5 Things I Am Missing During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is such a blessing, and I am so grateful to be finally having this experience. However, there is a long list of things you must not do for those nine months. A lot of those things, like eating sushi, I didn't do to begin with, but there are a few that I am missing particularly more than others.


1. Caffeine.
While we were trying to make this baby, I somehow got myself adjusted to Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper. I have cut down on the amount of tea I drink, as a southern girl you must understand how hard it is to give up sweet tea. The biggest sacrifice has been my Starbucks habit. Granted, I only went on days I had class, which was normally 2 days a week. This session, however, I am going four days a week. The horrors. *insert dramatic faint here*


2. Wine
Oh man do I miss wine. I've taken to drinking juices out of a wine glass and pretending really really hard. But a relaxing bath just isn't the same without a glass of cool white wine to chug sip.


3. Energy
First trimester fatigue is very real. I have absolutely no energy or motivation to do things most days. At least its becoming more acceptable to wear yoga pants and leggings as pants these days, so I can just put on a decent shirt and shoes, throw my hair up in a messy bun and run errands or go to class with minimal effort. #pregnancywin


4. Clear Sinuses
I can't be the only one who has had a near constant overload of mucus stopping up my nostrils, preventing normal breathing. Not only am I limited to sleeping positions that keep me awake, now I have to fight to breathe at night. I saw a post about this the other day on one of the pregnancy groups I joined on Facebook and I don't feel so alone in this now. I think what sucks the most about this, is that you are limited on what medications you can take while pregnant, and you are encouraged to try not to take any at all.


5. Teeth Whitening
All those sodas, wine, and coffee we drink (or have give up for good reasons) can cause stains on your teeth, and we remedy this by whitening them. Before I got my two pink lines, I had partnered with Smile Brilliant to try out their at home whitening kit that features custom fitted whitening trays. Smile Brilliant sends you everything you need to get started. The molds for the custom trays were simple to make, and I got the finished trays fairly quickly after I sent the molds in. It was slow going at first due to my super sensitive teeth (I had no idea! I've never had problems before) even with the nifty desensitizing gel step included with the custom whitening tray kit. My consultant was amazing though, and helped me along with different tips and techniques. I was seeing some great results, even with the few treatments I was able to manage. Then I got my positive test, and had to stop the treatments all together, cutting my whitening experience off before I was done. Therefore I don't have adequate before and after photos (boo). But, you can check out some of the other reviews for Smile Brilliant and THIS video about how the custom whitening trays are made and how the two types of gels work.

Even though I can't whiten right now, doesn't mean you can't (as long as you aren't expecting as well!), so I'll be giving away a custom whitening tray kit. Just enter your information below. Can't wait two weeks for the giveaway results? You can use the code "knockonwoodblog" for $20 off your own set of trays during the duration of the giveaway. Happy Whitening!

ENTER GIVEAWAY

What did you miss most during your pregnancy?



  Whitening Teeth At Home

Protect Your Eyes

Did you know that your eye doctor can detect chronic systems diseases before they get too out of hand? And if your vision problems are left untreated for too long, it can stunt your eye development resulting in permanent visual impairment. Per-ma-nent.

As a person who has particularly bad eyesight (Hubs' eyes are even worse than mine are, so our future kid is screwed), I've always made it a priority to keep my prescriptions current and follow all the "rules" of keeping your eyes healthy. I don't want my eyesight to deteriorate so quickly or badly that I am declared legally blind before I'm old enough to rely on the friendly (hopefully) nurses at the old folks home.

There are several things you can do to keep your eyes healthy in between eye doctor appointments.

1. Keep your glasses clean and the screws tightened. 

I mean with soap and hot water folks, not just the hem of your favorite shirt. By doing this you combating the germs that get on your frames from your hands throughout the day. Maintaining your eyewear can help you save money if your prescription doesn't change at your next check-up. A pair of glasses that are well taken care of can last two to three years or more!

2. Clean your contacts case regularly.

I never thought about this much until I started living with my husband. He gets very dirty at work and everything he touches proves it. One day I looked in his part of the drawer in the bathroom and was shocked to see how dirty is contacts case was! Now I clean his and my case every 2-3 weeks. Again, combating those pesky germs from getting into your eyes. I use regular soap and hot water with a spare toothbrush to get in the grooves.

