Friday Five: favorite thrillers to read this spooky season! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥ 

It's a rainy morning here in my world and I just got home from dropping John off at school.  I've poured myself another cup of hot coffee with pumpkin pie creamer and I'm giving myself a few minutes to enjoy it before starting work for the day. 

I'm so happy it's Friday.  It's been a week.  This weekend I'm hoping to get some well needed R&R in with a book and a bowl of Halloween candy (which I haven't bought yet but am going to get tomorrow!).  It's time to bring it in the house!

Tea and chocolate with a blanket and a spooky book.....sounds good to me! 

I am going to start a new tradition here on my blog and every week post my Friday Five.  Five favorites of something. Movies, recipes, clothing, scents, self care things, activities.....anything I can think of.  I thought it would be a nice way to end the week.  

For today I'm giving you my 5 favorite spooky thriller books to read this season.  

Books that gave me all the creepy vibes that we all want this time of year.  These books are all page turners that I could not put down.  I gave them all 5 stars on Goodreads and my only regret is that I wish I could read them all again for the first time.  

 I love thriller books and I could list so many more, but if I have to pick just 5...♥

 

If you've read any of these you'll know why I have them in my top 5. 

I've read other books by all of these authors and they are definitely my favorites in this category. So if you've read these ones, I suggest searching some of their other works too. You won't be disappointed...if you enjoy twisted psychological thrillers like I do...haha) 

I love reading this type of book in the fall.  I love the dark atmosphere and vibes they give off.  It makes me want to stay up all night reading.  I don't of course....but I wish I could! 

If you have any recommendations that are similar to these ones,  please send them my way ♥

I hope you all have a cozy weekend!  Shut off your phones and curl up with a book.  Escape the world for a few hours. Get a hot beverage and a KitKat bar and enjoy.  It's a lovely feeling. 

Happy Reading! ♥

xoxox 

What I'm Reading ♥

 I read this book over Christmas break and hung on every word.  What an amazing woman she was.  I remember being seven years old and watching her wedding.  The coach, that dress...just wow.  When she died I did not believe it.  I cried when Elton John sang "goodbye English rose" at her funeral.  It was so incredibly sad.  Still is.  I've watched her sons marry, grandchildren born, and as a curious American  have followed the Queen and Royal family over years, always wondering if they still think of her.  

Now I ask myself, how after all these years had I not read THIS book? This infamous book that caused all the scandle.  She was brave to do it and I admire her courage.  It was an incredible read and even though I knew the story, it was still eye opening reading her words.  Of course after I finished I had to do some "research" and fact checking.  This lead me down a YouTube rabbit hole that I'm still not  completely out of.  I've watched interviews, listened to podcasts, watched The Queen (with Helen Mirren) for the first time, and rewatched the last 2 seasons of the Crown.  I'm still gutted by the way that we have to wait until 2023 for the next season!

I love reading biographies!  So who should I read next?  

Let me know if you have any suggestions ♥

Current Favorite Things! ♥

Hello Friends! I hope you all had a nice weekend!

Yesterday I put together this video with some of my current favorite things....beauty, food, and lifestyle!  All links I mention are in the YouTube description. 

I hope you enjoy it! 

Happy Monday everyone! Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day! ♥

Spring Weekend ♥

 Hello Everyone!

 

Starting tomorrow John is officially on Spring Break! He has the whole week off and doesn't return to school until the Monday after Easter! We teetered with the idea of taking a vacation this week (I was very close to booking a Florida get-a-way) but eventually decided that all we really wanted to do was just stay home and do nothing.  There's nothing wrong with doing nothing when you're always doing something...does that make sense? It does to me.  A whole week of relaxation, no homework, and no driving here, there and everywhere.  Sounds like a vacation to me!

 

 

 

 

Here's John last Wednesday night at his school's science fair. The theme was Shark Tank and all the kids had to come up with inventions.  John's invention was The Gel Comb.  A comb that dispenses hair gel onto your hair as you comb it!  All the kids did a great job with their projects and it was really fun to see what they came up with.  I don't ever remember being this creative when I was in 6th grade : ) 

 

I was super proud of him and it was a great way to start his spring vacation.  Starting tomorrow, no alarm clocks for a week! Yippee!

