This Week in Books

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (Review)

I haven't read the other two books by this author but people have been raving about them for years I picked them up awhile back.

Lookalikes 148

Neither of these covers are doing much of anything for me but my vote is going to Jane Again for the clean simple design, can't really go wrong with that!

Thanks to Anna who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Hardcover vs Paperback 133

Amazon.com:

Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke since their first day of college. Six years later, Peter is marrying Van's best friend, Janie. Loyal to a fault, Van dons her pumpkin-orange, maid-of- honor gown and stands up for the couple, struggling to hide her true feelings even when she couldn't be more conspicuous. After the wedding, nursing her broken heart with a Rin Tin Tin marathon plus a vodka chaser, Van accidentally orders a German Shepherd puppy over the Internet. When "Joe" turns out to be a hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak, Van is at the end of her rope-until she realizes that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better.

Let me start by saying I absolutely loved this book! Both covers are cute but there is something so cute about the paperback and it speaks a little to how Van got Joe. And the typeface of the title on the paperback has a little more character. 

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Currently Enjoying: Flats

If you noticed, I've been sort of digging flats lately. It might be winter and I might not actually be able to wear these outside just now but I've gone flat crazy, I've always been flat crazy but I've been buying them like crazy lately!  The cool thing about all of these is they are all under $30!

1. Missoni for Target Flats - These flats took me out of my comfort zone of all black flats all the time. I still like a good black flat but it's fun to branch out with color too! 2. American Eagle Alexa Buckle Ankle Flat in Red and Black - I love the look of these with the 3 Mary Jane straps and zip up the back! 3. Mossimo Odell Ruffle Ballet Flats in Mushroom - I love this take on a simple flat with a ruffle! 4. Lower East Side Chelsea Flat in Black Glitter and Gold - This winter I went glitter crazy and it translated into the flats! 5. Mossimo Vilda Smoker Flat in Black - At first I wasn't sure about the style of these flats but I had to have them because of the colors I found them in. I liked them so much I got a black pair too! 6. Brash Blakely Floral Ballet Flat in Blue - I love this color of blue so I had to have them! 7. Lower East Side Alex Side Bow Mary Jane - I've always loved Mary Janes and the little bow on the side was too cute!

Are you flats crazy too? What are you must buys?

This Week In Books

The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens (Review)

I don't believe I've read a book by this author but I think I have a few.

Lookalikes 147

Definitely a fan of underwater photography. I definitely like the feeling Mara Dyer gives off more than Delirious, though a suit underwater looks pretty sweet!

Thanks to Gail who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Waiting On Wednesday 102

From I Spy DIY (the author's blog):

 "I Spy DIY Style has 30 new projects inspired by celebrity, runway and vintage looks with projects and tips from some amazing fashion insiders including Rachel Roy, Rebecca Minkoff, Erin Fetherston, Gretchen Jones, InStyle's Fashion Directors, stylists and DIY bloggers."

Released April 17th! 

I've been reading the author's blog often in the last year. She's really fabulous and has a great sense of style and how to incorporate DIY into it. I was disappointed to find out she didn't have a book at that time but now she does! When I found out I ran right home and pre-ordered it!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Hardcover vs Paperback 132

Amazon.com:

Half-sisters Cassie and Peck could not be more different. Cassie is a newly divorced journalist with her feet firmly planted on the ground; Peck is a vintage-obsessed actress with her head in the clouds. In fact, the only thing they seem to have in common is their inheritance of Fool's House, a rundown cottage left to them by their beloved Aunt Lydia. But Cassie and Peck can't afford the house, and they can't agree on anything, much less what to do with the place. Plus, along with the house, they've inherited an artist-in-residence and self-proclaimed genius named Biggsy who seems to bring suspiciously bad luck wherever he goes. As these two likable sisters try to understand their aunt's puzzling instructions to "seek a thing of utmost value" from within the house, they're both distracted by romantic entanglements with men from their pasts. The Summer We Read Gatsby, set in the end-of-an-era summer of 2008, is filled with fabulous parties, eccentric characters, and insider society details that showcase Ganek's pitch-perfect sense of style and wit.

