Georgiana isn't a flashy person, but she definitely has her own style. She's young, rich, and quirky. I love the lace top contrasted with the Chucks and suede jacket. If I was 15, I would wear this outfit in a heartbeat. Very cute!
$43 - awwdore.com
$10 - jayjays.com.au
$65 - urbanindustry.co.uk
$6.19 - ringsandtings.com
If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love our friends for their sakes, rather than for our own. -- Charlotte Bronte
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!
This week's topic is a freebie. I think 99% of the TTT lists are focused on fiction books. So, I thought this week would be a great time to highlight my favorite nonfiction books.
1. Anything by Mary Roach -- Roach has this amazing ability to take the weird, the macabre, and the downright technical, and make me clamor for the information. Her writing is dry and yet incredibly funny. I can't wait to read her latest book: Gulp.
2. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain -- Somehow I never got around to reading Bourdain's memoir. Thankfully I rectified this oversight last month. The book is just like Bourdain is talking straight to me. Loved it!
3. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson -- A story of a cholera outbreak in Old London... sounds pretty boring. But Johnson weaves this beautiful story of human despair and survival while highlighting the amazing scientific discoveries.
4. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson -- Unbelievably hilarious!!!! I laughed out loud throughout the entire book. Very embarrassing reading this in the coffeehouse. You must read this one!
5. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick -- I do love my history stories. Just like Johnson, Philbrick weaves an amazing story of despair and survival. May be a bit dense for nonhistory fans, but this is definitely a good one.
6. Birth by Tina Cassidy -- A little alarming for my upcoming delivery, but I loved all the scientific knowledge I learned reading this book.
7. Mythology by Edith Hamilton -- The ultimate collection of Greek and Roman stories. Very enjoyable. I plan on introducing this to my boys soon.
8. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson -- A historical biography. Definitely dry for non-historical fans, but I really enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite Founding Fathers (and yes, I am including him in the group).
9. Chicks Dig Time Lords -- A collection of essays about Doctor Who. If you're a fan of the show, this is a great high level discussion of topics in Doctor Who history. (Note: this book covers all of Doctor Who, not just the reboot)
10. Ten Discoveries that Rewrote History by Patrick Hunt -- A nice summary of some of the big discoveries in history. I knew almost all of these, but enjoyed the summary.
Title: The Postman
Author: David Brin
Publisher: Bantam Books 1985
Genre: Scifi - Post-Apocalyptic
Pages: 428
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Dystopian; New Author; ebook; 52 Books - W22
How I Got It: iPad read
He was a survivor--a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war. Fate touches him one chill winter's day when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker to protect himself from the cold. The old, worn uniform still has power as a symbol of hope, and with it he begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.
Another science fiction book J has been bugging me to read for the past few years. I went into it skeptical, but was hooked after Gordon's first encounter on the mountain. I immediately latched onto this reluctant hero, the pretend postman, who eventually becomes something much more than a man. I loved the discussions of society and civilization. I loved seeing the different sides argue about which way was right. I even liked the gender arguments (although I must say Brin paints feminism in a very specific manner that I personally disagree with). The characters are intriguing. The action sequences kept me on the edge of my seat. And by the end, I was rooting for the band of misfits to beat to the survivalists and remake a nation.
As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time. To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account. Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme. Enjoy!
Mumford and Sons "Ghosts That We Knew" -- I think I had this song on repeat when the album was released. It's just way amazing!
The Civil Wars "Kingdom Come" -- I found them through The Hunger Games soundtrack. Now I am completely in love with them.
Florence + the Machine "What the Water Gave Me" -- Love her quirkyness. This song is the best on the album.
OneRepublic "Secrets" -- One of my go to bands for great sing along songs. I think I like the live version better...
It doesn't matter what the event is, Caroline Bingley must be elegant. I had to pick something feminine and dressy for Caroline to wear. While I would never wear this outfit, mostly because I would trip walking in those shoes, I do like the combination. For the most part, this outfit is understated. However, you get the orange heels to draw attention. And she has to have her Chanel bag for a bit of timeless class.
fashionphile.com
$170 - johnlewis.com
I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille. I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers. So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.
1) Decaf k-cups at work -- I know I shouldn't be drinking much caffeine, but I still crave coffee. Work stocks Hazelnut Decaf for the Keurig. I just make myself a mug and trick myself into thinking it's actually caffeinated. So far, it's working.
