Top Ten Tuesday -- Recent TBR Additions

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!

1. The Martian by Andy Weir -- Heard such rave reviews about this one. I may have to put this one up for our next book club selection.

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins -- I loved Gone Girl and this one has been said to be very similar.

3. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen -- Love this author and must read the newest book.

4. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel -- Another one from many readers' must read lists. Definitely need to pick this one up.

5. The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma -- Just ran across this one. Seems intriguing.

6. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde -- I love a good light hearted romantic novel. This might just fit the bill.

7. The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle -- Interesting premise. Hope it plays out well.

8. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis -- Summary sounded interesting...

9. A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin -- Love the premise. Hope the novel lives up to it.

10. PRO: Reclaiming Abortion Rights by Katha Pollitt -- This one is getting very interesting reviews. I definitely need to add it to my pile.

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler

Title: Yes, Please

Author: Amy Poehler

Publisher: Dey Street Books 2014

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir

Pages: 352

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Feminism; TBR Reduction; Ebook; 52 Books - W13

Do you want to get to know the woman we first came to love on Comedy Central's Upright Citizens Brigade? Do you want to spend some time with the lady who made you howl with laughter on Saturday Night Live, and in movies like Baby Mama, Blades of Glory, and They Came Together? Do you find yourself daydreaming about hanging out with the actor behind the brilliant Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation? Did you wish you were in the audience at the last two Golden Globes ceremonies, so you could bask in the hilarity of Amy's one-liners?

If your answer to these questions is "Yes Please!" then you are in luck. In her first book, one of our most beloved funny folk delivers a smart, pointed, and ultimately inspirational read. Full of the comedic skill that makes us all love Amy, Yes Please is a rich and varied collection of stories, lists, poetry (Plastic Surgery Haiku, to be specific), photographs, mantras and advice. With chapters like "Treat Your Career Like a Bad Boyfriend," "Plain Girl Versus the Demon" and "The Robots Will Kill Us All" Yes Please will make you think as much as it will make you laugh. Honest, personal, real, and righteous, Yes Please is full of words to live by.

Oh yes! This was a great memoir to read. I loved watching Amy Poehler on SNL and Parks and Rec. I had to eventually read this novel. Actually this is our book club selection for April. I can't wait to discuss in a few weeks. But first, my thoughts:

This is not a typically structured memoir. We don't get a chronological account of her life and accomplishments. Instead we get a series of vignettes from her life and some essays of life lessons. I liked the mix of life stories and advice. I wouldn't say to shelf this in the self-help section, but Poehler definitely has some great life advice. Plus it's just funny. I love her sense of humor and loved reading her funny stories and observations. I also appreciate that she didn't get too nitty-gritty dirty details from her life. I don't really need to read all about her divorce about Will Arnett. I respect Poehler's decision to keep that chapter of her life private. Overall the book felt real to me. I now feel like I have a better understanding of Amy Poehler the woman. I don't think this is the book for just anyone. But for those readers already fans of Poehler, this book made me love her more.

Music Monday -- Florence + the Machine "What Kind of Man"

I can't wait for her new album. She is a genius! 

Sunday Sunset #7

Listening To: Toto (the dog) snoring on the couch. He's so loud!

Book finished: First Comes Marriage;Then Comes Seduction; Y The Last Man Vol. 1; The Hedge Knight; The Sworn Sword

Reading: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler

On the Nightstand: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (so I can watch the movie); All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (book club); Y The Last Man Vol. 2-10

MakingLists: Starting a list of meals for the second half of April and May. Yep, I'm going to attempt to have a meal plan done before I got back home.

Crafting: Doing a bit of pre-planning for March Project Life pages. I won't have a chance to physically put them together until I get back, but I can pick my pictures and some of my insert and journaling cards.

Watching: My mom and I have been sucked into Secrets and Lies. I am totally hooked now and must keep watching to find out who killed Tom. My money is on the wife. Other than that, I've watched an episode of this or an episode of that, but not much television. We've been super busy and visiting with friends and family. I want to catch up on a few of my shows like The 100, Revenge, Reign, and Once Upon a Time. Maybe next week...

