Extra Extra Read All About It! {Books}

I'm back here again, with a bunch of good book recommendations for you! 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I forgot to review this one last month, so I wanted to include it here. 
The general gist of the story is that the main character in this book, Emma, loses her husband in a plane crash. She deals with that loss and eventually moves on to find new love. And then she finds out that her husband wasn't dead after all....(I didn't ruin anything--that detail is in the synopsis on Goodreads)
The concept of this book really intrigued me. I love books that make me think "what if I was in that situation?" and this one definitely did that. I thought it was interesting how everything happened and resolves itself. This one gets 4 stars.

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

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I love Liane Moriarty's books, and this was one of the last ones of hers that I hadn't read, but got thanks to my bestie. As in most of her other books, the story alternates between the two characters, Ellen and Saskia. I actually found the story really fascinating and loved that I could definitely 'hear' the different characters in the alternating chapters. 

I will say, I would not have been as calm about things as Ellen was throughout the entire book if my boyfriend/husband and I were being stalked by his ex, but I thought the story was good and kept me interested throughout. This one gets 4 stars from me, also.

The Other Half by Sarah Rayner

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This was another find off of my bestie's Kindle and I figured it would be a typical summer/beach read which is just what it was. Following the affair unfolding was interesting. I just didn't find myself really liking any of the characters. I definitely sympathized with the wife, and probably liked her most, but the husband was a total douche.

It was good for a nice pool/beach, easy read. I didn't expect literary genius from this, and it wasn't. But it still passed the time just fine. 3 stars for this.

The Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

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I actually got this as one of the Kindle First books for the month of August. The book chapters alternated between multiple characters in this neighborhood, and each chapter gave way to a tiny bit more of each person's story. I liked reading and learning about all of the characters, but I felt like I was getting teased throughout the book with the eluding to everyone's secrets, without much new information, until EVERYTHING came apart seemingly at once, and then quickly resolved and wrapped up. I did enjoy reading the book and would recommend it for an easy, interesting read. I'd give this one 3.5 stars. Leaning towards 4 for enjoyment factor.

The Secret Life of CeeCeeWilkes by Diane Chamberlain

You have to just go with the plot of this story because it's somewhat unbelievable, but once the "big event" happens in the book, it was gripping. I kept reading to find out what happened next, watching the main character's life unfold, and in the end how it all kind of comes to a head. I read the majority of the book in a day and a half because I was so engrossed in it. After reading this book, I looked into other books by this author because I enjoyed it so much. 4.5 stars for me!

What books have you been reading?

Weekending Highlights

Happy Monday, friends! Hopefully you're bright eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to take on the week ahead!

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My weekend was pretty low key overall, but still relaxing which was wonderful!

My highlights included:

~Lots of sweet messages from so many of you on my Friday post about my dad. Thank you for all of your kind words and thoughts.

(With the exception of one person who felt like that post was an appropriate time to ask me if I was hosting any Fall parties so that he could market me glow sticks #asshat)

~Friday afternoon HH with two of my friends over Mexican food and margs to celebrate making it through the first week of school!

~MG coming back from being in London for the week!

~Lots of couch snuggles to make up for the days he was gone :)

~Saturday morning MG washed both of our cars (good man) and then helped some neighbors take down a tree in their front yard #malebonding #powertools

~We grabbed lunch out at Cosi and then went to Ashley Furniture to take a look at dining room tables and chairs, but didn't find anything that we liked (plus their "buy one get one free sale was a joke since they had jacked up all of their prices to be double what they normally were--not really a sale when you do that, a-holes!)

~Stopped at DSW and found these adorable gold/nude heels. I love how dainty they are, especially for my skinny little ankles! 

~MG worked on and practiced his best man speech for the wedding next weekend--I think he's gonna do great!

~Finished Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. Not my favorite, but it was ok. More in-depth review to come in the future.

~We made pesto grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner, with a side of homemade zucchini tots. So much yum!! (recipe for the tots to come!)