3. Take vision supplements.

Not all of us can get every single recommended vitamin and mineral from the food we eat on a daily basis (hellooooo donuts!). Over the counter vitamins and supplements to the rescue! The most important vitamin that keep your eyes healthy is Vitamin A, but make sure you are getting it from plant based sources so it doesn't get stored in your body (too much stored Vitamin A is toxic). There are a number of options to choose from, eye drops with Vitamin A in them, the vitamins separately, and there are also multi-vitamins specifically for eye health. Check this list to see what might work best for you.
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional. These are options that work for me, so please contact your doctor to make sure these options are safe for you.

4. Wear Sunglasses

Did you know that your eyes can get sunburnt? Yep. Plus those nasty UV rays aren't great for them either. So whether you get a cute, cheap pair from Target or buy a flashy, expensive name brands, WEAR THEM when outdoors and in the car.
"But what if I wear glasses? I can't see without them." - There is an option for you! Online glasses shops offer a much more affordable selection of prescription sunglasses (and regular glasses if you need those too!). I got mine from GlassesShop.com, and they have a "try-on" option where you can upload a photo of yourself to see what the frames will look like on your face. Cool right? All you do is choose from a wide selection of glasses frames and sunglasses, input your prescription & pupillary distance (you can get this by calling your eye doctor), and they ship them out to you in a neat case with a cleaning cloth. Easy peasy. Use the code GSHOT50 to get 50% off your first pair.

Disclaimer: I received a pair of prescription sunglasses in exchange for my honest recommendation and review of GlassesShop.com

5. Take breaks when working on a computer (or phone or tablet or video games).

If your eyes get used to focusing on one plane too long it can affect your vision, give your headaches, and tire your eyes out quickly. So get up for 5 mins each hour and exercise your eyes by focusing on different objects at different distances aways from you. You can remind yourself to do this by setting a timer or an alarm every hour or so. Plus we all need an excuse to take a break while at work, and now you have a legitimate reason to.


Do you wear contacts or glasses? If so, have you thought about any of these tips before?

Surprise Gift for Hubs

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by JORD Wood Watches. I was compensated with a free watch for this unbiased presentation and review of the watch. All opinions are 100% my own.

I'm amazing at putting together cool and creative gifts for people as a surprise, but I am terrible at keeping them a surprise. I just get so darn excited about them that I can't keep the secret. This time, though, I did it! I planned a surprise for Hubs and I KEPT it a surprise. Go me!

Earlier in the spring we purchased a new grill. Well, I made Hubs splurge on himself by purchasing our snazzy new grill. He's not one to buy himself nice things. We went on a grilling spree! Burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and steak. YUM. Then the weather got weird and it rained a lot, nipping our grilling spree in the bud. But it's summer now, and while it's crazy hot outside, it's the best time of year for grilling. (how many times can a person type grill/grilling in one post? Let's keep count! There are 5 so far.)

Why did I want to give this surprise gift to Hubs? Well, he's be amazing during this stressful baby journey on top of our bathroom renovation. My emotions and hormones have been living up to the roller coaster cliche and I can be a bit demanding when it comes to how I want our bathroom done. We may have had a couple of little tiffs, but considering everything that's been going on for us, it could have been a lot worse. We've recently hit the one year mark on our baby journey, and thought I'd do something special for him to thank him for how great he's been in putting up with me.

So when JORD reached out to me to see if we could work together, I jumped at the opportunity. You see, Hubs has started a small collection of different and unique styles of watches for men (he loves watches), and this Delmar Red Sandalwood and White Carbon watch made a lovely addition to it. When I received the watch, (after oohing and ahing) I started planning. I went out and got the ingredients for a little cook out and pulled out his shiny new grilling tools I got him for our Anniversary in April. I made sure his favorite shirt was clean and double checked that we had a bottle of his favorite whiskey on hand.

When Hubs came home I sent him straight to the bathroom to shower and laid out his clothes. He was puzzled as why I wanted him to put on "real" clothes and not "hang around the house" clothes, but I told him to just do what I say and he'll understand. Luckily he does mind me pretty well (...most of the time). Once he was dressed, I presented him with the watch. He loves it! Then I told him what I got for us for dinner and to go fire up the grill.

He's not big on having his photo taken, but he was good and played model for me. I think he did fantastic! He wears this beautiful watch like a pro. What do you think?