From Nature: When I arrived in Indiana last week, it was chilly but not horrible. This week it snowed! Argh! Where is spring? I really want to get back to my warm 70 degree days in California.

Project: Now that the bachelorette party and bridal shower are over, I can relax until after Easter. No big project in the works this week.

Picture: Baby boy sitting in the dog's bed.

101 in 1001 Update #2

Two months into my second attempt at 101 in 1001 and things are moving along swimmingly...

What I did:

8. Choose and document One Little Word 2015 and 2016 -- Still keeping my word at the front of my mind. I've finished Arthur's two rooms and started major work on some of the others. I need to tackle the twins' room when I get back to Indiana.

13. Pass 500 books for Arthur's 1000 Books Before Kindergarten -- We're up to 183 different books so far! Hopefully we can get to the library soon for another good new book haul.

14. Throw a Favorite Things party -- Did this as an activity at our women's retreat. It was so much fun, we're going to do a kid's version after I get back from Indiana.

21. Make 10 non-greeting card crafts on my Pinterest boards -- I made some great gift tags for the retreat, a welcome baby banner for a shower, favor boxes for a bridal shower, and decorated chalkboard signs for the shower. So that's four different crafts down!

26. Read 50 of my owned unread books -- For February, I read 6 of my own unread books! Woohoo! Progress!

28. Read 100,000 pages toward 1,000,000 page goal -- February's total pages read was 2226 which puts me at 4271 pages so far.

29. Finish 2015 and 2016 Project Life book (family and Arthur) -- Still plugging along on this. Loving how the new monthly format is working out!

34. Make 250 different greeting cards -- 14 different designs made this month! I had some great inspiration from Stampin' Up's Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogs. 229 to go!

37. Finish watching every Star Trek television episode and movie -- Still working on this goal.

42. Participate in 30 Days of Lists 2x -- Almost finished with March's edition. I love this little twice (and sometimes three) times a year challenge.

45. Make 50 new recipes -- Four new recipes, all winners, for this month!

• Garlic Parmesan Salmon: Not enough flavor, but I can probably fix it next time
• Texas Cheese Fries: So good! And I made a light version with less fat.
• Pesto Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Asparagus: I added black olives to this recipe and loved it. So easy to make and great for leftovers!
• Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup: Very good recipe and so yummy!

54. Try 25 new restaurants -- We tried five new restaurants this month: Diggers (decent burgers), Buffalo Bill's Brewery (not very good), Postales Taqueria (yum yum), Top Thai (decent), and Acqua E' Farina (decent Italian place).

61. Get three pedicures -- Getting one done today as part of the bachelorette party I organized.

88. Buy the perfect LBD -- Another part of the bachelorette party. Our dress code was LBDs with lots of bling.

Remaining goals and total:

Friends, Family, and Love 1. Send out homemade holiday cards in December 2. Build a snowman 3. Complete 52 once a week photos of Arthur 4. Spend a day at the beach 5. Date nights x 20 6. Complete a Jar of Life 7. Host a tea party 9. Write a personal manifesto 11. Give 5 Just Because gifts 12. Give Arthur 25 pictures books in 25 days for December 2015 16. Take Arthur and twins to go see Santa

Crafting and Culture 17. Attend an opera or musical 18. Reread the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit 20. Finish one of my Perpetual Reading Challenges 22. Ask 20 friends to suggest one book, and read them all 23. Watch a meteor shower 24. Attend 5 concerts (1/5) 25. Complete 10 Day in the Life posts 27. Tour a factory 30. Finish 2015 and 2015 December Daily 31. Catch up the twins scrapbook albums 32. Watch 100  different TED Talks and do a short review/analysis on the blog (new series) 33. Watch/rewatch every Academy Awards Best Picture since the year I was born (1982)

• 1982: Gandhi
• 1983: Terms of Endearment
• 1984: Amadeus
• 1985: Out of Africa
• 1986: Platoon
• 1987: The Last Emperor
• 1988: Rain Man
• 1989: Driving Miss Daisy
• 1990: Dances with Wolves
• 1991: Silence of the Lambs
• 1992: Unforgiven
• 1993: Schindler's List
• 1994: Forrest Gump
• 1995: Braveheart
• 1996: The English Patient
• 1997: Titanic
• 1998: Shakespeare in Love
• 1999: American Beauty
• 2000: Gladiator
• 2001: A Beautiful Mind
• 2002: Chicago
• 2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• 2004: Million Dollar Baby
• 2005: Crash
• 2006: The Departed
• 2007: No Country for Old Men
• 2008: Slumdog Millionaire
• 2009: The Hurt Locker
• 2010: The King's Speech
• 2011: The Artist
• 2012: Argo
• 2013: 12 Years a Slave
• 2014: TBD
• 2015: TBD
• 2016: TBD