~Watched the movie The Fundamentals of Caring with Paul Rudd, which was well done--we both liked it. And then followed it up with the comedy special for Ali Wong which was really funny!

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~Reflected on 9/11 15 years ago. Where I was, the memories I have from that day, and the prayers I have for all of the families who lost someone that day.

~Meal prepped, ran errands and got ready for an afternoon of football watching (and some couch napping--oops!) :)

~Got a pedicure so my feet will be wedding-ready next weekend, too!

~Grabbed Chipotle for dinner, because yum!

~Took an after-dinner family walk since the weather was finally pleasant and beautiful. And we had to work off that Chipotle ;)

MG being a ham, pretending that Cooper was too strong :)

Today is my first full week implementing my schedule and getting to see my kiddos at work consistently. It's gonna be a crazy busy day but I'm hopeful that it's going to be lots of fun too!

Hoping your week was restful and fun, and that your Monday isn't too painful!

6 Months Gone

Today marks 6 months since my dad passed away, and it's crazy to me that it's already been that long. Some days it feels like it was just a month ago or the other week. 

Life has been an adjustment. There are times that I miss my dad like crazy. When I start a new school year, he always used to call and ask how everything was going, checking on me. I miss that.

I miss not being able to call up my dad and share exciting news when I have it. I still talk to him, but it's not the same as hearing his voice and his joy over my happinesses and the pride in his voice over my accomplishments. 

I miss hearing his stories from when he was growing up.

I miss hearing him tell me he loves me, and calling me sweetheart like he always did. 

I miss giving my dad a hug and being able to tell him that I love him. 

I miss walking in the door to my parents' house and seeing him there.

Some days I can trick myself into believing that he's still here, and it's just been a while since I've seen him. 

It's crazy that it's been 6 months. It's just not the same without him here.

I love you and miss you so much, Dad! I know you're watching over me and looking out for us, which gives me some comfort and peace, but I wish so badly that you were still here.

WHW #57

Happy What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday friends!

It's been a little bit busy around these parts with the start of school (with kids), getting to see my kids from last year, and meet the new ones. And scheduling. Ugh! It is the bane of my existence, but I'm working to get a draft going so I can get to seeing my kids next week consistently (hopefully)

In addition to that, I've decided to start trying to only wash my hair once every other day since I've never been able to get away from washing it every day and I know it's not good for it. So far, I've done it twice, and it's been ok. Hoping my hair adjusts in the coming weeks! In the meantime, Living Proof dry shampoo has been my bestie :)

With that said, there's not a ton else going on here (and if there is, I'm too consumed by the start of the year to focus on it), so that's what's hap-"pinning" with me this week! 
Before I go, I'll show you my back-to-school outfit from yesterday! It was the Loft dress that I got earlier this summer--perfect to throw on, be comfy and still look and feel put together (and to stay cool since it's now back in the 90s here again!)

Now it's your turn to link up with Jessi and I to share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

LDWeekending

Happy Tuesday, lovies! Gosh I love a good long weekend, especially when it's accompanied by gorgeous weather (even when we were anticipating bad weather from a hurricane!)

We definitely made the most of our long weekend and got in some good friend time, relaxation, and time outside!

My weekending highlights included:

~Pizza date night with MG at our favorite spot

~Started watching The Night Of on HBO....and then subsequently finished it by the end of the weekend because we couldn't stop watching it. Highly recommend it!

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~Started Saturday with omelettes made by MG followed by a long walk and then some time on the deck reading and soaking in the gorgeous weather

~Saw Sausage Party with a couple friend of ours. It was reeeeeally stupid and over the top. There were some funny parts, but I'd probably recommend Redbox'ing this one if you were interested.

~Grabbed dinner at Wegmans with our friends and ate outside, enjoying the gorgeous sunset that was happening all around us

~Ran Sunday errands, went on a search for a new rug for our living room (with no success)

~Picked up a watermelon from a local nursery that has plants, and locally grown fruits and veggies (and some of the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen!!!)

~Made watermelon slushies--SO yummy!!

