Nadine

It’s book day with Steph and Jana! I read some good ones this month! I also had two DNFs this month. Sorry, not sorry. Life is too short to read a book you aren’t into. I always appreciate books that I get from Netgalley, and I really try to only requests ones I think I will really like and read all the way through. Every now and then I pick a few that I just cant get into. That was this month. I did really like More Than Maybe though! (As you will see below.)

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

This book doesn’t come out until May, but I couldn’t wait to read it. I absolutely loved the cover and the premise. I loved both Luke and Vada. (I couldn’t help but think of My Girl with that name. Am I dating myself, or what???) I absolutely loved that the book switched between the POV of Vada and Luke. All the music references and the way the author used songs was complete genius! I felt like I was just dancing right along with Vada! There were a few twists in the book, which had me not be able to put it down!

Bottom Line: Read this! It has been awhile since I really loved a YA, as it isn’t my typical genre. This was such a cute read, I was smiling throughout the whole thing and really bonded with the characters.

** I received a copy of More Than Maybe from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Center of Gravity by Laura McNeill

So the POV alternates between Ava, her husband Mitchell , their son Jack, and a few other characters that you meet early on. Sometimes I get annoyed with having to keep up with that many POVs, but it really worked in this book. Oh man, this book!!!! It had me at the edge of my seat at times, wanting to strangle a character or be like HELLLOOOOO do you see what I see??? And even though I am not a huge fan of comics, I loved how the author uses comic book heroes as coping mechanisms for Jack. He seemed a little mature for eight, but sometimes life makes you grow up faster than you should.

Bottom Line: Read it!!! I don’t want to say much more about the book and spoil anything, but if you are looking for a fast paced, emotional ride….get on this!

Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata

So Mariana Zapata books have been on my TBR forever and ever. Kristen and Heather always speak so highly of them, I knew I had to them. I think that this book is not Zapata’s best, so I went in with zero expectations. I will say, I felt like the love between Ruby and Aaron started out very immature. I know that Ruby is young (23-24), but it felt more like an early high school immature thing. And I didn’t really know her feelings until we were almost half way through the book. I did like how this book starts out in letters, emails and instant messenger between Ruby and Aaron. It is the way my relationship with my husband started, so I thought that was cool. I really enjoyed the epilogue.

Bottom Line: I read through this one really fast and it kept my attention. I definitely want to read her more recent work. I am not sure that this is the best book of hers, but I feel it is a great place to start and only go up from here!

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Charging along with the fourth book in the Charlie Davidson series, and I cant stop wont stop! This has mystery, witty sarcastic banter, romance/seduction. Everything you could want. Plus Reyes…

Bottom Line: Super fun cozy mystery series! Get on it!

Batter Up by Robyn Neeley

I got this one free off Amazon. It reminds me a little of the Ellery Adam’s Charmed Pie Shoppe series with the magic in a bakery. This was super cute, totally predictable, and just what I expected it to be. I fell in love with the town of Buttermilk Falls and will probably continue on with the series.

Bottom Line: If you need an easy love story, this is a cute book!

Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren

I absolutely love everything I have read by these two! This one is no exception! The love story in this book is awesome, paced just right, and enough love/hate to really keep it interesting. Not to imagine, I LOL’d so many times throughout this book!!!! But even more, is the way that Evie struggled in the work place with her sexist asshole boss and the difference in the way that he treated Carter. I think we have all seen the “good old boys club” in action at some point in our careers, and it is still a thing every day for women everywhere. It was nice to have some light shed on this.

Bottom Line: This is more complex than your typical romantic comedy, and I highly recommend it. I can see this book making my top 10 for the year.

Find Your Path by Carrie Underwood

I absolutely adore Carrie Underwood. I feel like she is one of those people who has stayed true to who she is. She is an amazing singer, entrepreneur, mother and is strong in her faith. I love her dedication to being strong and healthy, and heck….who doesn’t want her legs???? I think that this book came at the perfect time that I needed to hear a few of the things that she said. After doing Keto for over two months, I had been looking for ways to come off and try to figure out what I wanted to do. I know the statistics of restrictive diets and that the extremes aren’t really sustainable. Carrie shares some of her earlier diets and failures and the way that she eats and works out now. I think if Carrie Underwood can eat carbs, so can I. I love her approach that there are birthdays, holidays, social events that you want to attend and enjoy and you should…but that you should also be healthy most of the time and make the best decisions you can. That you need to be healthy 52 weeks of the year, but don’t have to be perfect every day.

