Book Review - "The Cast" by Danielle Steel (#15 - 2018)

The Cast by Danielle Steel

Kait Whittier has a successful magazine column.  She loves spending time with her grown children, she has been married twice and just doesn’t want to bother with relationships anymore.  After a chance meeting with a TV producer at a dinner party, she has an idea for a show.  She writes down her idea and sends it to the producer.  He wants to turn it into his next big project!  Suddenly she’s plunged into the entertainment industry and all of the complex dealings there.  Love, loss and challenges follow.  I enjoyed this book a lot.  It’s very predictable, but sometimes you need that in your reading choices.  Would recommend.

Book Review - "Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret" by Craig Brown (#14 -2018)

Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret by Craig Brown

I ordered this on a whim, I had heard about it and it sounded interesting, especially after binge watching "The Crown".  Spoiler alert. It's not very interesting, it's certainly not laugh-out-loud funny like it says on one of the blurbs on the back of the book.  Each chapter is a story/antidote about Princess Margaret.  There are 99 chapters (hence the name).  It was so hard to follow, and good grief she comes across as insufferable, rude, entitled and bitter.  I couldn't get it straight if all of that was true or if the author just hated her.  I can't figure it out.  I would skip this one.

Book Review - "Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue" by Grace Coddington (#13 - 2018)

Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue by Grace Coddington

I love Grace's work so I was super excited when the ginormous hardcover version of this book came out about three years ago.  But with a $140+ price tag, I balked.  Of course waiting around for a second-hand copy was futile because those prices were even worse (however, since this paperback has come out the prices have fallen quite a bit).  Apparently  it was such a huge success and was in such demand that finally they came out with a paperback version for roughly $35 (on Amazon).  I pre-ordered it.  And I love it, but I don't LOVE it.  It's much smaller size-wise than the original and I wish they would have beefed up the cover.  But it is a beautiful book, full of pictures from editorials that I love with commentary about the shoots and Grace.  I'm glad I have the book, but I was left wanting just a little more.  I can't explain it, but something felt missing/lacking.  Anyway, I only wish I could have her sign it (dare to dream).  If you are a fashion fan/historian/etc. then certainly pick this up.

Book Review - "Fairytale" by Danielle Steel (#12 - 2018)

Fairytale by Danielle Steel

Pretty typical Danielle Steel fare.  Camille has had an idyllic childhood in the Napa Valley, growing up on her parent's vineyard.  Her parent's are totally in love and run the vineyard together.  When Camille graduates from college, she comes home to help them out and learn the ropes about running the vineyard.  The fairytale is shattered when her mother dies suddenly of cancer.  Her father becomes easy prey to a seductive French lady who has very sinister plans.  Her two sons enter the scene and things get worse.  But she has a fairy Godmother in the form of the woman's elderly mother.  Sound familiar?  Yes.  Predictable? Sure.  But it was a fun read.

Book Review - The Lowcountry Summer Trilogy by Mary Alice Monroe (#4, #10 and #11 - 2018)

The Summer Girls, The Summer Wind and The Summer's End by Mary Alice Monroe

I actually read these out of order (duh), I read book #2 The Summer Wind first.  But that was okay, I had some spoilers for the first book, but I enjoyed the saga so much I didn't care.  These books are set in Sullivan's Island, SC, and follows three half sisters and their grandmother.  The girls, who are scattered all over the country and live very different lives come to stay with their grandmother for three months in the Summer.  Can their grandmother help them find their common family bond and see how much they need each other.  It's a winding road that gets bumpy at times.  I love her books so much, these are a great read.

Book Review - "Love Style Life" by Garance Dore (#9 - 2018)

Love Style Life by Garance Dore

Found this at my favorite second hand bookstore so I snapped it up. I know I’m like 3 years late on this one but I never really read her blog. I am a fan of her illustrations though. This book was underwhelming. Pretty and lovely to look at but the subject matter kind of left me feeling "meh".  I did enjoy the first half, she kind of lost me in the last part, and there was surprisingly little actual style advice. Not a book I would recommend going out of your way to read. 

Black Friday Sales Roundup!!! 2018 edition **UPDATED**

Okay, it's time.  Are you ready?  Here are the Black Friday sales I've come across, I'll try and keep them up to date as best I can through the rest of the week.  As always some links are affiliates.  See sites for additional information on each deal.  Happy shopping and happy Thanksgiving!

MZ Wallace - This is HUGE!  $50 off $250+, $100 off $450+, $200 off $750+ . Use code: SAVEMORE Ends 11/27/2018.  I swear by their bags, they are lightweight, durable and stylish. 