 

 

 

 

We kicked off our weekend with a stop at the Disney Store.  John earned some money around the house that was literally burning a hole in his pocket and knew exactly what he wanted.  This Carl Frederickson plush from UP.  I love his cane! : ) 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was beautiful this weekend.  We started a little grey on Saturday morning but by the afternoon the sun came out and I was in short sleeves!

 

 

It was the same today.  I did a little housework & yard cleanup at home and then John and I went for a ride to our library.  I was shocked when I looked into the courtyard and saw this!

 

 

 

 

Beautiful cherry blossoms all in bloom!  

 

 Hello April! ~

 

 

 

 

Perfect for Easter week! ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think these little ones are called bluebells and I wish my phone captured them better. 

 

They were the prettiest blue!

 

 

I feel like we've been waiting all winter for this ♥ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were there I did mange to go inside and pick this up.  I can't wait to start it!

 

While the rest of the free world is watching Game of Thrones tonight I will be curled up with my nose in a book. 

 

I'm ok with that : )

 

And finally.....(I saved the best for last)

 

 

Strawberries were 2 for 1 this week at the market so I stocked up. Lucky for me because they are ginormous! : )

 

This one was perfectly heart shaped ♥

 

Add some pudding and whip cream and you've got a sweet ending to your weekend! 

 

Sometimes the simplest things are simply the best!

 

 

Thank you for stopping by today.  I'm so happy you did!

 

 

Wishing you a lovely week ahead! It's almost Easter!!! ♥

 

 

February 2017 ♥

February

 

You started like this.....

And ended like this...

 

 

And we've been everywhere in between ♥

 

 

It's back to being chilly again, although there is NO snow and I can smell Spring just around the corner.  We just have to be patient. 

 

And speaking of Spring, I'm thinking about it everyday.

 

♥

 

This month I've been:

 

Inspired by: Thoughts of Spring

 

Little by little, I've been filling up my house with pastel colored plants.  Every week when I go the grocery store I come home with a little something.  I like seeing the colors in the house.  It's hope of good things to come. 

 

Easter time is always the prettiest time of year : )

 

 

This plant reminded me of a post I wrote about flowers back in 2014. When I looked up the post I realized it was published on March 1st! I guess this time of year always brings me Spring Fever! Anyway, its a pretty post about the meanings of different flowers in Victorian times.  It's one of my favorites. You can read it here if you like ♥

 

 

 

 

But February is not my prettiest time of the year.

 

So for all of my makeup loving friends, I have to share with you this wonder product!  I felt I was in need of something to "perk up" my dull face.  I've never tried a highlighter before but have heard it can do wonders.  I found this Maybelline Strobing Stick at CVS for under $10.  I brought it home and Googled it to learn how to apply it properly.  I absolutely love it! I swipe a little on my cheek bones, forehead, down the bridge of my nose, and my chin.  The light gives me a dewy, fresh appearance that I felt I was lacking before.  I've made this a part of my daily makeup routine. 

 

I'm also using a homemade sugar scrub made from olive oil, sugar, and honey. (get the recipe here).  It's amazing! Not greasy or sticky.  Leaves your skin silky soft.  I use it on my face, neck, arms, legs, and feet. I got the recipe from Pinterest last year.  Love!!!

 

 

 

 

Eating & Drinking: Comfort Food

 

 

 

 

Lets be real.  February is the month of chocolate. The special kind that comes in a heart shaped box.  I love the strawberry creams the best. Soooo good!  Thanks to my mom for getting me that box below (the kisses were for John :). 

 

It's apparently also the month of whipped cream, which I've been putting in my coffee lately.  

 I'm saving so much $ not going to Starbucks & Dunkin Donuts!

 

 

 

 

We had a few nights out for pizza at our beloved Bertuccis!

 

 

 

 

But mostly had cozy dinners at home. 

 

 

By the way, I just discovered a delicious way to cook pork chops.  Season boneless pork chops with salt and pepper and then rub them with brown sugar!  Brown them a few minutes on each side and then pop them into a 350 degree oven (juice and all) for 20-30 minutes. 

 

Yum!

 

 

 

 

 Banana cream pie is always a good idea.  (I use this recipe)

 

 

 

 

More muffins.  Naturally!