~Had the windows open, and I made my roasted veggie enchiladas for dinner since I was in a Mexican food kind of mood (they were so good!)

~Binged on the rest of The Night Of

~Had a dream about my dad, which had me waking up smiling

~Gave Coop a bath on Monday morning, took care of some things around the house.

~Had lunch outside and then went to see our friends and their twins to get our baby fix in!

little man was feeling sick so we didn't get a lot of snuggle time with him, but this little lady got lots of snuggles and gave us tons of smiles to make up for it!

~Met up with friends for dinner in Old Town at one of our favorite spots

~Watched BIP and then headed to bed to get some rest for the first day of school with the kids!

Hoping your LDW was relaxing and fun, too!

16 Questions

I saw this on Danielle's blog (and Emily's) and thought it would be fun to fill out the questionnaire! 

1. Are you named after anyone? Nope. I was almost named Jessica after my great grandmother, but instead my mom chose Jennifer.

2. When was the last time you cried? Watching the video of  Zion Harvey, and his amazing attitude, perseverance and outlook through some really tough stuff. He's SO incredibly sweet, too!

3. Do you have kids? Nope, not yet! We're working on it!

4. Will you ever bungee-jump? Never. I'm too afraid of snapping my spine in half. My husband did it--I'll live vicariously through him

5. What's your favorite cereal? I'm with Danielle in that I don't like milk in my cereal (the mushy-ness is gross!). So when I DO eat cereal it's always dry, with a glass of milk on the side. Recently I've been into the Dark Chocolate Cheerios :)

6. What's the first thing you notice about people? whether they seem approachable/smile.

7. What is your eye color? Blue, blue/green

8. Scary movie or happy endings? Happy endings, hands down. I don't like scary, gross me out kind of movies. No thank you. Give me a happy, sappy ending any day!

9. Favorite scents? I love apple cinnamon scents, and rose scented things 

10. Summer or winter? Summer for sure. I hate how short the days are in Winter. Leaving for work in the dark and getting home when it's dark is just depressing.

11. What's the furthest you've ever been from home? Europe. Probably Greece this summer!

 

12. Do you have any special talents? I can raise both of my eyebrows independently of one another (one at a time). This talent has obviously gotten me to where I am today :p

13. Where were your born? Washington, D.C.

14. What are your hobbies? Reading and more reading, watching reality tv, writing, going on walks/hikes with my husband, online shopping :)

15. Do you have any pets? Little Cooper!!

16. Favorite movie? I have a bunch but my top ones are The Cutting Edge (from younger), Serendipity, and The Holiday (see what I mean about happy endings??)

WHW {#56}: Summer in Numbers

Happy What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday, and last day of August (seriously???) 

I thought it would be a fun walk down memory lane to remember my summer, and do a little Summer in Numbers post.

4-the number of getaways/vacations taken

50-the SPF worn in Greece 

30-the SPF worn at the beach back home once I got my Greecian tan

8- the number of afternoons I was able to sit on the deck and read in our zero gravity chairs

12-the number of doctor's appointments I had during August

29: the number of shots I had to take

4-the number of days that I had saganaki (flaming cheese) as part of my meal while in Greece

3-the number of business lounges that we had access to on our international flights

4-the number of mimosas I drank in Zurich's business lounge

500+-the number of Cooper cuddles I got during summer vacation

1-the number of times we went to the arcade on the boardwalk at the beach

5-the number of nights this summer that I had Rita's water ice (mint chocolate chip to be exact)

10: the number of books I read during the Summer

10, 386: the miles flown from DC to Athens and back

5: the number of beaches visited this summer (4 in Greece, 1 back home)

3-the number of blogger dates gone on (Kathleen, Christy and Stephanie)

 

2, 795: the number of days it felt like it was hotter than Hades outside (ok, maybe this is a sliiiiight exaggeration) :)

2: number of times I checked my work email (and I LOVE it!!!)

12: the number of friends I got to see when I went back to work

Now it's your turn to link up with Jessi and I to share what's hap-"pinning" with you!