We had a wonderful evening. He was excited about showing off his new watch to his parents over the weekend when he got to grill again for our 4th of July cook out. And he's looking forward to wearing it again for our next holiday gathering. I think I did well with this surprise gift.

You can give someone the gift of a JORD watch or just get one of these beauties for yourself! Just click HERE and enter your info to win a $75 e-voucher from JORD. Giveaway ends July 24th. You'll get a small prize even if you don't win, so what's to lose?

When was the last time you gave a surprise gift to someone? Are you good at keeping surprises a surprise? Did you keep count of the number of times I said grill/grilling?

Unique Watch

One Hundred Names

If you follow me on Instagram (if you don't, why ever not?), then you'll know that Hubs and I took a little day trip up to Kansas City this past Sunday. The main reason for the outing was to get the front facing camera on my iPhone fixed, but we also got to walk around the cutest part of the city ever. We were able to eat at one of my favorite restaurants for lunch and then we stopped in at Barnes and Noble, a.k.a. A Bookworm's Mecca. I had no intentions on purchasing anything that day, but we all know how well that works out.

I ended up adding a new Cecilia Ahern novel to my collection, One Hundred Names. I have developed a deep admiration for Ms. Ahern's writing ever since I read P.S. I Love You, and this book did not disappoint. I finished it in two days. TWO. I could not put it down.

The story centers around a fallen journalist, Kitty, as she tries to right herself again. Her mentor, who is stolen from the world by cancer, left Kitty with a list of names as her final story, the story she always wanted to write, but never did. Under a strict deadline and enormous pressure from her editor, Kitty has to figure out what the connection is between the people on the list without any further clues. Along the way Kitty makes lovely new friends and finally remembers why she started writing in the first place.

I fell in love with the individual personalities and the bond that is formed between them. There are moments that will bring you to tears. Happy tears, of course. There is something for everyone: a little mystery, a little romance, a little supernatural, and a lot of love. Highly recommend this book. Now I'm off to find the next great story.


What was the last book you read?

Captured on Film

If you follow me on Instagram, you're probably jealous that I got to hang out with Cassie from Sage and her husband Matt two weekends ago. If you don't follow me (or Cassie or Matt), you should, and after this post you, too, will be jealous of my blate (blogger date) with Cassie and Matt. Just saying.

Let me give you a back story of sorts: when I asked my mom what she wanted and what she thought my grandparents would want for Christmas, she told me they would love some professional photos of me and Hubs. We don't have any because we eloped and that doesn't require a fancy photographer and stuff. So, I started researching photographers in our area. I found a few, but they were on the higher end budget wise and all of them offered prints instead of digital copies.

And then BOOM. I remembered that Cassie's husband is a photographer. I found his website, Matt Boness Photography, and checked out his work. AH-mazing. His prices? Even more AH-mazing. So I reached out to Cassie hoping that she'd tell me he's not all booked up so close to the holidays, and she did! She, Matt, and I chatted about the theme and vision I had for the photos, then we set a date to meet up and make it happen.

We had so much fun! At first, posing is a little awkward, but after a few minutes, and Cassie's creative direction, we felt very comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. Matt took us all over the area surrounding the historic columns on the Mizzou campus, and the day couldn't have been more gorgeous.

Once the shoot was over, we walked to this lovely little tapas place they discovered close to campus. I can't remember what it's called, but everything on the menu looked delicious. The four of us fell into an easy conversation and there was a little bit of a beard bond between the guys. Cause, you know, beards are awesome and manly. I cannot wait to hang out with them again!

We got our photos the following Wednesday, and I literally squealed with delight when Hubs handed me the package. And then I cried because the photos were so wonderful. Matt was able to capture so much feeling in these photos. My parents and grandparents (and the in-laws) are going to LOVE them. I have plans to get one blown up to hang on our wall and our Christmas cards are going to rock this year!

So if you're in the mid-Missouri area and need photos taken, I highly recommend Matt. I've already told him we'll use him for all our future photography needs. Can you blame me?

A Chewy Summer

Anyone who knows me, knows that my animals are very much my kids. I love them so very much and treat them like I would any other member of my family. I want the best for them. This made choice to partner with Chewy a no brainer.

