an Emily Henry fan. I had previously listened to Beach Read andPeople We Meet on Vacation and hated both of them. I was telling this information to two of my bookish friends, and they both said not to give up. Book Lovers was their favorite, and I had to give it a try. However, they said I had to actually read it- no more audio. Well, I was wary and wasn’t about to waste my money on a book I likely would hate, so I borrowed the e-book from the library, and what do you know?! I LOVED it! I’m convinced the banter that Emily Henry so expertly writes is just not the same when someone else reads it to you. I needed to hear it in my head with my own imagination. If I didn’t have a TBR list as tall as the Empire State Building, I’d probably go back and read the other two that I hated just to see if it truly was the audiobook experience that I hated. However, her newest book, Happy Place is on that too tall list, so maybe I’ll knock that one out this summer. If you’re a book lover, you must read Book Lovers!
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
When you tell me that Leonardo di Caprio is going to be in a new movie this year and it’s based on a book, I’m doing all the research I possibly can to prepare myself. I listened to this one through the Libby App and really enjoyed the experience. There are three different narrators and all were excellent. This story tells of the real murders of the Osage people. Early on in the story you learn that because of the oil that was discovered on their land and a very clever Chief, several of the Osage people were given a monthly payment for that oil for life. Well, we all know that money can make people crazy, and the crazy that is in this story…wowzah! I’m extremely interested to see what Martin Scorsese and Leo do with this one. The film comes out October 6 in theaters and to Apple TV+ October 20.
Killers of a Certain Age- Deanna Raybourn
Apparently killing was the theme of my monthly reading. This is the third book with murder in it. However, this one was the most fun! Y’all, this book was definitely my favorite of the month. Killers of a Certain Age follows four retired assassins who are in their 60s. They are sassy and completely badass. The are all celebrating their retirement on a cruise as the book starts. Well, while on the cruise they discover that perhaps their past isn’t completely in the past, and that maybe they are the ones on the hit list. All sorts of action and adventure ensues along with flashbacks to their time working with their organization. Seriously, this book was so much fun and is a an excellent choice to kick off your summer reading.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
First, I can’t believe I finally finished this series! The A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series has been a fun, grown-up way to reenter the world of fantasy. I had really only experienced that world with Harry Potter. Make no mistake, ACOTAR is not suitable for children! This one is for adults only. There are many open door romance scenes in these books along with adult language, though not a ton of it. A Court of Silver Flames is the most recent book of the ACOTAR series and is primarily told from the point of view of Nesta. Nesta is a force to be reckoned with. I didn’t love her at the start of the book, but once it got going, I quickly joined her team and rooted for her to the end. I don’t want to give anything away. I was so happy to go in blind to this whole series and appreciate all the people who would not give anything away even when I asked. You have to read the books in order. You cannot just pick up this book and expect to understand anything. However, I highly recommend giving it a go. It lives up to all the hype that’s surrounding it.
Seven books completed in one of the busiest months for a teacher. Not bad! On deck is The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren. I am so excited to start that one and to kick off my summer reading. I’d love to hear about a good one you read this month. Leave it in the comments. Have a great one!
Wow! Where did the month go? I feel like I blinked, looked at the calendar and it was April 15th. And now- Bam! It’s over! Don’t we always feel that way, though? I mean, except for January. I’m always glad to see that one go. But what a quick month it’s been. Maybe because it’s been so full of such wonderful things. We had Easter, I helped throw a baby shower for a friend, I went to the beach, we had state testing, which wasn’t a favorite of the month, but it was totally a huge part of the month and a stress inducer. There were hair appointments (always good days), a book release I was excited about, the premier of the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and so much more. Let’s dive in to all the good things I’ve deemed my favorites of the month.
Favorite Book of the Month
I can’t remember a time when Beth Moore wasn’t teaching me about Jesus. Her memoir was on my radar, but I couldn’t decide if I wanted to read the physical copy or listen to her read it to me on Audible. I decided to go with the Audible version. And listen, I knew some of her back story. I mean, I’ve listened to countless interviews, done a Bible study of hers, and watched all the Youtube videos. (This one is my favorite.) But, y’all, I was not prepared for some of these stories. I was not prepared for her to share as much as she did. If you’ve been studying under Mrs. Beth and have been blessed by her, please consider getting on the waitlist at the library or using an Audible credit for this one. You’ll love it.
