Gone Girl

I broke my promise to my self and bought a new book! :(  But I have a good excuse! I was in Portland, Oregon, one of my fave cities by the way, for 20 hours and have always wanted to venture downtown, so I did. There is an HUGE independent book store there called Powell's Books, that I've been dying to visit! It takes up a whole city block and is 3 stories high. Basically a book lovers Heaven! On the flight there I had just read a review for Gone Girl saying that this is the book everyone should be reading and not the Fifty Shades of Grey series. Well, Powell's had it on sale for 17 bucks so I buckled after reading the insert and also bought a few more books after spending nearly 3 hours in there..NERD! So here's my review but first the insert:

Marriage can be a real killer. One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn, takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. As The Washington Post proclaimed, her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit with deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick Dunne isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but hearing from Amy through flashbacks in her diary reveal the perky perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister Margo at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was left in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

Employing her trademark razor-sharp writing and assured psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

This book was AMAZING!! I finished in 4 days. Stayed up late and lost sleep to finish this book! I seriously didn't want to put it down! I want to give a good review but it will be so hard without  spoiling this page turner! The book has two narrators, Nick, the husband, during present day starting on the day his wife disappears and Amy, his wife, thru reading her journal entries from the past 5 years of their marriage. This book is so twisted that it makes you think maybe the author is off her rocker a bit. The author guides you along a treasure hunt left behind by Amy with clues to her whereabouts that takes you for so many twist and turns. Just when you think you know a character she throws something at you that makes you want to reread the last chapter to see how you could have missed it! The author created two very unlikable characters yet you still want to continue reading to figure out what the truth is and who they really are. I highly recommend this book! I've never read a thriller before and what an introduction. This book will have you questioning the one you loves' true self. It made me think about marriage, dating, love in a whole new light. The book evoked so many emotions from me loved it! From other reviews I read some don't like the ending but I thought it was brillant.  JUST READ IT! I'm not saying anymore! 

This was my favorite excerpt from book:
"I was told love should be unconditional. That's the rule, everyone says so. But if love has no boundaries, no limits, no conditions, why should anyone try to do the right thing ever? If I know I am loved no matter what, where is the challenge? It makes me think that everyone is wrong, that love should have many conditions. Love should require both partners to be their very best at all times. Unconditional love is an undisciplined love, and as we all have seen, undisciplined love is disastrous." 


I hope you go out and read the book and enjoy it has much as I did! This book would make a great movie!! 

Promise to Keep Reading!

Yay! My first book review on my blog! I'm an avid reader and am so grateful that I have a job that allows me to read as much as I want. With that being said be prepared for many more book reviews to come! I have tons in the house to read yet. I went on a big shopping spree to multiple Borders during their final days and really stocked up. A deal I made with myself was to not purchase any more books or an e-reader till I've read everything I own. I've got a long way to go and this is the first book I've actually finished since I've began blogging. Reason being is I have a problem with starting books and not finishing them unless I'm totally engrossed. I have like six books going at a time. ADHD!! 

Promises to Keep is the fifth novel I've read by Jane Green. I stumbled upon her thru Tumblr when I came across a quote of hers from her book, Mr. Maybe, that I totally related to. I was intrigued and looked up more quotes and completely fell in love with pretty much everything I found. So I went out and bought  Mr. Maybe and Jemima J which was my first dive into chick-lit. While reading one on the plane, the flight attendant noticed the author and said she read her as well and had a couple of books. Well, to my surprise, she actually left this book, Second Chances and Babyville in my box at work! SCORE!!  To say the least I was thrilled! 

Promises to Keep is Green's twelfth novel of thirteen. Here's the insert:

Callie Perry has a pretty perfect life. It may not be everyone’s idea of happiness – her husband spends more time travelling for his job as a commercials director than he does at home – but it works for her. It gives her time to work – she is a successful family photographer – and be around for her two kids, and her friends. She lives in Bedford, New York, is beloved by all who know her, and wakes up every morning grateful for how happy she is.

Her younger sister, Steffi, the baby of the family, has never grown up. In her early thirties and the epitome of a free spirit, she’s never held down a job, or a boyfriend, for longer than six months. Her latest incarnation is as a vegan chef. She’s living with the latest unsuitable man, in a sixth floor walk up in Soho, and her parents have almost given up hope that she’ll ever learn what it is to be responsible.