This summer with Chewy has been great! We got to try out a brand of wet dog food that I hadn't heard of before, Merrick. They have a grain free line with added vitamins and nutrients. I'm ALWAYS looking for quality food options that my dogs will actually eat, that are also affordable. This brand fits the bill. Bear and Robbie just gobbled up this food and then turned to look at me expecting more. It comes in cases of 12 for just $31.98 which is cheaper than a case of 12 of any canned food from the local pet store. Definitely a hit in our house.

We also got to try out Blue Bits treats for our dogs AND Kitty Yums treats for our cats. Huge thanks to my rep for sending us both. The treats live up to the much respected Blue Buffalo quality and they are the perfect size for the cats and Robbie, but a little small for Bear. I ended up giving him a tiny pile on the floor so he wouldn't try to swallow my fingers too! I had to hide these treats in the cabinet because the cats would try to get into them. Needless to say they were added to the list of hits from Chewy.

Our other item is a carpet/upholstery cleaner. Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator. LEGIT, this stuff is amazing! I would show you before and after pics (if I had any) but it's kinda gross, so I won't. Just take my word for it. This stuff works. In my opinion it works better than Nature's Miracle. We have hardwood floors, but they don't save our floor rugs from Robbie's accidents, and this cleaner does the job. No smell, No stain, No color fade. AH-MAY-ZING! It's a little pricey at $19.97 a bottle, but totally worth it when you don't have to replace your area rugs every few months.

As always Chewy delivers the perfect products for our babies. This company truly is my favorite to work with, as is always just an email away if I have questions or concerns about the products. If you missed my past review, it is here.

Where do you get your pet supplies? Have you tried Chewy before?

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

Why I Switched to Adproval & Why I'll Stay

In the beginning blogging can seem very intimidating. Designs, fonts, social media, sponsors, link-ups, giveaways, and the posts themselves. I believe it's best to start of slowly and take things one step at a time. Do things when you are ready.

One of the aspects that I found most intimidating was sponsorships and working with brands. I did lots of research, asked my fellow bloggers for advice, and came up with game plan after game plan for implementing sponsor options on my blog. When I first started there were two ways to manage sponsorships: 1. using the blogger ad service called Passionfruit OR 2. Rotating ads manually.

A few months in, I got wind of a new company that was catering to bloggers' needs called Adproval. I was skeptical. All the bloggers were using Passionfruit, which made things easy and comfortable, until it wasn't. In a matter of weeks Passionfruit's quality and customer service took a nosedive, and I took a closer look at Adproval. A couple of my blogger friends had already made the switch and gave wonderful reviews of customer service and ease of use. On top of that, the plans Adproval had for enhancing the blogger's experience were fantastic.

Needless to say, I made the switch and I haven't looked back. The Adproval team has been great from the start, always just an email away. I've only had one minor issue with centering the ads on my sidebar, and that was swiftly resolved. My experience has just gotten better. So many new features have been added, and they are always open to suggestions and feedback.

One of my favorite additions is their ever growing list of brands that are looking to work with bloggers. Adproval has made applying to work with the brands so easy, and I have formed some wonderful partnerships with companies I adore.

So if you are looking to take the next step in your blogging adventure by adding a sponsorship option to your blog, or by beginning a partnership with a brand that fits your blog, Adproval is the service for you. They can help you grow your blog and form meaningful relationships with other bloggers and brands that make a difference.

So, today I offer one of you dear readers, the opportunity to grow your blog, your brand, with free Adproval For Life! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

Chewy: Where Pet Lovers Shop

Right now my fur kids are my only kids and even if/when we have a child, they will still be just as important to me as they are now. And if you know me, I will do just about anything for my babies (a.k.a. they are spoiled rotten. Can you smell them?) and I jumped at the opportunity to partner with Chewy especially after I found out they offer organic food and treats. There is even a special tab that will tell you every ingredient in food/treat on the website. Knowing what we feed our pets is a big deal. We eat healthy, why shouldn't they?

When Bear was sick after we got him home from his grand adventure, the Smart Stick treats from the March box (that I didn't blog about, oops) were one of the only things he could keep down. He didn't even want one of his bacon treats, but perked right up when I pulled out the Smart Sticks.

Well April's box could not have come at a better time. Let me tell you. As you can tell from that picture up there, Bear has A LOT of fur. While the warmer weather is good for us, he's not fairing to well. So you can imagine my relief when I got this FURminator Brush in the April Box. Dude. I spent an HOUR one afternoon brushing off nearly half of a garbage bag of fur off him. Half. Of. A. Garbage. Bag. Not only did his coat look so much better, he doesn't seem as bothered by the heat. I will have to keep this up throughout the spring and summer, but it's totally worth it. And that's half a garbage bag of fur I don't have to vacuum up once a week.

