Reading Race 10 Books

As you may or may not know I pledged ,as part of my new years resolution (see here), to read the book Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I feel like my reading habits tend toward the frivolous and meaningless romantic comedies, that are easily read and just as easily forgotten. I'm setting out to change this today. Not only am I going to read Gone with the Wind, but also 9 other books that have been recommended to me.

I do read rather quickly so 10 books for this year (yikes..only 10 months left!) doesn't seem like much of a task or goal really, but while working and going to school full time I assure you I will be challenged by this.

The books are as follows (not in reading order):

1. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
(of course) I want to read this not only because it is a classic but TWO (count them..one..two) people have urged me to read it. It is first on the list because of this reason but also because I also happen to OWN this book already. I have no excuse but laziness.

2. The Once and Future King by T.H. White
Recommended to me by my dear Hubbins when he realized I was watching the cartoon Sword in the Stone for the second time (and that I know all the words).

3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
This one just because it is a shame I haven't read it but also because I heard that it is completely different than my current assumptions (I assume that he is a monster who is dumb and bumbling.. I'm wrong? I must read this)!

4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Recommended by my friend Maggie.

5. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Recommended by my mother-in-law Paula.

6. The Reader by Bernhard Shlink
Recommended by my cousin Kate

7. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This one again by Kate.

8. A Fine and Private Place by Peter S. Beagle
Hubbins said this was a beautiful beautiful book.

9. The Innocent by Posie Graeme-Evans
Recommended by my friend Cristin (along with the other two books in the series.)

10. Rain of Gold by Victor E. Villasenor
Recommended by Laura (the same who first recommended Gone with the Wind)

Do you have any great suggestions? If you read any of these please let me know what you think in the comments! I will be posting reviews on each book. :D

Thank you for following along.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

Hope you all had a day full of love, happiness, and hope.

I woke up to an adorable surprise from my Hubbins. (see below)

Look at the heart garland! He brought it into the bedroom and hung it up. Sooo cute and so inspired. It really made my morning. Plus that giant Valentines card on the far right is my first GIANT card and I have been ogling them for years.

Tulips, HUGE stuffed hippo I lovingly caressed inside Walmart three weeks ago (he remembered!), a giant velvet heart full of turtle candies, giant card, a Vanilla Lime candle (see pic below) , and a spattering of fake roses.

These candles are Gold Canyon candles. They are amazing. They have amazing scents that really last but the best part is that they are never overpowering but fill your ENTIRE house. I think the price is worth it. This one has double wicks to avoid any wax build up on the sides. This is an "avon" type business. You can purchase the products and sell them on your own and host parties.

Like a good wife I hung the card up on the fridge since we don't have a mantle.

and look at the giant envelope it came in (arguably my favorite part)

Such a wonderful day! I got him an engraved copper bookmark with his name on one side and a quote from Game of Thrones. 

"Shekh ma shieraki anni"

Which means "My sun and stars" in the Dothraki language. Just in case you aren't apart of that cult following.

It is what a girl says to a guy. He says back to her "Moon of my life" and we've picked up on this adorably nerdy habit.

I also got him a little metal puzzle and some chocolates (peanut butter cup)

I also got presents from several parents at the daycare I work at (read more about my job here)

1. I got a bag FULL of candies (Dove chocolates and Andes)

2. A bag of homemade cookies (m&m!)

3. Those two chocolates in the front are a white chocolate covered macchiato ganache with a half walnut inside and on the left is a red milk chocolate heart with chocolate ganache inside.

4. On the far left is a jar of Cherry Candy Cane body butter by Beurre Pourle (Beauticology) 5 fluid ounces of AMAZING. It smells like liquid maraschino cherries. It feels amazing. My dogs tried to eat my arms off. Its perfect. It was wonderful to my sensitive skin as well. I adore it!

For the rest of the day we ate out and relaxed! I've been saving three sayings for almost 6 months to write on Hubbins' Facebook wall on Valentines day and it went down without a hitch (what.. is the hitch I was expecting?) So glad I finally got the chance.

1. You make my heart have premature ventricular contractions.

2. You make my cardiac muscle pump blood through my vascular system really quickly.

3. I love you from my head tomatoes.

How was your Valentines Day? Did you go out with friends? Have a comfy day off? Let me know.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

Thanks for following along!

Emergency Pocket: Purse Edition

There is a zippered pocket in my Merona purse (see review here) where I keep all my "emergency" items.

If you'd like to watch a What's in my Bag video to see everything inside click HERE.