Favorite Purchases of the month
Paul’s counsin’s incredibly stylish wife started a new online boutique called Not the Norm that has the cutest clothes. She had her first pop up at the beginning of the month, and I scooped up two colorful tops, which are way out of my comfort zone, but I love them both! The next pop up is on Saturday, May 6th at the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. You should definitely come, you should definitely start following them on Instagram, and you should definitely go ahead and shop online.
It wouldn’t be a new month if I didn’t buy a book. This one was a highly anticipated release. So highly anticipated that I preordered it. If you’ve been around long enough, you know that I love Laura Tremaine. She wrote a book I loved called Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First. She hosts a weekly podcast called 10 Things to Tell You that is a delight to listen to and learn from. And now she’s written a new book called The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs. It came out early this month, but I haven’t been able to start it yet. I can’t wait!
Favorite Thing I Watched
I am so behind on shows, but I was most excited about the return of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Though it’s the last season, I’m still excited to see how they will wrap it up for us. I sort of appreciate the weekly release of the episodes. It’ll help me savor it. I have been such a huge fan of the show since the beginning and have watched the previous seasons multiple times. It became on of those “comfort shows” for me. If you’ve never watched, you must start at the beginning. Know that seasons 3 and 4 aren’t always top notch, but stick it out anyway. The endings will leave you floored. And just one more reason to watch it- the costumes. Gosh, that fashion is divine!
Paul and I watched Daisy Jones and the Six like the rest of the world. It was just okay for me. No, that’s not true. It was actually very good and well done. But I had just reread the book and had so many ideas fresh in my head, and when the show didn’t match my expectations, I turned my nose up at it. I thought the book was perfectly done and didn’t see any need to change anything, so I had a hard time with the show. However, if you’ve never read the book, I’m guessing you loved/will love the show, and I do recommend it. And while we’re talking TV fashion, Camilla’s outfit at the album cover shoot…that head scarf and oversized sunglasses- PERFECTION!
Favorite Thing I ate
Having lived in Louisiana one can get used to a caliber of food that just isn’t matched anywhere else. And one also cannot replicate that food on her own either. During Lent, Paul and I were thrilled to give the boiled crawfish from Pip’s a try. It was delicious, and we made ourselves incredibly satisfied over who-knows-how-many pounds of crawfish one Friday night. We even called over my parents, who never got crawfish while we lived in Louisiana. While it wasn’t my dad’s idea of a good time, mom liked it pretty good. It was a nice taste of our other home.
My birthday falls at the end of April, and my mom offered to make me a cake. She made a delicious chocolate cake with chocolate icing last year, and I told her I’d like that again. She decided to do a different recipe this year from the one and only Ina Garten. It was delicious, and I recommend finding any excuse to make it.
Other Favorites
Red Aspen Press On Nails in Nina On Cloud Nine
I cannot get over how wonderful these press on nails are! The learning curve is short, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll love the natural look, the longevity, and the price. Nina on Cloud Nine is the perfect white mani. If you’re one who paints her own nails, you know how many coats it takes to get an opaque white mani. This takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and zero dry time! Get yours here.
Naghedi St. Barths Tote
It’s been high time for a new handbag around here, and I was kind of digging the woven tote bags I’d seen some of the influencers carry. Most of the ones I saw were the larger size one from Amazon. I think those are so cute, but I was in the mood for a change- smaller purse, bold color. Enter Naghedi. I first laid eyes on the St. Barths Tote via @nashvilletash in the gorgeous orchid color (no longer available). But I wanted one that I could carry longer than spring and summer. That’s when I perused the website and found it in poppy. She’s a bright orange that I will carry all year round. It’s neoprene, machine washable, and thoughtfully made. There are tons of styles and sizes. It’s a bit of an investment but not a huge one in comparison with more couture bags. It’s a total win in my book!