With the brush we got these awesome little Primal Chicken Nibs. My favorite thing about these treats is that they are safe to give to both cats and dogs! Ok. Here's a great story for you. I woke up one night to sounds in my kitchen. I got up, knowing it was one of the cats playing with something, and walked in to find Misty IN the treat cabinet, the bag of Chicken Nibs on the floor, and Bear and Pumpkin watching. Misty had already ripped a big hole in the bag, so I had to put them in a tupperware container. A few nights later I hear the same noises in the kitchen, Misty once again trying to get in that cabinet and into the treats. You guys, I had to tape the cabinet shut. That's how much they like these treats.

But I'm pretty sure their favorite part is the box.

Do you have any furkids? How many? Cats? Dogs?
What do you do special for them?

*I was compensated free products in exchange for this post. As always, my thoughts and opinions are 100% honest*

Geeking Out

Sunday night my favoritest show ever began it's new season. Hubs and I subscribe to HBO solely for this show, and I was super excited when I got my Geek Fuel box because it's themed around this awesome show.

I legit squealed with delight as I unpacked this box and Hubs thought I was going crazy until I showed him. Then I wasn't the only one geeking out and there was definitely a fight over that shirt.

1. Dif-tor heh smusma (Live Long And Prosper)

In honor of our beloved Leonard Nimoy, this sweet little pin will geekify my school bag. 

2. Dragon Glass

If you watch Game of Thrones, you'll know about this little discovery. It's the only way to kill a White Walker. Now we'll be prepared should they decend from the North. 

3. Comic Book 

Oh boy. This is probably my favorite part. It's one of five and portrays a events from Game of Thrones  with beautiful illustrations. Brings a whole new life to the story. 

4. Thrones of Games Shirt

This shirt, as mentioned above, has been a huge hit in my house. There are six thrones representing six different classic games: Super Mario Brothers, Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Legend of Zelda, Halo, and Final Fantasy VII. I think it looks good on Hubs, don't you?

5. Warmachine Tactics Downloadable Game and Stickers 

This was more up Hubs alley. I'm not sure if he's tried it out yet, but he had heard good things and was looking forward to playing. As for the stickers, I'll probably end up sending them the my Llama to give to her kids. 

6. Darryll Jones Poster

This was pretty cool. It is a Shorty Awarding winning picture that portrays a Rebel Warrior Storm Trooper. I am probably going to have it framed for my new nephew who has a Star Warms Themed Room. 

7. Gears of War Imulsion Energy Drink

Again, more Hubs thing than mine, so I let him have it and he loved it. You can only order it online, and so far Amazon has been the best place to get it. 

Each month's box contains a new set of goodies to satisfy all your geeky desires. Satisfy your own inner nerd and click here to order your own box!

What do you geek out over?

*I was compensated with a free box in exchange for this review*

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

Spring Means a Fresh Start

Happy Friday! I am so glad that spring is officially here, and here to stay! My flowers are beginning to bloom in my front yard and our grass is finally turning green again. I know I've been MIA this week, and I don't really have a great excuse other than I am exhausted from getting back into my regular routine after vacation. So I'm jumping right back in now and I have a few things to tell you.

Firstly, as you can see by that photo up there, I chopped my hair off. Yep. (Sorry Mom!) But I just couldn't stand it anymore. It wraps around my neck at night, constantly getting pulled by one thing or another, and it's hot. I hate keeping my hair pulled up ALL the time, so cutting it was my only option. I disappointed a few people, but it's not about what they want, it's about me being comfortable. So there.

Secondly, this new Black Bar Soap and Black Body Wash from Soapbox Soaps that Hubs and I have been using is AMAZING. Legit, best body wash I've ever used. It doesn't make my skin feel dry or tight after my shower, I feel cleaner, and some of my skin irritations have started to diminish! Hallelujah!

Hubs comes home so dirty and greasy from his job every day, and would just scrub and scrub his hands and arms to get clean. I even made him some scrubby pouches to put his bar soap in. Since he's been using the Black Bar Soap from Soapbox Soaps it's cut his scrubbing time in half! HALF! And I can totally tell a difference in his skin as well. He's not too keen on the smell (which I really like), but he loves the efficiency and quality of this brand.

