Honestly, I thought buying a cleaning book last year would set the tone for adulting. But boy was I wrong.

This probably has to be the most adult book I've ever owned. And for good reason too.

It's a book how about...wait for it... How to Set a Table! Crazy right? I know.

This book will actually be my savor these next holidays and step up my hosting game. Did I think I would be this excited for a hospitality book? No. But then again, I never had this tiny book of wonder.



*disclaimer: I recieved this book in from Blogging for Books in exchange for a honest review*

So without further ado, lets introduce them.

Even though this week is to celebrate how amazing my dogs are as companions, I find myself relishing in their greatness all the time.

They all have not only changed my life, but improved every being of it. 

I love my animals. They're a great addition to my family and I wouldn't change it for the world. They don't need much, just food, water, exercise and love. And they repay you by loving you unconditionally. They stick with you and stand by you when you need them most. I can't imagine my life without their cute little faces and their endless puppy kisses.

And now my question to you, do you have any animal in your life? How have
they changed your life. Let's share our stories about our precious fur babies in the comments below (:

This story was everything you possibly would ever want a book to be. It was both funny, sad, witty and told the story of a man faced with injustice and finding himself at the same time. He wasn't a perfect man, like most real people aren't and it gave the authenticity to feel for him and root for him. I couldn't recommend this book enough.

So what were some of your favorites for last month or currently loving this month? Let's talk about in the comments below (:

If you have don't have the discipline of an Olympic athlete, don't do TBR's.

Something I have learned the hard way it seems. Normally when going about reading and picking a book I want to read, I'll make a list of potential novels like most readers I know do. Sounds super easy right? WRONG.

I've attempted so many times on completing my TBR's. 

And it's all ended in me sad facing at the lack of accomplishment. It's not because I don't want to read them. Because let's be honest, that's a silly thing to say. But it's because I've put this unnecessary amount of pressure to finish something that I just end up failing at. My mind tries so desperately to wrap my head around the plot and the characters and nothing clicks. It becomes about reading the line after line but visualizing nothing but jumbled up words on a page. It then becomes totally unmotivating. And before I know it I've put myself in a book slump.

Very contradicting. Very annoying. Very "lets pray to the god's and have them bless me with something to get me at least two books in on my list" 

Because I have come to that point. Because I'll try anything at that point.

Oh but that isn't my only struggle. 

It wouldn't be worthy of a blog post if it was just one thing. lol

I have also found myself struggling with the never ending book releases of some pretty amazing books. Sure it doesn't sound like the worst struggle. But when it comes to my TBR, it most certainly is. Books that were on my TBR get pushed back by the new releases and then my TBR never actually gets caught up with.

"wait; let's have a drinking game on how many times I just said "tbr" "

But if its one thing I've learned from all this; is this...

Read whatever you wanna read. If your not into reading a certain book, don't suffered through it. Just pick another one that catches your eye. Over time I've kinda forgot about what the real experience of devouring an interesting book is. I got caught up in my literary goals that my love for reading suffered. And let's face it, as a book lover that's like looking getting all ebooks; it just can't happen.

Maybe one day I'll catch up with all the books to be read. And maybe 50% of my library will contain all books I haven't read. With all the maybe's in the world, I will continue to remind myself that my love for reading isn't about the accomplishment's I'll boast about but of the thrilling excitement of finishing books I truly, utterly wanted to read in that moment.

So what are some of your reading struggles? Do you also struggle with your tbr? Lets talk about it in the comments below (:

So Congratulations! Because you've made it this far. And like a lot others might say, the first step is the hardest. I know this isn't an intervention but it is a step to living a healthier fulfilled life. But you already know that don't you? You've seen the light and watched the unspoken horrors of what happens to innocent animals and put your foot down against the injustice and cruelty that happens to them in the name of makeup, clothing and skincare.

But first lets go over a quick run down on what is "Cruelty Free"


Now with that all specified; here are some tips to ensure your transition goes smoothly.

Tip #1 : Take Your Time

Unless you're the type of person to just purge all your belongings and get new ones. Firstly, good on you and Secondly, if you have the wallet for it, go right ahead.

Tip #2 : Use Shopping Guides

Tip #3: Look for a Logo

Tip #4: Hold yourself accountable

As in, sign a petition for yourself to pledge to be cruelty free. There's nothing more reassuring and less likely for you to change your mind than pledging to not being apart of the indescribable unnecessary pain and suffering that companies place on innocent animals.
I found that signing a pledge insured the committed for forever fighting for animals rights and speaking out against the injustice they face. 
1: Human Society International Pledge
2: Cruelty Free International Pledge
3: PETA Pledge

As a fellow lifestyle blogger, I'm very well experienced in the art of trying new things. It's literally the reason we keep blogging and people keep reading. And because the experiencing new products all the time, it can be really hard to narrow down on what you would consider "favorite" or even put in that category. What I have realized over the years, is favorites always change as with the times. So what I have done in the past is, I group my favorites. Or in better words, round up with current faves each month because mine change so much. For a while and so far, it's been pretty good. It's allowed me the freedom of both worlds essentially.

