Sunday Social {Favorite Things}

Wooot woot!! its Sunday!! And thank goodness tomorrow is a Holiday!!! :) 

What were up to this long weekend??

 I went with my parents to visit my grandparents in Mexico. Which was fun. Its always nice to see them. 

1. What is one thing you hate doing?

The one thing I hate doing is waking up in the morning for work. I love my sleep. hehehe.. But I have to do it. 

2. What is the one thing you hate shopping for?

Jeans. It's really hard to shop for jeans. The only jeans I seem to be in love with are the ones from Old Navy, so whenever they are having a jean sale I stock up!! :) But I want to try the fun jean colors and patterns, but never end up finding none in my size. 

3. What is one thing you love doing?

I love getting together with family.

4. What is one place you love going?

Starbucks!!!!

5. What is your favorite thing to do that you do daily?

! My favorite thing to do on the daily is reading!!! I love it!!! :) 

What are your favorite things to do??

Gravel on the Side of the Road by Kris Radish {Summer Reading Challenge}

Hello Lovelies, 

I'm back.... to give you some awesome book reviews that I have been just lagging on. But before today's book review, just wanted to quickly update you about my life. My life is still hectic and chaotic, have not completely gotten used to having a full time job. But I'm totally loving it. I actually enjoy going to work. :) As for my bloggy, I feel bad that I haven't visited it much, and definitely want to get back on to it. I truly missed it. Until then go ahead and follow me on my INSTA!!! :)

But now I bring you a book review from the Summer Reading Challenge. It's almost over, so I will be posting some of the reviews of the books I have left. :) 

This post is sponsored by BookSparksPR in honor of their 

4th annual Summer Reading Challenge. Check out all the details here.

Title : Gravel on the Side of the Road: True Stories from a Broad Who Has Been There

Author : Kris Radish

Publisher: SparkPress

Release Date: July 22nd, 2014

Summary from GoodReads:

A woman who worries about carrying a .38 special in her purse, nearly drowns in a desert canyon, flies into the war in Bosnia, dances with the FBI, tells Geraldo he shouldn’t put guests in hotel rooms with rats and spends time with murderers, has more than a few stories to tell.

Gravel on the Side of the Road-True Stories From a Broad Who Has Been There is a daring and revealing adventure itself.

Beloved novelist Kris Radish returns to her non-fiction beginnings with her first, but not last, book of autobiographical essays. Her writing career has spanned four decades and has included award winning newspaper work, magazine features, a national syndicated column, eleven books and enough stories and adventures to fill up many more.

Radish’s talent for telling it like it is, sharing the wit and wisdom of a life lived mostly on her own terms and her keen sense of humor are highlighted in these stories- some of them old- some of them new, but all of them a glimpse into worlds many never dare to enter. This author always lives in a world where nothing is sacred but the sweet emotions of the heart.

Kris is definitely a broad who has been there.

Quotes:

"My job as a newspaper reporter took me everywhere, at any tie, almost all the time. I was always on call, always ready for the next tragedy - or so I thought." - pg. 11

My Take:
Let me just begin by saying that I rarely pick up an autobiography or like a memoir-ish style books. But I really want to thank BookSparks for introducing this book to me and for letting me review it. It was great!!!

I loved the way that is was written. I loved Kris Radish's voice and tone, and I want to meet her. Her stories were amazing. They were funny, they were sad, they were unbelievable. I really enjoyed glimpsing into her life.

This book is a collection of stories and experiences that Kris Radish has lived through, throughout her life as a journalist and traveler. She tells stories that cover a huge range of topics. It definitely kept me wanting to continue reading and learning about all the experiences that she had.

Once I finished the book, my first thought was "This lady is bad-ass." Like I mentioned I don't read much, but I really enjoyed reading through this collection of essays. If want to get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes of the life of a journalist, or of a woman who has definitely "been there" this is a book for you.

My other Summer Reading Challenge reviews:

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmeiri

The Revealed by Jessica Hickman

The Walk-In Closet by Abdi Nazemian

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Elly in Love by Colleen Oakes

Find my other reviews here: Book Thoughts

Sunday Social

Another week has gone by!!! Is it just me or is 2014 going by sooo fast??

Any one else feel like that?

1. One item you wish you could splurge on right now
Right at this very moment, I wish I could splurge on a new computer/laptop. Preferably a Mac and something like this

2. If you had an entire weekend of no plans what would you do?
If I had an entire weekend of no plans, I would definitely plan a small getaway to somewhere nice and relaxing with family and friends. And be in the water all day, with some margaritas, and a book. hehe

3. Next place you are visiting outside of your current city?
I think it's going to be The Bay Area, or Rosarito, Mexico, to visit my grandma.

4. Are you a neat freak or a clutterbug?
I would like to think of myself to be a neat freak. But I definitely have my moments when everything is everywhere. aka. now. But I get anxiety when everything is a mess, so I quickly turn into a neat freak.