Bottom Line: This was a great read to reset your mind from all the fad diets and information that is out there. Carrie definitely takes a more common sense approach to her health, and really, it is the best approach. I love that there are recipes, playlists and workouts throughout the book.

DNF – Did Not Finish

Apparently this month, I was ruthless with my books. If I wasn’t feeling it, I wasn’t feeling it and there was no coming back to it. I have two DNF’s.

Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister

A shame, because how cute is the cover to this book??? I was barely even into the book and I was already annoyed. I could tell that I was not going to connect with the main character, and there was so much drug use in this book. I found it distracting and totally unnecessary. Life is too short to be annoyed so quickly, bye.

**I received a copy of Love Sold Separately book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Obviously, all opinions are of my own and I will be honest when I am not feeling a book.**

Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

Again, loved the cover, couldn’t stick with the book. I was instantly annoyed by both of these characters, I think I am just too old to understand or relate to them. They were so obnoxious, shallow and self-absorbed. And besides the characters, the writing in this book was pretty terrible. Maybe if you are a young twenty something with not a care in the world, and trying to live your best fake life on social media, then you might like it. Hard pass for me.

**I received a copy of Social Creature from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Currently Reading

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Favorite Moments: You guys, it has rained down here for weeks and weeks with hardly any breaks. We are all sick of it, but you know who deserves a medal the most???? Daycare teachers!!! These kids are stuck inside with no outlet to get out their energy and I watched my child, along with several others, act a total fool in class this week. Yesterday on lunch I had to hit up the wine aisle, because sometimes mommin’ is hard. Ya know? I haven’t had wine since we moved into this house back in November, and that glass I poured last night was like the best thing ever. EVER! I think it is official, I am done with keto and slowly transitioning to get more carbs each day. I feel like wine was a good way to spend a few extra. I am chill and ready to take on my Friday now!

Favorite Finds: (Affiliate links below) I was walking the mall with the old people on lunch the other day, when I accidentally fell into Old Navy. Accidentally. LOL. I decided to try on some of their dresses for spring, and then order them online and pick up in store, because online they are almost always cheaper. Why is that???? Anyways, I have my eye on these ones.

I love the way this one is cinched in to create some shape. I am queen of the swing and shift dresses and pretty much have worn them exclusively since I had Zoe. But I sort of would like to have some shape again.

The tiered dresses and skirts seem to be a key trend for the upcoming season, and I am here for it. Love this one! My store didn’t have it, so this was the only one I didn’t get to try on.

Scooped this navy blue striped swing dress up for $12!!! There are other prints, and they vary in price a little. Navy is my black of summer.

Also got this one in the navy print, because again, me and navy are besties in summer.

And because I always get tired of seeing size 2 people in clothes and have no clue what they would actually look like on an average person, here are some scary fitting room shots that I shared with Lindsay…who I basically make go shopping with me everywhere now. Sorry, love you!

Favorite Recipe: This keto cookie dough is amazing!!!! So easy to throw together and Chris and I have really been enjoying them the last week. I use Lily chocolate chips in them.

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up with Kristen and sharing some current things and weekend things all in one post! We had Dr Seuss Day Monday at school. Zoe was super excited to wear her shirt and participate in the activities for the day.

On Sunday morning, I had a special Dr Seuss breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham to celebrate. I had picked up a shirt, book, notebook and eraser for her easel as a little surprise, along with some decorations and plates I had found at Target and Party City. It was a fun little thing to do, even if Zoe is like Sam I Am and WILL NOT EAT GREEN EGGS just ham.

Reading: Carrie Underwood’s Find Your Path. I hope reading this book will give me her legs!!!

Listening: I found a new podcast I love!!!! Our Time of the Month was just launched a few weeks ago. These are two best friends in their thirties that talk about anything and everything. They crack me up, and I totally want to join their girl gang.

Organizing: I haven’t shared much house stuff yet. We are slowly getting things together in many of the rooms. Mostly we are just missing decor and a few small pieces that I am waiting to see the right thing. Chris has spent a lot of time in our theater room downstairs. He has done an amazing job with our arcades!! I am obsessed with the coordinating lights. Pacman will always be my favorite, but I spent a long time cussing at Space Invaders last weekend. It’s so fun!

Working: This quote is one that has been on my mind for awhile. There are a few things that I can’t stop thinking about, and I know that if I directed some of my time and brain space to them, it would be amazing. I struggle so bad with the need for something else in my life, and the balance to make it happen. Anyone else there?

