tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49335421210349213392024-03-13T00:52:09.420-04:00Pleas[e] and CarrotsPleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-46804368600210388772016-07-12T10:25:00.002-04:002016-07-12T10:25:53.226-04:00June BooksSo I'm super late with this post because I completely forgot it was the second Tuesday of the month already- July is flying by!! Thank goodness, because I'm ready for fall! Temps in the high 80s are just not my jam, ya know? Anyways, I'm not going to do my regular book post format of posting the author/publisher's summary then my thoughts; I'm just going to streamline it into a few sentences per book- I do have 13 to review this month after all! Alright, let's get to it..<br />
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<b>The Castaways- 4 stars</b>: Two friends are killed on a boat, and the rest of their friends, nicknamed "The Castaways," struggle in the aftermath. Secrets are revealed and friendships are tested. As always, Elin Hilderbrand writes Nantucket so well, and I really enjoyed this quick summer read, even though I thought some of the characters were annoying in their relationships.<br />
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<b>Tempting Fate- 3 stars</b>: A 43 year old happily married mother of two randomly meets a younger millionaire at a bar and starts an emotional affair that rips everything in her life to shreds. This book felt super unrealistic to me, there was no reason for her to have an affair and it felt like the author pushed it on her. The characters didn't seem to make believable decisions. <br />
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<b>Silver Girl- 5 stars</b>: The main character's husband basically pulled a Bernie Madoff and she had no idea, but she is being investigated and everyone hates her, so an estranged friend takes her into her Nantucket house for the summer. I really thought this book had interesting subject matter- how could she not have known what her husband was doing, right? Well it explores all of that but not in a super deep or confusing way. The only thing I didn't like was the dead seal #RIP<br />
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<b>Summer Secrets- 3 stars</b>: This book jumps all over describing this woman's life as an alcoholic and all the people she hurt and tries to make amends to over the years. I thought this book was just alright, mainly because I didn't find most of the characters to be believable, a common problem I have with light reads.<br />
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<b>The Rumor- 3.5 stars</b>: Two best friends on Nantucket have issues one year- Madeline is having trouble writing her book and Grace starts up an affair with her gardener. Rumors run rampant on the island, and it's interesting to see how rumors can twist the truth. Not one of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand's, but not my least favorite either. It kept my interest well enough. <br />
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<b>The Lake House</b>: This premise of this book sounded interesting, a baby disappears during a party on an idyllic lakeside estate in England in the 1930s, but a few chapters in I just couldn't finish- it was too slow and life is too short for boring books.<br />
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<b>The Crown- 4.5 stars</b>: The next (and I think final) book in the Selection series. I really love this series, it's like a mix between the Bachelor and The Hunger Games, with royalty thrown in. Highly recommend the whole series.<br />
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<b>The Guest Cottage- 3 stars</b>: A mother on the brink of divorce from a super crappy husband rents a house from a friend on Nantucket and when she shows up with her 15 year old and 10 year old, is surprised to find that a widower with his troubled 4 year old have also rented the house for the summer. They decide to stay there together, as weird as it may seem. This book kept me turning the pages but the characters were so underdeveloped and cliche, which is pretty typical for Nancy Thayer books, that it definitely took away from the overall story.<br />
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<b>Fool Me Once- 4 stars</b>: A page-turner about a woman with PTSD whose sister, and husband most recently, have been murdered, but then she sees her husband playing with her daughter in her nanny-cam weeks after his death and she starts questioning and investigating everything. It's one of those books with crazy twists and though I liked the book a lot, the ending is why I took off a star.<br />
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<b>Just One Day, Just One Year, Just One Night- 4 stars</b>: The premise of Just One Day is that Allyson is sent on a trip to Europe with a bunch of other teens after graduating high school, and she meets this guy and they go off to Paris together for just one day, then it follows her life after they become separated and she returns to college in the US. Just One Year is from the guy, Willem's, perspective for that day and the whole next year, and Just One Night is a very short story of the aftermath. It was a cute story and I read all three in just 2 days.<br />
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<b>You- 2 stars</b>: Meh, this book is written in the second person, from a stalker to the girl he's stalking. It is creepy and it made me feel uneasy, plus reading in the second person is super tedious and gets old after awhile. I'd say skip it.<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-70632749034230637252016-06-28T08:00:00.000-04:002016-06-28T08:00:22.234-04:00Currently: JuneLong time, no see! I figured I'd do an update the easiest way possible, in currently/list format.<br />
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<b>Watching</b>: Since I'm writing this Monday night, the Bachelorette, duh. Is it just me or are a lot of these guys blah? I honestly don't even know who I want to win. I hated Chad but since he's been gone it's more boring and the guys are so annoying! Stop tattling on each other, it never turns out well for you! I also watch/record Unreal and Mistresses on Monday nights, both are so good! And tonight is Pretty Little Liars, of course. I like my tv shows, ok? #noshame<br />
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<b>Eating</b>: So much watermelon. I just love it! And donuts, I can't get enough of them lately.<br />
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<b>Drinking</b>: Mostly water, but also Simply Lemonade. That is seriously the best lemonade ever.<br />
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<b>Feeling</b>: Like I better lose weight because I've been being so good with food and exercise lately. Not that'd you'd know by my donut comment above haha<br />
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<b>Buying</b>: Tarte makeup, of course. Plus I bought 3 Yankee Candles when they were $11 each and free shipping last weekend and OMG, Berry Colada smells so good I can't even handle it. Another scent I got was Carrot Cake to use in the fall and oh gosh, I need it to be fall now!<br />
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<b>Reading</b>: All the summery/Nantucket books. Can't stop, won't stop. I need to get my butt to Nantucket.<br />
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<b>Missing</b>: Not sweating all the time because its 80 degrees outside.<br />
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<b>Going</b>: To the movies with my brother to see The Shallows tomorrow. It looks so creepy, I hope it's good!<br />
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<b>Anticipating</b>: Our lake weekend! Yay for the 4th of July! I probably won't be back here before then so have a great holiday guys!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-69936257839301958042016-06-14T08:00:00.000-04:002016-06-14T08:00:22.473-04:00Lots of BooksSo compared to last month's reading drought, I went reading crazy this month. 10 books! I pretty much enjoyed them all too, which is kind of surprising- I didn't rate any below 3 stars. I also was on like a summer/Nantucket book kick too, so yea, half of the books are summer themed.<br />
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://francinerivers.com/books/unveiled-tamar/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>In the first of five novels on the women of the Bible, Rivers draws on the Bible’s brief mention of Tamar to create a tribute to hope. Tamar is sold as a child to be the bride of Judah’s oldest son, Er. When Er dies, Tamar believes that he was struck down by God for pride and arrogance. According to custom, she is given Onan, one of Er’s brothers, as husband to beget a son in Er’s memory. When Onan refuses her rights, he too falls dead. The third brother, Shelah, is deemed too young to be a husband, but when Judah promises Tamar a child when the boy grows up, she lives on hope for years. When she realizes that Judah has no intention of keeping his promise, she dresses as a temple prostitute and seduces him. After being threatened with death because of her disgraceful pregnancy, Tamar forces Judah to honor his promise. In return, she bears twin sons, Zerah and Perez, a forefather of Jesus. The different mores and customs of Tamar’s time take some adjustment for a modern mindset, but a glimpse into what might have happened is worth the effort.</i> </div>
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<b>What I thought</b>: I thought it was super interesting to learn more about what Tamar's, a briefly mentioned woman in the Bible, life may have been like. I feel so blessed to have grown up in the time period we live in now, versus back when Tamar was alive- how awful it must have been to be married off so young to such an awful person!</div>
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<b>3.5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://nancythayer.com/books/island-girls-a-novel" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Charming ladies’ man Rory Randall dies with one last trick up his sleeve: His will includes a calculating clause mandating a summer-long reunion for his daughters, all from different marriages—that is, if they hope to inherit his posh Nantucket house. Relations among the three sisters are sour thanks to long-festering jealousies, resentments, and misunderstandings. Arden, a successful television host in Boston, hasn’t been back to the island since her teenage years, when accusations of serious misbehavior led to her banishment. College professor Meg hopes to use her summer to finish a literary biography and avoid an amorous colleague. And secretive Jenny, an IT specialist, faces troubling questions about her identity while longing for her sisters’ acceptance.</i><br />
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<i>To their surprise, the three young women find their newfound sisterhood easier to trust than the men who show up to complicate their lives. And if that weren’t problematic enough, their mothers descend on the island. When yet another visitor drops by the house with shocking news, the past comes screaming back with a vengeance. Having all the women from his life under his seaside roof—and overseeing the subsequent drama of that perfect storm—Rory Randall might just be enjoying a hearty laugh from above.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: This was a cute, easy summer read, like a lot of Nancy Thayer's books. The affection the women show for Rory is a bit ridiculous I think, because he sounds like a major jerk and philanderer to me, so that was kind of weird, and so was how immature the sisters often acted. Plus the characters aren't super well-developed, but what else can you expect from a summery beach read? </div>
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<img src="http://www.karinslaughter.com/wp-content/uploads/PrettyGirls_HC.jpg" height="400" width="264" /></div>
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<b>3 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.karinslaughter.com/all-books/pretty-girls/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>More than twenty years ago, Claire and Lydia’s teenaged sister Julia vanished without a trace. The two women have not spoken since, and now their lives could not be more different. Claire is the glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. Lydia, a single mother, dates an ex-con and struggles to make ends meet. But neither has recovered from the horror and heartbreak of their shared loss—a devastating wound that’s cruelly ripped open when Claire’s husband is killed.</i><br />
