I'm Loving' It

The new Starbucks "Very Berry Hibiscus" Refresher is muy bueno!  I was very hesitant to try this coffee drink that tastes nothing like coffee, but let me just tell you it is so delish.  A grande drink only has 70 calories and it contains freeze-dried berries as well.  Once I finish my beverages, I fill my cup of with water and enjoy my "spa" water at my desk.  If you are lucky enough to have them sampling it at your local Sbux, make sure you give it a try. 

Also loving the Hunger Games Triology.  I am on the final book of the series and trying to find any excuse to read it.   

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This bright, cheery and a little bit nautical look from Atlantic-Pacific.  I mean let's be honest, all of her outfits are lust-worthy but this one just screams glamorous fun in the sun.

Even though I am perfectly content and still loving my Yellow KitchenAid Mixer, I fell in love at first sight with this KitchenAid Artisan Susan G. Komen Stand Mixer in Raspberry Ice.  Not only would it be a brilliantly bold addition to any kitchen, but with the purchase of this mixer you are also contributing to the Susan G. Komen Cook for the Cure®’s efforts to cure breast cancer. 

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This ring and grey nail polish combo.  Whenever I see this photo I instantly want to run to the nearest beauty supply and pick up a bottle of grey polish (preferably chinchilly).  Grey, yellow, turquoise and a little bit of gold...possibly new bedroom color scheme? 

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Visits from friends and babies that include dinners at garlic ball heaven C&O Trattoria in Venice. 

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Holding sweet little buddy Raleigh while soaking up rays, sipping some wine at Sip in Malibu and reminiscing with friends.  This past weekend Coffey and Cabe flew down from Seattle so that many of us could meet little Raleigh as well as the handsome Easton.  It was a weekend of making the best of roadblocks and rules and fully of laughter and smiles.  So much fun!

The Help Book Review

I finished The Help last Wednesday and have to say that it has been one of my favorite reads in a long time.  I laughed, I cried, and I also cringed throughout the novel.  After dragging through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Help was a welcomed change. 

The book takes place through the Civil Rights in the 1960's and tells the story through three different narratives, Skeeter - a white college grad who belongs to a ladies society and wants to change the way "the help" is treated, Aibileen - a black maid to Skeeter's friend Elizabeth and confidant to Skeeter and Minny - a recently fired by the leader of the ladies society black maid with a strong personality.

I loved every one of the narratives and the different opinion and view they had to offer.  Aibileen - nurturing, cautious and brave.  Minny - defiant, hard-working and brave.  Skeeter - alone, creative, and brave.  When Skeeter witnesses horrible acts of racism in her city, she sets out to pursue her passion of writing while trying to make a change to the future with some help from the maids of Jackson, Mississippi. 

Without giving too much away, the book has moments of extreme happiness and moments where I was disgusted that all this happened a mere fifty plus years ago. You grow extremely attached to the cause and rooting for change and when I finished the last page, I was sad to be finished and had to remind myself that these characters although fictional, really existed back in the day, and left me wishing for their happiness. 

The movie comes out August 12th and you better believe I am hoping one of my gf's here in LA finishes the book in time to see it with me!  I just started The Hunger Games (rec'd from Pink Sass) and am already loving this series, more to come about that, but for now, check out the preview for The Help.

Flashing Brights

According to the calendar, spring sprung on Sunday...

According to my window, spring has yet to arrive in L.A.

The wind, rain and grey, leaves me craving anything and everything bright and sunny!

(click picture to enlarge)

1st Row: Scarf, Candle, Shimmer Tee, Pack Away Bag

2nd Row: Dress, Clutch, Books, Pumps

3rd Row: Bowls, Wedges, Sweater, Trench Motorcycle Jacket

4th Row: Undies, Lip Gloss, Thongs , Nail Polish

Has spring sprung at your location yet?  What do you have your eye one this spring?

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Review

all photos via W Magazine

Some 7 months ago I shared this post with ya'll sharing that I was starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I eagerly jumped into this novel after hearing such wonderful reviews. 

I've decided that I have kind of a love hate relationship with this novel.  It has never in my life taken me so long to get into a book.  It seemed as though I was running a full marathon, people around me constantly encouraging me to continue on that it would only get better and easier, and it did....around page 400 (mind you the book is 600 pages). 

Yes I know, why am I complaining when I could have easily just stopped reading the book.  The answer is simple, I wanted to believe that this book would be worth it.  And in a way it was, but perhaps it was all the hype but it just wasn't as good as I would have thought. 

Moments of the book were pure brilliance and I did like the characters of the novel, but I just feel like it fell short at times (perhaps the first 400 pages).  I watched the Swedish version of the movie this past Sunday and it did make me appreciate the novel more.  I am quite excited for the David Fincher version starring the darling and angelic Rooney Mara who has transformed herself completely for the role of Lisbeth Salander. 