Buying: Target has a deal on Revlon lipsticks (not an affiliate link) right now, buy two get a $5 gift card. I really love this one for less than $5 each….so basically I am spending less to buy two!!!! I got the colors Softsilver Rose and Blushing Mauve. They are both really pretty, but I am obsessed with Softsilver Rose and it might be my new favorite color! This stuff goes right on, no fuss or need for primers or liners and doesn’t get too dry feeling. Definitely a great find at this price point!

Planning: I have started Easter shopping for Zoe. My mom always got us spring/summer wardrobe pieces and outdoor toys every year…and I have carried on that tradition with Zoe. We scored an amazing deal on an outdoor princess cottage, and she has had her eye on a Frozen bike that has a seat for a doll that we will eventually get as well. Add in all the spring dresses because that is all Zoe ever wants to wear, and I will be done!

Dollar Tree has had some really great stuff for Easter this year! I managed to pick up some really cute pieces to mix in with our current stuff. They also had so many cute eggs and different things for basket filler. If you haven’t been, check them out!

Excited: For the first time in awhile, I am excited for Spring to get here. Normally I treasure the cooler weather and winter months, but this year it has been miserable and rainy and never really did get cold. I am completely over it and long for brighter days and time spent outside in the fresh air. I have my eye on a few outdoor sets for our new deck and I can’t wait to see how the space will come together. I plan on spending lots of time out there.

Thinking: This quote hit me hard.

Weekend Scenes: Besides the Dr Seuss Breakfast, we got a break in the rain for like half a day Sunday and took advantage playing outside for awhile. When is the last time you played hopscotch?? Man, that is a leg work out!

We went to Target Sunday, and Zoe couldn’t decide which hat and purse combo she liked more. I wish I could pull off a straw hat like her!

We scored this amazing tub of craft supplies at Aldi for $3.99!!!! It says there are over 900 pieces in there. I have some Aldi posts coming soon.

I made a delicious low-carb chicken alfredo bake this weekend, and I have to share because it was so good! I paired it with a little spinach salad, and it was the perfect Sunday Funday meal without going crazy on the carbs. I didn’t even miss the pasta. Not even a little.

What You Need

1 lb chicken breast, diced

Olive Oil

2 tbsp butter

3-4 green onions, chopped

1/2 – 1 tsp minced garlic

4 ounces cream cheese

1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 cup heavy cream

Grated and shredded parmesan cheese

What You Do

1. Preheat oven to 390 degrees

2. Heat olive oil in skillet, dice chicken and cook through.Place chicken into a baking dish.

3. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in the pan and cook green onions and garlic until soft, about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add cream cheese to pan and stir around until melted. 

5. Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes. 

6. Pour mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, then cover with shredded parmesan cheese.

7. Bake at 390 degrees for 20 minutes.

We are going to cross into March this weekend!!! I am not going to lie, I am excited for the day to last a little longer. It will be so nice to not come home in the dark and have time to play outside!

Favorite Moment: I stepped on the scale this morning….and saw the number I had in mind the first time I tried to lose weight when I did Weight Watchers last year. And my first “goal” weight this time around with Keto and IF. It’s my “If I could just get to here, I know I can keep going.” And I am here!!!!! It was only one pound less than I have weighed the last two weeks. But that one pound is everything to see that number! That is 18 pounds total.

Favorite Purchases: I grabbed this dress on sale this week at Target. It is so cute on!!! I absolutely love the ruffle bottom. It runs big, so I sized down. You can’t beat the price! It comes in solid colors, and a few other prints. But you know me and leopard.

I read an article about this product and it sounded amazing so I grabbed a bottle. It is inexpensive and delivers a lot of promises. This is for all hair types, I have super fine hair and it doesn’t weigh it down at all. I have been neglecting my hair forever and ever and it is really dry and damaged. Full disclosure: I have only used this once, but you guys, I can tell that it is good! You know how when you use a really expensive hair mask, and your hair instantly feels soft??? That is this feeling! Even after blow drying and styling, my hair is so silky soft! I cant tell you the last time it has felt like this. I will report back in my empties, but I think it is a winner.

Favorite Recipe: I saw this recipe that reminds me of street corn, and it looks very intriguing! I freaking love some street corn! If I could find a lower carb replacement, that would be amazing!

Favorite Funnies:

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!