Saturday Night

Hello! Hi! Howdy!

Its Saturday night, Leo and I are home relaxing. I have been doing a few things around the house and even been painting in my garage studio. 

Painting brings me so much JOY! While I am no professional, I enjoy the act of picking out different colors and just letting the paint brush wander.

 I picked up some new canvas at Michaels this week. They were having a crazy sale- Buy 1 Get 2 free! TWO free!! Naturally I ordered 30 of them; ordered online and picked them up in store. The store associate asked me if taught one of those Paint and Sip classes. HA! I said I just like to paint. lol. 

Today was a good day- Blake and I did some errands this morning, we watched a few episodes of the office and then he went off to work and here we are. 

Its officially 90 days until Hawaii! I will share what I am packing and what I am most excited for about Hawaii in August. 

This season of my life, has been very interesting and I am grateful for this crazy adventure!

Laundry and my canvas are calling my name!

XO

"If you want to be successful, its just this simple, know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing" WIll Rogers.

Recent Inspiration and a Revelation

Hi! Hello!  

Wonder Grace and Joy is born. Today it is born and I couldn't be happier. I have been around in the blogging world on and off for years and now I am back. Recently certain events have brought me to a period of reflection and renewal. I am trying to rediscover the girl I was years ago- happy, giddy about life and curious. There is a well know Kate Spade quote that seems to fit this old idea of me:

I feel like this described what I used to be and to tell you the truth, I miss her. Life is what you make it so I am making it the best I can.

SO TODAY....I decided to stop wishing I was her and lamenting over how she isn't here anymore. Actually I think she is here within me but she's afraid to come out and show her fun side. I am going to try my hardest to find this girl who i so wish would come out and play. I love my life right now and I am very content with who I have become but I think I can improve (can't everyone?!) and this is the perfect time to embark on this new adventure. 

I am recalling all the things I used to love- color, painting, creating really cute outfits, being playful and silly, observing life and just truly enjoying life to the fullest. I had fun with life and not took things so seriously. 

Wonder Grace and Joy is my journey and my scrapbook of living life to the fullest and rediscovering the old me. 

This is unfinished draft; I would start to write randomly and this would end up in my drafts folder. I am publishing this to include as if this was my physical journal.

Its Monday.
I had a good productive day at work- this has been something that has made me so happy- being productive. You know when you get things done, and you feel like you are really doing something with your life?! That was today for me. FINALLY! I have waited 8 long years for this feeling and its finally here and it feels amazing. This new position I am training for feels right- now don't get me wrong I do feel overwhelmed with the amount of things I need to learn, the whole bearing of responibiltiy over my head and the sheer fact that they are entrusting me to do this job BUT I am very excited about it too. I finally feel settled. That's a great word, I probably dub this my "settled" year. I am finally settling in at work and at home. It only took a combination of almost 10 years to feel settled when I am 31 years old but it feels good.
I have finally started painting again- yet sometime when I sit infront of a canvas with many colors and paintbrushes, I cant seem to think of anything to paint. Those nights I just pick a color, a brush and let It flow, like tonight. I have no idea what this aqua blob with a heavy purple ourline is but I painted it. I read somewhere that you need to keep working on what you enjoy to get good at it (what you think is good) and I want to make that my summer goal- feel more comfortable with painting and not be so unsure about it. what is the worst that can happen?! I don't like what I painted and I paint over it?! Tonights painting looks like a map of a lake with its walking trail. who knows.

I need to get out of my head and just do.

I don't think blake understands me sometimes. I get it- I have trouble explaining things that are abstract but

Can't Sleep

This is unfinished draft; I would start to write randomly and this would end up in my drafts folder. I am publishing this to include as if this was my physical journal.