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<i>The disappearance of a teenage girl and the murder of a middle-aged man, almost a quarter-century apart: what could connect them? Forming a wary truce, the surviving sisters look to the past to find the truth, unearthing the secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago . . . and uncovering the possibility of redemption, and revenge, where they least expect it.</i><br />
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<i>Powerful, poignant, and utterly gripping, packed with indelible characters and unforgettable twists, Pretty Girls is a masterful thriller from one of the finest suspense writers working today.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: This book was definitely a page-turner, but it was so super creepy and seemingly unrealistic that if you have a sensitive stomach I'd tell you to avoid it. The grisly descriptions are a bit much, and it's just hard for me to believe that so many people could be involved in something so awful (I'm trying hard here not to give anything away). So... read at your own risk. </div>
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<img alt="Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld" src="http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781400068326" height="400" width="263" /></div>
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<b>3 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the publisher's <a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/168070/eligible-by-curtis-sittenfeld/9781400068326/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Wonderfully tender and hilariously funny, Eligible tackles gender, class, courtship, and family as Curtis Sittenfeld reaffirms herself as one of the most dazzling authors writing today.</i><br />
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<i>This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.</i><br />
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<i>Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.</i><br />
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<i>Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . </i><br />
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<i>And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: This was a kind of cute book but it's really hard to compare it to the real Pride & Prejudice. The writing cannot even be compared to Jane Austen's but I'm not even sure that's what the author was aiming at. The last chapter of the book was just so.. weird? wrong? that I wanted to throw it across the room. And the spiders, why did that even need to be a thing? I read the book quickly and it was somewhat enjoyable but if you are an Austen purist I'd say skip it. </div>
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://nancythayer.com/books/nantucket-sisters" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>When they meet as girls on a beach in Nantucket, Maggie Drew and Emma Hudson become fast friends—though Emma’s well-heeled mother would prefer that she associate with the upscale daughters of bankers and statesmen rather than the child of a local seamstress. But the two lively, imaginative girls nevertheless spend many golden summers together building castles in the sand, creating magical worlds of their own, and forging grand plans for their future.</i><br />
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<i>Even as Emma falls for Maggie’s brother, Ben, and the young women’s paths diverge, the duo remain close friends. Then the unthinkable happens: a lifelong friendship is pushed to its breaking point with the appearance of the handsome, charismatic, charming, and incredibly sexy Wall Street trader Cameron Chadwick—upending both of their lives.</i><br />
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<i>Struggling with the difficult choices they have made and the secrets they have kept, Maggie and Emma find the road to love and fulfillment is full of bumps and twists, as well as entirely unexpected and quite wonderful turns of the heart. They also learn that while true love may be rare, a true friendship is rarer still.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: I really enjoyed this book that trailed the girls through childhood and into adulthood. The twist with Chadwick is kind of silly, but this is just a cute summer read, plain and simple as that. </div>
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<img alt="BAREFOOT" src="http://media.hdp.hbgusa.com/coverimages/9780316371551//?w=300" height="400" width="264" /></div>
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<b>4.5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.elinhilderbrand.net/barefoot.html" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Three women arrive at the local airport, observed by Josh, a Nantucket native home from college for the summer.</i><br />
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<i>Burdened with small children, unwieldy straw hats, and some obvious emotional issues, the women--two sisters and one friend--make their way to the sisters' tiny cottage, inherited from an aunt. They're all trying to escape from something: Melanie, after seven failed in-vitro attempts, learned her husband was having an affair, and then discovered she's pregnant; Brenda embarked on a passionate affair with an older student that got her fired from her prestigious job as a professor in New York; and her sister Vicki, mother to two small boys, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Soon Josh is part of the chaotic household, acting as babysitter, confidant, and, eventually, lover.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: I loved this book. It was a super easy read but it kept my interest and I really think that Elin Hilderbrand is the superior of the "Nantucket genre" authors- her characters are more developed and her writing is just better than Nancy Thayer's, though I do like them both, </div>
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<img alt="A SUMMER AFFAIR" src="http://media.hdp.hbgusa.com/coverimages/9780316371575//?w=300" height="400" width="266" /></div>
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<b>5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.elinhilderbrand.net/asummeraffair.html" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Claire Danner Crispin, mother of four young children and nationally renowned glassblower, bites off more than she can chew when she agrees to co-chair the Nantucket's Children Summer Gala.</i><br />
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<i>Claire is asked to chair the benefit, in part, because she is the former high school sweetheart of rock star Max West. Max agrees to play the gala and it looks like smooth sailing for Claire-until she promises a "museum-quality" piece of glass for the auction, offers her best friend the catering job, goes nose-to-nose with her Manhattan socialite co-chair, and begins a "good-hearted" affair with the charity's Executive Director, Lockhart Dixon.</i><br />
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<i>Hearts break and emotions are pushed to the limit in this riveting story of one woman's attempt to deal with loves past and present, family, business, and high-powered social pressures. Elin Hilderbrand's unique understanding of the joys and longings that animate women's lives will make this her newest summer bestseller.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: Oh I couldn't put this book down! Elin Hilderbrand did a great job of putting you in Claire's shoes and it actually made me anxious at times! Definitely recommend. </div>
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<b>4.5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.marykubica.com/dont-you-cry/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>In downtown Chicago, a young woman named Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her friend and roommate Quinn Collins to wonder where Esther is and whether or not she’s the person Quinn thought she knew.</i><br />
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<i>Meanwhile, in a small Michigan harbor town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her charm and beauty, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more dark and sinister than he ever expected.</i><br />
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<i>As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger’s spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us in the end…</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: I would have given this book 5 stars too if there wasn't just a small part of the ending that I didn't like/thought was unnecessary. Either way, it was really good and I highly recommend it. I read the entire book on a Sunday afternoon- I couldn't put it down!<br />
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<img alt="After I Do" height="400" src="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/onix/cvr9781476712840/after-i-do-9781476712840_lg.jpg" width="256" /></div>
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<b>5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the publisher's <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/After-I-Do/Taylor-Jenkins-Reid/9781476712840" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game—and searching for a new road to happily ever after.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: I highly, highly recommend this book. It was awesome. I felt connected to Lauren and I loved the ending and I really don't have any complaints about this book at all!</div>
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<img alt="THE MATCHMAKER" height="400" src="http://media.hdp.hbgusa.com/coverimages/9780316099691//?w=300" width="266" /></div>
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<b>3 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.elinhilderbrand.net/thematchmaker.html" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<i>48-year-old Nantucketer Dabney Kimball Beech has always had a gift for matchmaking. Some call her ability mystical, while others - like her husband, celebrated economist John Boxmiller Beech, and her daughter, Agnes, who is clearly engaged to the wrong man - call it meddlesome, but there's no arguing with her results: With 42 happy couples to her credit and all of them still together, Dabney has never been wrong about romance. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Never, that is, except in the case of herself and Clendenin Hughes, the green-eyed boy who took her heart with him long ago when he left the island to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist. Now, after spending 27 years on the other side of the world, Clen is back on Nantucket, and Dabney has never felt so confused, or so alive. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But when tragedy threatens her own second chance, Dabney must face the choices she's made and share painful secrets with her family. Determined to make use of her gift before it's too late, she sets out to find perfect matches for those she loves most. The Matchmaker is a heartbreaking story about losing and finding love, even as you're running out of time.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: This was my least favorite Elin Hilderbrand book that I've read. I don't really think Dabney had as many redeeming qualities as all the other characters thought she had, and I really didn't like Clen at all. The characters just weren't likeable enough for me, but that still didn't keep me from flying through the book in less than two days. </div>
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-38593487978660637792016-05-18T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-18T08:00:31.373-04:00Confessions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Friday night Brian and I stopped to a new store nearby called At Home. It's the coolest store and we spent over an hour just browsing. I reallyyyyy wanted this awesome backyard umbrella, so that night we decided to join our neighborhood yard sale that was happening the next morning, We scoured the house and threw together a bunch of junk we didn't want anymore. We ended up making $134, went back to the store that night armed with a 10% off coupon, and got the 9.5ft umbrella, a 40lb stand (it is sooo windy around here), and a small table for $133.53. Talk about perfect! So in less than 24 hours from when we saw it, we made the money and got it, I don't mess around when I want something! We don't have much of our outdoor furniture out yet because it's been too cold, but we couldn't resist putting up the umbrella and little end table and bringing out our lounge chairs even though it was 40 degrees.<br />