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion
I’ve droned on and on about my oily skin here, especially when talking about Beautycounter. Honestly, I’ve been dealing with it since I hit puberty. I was using and loving the Countertime Collection at Beautycounter, which is the anti-aging line that has a retinol alternative called Bakuchiol in it. It was super hydrating and I knew it was keeping those deep set wrinkles at bay. (Also, the eye cream is truly incredible and worth every penny!) Anyway, I just kept being EXTREMELY oily throughout the day, so I decided that I was going to experiment and see if a different moisturizing routine would help. I swapped the Supreme Cream (night) for the Soft Cream (day)- I put this on at night before bed. I was foregoing moisturizer in the mornings because the Soft Cream was too much moisture for my skin under my makeup, which happens to be a tinted moisturizer base. I decided I needed some type of moisturizer in the morning, so I finally gave the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion a try. The beauty of this moisturizer is that it’s sort of like a mood ring for your face. It just knows what you are/need. I have been less oily than every before! It is so light and absorbs quickly into your skin. I cannot get over the sorcery that is in this product. 🙂 If you don’t love your current moisturizer, you must give this stuff a try! It’s pure magic!
I Feel Like I’m Missing Tons
April may have been fast and furious, but it was great! Lots of fun and lots of blessings. I hope April brought joy to your life, and I hope that May brings even more. We have another birthday I the house in May and let’s not forget the end of the school year! Counting down the days. Hope to share more soon.
Oh the joy reading brings me! I have been writing book recap blog posts for a while now, and I love to share what I’m reading in real time over on my Instagram page, too. Because I read so much, I like to set a yearly goal. Every year the goal is to read one more book than I did the year before. My goal for 2022 was 60 books. I read 69!! Here they are in the order in which they were read.
January Titles
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever- Barbara Robinson | Read for my class. It’s a funny story about a church Christmas pageant and a lovely take on the nativity through the eyes of some bad kids. Love this one!
The Book of Lost Names- Kristen Harmel (My favorite of the month.) | WWII novel about a woman who forged false papers for people. I waited for 6 months for this book at the library, and it was worth the wait.
The Devil Wears Prada- Lauren Weisberger | It was available in audio format at the library, so I gave it a reread, well, listen. I forgot how much different it was from the movie. Still good.
In Five Years- Rebecca Serle | Compelling story that has a bit of time travel. Extremely sad but also very good.
Taste- Stanley Tucci (My favorite of the Month) | Listen to the audiobook to hear him read it but buy the physical copy for the recipes! That’s what I did.
Things We Never Got Over- Lucy Score | I didn’t like the writing (though I’m in the minority). I was invested in the characters, but I thought it lacked imagination and depth.
Inheritance- Katharine McGee | This book was a prequel to the American Royals book series. I’ve been loving these characters.
April Titles
Local Woman Missing- Mary Kubica (My favorite of the month) | This book has a great twist- I didn’t see it coming! Very compelling read.
The Matzah Ball- Jean Meltzer | Pretty cheesy but cute. It’s about a Jewish woman who writes Christmas stories. There’s some elements of chronic illness in it, which was something I’ve never encountered in literature.
The Atlas Six- Olive Blake | This was a very popular book series, but I didn’t like it. I just think it’s not my genre. Check out the synopsis before you discount it. Lots of people love it.
Where the Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens | Are we allowed to talk about her anymore? I know she’s steeped in controversy, like murder controversy. Anyway, I reread it to get reacquainted with the story before I watched the movie when it came out in the summer.
May Titles
Lonesome Dove- Larry McMurtry (My favorite book of the year) | An incredible story that will have you feeling literally all the feels. You’ll laugh then cry and miss them when the story is over. If you read a western in your life, read this one.
The House in the Cerulean Sea- T.J. Klune | This book was interesting, weird, entertaining, and a little unsettling. It’s a book a man who is assigned to a home of strange children. One child is named Lucy. He’s the son of satan but is a likeable character who might actually have good in him. Like I said, it’s weird but a good story with lots of happy feelings and a sense of belonging for the outcasts of the world.