ThredUP - You know I love shopping here (like half of what I wear comes from this site). Take 20% off everything use code: GETLUCKY  Ends 11/25/2018

Tarte -  30% off, use code: FRIDAY30 Ends 11/23/2018

L.L. Bean - 25% off Bean boots. Use code BOOT25. Ends 11/23/2018

Blurb - Save 50% - use code BLACKFRIDAYFIFTY Ends 11/27/2018. (I totally used this deal!)

Rifle Paper Co. - Save 30% sitewide, use code: SAVE30 Excludes rugs and pillows.

Quay Australia - Buy one get one, use code: BOGO  ends 11/25/2018

The Home T - 20% off sitewide, no code needed.

Shopbop - the more you buy the more you save, use code: MORE18  Ends 11/25/2018

Framebridge - 20% off black frames, use code: BLACK20 ends 11/26/2018

Clarisonic - 20% off holiday gift sets, use code GIVETHANKS18

Philosophy - 40% off sitewide, use code: blackfriday40  Ends 11/23/2018

It Cosmetics - 20% off sitewide, use code: ITFRIDAY  Ends 11/25/2018

Sweaty Betty - 30% off everything, use code: CHEERS  Great time to stock up on cute workout gear for those New Years resolutions.  Ends 11/25 I think?

Dagne Dover - 20% off everything, use code: GRATITUDE  Ends 11/28/2018

Lauren Sumner Pottery - 20% off plus free shipping, use code: friday20  Limited time only!

J.Crew - 50% off your entire purchase, use code: TGIF  Ends 11/24/2018

Book Outlet - Additional 30% off sitewide, no code needed. Ends 11/27/2018 at 4pm EST.

FLOR - 20% off and free shipping, no code needed. Ends 11/26/2018

Kendra Scott - 20% off all purchases, 25% off $100 or more,  30% off $200 or more, no code necessary. Ends 11/26/2018.

T3 - 25% off, use code: FRIDAY18  Ends 11/25/2018

H&M - 30% off and free shipping, use code: 3238  Ends 11/23/2018

J.Crew Factory - 40 - 50% off sitewide, use code: ADD2CART  Ends 11/24/2018. Online only.

Too Faced - 30% off sitewide,  use code: PINK30  Ends 11/24/2018

Spanx - 20% off everything + free shipping, no code needed. Ends 11/26/2018.

Lululemon - Generic sale page, but some good stuff.

Uniqlo - Various Black Friday deals and free shipping.  I love Uniqlo's clothes, for the price you can't beat the quality.

Hunter - 20% off select lines.

Elemis - 25% off full sized products sitewide, use code: BF25  Can't figure out the end date, but says while supplies last.

Gorjana - Up to $100 off, automatically applied at checkout.

R. Riveter - Save $25 when you spend $100, save $75 when you spend $250, save $150 when you spend $500, save $300 when you spend $1000+ . Ends 11/25/2018

Seavees - LOVE their shoes, 30% off, use code: CYBERWHATEVER Ends 11/26/2018

Madewell - 25% off, ends 11/25/2018

Gap - 50% off everything, use code: BLKFRIDAY  Ends 11/22/2108

Preschool Prep - Up to 50% off everything!  Great products, we used these when my daughter was little!  They offer DVDs and downloads and calendars, etc.  Highly recommend!  See site for details.

Harry's - Has great gift sets!  I swear by Harry's razors, their blades last forever.  LOVE them so much! And my husband uses them too!  Use code: MYSTERY5 for a free gift worth at least $5, ends 11/26/2018

Soludos - 25% off sitewide, no code needed.

Etsy - 10-60% off during the cyberweek sales event. Ends 11/26/2018 . I'm buying this!

Cole Haan - 50% off select styles and 30% off everything else.  I swear by their Zerogrand oxfords when I travel for work.  They are perfection and I always get compliments on them.  Ends 11/27/2018

Sol de Janeiro - Their Bum Bum cream is amazing - take 25% off all orders over $75 - excludes products on the exclusive page.  Can't find an end date. So hurry.

Gray Malin - 30% off all photography use code: TURKEY30

Book Review - "Past Perfect" by Danielle Steel (#8 - 2018)

Past Perfect by Danielle Steel

The story follows the Gregory family and their move from NYC to San Francisco for Blake Gregory’s new job with a social networking start up. Sybil his wife is a well known design expert and they have two teenagers as well as a 6 year old.  On a whim Blake buys the empty bank-owned Butterfield mansion in town for peanuts.  Sybil is shocked but instantly sees potential in the house and can’t wait to move in and make it theirs. But after their first night there and an earthquake they soon discover they might not be the only family living there.  This is a fun read and I really enjoyed it. I cruised through it in a day. Great beach read! 