Hello. I know there has been a long silence on here but I don't know what I want or who I am. Maybe today I am just stuck in a rut because I said something that B was caught off guard and it was against what I normally say- I am usually so much more reserved and nice about things but to tell you the truth, wedding planning is driving me bonkers. There has been so many things I wished I did sooner- 1. sit down our parents and outline what our expectations are for the wedding planning process
2. not let others influence my opinon of things
3. not been as sick as I was when I got engaged
4. set boundaries
5. do more things on my own
6. have realistic expecatations for this experience
7. speak up when I didnt like something

I think I could have done all of these things besides not being sick which is completely out of my control and it scares me that quite possibly on one of the most important days of my life, I could be sick as a dog and I cant do anything to ward that off. Having Crohn's disease has taught me so much about myself and some things I like, other things I want to try to hid because they are ugly sides. anyone who has dealt with a chronic illness, knows how frustrating this is. you can plan for every thing yet WHAM! you have a flare and there really is nothing that can be done.
Trying to make others understand this invisible illness has really been frustrating for me- it is something that is hard for me to understand(and it still is) and to try to explain that to others who don't comprehend what you are saying makes it even harder- especially when they don't want to understand (IMO). They think if you are up and about, you are fine. I don't know how to explain it.

I want to do something grand yet I am lazy AF. I see people who IMO have it way worse than I do yet they are running a company or starting a foundation and here I am barely able to organize papers at home or keep on a schedule of some sort outside of work. I feel like people have this idea about me that I am so organized and so perfect at home yet I feel like I am lazy and unmotivated all the time. one day I will come home after work and be able to do wash,  the dishes, clean up, vaccum and other things yet other days, all I want to do is sit and do nothing. I worry that something is wrong on those days when I don't want to do something.

Tarot Card Reading

03/30/20

I had watched this video that popped up on my google feed today and it was a Capricorn reading with tarot cards. I have watched this woman before and some of the things she said last time really resonated with me.

These are just my rambles from  the
I figured I would give it a go again. This was for the Month of April:

Rock Bottom
Entangled -- word card
10 of Swords- really tough situation; coming out of it
^^ institution screaming- all alone feeling- struggle you can do it on your own

Very heavy feelings

doubt insecurities working through it

Universe- somebody left- I feel abandonment energy- still fighting for this
Oracle card- Friendship

Called out- universe dragging you through changes/ unpleasantres

Intitution says needs to change
Right path- doing well

focus- connection (idea of)
Something didn't work (scorpio) pretty disappointed not letting you open up emotionally

Recent past- offer of love
strength- offer of love
get together for stability, make up mind- searching
Communication soon and fast surprise, confess how they feel

Youre ready

surrounded by love - may not recongnize it
immediate future- strength

Doing a great job with it all
Spotlight on you
Confusion- not knowing which direction to go

hope- passion- see beyond
looking for parp***
strong soul connection
figure out what purpose is in life (Passion)
just beginning to learn- to grown and scared too (Passion)

2 pentacles- struggling decide new direction not be offended by words you choose
Coming out of a painful situation, pushing through, balance- feeling of being stuck will soon be gone.

Unsuccessful to find purpose in past- do I need to do more?

Balance in situation- trying to fix

struggle around emotions- reawaken by someone. you have time. need to open up- emotionally all over the place
easier to say its hard then do something about it.

Overall- youre making progress-- you might not be seeing it.
Support- giving and taking

New Season.... New Start

Hello!

As you probably found this blog from my old blog, Everyday Jersey Girl, you saw I talked about being in a new season and outgrowing that blog. I will always be the Everyday Jersey Girl but right now it feels more appropriate to be writing about what is happening in my season of life and the two best words I could think of to describe this season are Wonder and Joy.

These two words I have been unintentionally thinking about for a while now; they both happen to be in a bible verse that has been resonating to me in so many way the last three (!!) years now.

credit

I found this verse when I was going through a rough time dealing with my Crohn's Disease. I have this exact photo set as my background on my phone, it is engraved on my iPad and I have it hanging in my office and in my bedroom. When you think about it....there IS wonderful joy ahead, you have to stay strong and be brave even in the most scary and unsettling situations. 

Wonder and Joy..... all of the wonder and joy I have come to after struggles and struggles , its a relief to find even the tiny piece of joy when you are in the midst of a really rough struggle.

I have had Crohn's Disease for five...that's right FIVE years now. I have no idea where the time has gone and I still cannot really believe I have been living gracefully (as my mom would put it) for FIVE years. I have seen some really high highs (getting medicine approved, finding no inflammation where there once was and finding medicine that works, even for a short time) and some really low lows (at least 4 overnight hospitalizations, finding inflammation and finding I've failed FIVE medications, the tears, frustrations and hopelessness) but through it all, this verse has always come back to me... ALWAYS. 

