Weekend Update!

Hi y'all,

So this past weekend ended on Thursday for me with leaving work a bit early(after lots of wonderful work birthday celebrations) to head to my parent's house. With the snow that fell on Tuesday, the roads still had some ice so I wanted to make it home before it got dark. While I was pulling into town I caught this sunset below. It was such a great reminder that God is the creator and even after a long day of work we can revel in the beauty of this earth.

After arriving home it was time for lovely home-cooked dinner, watching Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune, then watching Reign and Elementary before crashing.

Friday I was able to sleep in (after waking at 4:30 when some cats decided they wanted to walk all over me) and watch Live with Kelly & Michael before getting ready to head out for my birthday! My mom and I decided to hit the Old Navy where I got a pair of black flats and a nude pair of flats along with this dress. Then at Barnes & Noble, in the bargain book section I picked up Time Untime(in hardcover) and The Runaway Princess. After a nice lunch at Ruby Tuesdays and some Coldstone (I mean you have to indulge on your birthday) we headed over to Target. At Target I was able to find this beautiful scarf and picked up some other items that were necessary but I hate to buy bras so why not make them part of your present? Finally we ended at Marshall's where I got a bash and chop!

The evening ended with some Quiznos, skyping into book club, watching Say Yes to the Dress, watching Parental Guidance and opening up the rest of my presents to find a Vera Bradley large duffel in Baroque, Downton Abbey Series 1-3 on DVD, and a Willow Tree figure. 

Max and Lilly liked my present.

Saturday was a lazy day. It was raining outside so we spent the day in pajamas watching movies like Dolphin Tale on ABC Family and The Butler. We also made it to mass that evening and while we were going to go to a new Italian restaurant near my parent's house the wait was 40 minutes so we went to the Harris Teeter next door and got salads and ready made meals. Lazy Saturdays are the best.

Sunday was my last day at home so it began with homemade waffles, eggs and sausage. After breakfast I packed up my stuff while watching Say Yes to the Dress and my Mom and I watched Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters before I hit the road. Once back I hit the Aldi for some groceries and then unpacked, made dinner and watched Downton Abbey.

I would call the weekend as a nice relaxing time away! What did you do this weekend?

Birthday Present Fun!

Hey y'all,

I was really blessed this birthday with some really great gifts including:

my nook simple touch! I have already read 3 books and am almost done with another. It is perfect for taking to the gym and getting some reading done as well as getting some books from the NC Digital library!

the cute case I have

my nice new crockpot! I already cooked beef stroganoff in it this weekend but I am now on the hunt for great recipes for it! Feel free to suggest something or watch my pinterest board get filled with slow cooker/freezer recipes.

 

an adorable May Book(from my Big) which matches my Erin Condren Planner. I am currently using it as a food journal.

lots of cute tops for work/play from Old Navy!

 

and I am looking at a few scarves! One monogrammed and then my best friend got me a scarf with a pride and prejudice quote on it!

 

I am so blessed and please send me book suggestions/recipe suggestions. I hope you are having a great Monday!

 

Peace and Blessings,

jDl



A Book Worm's Birthday List

Hey y'all,

We are week into the new year....how are y'all feeling? This past week has actually been very productive goals wise, even meeting  a large number of new friends this past weekend. That goal is almost done!

So quick recap of my weekend: Thursday night I went to a Young Professionals Bible Study at a local church. It was my first time going so I was really nervous but it was a great night and a met a few new people which led to Friday. I was invited to dinner and seeing The Hobbit on Friday. Yes I am a nerd and have seen all of the Lord of the Rings movies (yes multiple times including the extended editions and read all of them) but I had yet to get through The Hobbit book so it was a nice suprise. Saturday included cleaning my apartment and heading to church with the same group as Friday. After church we all went to dinner and then hung out eating Apple Pie bread and watching Big Bang Theory. Sunday included finishing cleaning my apartment, seeing my parent's for lunch, the gym, and watching season 3 of Downton Abbey premeire!

See I told you it was a busy weekend with little time to blog. But I was really blessed with all of the people I met and can't wait to see who else I will meet this year!

Now onto my birthday is coming up (23 days until 23!) so I thought I would create a little birthday list. However, I feel that my birthday list could be split into a few categories so I thought I would make a few different posts. Here is post #1 a book lover's gift guide. Suffice to say it I could most definetly fall under the term a bookworm. You could blame my parents for limiting our TV intake to PBS, taking us to the library weekly, or just constantly encouraging learning and exploring. I am blessed with the childhood I had since it shaped my adult life, hello BA in English. Now onto the list:

Barnes and Noble's Nook Simple Touch
This one is a tough decision since I am such an anti-ereader person and advocate for real books but I am asking for this for traveling and taking to the gym mainly. I promise to still read true books.
I am still on the hunt for the perfect case since the Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade cases from this summer. Suggestions are welcome.

Classic Story Infinity Scarf
Who wouldn't want the text of Pride and Prejudice wrapped around them on a chilly day?

Beautiful Books. I wouldn't mind these from Anthropologie, or their Children's Classic Set

A book about various cultural icon's favorite books. Want!

And what Jane Austen fan would not want this book clutch from Kate Spade.

And then there is always the wonderful site of etsy for lots of book lover things. I even got some Jane Austen bookmarks this Christmas.

Peace and Blessings,
jDl