Blogger Secret Santa

Merry Christmas!

I love being a part of gift exchanges! Who doesn't love giving and receiving gifts, right? This year I joined in on Maiedae's Gift Exchange and Jersey Girl Texan Heart's Blogger Gift Exchange.

I'm one of those people that likes to find the absolute perfect gift for someone, but I have to admit that it was hard to find that perfect something for Abby of Face The Mountain because I've never met her. We exchanged gifts through Maiedae's Gift Exchange, and tried to glean as much as I could about her from the questionnaire we all answered and her Instagram account.

I got Abby a fox mug (she loves hiking), an eos lip balm (it's cold out there), red lipstick (her favorite color is red), and a floral notepad (she loves writing).

For Monica's Blogger Gift Exchange, I got Simone of Fashion Runs the World. I've met her a few times now in the city at a few blogger brunches, so I had an idea of what I should get for her. She's a fierce fashionista who loves the color pink and reviewing beauty products, so I got her a very soft pink scarf, an eos lip balm, and a three-pack of NYX butter glosses. 

These are almost all of the gifts that I was given through either gift exchanges or friends. From Abby I got a monogrammed mug, a candle (which smells so amazing!), and A Christmas Carol. From Diane of Style Context I got this adorable "Literature is my boyfriend" necklace, which is so true.

From my friend Brittany I got yummy treats (chocolate truffles and granola) and a clock journal from my friend Lauren. I got the iHome after playing Chinese Grab Bag with my coworkers. I originally had a $25 gift card to a movie theater, but it was "stolen" in the game. Have you played it before?

My blogger friend Naomi of Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups gave me this beautiful Tangled print by Alice Zhang that was on my December wishlist.

Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful gifts! I'm a lucky girl!

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A Blogger Book Swap: Childhood Favorites

Today I'm linking up with Nina of run(dance)love to talk about my favorite books from childhood!

ONE | When I Have A Little Girl by Charlotte Zolotow

This is my favorite childhood book! I remember my mom reading it to me at night. It's about a little girl telling her mother that when she has a little girl of her own her daughter will be able to do all the things she wants, like go outside without a coat at the first sign of spring or only take a bath once a week. I love how fun this book is.

TWO | The Very Little Girl by Phyllis Krasilovsky

I loved this book when I was young because it's about a girl who is very little, and since I've always been small in a way this book spoke to my small-ness, but shows that no matter how small you are you can still do big things, like be a big sister (which I also am). 

THREE | Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Everyone knows and loves this book and for good reason. It's so wonderful and imaginative. A young boy, armed only with a purple crayon, goes on an adventure because of the things that he himself drew. It shows just how powerful your imagination can be and still rings true almost sixty years after it was published. 

What are your favorite childhood books?

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A Blogger Book Swap: Literary Crushes

Today, I'm linking up with Kimberly of The Simplicity to talk about my literary crushes!

ONE | Harry Potter

You know I have to start with the stubborn, loyal and at times moody young wizard, who I had a literary crush on all through my teenage years. What's not to love about the fact that he will stop at nothing to protect those he cares about? It doesn't hurt that he also has dark, messy hair and wears glasses. 

TWO | Fitzwilliam Darcy

Tall, dark, handsome, and ever brooding, Mr. Darcy is the man that woman have been swooning over for two centuries, and rightly so. He loves Elizabeth right from the start, but quietly loves her. When she tells him off and rejects his proposal of marriage, he realizes he's been arrogant and pretentious,  and changes his outlook to become a better man. *swoon*

THREE | Tobias Eaten AKA Four

The handsome, young Dauntless initiation instructor nicknamed Four is protective but not overly so, stern, gentle, and trustworthy. He believes in the Dauntless faction and it's idea that ordinary acts of bravery help people stand up for each other. He also believes in Beatrice and her ability to overcome her fears. He and Beatrice have a trusting and intense relationship that for a YA novel is believable and doesn't feel too juvenile. 

What literary crushes do you have?

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A Blogger Book Swap: Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm linking up with Nicole of Three 31 for the next Preview to Summer: A Blogger Book Swap post! Today's post is about cover designs and not judging books by their covers. 

ONE | Do you judge a book by its cover?

I really try not to because a beautiful cover doesn't always mean the writing inside is going to be marvelous, that the plot is going to sweep me off my feet, or that I'm going to root for the characters. However, it's hard not to see a pretty book and be dazzled by it. But I usually judge a book based on the summary on the back; if it jumps out at me, then that's when I want to buy it. 