But what I have noticed is that, there are a lot of favorites. 

Especially for a lifestyle/beauty blogger because there are a lot of products out there and a lot of categories of favorites. For example; my favorite blushes, my favorite skincare products, etc.  When I first started transitioning into more ethical/ cruelty free products I narrowed the amount of favorites I have enjoyed. But I also widen the many types of new and exciting products to also try. So what I lost, I also gained.

 From that experience, I've learned that it's either too much or not enough. 

When do you decide to cut down on your "favorites" and limit what you consider one? How can one go about categorizing this category without looking too busy? This small but mighty dilemma has bugged me for a while now because I am still transitioning my beauty/lifestyle products out. I am also still figuring about what products I enjoy the most and what suit my skin and body the most. I was thinking maybe in conjunction with my monthly favorites, I could do a series on here about my journey to finding my favorites; which I'm highly leaning towards.

While I'm still figuring out my method, I guess I'm asking what are yours? What have you done to address this and what has worked for you when its comes to grouping things together? Do you also do a monthly wrap up? Let's talk about it in the comments below (:

This is the coolest thing yet! & some pretty cool stuff has happened so far, but this literally takes the cake... & what is it you ask? I'm sure from the title you can guess... but yesss, you're girl has been nominated for a Blogger Recognition Award! 

I was so graciously nominated by Helene Choo. I seriously can't thank her enough. Helene happens to always be a fellow lifestyle blogger. She talks about food, fitness and my personal favorite; travel. And in my experience, you can ever have enough tips and suggestions on how to travel right.

So in honor of this nomination I thought I would give you a quick run down on why I started this blog. In a few post's back I did a little Q&A about what my blog features(link here), but what I didn't mention is why I started all of this amazingness. In essence it was because I do very much enjoy writing. Shocker right?! lol And it was a big contributor in why this decision was so clear for me. I always found it super easy to find my voice when writing then actually conversing with people. Things and statements always seemed more clear and apparent when I wrote it all out.

If I had two pieces of advice I would give fellow bloggers when starting out, it's this: 

1: Have Fun 
It can become really stressful really fast if you take everything so serious. So have fun with it all. Write about pieces that you really love and don't worry about so much about what others expect of you. You've found our niche because it's something you thoroughly enjoy, so keep enjoying it and let the good times roll post after post.
2:  Interact
I've learned that things become so much more easier and fun when you surround yourself with like minded people i.e people who also blog. It ensures your not on this journey alone and that you'll have other people who you can go to for advice, to bond and to relish in the fun experience that blogging is.

And with that being said; I'd love to nominate 15 other fellow bloggers to this awesome award and why they're so awesome too! (:
1:  One Trip A Month (she's a girl after my own heart and the will to do it; a traveler )
2:  My Mindset Motivation (beautiful motivations)
3:  From The Lion's Mane ( ethical lifestyle blogger; aka awesome! )
4:  All The Passion Strings ( a beautiful soul with beautiful posts )
5:  Anywhere With Autumn ( a new blogger with a passion for travel )
6:  Bear And Mouse Read ( a bookish blog about children's literature )
7:  The Inkstain's Blog ( a fresh new blog about bookish literature )
8:  Brunette By Design ( also a fresh new lifestyle blog, what can I say; I love supporting new blogs )
9:  Content With Simple ( a sweet soul on her journey of life and writing it)
10:Tangy Tales ( a vegetarian food blog with the most delicious recipes )
11:Cassies Big Adventure ( a adventurer that  makes an emphasis on exploring)
12:Be Forever Healthier ( a blog about enjoying life and still keeping healthy)
13:Citrus & Sun (she has such a gorgeous blog)
14:Seeking The South (a southern gal with a lifestyle blog)
15:Knitted Pages (a bookstagramer with a new book blog)

                                           Congrats to all the nominees! (:

and remember; when passing on this great honor to follow these rules below (:

Now to why I loved it!:

I loved this electric story of two star crossed lovers going against all the odds in 1980's New York. It brings the feel of Romeo & Juliet but lifts it and creates a version completely captivating. From the first page I was hooked!  It was both raw, sexy and addicting reading on how these two people would fall in love. 

