Nadine

It’s November 1!!!! That means that all of my pumpkins and fall decor go away today, Snoopy gets switched out for Gobbles outside…and Christmas starts making it’s appearance inside. And of course, Mariah Carey and all my other faves get played 24/7. If it brings you joy, no need to delay.

So many good books have been released lately, it makes it a hard decision when picking what to read next! I have several on Netgalley that I am behind on. As per usual. Plus the last two months I ordered 3 books from BOTM. Luckily, this month I wasn’t as thrilled about the selection and only picked one. Maybe I can get caught up some.

Anyways, this last month and a half or so started off with a reading rut, which I will talk about below. I also took about 2 weeks to read Apples Never Fall, even though I quite enjoyed it….it was just really long. I had a few other really good ones in between, and finished the The Ex Hex Saturday night, just in time for Halloween. I may or may not have already read one Christmas book and just started another last night. I am telling you, all the cozy things are happening over here.

Let’s just in, shall we?

Apples Never Falls by Liane Moriarty

This one started out slow for me, overall I think the book could have been shorter. There are a lot of characters and it alternates between past and present. It did eventually pick up, and I was quite involved in the story and was ready to see where it all went. It had a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming. This book was quite a wild ride.

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of Moriarty’s older work, I definitely suggest picking this one up. It reminds of some more of my favorites from her.

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin

This was our book club choice for September. I may not have picked it up otherwise, and I am so glad that I did! I love a scrappy character to pull for, and April’s story was fascinating. This book is mostly about the people we meet in our lives, and the impact they can have…even if just for a short time. April is so raw and real, she had to grow up really fast…but is also still naïve in some ways. This book was emotional, heartbreaking, hopeful, beautiful.

Bottom Line: Read it!

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

This book was a delight! I loved the nerdy academic science setting. It is so nice to see a book focusing on women in science. Adam and Olive are two of my favorite characters of the year. I loved the chemistry and banter in this book. We have wonderful supporting characters in Holden and Malcolm. Olive is such a strong female lead in her research for pancreatic cancer. Each chapter starts out with a new hypothesis on Olive’s life, and I really loved that. I don’t have a bad thing to say about this book. If you enjoy romcom, I highly suggest it. I could not put it down.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeny

I am trying to decide how I feel about this one. I didn’t really care for any of the characters in this book. I usually don’t when it is a thriller, so that isn’t a deal breaker for me. I felt like parts of this book dragged and then twists came, and I didn’t know all the twists but I wasn’t all that shocked either. The writing of the book is a little….clunky? I am not sure how to describe it. I did like the creepy setting in an isolated old church with the stormy weather. Perfect for October.

Bottom Line: Overall this was a decent read, but I am not sure if I will even remember what it was about in a few months. So take what you will from that. A decent thriller for those who love the genre.

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

I love to start picking up Christmas books this time of year, and Mary Kay Andrews is usually a solid read for me. I really enjoyed this one about Ivy moving to a new town in a house that she bought site unseen. The way the Santa Suit was tied into the story was so cute, and I loved that there were touches of Christmas without being over the top or cheesy. If you love Christmas Hallmark movies, you definitely want to read this!

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received a copy of The Santa Suit from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Dial A for Auntie by Jesse Q Sutanto

A few of my book friends gushed about this book awhile back and I got on the wait list at the library. I forgot what it was supposed to be about, so I was like whaaaaaaa when something happens. This book was just a fun ride. I was laughing, gasping and smiling the whole time. I loved all the characters and the crazy events that surround this wedding weekend.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

I started this one right before Halloween, and finished it in just a few sittings. I enjoyed the storyline, and am always down for a second chance romance. I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between the two at times, and the book was a bit predictable. This is what you would expect for a Christmas read, only Halloween. I did enjoy it over all and would definitely suggest reading it around Halloween to make it fun. I don’t usually like books about witches and dark magic, as you will see in my next review….but this one was light enough to not creep me out.

Bottom Line: This was a fun read, especially for Halloween.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

So I am going to be honest and say that I did not finish this one. (Thanks Lindsay for the cliff notes, since I did want to hear where it went.) I got into it and I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t feel like reading it either. I felt like it sort of dragged along? It put me in a reading rut. The premise was interesting, but overall, I don’t really love mystical type reads with dark spirits/devil etc. They give me the willies.

Bottom Line: I can see why there are mixed reviews on this book. I think if this is your genre, I can definitely see the potential. It just wasn’t something I was feeling when I was reading it.

The Hormone Cure by Sara Gottfried

I have been having some issues lately, and there isn’t really anything my regular doctor suggested I do. I had heard about Dr Gottfried on a podcast and thought I would check out one of her books. This book offers a lot of information about hormones, and different protocols to take based on your answers to some quizzes that she gives throughout the book. Bottom line, a lot of hormone issues stem from our horrible western diets. I mean, this seems to be the root of most of our problems these days, and more people should be talking about it instead of offering up some pill to band-aid the problem. I got a little bored listening to all of this and wish I had the hard copy version to flip through. I will be checking out some other stuff that Dr Gottfried has put out.