Living with a chronic illness is unforgiving and really really REALLY hard. Unless you, yourself, have a chronic illness, its terribly hard to explain and its even hard sometimes for people to understand what it actually is. I don't always look sick and some days I have a ton of energy and I get a lot done, and other days I can't get myself out of bed. These extremes frustrate me and make me angry that I can't be like everyone else.

My support system is pretty amazing and they are always right there next to me for each doctors appointment, hospital stay, trip to the infusion center and to help me navigate this scary and sometimes dark unknown of having a chronic illness.

I needed to find a hobby because I have been feeling less than stellar lately (and by lately I mean the last 9 months) and blogging has always been on the backburner for me. I had a Xanga (remember that one?!) back in the day and probably a LiveJournal. Wish I could find those entries in cyberspace! Then I had a Tumblr which was like the anti-blog for 10 years (on and off) and then I found Blogger-first it was Just Simply Elle for a year, then Everyday Jersey Girl for four years and now, Wonder and Joy.

My intention for this blog is to be able to share my season with you all in the cyberspace and to document this part of my life. I have a lot going on and as many photos I have, I think actually writing eh typing it out can somewhat therapeutic. I will try to be as honest and open as I can with these posts- some may be funny, some may be emotional be all in all it will be what my season in life really is.

I write how I speak and I use way too many exclamation points but I am only me, that is the only thing I can be. I'm silly, honest, emotional, curious, caring and about a million more things too. I hope you can join me in this season of my life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Gabrielle

New Season

If I have said it once, I have said it multiple times before....I think I am back after an unintentional blogger break. Life has been pretty crazy since July of 2017 and it has been NONSTOP! This new season of my life is exciting, thrilling and I am  jumping into the unknown with two feet. I never thought in a million years that all of this would be happening all at once, but you know #life.

I think after mulling it over for a few weeks, I have outgrown this blog, Everyday Jersey Girl. This was me but I am in a new and exciting season of my life.  I think I need something that is in line with my new season and all the newness happening. You can follow my adventures at Wonder and Joy.

Hope to see you over at Wonder and Joy!

Couch to 5k

Last year, my trainer and I started jogging. It wasn't far maybe a mile around her neighborhood and some days, I looked forward to it, some days I dreaded it but she got me running. I was so excited when last July, I ran every single day- 31 days/ 31 miles. It was something I never thought i would be able to do. It was a great feeling after each run to look at the running app to see what I just did (as the sun rose each day!) 

I stopped running in late August when I was in a flare again. I was sad that I couldn't but Crohn's Disease makes it hard sometimes to do my normal day to day things. I put my running dream on hold for a while. 

This past March, my trainer mentioned to me that the Recreation department was having a Couch to 5K group to train for the Municipal Alliance 5K at the end of the summer. At that time, I was skeptical but I said I would try it out. I was still in a flare and the idea of me running 3.1 miles scared me. I figured with the right training i could do it.

Well fast forward to June, I was feeling better (thanks to the new medication) and I thought it myself “ this is such a great idea to do!” I can do this!

The very first meeting with the group- It poured! It was almost like a monsoon! I giggled to myself thinking, was this God’s way of saying, maybe this isn't for me. Nonetheless we had an orientation meeting with the the Pacers.  The pacers were the experience runners that would be helping us attain our goals. They would run with us and basically give support. At the meeting, they explained the logistics of the Couch to 5K and how it will work. We would be using the orange Couch to 5K app (C25K) for the program.  In the pouring rain, under the pavilion, there was about 50+ dedicated people there. I was impressed to see how many people came out in the rain. It was really crazy to see! I saw a few women I knew from work and around town and I felt a little better. We split up into three groups- Group A are beginners and for people who haven't run in a long time. Group B are people who can run but for no longer than 10 minutes and the Group C are the experienced runners. 

HI Group A! I was totally surprised to see how many Group A-ers there were!

We left the orientation meeting and I felt excited and a little nervous.