In a New York Minute- Kate Spencer | This story had a great meet-cute on the subway. It wasn’t very realistic, but it was an endearing love story nonetheless.
The Home Wreckers- Mary Kay Andrews | There was a good story-within-a-story in this book. I wanted more of that. It was mysterious and lighthearted like most MKA books. I thought I had the mystery figured out, but I didn’t! Liked it a lot.
The Big Door Prize- M. O. Walsh | A book about a machine that can tell you what you should do with your life. A small Louisiana town experiences such a machine and you get to witness that upheaval that town goes through. Not anything like I thought it was going to be, but I really liked how it made me think.
Matrix- Lauren Groff | Gosh, what a beautifully written book. The prose just wraps you up and leaves your mouth agape. It’s a book about medieval nuns, but it’s not what you think. Quite the story.
Meant to Be- Emily Giffin (My favorite of the month) | Oh my goodness! Just read it! It’s a reimagining of what could have been with JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessett Kennedy.
Beach Read- Emily Henry | I am the only person in the world that does not like this author and her books. I’m sure you’ll love it, but I’ve yet to enjoy one of her stories. They annoy me.
July Titles
Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?- Lizzie Damilola Blackburn | This was a lovely story about a Nigerian woman who has an overbearing mother and aunties who want her to get married. She discovers herself in the book, and I loved that journey. Seriously great book.
The Love of My Life- Rosie Walsh | Took me a while to get into it but once I did, I was hooked. Imagine thinking you know who you’re married to and then BAM you don’t! Great story.
The Lifestyle- Taylor Hahn | This was supposed to be a reimagining of Emma by Jane Austen with a singers twist. Weird and not for me.
Nora Goes Off Script- Annabel Monaghan | Super cute story of a writer who allows a film to shoot at her home. She meets the lead actor and well, you can imagine what happens next. It was very good.
Reminders of Him- Colleen Hoover (My favorite of the month) | I didn’t think she could top herself with It Ends with Us, but I was wrong. This one was better. I cried for three solid chapters, but it was worth it.
August Titles
The Sixth Wedding- Elin Hilderbrand | This was a sequel to 28 Summers. I enjoyed revisiting some of these characters. Short and sweet and enjoyable.
Freckle Juice- Judy Blume | I love reading this every year to my students at the beginning of the year.
Rivals- Katherine McGee | Finally the next installment of the American Royals series. I thought it was the final book but NO!! More to come! Hooray!
September Titles
Prep– Curtis Sittenfeld | I’m normally a Curtis Sittenfeld fan, but this one was supremely boring and annoying.
Once Upon a Wardrobe– Patti Henry | A feel good novel with a C. S. Lewis connection that tugs at your heartstrings.
The Paper Palace– Miranda Cowley | A complicated tale of forbidden love. The ending left me wanting more, though, not necessarily in a good way.
Anne of Green Gables– L. M. Montgomery | How have I never read this until my 30s? It had me laughing and crying. A must-read.
Persuasion– Jane Austen | After watching the new film on Netflix (which I loved), I had to read it. I listened to the Audible production, and it was wonderful.
October Titles
The It Girl– Ruth Ware | In true Ruth Ware fashion, it’s a good mystery. I found it to be a little too long for my personal taste, but it was pretty good.
Carrie Soto is Back– Taylor Jenkins Reid | I’ve yet to read a book by TJR that I didn’t like. I’ve never wanted to play/watch tennis more. Also, I am totally open to reading more sports books.
The Mother Next Door– Tara Laskowski | This Halloween based whodunit was a fun audiobook to get you in the spirit of Halloween without the scare factor.
The Love Hypothesis– Ali Hazelwood | Just as good as everyone said it was. I will definitely read more from her.
Run, Rose, Run– James Patterson and Dolly Parton | You must do the audiobook for this one. Dolly voices a character, which was delightful to my ears.
Stuart Little– E. B. White | I’d never read this book and decided to read it to my students. None of us really liked it.
Olive, Again– Elizabeth Strout | Olive is a delightfully strange character that I want more of. Elizabeth Strout is a beautiful writer.