2) Flattering non-maternity clothing -- Why is maternity clothing so expensive? Okay, I know why, but it still irks me. I'm just grateful for lots of other stores for flattering reasonably priced clothing. Especially loving H&M tunics/dresses and Vera Wang for Kohl's dresses.
3) Naturebox -- We finally took the plunge and signed up for the monthly subscription. I am really digging these snacks. We just filled out our request for this month. I can't wait to get the next box.
4) Crafting friends -- I really look forward to my Stamp Club and crafting classes. All the ladies are so nice, helpful, and fun! I'm loving my crafting time...
And the biggest thanks of this week goes to...
5) My little baby boy Arthur Dent in utero -- We finally found out that we're having a boy. He cooperated during the ultrasound, showing us everything, and yes, I do mean everything. His growth looks good. We're on track for a October 15th-ish debut.
Title: Emma
Author: Jane Austen
Pages: 446
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: T4MC - A author; Classics - Reread; Monthly - April; Books to Movies; Bingo - 4 rereads
How I Got It: Own It!
Book: Every time I read Emma, I like it more and more. I remember the first time I read the novel, I hated Emma. I thought she was selfish and immature. And she is, but that's only at the beginning. In the novel, we see a great growth arc. Emma starts to realize her faults and tries to change them. I just love the entire story. And this novel has some great side characters. I loathe Mr. and Mrs. Elton. but that's okay, I'm supposed to. I laugh at Miss Bates and Mr. Woodhouse. I adore Mr. Knightley. And I might say, that I partially loathe Miss Fairfax and Frank Churchill. In all the characters, we get a great rounded out cast. At this point, I think Emma is my third favorite Austen.
Gwyneth Paltrow version 1996:
This movie version has some great qualities. The side character actors pull off their scenes well. Alan Cummings is gorgeous as Mr. Elton. I really love Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley. My favorite scene of his is when he chastises Emma for her treatment of Miss Bates. Spot on! While I love these characters, I'm not a huge fan of Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma. She's too old acting. She comes off as mean instead of just insensitive. And the archery scene irks me way too much. I just can't get completely behind this one.
2009 Miniseries:
I love this version. Romola Garai has that childlike countenance that makes me believe her as a young slightly naive lady. Michael Gambon is great as Mr. Woodhouse. He delivers those great unintentionally funny lines with ease. Although, if I'm not looking at the screen, my mind always got to Dumbledore. Tamsin Grieg is a great chatty Miss Bates. I just want to invite her to my house for tea. But the prize goes to Johnny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley. Almost every line has a tinge of sarcasm. I definitely fall for him in the first scenes. This version does a great job with the book's content. It doesn't deviate too much and hits all the good scenes. This is my favorite movie version.
Title: The Hostage (Chicago Fire #1)
Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Mira 2010
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 443
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges:T4MC - Read a book that shows a woman from behind; Women Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books in 52 Weeks - W21
How I Got It: I own it!
Deborah Sinclair is a beautiful, accomplished young heiress with a staggering dowry. But her fortune does her no good when, one horrible night, Chicago is engulfed in flames.
Tom Silver will walk through fire to avenge a terrible injustice—and he may have to. But when he makes Deborah a pawn in his revenge, the heat of the inferno fades next to the attraction he feels for his captive. And the further he takes her from everything she's known, the stronger their passion grows, until it threatens to consume them both.
Another one of my fluffy romances to entertain me. I liked this one, but definitely not as much as some of the others I've read. I liked the storyline. Although predictable, it kept my attention throughout. I especially loved the section on Isle Royale. It was definitely the most realistic section of the book. Tom Silver was a great character. Deborah got annoying, but she became more realistic later in the book. I'm planning on finishing this series sometime in the near future.
Chicago Fire:
Hear the meaning within the word. -- William Shakespeare
Amanda Palmer how I love thee...
Pages read today: 65
Total pages read: 1230
Total books read: 4
Comments: This week didn't go as well as the previous Bout of Books. Having a full time job really put a dent in my reading time. I just don't have that much time each day to devote to reading. That being said, I am really excited about my accomplishments this week. Four plus books, over 1200 pages read, and all things I liked.
Goals:
TBR Pile:
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team
Listening To: The new Fall Out Boy album. I like them a little too much. I think I have a problem. Oh well...