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Even though I'm so sad that all the spring finales are on (and umm they cancelled Nashville and The Family, lame!!), I am so excited for The Bachelorette and Mistresses, and eventually in June, Pretty Little Liars to come back! Apparently my life revolves around TV?<br />
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I still feel so sad that our wedding is over. It was 7 months ago yesterday and I can't believe time has flown so fast! It's like, when you're planning the wedding everyone is so excited and involved and then as soon as it's over, it's like you're chopped liver and people have moved on to other exciting things. We probably won't get that much attention again until we have a baby in 4-5 years! Now I sound selfish, geez. these confessions are bringing out all my best sides today haha<br />
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Speaking of weddings. I have been being lazy and not really taking off my rings when I shower and stuff lately, and it's been so cold out (bonus confession- I love the cold weather!) that now I have like super dry skin under my rings and in between the fingers near where my ring was. I'm not wearing my rings right now until I can get it under control with the hydro-cortisone and Cerave cream, but I keep looking at my hands and having mini panic attacks until I remember why they're not on my finger.<br />
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I think I have a Tarte makeup obsession. I hope they have another 30% off sale soon so I can get the <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-wipeout-color-correcting-palette" target="_blank">color correcting palette</a> and maybe the <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-aquacealer-concealer" target="_blank">rainforest of the sea aquacealer</a>.<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-69586109935317347432016-05-12T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-12T08:00:02.895-04:00Four Things About Me<a href="http://www.kellibeans.com/2016/04/four-things.html">Kelli</a> totally said we could steal this, so I did! Basically, it's lots of things about me in groups of 4, except when I couldn't follow the rules and changed the numbers.<br />
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<b>Four names I go by</b><br />
1. Jessica<br />
2. Jess<br />
3. Jesse (don't even try it though, only Brian calls me this)<br />
4. PJ (again, only Brian calls me this and it's very rare)<br />
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<b>Four things I hate</b><br />
1. All of <a href="http://pleasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2016/05/pet-peeves.html" target="_blank">these kinds of people</a><br />
2. Really bad stomachaches<br />
3. The USPS- don't even get me started with how awful our mail service is<br />
4. Mushrooms<br />
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<b><strike>Four</strike> Five places I have worked</b><br />
1. Limited Too- in high school<br />
2. Starbucks- the third busiest one in the world, we had like 15 people working per shift<br />
3. Nursing home- as an activities assistant in the Alzheimer's unit when I was in college<br />
4. Two different restaurants- as a server in college<br />
5. Two different law firms- as a clerk/intern during and then an attorney after law school<br />
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<b>Four things I love to watch</b><br />
1. My doggies<br />
2. Orioles games at Camden Yards<br />
3. Gilmore Girls<br />
4. Grey's Anatomy<br />
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<b><strike>Four</strike> Three (or thirty) places I have been</b><br />
1. The Bahamas<br />
2. Dominican Republic<br />
3. 28 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (where I live), Delaware, Maryland (where I grew up), Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio<br />
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<b>Four things I love to eat</b><br />
1. Pizza<br />
2. Jolly Ranchers<br />
3. Veggies and dip<br />
4. Nachos at Os games<br />
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<b>Four things I love to drink</b><br />
1. Ginger Ale<br />
2. Moscow Mules<br />
3. Frozen Drinks<br />
4. Gatorade<br />
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<b>Four things I cannot live without</b><br />
1. Mascara<br />
2. Brian<br />
3. My dogs<br />
4. My phone<br />
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<b>Four things I am looking forward to</b><br />
1. Going up the lake soon- not that we will swim or boat of course because until at the least the 4th of July it's much too cold, but it's still super fun to just go up there to hang and 4-wheel and stuff<br />
2. Being done with physical therapy- I actually had my last session today, but I will probably need another surgery this year, boo, and I need to continue exercises at home of course<br />
3. Memorial Day weekend<br />
4. Two other lake vacations this summer!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-26945380850623116602016-05-10T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-10T08:00:01.960-04:00April BooksI am waiting on a couple books I have on hold from my library on Overdrive, and I didn't want to start on any other books because my luck always is that all my books come ready all at once and then I run out of time to read them, so that's why I only read two books this month!<br />
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the publisher's <a href="https://www.tyndale.com/p/the-atonement-child/9781414370644" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Dynah Carey knew where her life was headed. Engaged to a wonderful man, the daughter of doting parents, a faithful child of God, she has it all. Then the unthinkable happens: Dynah’s perfect life is irrevocably changed by a rape that results in an unwanted pregnancy. Her family is torn apart and her seemingly rock-solid faith is pushed to the limits as she faces the most momentous choice of her life: to embrace or to end the life within her. This is ultimately a tale of three women, as Dynah’s plight forces both her mother and her grandmother to face the choices they made. Written with balance and compassion, The Atonement Child brings a new perspective to the most controversial topic of our times.</i></div>
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<b>What I thought</b>: I really liked this book. It didn't really push a view one way or the other, as a lot of people in the book pushed for Dynah to have an abortion, but others pushed for her not to for religious reasons. I am not going to get into my views on abortion here on this blog, but I think this was a very interesting read about a religious main character who is pregnant because she was raped, and the pressures she faces from various people about the huge decision she has to make. </div>
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/vanishing_girls.php" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before – before Dara kissed Parker, before Nick lost him as her best friend, before the accident that left Dara’s beautiful face scarred.</i><br />
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<i>Now the two sisters, who used to be so close, aren’t speaking. In an instant, Nick lost everything and is determined to use the summer to get it all back.</i><br />
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<i>But Dara has other plans. When she vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl has vanished, too—nine-year-old Elizabeth Snow—and as Nick pursues her sister, she becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances may be linked.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In this edgy and compelling novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: This was definitely a YA book and a very easy read, but it kept my attention and I finished it in a day. The ending was definitely surprising and a bit unbelievable, but that seems to be the way a lot of books are heading because of the shock factor. Either way, I didn't see it coming and I like when that happens. </div>
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-40619100984454885352016-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-05T08:00:18.673-04:00Pet PeevesOn Tuesday I talked about all the things I'm <a href="http://pleasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2016/05/loving-lately.html" target="_blank">loving lately</a>, and so today I thought it was only right to talk about all the things I'm not loving, aka my pet peeves. Plus, I wanted to rant a little so it's only appropriate.<br />
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<b>People who whip out in front of you while you're driving and then proceed to go like 5 mph</b>. You were so quick to pull out there, but then you go all slow? Not cool, people, not cool. Also, texting and driving, that's really not cool.<br />
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<b>People who brag about how perfect their lives and diet are and how they never even have to take an Advil</b>. Well la-di-da for you, must be nice to feel great everyday and not need medicine. These jerks put people down who need medicine for their health issues and act like maybe if they had a better lifestyle or used essential oils exclusively or whatever, they wouldn't have those problems. Not everyone can live in that fantasy land.<br />
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<b>People who think their jobs are so much more important than everyone else's and share memes all the time about how much more noble their profession is than others</b>. I get that some jobs are much more risky than others, and those are not the jobs I'm talking about (partially because those people aren't bragging about how noble they are), I'm talking about the people who act like their job makes the entire world go 'round, when in reality, <i>every single job</i> is important, from the doctors and nurses in the hospital to the custodian who keeps it clean and the social workers to help people to the lawyers who defend (or in the event of a terrible mistake, bring) the malpractice suits or put the criminals in jail, to the cashier at the grocery store to the stock people in the back, to the engineers who help with lights and bridges, to the police who keep the roads safe, to the construction workers..... etc. you get the picture, every single job is necessary to keep society running the way we are accustomed. #endrant #youiskind #youissmart #youisimportant<br />
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<b>People who constantly put down lawyers</b>. These people are often the same ones from above, but <i>who ya gunna call</i> if you need to probate a family member's estate or you're wrongly accused of a crime or someone injures you badly in a car accident, or need to buy a house, among a million other reasons? Lawyers get a disproportionate amount of flak from society and it's completely unwarranted.<br />
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<b>People who never, ever respond to blog comments</b>. Rude. (ahh I love Bon Qui Qui by the way)<br />
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<b>People who give up their pets when they have a baby</b>. C'mon, you know it's so, so wrong. Don't get a pet if you don't see it as a family member.<br />
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<b>People who think they have angel kids but in reality they are just plain bad</b>. I know that every parent thinks they have the cutest, best kids, but those terrible, awful kids at the store who are knocking down displays on purpose and hitting people and mommy smiles and just thinks it's so cute? It's not cute. It's also not cute when people think their evil teens are perfect.<br />
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<b>People who are constantly claiming on Facebook that they are going to unfriend such and such group of people because of their political choices</b>. Oh stop, it's not a one party system and people are entitled to their opinions and if you want to unfriend someone, just do it and stop announcing it, <i>no one cares</i>.<br />