I wasn't even born in the 80's but the feel and the descriptions make it feel like I was living in it. Elise is this powerful force to be reckoned with woman who's had to be tough with the life was raised in but somehow opens herself up to Jamey was raised fairly sheltered and wealthy. The author truly did do an amazing job with weaving these two characters thoughts and voices together without being too much. 

I know this from experience, slump are the worst. And I've had them all. From book slumps, to work slumps to even design slumps; which I'm currently in sadly. But because I've experienced them and fought my way out of them, I know the ways of the Yoda and overcoming this dark force.

SO HOW?

Mix it up. Routine and all.

Your probably in one because your routine is the same day in and day out. and with the same routine, the more you do something over and over the more it loses it's spark. So try a different genre or a different scenery.

Find the balance and relax

Believe it or not,  it can be stress. and your probably thinking how can the thing I do to de-stress be the stress maker? because your forcing it. Don't force it, it makes it worse. Your desperately trying to overcome it but at the same time its doesn't feel the same. I tried forcing it and I was stuck on the same paragraph rereading and lost my focus because I just couldn't get into the flow. So relax. Do a task that alternatively relaxes you like listening to music or meditating. After all, this slump is mainly because your mentally unmotivated.

Work around it and you'll find your way back.

In my experience, it makes it worse if you wait. and if its a work slump, it isn't something you can do without losing your job. If its a time sensitive slump, work around it. Slowly do tasks you know you can accomplish and then when you feel like your ready, read the book or work on your deadline.

Most importantly, Stay Positive

Your biggest disadvantage throughout this whole mess is your thinking. Don't devalue your commitment and  don't discourage yourself into thinking you can accomplish this. YOU CAN. Being stuck doesn't make you a bad worker or undisciplined. It's something that can happen to anyone doing anything. So don't let it psyche you out. Positive thinking with exponentially speed up and dissolve this dreaded slump of yours.

These are just four ways that have helped me in the past and continue to help me now. But all that really matters is what works for you. Everyone is different and some methods can vary. But I think as the end goal is always the same-to fight through the slump-to commitment and motivation will continue to thrive.

So tell me; have you tried any of these, and if you did, did they help?

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis: Would you trade your soul mate for your soul?

A Shadowhunter’s life is bound by duty. Constrained by honor. The word of a Shadowhunter is a solemn pledge, and no vow is more sacred than the vow that binds parabatai, warrior partners—sworn to fight together, die together, but never to fall in love.

Emma Carstairs has learned that the love she shares with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, isn’t just forbidden—it could destroy them both. She knows she should run from Julian. But how can she when the Blackthorns are threatened by enemies on all sides?

Their only hope is the Black Volume of the Dead, a spell book of terrible power. Everyone wants it. Only the Blackthorns can find it. Spurred on by a dark bargain with the Seelie Queen, Emma; her best friend, Cristina; and Mark and Julian Blackthorn journey into the Courts of Faerie, where glittering revels hide bloody danger and no promise can be trusted. Meanwhile, rising tension between Shadowhunters and Downworlders has produced the Cohort, an extremist group of Shadowhunters dedicated to registering Downworlders and “unsuitable” Nephilim. They’ll do anything in their power to expose Julian’s secrets and take the Los Angeles Institute for their own.When Downworlders turn against the Clave, a new threat rises in the form of the Lord of Shadows—the Unseelie King, who sends his greatest warriors to slaughter those with Blackthorn blood and seize the Black Volume. As dangers close in, Julian devises a risky scheme that depends on the cooperation of an unpredictable enemy. But success may come with a price he and Emma cannot even imagine, one that will bring with it a reckoning of blood that could have repercussions for everyone and everything they hold dear.

I couldn't wait to read this. Something about Cassandra Clare's books. They get you hooked. They become your book crack & its so easy to get addicted.

I LOVED the mortal instrument series. & I especially LOVED the first book in this series.
I enjoyed that in Lady Midnight, Clare introduced characters from the mortal instruments series to this one. It made reading it feel full circle.And she didn't disappoint when she did it again.

SO, I waited. and finally the time was here to read it. I tried my hardest to read it slow. To savor every world and conversation and the moments. But I couldn't. & I was a goner. You didn't see me for a whole day. I parked myself in my book nook and succumbed to Cassandra's words.

MANNNN.... This book surpassed Lady Midnight. It took the first book's essence and made it so much more. From the writing, to the love triangles, to the plot. Some books get middle book syndrome or fall short for the second book, but this one didn't. It took Lady Midnight and gave it a rune and made it stronger and better.

I dont know how to write a review without spoiling everything. Because I want to talk about everything and the ending sooooooooooo bad. LIKE SOOOOO BAD. but, ill leave you here and a little bit of my soul.

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