November Titles
It Starts with Us– Colleen Hover | I definitely enjoyed getting more of the story of Lily and Atlas. If you loved It Ends with Us, you must read this sequel.
The Other Einstein– Marie Benedict | My main takeaway from this book was that women are incredible and Albert Einstein was a tool. (If any of the things about him are true)
The Best Worst Christmas– Kate Forster | This is an Audible exclusive and was very cute. I wanted a Christmas story, and that’s what I got. It was short and funny.
This is Where I Leave You– Jonathan Tropper | While the movie is okay, you must read this book! Darkly funny and all the family dysfunction.
Funny You Should Ask– Elissa Sussman | Fun tale about a romance with a superstar. I enjoyed these characters.
December Titles
The Tobacco Wives– Adele Myers | I just loved this story about the wives of the men in the tobacco industry and how they start to discover that glamorous cigarettes maybe aren’t all that great after all.
The Last Thing He Told Me– Laura Dave | I couldn’t stop with this story. It’s a fast paced mystery that has an ending that tugged on my heartstrings and delivered a gut punch all in a matter of a few paragraphs.
A Christmas Carol– Charles Dickens | A delight to read after seeing every movie adaptation ever made, basically. However, I advise reading it along with the audiobook narrated by Tim Curry. He does the best voices.
Christmas in Winchester– Dawn Ramos | A sweet Hallmark movie of a book. I wanted to visit Winchester after I was finished with the story. Adorable.
The Christmas Bookshop– Jenny Colgan | I thought this one was pretty cute. I could definitely see it being played out as a movie or tv show. I enjoyed loving and hating the cast of characters and really loved the setting of the book.
Lessons in Chemistry– Bonnie Garmus | My second favorite book of the year. I couldn’t get over the story of Elizabeth Zott. I think all you girls need to read this one.
Sixty-nine books! Wow! It was a good reading year. I do want to finish he ACOTAR series and would like to read a few more classics this year. Other than that, we’ll see where the year takes me.
The goal for 2023 is 70. I’m not sure how I’ll manage that, but I am up for the challenge. As I mentioned before, I share and recommend books in real time over on Instagram, and I plan to keep that up this year. I’m looking forward to what this year has in store for reading. Please leave a comment with your favorite book or books of 2022. I’d love to see them!
Happy New Year! We’re almost two weeks in to 2023, and I hope you’re all doing well. I’m hoping for good things for us all this year! Today I want to share some of the stand out things of 2022. We’ll span the whole spectrum of categories, so grab a seat and read on.
Paul and I started going back to church in the summer and have really enjoyed it. We haven’t always been able to go to church together. His work schedule never really allowed it while we lived in Louisiana, and when we moved back to Alabama we weren’t really sure where we fit. Anyway, I’m just really happy to be able to attend church together and to grow together in our faith. God opens doors right when we need him to, and I am so grateful that he does.
This summer was the first one that I didn’t have a second job. I fully embraced summer vacation and took time off. It was glorious. I read so many books!
Other highlights of the year were: Growing tomatoes for the first time and acquiring a second rose bush and a lime tree that is incredibly high maintenance, but the limes are GOOD! Marrying off my best friend in the sweetest ceremony. Attending two Auburn football games.
2022 had a few upsets for us too. One being the loss of my Aunt Sharon. We share a birthday and had a very special bond. I miss her terribly, but God continues to show His goodness and faithfulness even in times of loss, grief, hurt, and disappointment. On the morning she died, I was heading out the door to work, and when I opened it there was the biggest cardinal just sitting on a powerline looking at me. I gasped, and it flew away. I hadn’t heard the news yet, but in that moment I knew it was my sign that she had passed. As I was pulling into the school parking lot, my mama called to tell me my aunt had died early that morning. My friend told me the cardinal was a God wink to let me know she was okay. I believe it. God works in mysterious ways and no doubt knows that old saying about cardinals showing up as lost loved ones. His goodness and faithfulness never fails.
Listening
Nicolle Galyon released her debut album called Firstborn. Nicolle is a songwriter of many songs that you know and love in the country music genre, but she finally put out her own album, and It. Is. Incredible. She is one of the most gifted songwriters of her generation, and I could listen to her album over and over again and never tire of it. Oh wait, I did that.