TWO | How important is cover design to you?

As a visual person, cover design is very important. The cover is indicative of what's inside (ie. plot, genre, themes, who the audience is), or at least it should be, so I like seeing elements of the plot shown on the outside, like a street showing Victorian England, a sword in a stone, a splatter of blood, or a striped circus tent. When book covers are too plain or so over-crowded with pictures that it's messy it doesn't make me want to pick up the book. It's the covers job to lure you in with what the tone of the book is going to be. 

THREE | Share your favorite book cover.

{I'm sure there are better and worse covers, but these are the ones I thought of first.}

I haven't finished reading The Thirteenth Tale yet, but I think the cover is amazing. I love how there are worn, classic-looking books on a book, how the books are piled, how crisp the photo is, and the little curve of the burgundy ribbon. My next favorite is Pride and Prejudice; I tend to really like the classic covers from Penguin and Barnes & Noble because they're usually paintings, which adds to the timeless and classic feel to them. 

My least favorite is One for the Money. I hate the colors and the blocky lettering, and the cover tells me absolutely nothing about the plot. Another one I dislike is Beautiful Creatures. I know this story is a Southern Gothic and it's supposed to be dark and moody, but I really don't like that's just a dark tree. I want a cover that tells me that this is about magic, history, and romance. 

FOUR | What book surprised you the most, despite its unappealing cover design?

What surprised me the most about Beautiful Creatures was the deep-rooted Civil War history and that this YA novel illustrated the fact that the past ripples into the present. Our collective past makes lasting impressions and affects us for generations, so it was wonderful to see this and see it done in an intriguing way. 

Also, I just read Dispatches by Michael Herr for class and despite it's hideously plain cover it was a surprisingly good read. When I realized it was about the Vietnam War, I groaned at first, thinking it would be overly-political, but as a war correspondent Herr wrote the experiences of the soldiers in a compelling and emotional way. 

FIVE | In your opinion, what makes a book cover intriguing?

To me, an eye-catching cover is emotionally evocative (dark, cheery, romantic, whimsical, scary, sensual, exciting). When I look at a book's cover I want to feel something. It should make me smile or freak me out a little or make me want to go on an adventure. The tone of what's inside the book should be depicted on the cover. 

P.S. -- Don't judge person by the book they read (or write)!

Do you judge a book by it's cover?

What kind of book covers do you like?

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A Blogger Book Swap: I Love New York City

The next link-up post for the Preview to Summer: A Blogger Book Swap is I Love New York City!

I love the idea of this link-up because I live right outside of New York City, or as people here call it "the city," so I'll always soft spot for it in my heart. One of the reasons I love this city so much is because people from all over the world live here. On a regular day I hear three languages in the span of five minutes, I meet people who are from a different country, and come into contact with ideas, religions, and politics that are dissimilar than my own, and I think it's amazing!

ONE | Forever by Pete Hamill

In 1741, a young man from Ireland named Cormac O'Connor sets out on a journey to avenge his father's death at the hands of the Earl of Warren by following the Earl to the island of Manhattan. While on the ship, Cormac meets Kongo, an African slave, and after the two join the rebellion against the British, Cormac is shot saving Kongo. Kongo's dead priestess grants Cormac eternal life so long as he never leaves the island. The book follows Cormac as well as this thriving city as it grows into the 21st century. {Buy the book}

TWO | Manchild in the Promised Land by Claude Brown

An autobiography, this book a thinly fictionalized account of Claude Brown's childhood as a hardened, streetwise criminal trying to survive in the tough streets of Harlem in the 1940s and 1950s. Published in 1965, it realistically portrays Harlem life: the tough kids, the hardworking parents, the hustlers, drug dealers, prostitutes, police. What's oddly great about this book is the underlying humor and the fact that Brown is unapologetic about what he did as a child and teenager. {Buy the book}

THREE | The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The classic book follows Nick Carraway when he first arrives in New York in 1922 and moves next to the mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, who throws lavish parties every weekend. Through the eyes of Nick, we see all that Jay Gatsby has done in order to win over the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. As Nick becomes more involved in the glamorous life of the rich he sees that in actuality it's a life of empty, immoral people. {Buy the book}

Have you read any books that take place in NYC?

