FF #13: Pocahontas Then and Now

This week's muse is Pocahontas. I went with an outfit of earth tones with a pop of color. I love the basic outfit made interesting with little touches. The headband and necklace have nods to nature and the bag is a nice classic color and structure. The cardigan's subtle lace is feminine without overwhelming the outfit. The shirt's color adds a different dimension. Overall this is an outfit that I would wear on the street.

Les Copains white cardigan

yoox.com

L K Bennett sleeveless top

$82 - johnlewis.com

Gucci pants

alducadaosta.com

G by Guess brown sandals

heels.com

Michael Kors satchel handbag

$460 - psyche.co.uk

Tatty Devine gold chain necklace

$45 - selfridges.com

Rosantica leaf headband

$580 - net-a-porter.com

Fables: Camelot

Title: Fables 20: Camelot

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2014

Genre: Fantasy Comics

Pages: 256

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Fairy Tales

Rose Red finally and formally takes on the mantle of Paladin of Hope to heroically rally the Fables in the tragic aftermath of "Snow White." A new dark age calls for a new Round Table, with modern knights willing to take on a sacred quest to reassemble the shattered pieces of Fabletown.

While I really enjoyed this volume, it definitely felt like a set-up for storylines to come. We get to see Rose Red assembling her knights. We learn that there's secret about Rose and Snow's lineage. We get a brewing conflict between Rose and Snow. And we have a missing wolf. I was very interested to see how they were going to reconcile all the shit that hit the fan in the last volume. This one really pulled some of those storylines together. I can't wait to read the next volume...

Fables

:

The Walking Dead Volume 18-22

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 18

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2013

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; A to Z - W

Following the events of "Something to Fear," Rick and the other survivors start their new life under Negan and the Savior's rule...but not everyone agrees to go along. Also, who is Ezekiel? And why does he have a tiger? Collects The Walking Dead #103-108.

Wow! First I had remind myself of where the story left off since I last read a volume back in 2013. Once I refreshed my memory, I realized just how scary Negan was from the last volume. And in this volume he lives up to some of his threats. Scary dude. I like how the series is now more about different groups of people trying to get along instead of just about the zombies. That could have gotten boring really fast.

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 19

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2013

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Rick. Ezekiel. Gregory. Negan. Each man holds the fate of their community in their hands... and WAR is on the horizon! This volume collects THE WALKING DEAD #109-114, the prelude to ALL OUT WAR-the epic battle that will change the world of THE WALKING DEAD for years to come.

Obviously this volume is more of a prelude to the coming war with Negan. Although we do get some interesting insight inside some of the other character, especially Ezekiel. Very interesting guy...

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 20

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

The biggest storyline in Walking Dead history starts here! It's Rick versus Negan with a little help from everyone else! - Collects issues #115-120.

Holy crap, I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire volume. I was so scared our favorite characters were going to be killed and they nearly were. Most live to fight another day, but the war is definitely not over yet...

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 21

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Alexandria has been destroyed. Can Rick rally the other communities against Negan's army? This second part of the game-changing "All Out War" story arc collects The Walking Dead #121-126.

The conclusion to the big war was epic. I think this might have even been better than the war with the Governor. Maybe... At any rate, it was a nice conclusion to a chapter in the saga.

Title: The Walking Dead Volume 22

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, Zombie

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

They've survived the walkers. Survived war with a ruthless enemy. And now, in THE WALKING DEAD, hope for the future emerges. A perfect jumping-on point for readers, Volume 22 of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series marks a new era for THE WALKING DEAD as the survivors pick up the pieces of their shared humanity to create A NEW BEGINNING. In the aftermath of ALL OUT WAR, Rick Grimes and his allies begin to rebuild their communities. But in the world of the dead, tranquility is only temporary. How long will it be before a new, unexpected foe emerges? Find out in A NEW BEGINNING. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #127-132.

This volume lures you in with a nice little storyline about new additions to the community. But somewhere in the middle you start to wonder if there isn't something else out there. That bit of dread stays with you throughout the rest of the volume. And then the reveal at the end shows you that the dread you felt was real, very real. Quite an explosive volume to end on...

Fables: Wolves of the Heartland

Title: Fables: Wolves of the Heartland

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2012

Genre: Fantasy Comics

Pages: 152

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Fairy Tales

Bigby Wolf embarks on a quest through the American Heartland to find a new location for Fabletown, a secret society of exiled fairy tale characters living among the "mundys." In his wanderings, Bigby stumbles across Story City, a small town that seems to be occupied solely by werewolves. Oddly enough, they seem to already know and revere Bigby, but at the same time they've captured and caged him.