35. See a drive-in movie 36. Listen to every song by The Beatles 38. Have a Pixar movie month 39. Complete The Artist's Way 40. Complete a year of no book buying 41. Learn Ruby on rails 43. Go to 5 tourist things in San Francisco

Food and Drink 44. Take a cooking class 46. Open a cookbook to a random page and make what ever is one it 47. Give up dining out for one month 48. Try Whole30 49. Make a pie on PI day 50. Meal plan for an entire month 51. Make fresh pasta 52. Learn to make a good martini 53. Do a brewery tour 55. Try 5 new to me foods 56. No pop for a month

Health and Fitness 57. Lose 2 pants sizes 58. Walk a 5K 59. Get a massage 60. Take a yoga class 62. Do a spa day 63. Meditate daily for a month 64. Complete a 30 miles in 30 days challenge 65. Get lasik 66. Get CPR certified again

Travel 67. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast 68. Go on a vacation with Josh 69. Visit the Redwoods (any park) 70. Travel to a new state

Philanthropic 72. Donate something extra at each MVPA social x 10 (1/10) 71. Give a 100% tip 73. Pay it forward at Starbucks/coffeeshop 74. Donate to a Kickstarter campaign I love

Financial 75. Two week money fast (starting with full gas tanks and a full pantry) 76. Open an Etsy shop 77. Cash in my piggy bank for something special and frivolous

Miscellaneous 79. Get Arthur's tattoo 80. Get a passport 81. Get rid of 100 things 82. Learn how to use our DSLR 83. Take one free online class 84. Make a chalk mural on the balcony/driveway 85. Finish a Soduku puzzle 86. Grow something from a seed 87. Complete a coloring book 89. Take an IQ test 90. Play Bingo in a bingo hall 91. Go horseback riding or hiking 92. Participate in 30 Day Wardrobe Challenge 93. Unplug completely for 24 hours 94. Officially close my Hotmail account 95. Go to a convention (blogging, SU,etc) 96. Dye my hair purple 97. Revamp my wardrobe 98.Take real photos of me for my blogs 99. Post a vlog 100. Go apple/berry/etc picking

The Sworn Sword by George R.R. Martin

Title: The Sworn Sword

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Jet City Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

After the deaths, surprises, and heroics in The Hedge Knight, Dunk and Egg continue their journey in search of the fair puppeteer Tanselle. Along the way, the elderly knight Ser Eustace takes both men under his charge, alongside another knight—and this one promises trouble. Peace is ever elusive for Dunk and Egg, as they are soon embroiled in the schemes of local nobility, while a darker, greater thread threatens to unravel long-held truths of the Battle of Redgrass Field.

In classic George R.R. Martin fashion, heroes and villains are never clear-cut, and political alliances threaten to slice the deepest. Yet one path lies ahead for Dunk and Egg: onward toward destiny. Join them as they venture along a now-familiar world but in a time all-new!

Another mildly interesting entry into the world of Westeros. I don't think I'm a huge fan of Dunk and Egg, but the stories are fairly entertaining. Moving on to something different...

The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin

Title: The Hedge Knight

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Jet City Comics 2013

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 184

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; 52 Books - W12

Shouldering his fallen master’s sword and shield, Duncan (or “Dunk") is determined to reinvent himself as a knight in a nearby tournament. But first Dunk needs a sponsor, and that requirement sends him down a road studded with friends, foes, adventure, and hidden agendas. One such friend is Egg, who becomes Dunk’s squire, yet even he may hold secret motivations of his own.