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Inspiration: Bright Colors & A Blogger Book Swap: 5 Books Every Young Woman Should Read

Every time spring and summer rolls around, my love of bright colors and neons come back in full force {see this DIY and this one}. As you can see from this outfit, I love adding neon touches and I can't wait to wear my new bright-colored clothing (which you'll see in a new buys post this friday).

Looking at the picture below, you can see that I'm very into bright pink and yellow right now. While my love of pink is unwavering, yellow is a color that I used to despise. Before I thought yellow was boring and unflattering, but now I'm rethinking this vibrant color. It seems bright, cheerful, and warmer hues of the color are super flattering. Are you into bright colors?

I found out who my book swap partner is for the Preview to Summer: A Blogger Book Swap! It's Helen of Eat. Enjoy. Live! So excited to be partnered with her! We've been emailing and getting to know each other a little better! I can't wait to find the perfect book or two to send her, and see what I get in return!

ONE | Divergent by Veronica Roth

I read this book recently thinking that it would just be another dystopian-adventure novel, and while it is that at it's core, the theme of fear is prevalent throughout. It really made me think during and for several days afterwards about what my fears are, how having fears makes you human, and that overcoming them makes you stronger. Not only is a fun read, but it makes you think, too.

TWO | The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen is a badass. There's no denying it. She's smart, compassionate, stands up for herself, stands up for who and what she believes, knows how to protect herself, doesn't care what (most) people think, and lets herself get angry. Sometimes it's nice to have a reminder that inside all of us there's a badass chick.

THREE | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Or really anything by Jane Austen. We all deserve to find love and be loved. It might take some time to get there or to find the right person, but we should never give up on love. And we should never let anyone tell us that we don't deserve a love like Elizabeth and Darcy's, or Emma and Knightley's, or Anne and Wentworth's.

FOUR | The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

I remember finding this book hard to read because of the subject matter. Offred is a handmaid who is serving the Commander and his wife, and has to hope that the Commander makes her pregnant because her value is marked by her fertility. No one should ever feel degraded or belittled like Offred in any circumstance. And sometimes it's better to risk everything in order to be happy and feel free.

FIVE | Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewette

This is a collection of short stories written in 1896 about friendship between women. There's really no plot or climax or crazy, never-would-have-seen-that-coming ending. It's just simple, conversations between close friends. Each character has been changed by their struggles, the weather, and the isolation of the fishing villages that they live in. It's a beautiful series of character sketches that can teach us a lot about friendship and the hardships of life.

What books do you think young women should read?

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A Blogger Book Swap: Three Favorite Books Link-Up

As a part of the Preview to Summer: A Blogger Book Swap, we're all talking about our top three favorite books and linking up on I Believe In Story (if you want to see other people's top three).

 

ONE | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

My first love will always be the Harry Potter books because they're what made me want to get into writing in the first place. However, my favorite of all of them is Prisoner of Azkaban; I love the suspense in this one, the betrayal, the time travel, that Hermione punches Malfoy in the face, and that no matter how many times I read it, I want to read it again.

TWO | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I was never into romance until one day I saw the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie and then immediately had to read the book. I started it that night and fell in love with these wonderful, strong-willed characters and the romantic story. I think the novel gets better the more I read it because every time I notice something different and get better at deciphering the language.

THREE | The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Granted I just finished reading this, but I absolutely loved it. The story is so unique and captivating, the characters make you want to root for them, the circus setting is just plain awesome, and the writing is vivid and lovely and just as magical as the story. I can't wait to read it again in the future.

What are your top three favorite novels?

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2013 Valentine's Day Blogging Party / Gift Exchange!

I'm so excited to be a part of the Valentine's Day Blogging Party / Gift Exchange hosted by Casey, Nicole, Lauren, Alycia, and Ashlee! It was great being partnered with Aline of Tamed Musings! Check out her blog -- she writes about the most delicious-looking recipes, books, crafts, and style.  

I was so excited when I received her gift in the mail. I love how it was wrapped and her letter was so nice. Aline gave me a handmade travel jewelry pouch by Arte and Linha, and I love it! She mentioned in the letter that she tried to find a purple one since that's my favorite color, but this pink floral one is so beautiful! The small flowers are so delicate, the plaid is a fun contrast, and the gold string is so soft!

When it opens up, there's more of the floral print and cute little pockets inside. You can bet I'll be using this when I travel as well as every day to store little trinkets!

Thanks so much, Aline!

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