This weekend, as a Hulu user, I was able to early preview Fox's new show Wayward Pines. The show premieres on Fox on May 14 as a 10-episode mini-series.
Basically, the show is about a secret service agent that is sent to this small town in Idaho on a missing persons case. When he arrives in the town, everything seems very odd and very Twilight Zone-y.

When I began reading The Marauders by Tom Cooper, I was interested but not totally intrigued. The characters seemed interesting and well thought-out. The chapters were broken down by character, which took only a short amount of time to get used to. Within only a few chapters, I was hooked- so much so that I was able to read the book in less than two weeks, all while keeping up with my usual busy schedule. Once I got about halfway through the book, I literally could not put it down, because I truly couldn't wait to see what happened next!


Throughout the story, I felt that I was given an in-depth look at life for those who had their livelihoods destroyed by the BP oil spill. The story was riveting and intriguing and each character was so well developed.

I was surprised by the twists and turns the end took, but felt myself wanting more information about several of the characters. I felt only one of the main characters had an ending that was well wrapped up, but was still left hanging with a couple of the other characters- their endings left open to interpretation.

Overall, I was so very much pleased with this novel, and let's face it, I'm usually a rom-com kind of a girl. I recommend this to anyone who loves an intriguing read.

For more information on this book and Tom Cooper, click here.




xx,











I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books.

This week was an odd mix of busy and not busy. It's finals week for students and my office deals with the graduation ceremonies, so we've had a lot to do in that aspect. However, I personally work with transfer students so I had less to do on the graduation side but still a lot of things to get done on my end.

One of my co-workers is leaving, plus her birthday was this week, so the office hosted a low-key event for her, complete with cake and ice cream. I will definitely be sad to see her leave, but she will be starting in a new job that she has been aiming for a long time. So congratulations to her!

Since it's the end of the school year, the university also hosted a huge event yesterday for all faculty and staff. We had an awards ceremony, then afterwards, moved outside to an area called Love Valley for a lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream sundaes. Yum!

Shirt: Campus Bookstore (use any t-shirt), Pants: Old Navy (similar), Shoes: Target (similar), Lipstain: Hard Candy Hydrating Lip Stain in Red Minx (at Walmart)

I've started taking a women's daily multivitamin. I have no goals for this, expect to become a healthier, wholesome person. I just have to remember to keep up with it.

The book I received from Blogging for Books was a terrific choice on my part. The book is so intriguing and a really great read. I'm over halfway through it, so as soon as I'm finished, I will share my thoughts on the blog.

I received $50 ebay cash from Influenster and was able to purchase a lot of really neat stuff yesterday, including a rechargeable electric razor, a really cute tea infuser, some DIY wedding supplies and some gorgeous turquoise gauges.

So, how was your week?



xx,

I received my second Graze box last week, and once again, was just as impressed. The snacks this month were mostly not my cup of tea, but I'm absolutely okay with that, because I like to try them, and then I can rate them. The snacks I liked, I may get again, but those I didn't like, they won't be sent to me anymore. That's one of my favorite things about Graze. I can rate every single thing I receive.


This box was a lot of fun because it was very Easter-y with eggs decorating the outside of the box and sheep on the inside!


This box, I received Herby Bread Basket, Whole Grain Banana Caramel Dippers, Lightly Toasted Pistachios and Garden of England. I was happy to get a combination of sweet and salty, and couldn't wait to try each one.


Herby Bread Basket consisted of basil baguettes, garlic crostini and oregano rice crackers. The basil baguettes were my favorite, crunchy and very flavorful. The rice crackers were kind of weird, but still tasted really great and the garlic crostini was basket croutons, which I love. This one was really yummy. I liked this one.


I did not like the Whole Grain Banana Caramel Dippers. The banana shortbread tasted too artificial for my liking and the caramel was too sweet. I trashed this one.


Garden of England had mini strawberries, soft apple pieces and blackcurrants. I was really excited to try this one. The strawberries tasted really good. I like them. They were almost gummy-like. The blackcurrants, I'd never had before, and I don't care to try again. Now, the apple pieces is what really got me. I thought they would be so good, but the texture was too weird and I had to force myself through it. It was like eating paper. I trashed this one as well.


Lightly Toasted Pistachios. Who doesn't like pistachios? These were delicious and I wanted so many more. I could live on pistachios. I loved this one.


Are you ready to try a Graze box for yourself? You can get your 1st and 5th box free by signing up here.




xx,

Happy Friday, y'all. This week has been fairly uneventful, but pretty busy at work since we're wrapping up the semester. It's been rainy all week here in Georgia, and while I enjoy the rain, I'd rather be at home, snuggled up enjoying it.

I've linked up with Tif over at Bright on a Budget for a style post today. I knew I could work the colored pants theme, because I do it all the time. I  have three different work slacks in pink (because let's face it, that's my favorite color!).

These hot pink pants from New York & Company are one of my most worn office attire items. They are so comfy and also so fun. I tend to always wear them with a neutral top, generally black or grey, to tone down the huge pop of pink. I chose to go with an animal print sweater to keep it fun, and I added some cute strappy sandals, because hey, it's spring!




How do you style your colored pants?



xx,

I came across a post this morning on In Its Time and I really enjoyed the concept of the "Reverse Bucket List." Basically, this is a post reflecting all the things you have done in life, as opposed to the things you'd like to do. It's an optimistic approach and I absolutely love it.