Emergency pocket innards (top left to bottom right):
Pad
CPR Shield
Tissues (see review here)
St. Ives Fresh H20 Body Moisturizer Gel-Creme with Aqua Capsules (for Dry skin)
Sleep Mask
Cough Drop
Tums
Ibuprofen (gel capsules)
My inhaler
Germ-X Hand sanitizing wipes
Burt's Bees Revitalizing Lip Balm (see review here)
One band-aid

The CPR Shield is from a CPR class that I had to take for work (post about where I work here). I know how to save you. This is just a shield in case of spittle/blood/throw-up. They are disposable but the teacher gave us all an extra to keep with us. :D

I do have asthma but I rarely have asthma attacks unless something has really irritated my lungs. I have them maybe one every two weeks. It is more often while I'm sick.

Thank you so much for following along!

Lip Balm Obsessed: A Review

I'll be reviewing Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm in original today.

I currently own four lip balms. I bought Nivea Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care with SPF 4. It is horrible. I don't like the smell, I don't like how it feels (like hard Vaseline), and I don't like that it doesn't do ANYTHING. So, I'm not reviewing that one in detail. I'm just informing you and tossing it.

Look at how much I used though... dang. I had to make SURE.

The third balm I have is regular old cherry Chapstick. My Hubbins bought it for me when I was sick. It lives in the medicine basket in the bathroom now.

Burt's Bees
Beeswax Lip Balm
with Vitamin E & Peppermint
100% Natural
$2.97 at Winco

I purchased this because as someone who is obsessed with lip balms it was a crime that I still hadn't bought a SINGLE Burt's Bees product. I saw it on sale (they are normally $3.30. Yeah.. I couldn't pass up THAT big of a sale lol) and picked it up because I was looking for something to make my lips soft.

It is tingley (I think because of the peppermint) on my lips. I love the peppermint smell even though I'm not that into all of those peppermint, spearmint, and what have you.

It has no taste. Zero taste which is a plus in my book. Its balm. It will stay in my purse in the emergency pocket (click here to see what that is) until it is needed.

I wish that it made my lips SOFT. They weren't chapped or hurting but they were a little rough.

I didn't like the FEEL of it. You know when you are outside in the blistering cold and you pull out COLD balm to put on and it is like trying to smear cold butter on soft toast. This is like that even when WARM. Its gummy and kind of weird. I can't rub my lips together smoothly.

That being said I'm IN LOVE with the peppermint tingle.

So, I went out and purchased a second (I told you I'm crazy for balms) Burt's Bees lip balm. This time It is Burt's Bees Revitalizing Lip Balm with Blueberry & Dark Chocolate. Click HERE for that review!

Thank you so much for following along!

Lip Balm Obsessed: A Review Part II

I purchased this because I was disappointed in the Original Burt's Bees Lip Balm (see that review here.) I looked at the wide variety of kinds (original, revitalizing, nourishing, refreshing, hydrating, rejuvenating,replenishing,soothing...)

Burt's Bees
Revitalizing
Beeswax Lip Balm
With Blueberry & Dark Chocolate
100% Natural
$2.97 at Walmart

The OPTIONS. So many.... I chose revitalizing because it said "a decadent and 100% natural combination for lips that feel soft and renewed."

Since SOFT is what I wanted, I thought this was best.

Boy, did I chose right! I really want to buy every single one though honestly.

I like the smell a lot. I'm a huge fan of both chocolate and blueberries. I'm not the hugest fan of them together but the chocolate is definitely second fiddle to the sweet blueberry smell that wafts off my lips.

I will say that the chocolate smell isn't as strong as the blueberry and that in my opinion is a good thing because the chocolate is that weird.. artificial chocolate smell. Like when you scratch n' sniff a chocolate sticker. It doesn't smell like chocolate. It smells like weird cardboard sweet nutella or something.

It is very smooth, smells nice, and makes my lips soft. Perfection. Now if only I could get this in like.. coconut or raspberry.. yum. That would be EVEN better.

I'm weird and I don't like the blue cap because it contrasts so sharply with the yellow. So, I switched caps. I put the blue one on the original and the yellow one on this one.

Thank you so much for following along!

How to Buy Your Man a Valentines Day Gift

For actual men with individual personalities.

