Monday Reads: Sweetly

A few days ago I finished reading Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce. I loved everything about that book. It was well written, had great characters and best of all, it was a great retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.

This week I'm reading:




Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Synopsis: As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past-- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone-- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen it's next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Tweet tweet

I've jumped back on the Twitter bandwagon after a long hiatus. I have a new account. You can follow me here.

Monday Reads: Crossed (the review)

I mentioned Crossed by Ally Condie a couple of weeks ago in my Monday Reads post. Now here is the review. This book was just ok for me. I have to say that I enjoyed the first one a little more than this sequel. Something about this book reminds me of The Hunger Games. And because I absolutely adore The Hunger Games, anything that comes close to its story has to be done really well. Although I found the character development to be great in this book, I found the plot to be lacking. Every time I thought something exciting was going to happen or that there was going to be some big twist or reveal, I was let down. It took me a while to get through this book. I am really hoping that the third book delves deeper into the revolution that is mentioned in this book. I am hoping for a faster paced more action packed book to end the series. One thing about this book that I found confusing was the alternating characters telling the story. Although we do find out a lot of me information about our main characters, their voices are not distinct and I always found myself flipping back to the beginning of the chapter to see who is telling the story. I mention this because I am now reading Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce and she has alternating viewpoints in her book as well. The difference is that it is very easy to tell who is narrating just from the style of writing.

Look for a review on Sisters Red soon!

Friday Foods: Parmesan Crisps

I love cheese on my salads! Here is a simple way to make a crispy cheese topic for a salad or to eat with crackers.




Parmesan Crisps

Click here for recipe.

Thursday: Things I like this week

Here is a round up of things I am liking this week:


Dole Gel Fruit Cups. I have always loved Dole fruit cups. These gel ones are even better! Why? Because there's no spillage! Being the klutz that I am, regular fruit cups often spill on me. And did I mention that these are delicious?



I Can't Believe This Isn't Down Pillow. I am extremely picky when it comes to pillows. If my pillow isn't comfortable, I will toss and turn all night. I found this pillow at Bed bath and Beyond after poking every pillow in the store. I LOVE it!! So comfy. Not too soft. Not to poofy. It's just right!



I Can't Believe This Isn't Down Duvet. I also picked up the matching duvet and am loving it just as much or maybe even more than the pillows!



Staples Xeno Retractable Pens. I have tried many many pens over the years and somehow, I keep coming back to this one. Great quality and I love the way it writes.



Ah Caramel! This is my new guilty pleasure snack this week. If you've never tried these, you don't know what you're missing!

Wednesday Health and Beauty: The search for the perfect face cream

I am trying to find the perfect face cream. I need suggestions! Help!

Monday Reads: Next on my list

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

I am super excited for this next read. I have had this on my shelf for a while but am only getting to it now. I love fairy tale retellings!

Synopsis: For Scarlett and Rosie March, the world is not what it seems. Werewolves, called Fenris, live among them in the form of good-looking men who prey on pretty young girls. When a Fenris attacked the March girls, it killed their grandmother and left them emotionally and, for Scarlett, physically scarred. Since then, they have taken action and revenge. With the help of a friend, Silas, the girls are on a mission—to destroy as many Fenris as they can. This goal becomes more complicated when they try to unravel the mystery behind the pack and prevent the next "Potential" from transforming fully into a soulless, evil monster.

RIP Whitney Houston

In just a month we have lost both Etta James and now Whitney Houston, two huge music superstars. I was completely shocked by the death of Whitney. Her music was a big part of my life growing up and played a big role in my love of music. I am deeply saddened by her death.

Thursday: Things I like this week (furniture edition)

So I recently moved into a new apartment! So exciting!! Here is a roundup of little things I have put in my apartment that I love.

 Ikea bookcase. I bought 2 of these Hemnes bookcases and am loving them. They weren't much fun to put together but they hold a ton of books and I have room for quite a few more!

 Foldable Laundry Baskets. I love these.  They are so convenient for storing dirty laundry, clean laundry and I love that they fold up and take up zero space!

 Faux Leather Foldable Storage Ottomans. I got these from Bouclair Home. Easy to put together and comfortable to sit on. They are also great for storage space. I use them for spare blankets.

Kitchen-Aid Paper Towel Holder. One of the best paper towel holders I've used. And it's red...which matches all my cooking utensils!

Wednesday Health and Beauty: Oil of Oregano

This is the third time I get a cold since September. Ah, the benefits of being an elementary school teacher! I have recently heard about Oil of Oregano and its benefits as cold/flu cure. I am intrigued. If this cold gets any worse, I may actually try it out.

Some info: http://oiloforeganosite.com/

Monday Reads: Crossed

In January I managed to read 7 books. It's already February 6th and I have yet to finish a single book. I am slowing down, and it's not good.

This is what I'm reading this week:

Crossed by Ally Condie

This is the sequel to Matched, which I was reading last week.

Synopsis: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Friday Foods: An Easy Healthy Snack

 Caprese Bites

I love love love making these. They are so delicious and easy to put together.

All you need:
-cherry tomatoes
-fresh basil
-mozzarella pearls
-extra virgin olive oil
-balsamic vinegar
-salt
-toothpicks

I personally like to marinate my mozzarella in some balsamic vinegar and olive oil before I put it all together. It still tastes great if you just drizzle the dressing on top.

Click here for the article.

A little M.I.A..but I am back now

I feel terrible for not having posted for such a long time! I just moved into my new apartment last Friday and things have been insanely busy since then. It is also report card time at school, so any time I am not packing or unpacking stuff, I am writing report card comments. But now things have settled down a bit. So I am back on track. I will start back with my regular posts tomorrow!