Bottom Line: A lot of good information about hormones in this book.

Currently Reading

Always, in December by Emily Stone

Happy Friday! Halloween weekend is upon us!!! It is insane how fast October how flown! Last night, Zoe had observation night at dance. This is where a parent is allowed to sit in class and watch how far they have progressed. They also debut our recital costumes. which are so cute this year!!! And then there was a Halloween party. All the girls were allowed to dress up in costume, and they looked so darn cute! Zoe chose Queen Anna this year.

It was nice to see some of my dance mom friends. Four of the girls started dance together in 2019, and its crazy how much they have grown since then! We also started the last session of the year for gymnastics this week, it has been a busy one! I love seeing Zoe’s confidence grow as she is picking up new skills.

Today, Zoe has Fall Festival at school. We have a bye week this weekend for football, though I am sure we will catch some other games. I think we are going to make Halloween sugar cookies and watch a few movies. The temperature has dropped dramatically over the last few days, and it is actually feeling like fall here.

Favorite Finds: I love a lot of the dresses at Tuckernuck and had this antelope print dress on my mind for a long time. Finally pulled the trigger. The material/print is so pretty in person and the dress feels high quality.

I am obsessed with this Candy Cane Shea Sugar Scrub!!!! Full disclosure, I received this from BzzAgent, but I am not required to talk about it on my blog or social media. However, I already purchase scrubs from this brand all the time, and this is my absolute favorite scent!!! It is a limited time thing, so make sure you scoop it up!!! This is my favorite drug store brand scrub, you cannot beat the price. I grabbed another for when my current runs out.

I have been using this GloPro for two weeks and really loving the results. I wash my face and then do this all over before applying my serums a few times a week. The immediate glow I get on my skin is insane. I definitely can tell a difference already, and its only been a short amount of time using it. I will check back in with longer term results, but this would make a great Christmas present!!!

When my friend opened Cottage In the Hedge, she mentioned that she had a wish list that she shops from if you are looking for something specific. I immediately contacted her for some milk glass hobnail pieces. I have a few of my grandmother’s candy bowls that I am obsessed with, and have collected a few other pieces from antique shops over the years. After several months of collecting for me, I received my treasures in perfect condition last week! Alexandra is the best! Definitely check out her shop if you are looking for something special. I can’t wait to style these around my house.

Favorite Recipe: I have been making these pumpkin pancakes all year, but tis the season for all the pumpkin things and this is your reminder that you need these in your life!!! We are all in love with them over here and I swear at least once or twice a month they are made.

Favorite Workout: I really enjoyed Heather’s last AMWRAP workout, so I was excited to see this new one. It is a little bit shorter and hits all the major moves.

Favorite Funnies:

It’s coming…

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and a happy and safe Halloween! Linking up with Friday Favorites. I will *hopefully* be back Monday with a book post!

Happy Friday! Can you believe we are closing in on the last week of October?? So crazy! I still haven’t watched Hocus Pocus this month, need to get right on that! Zoe and I started watching the Harry Potter movies together last weekend. We finished the first and are a little ways into the second. I read the books for the first time in 2013, and had never seen the movies. I think she is a fan, though she got scared during the troll scene. She asked for dolls from the movie for Christmas…so that’s a good sign. They make Barbie sized Hermione and Harry.

This was Zoe’s first week back to school, and the girl has been all smiles. Every day I pick her up, she tells me how it was the best day ever. So happy to hear!!! We had a little bit of a rough drop off yesterday, she said that she was going to miss me. Sweet girl. Her teachers are really good about just grabbing them and pushing you off on your way.

Favorite Find: I had this jacket in my cart for awhile, and one day I decided to just pull the trigger. I am so glad I did! It is so cute in person!!! It looks much higher end than it is, and it fits true to size. I had both Chris and Zoe tell me separately that I looked cool when I wore it. If that isn’t a win, I don’t know what is.

Zoe has said that she was going to ask Santa for this food truck for Christmas for the last 8-9 months…so I felt pretty confident ordering it this week. It comes put together, even better! I ordered several other things this week, and am about 90% done with her Christmas and birthday presents now. I need to figure out some stocking stuffers and get her a pair of boots for fall/winter.

Parents of older kids….where do you hide presents???? I have these in their shipping boxes in my office closet. She hasn’t figured that out yet…but I just know that maybe next year or the year after she is going to be too smart for them to be out in plain view.

Favorite Recipe: I cant remember if I shared this recipe or not after I made it the first time, but these boneless crockpot wings are amazing and so easy to make! We have been rotating them in our game day snacks and they would be great for a weeknight meal paired with a side as well.

Favorite Workout: Heather coming in hot with a no repeat! Sometimes I love no repeat workout because they always seem to go faster for me. Also, you know that move you hate isn’t coming back around on the second rep so it is easier to just get through it once and move on.