Wednesday was my first run with the App C25K. I was nervous but excited. I had responded to a post on the Couch to 5K that some of the pacers would be at the park on Wednesday Morning. Since I took Wednesday’s off in the summer I thought that would be perfect time to start! 3 pacers showed up and me! I offered to go on my own but they would not have it! All the pacers were experienced runners but they were all so accommodating to me!  We did Week 1 Day 1 Group A. It was the perfect introduction to running again. It is so much easier to run with other people and chat than it is to run by your self. I left with an energetic feeling. We also found a rock- you know those river rocks people paint and hid? We found ehm, someone gave it to us!

After the run with the pacers, I thought, this is going to be a fun way to spend my Monday nights!

At our first group run, it was amazing to see the amount of people who actually came out. Over 75 people came out to run Week 2 Day 1. The energy that was being sent around was also awe inspiring too! I have never felt so much positivity from a group like this. 

As the weeks have been going on, more and more people are joining the Facebook group to see the awesome progress that is happening. 

Each time you run- either by yourself or with a group or with the group run, the pacers suggest you take a selfie and you post it on the Facebook page. Every single day someone is posting a selfie after they have run and its so inspiring. I love seeing participants get their families and dogs involved. We are not only building a healthy lifestyle but we are having fun doing it. (I know you probably never heard of fun and running in the same sentence!) 

I am in week 6 and it has been a crazy ride! I never thought i would be excited to run and look forward to run each day. 

I am looking forward to the 5K at the end of July and I am already planning on what outfit I want to wear. I am leaning towards a big bow in the back! 

Do you run? What apps do you use when you run?

Race update:

For my first time running,  I think I did a great job. I met lots of friends and got to be outside. I am so proud that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and accomplished what seemed like a scary thing. It  took me 35:02.7 minutes and my pace was 11:17. I was the 101 female and 7th in my age group. 

Here are some favorite photos from the race:

Run happy!

Half Year Update and Welcome back

Hi Everyone!! 

Remember that time I said I would come back to blogging (here, here, here, here and here). 🤦Yikes, I've said that a lot in the past. Life always gets in the way and blogging falls to the back burner; which sucks but what can you do?

Well, I am back, for now, and I am excited to share my journey and life with you all!

I figured the best way to jump back into blogging again with a half year update! Can you believe its almost August already?

I have had a crazy year so far! 

To update you on my health issues, I have finally found a medicine that has been working with me for the past few months. It has been such a relief to feel good each and every day I wake up. I have been able to keep up a busy social/work schedule and I couldn't be happier.  I'm very thankful I was able to find a doctor who actually listened to me and wanted to find what was best for me.

Work has been busy all year and I love it! It makes my day go by so much quicker! Each day in the office is a new adventure.

Random things I find in and around work.

I am still going to my trainer. We have been doing lots of outdoor workouts which have been my favorite! I have a beautiful park by me and its great to see so many people take advantage of it. The other day we did a pool workout-- I didn't think it was going to be that hard but it was quite a workout. The resistance from the water was an added bonus. After the workout, I felt great!

My trainer and I (After a run, of course!)

I have also started training to run a 5K at the end of the summer. The recreation department in my town started a Couch to 5K group. I am currently on week 5! I will be posting more about this later in the week.

My 4th of July run!

My parents and I have been on a few adventures and they have been great! Mama loves selfies (and also Snapchat!) We have taken part in a lot of Rotary events and we've gone out for Easter and Father's Day too!

my whole life.

I joined the Rotary Club in my town (officially) back in December. I always knew i wanted to ‘make a difference’ but i didn't know how. When i saw my Rotary Club had evening clubs, I thought that would be perfect for me. Rotary historically has always had day meetings which would have been hard for me to commit to since I don't work in town. The Satellite club was created specifically because so many people couldn't make the weekly meeting during the day. Rotary has really impacted my life and made me the person I am today, even after only 6 months! I have participated in many fundraisers and activities with the Rotarians- Its been a great way to meet people and help out.