Below are some pictures from her spread with W Magazine - it is kind of incredible how different she looks. 

Those abs - yes please!

Rooney is said to have pierced her lip, nose and nipples all in one day for the role.  Talk about dedication!

 Give the book a chance, if it takes longer than a month to get you excited I would suggest taking a pass.  What are your thoughts on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?  Were you instantly a fan?  What page pulled you in or turned you away?  Have you read any of the other books in the series? 

Next up for me....The Help.

HP7: Part One

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Call me a geek if you like, but this 30 year old is really excited for the latest Harry Potter film that comes out tomorrow!

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows

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I first began the series in my Young Adult Literature course at WSU and was amazed by the imagination of J.K. Rowling.  The books are very well written and although geared towards young adults and children very enjoyable for people of all ages.  I cried at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) and was so excited to dive into Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) to see how it would all end.  When I finished the book I felt satisfied and yet also sad that there would no longer be any adventures of Harry Potter to read. 

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The producers of the movies did an outstanding job casting for the books.  The characters are everything and more than I could have imagined myself and to watch them grow from these little cuties to adults.  They did it with grace and also without taking a page from the Lindsay Lohan book and ending up in rehab and quite an accomplishment if you ask me.  

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We meet the darling Mr. H Potter living under the stairs and little do we know how important this little fellow will soon become.

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We learned what "muggles" are. 

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We learned that Dumbledore was a pretty incredible wizard who ran the hell out of Hogwarts.

We learned that anyone possessing this mark on their arm was a "Death Eater" and could not be trusted.

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We learned that "He Who Must Not Be Named" is actually named Voldermort and is evil as they come (and also can shake it just like Shakira).

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And of course, that even if you can't see or be with the ones you love, they are always a part of you no matter what. 

If you haven't read these books, please give them a shot.  I think you will find them highly entertaining and you will soon be attached Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore and Snape in no time. 

In case you also have been in a cave these past few months and missed the preview for Part I, for your viewing pleasure you can see it below (I still get goosebumps).  My tickets are good to go for tomorrow, and I absolutely cannot wait!

I'm Lovin' It

The packaging of all the Honore des Pres perfumes.  I am head over heels in love with the Vamp A NY scent and have included it in my Holiday Wishlist.  The scent is a little bit sweetart meets a little bit spicy.  Pure goodness really. 

These Loeffler Randall Back Zip Rubber Rain Boots.  I love the color and really love the edgy zipper in the back.  They are also slightly more affordable than the leather pair I have been eyeing. 

Those crazy ass bizzos over on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  I have my favorites (Lisa for sure) and then there are those that are just wacky (Taylor and Camille).  I am loving that they let us into their lives. 

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These beautiful, sparkly, ultra lovely frocks from Elie Saab's Spring 2011 RTW Collection.  Oh what I wouldn't do to one of those dresses.

Enjoying the Starbucks Christmas Blend in my "Red Cup" as I continue to wade through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 

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The Cranberry Bliss Bars are back.  Trouble.  Trouble. Trouble. 

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

So I haven't been completely honest on my sidebar here....I show that I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which I did start (got a whopping 5 pages into it) but then I accidentally picked up my gf's copy of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang started laughing immediately and sort of set The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to the side. 

The first chapter of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang "The Feeling" had me in stitches from laughing so hard.  Completely inappropriate and hilarious all at the same time, this chapter definitely set the tone for the rest of the book.  I loved this book especially due to her constant references to various places around Marina Del Rey, because I knew where she used to live and also know exactly what Ralph's and other various location she refers to are (my gf's and I once were lucky enough to see her our local fave happy hour location Canal Club). 

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I chuckled out loud a few times when reading this book.  The dog funeral had me in tears, and the Turks and Caicos trip had me rolling on the floor.  The absurdity of her father was mind boggling and her affectionate nickname "Chunk" that she bestows to anyone she loves or cares for. 

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If you like Chelsea Handler's sense of humor you will love this book.  I have already read Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea and I loved it so much!  I preferred it over Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, and still need to read My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands to finish out all of her books.  If you are easily offended or not a fan of pranks or sexual humor, I would just pass right by these books at your local bookstore or library.  However if you like to laugh out loud and don't care who is around to hear you even if you are laughing at really inappropriate things then you should most definitely pick up a copy of any or all of these books. 

So now I REALLY am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and will hopefully be able to respond to all of your comments asking me what I think of the book.  I hear that it takes a little bit of time to get into but once you reach page 70 (some say 200) you are hooked and cannot put the book down.  I am so looking forward to diving in.