Book finished: Sixteen Brides; The Walking Dead Book 5, Book 6, Book 7, Volume 17
Reading: The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
On the Nightstand: The Postman, The God Delusion, Emma
MakingLists: Stampin' Up Club order. I'm trying to decide which retiring stamp sets to buy. This is such a tough call; too many to choose from...
On the Job: We accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, there is still so many tasks to do.
Watching: At work, I've been watching The Voice in the background. I am absolutely hooked. I also watched the season finale of Revenge. Holy crap! What a cliffhanger! J and I also watched the season finale of Doctor Who. A bit of a let down. Moffat what are you doing to us? I just can't wait until November. On the movie front, we saw Star Trek Into Darkness on Friday. Very good! And we totally called Khan with the first trailer. Still a good watch.
Pregnancy Update: Nothing new to report. Same old, same old. Tuesday's the day we find out if it's a boy or a girl. I can't wait! I'll share later this week.
Shopping Scores: A ton of new things. For our summer vacation, I grabbed a pair of sandals, a great messenger bag, ice packs, and some water bags. I also nabbed a cute Vera Wang dress for cheap, a cute tank top, some brown leggings, and a crop cardigan. I'd say my shopping trips were a success.
Project: Still vacation planning... It's an ongoing process.
Pages read today: 253
Total pages read: 1165
Comments: I wanted to read The Walking Dead: Book 8, but alas it was not to be. The library only had Volume 17 (1/2 of Book 8), so I read that instead. And I started The Hostage today. I hope to finish it tomorrow, but I am uncertain as to the time I will be reading... Hoping to finish strong!
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team
Title: The Walking Dead Volume 17
Author: Robert Kirkman
Publisher: Image Comics 2012
Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie
Pages: 132
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Library Loan; Bingo -- 5 from everyone but me
How I Got It: Library Loan
In this volume of the NYT bestselling survival horror, Rick and his band of survivors work to build a larger network of thriving communities, and soon discover that Negan's "Saviors" prove to be a larger threat than they could have fathomed. Crossing Negan will lead to serious, dire consequences for the group; it seems that for the first time since the Governor's reign of terror that Rick may have Something to Fear.
After the slightly less exciting Volumes 15 and 16, the story is back on track. This volume contained actual surprises and action sequences. People we cared about died. New plans were formulated. I feel like things are finally back on track. I'm excited to be reading again. Unfortunately, I have to wait until Volume 18 is released in June to see what happens. Loving the big cliffhanger!
Title: The Walking Dead: Book 7
Author: Robert Kirkman
Publisher: Image Comics 2010
Genre: Graphic Novel; Zombies
Pages: 304
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Library Loan; Bingo - 5 from everyone but me
Rick and his group learn the dangers of living behind the safety of the Community walls, and much worse: what happens when those walls give way to those outside. Collects The Walking Dead #73-84. Rick and his group rebuild from the events of NO WAY OUT, and learn that maybe they can take part in A LARGER WORLD. Collects The Walking Dead #85-96. (Volumes 15 and 16)
I'm still loving the series, although I will admit that some of the characters bug me. For example, at times Andrea is strong and independent. She knows exactly what to do and how to act. At other times, she is just so darn insecure. I want to have her killed off. I much prefer Michonne, even with the look into her emotions. But I still enjoy seeing what happens to the survivors. I'm keeping with the series until the end, or at least for another couple of volumes...
Kittty's not as crazy as Lydia, but she still tries to imitate Lydia. So I chose pieces that reflect Lydia's outfit, but a bit toned down. I love this dress! It seems perfect for a slightly wild teenager. I think the jacket, while red, tones down the wild print. The wedges are appropriately high. And to top it off I gave Kitty some cute, youthful accessories.
katespade.com
$70 - nelly.com
mytheresa.com
Jennifer zeuner jewelry jenniferzeuner.com
lordandtaylor.com
Pages read today: 304
Total pages read: 912
Comments: I finished reading The Walking Dead Book 7 and I am starting of working through Book 8. I should finish this series soon. I think I've made some good progress during this readathon. I hope to continue my reading for the last few days.
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team
Friendship with oneself is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world. -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Pages read today: 608
Total pages read: 608
Comments: I ended up finishing Sixteen Brides before the readathon started, so I'm starting fresh today. A bit of an update: somehow my blog went down last night and I wasn't able to update it. I did end up finishing Book 5 and 6 of The Walking Dead. I do love me some zombies. Now I can't decide if I want to read the next Walking Dead book or Emma by Jane Austen.
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team