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<b>People who take an event and make it all about themselves</b>. You know these people: "why is your *insert-event-here* outside, it may be cold, hot, windy, rainy, etc." or the ones who raise a huge stink because their kids aren't invited to your wedding. Everything isn't about you.<br />
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Okay so looking back at it, all of these pet peeves are actually people who get on my nerves, or "people peeves" as you will, haha. What people peeves do you have?<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-3582538948267719812016-05-03T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-04T21:50:53.931-04:00Loving LatelySooo it's been awhile yet again since I've blogged, but I think that's just how it's going to be: I'll blog when I'm inspired, and apparently I must be inspired this week because I've got 3 posts coming at ya over the next week. I've done this kind of post a few times over the past almost 3 years and since I love reading about the stuff people love, I assume other people do, too. So here are a bunch of things I've been loving lately, besides the fact that I'm getting my first pedicure in over 6 months today, woop woop #footandanklesurgeryproblems Oh and these are not affiliate links or anything, I just really like this stuff.<br />
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<b><a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-confidence-creamy-powder-foundation" target="_blank">Tarte confidence creamy powder foundation</a>.</b> You guys already know I love Tarte. I mean, I have their <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-BB-tinted-primer" target="_blank">BB primer</a>, <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-showstopper-clay-palette" target="_blank">palette</a>, mascara (the <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-gifted-Amazonian-clay-smart-mascara" target="_blank">gifted Amazonian clay smart mascara</a> is my longtime favorite, and I also like the <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-lights-camera-flashes-statement-mascara" target="_blank">lights, camera, flashes mascara</a>), <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-maracuja-creaseless-waterproof-concealer" target="_blank">concealer</a>, <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-powder-bronzer" target="_blank">bronzer</a>, etc. etc. and I really like them all. I got this foundation when Tarte was having their 30% off sale kind of recently, and I love the stuff. It's definitely my favorite powder foundation I've ever used. I will definitely repurchase this. I also got the <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-water-foundation-spf-15" target="_blank">Tarte water foundation</a> during the sale, and I like that a lot too, especially because my skin is still drier since it's chilly here.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/us/en/product/boi-ing-full-coverage-concealer" target="_blank">Benefit boi-ing full coverage concealer</a></b>. I totally had forgotten about this concealer because I lost it in the bottom of one of my bags like awhile ago, but I recently found it and am so glad I did (I should probably get a new one...). I really like this concealer for under eyes and for dabbing on spots. I still use my <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-maracuja-creaseless-waterproof-concealer" target="_blank">Tarte maracuja creaseless concealer </a>and <a href="http://www.marykay.com/en-US/Makeup/Face/Concealer/Mary-Kay-Concealer/Ivory-1/110245.partId?eCatId=10007" target="_blank">Mary Kay concealer</a> depending on the day, but I think the boi-ing is my favorite usually. Plus it has the best name ever, because it reminds me of one of my favorite movies ever, Troop Beverly Hills (watch this 12 second <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_btaQiQkKc" target="_blank">video</a> to see what I'm talking about, bahaha).<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.philosophy.com/take-a-deep-breath-eye-cream.html?cgid=C115" target="_blank">Philosophy take a deep breath eye cream</a></b>. This is my new favorite eye cream. I have super sensitive skin and eyes and this doesn't burn <i><b>at all</b></i><b><i>!</i></b> That's a winner in my book. Has anyone used the take a deep breath moisturizer? I'm tempted to try it because of how much I like this eye cream. </div>
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<b><a href="http://s%27ip%20by%20s%27well%20top%20dog%20purple%20stainless%20steel%20water%20bottle/" target="_blank">S'ip by S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle</a></b>. I have the dachshund one (duh) but they have lots of cool prints and they're easy to find at Target and it really keeps drinks COLD for a long time. Totally worth the money. I use it all day, everyday. </div>
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<img alt="Kate Spade New York Small Square Studs" src="http://a9.zassets.com/images/z/3/0/6/0/6/7/3060677-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://www.katespade.com/products/small-square-studs/098686544833.html"><b>Kate Spade glitter square studs</b></a>. I wear these all the time. They come in all different colors and though the multicolored glitter are the only pair I own right now, I totally want more. They look so much prettier in real life, and I think they are reasonably priced too, especially when Kate Spade has a 25 % off sale and you can get the gold glitter pair for your sister as a graduation present! I also love my <a href="https://www.katespade.com/products/say-yes-%22mrs%22-studs/WBRU6933.html?cgid=ks-jewelry-earrings&dwvar_WBRU6933_color=040#start=34&cgid=ks-jewelry-earrings">Mrs.</a> pair, they're adorable. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.lularoe.com/">LulaRoe</a></b>. I've mentioned this before, but yea, I really like this company. I have 3 pairs of leggings, 3 classic tees, and a maxi skirt. It's all so soft, especially the leggings, and is sold by independent distributors who either sell in Facebook groups or pop-up shops. They only make a limited amount of each pattern, and some are really funky, so that's fun. </div>
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<a href="http://ivoryella.com/collections/tees"><b>Ivory Ella tees</b></a>. These tees are cute, super soft and comfy, and the company donates 10% of their net profits to Save the Elephants and other causes. Seriously, get some. They also sell some other stuff, so check it out! </div>
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Well that's all the stuff I can think of right now that I've been loving lately. Oh and moscow mules, but I think I'm like 2+ years late to that train. But seriously, they are so refreshing! What having you been loving lately?<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-16008876017786274582016-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-12T08:00:12.227-04:00March BooksSo apparently I haven't been reading all that much, since I only read 3 books in all of March. Anyway, I can't wait to see what everyone has been reading lately! I have a few books on my waiting list on OverDrive, so hopefully I get to read those soon!<br />
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://traceygarvisgraves.com/best-selling-author-books" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old English teacher desperately in need of adventure. Worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a relationship that’s going nowhere, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring sixteen-year-old T.J.</i><br />
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<i>T.J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. His cancer is in remission and he wants to get back to his normal life. But his parents are insisting he spend the summer in the Maldives catching up on all the school he missed last year.</i><br />
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<i>Anna and T.J. board a private plane headed to the Callahan’s summer home, and as they fly over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands, the unthinkable happens. Their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover that they’re stranded on an uninhabited island.</i><br />
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<i>At first, their only thought is survival. But as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: Ok I know, this book sounds creepy. But it's somehow not. I think the last sentence of the description just makes it sound weird. I could barely put it down, I needed to know what happened next, and I kept putting myself in Anna's position and trying to imagine how it'd feel to know I may be stuck on a deserted island forever. It's a quick and easy read and I recommend it.</div>
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<b>3 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the publisher's <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/thethingswekeep/sallyhepworth" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Anna Forster is only thirty-eight years old, but her mind is slowly slipping away from her. Armed only with her keen wit and sharp-eyed determination, she knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. But Anna has a secret: she does not plan on staying. She also knows there's just one another resident who is her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.</i><br />
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<i>Eve Bennett, suddenly thrust into the role of single mother to her bright and vivacious seven-year-old daugher, finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke, she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them. Eve has her own secrets, and her own desperate circumstances that raise the stakes even higher.</i><br />
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<i>With huge heart, humor, and a compassionate understanding of human nature, Sally Hepworth delivers a page-turning novel about the power of love to grow and endure even when faced with the most devastating of obstacles. You won’t forget this book.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: Well, another book with a main character named Anna, but it's completely different. I liked this book generally, but it was kind of confusing and the story just wasn't as good as I expected. Plus, I don't know what "humor" the description is talking about. ***I definitely think that the book <i><u><a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Still-Alice/Lisa-Genova/9781501107733" target="_blank">Still Alice</a></u></i> by Lisa Genova is a much better early dementia/early Alzheimer's read because it seemed more realistic, gave more character development and background, and was just better writing overall. So yea, I'd say skip this book and read Still Alice, since I'd give that 5 stars (I read it like a year ago before I started doing these posts).***</div>
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.rainbowrowell.com/eleanor-park/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>“Bono met his wife in high school,” Park says.</i><br />
<i>“So did Jerry Lee Lewis,” Eleanor answers.</i><br />
<i>“I’m not kidding,” he says.</i><br />
<i>“You should be,” she says, “we’re 16.”</i><br />
<i>“What about Romeo and Juliet?”</i><br />
<i>“Shallow, confused, then dead.”</i><br />
<i>“I love you,” Park says.</i><br />
<i>“Wherefore art thou,” Eleanor answers.</i><br />
<i>“I’m not kidding,” he says.</i><br />
<i>“You should be.”</i><br />
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<i>Set over one school year in 1986, Eleanor & Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. </i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: This book was really cute, about two teenagers with completely different home lives who fall in love under difficult circumstances. The only reason I took off a star was because the ending wasn't very clear/definite, and I like crystal clear endings to the books I read. <strike>#highmaintenance</strike></div>
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-12660773944394160062016-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-08T08:00:03.089-04:00Friday Five<b>One</b>. I am getting so impatient for the Gilmore Girls: Seasons revival. I'm assuming it's going to come out sometime this year, and I keep debating having a viewing party when it comes on. I think I probably won't though since I want to be free to cry alone in my living room, because embarrassingly enough I know I will. I mean, I cried when it was first announced <strike>and teared up last night when I heard they FINALLY got Melissa McCarthy locked in to play Sookie</strike>, so obviously I will be an emotional wreck since I already am one.<br />
