Mailbox Monday (58)

Mailbox Monday is a weekly link-up for bloggers to share the books they've added to their reading pile recently. Currently it's on tour, with Rose City Reader as our host for December, but starting in 2014 we're be backing linking up at the Mailbox Monday Official Site. This past week I picked up the following new books...
From Goodreads
The Innocent Sleep by Karen Perry
In this book a father runs out to pick up a birthday gift for his wife leaving his son asleep at home. Except while he's out an earthquake hits that destroys his home with his son inside. The main story looks to take place 5 years after this event and looks to deal with how it's still impacting the couple lives. This books sounds a little eerie and heartbreaking, that while I'm looking forward to reading it, I'm also a little apprehensive.

For Review from Historical Fiction Book Tours
The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein
This is a historical fiction that takes place in Japan during WWII. I tend to love reading about WWII, and while I haven't read of ton of books about Japan, I did love spending time in the country and it's a place I definitely want to learn more about.

Borrowed from a Friend
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
I've been dying to read these books for so long, that when I friend said she had read them recently I couldn't say no to borrowing them. I've already started the first and while it is different than I expected, I am enjoying it.

What did you find in your mailbox this week? Have you read any of the books I picked up?

Project 365: Days 334 Through 343

Enjoy how awful it would be if only a few weeks before the end of the year I missed a day of my Project 365? Thankfully, that didn't happen! I only didn't have the chance to write about them last week. Finally, here are my daily photos from the last two weeks.
November 30, 2013 - 334/465: When I first took this picture I was thinking it was an azalea. But now looking at it, I'm not so sure. Either way these pink flowers are blooming in our front yard.
December 1, 2013 - 335/365: Playing Settlers of Catan.
December 2, 2013 - 336/365: Leftover turkey and cranberry sauce panini.
December 3, 2013 - 337/365: The 7th night of Hanukkah.
December 4, 2013 - 338/365: The last night of Hanukkah.
December 7, 2013 - 341/365: Changing my holiday tradition up a bit, having a slice of gingerbread with a gingerbread frappuccino.
December 6, 2013 - 340/365: Thai chicken salad at BJ's Brewhouse.
December 7, 2013 - 341/365: Dinner at TJ Ribs for my FIL's birthday. This was actually my first time at this restaurant, which is another restaurant to add to my 101 in 1001 list. I had sausage, a short rib, and chicken along with sides of mashed potatoes and carrot souffle (which isn't pictured).
December 8, 2013 - 342/365: The boy made dinner this night, which was braised duck with carrots and snow peas.
December 9, 2013 - 343/465: My 2013 Erin Condren planner. This is my first year having one and I'm so excited to start using it regularly!

Do you have an Erin Condren planner? Or have you at least heard of them? I feel like they're huge in the blogger world, but I've yet to know anyone who isn't a blogger who has heard of them.

I'm linking this post up with Random-osity & Kleinworth & Co. for Project 52!

Three Sides

Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
Published: October 18, 2011 by Atria Books
This book had been lent to me by a friend, and one of her big reasons for lending it out was that she wanted another's opinion. She wasn't sure whether she liked this one or not, and wanted confirmation either way. So with that type of introduction I was a little unsure how I would feel, but surprisingly, I wound up being a much bigger fan than expected.

I can see why it's easy not to be a big fan of this though. The title, Triangles, could relate to the fact that it's told alternating between three women. But it's likely due to the fact each woman relationship is touched by infedeilty, which make each woman's relationship a triangle of people. There's one women who is cheating on her husband. A second who isn't in a relationship, but the man she is involved with is married. And a third whose husband is cheating on her. With so many characters making such poor decisions it's hard to like anyone.

But what made my love this book is the writing. It's all told in verse, which I adored. Plus I loved the way each section flowed into the next. It really was beautiful to read. And even the fact that it alternated between characters wasn't confusing because each woman had such a unique story and voice.

If you don't like reading books where you can't agree with the decisions made, this one probably isn't for you. But if you can get past that, and enjoy it for what it is, you might wind up a little entranced by it like me.