In this gripping prequel, Dunk and Egg seek glory in a world both familiar and new to Game of Thrones fans. What the two fortune seekers encounter, however, is a world of distrust and political machinations. Chivalry is not lost while Dunk holds fast to his dreams of honor. But such outdated virtues make him a target—and they may even lead to his ruin. This vivid and elaborately wrought tale brings new dimension to George R. R. Martin’s beloved world.

I picked this slim volume up at a recent library visit. I was looking for a different series, but this one caught my eye. I forgot that they published some prequels to A Song of Ice and Fire series. I liked a little look into a time before the series is set, but I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters. And I had to remember the family lines to figure out where these characters fall. Interesting quick read, but not something I will read again.

FF #11: Cinderella Then and Now

I really really want to see the new Cinderella movie. Is that weird? Anywho, I have poured over the costume stills and I completely fell in love with the look of the movie. I decided to start a new Fashion Friday series based off of the Disney princesses. Each week, I'll be showcasing a princess's old look and new look. For this week I went with the first Disney princess, Cinderella. I gave her a very modern sleek look while sticking to the blue and silver color palette of the original dress. I love the filigree detail on her cuff and necklace. And the shoes have enough sparkle to stand in for glass slippers.

Planet blue v neck dress

$220 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Sequin cocktail dress

amazon.com

Glitter pumps

payless.com

Vera Bradley genuine leather purse

verabradley.com

Pre owned jewelry

1stdibs.com

Bling Jewelry filigree jewelry

blingjewelry.com

Wedding bib necklace

overstock.com

A Bushel of Videos

Just wow! 

Sam Rockwell dancing is just a delight,

Hank Green is adorable.

I'm totally a sucker for these rap battles.

Quote Wednesday -- Angelou

Talent is like electricity. We don't understand electricity. We use it. -- Maya Angelou

Top Ten Books -- Tobe's Teen Years Books

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 those books you read as a teen that you want to revisit.  In middle school, I read a lot of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike books. As I entered into high school, the books got longer but no less dark. There's only one series that I want to revisit:

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice!

I even joined the Anne Rice Perpetual Reading Challenge just so that I could reread this series. Maybe in April?

Music Monday -- Ingrid Michaelson "Time Machine"

Loving this song, but the video is what really makes it! Amazing! 

Photo of the Week #3

Just two of the 40 decorated berry baskets I made for tomorrow's bridal shower. It was a lot, but they are all so cute!

FF #10: Park Playdate

A nice fun and colorful outfit that I would actually wear to go to the park. I love that the outfit is basically jeans and a tee shirt. The colors and accessories take this to the next level. I seriously need those shoes!

ONLY slogan t shirt

$15 - thehut.com

J Brand stretch denim skinny jeans

$315 - harrods.com

Vans sneaker

$75 - zalando.co.uk

Victoria s Secret PINK victoria secret pink backpack

victoriassecret.com

Chopard stainless steel watch

therealreal.com

MANGO metal ring

$15 - mango.com

Ále by Alessandra summer hat

solescapes.com

Currently #5

Arthur and I arrived in Indiana yesterday, so my Currently list may look a little odd.

Watching: Dinosaur Train. Okay, I'm not really watching it, but the baby is. Not my favorite but mom only has like five channels so it's this or Judge Judy crap.

Reading: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. Finally starting this one for book club.

Listening: Doing a load of laundry...

Making: Working on the bridal shower center pieces/favors today. Need them all done by Saturday for the shower on Sunday.

Feeling: Cold... It was nice and warm at home in California. It's a high of 40 degrees today in Indiana. Ugh!

Planning: Getting all our weekend plans around. We've got the twin's party on Saturday and the bridal shower on Sunday.

Loving: The twins are on spring break this week so lots of fun crazy antics for them to get up to.Their birthday is tomorrow, but we're planning on going shopping later today.

Top Ten Tuesday -- Spring TBR

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!

Spring TBR:

1. Insurgent and Allegiant by Veronica Roth -- Been meaning to read the sequels after I really enjoyed Divergent. Plus, I want to see the Insurgent movie this summer.
2. Yes Please by Amy Poehler -- Been on my list since it came out. We're reading this for April book club so I better finish it!
3. Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon -- Reread Outlander, now I need to get moving with the rest of the series.
4. Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice -- Reread as part of my perpetual Anne Rice challenge.
5. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin -- Want to finish out the series as it stands right now.
6. 2 historical romances -- My guilty pleasure escape genre. I just started a new series last month and hope to finish it out this spring.
7. 3 nonfiction books -- Besides Yes Please, I want to get some more nonfiction books in my reading rotation.