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<b>Two</b>. I may or may not be paying my younger sister to clean my bathrooms this weekend. Brian is currently away at the Frozen Four (college hockey finals) in Tampa. I hate when he is away, I don't enjoy being here all alone, and I also don't enjoy cleaning bathrooms, especially with bum ankles/feet, so I don't feel guilty paying my sister to do it!<br />
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<b>Three</b>. I am excited that it's supposed to snow all day tomorrow. Long live winter!<br />
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<b>Four</b>. I have developed an obsession with LulaRoe leggings. About two weeks ago at physical therapy, I saw this woman wearing really cute leggings and so naturally I asked her where she got them. She explained she had gone to a LulaRoe party and told me how soft they were, so I went home and found some LulaRoe seller groups on Facebook (they are sold like how Scentsy or Mary Kay are, through an independent consultant). I already bought two pairs of leggings and I just ordered a maxi skirt and a shirt. Some of the patterns are way too funky for me, but they are all so cute and comfortable! Now I need to hide my wallet though before I go broke.<br />
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<b>Five</b>. Miracles are real! Our family friends' daughter's dog ran away from her dog walker almost two weeks ago, and they did everything they could to find the dog, like Dogs Finding Dogs (I might have the name of the group wrong but you get the point), flyers, posts in Facebook groups, calls to all area shelters and vets, searching everywhere, and putting out food, toys, beds, etc. Well, early Thursday morning at 4:30am the dog randomly came home and was barking at her front door! After 12 days! I never met the dog and I haven't seen the girl in years, but I am always terrified of losing my dogs, so I was so happy to hear some good news!<br />
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Have a great weekend guys!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-86419352671852332972016-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-01T08:00:00.411-04:00Life UpdateSo I took a 2+ week break from this space. Honestly, I haven't had a ton going on, because when you don't leave the house very often, your life is pretty boring. Buuuut, good news, I can drive now! And walk! So pretty much I can do whatever I want now, with just some restrictions because of pain but that's about it. It's such a relief. Especially since Brian is going to the Frozen Four soon and that would have sucked to be stranded in the house alone for 5 days.<br />
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Also, I dyed my hair. It's strawberry blonde now. I don't have any pictures at the moment and I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it, but if we're snapchat friends you may eventually get a picture of it. Or mayyyybe one on Instagram if I actually put on some makeup one of these days. Oh, and this is not an April Fools joke, but I wish I had something funny to trick people with this year, unfortunately I'm not that creative!<br />
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I'm all caught up on Grey's Anatomy. I seriously love this show, no matter how unrealistic it is. Anybody else hooked? I know, I'm like 11 years late.<br />
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I can't believe Easter was 5 days ago already, spring is going to fly by! My nephew was adorable on Easter by the way. I mean, look at that bowtie, those suspenders, and the Sperrys! It's too much cute.<br />
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Alright, that's pretty much all I've got for today, I hope everyone has a great weekend!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-1712969795788263922016-03-15T11:46:00.002-04:002016-03-15T11:48:28.135-04:00Tuesday RamblingsDo I have the cutest nephew or what? If you follow me on snapchat you probably saw all the videos Friday of him pointing at candy and snacks at Home Goods saying "can-ee, can-ee" and "num num num num num." Plus the kid loves to dance! I can't take it, he's too stinking adorable!<br />
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Did you watch the Bachelor finale last night? What did you think? I mean obviously boring but beautiful Lauren B. was going to win, but did Ben have to let JoJo keep talking on and on about how much she loves him right before he dumped her? Ugh it seemed so heartless! So happy JoJo is the Bachelorette though, if it had been Caila I would have been bored to tears.<br />
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Brian's parents came to visit this weekend and brought us this beautiful piece of furniture that Brian's dad built for us. Sorry this picture I took isn't great, the weather has been so cloudy for days so I don't have any good light to take a nice picture. It is so pretty though and perfect for storing all of our wine and liquor, as well as wine glasses, etc. I've added more stuff to it since I took this picture actually. The glass in the doors up top is over 100 years old which is really neat, and the middle part has a granite inlay. We love it!<br />
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I am sick of lunch! I hate making it, eating it, everything about it. I am not a big sandwich person, and having a salad everyday upsets my stomach. Got any fresh lunch ideas?<br />
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I don't know if I've mentioned it but I am walking! I'm still in the big boot but I no longer need crutches or the scooter! Fingers crossed that at my appointment next Friday the doctor tells me when I can drive again, I feel like I'm in middle school the way I keep having to ask for rides everywhere.<br />
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Have a good Tuesday! It's PLL season finale night! Who do you think has the "twin?" I think Ali's mom, but who knows?!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-51571898932120933972016-03-09T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-09T08:00:21.213-05:00So What If<i style="font-weight: bold;">So what if.. </i>I don't really like going out to eat (or to the mall, or the movies) on the weekends anymore, mainly because of all the crowds! I am not a people person, can you tell? haha<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">So what if.. </i>I forgot how to drive in the past three months that I've been off my feet. No seriously, can you forget how to drive? I'm excited to have some freedom again (whenever that is.. hopefully in the next few weeks) but I'm definitely a little nervous.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">So what if..</i> I don't watch any zombie tv shows. I feel like the only person who doesn't, are they really that good? I need to know if I am missing out.<br />
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<b><i>So what if..</i></b> I don't look forward to spring and summer. I had extensive sinus surgery last winter, and my ENT said yesterday that my sinuses are still all inflamed from allergies, and I just got off antibiotics from yet another sinus infection. That's with the twice daily nasal saline rinsing, the 2 daily allergy/asthma pills, the nasal steroids, and the sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops). I'm allergic to like a million things, and spring definitely isn't a great time for allergies. Plus booo I hate heat, give me 50 degrees or below everyday and I'd be happy.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">So what if.. </i>I go into crazy cleaning mode whenever I know someone is about to come over. Those vases are crooked! Those bills on the counter? They need to go! It's a good opportunity to declutter, at least that's how I see it.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">So what if.. </i>I don't think it's okay to bash people's political opinions all over social media. I mean, it's a free country and you can do/say whatever you want, but that doesn't mean I have to like it or read it or follow you. Can't we all just get along and respect each other's opinions without resorting to name-calling or belittling? *stepping off the soap box*<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-26571370231687391612016-03-07T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-07T08:00:14.869-05:005, 4, 3, 2, 1So I did a somewhat similar <a href="http://pleasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2013/10/lets-talk-about-lists-baby.html" target="_blank">post</a> to this a few years back that I got from someone else (their post has since been deleted or else I'd link to it) so I thought since I'm inspiration-less, I'd give it another whirl.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: medium;"><u><i>Five</i></u> things I did over the weekend</span>:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">1.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> <i>Burned the crap out of my mouth on my breakfast. </i>Ouch! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. <i>Physical therapy exercises</i>. Fun.. and also ouch.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. <i>Watched Grey's Anatomy</i>. Of course. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. <i>Went to lunch at our wedding venue</i>. It's the first time we've been back since the wedding. I miss our wedding, wah! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. <i>Celebrated my Dad's and Brian's birthdays.</i> We surprised Brian with the new Xbox, he was excited!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: medium;"><u><i>Four</i></u> items I recently purchased</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">1.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> <i>Some shirts on sale from American Eagle</i>. I needed some new short sleeve shirts for spring and summer and they had a super deal so I couldn't resist. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. <i>A Real Techniques makeup sponge</i>. Finally. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. <i>White eyeliner</i>. I heard it's the new thing to brighten up your eyes.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. <i>Some soaps and a candle from Bath and Body Works</i>. I can't resist. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans"; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><i>Three</i></u><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"> shows I'm glad just came back/are coming back this week</span><span style="color: #666666;">:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. <i>Once Upon a Time.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. <i>Quantico</i>. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. <i>The Family</i>. Technically this is just coming on, not coming back, since it's new, but I like it so far! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: medium;"><u><i>Two</i></u> reasons I'm excited for spring</span>:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">1.<i> The decorations</i>. We just put up our spring decor this weekend and I love the pretty colors! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">2. <i>Earth Day. </i>My dad organizes a festival every year for the last 15 or so years and it's super fun; we all volunteer every year and Brian and I run the prize table. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: medium;"><u><i>One</i></u> thing that's annoying me</span>:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b636b; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1.<i> Reagan on New Girl.</i> She is not funny. Thank goodness Jess is supposed to be back this week. </span></span><br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-28056104195231814692016-03-03T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-03T08:00:11.690-05:00Google HistorySo I've done this kind of post a few times before (<a href="http://pleasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2014/07/i-googled-what.html" target="_blank">here</a> we even hosted a link up a few years back!), but I think it's fun sometimes to recap what I've Googled recently because I'm kinda weird. So here are the things I've Googled in the past week.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=glacier+freeze+gatorade+flavor" target="_blank">Glacier Freeze Gatorade Flavor</a>.