My Rotary Sponsor, my parents, & the Club President at my Induction

I participated in the student version of Rotary called Interact when I was in high school. It was such a fulfilling experience- I loved it. I had the opportunity to take part in RYLA- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (Academy). To say that RYLA changed my life is an understatement. (If you went to RYLA, you totally would understand what I am saying). This year, as a Rotarian, I had the privilege to go back to RYLA for the closing ceremonies. To say the least, the magic is still there 12 years later! It was awe inspiring to see the kids and how excited they were for completing this crazy 4 day leadership amp. I remember how excited I was back then and how I couldn't stop talking about it! I got to see some old friends- I haven't connected with these people in 12 years! It was an amazing experience.

RYLA brings back so many magical memories

As you know, I have been taking a photo of the day since 2011 (give or take an 8 month break) It is a nice way to sort of ‘journal’ my days. I like looking back on a certain day to see what I have taken a photo of. Its neat to see what I was doing and what I was seeing. One of my favorite photos taken recently is below. I was driving by the bay and the dreamy colored sky was just too perfect to keep driving by. The cattails were an added bonus that I love.

Dreamy sky and cattails

I pray this post is the oomph I need to get back into blogging. I really missed it. #truestory

Don’t forget to check my Instagram @everydayjerseygirl for updates and fun things.

Ps.  Thanks for reading!

A Year Worth of Reading

Remember that time I said (twice ) I would start blogging again and yet life gets in the way. But I am back with Short and Sweet Book Reviews.


The last time I did book reviews was last MAY! Since then I have read 37 different books.(!!!) Most of them were amazing and I can't stop talking about them, there were a few that I read but I was let down with.  Let me know in the comments if you read any of these!

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love watching the Pioneer Woman on the Food network. This book gave me a real honest backstory to her life, how she grew up and how she met her now husband, the Cowboy. Her honest approach makes this read an enjoyable one and makes me feel like we are friends, sitting down for a cup of tea. She also has some recipes in here too!

A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Twenty something years ago, Annie is living in London and as the title hints towards, a small indiscretion happens. Fast forward to present, Annie is happily married and a lighting designer in San Francisco. When an unexplained letter from London arrives, the past and present collide. Her marries begins to unravel, her secrets cannot stay secrets any more and her son is fighting for his life after a car accident. Annie's small indiscretion is still making waves in her present live, more than twenty years later. 

Summerlong by Dean Bakopoulos⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I found this book in the new section of the library and I liked the cover (TBH!) and as i started reading this book, it was a little wacky but I really enjoyed it. Don and Claire's marriage is straining and hanging on by a thread. One night, Claire sneaks out to go running and Don mysteriously ends up in a hammock with a young woman wondering how he got their. Their misadventures throughout the summer make you realize that sometimes things aren't what they seem on the outside.

Congratulations, By the Way: Some Thoughts on Kindness by George Saunders⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is such a great quick read for anyone who is graduating from any type of schooling or for someone who needs a little pick me up. 

Private Paris (Private # 10) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Jack Morgan is now chasing a murder who is targeting Paris' most influential persons. Can he solve this crime and also keep tabs on a young girl who on the run from a dangerous drug cartel? Only Jack Morgan can juggle such extreme cases. 

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Secrets keep people out for specific reasons and secrets are kept to protect people. A week before Georgia’s wedding her fiancée drops a bombshell on her and she is forced to make a decision. The only way she can clear her head is heading back to her families vineyard, hoping for comfort from her parents. When she arrives home, it seems like everyone in her family is keeping secrets. Its up to Georgia to decide which secrets are the ones that are worth working through and others to forget completely.

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a YA book that  I found on accident and I ended up really liking it. It was an unusual story set in Louisiana where there is a part of the town that is forbidden because there is a mysterious swamp that takes townsfolk and somehow the rest of town never remembers those people were ever living. When Sterling goes into the swamp, she finds out things she never intended to find out.

Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer⭐️⭐️⭐️

I picked this book up because it dealt with adoption but what I didn’t realize there was another tale also intertwined with the adoption is someone who just received a life shattering diagnosis. These two stories tugged at my heartstrings and there were many times I found myself crying; not only for the sad story but also for anyone else who has to go through this in real life.

The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was really cute. It was written in the form of all different types of corrspondance-faxes, memos, letters, depositions, etc. The story itself is funny and engaging.  This is a little longer read but it was really enjoyable.

