Book Review: Where We Belong

Hello lovelies!  I've been on such a reading kick lately and have almost completed my reading goal for the year already!  Can you believe it?  Time to up that goal!  You can follow my recent reads on Goodreads, if you'd like.  Find me here.  :)

Speaking of Goodreads, I was very lucky to win an advance copy giveaway of the book, Where We Belong by Emily Giffin.  Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors!

{Where We Belong will be released on July 24, 2012!}

Synopsis:  The author of five blockbuster novels, Emily Giffin, delivers an unforgettable story of two women, the families that make them who they are, and the longing, loyalty and love that binds them together.

Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian’s perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.

For the precocious and determined Kirby, the encounter will spur a process of discovery that ushers her across the threshold of adulthood, forcing her to re-evaluate her family and future in a wise and bittersweet light. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves—a place that we may have willed ourselves to forget, but that the heart remembers forever. {via goodreads}

REVIEW: {as it appears on goodreads}  As a huge fan of Emily Giffin books, I was extremely excited when I won an advance copy of Where We Belong.  When it arrived, I couldn't wait to tear into it and once I started, I didn't put it down until I was done!  

The writing style in this book was very similar to Emily Giffin's other books, which was one thing that drew me in instantly.  I love how she uses her gift of storytelling and great attention to detail to draw her readers into the lives of the characters in each of her books.  All of her books are also told through first-person narration, which really helps you to get into the mindset of the main character.  Where We Belong, was similar to Heart of the Matter, in the sense that it alternated between the two main characters, Marian and Kirby's points of view.   It was very easy to follow and helped give more depth into their lives, relationships, and more importantly, what they were thinking and how they were feeling.  

Without saying too much about the storyline,  Where We Belong, is about a woman named Marian in her mid 30's, who is questioning her future with her current boyfriend, when unexpectedly an eighteen year old girl named Kirby shows up at her door changing everything.  Kirby is Marian's daughter, a daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago.  As the story unfolds, you learn what Marian's life was like at eighteen years old, why she made the choices she made, and what Kirby's life was like growing up and what brought her to the decision of searching for her birth mother. As you learn all of those things, you begin to see a formation of a different relationship between Marian and Kirby and how different events shape you, teach you, and cause you to reevaluate where you are in life and find where you belong! 

Where We Belong is a heartfelt and emotional story, that will hook you in and one you will not want to put down!  Emily Giffin fans (especially) will not be disappointed!  DEFINITELY A MUST READ!

Have you read any Emily Giffin books?  Which one is your favorite?

{I'm linking up with Heather at Blonde .. Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!  If you've read any books and have reviewed them on your blog, feel free to join!  I always look forward to adding new books to my reading list!}

Happy Reading! xo

{images via google.com}

COACH Sale

Hello lovelies!  I decided to have a blog sale with some accessories. 

All items are either brand-new or used in like new condition unless otherwise noted.

All single purchased items offer free shipping. 

{Sorry for the sun glare, they look brand new.  No marks or scratches.  Perfectly clean.}

COACH signature wedge sandals {size 9.5; could fit size 9 comfortably as well}

LIKE NEW condition -- only worn once.  

Retail value: $94

PRICE:  $50.00 (or best offer) with FREE SHIPPING

COACH green & gold bangle

LIKE NEW condition -- only worn a handful times.  

Retail value: 98.00

PRICE:  $30.00 {or best offer} with FREE SHIPPING

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!  And if you see something you like but want to negotiate the price, let me know and maybe we can work something out! :)

If you're interested,  please let me know in a comment below with your e-mail address.

Items are on a first come, first serve basis!

All payments will be collected via paypal.

Thank you!

Have a great day! xo

Cowboy Casserole

Hello loves!  I posted a pic of the this bad boy on instagram a few weeks ago and everyone commented that I needed to share the recipe so here it is!

Cowboy Casserole

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef 

1 bag of steamed broccoli

2 (10 1/4 ounce) cans cream of broccoli soup

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

1 (16 ounce) package tater tots

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large skillet over high heat, brown the ground beef and drain fat.

3.  Pour beef into casserole dish.  Top with broccoli then pour the cans of cream of broccoli soup over the top of beef and broccoli mixture.  

4.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top.  

5.  Place layer of tater tots on top then layer remaining cheese over tater tots.

6. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes or until tater tots are crispy and cheese has melted.

