Summer Reading...

Beginning the summer with a reading list of 58 books was way too optimistic. So far I've read about 6 books this summer, which isn't bad but there are so many books that I want to read! In these final weeks of summer I am determined to cross three more books off of my list. Wish me luck! 

Did you read any books this summer that you loved?! I'm always looking for new recs :) 

Peace and Love, 

Em

The Little Things...

Sometimes I wonder if I am too materialistic. I always get so excited about new purchases and I can spend hours "window" shopping online. But then I also think, "What girl doesn't love shopping?" And it's not like I spend excessive amounts of money on things. All of that to say that I am working on spending less time on things and more on my spiritual well-being. But still, you can't deny that feeling you get when you come home with a brand new nail polish or a new book. Currently I have three little things that are putting a smile on my face. The first is my Essie nail polish in Beyond Cozy. I am a huge fan of gold nail polishes and this is my favorite one that I have tried! It has just the right amount of shimmer and it always makes me smile when I look down at my hands during the day. Second is my MAC perfume in Turquatic. This is a beautiful, fresh scent that is just lovely for Spring and Summer. I got this as a gift last year and have been obsessed ever since! Finally, there is nothing better than getting a new book! I had been hearing such great things about Crash the Chatterbox that I couldn't hold off buying it. It sounds like it will be perfect for some of the things that I am struggling with right now and I can't wait to start reading it.

That's it for today, lovelies! I hope your week is going well and that you are finding the little things within it that are making you happy!

Peace and Love,
Em

On My Reading List...

Many of you know how much I love to read. There is nothing better than curling up with a good book or reading the latest New York Times Bestseller at a local coffee shop! This year I've actually started making a proper reading list and am super excited about it! Throughout the year I hope to share what I'm reading as I make my way down the list. Here are just of few of the books that I am planning on reading so far (I can't wait for Diane Keaton's second book!!!). 

What are you reading? Do you have a reading list? I would love suggestions! 

Peace and Love, 

Em

5 Summer Reads...

I am so excited to do a post as part of Misfit Isle's  "Five on 5" link-up! The idea was to share 5 Summer reads and since I have so many books that I want to read this Summer I couldn't think of a more perfect topic! 

1. The Great Gatsby // F. Scott Fitzgerald- Whenever I am asked what my favorite book is "The Great Gatsby" is always my answer. Fitzgerald is possibly my favorite author of all time and this has to be one of my favorite pieces of his. I have read this book numerous times and can't wait to read it again this Summer. 

2. An Object of Beauty // Steve Martin- When I first looked at this book I had no idea that it was written by THE Steve Martin. I have only heard wonderful things about his writing and can't wait to crack this open! 

3. Eleanor & Park // Rainbow Rowell- This is just one of the books by Rainbow that I have on my Summer list. It circles around the relationship of two misfits who fall in love over music and sounds kinda perfect. 

4. Fire & Rain // David Browne- I had mentioned this book a while back. I had started reading it and loved it but ended up putting it aside because I had a library book that I needed to finish. I can't wait to get back into it! It tells stories about the Beatles, James Taylor, and Neil Young that make you feel as though you were part of the band. The writing is fantastic as well. 

5. Z // Therese Anne Fowler- You cannot love Fitzgerald and not have an interest in his wife, Zelda. This book looks fantastic! It takes you through life through Zelda's eyes as she meets F. Scott, deals with his fame, and eventually reaches her own downfall. It's a biography that reads like a piece of fiction and I can't wait to read it! 

Peace and Love, 

Em 

Fire and Rain...

So I am currently reading Fire and Rain by David Browne and I can't put it down. The book focuses on some of my absolute favorite musicians like the Beatles, Neil Young, and James Taylor. While it does contain a lot of historical information and context Browne writes it like a story and makes you feel like you are actually there. It is rare that I find a book that I just can't put down but this is one of those.  If you are looking for a good read I definitely recommend this! Ok, enough of my geeking out for today :) 

Peace and Love, 

Em

Summer Reading...

 I always try to set a goal for myself doing a lot of reading during the Summer. This Summer I cut down the number of books a bit but I did manage to read everything on my list. Also, I borrowed a book and read and e-book that are not pictured. I loved each and everyone of these books and they were all so different. I would have to say that my two favorites were The Hangman's Daughter and One Day.  

This also just so happens to be part 2 of lesson 2 in the "Two Peas In A Bucket" photography course. It's all about working with exposure. So there you have it! Knocking out two topics in on blog post!! 

Peace and Love, 

Em

Getting Through...

I am so ready for Summer! Heck, I have been for months, but now it's only about a week away. Right now I am just trying to get through finals and finishing up my classes. That said, some quality time with Dorothy Sayers and a piece of pound cake is well deserved. 