The Games (Private #11) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another Jack Morgan adventure, this time set in Rio de Janeiro right before the summer Olympics and there is someone planning on making a HUGE commotion and statement during the Olympics opening ceremony. Jack Morgan is on the case with Tavaia who is part of the Rio Police force. A biological attack is staged AND a billionaries daughter is missing. Jack Morgan and Tavaia have their hands full for this adventure in Rio de Janeiro.

Present over Perfect: Leaving behind frantic for a simpler, more soulful way of living by Shauna Niequist⭐️⭐️

I wanted to love this book and after reading so many positive reviews, I was excited to get my hands on it. I was sorta was disappointed with this book. Great idea and I got some times out of it but It didn’t really resonate with me.

Grace not Perfection by Emily Ley⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely LOVED this book. This was inspiring and comforting that everything doesn’t have to be perfect. I loved Emily Ley’s tips for living a graceful life. A quick must read and a helpful guide.

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I follow Lewis Howes on Instagram and I thought he had a really interesting story. After reading his book, he has become really passionate about pursing his dreams and helping others do the same. The book was very passionate and well written. 

The Penny Jumper by James Grippando⭐️⭐️

This was a book of short stories. The main story, the Penny Jumper was about a young woman who is a scientist who was recuited by a top Wall Street Firm to help them get an advantage over their competitors. When the government gets involved, she become intertwined into tangled web of lies and deceit. The other short stories could have been left out but over a nice quick read.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story has a weird aurora around it before I even read it. The story flipped back from the day of the plane crash to present day. It was an unique book and super suspenseful; I couldn’t put it down and it kept me guessing up until the very last word. I couldn’t believe it. Its interesting how one persons outlook and experiences in the world can affect everyone they run into.  

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

If you thought you wanted to be Anna Kendrick’s best friend before reading this book, you will definitely want to be after reading it. She is such a likable and down to earth person. I loved how the book read like she was speaking with you. I came away from this book with a new appreciation for actors and how hard it is to break into the acting world.

Private Sydney (Private #12) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️

Craig Gisto is on the case to find a missing father- with each turn in the case, it begins to get weirder and weirder. Craig Gisto isn't the only one who wants to find this missing father. This adventures takes places through the outback and sometimes you just don't want to be found. 

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink (Audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was the first audiobook I ever listened to and I am so glad! This made me fall In love with audiobooks. The two people narrating the story were so engaging and the story was broken up with new reports from Night Vale. There is a podcast under the same name but the two aren’t connected. This is a must read/listen.

Whiskey Words and a Shovel by R.H. Sin⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A coworker lent me this book and I was able to read it in an afternoon. It was filled with poems and prose that really hit home. It was beautiful how Sin paints a picture with words.

The Circle by Dave Eggers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this specifically because I heard it was going to be a movie. It was SO good; The whole premise is kind of creepy but overall it’s a great read- I devoured it over a weekend. I am so excited to see the movie and how it was adapted.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children #1 by Ransom Riggs⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was recommended by a coworker and to tell you the truth, I was not excited about this book at all. After reading it, I couldn’t believe how good it was and how the photos matched perfectly with the story. 

The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an interesting book. I got it from a recommendation and this was such a fun, quick read. It follows the lives of a young married couple named Beth and Matt living in Washington DC during the Obama years. He was a government worker and Beth hated DC the first few years. After  Matt met Jimmy at work, and the boys and their wives, go out to dinner and hit it off immediately. Jealously immediately sets in for Beth and Matt when they are around Jimmy and Ash. I love how this book is over four years and you see how each character grows and what happens to them. I really enjoyed this book.

Private Royals (Private #12.5) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a one off in the Private series. I love the Royal family so I was eager to read this “book shots”. The story followed the normal pattern of the other Private Series book. This one had a twist that I didn’t see coming which I liked. 

A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This book was totally outside my comfort zone. This was an interesting book- the tag line was 12 sailor’s set out for a race around the world and only one made it to the finish line. It intrigued me. Some of the sailing terms I didn’t understand but the whole premise of the story was great. How the sailor’s each prepared so differently for each of their journeys and how their plans were sorta different. It was interesting to learn about how sailing around the world was so hard and how it had to be expertly planned. I really enjoyed this. 