Been meaning to pick up this volume for awhile now and thankfully I did this week. I loved the side story of Bigby and his former comrade in arms. Bigby has been one of my favorite characters from the main Fables series since the beginning. It was nice to once again learn more about his past while tying everything back to the main storyline. The fabled Story City is a fantastic setting for this story of the perfect little town gone bad. A treat for fans of the Fables series.

Quote Wednesday -- Clinton

Our global future depends on the willingness of every nation to invest in its people. especially women and children. -- Hillary Rodham Clinton

Comics Review Round-up

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 6 Girl on Girl

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2005

Genre: Comics

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

Accompanied by his mischievous monkey and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on Earth. This volume finds Yorick, Agent 355 and Dr. Mann traveling across the Pacific to Japan in pursuit of Yorick's stolen monkey Ampersand, whose innards may hold the key to mankind's future.

Hmmm.... Not the bestest volume of the series. The story seemed a bit stuck in this volume, but I still did enjoy it. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 7 Paper Dolls

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

In addition to catching up on the adventures of Yorick's monkey Ampersand (whose body holds the key to stopping the male-killing plague) and telling the origin of Agent 355, PAPER DOLLS chronicles Yorick and 355's search for Yorick's fiancée Beth in Australia—a search that yields a large dose of unwanted publicity for the Last Man, and deadly consequences for those he cares for!

Much better issues. Oh my! The stakes have been upped yet again. And lots of new mysteries have been alluded to. Plus we get some storyline from Beth. I've been wondering what happened to her. I am super excited to read the next volume.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: What's in a name - Animal; Seriously Series

KIMONO DRAGONS brings the hunt for Ampersand—the monkey who could unlock the mystery of the male-killing plague— to its explosive climax, as the last man on Earth and his companions finally reach Japan and discover the truth behind Ampersand's abduction.

Wow! A volume full of revelations. We finally get to meet Allison's mother and learn more about the players in this large chess game. I am speeding through these volumes to see where the story ends.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 9 Motherland

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2007

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Books - W14; Seriously Series

Featured in THE NEW YORK TIMES and on NPR, Y: THE LAST MAN is the gripping saga of Yorick Brown, an unemployed and unmotivated slacker who discovers he is the only male left in the world after a plague of unknown origin instantly kills every mammal with a Y chromosome. Accompanied by his mischievous monkey, Ampersand, and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his long-lost girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on earth.
This volume of the critically acclaimed series features Yorick and Agent 355 preparing for their ultimate quest to reunite the last man with his lost love, while the person, people or thing behind the disaster that wiped out half of humanity is revealed!

The series is starting to wrap up. We got some great closure on a few storylines. And we seem to be nearing some type of conclusion. We end the volume as we started the series, with Yorrick and 355 attempting to find Beth... We'll see if they can find her.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2008

Genre: Comics

Pages: 168

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Dewey Decimal - 700s; Seriously Series

Featured in THE NEW YORK TIMES and on NPR, Y: THE LAST MAN is the gripping saga of Yorick Brown, an unemployed and unmotivated slacker who discovers he is the only male left in the world after a plague of unknown origin instantly kills every mammal with a Y chromosome. Accompanied by his mischievous monkey, Ampersand, and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his long-lost girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on earth.
Yorick Brown's long journey through an Earth populated only by women comes to a dramatic, unexpected conclusion in this final volume.

What an ending... I was totally with it until the last issue. I loved finding out epilogues for all the characters, but the structure of the stories was a bit confusing. I had to keep reminding myself what time each story was set in. But I still would say that I loved the series. Very exciting read! Now I can't wait to read Vaughan's newest comic series: Saga.

Y: The Last Man

Vol. 1 Unmanned
Vol. 2 Cycles
Vol. 3 One Small Step
Vol. 4 Safeword
Vol. 5 Ring of Truth
Vol. 6 Girl on Girl
Vol. 7 Paper Dolls
Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons
Vol. 9 Motherland
Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

Fairest: Of Mice and Men

Title: Fairest 4: Cinderella -- Of Mice and Men

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2014

Genre: Fantasy Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Fairy Tales

Cinderella returns in an all-new epic! After an assassination attempt on Snow White, Cind is called back into service to unravel an age-old conspiracy that dates back to that fateful midnight ball! Can Cind uncover the plot and prevent a massacre in Fabletown? By critically acclaimed writer Marc Andreyko (MANHUNTER, Torso, The Lost) and legendary artist Shawn McManus (CINDERELLA, SWAMP THING), FAIREST VOL. 4: CINDERELLA - OF MEN AND MICE ties directly into FABLES!

Okay... so the absolute best of the Fairest series so far. But I do love Cinderella and her spy antics. Plus it was nice to see Snow White and Beast. I also liked how they tied in the Fables version of Cinderella to the traditional story with stepsisters and a fairy godmother.

