Sunday, November 30, 2014
Eleanor & Park
Eleanor
& Park, by Rainbow Rowell, has been on my “books to read” list for quit
some time now and I must say it did not disappoint. I just finished this book
last night and stayed up pretty late to finish the last few pages – I could not
put it down, I had to see how it ended. Eleanor & Park is the first book I
have read by Rainbow Rowell, I will definitely be picking up some of her other
books: Fangirl, Landline, and Attachments.
Eleanor
& Park is set over the course of the 1986 school year. Eleanor and Park are
two star-crossed misfits who are young enough, brave enough, and maybe just a
little bit desperate enough to make a go at first love, which rarely lasts.
Eleanor is a curly-red head with a unique sense of style, limited by her living/finical
situation. Eleanor is the oldest of five children {all of whom share the same
bedroom}, her stepfather is not a pleasant man to say the least, and Eleanor’s
mother and sibling have sub-come to her stepfather’s ways to avoid conflict and
other unpleasant situations. Park on the other her comes from a stable, loving
family. Park and Eleanor meet on the bus and slowly form a bound over music
and comic books.
Rainbow
Rowell tells the love story of Eleanor and Park in alternating segments, by
what they like and admire about each other, and what obstacles they are
personally facing and helping each other negative their way through them. Rowell
make both Eleanor and Park likable characters and the love they hold for each
other real. When Eleanor’s family living situation takes a dangerous turn for
the worse the solution is not the most perfect one, but it is a believable one –
the question becomes will Park and Eleanor love for one another endure.
Rowell
does a great job of keeping balancing the dark parts of the book with light and
happy experiences that we have all encountered during out lives. Eleanor &
Park is a book I had to make myself put down at some points, but last night the
ending was so climactic and suspenseful that I had to find out how the book
ended. If you are looking for a good, quick read I highly recommend Eleanor
& Park.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Annie The Remake
Hold the
presses they are remaking Annie! A few days ago I went to go see the Hunger
Games {great movie} and lo and behold what did my eyes see but a giant movie
poster for the Annie remake being released in just a few short where. I cannot
believe I forgot about this upcoming remake.
My poor
father, when I was in preschool and elementary school I was forever watching
musical, Annie being one of my favorites. I think the only musical movie my dad
actually likes is The Sound of Music – needless to say he was less than
thrilled when I bought the Annie movie; I watched it so much he knew almost
every line of the movie and all of the songs.
I love
that the writers, directors, and producers are not trying to make the remake an
exact copy of the original. I think when a remake tries to stay as close to the
original as possible it’s rare it turns out as good. The remake of Annie is
written is present time and looks like there are a few changes to the story
line while still maintaining the original theme.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Happy Hour Time
Welcome,
Welcome {Black} Friday! It’s so nice of you to show up; even on a long weekend
you are still a favorite day of the week! I hope everyone had a wonderful
Thanksgiving and enjoyed spending time with friends and family, making memories
and recalling all the things in your life to be thankful for. Here’s to a great
weekend full of holiday activities, Christmas movies, football, having fun with
friends and family, and of course Black Friday shopping. Cheers!
“For each new morning with its
light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and
friends, for everything thy goodness sends.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Drink Special!
Aviation
2 ½ ounces gin
½ ounce maraschino liqueur
½ ounce lemon juice
Ice cubes
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Shake liquid ingredients with
ice and strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with maraschino cherry
Around Town!
Nashville, TN:
Holiday Weekends at Cheekwood at Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of
Art, Saturday, November 29 – Sunday, November 20
Tuscaloosa, AL: The
Iron Bowl Auburn vs. Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, November 29,
6:45pm
Seaside, Fl: Holiday
Move Night at The Amphitheater, Friday, November 28, 7:00pm
Ashville, NC:
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, Friday,
November 28 – Saturday, November 29
New Orleans, LA:
German Coast Farmers Market at Ormond Plantation, Saturday, November 29, 8:00am
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Black Friday Shopping Guide
The day
after Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season, it is 100%
acceptable to start playing Christmas music {I started listening to Christmas
song at the start of November}, it’s time to trim the tree, and of course by
Christmas presents for those important to us. Black Friday starts in just a few
hours and is the opportune time to get that Christmas shopping out of the way,
and maybe even treat yourself to a few things.
Personally
I avoid the craziness of Black Friday till later in the day when the crowds
have dies down; I honestly prefer cyber Black Friday where I can shop from the
comfort of my own bed! I have to say though I do have a certain admiration for
those who are brave enough to venture into the stores early on Black Friday. To
help out with the Black Friday shopping that is just a few hours away here are
a few fabulous Black Friday deals!
Happy Thanksgiving
I hope
everyone is have a wonderful Thanksgiving so far with friends and family! I can
hardly believe how fast this year has gone by, it honestly seems like yesterday
that it was Christmas. As the years pass by what I am thankful for slowly
changes, but I guess with age you realized what the truly important things are
in life.
I am so
thankful for the opportunities that have come my way over the years, both the
good and bad experience I have encountered through the course of my life so far
{without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today}, my friends, family, and of
course my wonderful blog readers who take time out of their day to read my
posts.
“There is
always, always, always, something to be thankful for” so today be thankful for
what has come your way and the many possibilities the future holds.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Kate Spade Holiday Surprise Sale
Long week
+ Thanksgiving + Christmas Tree Shopping + Kate Spade Surprise Sale – could this
long weekend get any better? Anything else is just icing on the cake! I have to
admit I love how frequent these Kate Spade surprise sales have become, plus
this time of year it is a great opportunity to mark some things off of your
Christmas gift shopping list. Here are some of my favorite things included in
the sale.
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