Neither of these covers really seem to capture what I see when I read the summary for the book. I guess I like the hardcover a bit more because it is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby's parties!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Currently Enjoying

1. ElectroPop Collection from China Glaze - I'm a sucker for pastel and bright nail polish and that's exactly what this collection is. 2. Cool Lemon Ice Cubes from Ice Breakers - I don't think I've ever had lemon gum. Yum. It doesn't last that long but while it does it's tasty! 3. Oh Lola! by Marc Jacobs - This has been my favorite perfume since I bought it a few months ago, can't get enough of it! 4. Baby Lips from Maybelline - I love the packaging, scent and feel of these. They just make me smile when I pull them out of my bag! 5. In Style Magazine - InStyle has quickly become my favorite of the fashion magazines a lot of great features and fun columns. <3 6. Mossimo Vilda Flats in Turquoise and Pink from Target - I just discovered these yesterday and had to have them in both of these colors. The Turquoise are only online and the pink are in stores only.  7. Blue/Teal Mini Skeins from Candy Skein - Yarn + little skeins + my favorite colors = happiness. These are so cute they are already sold out but check back in March for a whole new batch. Great for the Beekeeper's Quilt! 8. FaceOff on SyFy - I saw a commercial for this show and thought I would check it out. I have tons of respect for all art forms so I thought it might be interesting even though I don't really watch the types of programs these makeups would be done for. Turns out I LOVED THIS SHOW. I can't get enough of it! 9. 24 Hour Color Tattoo from Maybelline - I like cream eyeshadows and kind of went crazy when these came out and I heard how good they were. <3

What are you currently enjoying?

** I bought all of these products myself!

Nails: Half Moon Manicure

Orly Luxe (Gold) + China Glaze Dance Baby from the new ElectroPop collection (Pink)

I've really gotten back into nail polish in the last year. Thought it might be fun to share some pictures of my nails, which I paint every Sunday. Hope you enjoy. :) Here's a tutorial if you are interested in trying it!

Lookalikes 146

I love the eye contact of this portrait. And I like how playful and sweet the cover of Ondine is. But on the other hand I like the sepia look of The Coven's Daughter. I think they both take the photo and use it in an interesting way.

Thanks to Ashley who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Hardcover vs Paperback 131

Amazon.com:

They're here for a higher education . . . and you won't believe how far they'll go. Dexter College is a small liberal arts college in the quiet town of Home, Maine. But it won't stay quiet for long with this group of freshmen. There's Shipley--blonde and beautiful, the object of envy and more than a little lust. Determined to assert herself and to shed her good-girl image, she buys cigarettes and condoms, because that's what every self-respecting college girl does. Her edgy roommate, Eliza, came to Dexter to get noticed, and she has the attitude and the mouth to prove it. Then there's Tom. Handsome, privileged, used to getting his own way, he's a jock-turned-artist who thinks his paintings will change the world. Sensitive Nick, Tom's wake-and-bake pot-smoking roommate, wants to follow in the footsteps of his boarding-school hero. And then there are brother and sister Adam and Tragedy Gatz. The freckle-faced farm boy lives at home with his parents and his little sister, who does all she can to stop him from being a wuss. As Shipley, Eliza, Tom, Nick, and Adam find out, that first year of college is more than credits and cramming. Between the lust and the love, the secrecy and the scandal, they'll all receive an unexpected education. It's a time of shifting alliances, unrequited crushes, and coming of age. Find Yourself is Dexter's motto. And they are determined to do just that.

Anyone have any thoughts about why the title was changed? I'm always curious about that. I like both covers but find Cum Laude a little more interesting.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Currently Enjoying...

1. Flicker from Berroco - This yarn is so light and squishy and it has a hint of metallic in it. 2. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling - I love her writing style and she has some great stories. 3. Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow from Sephora - I happened into Sephora the day these were released and couldn't leave without a few.  4. Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine - Have been listening to this over and over again on Spotify. 5. Twirl from Kate Spade - Got a sample of this and couldn't go more than a week or two without buying it!  6. Special Effects Flackies Collection from Finger Paints - I'm convinced this is 2012's answer to 2011's Crackle Polish. Check out some swatches here. Rumor has it these will only be sold in store not online so if you are interested head over to your nearest Sally Beauty, I got the last ones my store had! 7. Friendship Bracelets from Jewelmint - I've been kind of obsessed with Jewelmint for the past few months and have loved the 4 pieces of jewelry I've gotten off the website. There are all styles of jewelry and new things every month. Sign up here to take a style quiz to see your recommended pieces.  8. Coca Cola Zero - Sometimes I like to mix mine with grenadine.  9. Chelsea Flats from Payless - I bought these glittery flats in 3 colors. It's a party on your feet! 10. Jane By Design by ABC Family - This show just makes me giddy, so far in the first episode there wasn't anything I didn't like. Can't wait for more. 11. Dream Bouncy Blush from Maybelline - Some of you may know I've become somewhat of a makeup junkie in the last year and I have a thing about blushes that have a formula out of the ordinary. These look like a powder blush but they are almost like a spongy creme. Amazing and fun to put on! 12. Mollie Makes Magazine - I love that this is a mix of lifestyle and diy. Fun for crafty ideas.  13. iPad case from Missoni for Target - Was excited to get this for Christmas, my iPad didn't have a home until now!