Lila Grossman is Callie’s best friend. Single, she’s finally met the man of her dreams. Ed has a son she adores, a crazy ex-wife she doesn’t, and she finally feels ready to settle down. If, that is, their goals are the same.

And then there are Callie and Steff’s parents. Walter and Honor . Divorced for almost thirty years, they haven’t spoken for most of that time. They may share two grown-up daughters, but it is agreed by all who knew them, they share little else.

Until they all receive a shocking phone call that changes their lives forever, and brings them all together one short, snowy winter.

Promises to Keep is about the hard choices we sometimes have to make; about having to be a child, long after you’ve grown up, and mostly, about the enduring nature of love.

Well,  this wasn't one of my favorites of Green's. Her writing style has changed much since, Jemima J and Mr. Maybe, her second and third novels. She was all about single, carefree, independent women in those books.  This book was filled with lots of sap! The one thing I loved about the book is there is recipe after each chapter and I just love trying new recipes! The book reads in first person of eight different characters in the book. I think she did well in making the transitions flow. My favorite character was Steffi as I could somewhat relate to her carefreeness. She never came across as the thirty-three year old she was. My favorite relationship was between Callie and her childhood best friend, Lila. They share a bond that reminded me of some of my friendships. Their moments together in the book were the ones that brought tears to my eyes. This was a bit of slow read for me and I struggled to finish it.  The book seemed to be filled with a lot of filler. Lots of background stories/ flashbacks and simple everyday routine things.  I did enjoy some of them, however, Green introduced an illness in the family in the beginning of the book and we don't even find out what it is till the last hundred pages which is when all the "promises to keep" become apparent then the book just seems to end.  Overall, I did enjoy it and it made me think of my relationships with certain people and who would be there when I needed someone the most. Not quite sure I would recommend the book tho. This also prepared me for more of the "mature" Jane Green novels A.K.A the ones about family life, marriage and etc. 

This excerpt from the book sparked my interest: "It is almost amusing, he thinks, how some stewardess will respond delightedly to a man traveling alone, their hopeful looks swiftly disappearing, replaced with a bored look of resignation as they offer the same drinks to the woman behind."  I gave this the ULTIMATE side eye!  SMH 

Get under the covers with me!

I was downloading some music today and thought I'd share my fave covers. My friend introduced to this new awesome way to get music from YouTube to go straight to my Itunes which means I can now enjoy all the music I couldn't before..Pretty thrilled about this new find! Check it out: youtube-mp3.org

Just copy and paste the link to the YouTube video into the box and viola it converts it into an Mp3 that you can download into your Itunes library. Easy peasy! Lemon squeezy!! So here are a few of the covers I've been dying to have in my collection! 

The Fray-"Heartless" by Kanye West

Tori Kelly-"Thinking About You" by Frank Ocean 

Aimee Mann-"The Scientist" by Coldplay 

Rita Ora-"Hey Ya" by Outkast 

Avriel-"You da One" by Rihanna 

Beyonce-"Kissing You" by Des'ree

Glee-"Shake it Out" by Florence and The Machine

Ellie Goulding-"Your Song" by Elton John

Well I think that's enough for today! I could go on forever, honestly.

Check out what Popdose considers the greatest covers of all time are.

P.S I'm still working on blogging more! LMAO!! :) 

Fun in the Sun!

Excuse my absence but i've been busy enjoying life and the sun!! I love the spring/summer! I'm a summer baby so it's only natural. May has been such a busy month for me that i just haven't had time to sit and blog. So allow me to give you a bit of recap of my May.

Jalapeno Poppers

• Cinco de Mayo is just another excuse to drink for Americans. This holiday isn't even celebrated in Mexico at all. Floyd Mayweather had his fight in town (Las Vegas) and he won. Fight night in Vegas is something that is pretty indescribable. A fun tidbit for ya is that Floyd actually gets his pedicures at the same nail place that I frequent. I run into him ever so often. Anywho my roomies and I decided to throw a Cinco de Mayo/Fight party at our house. It was a blast! Great food, great people! Every party we throw or attend I am asked to make these jalapeno poppers that are pure awesomeness.  Clink the link on the pic for the recipe.

• The following weekend I participated in a charity walk in El Paso, Texas that helped raise money for people with special needs. The organization is called The Arc. I bought some Nike FreeRuns for this which are amazing!! They have improved my running sooooo much. I recommend them for anyone who runs or wants to start. I love the color combos on these and if you order online you can design your own. These even have the Nike+ ready to go in the shoe so that you can track your runs, you just have to buy the sensor. I also celebrated a friend's 30th bday in El Paso that night so it ended up being a pretty good weekend. 