Towards the end of the year and still now (let’s blame it on Yellowstone coming back in November) I started listening to Lainey Wilson (specifically Bell Bottom Country), and I think I really like her. If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ve likely heard her songs popping up in stories. I wake up singing one almost every morning.
Watching
The White Lotus on HBO Max was a show Paul and I tried in season one and couldn’t really get into it. Well, a podcast I listen to started devoting their episodes to season two of The White Lotus and that made me very curious. I wasn’t sure if I needed to finish season one to fully get season two (you don’t) but I powered through it and ended up really liking it. But season two!!! That was the better one for me. It’s set in Italy so it’s breathtaking scenery, and I liked the characters better. Highly recommend.
House of the Dragon was the other show I was very excited about watching this year. It came out in August on HBO Max and is a prequel to Game of Thrones focused on the ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen. I thought it was incredible and can’t wait for more. I think if you’re a GOT fan then you’ll like this one.
Reading
Hands down my favorite book of the year was Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. It is nearly 900 pages, but it is the most beautiful and complex storytelling you’ll read. I laughed and cried and cringed my way through. There were things I could never imagine living through, and then the next page would have me wishing I was right there with the Hat Creek Outfit. After reading it I started watching the mini series, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch the last part of it because I had the notion in my head of what the ending of the book was supposed to be like. And even though Robert Duvall could not have been a better Gus, I could not let the show influence my vision of how the ending of the book went. If you read one western in your life, please make it Lonesome Dove.
A very close second and a complete shift in content is another book I have to share with you, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This book follows Elizabeth Zott, a chemist in the 1960s, who hosts a cooking show that teaches women far more than cooking. It’s about her life and the struggles of being a woman in the world of science in a time when women “belonged in the home”. There’s also a dog in the book named Six-Thirty, and I’ve never loved a fictional animal more. What a delight of a book. Add it to your TBR list.
Blazers have taken over my wardrobe. I bought one several years ago and have worn it now and again, but as I started seeing them pop up in the fall fashion trends, I decided to jump on the bandwagon. I’ve gotten one locally, one from Amazon, and one from a thrift store. I think blazers are an easy way to elevate a basic look, add a sophisticated layer, and provide warmth without the bulk. I’m not sure I’ll be quitting these anytime soon.
I was in desperate need of a pair of black pumps when I found a pair in Target and bought them on a whim. I fell in love. So in love that I bought them in a nude color, too. Are they the most well made pump you could own? Nope. But are they comfortable, the perfect, comfortable heel height, and affordable? Yep. I wear them all the time and with everything. I’ll report back if I get the courage to wear them all day teaching.
Another Target shoe I bought in black and then again in nude is this two-strap sandal. I also wear these with everything and do wear these all day at school. Those block heels can take you the distance! They are comfortable and have a cushiony foot bed. Love ’em.
I’ve reached borderline obsession status with my next favorite: Vivian Drew Earrings. I have slowly been collecting pieces from this brand for several years, but it turns out that when I send her Instagram posts over to Paul’s DMs, he buys them and gives them to me for birthdays and anniversaries and Christmases. Take that tip to the bank, girls! Works every time. 😉 The quality is excellent. The very first pair that I bought still looks brand new. Check out her site here and give her a follow on Instagram.
Beauty
Just the GlossJust the lipstick
I have been with Beautycounter for several years now, but I have never tried the Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick until October and wow, wow, wow! I decided to get the At the Red-y Lip Duo holiday set, and I’m just wondering why I never got this lipstick before. It really is conditioning and the color payoff is surprising for a sheer lipstick.
The other thing I’m still loving is the Countertime Line from Beautycounter. It’s the anti-aging line that uses Bakuchiol in place of Retinol. This makes it less harsh and safe for those who are pregnant and nursing. I truly love it.
Shop my faves
Here’s your one-stop-shop for all of my 2022 favorites.
More good music. More interesting books. More entertaining television. More affordable fashion. More safer beauty. More church. More Auburn football. More relaxing. More time with friends and loved ones. More God winks. More blessings.