I first did this type of post all the way back in 2007 and have been wanting to do it again ever since.  

What are you currently enjoying?

** I bought all of these products myself and one was a Christmas gift!

This Week in Books

Pretty Little Secrets by Sara Shepard (Amazon)

With Borders closed I'm enjoying using my Dad's Amazon Prime account to get my new releases. It's sad driving by the still abandoned Borders.

Lookalikes 145

Neither of these really light my fire (ha ha) but I love that Shadow Hills has that vibrant streak through the black. It almost looks like blown glass.

Thanks to Gail who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Press Play: November + December (formerly This Year in Movies)

 NOVEMBER

Bored to Death Season 2

Super

DECEMBER

Horrible Bosses

New Year's Eve (favorite)

Christmas Cupid

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Tiny Furniture

Breaking Dawn Part 1

Elf (rewatch favorite)

The Help

Have you seen any of these? What did you think?

Hardcover vs. Paperback 130

Amazon.com:

Called "A writer to watch, a tremendous talent" by the Chicago Tribune, Bich Minh Nguyen makes her fiction debut with the deeply moving and entertaining story of two Vietnamese sisters. Aside from their petite stature, Van and Linny Luong couldn't be more different. Diligent, unassuming Van works as an immigration lawyer in the Michigan suburbs where she resides with her handsome, Chinese-American lawyer husband. Beautiful, fashionable Linny lives in Chicago and has drifted into an affair with a married man. When Van's picture-perfect marriage collapses and Linny finds herself grappling to escape her dead-end life, the long-estranged sisters are unable to confide in one another- until their eccentric inventor father calls them back home to the Vietnamese American community they fled long ago.

I LOOOOVE the photo on the paperback. I want those tights and that shoe! That's really all I have to say about that!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

The Lying Game: Winter Premiere Tonight!

Hey, The Lying Game and Pretty Little Liars fans! The Lying Game and Pretty Little Liars are back tonight with all new episodes. (yay!) I for one am very excited!

A few weeks back I got a mysterious package in the mail. Turns out it was the first two new episodes of The Lying Game's Winter Season! 

I don't want to spoil anything in the upcoming episodes but I'll share a few tidbits. 

 In the first two episodes...

• We'll find out the outcome of the cliffhanger of the Summer Season 

• A new mystery will be revealed that confuses more than just the audience

• There is a new cast member

• Emma will receive a belated and mysterious birthday gift

• Emma and Ethan will take the blame for something they didn't do

• Emma will act on her future, as Sutton

Basically there is a lot going on as usual!

Have you been watching The Lying Game, are you going to watch tonight? Also have you heard about Jane by Design? I'm super excited to see it Tuesday night! Some fashion and tv bloggers have been doing Style Challenges leading up the Jane by Design, here's the blogger I've been following!

This Week In Books

1. Ruthless by Sara Shepard (Amazon)

2. Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral (Review)

3. The Duke Is Mine by Eloise James (Review)

4. Get Your Sparkle On! Jewelry Kit by Lindsay Cain (Boutique)

5. Knit Noro Accessories (Amazon)

6. Teach Yourself Visually: Jewelry Making and Beading 

by Chris Franchetti Michaels (Amazon)

7. Irises by Francisco X. Stork (Review)

8. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Review)

9. The Girls of No Return Erin Saldin (Review)

A New Year, A New Look

Happy New Year! I'm celebrating with a blog redesign. I've had my look for about 4 years and decided it was time for a reinvention! Not just the blog itself but the way I create my posts. I've very excited to jolt my blog with some new energy and fun, I hope you enjoy it too! I'm not planning to change my content but expand on it with posts on some of my other interests!

