What I Read: August

Here's what I've been reading ....


The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Unfortunately this book never took off for me. I wasn't invested in the characters and found the dialog to be a bit lacking. I think it had good potential, but I just wasn't willing to wade through it for now. Maybe at some point I might come back to it.




Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2) by Ally Carter
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I absolutely adore this series! It is just so fun and fresh and the characters are so endearing. I love everyone in Kat's crew -- they all have their unique talents and funny little quirks. I also love that the books could be stand alone books. There are no major cliffhangers, just different heists. Can't wait to read the last in this series. February is too long to wait!  4.5 stars




Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This book took a loooong time for me to get through. I started on audio and although the narrator was good, I had such a hard time following what was happening that I finally switched to print so that I could re-read parts where I got lost. I liked the general concept and story line, but this world the author created was just so different and new and I had a hard time keeping names straight and understanding the technology and things that were going on. So for the first 3/4 of the book I had a hard time getting into it and wanting to pick it up to read. But the last 1/4 was great and I couldn't put it down. A very interesting book and I *hope* the next one will be easier to get through now that I have a better grasp on the "world". I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next!




Bitterblue (Graceling #3) by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I do think it was a bit drawn out, but I still found that I couldn't put the book down and wanted to find out how it would turn out. I thought Bitterblue was a great character and I loved her determination and raw emotions. I loved how this brought the series full circle. As much as I enjoyed Fire, it seemed sort of random to throw it into the middle of a series. But now I see that it was necessary to understand all that went on in Leck's reign and now Bitterblue's. I just love Kristen Cashore's writing and can't wait to read what she comes up with next!

Oh, and I found the epilogue by Death quite amusing. Don't skip reading it!!!




Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven #2) by Brandon Mull
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one was a little slower in the beginning, though that may just be because I was reading it with my daughter and there was a lot that seemed to go over her head. But it picked up and of course, was a fabulous read!





My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was expecting this book to be amazing but instead it was just good. I liked the soul screamer lore -- it was very unique and I can see how this series could have potential. But I have to say I never really fell in love with Kaylee or Nash, and when I don't love the main characters, I have a harder time getting into the book. I actually loved Tod and would love to hear more of his story! It was a bit predictable, but all in all an entertaining read and I look forward to the rest of the series.

-marie

Things We Love Thursdays: Suave Dry Shampoo

I've always been envious of people who don't have to wash their hair every day.  Mine just gets so oily and greasy if I don't wash it every morning.  My mom told me to try this Suave Dry Shampoo and since it was only a couple dollars I decided to give it a try.  I was really surprised at how well it worked in my hair.  I spray it on my roots and bangs and it makes it feel like it was freshly washed.  I love that I don't have to wash my hair every day if I don't want to.

-marie

WIWW- Old with the New

Green Top- Areopastale (old)

White Tank- Downeast

Jeans- Nordstrom Rack

Toms- Nordstrom

Grey Bag- Target (new)

I used to throw away a lot of my clothes if I didnt like them any more or wear them much. I have since learned not to do that because a year or so down the road they would come back in fashion and then I would just have to go buy more. My green top I bought many years ago and still feel comfortable wearing it. Another example, I bought a jean jacket when I was in college and now they are back in this fall and I cant wait to wear it! So, dont be too quick to throw away clothes! 

What have you thrown away and wish you hadn't?


-chelz

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled Up Pretty PS Bananas & Transatlantic Blonde

WIWW: Basics

I love this basic, casual outfit. 


jeans & white shirt: Kohl's
black tank:  Styles For Less
sandals: Shoe Discount Factory

-marie

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde

DIY Avengers Shirt

My daughter is obsessed with the Avengers!  She loves to watch all the superhero movies and even opted for an Avengers lunch tote and folder for school this year.  We've been looking for an Avengers shirt for a long time now, but they just don't seem to make them for girls.  And she's so petite that the boys ones are too big and boxy on her.  So we decided to make our own.  :)





I got the idea from I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar.  She made a super cute Avengers Tee for her son and made a fabulous video tutorial on how to stencil with freezer paper. She has a printable for the icons she used, but Cailyn wanted ALL the Avengers (at least the ones in the movie) and so we scoured the web and found some she liked.  You can download the images HERE if you want to print and cut with an exact knife or HERE to cut them on the cricut.














I didn't have any fabric paint, but I did have lots of craft paint.  So I bought some fabric paint medium and mixed it according to the directions.  (We've washed the shirt several times and it still looks perfect!)

Then I just followed the video tutorial to make the icons on the front and back of a basic gray tee we bought from Walmart.  Cailyn is so happy with her shirt!  I was surprised by how easy this project was.  I've never worked with freezer paper before but I'm already excited for what I else I can make with it! :)

-marie

Product Review- NECTRESSE Natural No Calorie Sweetener

I use no calorie sweeteners on a daily basis and was excited to give this one a try. I have to say that I LOVED it! First of all it is the only 100% natural sweetener made from real fruit- monk fruit extract. The sweeteners I have used are powdery and leave an after taste that I cant stand. Nectresse actually tastes just like sugar and its texture is the same as sugar, so I really enjoyed that. I couldn't tell that I was not eating sugar!

I like to use Nectresse in my protein shakes in the morning after my workouts or if I dont have a shake that morning I sprinkle it on a cup of fruit. It tastes great! 

You can also use Nectresse in your cooking or baking recipes for a healthier alternative to sugar without sacrificing any flavor!

Check out what Lisa Ling had to say about Nectressse:

Check out www.NECTRESSE.com to get recipes and a FREE SAMPLE!

-chelz

*This was a sponsored and paid post. The views are ALL mine.

Things We Love Thursdays: Downton Abbey

I know, I know.  I'm a little late jumping on the Downton Abbey bandwagon.  But better late than never, right?!  We got Netflix a couple months ago so I was able to watch the first season and Amazon Prime just recently added the second season so I was finally able to get caught up.  I absolutely adore this show.  If you haven't watched, you MUST!  Here are my top 5 reasons to watch:

1. The Characters.  There are so many great characters on this show from the Crawley family to the enormous staff -- ones you'll fall in love with and ones you'll just love to hate!

 

2. The Romance.  There are so many great love stories at work here, both in the privileged and the staff.  You can't help but root for these couples but, of course, things are never easy for them.

3. The Accents.  Hello, does anyone ever tire of British accents?  I love listening to them and find myself speaking with an accent after I've watched too much. :P

4. The Fashion.  Oh how I LOVE to see what they are wearing! It's such an elegant time period and I love seeing the styles and wishing I could just snag some of their beautiful dresses and jewelry for myself.

5. Maggie Smith.  Um, can I just say I love her?! She is such a hoot on this show and has the best one liners!

So, have you jumped on the Downton bandwagon yet?  Do you have a favorite character?  Are you DYING until the next season comes out like I am?!?!

-marie