Fairest:

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books 2012

Genre: Dystopian Fantasy

Pages: 592

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: NPR Teen; TBR Reduction; Ebook; A to Z - I; Books to Movies; Seriously Series

As war surges in the factions of dystopian Chicago all around her, Tris attempts to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

I didn't like this one quite as much as I liked Divergent. The constant "who's lying to whom" got a bit annoying after awhile. Just once I want a novel where everyone is completely honest. Other than that annoyance at the entire genre as a whole, I did like the book. I loved seeing Tris grow and realize her true potential. The twists and turns in regards to character's allegiances were a lot of fun. And we get to see the end of Jeanine Matthews and the big revelation at the end. Second books in trilogies are often not as good, but this one was good enough to make me want to read Allegiant immediately.

Movie:

The movie definitely changed things from the book. I don't think the entire plotline about only a Divergent being able to open the box was necessary to the larger storyline. But whatever, I'm sure the movie makers felt that without it audiences wouldn't understand why Jeanine wanted Divergents. I also have some slight issues with how Caleb was portrayed. I saw him as more of a traitor in the books than the movie. The movie makes him almost a tragic figure. I didn't think it played as well. I also didn't like the killing of Jeanine in the movie. They completely cut Tori out of the sequence. Just didn't sit right with me. Based off of my love of the book, I gave the movie lower stars.

Divergent:

#0.1 The Transfer
#0.2 The Initiate
#0.3 The Son
#0.4 The Traitor
#1 Divergent
#1.5 Free Four
#2 Insurgent
#3 Allegiant

Music Monday -- Fall Out Boy "Immortals"

The twins and I both enjoy this song.

Sunday Sunset #8

Listening To: Curious George playing in the background. We're waiting to go to Easter dinner with the family but I have to occupy the baby until then. Hence Curious George.

Book finished: Yes Please; Y The Last Man Vol. 2, 3, 4, 5

Reading: Y The Last Man Vol. 6-10; Insurgent by Veronica Roth

On the Nightstand: Allegiant by Veronica Roth; All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Making Lists: Final checklist for the wedding next weekend. We've got most of the tasked assigned and some of them completed.

Crafting: I'm still working on Sarah's wedding scrapbook. I need to fill in the rest of the journaling cards and leave some spaces for the guest book cards.

Watching: Mom and I have been watching random shows on television. There is a lot of crap on tv right now.

Project: I guess wedding stuff. So much to do and it isn't even my wedding!

Picture: Sliding at the park with Grandma Heidi

Monthly Life Goals April 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on March's goals and my progress.

30 Day Challenge: Meditate Daily– Fail. Totally forgot about this one.
Put up the kitchen curtains – Fail. Never did get around to this one.
Curate at least one Pinterest board – Success! I've cleaned out a few boards since being in Indiana.
Have pie on Pi Day – Success! J ended up being in town and bought us pie at an Oakland bakery. Chocolate cream with a pretzel crust. The filling was great, but the crust was a bit chewy. We'll have to try their other pies sometime soon.
Plan a Favorite Things for Kids Party for May – Fail... Never got around to this one. It's on my list for next month.

This month's goals:

30 Day Challenge: Meditate Daily– Trying it again for April.
Put up the kitchen curtains – Still really want to get this one done.
Plan a Favorite Things for Kids Party for May – Since I didn't get to this one in March, it's on the list again.
Clean out Arthur and my closets for spring -- Weather's nice and warm in California, I need to do a closet clean out especially Arthur's too small clothing.
Finish at least one series -- I have a stack of Walking Dead and Y The Last Man comics. My goal is to finish at least one before going back to Indiana.

Y: The Last Man Vol. 4 Safeword and Vol. 5 Ring of Truth

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 4 Safeword and Vol 5 Ring of Truth

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2004 and 2005

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144 +192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

Yorick Brown, the last man on Earth, finally makes it to San Francisco where his unbalanced sister, Hero, finds him seemingly succumbing to the male-killing plague after losing his still-unused engagement ring to the burqa-clad agents of the Setauket Ring. But is the ring really the key to his survival? And what does it have to do with the mysterious Amulet of Helene, which the Setauket leader is determined to take from Agent 355 by any means necessary. Collects issues #24-31 of the runaway hit Vertigo series by Brian K. Vaughan (EX-MACHINA, ASTONISHING X-MEN, RUNAWAYS) and Pia Guerra.

After a devastating plague, Yorrick Brown is the last man left alive in a world of women. On the run from Amazon extremists who would be happy to see him dead, his friends leave him in the care of Agent 711. But 711 is not the tragic woman she seems to be and Yorrick is propelled into a drug-fuelled nightmare of blood and sadism. Collects issues #18-23 of the runaway hit Vertigo series by Brian K. Vaughan (EX-MACHINA, RUNAWAYS) and Pia Guerra.