I get frustrated when I start shopping for presents for Hubbins. I have a strange URGE to look up lists like I will find a magical one that was made specifically for him. They usually look something like this:

1. Cufflinks
2. Shaving Kit
3. Wallet
4. Watch
5. Tie

6. Cologne
7. Beer Making Kit/BBQ Kit
8. Tools
9. Clothing
10. Games
11. Jewelry
12. Weird Novelty Items
13. Random Tech Gadgets
14. Accessories for Tech Gadgets

Cufflinks? I have never met anyone (outside of a wedding) who was wearing cufflinks. Only rich people and car salesmen look up LISTS for gifts apparently. Maybe it is because I'm below middle class but the same goes for ties. Shaving kit? My Hubbins keeps a full beard so that is out.

Case in point THREE emails I received with Valentines Day lists. Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy.. Lets compare.

Amazon's List Walmart's List Etsy's List

Amazon: Where is the "for him" section? I see several "for her" sections. Oh on the left bar there is a "fashion for him" but looks like other than that you are stuck looking for gifts in the "Gifts for the..." sections in the middle.

Walmart: Down toward the bottom there is a "Gifts he really wants" Which suggests a tablet, cologne, and a watch (surprise, surprise.) After clicking on it it takes me to a list of cameras, computers, tablets, and watches. There is a ring called Forever Bride 1/10 Carat T.W. Sterling Silver Men's Comfort Feel Diamond Ring in this section. It looks like..this.

 I support men wearing gems 100% but I feel like this "mens" ring is pushing that envelope. I mean... my husbands ring looks like THIS.

It is the one on the left with the ruby (mine is on the right.) It has a ruby.. correct me if I'm wrong.. but even the manliest of men couldn't sport this without some raised eyebrows.

Etsy: Out of all of them Etsy clearly shines. I wasn't expecting much... honestly. Even though I personally shop on Etsy F.O.R. everything. They have a lot of the most common suggestions wallets, a tie, cuff links, and shaving implements. I see so much more though.. customizable cell phone covers/cases, messenger bag, compass (love this idea), personalized pocket knife, and soap? I approve of this list. It could really get your ideas flowing. So B- for Etsy!

Anyway. You get the idea. Here is how to shop for YOUR guy.

Do what I do... make it a gift for HIM the easy way.

The first step is to pay attention to him. Does he complain about ANYTHING and can one of those complains (because I'm sure he does) be FIXED with a gift?? That is the easiest way to make someone happy. If his chair is uncomfortable get him a new one and have someone make a SEAHAWKS cover for it if he's crazy about his home team. (12th woman!)

If you don't find inspiration down that road here is a sure fire way to find SOMETHING for him.

1. Make a list. This is a list of everything he LIKES to do. Does he play video games? You don't have to be specific yet. Just make a list. Sports, Video games, Fishing, watching TV.. etc. Whatever it is. If he likes to DRIVE. If he likes to SIT OUTSIDE. Just make a list.

2. Make a list of things he uses. Does he have keys? Keychain. Does he WEAR jewelry? Rings? Does he wear CLOTHES? Does he drive a car? What kind of phone does he have? Does he read (bookmarks).... etc. Or even things you THINK he would LIKE to use.

3. RANDOM ITEMS! Just FUN stuff like magnetic poetry for the fridge, posters, and models.

Now that you have those chose something from 1 and something from 2 and put it together. If you want extra small stuff to go with more expensive items mix 1. and 3.

Examples:
1. Hubbins likes the game Eve Online
2. I got him a keychain that was the symbol for his favorite empire.

1. One of his favorite book series is The Wheel of Time
3. I had a woman on Etsy print the map from under the cover onto canvas

1. Quote from favorite show/video game/movie
2. PUT it on something. Shirt, book mark, cell phone case...

1. Hubbins doesn't love hunting
2. Don't make things CAMO! lol

Personalize with inside jokes, memories, or names.

We ALWAYS have spending limits for every occasion and they are never over $50 usually. So, we never have extravagent gifts. We never give each other anything we "need" but that doesn't mean they are always crazy. Last year one of the gifts he got me (not sure for which holiday) was an iced tea maker... its amazing. I didn't even know I wanted one.

On Valentines Day 2014 I will update this list with what we got each other so you can see how it worked out. I don't see Valentines Day as a "present" holiday so our spending limit is $30. This doesn't include dinner/flowers/chocolates we would like to get each other.

I'm excited. The presents that I chose for him this year are both very small. One of them is a fun item and one is a personalized (by this system) gift. Its on the sweet side because of Valentines Day.

Good Luck and don't stress. I'm sure if I got Hubbins a paper bag puppet he would love it.

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE

Thank you so much for following along!