You guys. It doesn't stop there. Since Soapbox is all natural, so it's safe to use on pets and children. I washed Bear's feet (because white dog + mud = gross) with the Pomegranate Liquid Hand Soap and they went from dingy grey back to bright white! Plus his paws smelled so good for the next few days. I wish I could have taken a picture, but he wasn't cooperating for me that day.

If all of that doesn't convince you this brand is thebomb.com, then maybe this will.

I totally support brands who do good things and Soapbox Soaps gives back not only here in the United States, but in countries around the world.

1 bottle Liquid Hand Soap = 1 month clean water

1 Bar Soap = 1 bar soap donated

1 bottle Body Wash = 1 year of Vitamins

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"More than 3,000 children's lives could be saved with 

something as simple as a bar of soap and clean water." 

- Soapbox Soaps

Tweet This!

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You can get 10% off your purchase with the code SOAPEQUALSHOPE and all orders over $35 gets you FREE shipping! Click HERE to shop!

And Lastly, I am so so grateful to have been able to spend time with my family over Easter. I got to meet my little nugget of a nephew, color eggs, gorge on candy, and have some quality alone time with Hubs. HUGE thanks to the lovelies who helped me out while I was gone with some fabulous Guest Posts too! 

How was your weekend?

*I was given free products from SoapboxSops in exchange for a review on this blog. All opinions are 100% true and honest*

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

Pretty Nails Make Everything Better

I've been a bit of a Debbie Downer lately, but that's life right? We've got to deal with all of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Right now I'm trying to get my mind off everything and one thing that always makes me feel better is a fresh mani. Amiright ladies? Since Hubs won't let me go to the salon to get my nails done, I've had to learn to do them myself, and this has led to the purchase of different products to try to make it last longer. And guys, I think I found the perfect combination.

Jamberry Lacquer + Jamberry accent Wrap + Sally Hansen Double Duty base and top coat = Perfect Mani

Check out that color!! I got lucky and ordered Blush before it was discontinued, but there are some similar colors available like Flirt, Pink Lemonade, and Kiss. My Jamberry Consultant, Katie, sent me the Mad Mod wrap as an extra sample, and I loved that it went so well the lacquer. She's got great taste.

This is what I did:

1. Apply the Jamberry Wrap on my desired nail according to the directions.

2. Sally Hansen Double Duty as base coat on your remaining bare nails. Let Dry.

3. Jamberry Lacquer Coat one. Let Dry.

4. Jamberry Lacquer Coat two. Let Dry.

5. Sally Hansen Double Duty as top coat. Let Dry.

6. I like to apply another Sally Hansen Double Duty top coat the next day.

Ladies. This lasted about 7 days with no chips and 10 days with minimal chipping. So much longer than any of my other polish. I did dishes, cleaned my bathroom, and all the other day to day stuff as well. Usually after three days I've got a chip or two. And the wrap, no chipping or peeling there at all!! Just imagine having the wraps on all your nails. Plus there are so many cute patterns to choose from.

Guess what! You guys get a chance to try a wrap for yourselves! Click HERE to pick your pattern! Then, when you fall in love with Jamberry like I did, you can order all your Lacquers and wraps HERE through Katie, the bestest consultant ever. She also offers a monthly Style Box, so now you can get your manis sent straight to your doorstep.

Having pretty nails really helps to cheer me up and makes me feel put together. Does that make sense? It also makes me feel accomplished.

What makes you feel better when you've been down in the dumps?
Have you tried Jamberry before?

Check out my current Chestnut sponsor!

Between the Lines: The Rosie Project

Source

This month for Between the Lines with Anne and Kristyn, we read and are reviewing The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (buy it from Amazon or from iTunes!).

The Book Synopses via Amazon: 

The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.

Rosie Jarman possesses all these qualities. Don easily disqualifies her as a candidate for The Wife Project (even if she is “quite intelligent for a barmaid”). But Don is intrigued by Rosie’s own quest to identify her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate  on The Father Project, Don is forced

to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie―and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you.



Here is a video from Graeme Simsion himself talking about the book!