Happily Ever After by Trista Sutter⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book caught my attention because it talked about being happy and positive in life, even though you might be going through a rough patch. Trista was honest and truthful about how her Bachelor and Bachelorette experience was and it made me feel like at the end of the book, I know the real her. It was a fun book filled with helpful hints and tips.

Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison (audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an interesting read. I loved the Girls Next Door and having Holly narrate the book was such a treat! It was interesting to see how she got started and where she ended up. I really enjoyed this. It made me laugh a lot. 

Hollow City (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #2) by Ransom Riggs⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After reading the first book,  I couldn’t wait to read the next one.  This was just as good as the first one. The story got more into about the Peculiar children and it was so so good! The adventure the children go on it so good and the photos make the story even more real!

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery⭐️⭐️

I have heard such good things about this book. When I finally sat down to read it, I wasn’t impressed. It was hard for me to read, even though it was a children’s book. I couldn’t get into the story. 

I don’t know what you know me from: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer⭐️⭐️

This one was a let down. I love Judy Greer yet her book wasn’t as interesting as her movie roles were.  I really wanted to like this, I really did but nothing about her life, was interesting for me. I wish she didn’t try so hard. 

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I waited 3 months to get this book from the library and I was happy it was such a good book! I loved how Joanna told the story but then Chip put his sense into it. It was so cute. I loved hearing about how they met and their struggles that they overcame early in their marriage. I love them even more and I feel like they were very real in the book. 

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub (Audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I previously read the Vacationers and I really enjoyed it. This book was a fun audiobook. I really enjoyed Ruby, Iggy Pop,  Andrew, Elizabeth, Zoe and Harry were all  such engaging characters and their own stories were each engaging on their own and the bigger story was really good.  Set in New York City, this book was a fun read!

Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #3) by Ransom Riggs⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The final book in the Peculiar children series- this took me the longest to read because I just didn’t want it to end! The beginning was a little slow for me but it picked up and I really loved the ending. I was actually sad to see this series end. 

Buffering by Hannah Hart⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I picked this book up without knowing who Hannah Hart is or what she is about. I thought this book was very honest and ‘hart’felt.  Hannah spoke about her no-so-perfect childhood and how she rose above adversity to where she is now. The book had sounded like you were sitting down with your best friend and chatting. It was an easy read. 

The Dinner by Herman Koch⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a curious story about two families getting together at a very public restaurant to discuss a very serious matter that involves their children. At first, I questioned why these families got together to discuss this topic at a very public place yet  as I read the story, I quickly realized that there was reason for this. The twist at the end really made you think, how would you deal with this situation if you were involved. 

The ExPats by Chris Pavone (audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This narrator of this book, Mozhan Marno, who I think made this book so much more enjoyable to read. The whole premise is how Dexter and Kate moved from their life in Washington DC to Luxemburg because of Dexter’s work. They befriend another Expat couple, Bill and Julia. Kate feels something is fishy with Julia and Bill.  This book is filled with secrets and lies. We follow Kate and Dexter around Europe and how their lies are catching up to them quicker than they can keep up. 

I Take You by Eliza Kennedy⭐️

The whole story was a cute idea. Lily is  on her way to being married to a wonderful archeologist,  Will, yet she couldn’t stop sleeping with other men, spending her days drinking a cocktail or 5, and thinking that marrying might be her biggest mistake.  Her parents and Will’s parents become so concerned with Lily behavior; they don’t know what got into her. Lily questions if marrying Will is the right decision and Will is questioning if he really knows Lily after all. The whole book was interesting , definetly not a favorite of mine but it was an interesting read. It was filled with humor and questionable decisions. I received this book from Blogging for Books for my honest opinion.


I had just finished this book the other day after I made the graphics but I couldn't leave it out!

Everything, Everyhting  by Nicola Yoon⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
  This was a great book. I loved how the chapters were short and sweet and it kept me wanting to read more. Everything about the story and the how the characters were written were really good, I wanted to learn more about them with each page. I am curious to see how this was adapted into a movie later this month. 


I am currently making my way through This is Where it Ends by  Marieke Nijkamp. For the first 100 pages, it has kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing I am curious to see how the rest of the book is.

Yikes! I was quite the book worm! I am always looking for new reccommendations-do you recommend any books?