</b></span> I hate how Gatorade names their flavors so ambiguously. I wanted to know what this one tastes like because I like it and couldn't figure it out. The consensus seems to be some kind of berry or blue raspberry.<i> Do you know?</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/isaiah-washington-former-greys-anatomy-actor-everything-fell-apart-after-gay-slur-scandal-2013139" target="_blank">Why did Isaiah Washington leave Grey's Anatomy?</a></span></b> Well that's not a fun story, but I figured it was something bad for him to have been written off so quickly.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=nelson+full+house" target="_blank">Nelson from Full House.</a></b></span> Bahaha my sister and her boyfriend did that faceswap thing on Snapchat and I screenshotted it because her with her boyfriend's face looks so much like the grown up Nelson. I cracked up for like an hour when I sent her this. Tell me that isn't hilarious.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=tai+chi" target="_blank">Tai Chi.</a></span></b> We watched the Intern this weekend and I saw they were doing Tai Chi and it looks so relaxing and a little more interesting than yoga. I looked classes up but of course there are like none here in the Middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania, so I may end up ordering a DVD from Amazon or something for when I get back on both feet. <i>Have you ever done it? Did you like it?</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies/How-to-Buy.html" target="_blank">Girl Scout Cookies</a>.</b></span> I seriously have to find some in my area because I NEED them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LUX70mXcEE" target="_blank">Damn Daniel.</a></b></span> I was seeing this all over the internet and apparently Ellen even had this Daniel guy and his friend on her show! I still don't get it though, why did it go viral? Ugh<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093010/quotes" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I will not be ignored Dan movie quote.</span></b></a> I've heard this on Gilmore Girls many times and I always say it, so I figured it was time to learn where it was originally from. Apparently it's from Fatal Attraction, which I've never seen. <i>Have you seen it? Should I? I'm pretty sure it's on Netflix. </i><br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-83522606441136329482016-02-29T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-29T08:00:21.826-05:00Currently<b>Watching</b>: Grey's Anatomy. I'm hooked and I can't stop <strike>staring</strike>. I'm in season 4 now and I just started last week. That's what ya get folks <strike>for makin' whoopie</strike> when you can't walk or drive.<br />
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<b>Eating</b>: Bland-ish foods. My stomach had been hurting a lot lately, so I went to my doctor Friday and turns out the antibiotic I was put on 2 weeks ago by my ENT for my current millionth sinus infection was making my stomach lining inflamed causing lots of pain, aka gastritis. My life is fun.<br />
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<b>Drinking</b>: Lots of water and Gatorade. Gotta stay hydrated to heal.<br />
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<b>Feeling</b>: Blah. Because of all of the above. And sore. Physical therapy is no joke.<br />
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<b>Buying</b>: I got cute spring dish towels, a new toy for Oatmeal, a canister for the kitchen utensils, a cute carafe, Easter banner, and pretty straws this weekend. That's pretty much all the fun I bought throughout all of February, so I won't be doing a whole post this month of stuff I bought.<br />
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<b>Reading</b>: Nothing! Speaking of posts I won't be doing, I probably won't be doing a What I Read post for February. This month got away from me and I barely read a thing!<br />
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<b>Missing</b>: Fuller House. I already watched the whole season and it was so cute! Team Steve!<br />
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<b>Anticipating</b>: Getting my hair and nails done. Hopefully finally sometime in March when I can walk again. I can't wait!! My hair looks rough!<br />
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<b>Praying</b>: For my sister, Taylor. She is only 17 and has lots of stomach issues that are debilitating and is currently in the hospital again.<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-18221824585841039962016-02-26T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-26T08:00:22.142-05:00Galentine's Blogger Exchange<a href="http://www.thesiberianamerican.com/" target="_blank">Olya</a> and <a href="http://northwestnativeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mattie</a> hosted another awesome blogger exchange for Valentine's Day! I gave a gift box to Lisa (I don't think she has a blog), but I sent her a set of espresso cups/saucers, a burlap table runner, and sea salt/caramel chocolate.<br />
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I received my gift from Allie (I'm not sure if she has a blog either). I love everything she sent me! The dogs absolutely loved the robot toy, and I've been using the heart blanket everyday, it's so soft! Those chocolates are delicious and the pink slippers are adorable and so warm! Thanks again, Allie!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-33702751470341794052016-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-24T08:00:21.468-05:00Confessions<div style="text-align: left;">
I have definitely been in a blogging slump lately. My life has not been all that interesting since this surgery since I don't leave the house all that often. Lucky for me, it's Wednesday which means confession time!<br />
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I have binge watched SO MUCH Netflix since my surgery 9 weeks ago. I just started Grey's Anatomy and I can't believe I never watched it before, it's so good!<br />
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Speaking of Netflix and binge watching, Fuller House is here on Friday! One guess as to what I will be doing all day...<br />
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I've barely read any books this month. I may or may not have reread the Twilight series (hangs head in shame) because all the books I want to read are on hold right now.<br />
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I still want more snow this season. I know most people are done with it by now, but we have another month of winter and I enjoy it! Spring is pretty and brings flowers and other nice stuff, but it also brings more allergies and bugs. Spring is my second least favorite season, second only to summer.<br />
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Physical therapy going much slower than I thought it would, and it's so hot in there, I feel like I'm melting. Guys, it's going to be weeks before I can walk, blech. I go 3 times a week and right now we are pretty much working on strengthening my hips and being able to curl my toes, yea. Oh, and I know I talk about my surgery and walking a lot, but it's really the biggest thing going on in my life right now. #sorrynotsorry<br />
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I've been trying to catch up on my CLEs lately, and some of them are so boring I want to curl in a ball and sleep. CLE stands for Continuing Legal Education, and attorneys have to complete a certain number of hours per year. I already had 4 credits completed, so I needed 8 more. I signed up for 6, hour-long online courses (the max amount of online you can take), so I need to find a 2 credit class to take by April 30th. Woo fun.<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-78123618547869689852016-02-15T19:26:00.001-05:002016-02-15T19:27:45.005-05:00A Step In The Right DirectionI figured I'd do a little update to my post on <a href="http://pleasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2016/02/friday-five.html" target="_blank">Friday</a>, since I talked about possible broken toes and getting my cast off, as well as going to a paint party. So I guess this is kind of a weekend recap too.<br />
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I did end up getting my cast off! Woo, and no broken toes, but unfortunately it wasn't as exciting as I thought it'd be. I still have to wear the big boot/walking cast (see <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jsl8806/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>) for an unforeseen amount of time and use the scooter, and I can't get in for physical therapy until Thursday, so that'll be almost a week since I got my cast off that I'm still not even on my way to walking. Basically, the doctor said they'll re-teach me to walk at PT, which I expected, I just didn't realize it'd be a week before I'd get to even go to my first session, and who knows how many sessions it will take until I can actually get up on both feet (in the boot of course) and take some steps. I lost almost all the muscle mass in my leg from not using it for 2 months, so my right leg is literally half the size of the left leg. It is super bizarre.<br />
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It was also super nice to finally take a shower and clean my whole right leg, though I thought I'd be able to take a regular shower, but nope, I can't stand so obviously that'd be super dangerous, so I'm still using the makeshift shower chair set-up I've been using the last 8 weeks. And I can't put any weight on my foot, so Brian has to help me hold up my leg while I wash my ankle and foot or else I get charlie horse after charlie horse trying to do it. Lots of fun, I tell ya. But at least I get to wash my ankle and foot. It looks just like what you'd picture a zombie foot to look like, all gray and nasty with healing wounds and dead, peeling skin. Sorry for the description, but now you know why the student shadowing my surgeon passed out cold a few weeks ago when she saw the stitches being removed. It's definitely going to take some time to get even the skin on my foot and ankle back to normal, and I seriously cannot wait for the day I can look down at my leg and not be grossed out!<br />
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Oh and you can't tell me that me saying "getting my cast off is a 'step' in the right direction" isn't funny! I thought it was, but everyone I said it to groaned soooo maybe only I enjoy my sense of humor! You know what's not a step in the right direction though, having another sinus infection, boo!<br />
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On another note, the paint party went very well! It was fun and Brian and I are super happy with our paintings!<br />
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I hope everyone had a great weekend and Valentine's Day. Like I said Friday, Brian and I aren't going out to dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day (and our belated 6 year dating anniversary) until next weekend, but now we can also celebrate Brian getting a promotion at work while we are there. He found out back in December that he passed the PE test for electrical engineering, and this promotion is a partly a result of that, so proud of that guy!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-11622537932787628172016-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-12T08:00:15.182-05:00Friday Five<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>One</b>. Did anyone else give up anything for Lent? Brian and I are attempting to give up junk food (Valentine's candy excluded). I don't eat a ton of junk anyways, but I figure this is a good start to eating cleaner. </div>
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<b>Two</b>. Speaking of Valentine's Day, I never have understood all the hate it gets. I guess it has been taken over by Hallmark, etc., but so what? It actually does have historical significance, and yes, you should technically "celebrate love" all the time, but any day where you can show a little extra love/get some flowers/candy/whatever can't hurt in my book. I love Valentine's Day :-) Hope everyone has a great one!<br />
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<b>Three</b>. It's supposed to be super, duper cold this weekend, like negative temps with crazy cold wind chills (i.e. -25 or worse), and I am a weirdo but I LOVE it. I love the extra 8 inches of snow we got this week, and I just love winter.<br />