And now on to the Blogger Book Club Questions:

1. Were you surprised at the ultimate revelation of Rosie’s biological father? Did you suspect someone else?
About half way through I kinda suspected the outcome. It's so funny, though, that Don was able to help Gene work on his own relationship in the end after all Gene's help with Don's.

2. Do Don’s Asperger’s conditions help him or hinder him? Does Don’s having autism offer any advantages in his life?
I think he did quite well for himself. His schedule and thought process worked for him. But falling in Love alters just about everything in your life, and the fact that he was willing to change for Rosie is a wonderful thing! Change is pretty hard for people with Asperger's and Autism, so it was HUGE for him to do it.

3. Do you feel happy for Don when he gets rid of some of his unique mannerisms in order to win Rosie or do you feel that he lost a part of himself?
I feel proud of him rather than happy for him. Like I said, it takes a lot for people to change, but through in Asperger's or Autism and it's even harder. I don't think he lost himself, I think he grew as a person. I think he and Rosie were able to make some compromises around his mannerisms, that is part of the reason she fell for him ya know!

4. Does Gene get his comeuppance? What do you think of his marriage situation?
I felt bad for Gene's wife, Claudia, the entire book. She always seemed so sad when her marriage was brought up. She was trying to be a "good wife" by giving Gene what he wanted, but it ultimately taxed their relationship far more than she expected. What's horrible, is that Gene didn't even notice. I don't think he wanted to. I applaud Don for standing up to Gene and opening his eyes about the state of his marriage.

My personal thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book! I have recommended it several times already, and I really want to read the sequel, The Rosie Effect (buy it on Amazon or iTunes!). I feel like it was extremely well written and provided a refreshing change reading a love story from the male perspective. The added element of Asperger's was an interesting twist. I felt like I could totally relate and understand Rosie's reactions to Don's schedule, unique way of thinking, and his scientific honesty about everything. I enjoyed the similarities between Don and Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, even if Simsion wasn't intending for this to be the case. If you haven't read this, add to you list now!


Next Month we are reading All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (buy it on Amazon or iTunes!)


Have you read The Rosie Project? 
Are you going to participate in next months Between The Lines Blogger Book Club?

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I Was "Cool" Before Being "Hipster" Was a Thing

Now that I'm nearly thirty (!!!) I'm seeing what my mom was talking about with the fads being recycled, like neon colors, "skinny" jeans, high-waisted jeans/pants, and cross body purses. I think I even saw some shoulder pads recently and I have requests concerning that one. Please lets not bring those back... I mean really?

Some of these "new" fads are funny to me, because I've been doing/wearing/liking them for years! Here's are a things that are HUGE now, but were "weird" back in my day. (I can't believe I just said that... I really am getting old.)

1. Purple
Everyone is LOVING the color purple all of a sudden. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I love that I can actually find purple things in the stores now, but Purple has been my favorite color since high school. Back then red and pink were the big colors. Target carries a whole line of matching purple office supplies (#Heaven), and what's even more awesome is that the brand I'm speaking of, Yoobi, donates one of their school/office supplies to schools and children in America for every one purchase. As if I didn't need even more of an incentive to buy more notebooks and pens.

2. Nutella
I also discovered this delicious treat in high school, and back then it was hard to find. My french teacher brought some in when we made crepes in class and everyone fell in love with it. Now it's everywhere and a bit cheaper too! Plus people are creating some amazing recipes using it. #Score

3. Glasses
Mmkay. I have to wear glasses (or contacts) because my vision sucks. Now people are wearing fashion frames with fake lenses! I've been rocking glasses since high school. At first I was not happy about them (I was also mad because my parents would buy me contacts) and I would only wear them when I absolutely needed to, but eventually being able to see all the things won out and I started wearing them daily. What's awesome is that with this newfound love everyone has for glasses, more affordable places to get them from are popping up. Seriously guys, prescription glasses can be EXPENSIVE, but I have found my new favorite go-to for glasses. Firmoo.

Legit, I loved the entire experience of ordering through them. Sure you order them online, but you can still "try on" each pair! Just upload a photo of yourself to the Firmoo site and it shows you what the frame look like on your face! Amazing right? This was one of my reservations about ordering glasses online, but that lovely feature put those worries right out of my head. I ordered around the holidays so they took a little longer to be shipped, but everything arrived as promised with a sweet new case, cleaning cloth, and a handy dandy screwdriver. I put them on and immediately fell in love. And you guys, Firmoo's pricing is AMAZING. Literally about half the price of what I would normally pay at the eye doctor. I've got at least two more pairs in mind for a future order.