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up for Friday Favorites. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

This is the week that never ends! I thought Tuesday and Wednesday were both Thursday, so there is that. The Amazon holiday toy catalog arrived this week, did you get yours? I get really excited when I see it and Target. I absolutely love to sit down with Zoe and let her circle the items she wants for her birthday and Christmas. It reminds me of when I was little, and the Sears and Hills ads would come in. My mom, sister and I used to look at them together. And then I get the Hills jingle “Hills is where the toys are.” stuck in my head. Anyone remember Hills? I think Ames bought them out in the 90’s, and they were only up north. (And I still think the 90’s was the last decade, because when I typed that I was like…well that wasn’t that long ago. Oh wait.)

Anyways, Zoe circled about 10 things in the catalog, which is an improvement from the entire catalog like last year. She is really into Barbies, My Little Pony and dolls. I shared the Ily doll and accessories that we got her last week. They had the American Girl Wellie Wishers in the Amazon catalog. It says they are 14 inch dolls. Zoe already has an 18 inch doll, and the Ily doll is 18 inches. I wonder if it is even worth it? Or if we should just wait til next year and take her to get the regular size from the American Girl store in Atlanta. Girl moms, do you have the Wellie Wishers? Should we even bother?

Work has been keeping me pretty busy. I started decorating for fall on September 1st inside, but last weekend we put our Snoopy blow up outside. Zoe has to say hi to him every morning when we bring Mac out. I think we are all anxiously awaiting for the return of Gobbles, our huge disco lit Turkey. I am sure my neighbors are excited too, lol.

We have been talking a lot about the solar system, moon and stars, and have been working in an educational workbook about it all. Zoe decided she wanted to put her solar system puzzle together. It’s such a good one. We got it for her last year for Christmas.

Favorite Finds: I am a sucker for animal prints, I think you all know this. It is rare to see Zebra like this. And at such an affordable price from my favorite sweatshirt brand!

I am also obsessed with this sweater. It looks so much higher end than it costs. I have several pieces from this brand, and they do not disappoint. I can’t decide, all three colors are amazing. It is going fast.

And I am a fan of this sweater too. Me and stripes have a long history together.

Favorite Recipe: I made this sweet potato appetizer two weekends ago for game day. It was pretty easy to make and quite tasty! I candied the pecans myself and used cranberry goat cheese instead of getting a bag of cranberries. Delicious!

Favorite Workout: This low impact HIIT was a good one! I try to take it easy on my knees outside of leg day, so low impact is something I seek out a few days a week.

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up for Friday Favorites. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Friday! It was a rainy week here in Birmingham. There are some crazy stories of flooding in different areas. I heard that we lost four people due to flooding, and there are numerous homes that have water up to the top of the couches. While we got quite a lot of rain at our house, we didn’t experience it to that level. I am happy to see sun and dry days back on the forecast in time for the weekend, even if it is going to be hot. No one is more unhappy than a kid that can’t go outside.

I am in a bit of a reading rut this week. I started a book several days ago, and never really feel like picking it up. I think it might be a sign to ditch it. I have Apple Never Falls and I really want to start it, but man is it a long one! To give me some inspiration, I love looking at book lists for the upcoming seasons. Here is 14 books to read on a cozy Autumn night. And if romance is your thing, this is the best fall romances list.

Favorite Purchases: I am about out on my Dior Primer and I have got to say, I really love this stuff!!! I love it even more than Lancome. It really makes a difference with my lashes and I highly suggest it.

Had to grab a big box of the caramel apple pie kcups! I fell in love with them from Aldi, but of course they sold out the first week and haven’t been back. So glad to find a big box of these to get us through the season.

I have been working my way through Zoe’s birthday and Christmas lists. She asked for this Ily doll for her birthday, and it came in last night. It is soooo cute in person! I love that they are princess inspired without actually being the princesses. You can get all sorts of princess inspired outfits and different accessory kits to go with them. The best thing is that these are 18 inch dolls so they can share clothes with the American Girl and Our Generation dolls. We haven’t gotten into buying the actual American Girl dolls yet, but I have a feeling next year we will take her over to Atlanta and do that whole experience. What are your kiddos into this year for Christmas?

Favorite Aldi Finds: I haven’t made it to Aldi this week, but over the weekend I placed an order for pumpkins and coffee. This caramel cappuccino is SO GOOD! I am going to order a few boxes next time. I love how big their pumpkins are, Zoe and I placed them immediately on our porch when we got home.

Favorite Recipe: For game day last weekend (Roll Tide Roll!!!!!!!!!!) we made Olive Garden style Fried Lasagna in air fryer. It was so good! Zoe said it is her favorite. Definitely need to check it out!

Favorite Workout: I am loving the new structure of Mr and Mrs Muscles’ workouts. Instead of doing several moves in 4 sets, it is broken up to a a few moves twice then you move on. There is also a stretch at the beginning, when before there wasn’t.

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up for Friday Favorites. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!