5. Favorite Summer purchase?
The favorite things I purchased this summer, would have to be some clothes that I just added to me work wardrobe. I'm excited to keep on expanding it.

What are your answers for this Sunday Social?

Hello August!!!!

Summer is almost over!!! Gahh where did the days go!!  Here is my recap for June and July!!

Row 1: I got to meet Emily Giffin at her book signing, and got to also meet Colin Egglesfield. :) I did a little redecorating in my room, which I loved doing!! :)  Row 2: I still can't get enough of my cute little niece, she is getting so big. :/ And I finally started reading The Fault in Our Stars, thanks to blogger friend Emily Finta, through a  book swap. :)  Row 3: Got to go see one of my favorite Bachata artist, Romeo Santos in concert with my besties at the Staples Center!! Row 4: Took a family trip to Vegas which was fun!!! Had my one month anniversary at my new job in July. It's still crazy at work, but I enjoy it. 
June and July were busy and a lot of fun. I hope August is the same!!!

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 - I'm looking forward to another month at my job. I'm excited about it!!  - and hanging out with my co-workers.  - The company I work for is having a Company wide Summer Party, which they say is pretty fun. - This month I'm also looking forward to my cousin's baby shower.  - And my little nieces' baptism.  - I hope that me and my friends plan another trip together for this month.  - I'm looking for more warm days. The sunsets have been gorgeous.  - I'm also looking forward to beach days.  - Now that my cousin got her new place in San Diego, I'm looking forward to visiting her. 
What are you excited the most about August?

Sunday Social

Hi everyone!!!! Happy Sunday!! and happy 3rd day of August. The year is going by so fast huh? Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. 
1. Gum or mints? Gum. I like to chew the gum. But I'm not a big fruity flavor gum. I like the minty kind. :)
2. Tea or Coffee? About 1 year ago, I was not a fan of either. Now it's all about coffee. 

3. Fruits or Veggies? I'll take fruits over veggies any time. Fruits are just so sweet and yummy!!! :) 
4. TV or Movies?  BOTH!!!! I love movies!! I like wathcing them at home and in the theatres!! But I also love watching shows on TVs. And then when my favorite movies are on TV, thats perfection. :) 
5. Candles or Diffusers?  Candles, and wax melts!!! :) I love them. 

What do you prefer?

Elly in Love by Colleen Oakes {Summer Reading Challenge Review}

This post is sponsored by BookSparksPR in honor of their 

4th annual Summer Reading Challenge. Check out all the details here.

Title : Elly in Love 

Author: Colleen Oakes

Publisher: SparkPress

Release Date: June 22, 2014

Summary from GoodReads:

The much anticipated sequel to the bestselling novel, Elly in Bloom, is finally here!

Curvy wedding florist Elly Jordan has had quite a year. First, she had to design her ex-husband’s wedding to the mistress who split them up, and then she broke up with the hottest musician this side of St. Louis. Three months have passed since then, and now Elly is primed for what promises to be the best wedding season of her life.

Helped by her loyal friends, Elly is on the verge of opening a chic flower boutique uptown when BlissBride, a popular wedding reality show, asks her to design the wedding of a famous—make that infamous--celebrity. Elly is about to get everything she’s ever wanted, when a stranger shows up at her store with a request that changes every aspect of her life--including her budding relationship with deli owner Keith. As she struggles to stay calm in the midst of growing chaos, Elly will learn the true meaning of love and sacrifice. 

Filled with the heart, humor, and horticulture that made Elly in Bloom a bestseller, Elly in Love welcomes readers back to Elly’s big, beautiful, and messy life

Quotes:

"She couldn't remember a time in her life when she was so simply and perfectly content. Happy."

My Take: I was so excited about reading just because of the cover!!! Isn't it so pretty!! 
Elly in Love is the second book in the Elly in Bloom series. I've never read the first book and while I was reading this book I didn't feel lost in the plot. I felt like the book was complete and I felt like I was getting to know all the characters as if it was a stand alone book. But after reading Elly in Love I would love to read Elly in Bloom and eventually the next book in the series. 
I felt like I could relate to Elly from the beginning. Elly is one of those characters you root for. She is funny, and clueless, and smart, seems to have a good heart. Just when everything is turning out great in Elly's life, her life takes a plunge. She is stressing out about family issues. She is stressing out because she has a huge Celebrity Wedding to do. And she is stressing out because she's having issues with her boyfriend. 
It was fun read. I liked it. And I am definitely willing to read the first book and eventually read what else happens in Elly's life in the next books. 
My other Summer Reading Challenge reviews: Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick The One and Only by Emily Giffin The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmeiri The Revealed by Jessica Hickman The Walk-In Closet by Abdi Nazemian After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Find my other reviews here: Book Thoughts