Wow! Safeword was a powerful volume. I was blown away by the revelations in these issues. I didn't see those coming and can't wait to see what happens next... But Ring of Truth was just an all around great volume. We got more insight into Agent 355. Plus Yorrick went through a few new trials that strengthened his drive to survive. I ams o hooked on this series.

Y: The Last Man

Vol. 1 Unmanned
Vol. 2 Cycles
Vol. 3 One Small Step
Vol. 4 Safeword
Vol. 5 Ring of Truth
Vol. 6 Girl on Girl
Vol. 7 Paper Dolls
Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons
Vol. 9 Motherland
Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

FF #12: Snow White Then and Now

Snow White is young and classic. So I didn't want to have her wear anything too out of the box. I kept the primary colors and apple accessories. I especially love that blazer, a classic piece with a modern shape.

Corset dress

etsy.com

MARC BY MARC JACOBS frill top

tradesy.com

Quiz blue jacket

$45 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Frame Denim blue jeans

shopzoeonline.com

Flat shoes

modcloth.com

Evening handbag

poshgirl.us

Pearl earrings

purepearls.com

Thomas Sabo sterling silver jewelry

$275 - iceonline.com.au

Kate Spade hair accessory

shopbop.com

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

The weather is finally starting to turn warmer. Thank goodness!
Excited to read the rest of Y: The Last Man series.
Feeling less stressed now that the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party are over.
Going through tv withdrawal for my favorite shows
A certain toddler not napping at all is really getting to me. Although I must say he is adorable.
Looking forward to Easter with the family
April's days are quickly filling up. Really need to get my monthly plan ready.
Hope my hair cooperates on Sarah's wedding day. This dry air is killing it right now.
Had so much fun hanging with Sarah and Cait at the bachelorette party after-party.

Y: The Last Man Vol. 2 Cycles and Vol. 3 One Small Step

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 2 Cycles and Vol. 3 One Small Step

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2003 and 2004

Genre: Comics

Pages: 128 + 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

As Yorick Brown, the last man on Earth, begins to make his way across the country to California, he and his companions are forced to make an unscheduled stop in Marrisville, Ohio—a small town with a big secret. Collects issues #6-10 of the runaway hit Vertigo series by Brian K. Vaughan (EX-MACHINA, RUNAWAYS) and Pia Guerra.

The adventures of Yorick Brown continue in Y: THE LAST MAN: ONE SMALL STEP, collecting issues #11-17 of the critically acclaimed series. A Russian Soyuz capsule is coming down from the International Space Station carrying three passengers: one woman and two men. Could this be the end of Yorick's tenure as last living male?

Loving the twist in volume two. The little town in Ohio was an interesting discussion of law and order after the men have died. Intriguing. And volume three deals with the twist on the last page of volume two. I don't want to give it away, but oh my it was a good one. Still loving where this story is going.

Y: The Last Man

Vol. 1 Unmanned
Vol. 2 Cycles
Vol. 3 One Small Step
Vol. 4 Safeword
Vol. 5 Ring of Truth
Vol. 6 Girl on Girl
Vol. 7 Paper Dolls
Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons
Vol. 9 Motherland
Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

March 2015 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

March's TBR Pile (6/10):

Nonfiction: Yes Please by Amy Poehler √
Book club selection: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Carry-over: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton √
Series pick: Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
Series Ender: Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Dystopian: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Added: First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh √
Added: Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh √
Added: The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin √
Added: The Sworn Sword by George R.R. Martin √

Picture Book Roundup:

How Gator Says Good-bye by Samoun
Dinosaur Zoom by Penny Dale
Duck and Goose: Goose Needs a Hug by Tad Hills
What Does Baby Love by Karen Katz
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
One Pup's Up by Marshal Wilson Chall
Hello Baby! by Megan Fox
Milo Armadillo by Jan Fearnley
Three Little Dinosaurs by Charles Fuge
Windy Day in Spring by Charles Ghigna
What's Up, Duck? by Tad Hills
My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
In the Jungle by Emily Bolam
Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
When You Take a Pig to a Party by Kristina Thermaenius McLarey & Myra McLarey
All Through My Town by Jean Reidy

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2111 pages

Pages Remaining: 804,138 pages

Current Read - Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed -- None yet. It's still early in the year.

Comments - Woohoo! I knocked off tour books from my own bookshelves and read two graphic novels. I saved Amy Poehler's book until the last part of the month as I knew I was going to enjoy it. Glad I did! It was the great choice to end the month. On to April!

April's TBR Pile:

Book club selection: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Carry-over: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Series pick: The Walking Dead Vol. 18
Dystopian: Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Comic: Y The Last Man Vol. 2