Book Review - "The Heir" and "The Crown" by Kiera Cass (#5 and #6 - 2018)

The Heir by Kiera Cass (book 4)

The Crown by Kiera Cass (book 5)

These are follow up books to the original "The Selection" series (that I LOVED - see reviews here, here, here and here).  America and Maxon are King and Queen now and have children of their own and their first born daughter Eadlyn is now going to embark on a "Selection" process of her own.  The country is in a bit of turmoil and they think staging a selection will help things out.  Okay, I'm just going to say it Eadlyn is so freaking annoying.  Which makes the books somewhat annoying.  Nothing new or interesting here.  I love this series and Kiera Cass but, my advice?  Read the first three books and stop there.  

Book Review - "The Magnolia Story" by Chip and Joanna Gaines (#3 - 2018)

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Super quick and easy read, written mostly from Joanna’s perspective with Chip’s take scattered throughout, it’s the story of how they got where they are now. Their struggles and successes as well as lessons learned along the way. Sometimes it felt a little oversimplified but overall I would totally recommend it. In fact my almost 10 year old daughter is reading it right now! 

Book Review - "Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon" by Greg Laurie (#2 - 2018)

Steve McQueen:  The Salvation of an American Icon by Greg Laurie

My Mom sent this to me as a surprise present, I actually didn't know about this book or the accompanying documentary.  I was pleasantly surprised, I loved this book so much.  Greg is a huge McQueen fan and decided to take a cross country trip tracking down people who knew Steve growing up and throughout his life.  He found out their lives were very similar in many ways (tough upbringing with alcoholic mothers).  Following his rise to superstardom and his underlying search for something "more" and finally finding peace by finding Christ before he was diagnosed with cancer.  It's a great book and I highly recommend it.

Book Review - "Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely" by Lysa TerKeurst (#1 - 2018)

Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst

A Faith-based book dealing with rejection and feeling less than.  Lysa dives deep into her past to share personal stories about these issues.  Expanding on them using humor and Biblical examples to help us understand how these rejections can poison our relationships and how we can start to heal.  I really enjoyed this book and it really did help me.  I would totally recommend it!

*this post contains affiliate links

Book Review - "A Wrinkle in Time: the Graphic Novel" (#7- 2017)

Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time: the Graphic Novel - adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson

A Wrinkle in Time was my favorite book growing up so when I saw this at the library I checked it out.  Since it's for the kiddos it was a super fast read and I loved the illustrations.  It certainly doesn't replace reading the original book (or seeing the really awful movie - sorry, not sorry it was no good).  However it is a well done, simplified version of the book, one that I would recommend reading after reading the actual novel.  However, please do read the original book, it's magical and just so, so good.

*this post contains affiliate links

Review - Project Repat T-Shirt Quilt

If you are anything like me then you probably have quite a few t-shirts that you don't really wear anymore but are sentimental.  Shirts that commemorate occasions, sports teams, school events, places you've been, etc.  Now about 20 years ago I had a queen-sized t-shirt quilt made by a local quilting shop - t-shirts were mostly early 90's Chicago Bulls shirts.  It was a bit pricey, a bit basic and kind of delicate (the back and binding around the edges was just a white cotton jersey) but it did the trick.  Now that I have a daughter I've been keeping not only my sentimental tees but her tees as well.  And after we moved last Summer I wanted to have two quilts made, one for me and one for her.  I'd been hearing about Project Repat on social media and decided to check them out.  And I'm glad I did, it was a super easy process and very reasonably priced.  I ended up having enough shirts for 2 lap quilts (twin, full, queen and king sizes are also available and they tell you how many panels are on each).  Here is my quilt:

16 panels, I ended up having 3 shirts where I used the front and back graphics.  Make sure you watch Project Repat's video about how to handle shirts where you want to use both sides.  Very helpful!

The back of the quilts will be a really snuggly grey fleece (there are seven colors to choose from)!

It's Teddy approved!

In fact I was so impressed with the quilts I am now a Project Repat Ambassador! If you click here then you can sign up and receive discounts on your very own t-shirt quilt, and I earn a little bit towards another t-shirt quilt.  Win-win.  It's wonderful to have something useful out of something that would otherwise just sit in a drawer or closet.