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<b>Four</b>. Before I knew I had to have my cast on for an extra two weeks, Brian and I bought tickets to a couples "Paint and Enjoy Party" for Saturday night. I am so looking forward to it, but it's apparently going to be super crowded and I am a bit nervous about my ankle and my scooter and sitting up in a regular chair for 2 hours. Wish me luck!<br />
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<b>Five</b>. Speaking of casts (there are a lot of 'speaking ofs' in this post lol), I may possibly be getting it off 5 days early this afternoon! No promises or anything, and I am not getting my hopes up too high, but I've had a lot of swelling and pain still and I had a major freak out about it Tuesday night. Luckily my doctor gave us his phone number after the surgery and we texted him a picture of my toes Tuesday and he was a bit concerned and didn't want to wait to see me until next Wednesday, so today it is. He told us to bring my big boot with us, which I take to mean that he may be taking off the cast early, I doubt I'll be able to walk on it still until after a few physical therapy sessions, but it's a <i>step</i> (hahaha) in the right direction. Also, I accidentally hit my toes against my scooter pretty hard on Wednesday night, and I'm super scared that I broke or jammed one because they hurt a lot, and I don't know what that would do to my recovery but I'm sure it wouldn't be good. I am very nervous about walking in general though, because it's still sooo painful that I can't imagine actually putting weight on it. Plus I have like no muscle mass below my knee anymore from almost 8 weeks of cast and no walking, so I just know it's going to be no fun at all (that's an understatement) when I start walking.<br />
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Anyways, have a great weekend everyone!!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-15966603982070323472016-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-09T08:00:07.279-05:00Recent Reads<div style="text-align: center;">
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I don't have much of an intro today, so without further ado, here are the books I read last month! </div>
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<b>4.5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the authors' <a href="https://heatherandjessica.wordpress.com/buy-our-books/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:<br />
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<i>American Rebecca Porter was never one for fairy-tales. Her twin sister, Lacey, has always been the romantic who fantasized about glamour and royalty, fame and fortune. Yet it’s Bex who seeks adventure at Oxford and finds herself living down the hall from Prince Nicholas, Great Britain’s future king. And when Bex can’t resist falling for Nick, the person behind the prince, it propels her into a world she did not expect to inhabit, under a spotlight she is not prepared to face.</i><br />
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<i>Dating Nick immerses Bex in ritzy society, dazzling ski trips, and dinners at Kensington Palace with him and his charming, troublesome brother Freddie. But the relationship also comes with unimaginable baggage: hysterical tabloids, Nick’s sparkling and far more suitable ex-girlfriends, and a royal family whose private life is much thornier and more tragic than anyone on the outside knows. The pressures are almost too much to bear, as Bex struggles to reconcile the man she loves with the monarch he’s fated to become.Which is how she gets into trouble.</i><br />
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<i>Now, on the eve of the wedding of the century, Bex is faced with whether everything she’s sacrificed for love — her career, her home, her family, maybe even herself — will have been for nothing.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: I loved this book. It's pretty much modeled after Will and Kate's relationship, but with a bunch of deviations. The story felt familiar but not completely, and it was interesting to read about what it may be like to have been in Kate's position while they were dating and engaged. I was not a big fan of Nick, but I liked Bex. I read this 462 page book in one day. I couldn't put it down! Definitely read it, even if you're not a big fan of the whole royal couple thing.<br />
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<b>4.5 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.sjwatson-books.com/before-i-go-to-sleep/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man. She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle-aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.</i><br />
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<i>Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more unbelievable it seems.</i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: Though this book was a bit slow at times (which is why I took off a half star), it was still so good and a real page-turner. I felt so bad for Christine, I can't imagine living that way, and I really felt nervous and upset sometimes for her. I was shocked at the big twist and I love love loved the ending, it's definitely a must-read! Oh and I didn't realize this was a movie too until I was looking for the picture of the book online for this review, and so I looked up the movie description and yuck, I definitely don't want to see that! It sounds pretty different than the book and I hate that.<br />
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<b>3 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.jamiemcguire.com/beautiful-disaster/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-‐Night Stand.</i></div>
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<i>Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.</i></div>
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<b>What I thought</b>: **I read this and the next book concurrently so I will review them together below.</div>
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<b>3 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://www.jamiemcguire.com/walking-disaster/" target="_blank">website</a></b>:</div>
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<i>Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.</i></div>
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<i>In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.</i></div>
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<i>Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.</i></div>
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<b>What I thought</b>: So I did a weird thing with these two books and read them concurrently since they basically told the same story but from the viewpoints of different characters. I did this at the suggestion of an Amazon reviewer who left a reading schedule (i.e. Read Book 1, Chapter 1&2, then Book 2, Chapter 1, and so on...) so I followed that. It was rather annoying to have to keep switching, but it actually made sense. The author really should have just shoved it all together into one book, in my opinion. But anyways, onto the books. They were strange. The couple was SO ANNOYING. They fought all the time and it seemed like a pretty unhealthy relationship. There were weird things added in, like underground fighting rings, poker, the mob, and a fire, which seemed like a but much for one (well, two) romance novels. Not really my favorite cup of tea, but it did keep my attention and I read them both in just over one day, so I must have liked them enough to keep going. The ending was wrapped up so nicely which I usually really like, but it almost seemed too neat and tidy, if that makes sense. Decide if you want to read at your own discretion (which you obviously would anyway but you get what I'm saying.. I think). </div>
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<b>4 stars</b></div>
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<b>From the author's <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Maybe-in-Another-Life/Taylor-Jenkins-Reid/9781476776880" target="_blank">website</a></b>: </div>
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<i>From the acclaimed author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Do comes a breathtaking new novel about a young woman whose fate hinges on the choice she makes after bumping into an old flame; in alternating chapters, we see two possible scenarios unfold—with stunningly different results.</i><br />
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<i>At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.</i><br />
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<i>Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?</i><br />
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<i>In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?</i><br />
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<i>Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him. </i><br />
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<b>What I thought</b>: I really wanted to give this book more stars, but I actually debated between giving it a 3.5 and a 4, mostly because of the ending, oh, and a weird multiverse theory that was introduced late in the book that seemed super far-fetched. I liked the concurrent story lines, and though it seems like it might be a bit confusing, it really wasn't at all. It was an easy, fast read (I finished in less than a day), and it kept me interested the whole time, even though some of the characters (the men, mainly) were pretty one-dimensional. I liked Hannah and Gabby and their friendship a lot, but I just did not like how the book ended, and that's always a hard thing for me to get over in books.</div>
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-22688795930164413002016-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-03T08:00:02.749-05:00My Top 10 Questions About The GG ReunionOk so you may or may not know this, but I have a Gilmore Girls obsession. It's more than just "oh yea, I like that show." No, I've seen every episode <i>at least</i> 50 times, which is definitely a low-ball estimate, no lie, and I know almost every line when I watch it. I talk about them like they are real people and tell their stories in my everyday life. Before it was on Netflix, I constantly had one of the season DVDs in my player and when I got to the last disc of season 7, I'd just pop in the first disc of season 1 again.<br />
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I CAN NOW CONFIRM: it's time for me, and this jacket I stole in 2007, to return to work.<a href="https://twitter.com/netflix">@netflix</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GilmoreGirls?src=hash">#GilmoreGirls</a> <a href="https://t.co/tBb07J9oO1">pic.twitter.com/tBb07J9oO1</a></div>
— Lauren Graham (@thelaurengraham) <a href="https://twitter.com/thelaurengraham/status/693193513287049216">January 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
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So obviously I am so extremely excited (that's the understatement of the century) about the new series which is officially official now. It's all I could dream about since I could dream. From what I've heard so far, it's set in pretty much the present day and will be four, 90 min episodes/mini movies, titled 'Winter,' 'Spring,' 'Summer,' and 'Fall.' The scripts are basically finished, shooting may have started yesterday, and at a minimum, Lorelai, Rory, Luke, Lane, Kirk, Emily, Paris, Gypsy, and Michel are confirmed to come back.<br />
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But I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. I need to get some of them down in writing so I can let them go and stop peppering my husband with them.<br />
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1. WHEN is it coming back?! I can hardly stand it. Copper boom, people, c'mon.<br />
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2. Are Jackson, Lulu, Taylor, Babette, Miss Patty, Mrs. Kim, Zack, Brian, Gil, Caesar and everyone else from Stars Hollow going to come back? They <i>need</i> to, they're all part of the <strike>local color, purple</strike> Stars Hollow charm. Lauren Graham said in an interview that many faces are familiar, but a few are missing, so who are those faces?!<br />