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Spirit in Style {Sponsored}

This post is sponsered by Dockers® Game Day Khakis
A few weeks after I first moved to Louisiana it was time for my first LSU football. Except as I quickly learned I had practically no purple and gold in my wardrobe. Thankfully I managed to find a single yellow shirt, which I wore to my first tailgate, and a single purple shirt which I wore to my first game.

Me & one of my Bridesmaids at our first tailgate

At Tiger StadiumIn the years since I've greatly added to my purple and gold collection. In fact when I'm buying clothes more often than not if it's an option I'm likely to choose purple.

Celebrating my 25th Birthday

At Alex Box StadiumMy LSU clothes have been with me at some pretty big occasion from shopping for my wedding dress,

With that same bridesmaid and my MOHto meeting blog friends,

With Melissa from Little Miss Mariedto the release of the newest Backstreet Boys cd.

With A World Like ThisThey even traveled halfway around the world with me to Japan.

At Tokyo DisneyThe boy on the other hand, having grown up in Louisiana has always had a big collection of purple and gold. But that doesn't stop him from wearing the same shirt, without washing it of course, for an entire season just because it's good luck.

The boy wearing Dockers® Game Day Khakis

Drenched in Death ValleyHow do you show your school spirit? And is there one color you wind up buying for yourself most often?

The Dockers® brand has announced the US launch of its Game Day Khakis collection, a new line of khaki pants specific to 10 college partners including Louisiana State University, University of Minnesota, Oregon State University, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Missouri and Washington State University.The brand’s first collection of licensed college apparel will consist of two different khaki styles that incorporate the college logos and mottos. Blending the rich traditions of college sports with the versatility of Dockers® signature styles, Game Day Khakis give fans the ability to express team pride through their everyday wardrobe.

From Miss to Mrs: Inspiration to Realty

I remember while planning our wedding, seeing bloggers make inspiration boards of their wedding and just wondering how they would be able to pull their vision off. Except then after their wedding, they would post a updated board, and it was so close to their vision. I was sure I would never be able to pull it off, but here I am on the other side, and I can finally say, I made it happen.

I never made an "official" inspiration board, but with pinterest, you know longer need to really think about it. Which made it easy to pull the following off my wedding board, with their source information below.

Sources
Row 1: 1 2 3 4
Row 2: 1 2 3 4I then went through my wedding photos to find similar images that corresponded with my vision, and while It may not be magazine ready, I do think I pulled it off quite nicely.

All photos in this board courtesy of Sabree Hill Photography.How well do you think I pulled of my inspiration board? And do you have an official vision for your wedding?

Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover
From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Supper
From Miss to Mrs: Gifting the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Night
From Miss to Mrs: Oh What a Beautiful Morning
From Miss to Mrs: Getting Prettified
From Miss to Mrs: Prepping the Plantation
From Miss to Mrs: Turtle Time
From Miss to Mrs: The Photographer Has Arrived
From Miss to Mrs: Becoming the Bride
From Miss to Mrs: Dress Details
From Miss to Mrs: Ou Est le Groom?
From Miss to Mrs: A Bridge-y First Look
From Miss to Mrs: Couple Time
From Miss to Mrs: Just the Two of Us
From Miss to Mrs: Grouping the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: Ain't No Party Like a Bridal Party
From Miss to Mrs: Fun with Family
From Miss to Mrs: Making it Official
From Miss to Mrs: The Bedeken
From Miss to Mrs: The Final Minutes
From Miss to Mrs: Programming Break
From Miss to Mrs: The Processional
From Miss to Mrs: Walking the Walk
From Miss to Mrs: Circle to Ceremony
From Miss to Mrs: Remembrance to Kiddush
From Miss to Mrs: The Exchanges
From Miss to Mrs: Lucky Number Seven
From Miss to Mrs: Mazel Tov
From Miss to Mrs: Ceremony Details
From Miss to Mrs: The Yichud
From Miss to Mrs: Extended Fun with Family
From Miss to Mrs: The One Who Found You
From Miss to Mrs: You Are My Fire
From Miss to Mrs: Eat, Drink, and Be Married
From Miss to Mrs: I Want Candy
From Miss to Mrs: Let's Get Toasty
From Miss to Mrs: What a Wonderful World
From Miss to Mrs: Behind From Where We Came
From Miss to Mrs: Havah Nagilah
From Miss to Mrs: Hey Mr. DJ
From Miss to Mrs: The Littlest Guests
From Miss to Mrs: Show Me the Money
From Miss to Mrs: Tossing Fun
From Miss to Mrs: Don't Stop Believin'
From Miss to Mrs: The Morning After
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Lunch