 

 

 

 

 And sometimes (like tonight) we have pancakes for dinner!

 

No big deal.

 

 

 

 

Watching: Movies!  

 

When John was on vacation last week, we had movie night just about every night.  John would choose a movie from his DVD collection and I would make the popcorn.  The last ones we watched were Beethoven 1 & 2.  So adorable and totally makes me want to get a puppy. 

 

Maybe not a St. Barnard, but they sure are cute! ♥

 

And speaking of movies, did you all watch the Academy Awards Sunday night?  I'm still in shock over the Best Picture mishap.  Eeek!!! How embarrassing for everyone involved. Crazy!

 

BTW - My favorite part of the night was when Zootopia won for best animated movie, because I think that may have been the only movie I actually saw.  I still love watching though.  And crying though all the acceptance speeches. 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading: Keeping the House

 

I am in the middle of this book and it is wonderful!  It's set in the 1950's (which is near and dear to my heart) but through flashbacks and diary entries, spans back two world wars.  It's an intimate portrait of a newly married woman and the secrets she finds in the old house she lives in.  I don't want to give too much away, but it's page turner!

 

Many nights I've stay up way too late in this very spot~

 

 

 

 

 

Dreaming of: April Vacation (Elvis style)

 

A few posts ago I mentioned that we were planning a little weekend get away in March.  Well, here's the update.  Our little March weekender has turned into a week long road trip during John's April break.  To where? 

 

Here's a clue....

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you've read my blog for a while or follow me on Instagram you'll know that my 9 year old son is a huge Elvis fan. So much that his last birthday party was Elvis themed and he carries and Elvis lunchbox to school everyday!  He's been asking for the last year to go to Graceland and we finally gave in.  So we are Memphis, TN bound this April! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will also be spending two nights in Nashville so if any of you live there or have any recommendations please let me know!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  And now we are on to a new month.  The month of all things lucky and green!

 

Happy Ash Wednesday and enjoy the first day of March!

 

We are one day closer to Spring, friends! ♥♥♥

 

Yippeeeeee!!!

 

 

xoxoxo

 

 

 

January 2017 ♥

It’s the last day of January.  Wow, that went by fast!  I really love the month of January for many reason, but mostly because after the rush and chaos of December it’s so nice to slow things down a bit.  We had many lazy weekends in January and loved every one of them.  Not running around from place to place or going to crowed shopping malls is bliss for me. (Did I ever mention how much I hate shopping?! It’s true : ) Curling up on the couch and catching up on TV shows or books that I didn’t have time to read over the Christmas holiday makes me happy.  Sometimes it snowed and other times it was just too cold to go outside.  Either way, January was a wonderful month of rest and reflection. 

 

 

Inspired by: Lately I’m inspired by Art.  John loves to paint and draw.  We’ve spent the last few weekends having art nights.  Basically that consists of him creating something lovely and me scribbling in a coloring book.  For Christmas my coworker Donna gave me one of those adult coloring books.  It’s beautiful and full of inspirational quotes! I love it!  I had no idea how therapeutic it could be. John and I talk about the colors and the patterns and give each other’s opinion on things. It’s so much fun! There is nothing I love more than doing things with John anyway but doing something we both love makes it even better. 

 

 

 

 

Watching:  Are you watching Victoria on PBS?  I’m only 2 episodes in and I’m completely hooked!  If you watched The Crown, then you will no doubt love Victoria.  After all this time I am still mourning the loss Downton Abbey and desperately seeing something to fill that void.  Speaking of…..I watched the SAG Awards Sunday night.  The Downton cast was nominated for best ensemble in a drama series.  They did not win but it made my heart sing to see the whole cast reunited once again! YAY! Its award season and I am an award show junkie! I drool over the gowns and cry at acceptance speeches.  Oh how I love a good acceptance speech!  I’m also watching Vikings on The History Channel.  It’s pretty good. I have to balance out my Real Housewives somehow! (that’s just real talk : )
 