• The next weekend I actually went back home to Gary, Indiana!! I haven't been home since Christmas so this visit was long over due! One of my closest friends from high school was having a baby shower for her 4th child!    I love going home to visit my friends and family and eat all the food I can't get in Las Vegas. I always miss Cracker Barrel, White Castle, Harold's Chicken and my fave place, Mr.Goody's, which in my opinion has the best Italian beef sandwiches and gyros! I saw friends I haven't seen in quite some time so it was a great trip! I was supposed to head to Orlando on Sunday to visit my grandmother but the flights were full seeing as I fly standby on Southwest but my day ended up being amazing anyway. I went on a mini road trip to my old stomping grounds at Purdue University in West Lafayette, In. Purdue is only an hour away from Gary. I was surprised to see that there is now a windmill farm on the drive there. I haven't made that drive in years so to see very large windmills kind of freaked me out!  I met up with a good friend who lives in Anderson, In and we had a great day together. It was fun meeting up spontaneously. We discovered this game on the iPhone called Scramble with friends that we haven't stopped playing since I left! I love unexpected moments like that because they create the best memories. 

• This past weekend was actually Memorial Day weekend. I was going to go visit my friend in Los Angeles but decided to work instead. So I had a pretty chill weekend at home on call/reserve for work which I ended up not being used at all so I got paid to relax! I have to say my month was pretty great! And next month will be even better seeing as I'm starting it out with a vacation to CANCUN!! My new swimsuit from Pin Up Girl just arrived in the mail today!! 

Beauty Product Junkie

I love, love, love samples! My mother got me into signing up for free samples years ago and I still get excited whenever something arrives in the mail that I, half of the time, don't even remember signing up for. A few months ago, I was watching my fave YouTube beauty guru, Andrea Choice, share this concept that was new to me where you sign up to receive a bag of beauty product samples each month for just 10 bucks a month. I was instantly intrigued and decided to look into it.  Low and behold there are tons of websites out there that do this type of program for beauty sampling! I can spend hours in Ulta and Sephora looking at all the products and have a blast doing so. But how amazing would it be to get samples of products I have yet to try because of not having the guts to buy it or the cost. I signed up for two of the programs recently and am pleased so far. I have received deluxe size samples for makeup, hair, skin, nails, and fragrances. So check out these websites if you're also a product junkie like myself!

• Glam Bag: $10 a month for 4-5 random high end products shipped in a clutch style bag. 
• Beauty Army: $12 a month for 6 products that you select. They show you 9 products and you choose which 6 you like. They even do a sample box for men. 
• Test Tube: $29.95 plus S/H for a tube of 10-15 of mostly full size products, a magazine and a giftcard that is shipped only every 3 months.
• Birchbox:  Very similar to Glambag for $10 a month you get 5-6 well-known trial size samples but shipped in a box. They also have a box for men 
• Conscious Box: Now this box is my fave because all the products are natural and/or organic, eco-friendly and 100% vegetarian. I'm a bit of a hippie! You get beauty products, food, and lots more for $19 a month.
• Beautyfix: $49.99 every season for 8 only full size and/or deluxe size high end products that you handpick from a large selection of items. Use this promo code for $30 off for first timers only: BFBLOG
• Julep Maven: This sampling progam is strictly for nail care. $19 a month and you receive nail colors and mani/pedi products. Promo code to get your first box for just a penny: PENNY

 There are tons more but these programs seemed to have the best reviews of all. 

Autism Awareness

   

For those that don't know April is National Autism Awareness Month.  The puzzle pattern of the ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism.  The different colors and shapes represents the diversity of people and families living with this disorder.  The brightness of the ribbon signals hope - hope through research and increasing awareness in people like you.

Allow me to introduce myself,

Sooo I'm really doing it, writing my very own blog. I've been intrigued with the blogsphere for quite some time, just never thought it was something i could really pull off myself. But after keeping up with a journal so far this year i have finally decided to give this a try..I fell in love with Tumblr a while ago and this i hope will be a bit more personal extension of that. Not sure what my intentions with my blog are yet but i plan to share my travels abroad and domestic, my love for reading, cooking, being healthy, and all the etc.  I have many events planned this year so it shouldn't be that boring...lol 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."