Alone in a Cabin on the Siberian Taiga

The Consoltations of the Forest by Syvain Tesson
Published: September 7, 2013 by Rizzoli Ex Libris
Originally Published: January 1, 2011
Sylain Tesson wants to leave the life he's living in Paris. So he decides to travel and spent 6 months in a small cabin in Siberia. Without a connection to the outside world, with only food, books, and vodka, this is his journal from February to July, living in the wilderness.

Going into this book I couldn't help but get excited about how amazing it would be to escape from real life for such a long period of time. (Of course I think I'd much rather be on a tropical island in heat, than cold in the Siberian winter!) Think of how much time you'd have to relax. Think of all the books you could read. Think of how refreshed you'd feel at the end. But as Sylain learns, what happens to your relationships with those you left behind?

In some ways this book reads similar to a journal I could write in a similar experience. Each day is like the one before. He goes fishing, he goes on hikes, he reads books, he kayaks once it gets warmer, and of course, drinks a lot of vodka. And while each item doesn't happen each day, by the end it feels like he's done the same thing over and over again, so much so that it's hard to keep reading. About halfway through, he brings two dogs to the cabin which helps to break up the monotony, and made me excited each time the dogs were mentioned.

I do think this book had potential, but unfortunately it didn't quite work for me. Maybe if it had been edited down a bit instead of having an entry for practically ever day for 6 months, it would have been easier to read. But even so, after finishing I can't help but have a longing for the type of peace and fulfillment you could achieve with so much time to sit back and reflect.

3/5

SYNOPSIS
A meditation on escaping the chaos of modern life and rediscovering the luxury of solitude.

Winner of the Prix Médicis for non-fiction, THE CONSOLATIONS OF THE FOREST is a Thoreau-esque quest to find solace, taken to the extreme. No stranger to inhospitable places, Sylvain Tesson exiles himself to a wooden cabin on Siberia’s Lake Baikal—a full day’s hike from any “neighbor”— with his thoughts, books, a couple of dogs, and many bottles of vodka for company. Writing from February to July, he shares his deep appreciation for the harsh but beautiful land, the resilient men and women who populate it, and the bizarre and tragic history that has given Siberia an almost mythological place in the imagination.

Rich with observation, introspection, and the good humor necessary to laugh at his own folly, Tesson’s memoir is about the ultimate freedom of owning your own time. Only in the hands of a gifted storyteller can an experiment in isolation become an exceptional adventure accessible to all. By recording his impressions in the face of silence, his struggles in a hostile environment, his hopes, doubts, and moments of pure joy in communion with nature, Tesson makes a decidedly out-of-the-ordinary experience relatable to the reader who may be struggling with hir or her own search for peace and balance in life. The awe and joy are contagious, and one comes away with the comforting knowledge that “as long as there is a cabin deep in the woods, nothing is completely lost.”

Author Bio
Sylvain Tesson is a writer, journalist, and celebrated traveler. He has been exploring Central Asia—on foot, bicycle, and horse—since 1997. A best-seller in his native France, he is published all over the world—and now in the United States.
Disclosure: I was provided this book through France Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own

Let the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

Catching Fire
Yes, I've finally caught up to the world and seen this one. Let's start by getting my rant out of the way, which is that our theater forgot to show any previews. Not that big of a deal, although I would have loved to have seen the Divergent trailer, except that there's no opening credits for Catching Fire. So I was in the theater expecting previews and suddenly Gale and Katniss are in the middle of talking. I was sure I missed the opening at first, but turns out that really is how it starts out.

As for the movie, yes, it's just as fabulous as everyone says. Once again I'm amazed at how much they were able to fit into the movie and yet how well everything flows. I know that the third is being split into two movies, but the way the past two have been, I'm not completely sure it needs it.

If you been like me and have been putting this off, my advice is to definitely go see it while it's still in theaters.