<3

Lookalikes 144

*waves* 

 Between by Jessica Warman

Unlovable by Sherry Gammon

It's very interesting that while these are two different pictures both of the girls have their heads down. I like the composition of Unlovable a little better but neither of them have that spark for me.

Thanks to Sophia who spotted this lookalike! 

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Recently In Books

Man a lot of time as passed since I last posted one of these, but I'm really excited about the books I got!

Book Depository: (this was my first order and it came faster than something I ordered from Amazon days beforehand!)
Meet Me at Mike's by Pip Lincolne
Meet Me at Mike's Crafty Journal by Pip Lincolne
Make Hey! While the Sun Shines by Pip Lincolne
Sew La Tea Do by Pip Lincolne
How to Make Jewellery with Tatty Devine

Amazon:
Microcrafts compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and Friends
The Best of Knitscene by Lisa Shroyer
60 More Quick Knits
Sewing in a Straight Line by Bretta Bara
State of Craft edited by Victoria Woodcock
Cakespy by Jesie Oleson
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Knitpicks.com:
Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench
A Life in Stitches by Rachael Herron
The Knitters Life List by Gwen W. Steege

Target:
Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl
Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

BooksAMillion: (Haven't been to one of these in years, it seemed a lot like Borders too bad it's too far away to go to often!)

The Summer of You by Kate Noble
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Just Showed Up Review Copies:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
The Vampire Diaries The Hunters Vol 1 Phantom created by L.J. Smith
Mastiff by Tamora Pierce
First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

This Year in Movies: September & October

With Fall TV back on I haven't been watching too many dvds but here is what I watched in the last two months!

SEPTEMBER:

One Day- I thought there was no way this could be bad, turned out I was wrong. Rather disappointing.

The Good Wife Season 1

Starstruck

Burlesque- Was really surprised how much I liked it. It was just beautiful to watch!

Sherlock Holmes

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold- Great concept, he always makes great documentaries.

Prom- Really really liked this!

Never Let Me Go- Interesting concept for a movie... probably should have read the book first!

Something Borrowed

Cyrus

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

You Again- Just a fun movie, enjoyed re-watching it.

OCTOBER:

Urbanized- Really interesting documentary by the man that made Helvetica!


Royal Pains Season 2- For being a show about a doctor I'm surprised but how much I like it!

Bad Teacher-Odd movie, for some reason it was fun watching her get away with it but at the same time I don't know what to really think of it. Felt really disjointed at times.

Weekly Dose of Crafts

And the posting about crafts continues! Last Friday I found myself buying a kit to learn to glitter stamp, I have no idea how that happened but it made me very excited. I ended up learning a bit about the world of glitter and investigating other ways to use glitter. I somehow decided I also wanted to make some ornaments and when I found this tutorial both of these interests collided!

So far I've made 13 ornaments, Monday night I made 12 in about an hour and a half and that was with multiple breaks to admire the ornaments! Do you have any fun ideas for ways to use glitter? If so I'm all ears! I have a few other ideas but would love to hear more!

Last week I placed a KnitPicks order to make myself some new winter accessories including this set, and this and this and this. We'll see how many of these I actually end up making! I also ordered a few books!

Of my chosen winter accessories I decided to start with the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret because I had read it doesn't take very long! Below is my progress for two nights. I would have gotten further but I needed to get a needle!

Yarn used:

KnitPicks Sugarbunny in Lavender

Are you on Pinterest? I've been really enjoying it recently! You can find me on there as Mint910!

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

Weekly Dose of Crafts

I might not have posted anything crafty since July (err that was a long time ago) but I've still been making things. So let me share a few things!

My current favorite WIP is something a little new for me, I'm not totally following a pattern, well I am but I'm not at the same time. Back in September Target released a new designer line, Missoni by Target. People were in there buying up everything the day it released. I happened to go the same day to buy some food and luckily happened across these Missoni by Target shoes (I wasn't even on the hunt for them) and couldn't leave them there. I liked the pattern so much I decided I must make a blanket that mimicked them!