Listening to: I’m a tried and true podcast listener.  I keep meaning to write a blog post about my favorite podcasts because I listen to them all day long at work.  My all time favorite is The History Chicks.  Every episode is a biography of a great woman (i.e. chick) in history.  It’s hosted by two friends – Beckett and Susan.  Their casual talk makes you feel like you are sitting with two of your best girlfriends, having a chat over coffee.  Each episode is so interesting and informative.  I’ve enjoy learning from these ladies!  Some of my favorite episodes have been the wives of Henry the VIII, Zelda Fitzgerald (who I found out shares my birthday), Julia Child, 1950’s Housewives, Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, and many, many more.  Their most recent biography was on Lucille Ball!!! Anyone that knows me knows how much I adore Lucy so I couldn’t have been more excited to hear this two part episode.  It was fabulous!!!!  By end I was in tears (again..). So good!  I believe Lucy is episode 82 so if you are history nerd like I am check out their podcast.  You will not be disappointed!

 

Reading:  I always have a stack of books on my nightstand.  Sometimes the books are due back at the library before I’ve had a chance to even open them.  I’m trying to be better about that and make more time for reading.  Over Thanksgiving my mother in law (who is an avid reader) recommended The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.  I finally got around to reading it a few weeks ago.  It was excellent!  Its a historical fiction novel that takes place during WWII.  I could not put it down!  The next book in my pile, which I have not started yet but hope to this week, is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.   I’m also very interested in the book that everyone seems to be talking about lately… The Little Book of Hygee –Danish Secrets to a Happy Life.  I’ve heard such amazing things about this book.  Have you read it? I’ve got it on hold at my library. 
 

 

Eating: Ok, this is an easy one…Everything!  Lazy January weekends mean eating comfort food.  We are making and eating pizza like it’s our job!  Saturday night has become homemade pizza night in our house.  Mainly because it’s quick and easy and everyone loves it.  I bought a basil plant at the beginning of January (to make it feel like spring in the kitchen…lol) so I’ve been adding fresh basil leaves to everything.  So good with chopped garlic on pizza.  Roasted chicken, turkey dinner, burgers, apple pie, blueberry muffins….you name it, we’ve eaten it!  This week I’ve really been craving banana bread so I definitely see that in our near future!   And tonight is Rob’s birthday, which means cake!!! 

I made this yesterday....

...and we’ve all been staring at it for 24 hours.  Tonight we get to dig in!  Birthday weeks always mean special treats.  Tonight we will celebrate at home just the three of us with a small dinner and cake.  Saturday night we are going to my parents for chicken parmesan and on Sunday we are going to my in laws for dinner.  It’s also the Super Bowl and people are going just a little bit crazy (a good crazy) that the Patriots are playing! If you're from where I'm from, that means a lot!
 I’ve never really been into football but I do enjoy a good nacho dip….so I’ll be watching! :)

 

 

Drinking:  I’m still drinking my lemon water in the morning.  I love it so much that I feel my body craving it.  It’s been a nice way to start cold January mornings.  I take my steaming cup of it back to bed and drink it while I sit under my covers looking out the window.  I say my prayers for the day and enjoy the peacefulness while it lasts. I follow it with coffee of course, but I feel better each day.   I’ve also discovered a new tea that I love.  It’s Bigelow Lemon & Ginger tea.  I have a cup every afternoon with lemon and a drop of honey.  It’s delicious.  I think it may have helped me fight a cold at the beginning of the month and I’ve been drinking it ever since.  I keep a box in my desk at work so when 3:00 rolls around….it’s tea time.  Yaaay!

 

 

 

 

 

Dreaming: a getaway weekend! Rob and I would like to take John on a mini vacation in late February/early March.  Just a long weekend somewhere to break up the monotony.  We were thinking about maybe going to Florida or someplace warm.  When we asked John about it he said he didn’t want to fly, but go on a road trip to a hotel with a pool.  We realized that he doesn’t care about where we go, just as long as we are together…in a hotel with a pool! Kids are very easy to please. We are thinking maybe New Hampshire or Vermont.  We’ve always loved road trips and it’s been awhile since we’ve been on one.  Time to pack the car with sandwiches and hit the road.  We are only in the planning stages but I’m excited.  It’s always nice to have something to look forward to.  Especially in the middle of winter!
 

 

That's me!

 

So there you have it: My January in a nutshell.  Tomorrow we turn the page to February.  The month of love.  The month where I get to decorate with pink hearts and none of the boys in my house can complain about it. 

 

 

 

Happy February first! ♥