Peace and Love, 

Em

Summer Reading List...

One of the things that I loved about this summer was that I got to read A LOT! My goal was to read ten books but I got up to nine and then when you include me reading my Bible you get ten. I just loved coming home after work on a warm breezy day and laying out and reading. Nothing better than the sun and a good book.

Peace and Love,

Em

sTori Telling...

I've been reading this book all day.

I love it when I can just spend my day in a chair with a good book.

Peace and Love,

Em

Bossypants...

This book is making me laugh so hard. I got the free audio book last night and am listening to it before bed. I love Tina Fey and this book is hilarious! I definitely recommend :)

Peace and Love,

Em

Lit...

This has been me on Spring Break.

Peace and Love,

Em

What I Did Today...

I was home again today trying to get back to my healthy self. Of course my day included lots of naps but it included some other things too.

I started my Alice in Wonderland that my sister got me for Christmas.

I watched The Time Traveler's Wife and fell in love with it even though I hated it the first time I saw it. (I want to read the book now).

And what girl would deny this making her happy?

I watched a little Twilight.

I ordered both of these records which I am really excited to get!!

And I ended my night with a strawberry milkshake and a Glee marathon with my sister.

Hopefully I am on my way to a full recovery.

Peace and Love,

Em

Georgia May Fall Photo Shoot...

Georgia May Jagger has been climbing her way up the fashion ladder for some time. I found this photo shoot today and fell in love with it. I love the classic books, the vintage library feel, the tights, and the big sweaters. These pictures basically sum up Fall to me. Anyway, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Have a lovely Friday!

Peace and Love,

Em

Crazy Love...

I started this book on Saturday and could not put it down. It is written by Francis Chan and is a beautiful book about our relationship with Christ and the importance of our faith. I definitely recommend it!

Peace and Love,

Em

Voodoo...

This cd just came in the mail today! I LOVE it! Alexz's voice is amazing. Listening to it now while I do homework that I am completely not motivated to do. Today had been a pretty good day though:

-Pictures came in the mail

-Hung out with Alyssa for 3+ hours

-Got my Dorian Gray book

-Listening to some sick new tunes

Yep it's all good.

Peace and Love,

Em

Could It Be Forever...

I adore this book. Written by David Cassidy himself, it's a glimpse inside the life of a struggling teen heart throb. It's so interesting! I must stop blogging and keep reading.

Peace and Love,

Em

Tornado Warnings and Library Books...

This is what I looked like for most of today.

After going to work this morning and having a meeting at school about my future (scary!) I dropped by the library to pick up some books that I had on hold.

I got home and crawled into bed to read. I didn't even make it to the second chapter. We had thunderstorms and tornado warnings all day to day so it was the perfect day for a little reading and a lot of sleep.

*And isn't Mel so cute with her little tongue and her eyes rolled up in her head!

Peace and Love,

Em

Naptown...

Thursday Sarah, Suzanne and I went out for a lunch date. It was the first time the roomies had been all together since Europe. Can you believe it? We went to the Metro Diner for lunch where Sarah and I got these amazing BLTs and Suzanne got the vanilla waffles. We had a great time talking and laughing, you know the usual girl stuff.

After lunch we headed downtown for cupcakes. We went to the lovely Nostalgia cupcakes for this fix. Suzanne got a toasted coconut and a red velvet cupcake while I got the Chocolate City Cupcake. This thing was unbelievable. After I ate it I felt like I was either suffering from a cupcake coma or I was pregnant with a cupcake baby. Either way it was worth it!

Sarah was holding our for a candied apple so after Suzanne and I finished our cupcakes we headed a couple of doors down. We went into this little candy shop that had at least 10 different kinds of candied apples. All of them looked good.

Sarah ended up getting the M&M covered apple.

Next time I am getting one of these chocolate covered twinkies! YUM!

After we all had our fill of sugar we walked around town and down to the docks. It was really hot so we made our walk short and headed back to the car.

Suzanne was driving so she dropped Sarah off first and then as she was on her way to my house she said "Hey, do you want to go to the library?" Suzanne and I love books. I mean we read alllll the time. Suzanne even works at the library. So we decided to drop in real quick. It's not like I needed any more books to read this summer but I like looking. After not finding a good summer romance I grabbed the next Trueblood book that I needed and we were on our way.

After hanging out with my girls all day I went out with the boys that night. I went with Isaac and Jacob to see Inception. It was really good but I was totally confused the whole time while the boys acted like they had it all figured out. It was fun hanging out just me and the guys. Oh and seeing previews featuring Zac Efron and John Hamm wasn't so bad either.

Peace and Love,

Em

*Also want to wish Tyler Kyte a happy birthday today. Can't wait for the release of Sweet Thing's album on August 17th!