And right now Firmoo is offering your first pair for free! Just choose from >>>this<<< selection of frames and use the code FREEFIRMOO at checkout! Cool right?!

4. Vests
Yep. I was rocking vests back in grade school people. While I'm not a huge fan of them on myself anymore (hello boobs), I LOVED them in second grade and insisted that I wore one for picture day.

So there you have it folks. I was Cool before Hipster became a thing. Oh and get this! I was told by a 18 year old that goes to my college that the word "cool" is now a derogatory term used to make fun of people. So I looked it up on Urban Dictionary and found a two definitions (one, two) that support this statement. When did that happen????





What have you been doing since before it was "Cool"?

*Disclaimer: I was compensated with a free pair of glasses from Firmoo in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Between the Lines: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

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This is the first month of Between the Lines: A Blogger Book Club with Anne and Kristyn. For January we read Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn and Anne was right, this book is a doozy. But it's so good! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Book Synapsis from Amazon

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” She survived—and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, the Kill Club—a secret society obsessed with notorious crimes—locates Libby and pumps her for details. They hope to discover proof that may free Ben. Libby hopes to turn a profit off her tragic history: She’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club—for a fee. As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started—on the run from a killer.

For the Book Club, we've got some thought provoking questions to answer from the author herself! So here it goes.

1. Libby became famous as a victim—how do you think this strange fame effected her?
I think it made her resent people and become even more of a reclusive. She learned at a young age to exploit her "fame" and the her mission in this book started out as just that.

2. What do you think of Patty Day as a mother? Is she doing the best she can, or is she making excuses for herself?
I want to like Patty Day, but in the end I just couldn't. I feel like she lets the people in her life run over her and make decisions for her. She lost control and couldn't figure out how to get it back. Granted she had some pretty ridiculous circumstances handed to her, but instead of being strong and doing whatever it takes to make a life for herself and her children, she makes excuses for their poverty and relies heavily on handouts from her sister Diane.

3. Why do you think the author chose to set the murders on a farm? What images and themes does the heartland and farming evoke?
I think Flynn chose the farm and the heartland location because it's unusual. Generally we hear about murders in metropolitan cities, but not tiny farm towns. You want to think their town is safe, slow moving, and simple. But in reality it's got just as many dangers as a city: guns, drugs, sex, gambling, extreme religious zealots, poverty, molestation, etc. The contrast between societal views of what a farm town is like and what occurs in this book is striking.

4. What do you believe in Diondra’s motivation throughout the story? Does her relationship with Ben change him?
Diondra is selfish. Plain and simple. She desperately wants to escape this small town, but I think she's also afraid to do so. I don't think she really likes herself much and craves attention and validation from others due to her absentee parents. Her rebellious behavior is a clear cry for help and affection from her parents, and she's begun to poison Ben against his own family. Misery loves company. Somehow she tricks this sweet, but seriously confused boy into thinking he's important to her, when really she's just using him. Deep down I think Ben knows this, but is just as desperate for love and attention as Diondra is, that he stays with her anyway convincing himself he's in love and doing the "right thing" for her.


I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers or whodunits. The characters are just as complex as the storyline, and even the smallest roles have a significance in the big picture. It's easy to read and follow, while keeping you guessing until the very last moments.

Have you read Dark Places? What did you think?

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Under The Sea

I received complimentary admission to Kansas City Sea Life Aquarium in exchange for writing a review about the aquarium on my blog. All opinions and observations are 100% my own.

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As I mentioned in Tuesday's TIOT post, Philip and I went to Kansas City for the day last Friday. I hadn't been to KC (as the locals call it) yet, so it was a fun experience for me to see more of this new state I call home. There's a neat little area of the city called Crown Center that is home to a several family friendly attractions and activities, but my favorite was the SeaLife Aquarium. I love aquariums; the blue tones and flowy rhythms always sooth and calm me, so I jumped at the opportunity to visit SeaLife. Philip had never been to an aquarium before, so it was awesome to be able to watch him experience the awe of the underwater world for the first time.

SeaLife is super kid friendly with all sorts of fun facts about the corresponding aquatic life on the walls. We learned a lot of tidbits about the creatures we saw and you even get the chance to touch a few of the animals if you like that sort of thing.