SUPER EASY to throw together and DELICIOUS!

Enjoy! xo

Eden's Edge

Hello lovelies!  Now y'all know I'm a concert junkie!  I just love concerts! 

{See that proof right here!}

Anyway, more on all the concerts I've been to soon but until then I wanted to share my last live music experience!  

Last night, I went to see Eden's Edge at their CD release party here on Long Island.   I'll be honest and say I didn't really know much about them until CMA Fest a few weeks ago.  I had heard two of their songs Amen and Too Good To Be True but that was really it.  Let me tell you when I heard them on the riverfront in Nashville, I immediately became hooked!  They were FANTASTIC!  The lead singer, Hannah, has an amazing voice and Cherrill and Dean are awesome on back-up vocals and play the guitar and mandolin.  

So of course, when I heard they were coming to L.I. I knew I had to go see them!  They didn't disappoint!  They sang about 8 songs or so and it was a great time!  They even stayed after to sign CDs, take pictures, and interact with the fans!  They were really so humble and sincere!  It was a pleasure to meet them and with their talents I really hope they go far.  They have toured with Brad Paisley, Eric Church, and Lady Antebellum, and are currently on tour with Rascal Flatts so if you have the chance to see a show, be sure to check them out!

Oh, and I have to add this before I share pictures!  While I was taking a picture with them, Hannah happened to notice my cell phone case.  She said, "Who's that on your phone case?" {she couldn't see it up close}, so the photographer handed her my phone and she noticed that it was Jason {of course!} and she said "How cool is that!!  That's awesome!!"  I smiled from ear-to-ear and told her I had a bit of an obsession with him and she said, "I can see why!".  HAHAH!  It was awesome!  

And if you like country music and haven't heard of them before, take a listen . . .

What do you think?!

Have a great day! xo

Laters, Baby!

Hello lovelies!  So those of you who have followed me for awhile know that I have quite an obsession with the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.  I have to brag a little and say that the first time I read it was at the beginning of March over three days before the hype and bandwagon ride began.  I'm happy to say I fell in love with Christian Grey before all the hoopla!  It's actually weird when I hear people reading it now because I read it so long ago, but I'll admit I've read all over a few times since! ;)

Anyways, once I read the books I became obsessed and twitter stalked E.L James till I found out that she was doing a small U.S. book tour and I knew I had to go!  Luckily, she came to N.Y on May 7th and I worked some magic and got tickets!

{Yes, I made the shirt! :)}

{She admired my tie and laughed as I said I was #greysessed!}

She was really nice and funny!  As far as books from Christian's POV go,  she said "never say never".  I hope she does, she'd be silly not to after how much of a success this series has been!

There you have it . . . another amazing experience to add to my list! ;)

Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey?  What did you think?

Laters, baby! xo

A Comeback Attempt

Hello lovelies!  Remember me?!  It seems that I fell off the blogging planet for a few weeks there!  I had made a short comeback but unfortunately it didn't last.  I'm hoping this summer that I'll be able to get back into it!  I do miss it!  But I do honestly feel like I need to put less pressure on myself... blogging is meant to be fun!  I'm glad that you guys are still here and that I'm able to keep up with a lot of you on other social networks too (twitter, facebook, instagram)!  

SO . . . WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!  Hmm...

 You'd think since losing my teaching job I'd have lots of free time on my hands but it's actually been the opposite!  I've been doing some part-time work here and there for the office and restaurant and have been pounding the pavement looking for a new job!  {My previous job may come back should the summer budget and enrollment change but I need to find something more permanent.}  Other than that, I've really had a lot keeping me busy! 

If you follow me on instagram, you know that I've been traveling A LOT!  I went to Georgia and recently went to Nashville for CMA Fest.   Words cannot even begin to explain the amazing time I had there!  If you love country music,  I highly recommend planning a trip there for CMA Fest!  You will have the time of your life!  Mark my words, you WILL!  I'm pretty darn certain of it! ;)  I am so beyond grateful for these awesome experiences I've had and they truly triumph over and make up for the not so good times I've had over the past few months!

Anyways, I have lots going on this summer including lots of concerts and another trip (to Denver) but I will be sure to be back!   Thanks for sticking around! <3

Here are a few pictures from CMA Fest . . . 

{Be back with more soon!}

Have a great day, lovelies! xo