• Visited Ruby Falls and a historical battlefield.
• Became an aunt, three times.
• Seen the ocean.
• Bungee-jumped.
• Visited the High Museum.
• Gone to Ripley's Aquarium.
• Enjoyed the mountains.
• Visited the highest point in the Smokies.
• Enjoyed the experience of live music, more times than I can count.
• Graduated high school.
• Got a tattoo, and then some.
• Fell in love.
• Went to an MLB baseball game.
• Went and saw a movie all by myself.
• Went tubing in Helen.
• Graduated college with my Bachelor's in Mass Communications.
• Bought my first car (all by myself).
• Visited the Georgia Aquarium.
• Went to the zoo.
• Got engaged.
• Rode in an airplane.
• Traveled half-way across the country by myself.
• Saw the spot of JFK's assasination, cried about it.
• Eaten somewhere featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. 
• Started my dream job.
• Started a work out routine, and kept up with it.
• Finished a 5k.

The book is written from the viewpoint of Madison Spencer, a prepubescent teen who is killed and goes to Hell, only to get stuck back on earth in ghost-form after missing her midnight curfew on Halloween. The chapters are written as blog posts from Madison, with an occasional post from what I can only assume is the Devil himself.

Most of the book is written about the past, but occasionally jumps to the present, causing a bit of confusion. Most of the information Madison provides seems irrelevant and never really connects with the rest of the book.

I felt as if I was reading to get to the end, but the end seems to approach rapidly, as if about three-quarters through the book, everything decides to wrap up and takes a wicked turn for the worst.

While I'm usually incredibly intrigued by Palahniuk's novels, I didn't feel impressed with this one. It will give you the shock-factor and easily offend you as most Palahniuk stories do. I just didn't enjoy this one very much.

I was able to pursue some things this week and I'm feeling good about it!

Andre and I finished our 5K. It was the Color Run, which is "fun run" so there are no winners and it was perfect for the our first race together. The second 5K that I was supposed to participate in this weekend was cancelled, so I'm slightly bummed about that, but I am still pretty happy we made it through our first 5K, and together!





I received my first book from Blogging for Books. I'm really excited about starting it. I still have about 100 pages left of the book I'm currently reading, so as soon as I finish it, I will start this book next!


We have two appointments set up in relation to our wedding: cake tasting/appointment and tuxedo appointment. I am so excited to be moving forward. We are less than six months away and I am ecstatic!


I bought my bouquet and my tossing bouquet! Hobby Lobby had all floral off so I was able to grab up my enormous bouquet, as well as a small tossing bouquet. I haven't yet decided what I want my bridal party to carry, so I didn't get their bouquets yet.



I've gone outside and walked every single day this week, including Sunday. I've been sweating my butt off, because it's been in the 80s all week, but I am feeling so great. They 10 pounds that I lost a few weeks ago, I have kept off!


How was your week?


xx,

I recently received my second StudioWed Box. Keep in mind, that while this is my second month of receiving the box, I did choose to receive the last 6 months of the subscription (meaning this would be the month #7 box for the full year subscription).
The first box I received (here) focused on stationary, including invitations, programs, and more. I was not impressed, and it wasn't very useful since I had already sent out my save-the-dates, have plans for my invitations and won't be doing place cards or individual programs during the ceremony and reception. Not to mention, my box arrived close to two weeks late. I was promised some extra goodies in my second box, but I didn't receive them. I contacted the company and they ended up sending me a full additional box of "favorites," which I'll include at the end.

This second box focuses on the reception. I liked these items more than box one. Perhaps they seem more useful to me.


This box contained:
1. A confetti push pop from Thimble Press for the exit. I really like this idea, but won't be able to use it at our outside venue.
2. The "Toss Me" bag is full of lavender buds from Pressed Cotton. I really like this, because (a) it smells really good and (b) this is viable option for us.
3. A dice game called Hazard which consists of rolling the dice until your totals add up to a certain amount. It came with instructions, which is nice, and the dice are hard-carved. We could actually use this during our reception. People who aren't interested in dancing can play different activities. This was also from Pressed Cotton.
4. A super cute compact mirror from Blue Penguin Shop. It says "Time to drink champagne & dance on tables." It could be a really item to stick in gift bags for the bridal party.

I appreciated this box more than the last one, and while I may not buy items from these shops in particular, it can give me an idea of what I'm looking for. For example, my favorite this from this box was the lavender buds, and I love the little bag it came it. I can purchase those tiny bags in bulk to use for guest to throw whatever on us while we exit.

As for the box of favorites...

Spring has sprung here in Georgia, for sure. It's gorgeous but has been storming/raining off and on a lot. I love spring and I'm happy to get to spend more time outside lately.

I found a neat little nature trail on campus, and community garden. I went to the university for 4 years as a (very involved) student, and now work there and I never knew these little nature trails/areas existed. I can't wait to explore more this spring.

I got my tires fixed! For close to a year, I've had issues with my car. I thought I needed an alignment, but turns out I needed a wheel-bearing. I was able to get that fixed this week and my car is driving so much smoother and quietly. I'm so happy about it!

I received my second Influenster VoxBox. This one is for Carefree pantyliners, so I'll probably have a review up sometime in the next couple of weeks.


I also received the Spring Walmart Beauty Box. This one costs $5 for shipping and is shipped out once each season. The Winter box had a pretty amazing lip stain in it, so I'm excited to try out and review the products in the Spring box!


I discovered Blogging for Books. It's a site where bloggers, librarians and retailers can review books for free. It's a really neat concept and right now I'm waiting for my first book to review. I think this is a great, and I'm really excited to be able to review new books!