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3. And what about Sookie? I really really hope she makes an appearance at least. I can't even imagine how would they even write her not being there into the script with the Dragonfly and her being Lorelai's best friend and all. I'd be so smad. I want to see her kids all grown up. I read that if she wants to make a cameo they will write her in, but then Melissa says she was never asked. This is not cool, they need to figure all this drama out, we need Sookie!! Do it for the kids! Save the cornish game hens!<br />
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4. What is Paris up to these days? In Kelly Bishop's recent interview, she said what they've done with Paris is pretty cool, so I'm eager to find out,<br />
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5. Who did Rory end up with? The show focused somewhat heavily on their love lives and I need to know. I hope Dean and Jess don't come back. I don't like them, blech, don't get me started, it'd be so awkward and unnecessary. I hate Dean the most. He has anger issues and is so one-dimensional.<br />
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6. Going along with #5, did Rory ever talk to Logan again? It may be controversial but I think he was the best suited for her. He challenged her the most and he changed the most for her and it'd be sad if they never talked ever again. Maybe they got back together? I don't even know how I feel about this, but I NEED TO KNOW what happened.<br />
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7. Where does Rory work now? Hopefully not on a bus, I always thought she should have taken the job at the ProJo.<br />
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8. How are they going to handle the Richard situation? How did Emily handle it? Kelly Bishop said in an interview that Emily was sort of 'manic.' Does she still live in their house? I am so unbelievably sad that he passed away, he wanted to be part of a reunion so badly. This is going to break my heart.<br />
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9. Did Lorelei and Luke have kids? Did they re-buy the Twickham house and use Lorelai's house as a recording studio or a safe house? I'm not even questioning whether they stayed together, I couldn't handle it if they didn't and I think true GG fans would revolt. I'm not worried about April, I hope they have her away at college. And I hope Christopher moved away to Paris to be with Sherry or something. Au Revoir!<br />
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10. Lastly, some of the most important questions of all: What are they going to call it? I hope just Gilmore Girls. And are they going to change the theme song? I hope not, I want to relive the past. I have issues, I know.<br />
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Obviously I've had tons of time to think about this. New questions pop in my head all the time. I keep my eye out for new articles and interviews all the time. I can't wait, they need to hurry up with this! Oy with the poodles already. I am so going to sob like a big baby when I finally get to watch it. No, seriously, I am going to cry. Brian and I were just discussing this last night.<br />
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P.S. If you find the bajillion GG references (some are more subtle than others) in this post, you are my new best friend. Super cool party people bid you super cool adieu.<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-78014788415800234332016-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-01T08:00:02.330-05:00My January Online PurchasesSince I was trapped in the house pretty much the entire month of January (and still am trapped!!), I've solely done online shopping. Seriously, I haven't been to Target in almost 2 months!! So here are my fun online purchases from this month. I'm not including non-fun stuff, like <strike>expensive</strike> dog foods, a new humidifier filter, and a new fruit/snack basket for the kitchen because a tomato literally exploded in the other one (but here's a <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/hearth-bread-basket/s187003" target="_blank">link</a> to the one we love, this is the second one we've got of the same one now, thanks to the stupid tomato).<br />
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<img alt="Birch Lane Charlton Pendant" src="https://secure.img1.wfrcdn.com/lf/87/hash/25006/14956458/1/Charlton-Pendant-BL6179.jpg" /></div>
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We needed a new light for our front hallway/foyer that hangs in front of a large window, since the one that came with the house is ugly. I had to buy this one as soon as I saw it on <a href="http://www.birchlane.com/Charlton-Pendant-BL6179-BL6179.html" target="_blank">Birch Lane</a>. How adorable is the star? I can't even handle it. Brian is installing it soon and I can't wait for it to be hung up! </div>
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<img alt="Under Armour Women's Seamless Essential Yarn Dye Sports Bra - Dick's Sporting Goods" src="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/graphics/product_images/pDSP1-21171504_alternate3_p275w.jpg" /></div>
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These are my favorite sports bras ever ever ever. I always buy them from <a href="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=62851976&cp=4413874.4413879&categoryId=4414503&fg=Brand" target="_blank">Dick's</a> when they are on sale, and this month I bought two. </div>
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We ordered a bunch wedding pictures in various sizes for our gallery wall up the stairs. We got our prints from <a href="http://www.mpix.com/" target="_blank">mpix</a>, and the frames from Home Goods and AC Moore. Brian finished putting up all the frames Saturday night, and it looks sooooo great! Sorry for the crappy picture, but you get the idea.<br />
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<img alt="Womens New Balance 574 Sweatshirt Athletic Shoe" src="http://media.journeys.com/images/products/1_364180_FS_ALT1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></div>
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I needed good new shoes (and I don't have to worry too much about the arch or whatever because I always take out the soles and put in my orthotics, I'm a grandma) for after I get out of this cast and out of the boot and can start walking again. I came across <a href="http://www.journeys.com/product.aspx?id=364180&h=-new-balance/Womens-Sizes:7-5" target="_blank">these shoes</a> while searching Journeys website and they were on sale for only $59.99 at the time, so I jumped on them. The yellow N is more of a neon yellow/green color in person and they are super cute and I love them. Well, I love the left one. I won't be able to wear the right one for a few months, so I actually probably won't wear the left one too often so I don't wear it out too early like I did with my cute pig slipper<strike>s</strike> (singular) that I got for Christmas.<br />
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I already have this <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-BB-tinted-primer" target="_blank">Tarte</a> primer/BB cream (which I use as foundation) in the color Light, but my pale winter skin is too pale for it and even for my Maybelline Fit Me foundation that I currently have, so I bought the Fair shade of the Tarte. I like this stuff because it's more hydrating than just regular foundation, and my skin is awfully dry right now. It's also super soft, and I can mix it with the Light shade I already have if I need a little darker shade or a little more coverage.<br />
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When <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/category/accessories-shoes/technology/pc/61/248.uts" target="_blank">Lilly Pulitzer</a> had its big sale, I figured it was the perfect time to buy a new phone case. I really like the style, but I'm a bit bummed about how scratched up it already is, especially considering I've barely left the house this month so how rough could I have been on it? Good thing I didn't pay full price. </div>
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I got two cute decals from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1108606963" target="_blank">this</a> Etsy shop for my back car window. I got one dachshund, the Winnie Paw Up (pictured above) in pattern C, and one lab (not pictured above) in pattern A, since those are the two types of dogs we have. I considered buying two dachshund decals but I thought that might be excessive haha.<br />
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It wouldn't be a normal month if we didn't buy a few bones or toys for the dogs. This month we got them one Nylabone from Amazon when we ordered some boring stuff, and one from Chewy.com when we ordered dog food.<br />
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Oh and I also ordered Brian a Valentine's Day card from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellaFreshDesigns" target="_blank">this</a> Etsy shop and a birthday card from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PithyDiction" target="_blank">this</a> Etsy shop, but I can't share them because he reads my blog and hasn't gotten the cards yet. They are super cute though! <br />
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<i>What did you buy online in January? </i><br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-35679361031211843632016-01-24T11:42:00.001-05:002016-01-24T11:42:55.257-05:00Snow DogWell, as I'm sure you've heard or experienced, the 2016 blizzard certainly didn't disappoint. We ended up with about 34 inches of snow, with lots of drifts that were at least 5 feet tall. It was super windy with whiteout conditions and the wind chill was around 0 degrees, but luckily we never lost power (it did flicker a few times, but that's it). We are fortunate to have a warm house and had nowhere to be. The dachshunds are not so fond of the snow, so they spent the whole day in front of the fireplace and rushed to use the bathroom when we forced them to go outside. Oatmeal loved the snow though. She thought we put the snow there just for her. I got some awesome pictures of Brian and her playing in it (from the open window- unfortunately casts and knee scooters aren't really conducive to playing in the snow!), so enjoy these million pictures while you continue digging out from the blizzard!<br />
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4933542121034921339.post-14899235956300279522016-01-22T09:11:00.002-05:002016-01-22T09:11:20.605-05:00Bring It On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are expecting a blizzard like those pictures again this weekend! Those pics are actually from 2010 when we got 2 huge snowstorms in like 6 days and ended up with almost 6 feet of snow- I don't have any pictures of that amount though, these are from the first storm. We could actually jump off of my parents second-story deck into the snow, it was so high! We are supposed to get 2-3 feet this weekend with crazy winds. This December was extremely mild in PA and though our temperatures have dropped into the normal and below normal range this month, our snowfall has been lacking. I know lots of people hate snow but I love it and I know that a lot of businesses depend on it around here- ski resorts, snow removal companies, etc.</div>
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I am still stuck on the couch for 4 more weeks with this bum foot/ankle. I got a new cast put on on Wednesday and when the doctor said he'd see me in 4 weeks I seriously had to hold back tears- I thought I only had 2 more weeks left. Don't worry, I cried later lol. I know an extra 2 weeks doesn't really seem like that much, but it has only been 4 weeks total since the surgery so 4 more sounds like an eternity. After those 4 weeks are up then I have to go back in the huge walking cast/boot and go to physical therapy for awhile. I'm not really able to go anywhere besides doctors' appointments because I'm supposed to keep my leg elevated- if I sit up it swells almost immediately which really hurts; oh and I can't drive obviously. I don't want to sound like a complainer but these 4 weeks have really been crappy. I'm so lucky to have my awesome husband but I feel let down by some of my friends and family who haven't been there for me at all, plus I'm stuck on the couch all day and it's lonely and boring. Anyways, I hope you have a great weekend and if you are getting winter weather, have fun and stay safe!! </div>
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Pleas(e) and Carrotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116783027917869944noreply@blogger.com7