Mine look just a little different from this

 First I decided I wanted to knit the blanket since I've never knit a blanket and then I decided I'd probably never finish it so I moved to crochet. I thought about yarn for a few days, I knew I wanted something soft and fluffy but still on the cheap side (my first crochet blanket ended up weighing too much and is a little uncomfortable to use). I settled on Bernat Roving when I realized its colors were very close to that of my shoes. I searched a few stores and ended up buying a few colors online. As you can see below one of the colors didn't pass the test.

Yarn Pyramid!

I started the blanket a little over a week ago using this stitch pattern but making up the stripes based exactly on my shoes and I'd say I'm almost close to half done! I've even been using it as its gotten a little cold here and it's very very warm so far but also not heavy at all! Hooray! I'm only getting about 7 and a half rows from each skein of yarn but its well worth it!

I really don't think I could be any happier with how this is turning out!

 Yarn used:

Bernat Roving

Flint

Rice Paper

Lotus

Magenta

Orchid

Plum

Have you seen the new Caron yarn by Vickie Howell? Sheep(ish) from her new line Stitch. Rock. Love.? I've been eying it at Joann the last few months!

Just so happens that Vickie Howell was the cover girl on the Knit Simple Holiday Issue sporting her Cover Cowl full of giant cables! The cover claimed you could knit it during the day and wear it that night! Not having tried cables for a LONG time and really wanting to try Sheep(ish) I jumped at the chance to knit this cowl up!

 I'm happy to report that the claims of a quick knit were true! I started it one late afternoon during the weekend and finished the following afternoon, I really think that's got to be some kind of record for me! This has renewed my fascination with cables and I have some plans for some upcoming cabled accessories!

Still needs buttons!

Yarn used:

Sheep(ish) Magenta 

I just have to note this is not actually Magenta, it's really purple!! 

Isn't Sheep(ish) pretty! This pile of yarn leads me to my next WIP.

While exploring Vickie Howell's blog I came across her Color Card Scarf, click the link to see how pretty it is! I gasped when I saw it! The catch was to make it that beautiful would involve using all 21 colors of Sheep(ish) and being the yarn hoarder I am I went for it instead of just trying to find something I already had. I think all but one color I got for at least 40% off over a few weeks.

I was working on this the week before my Missoni blanket when I got stopped by a color I didn't have at the time.

Rainbowy!

Yarn Used:

Sheep(ish) all colors

I really have a thing for novelty yarn so here are two scarves I made from two of the new Red Heart Boutique yarn lines. I made the first in maybe 2 or so weeks and the second in about 2 days!

The first is the Lengthwise Knit Scarf in Boutique Magical.

Yarn used:

Red Heart Boutique Magical Open Sesame

I also just had to try the new Boutique ribbon yarn Sashay in this pattern! 

Yarn used:

Red Heart Boutique Sashay Jive

So that's what I've been up to recently, how about you?

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

This Week in Books

This is actually about the last month or so in books!

Just showed up review copies:

Catwalk by Deborah Gregory

The Lost Songs by Caroline B. Cooney

All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky by Joe R. Lansdale

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments 3 by Arthur Slade

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

A Plague Year by Edward Bloor

Unforsaken by Sophie Littlefield

Painting from the Cave by Gary Paulsen

You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis

Every You, Me Every by David Levithan

The Death Cure by  James Dashner

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Purchased at Barnes & Noble (because it is the only place that sells this):

Yummy Crochet by Kristen Rask

Purchased at the William and Sonoma signing (so it's signed!):

Cake Pops by Bakerella

P.S. Like my new bedspread?

Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall

I'm a big fan of non-traditional books, ones that don't exactly fit in any one category and Missed Connections by Sophie Blackall is a great example of one. Sophie Blackall has a fascination with missed connections, a glance on a train or a brief chat, a meeting at the time didn't maybe mean a whole lot (or maybe it did) and a person wishing after the fact they could get in touch with the person.

Missed Connections is a blog turned book of beautifully illustrated missed connections. Blackall takes the words people have written and turns them into beautiful pieces of art. Originally I was taken with Blackall's beautiful paintings (beautiful and delicate detail and color) but I also found the idea of exploring Missed Connections really interesting. Blackall has written a really nice introduction to her book so when you look at and read the missed connections it is much more meaningful than just looking at some pretty pictures.

One of my favorite Missed Connections from the book

If you loved missed connections or beautiful artwork you should definitely check out Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections.

Missed Connections was released October 4th 2011
Genre: Awesome
4.5/5 Stars
Accepted Review Copy