Winter TBR Recap (5/10): Not the best showing, but a few of those books were pretty long.

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien √
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth √
3. A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin √
4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon √
5. Looking for Alaska by John Green
6. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
7. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
8. The Diviners by Libba Bray
9. Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn √

Y: The Last Man Vol. 1 Unmanned

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 1 Unmanned

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2003

Genre: Comics

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; A to Z -- Y; New Author;

Written by Brian K. Vaughan (LOST, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, EX MACHINA) and with art by Pia Guerra, this is the saga of Yorick Brown—the only human survivor of a planet-wide plague that instantly kills every mammal possessing a Y chromosome. Accompanied by a mysterious government agent, a brilliant young geneticist and his pet monkey, Ampersand, Yorick travels the world in search of his lost love and the answer to why he's the last man on earth.

I've been meaning to read this series for ages. Somehow I just never picked it up... Glad that I did grab it last visit to the library. I read the entire volume today after packing. The storyline isn't anything earth shattering, but that's okay. I'm reading this series for the characters. I love the different character groups that Yorick encounters on his journeys. The best has been the Amazons. I can't wait to see where and when they reappear. And Agent 355 is just amazing. Can't wait to read more.

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

Music Monday -- Walk the Moon "Shut Up and Dance"

This song has been running through my head for weeks now. Love it! 

Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh

Title: Then Comes Seduction (Huxtable Quintet #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Bantam Dell 2009

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 419

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR; A to Z - T; 52 Books - W11; Seriously Series

In a night of drunken revelry, Jasper Finley, Baron Montford, gambles his reputation as London’s most notorious lover on one woman. His challenge? To seduce the exquisite, virtuous Katherine Huxtable within a fortnight. But when his best-laid plans go awry, Jasper devises a wager of his own. For Katherine, already wildly attracted to him, Jasper’s offer is irresistible: to make London’s most dangerous rake fall in love with her. Then Jasper suddenly ups the ante. Katherine knows she should refuse. But with scandal brewing and her reputation in jeopardy, she reluctantly agrees to become his wife. Now, as passion ignites, the seduction really begins. And this time the prize is nothing less than both their hearts.…

Okay slightly mixed feelings about this one. I love Jasper and Katherine. They were intriguing characters from the beginning. I love their backstories and how their story eventually plays out. I loved visiting with old and new characters. Aunt Prunella and Clarrie were the worst (but in a great character way). My issue comes with the middle of the book. It really drags... It felt like before Jasper and Katherine were married, the book became about them having the same conversation over and over. Even after they were married, I was tiring of the same conversation over and over. However, I enjoyed the last fifty pages of the books. Based off of the strength of characters, I would recommend this book.

Huxtable Quintet

• #1 First Comes Marriage
• #2 Then Comes Seduction
• #3 At Last Comes Love
• #4 Seducing an Angel
• #5 A Secret Affair

Arthur: 17 Months

Likes: Playing with everything! All the food. Bath time.

Dislikes: Not being able to eat constantly. Staying in the house all day.

Sleeping: Doing well again. Usually he sleeps from ~7:30pm to ~7:00am with no wake ups in between. I am loving this new schedule. Thank you Arthur for sleeping so well!

Eating: Arthur's been trying all kinds of new foods. I love his willingness to try even if he doesn't always like the food.

Playing: Seeing a bit of struggles over toys with friends, but they usually work it out. I prefer to allow the kids to try to work it out before stepping in. Thankfully Arthur isn't particularly violent when it comes to these disagreements.

Schedule:Argh! We still haven't found a good schedule for each week. We still drive down to South Bay 2-3 times a week for activities. I'm seriously thinking about starting my own parents' meetup group when I return from Indiana. If we don't have a daily activity, Arthur gets very antsy. Thankfully grocery shopping counts as an activity.

Out and About: This past month we hit a few new parks and a fun special place, CuriOdyssey. In a few days we are traveling to Indiana for an almost month long visit. Hopefully we have add some fun activities to our wrap up next month.