I have a mish mash of topics for today to share.
First of all, a delayed Monogram Monday. I received an e-mail last week from a reader named Lauren and it made my day!
She is a southern transplant that recently moved to Chicago, and she and her friend have an incredible shop called Nico and Lala featuring customizable gifts, stationary, custom invitation, and event branding.
monograms in the envelope liner? yes, please!
Obviously my heart when pitter-patter when I perused all of the amazing things they sell online, not to mention how incredible the custom invitations of theirs could be for upcoming showers and parties! With friends weddings coming up, a new set of stationary would be the perfect gift.
all photos via Nico + Lala
Their blog is also great – it features amazing parties and weddings on a regular basis. So go check out their items – they are having a 20% off flash sale right now with code FLASH20!
Next up: Book Club.
The last month or two I have been reading like crazy (well… everyday. For me that is crazy. I normally stare at the television until my eyes cross.)
“They” say (you know…. those people everyone always refers to but no one knows who the hell “they” are) using electronics before bed can mess with your head and mess with your sleep schedule, so I have been trying to avoid perusing blogs, instagram, and pinterest before bedtime.
Instead, I shut off all the electronics by 9 and start reading. {I feel like such a grown up. Does dumb crap like this make other people feel old? Like…. Making the bed in the morning? Who am I and why do I suddenly care about the damn pillows!?}
okay sorry…. so the first edition of old lady book club: I try to alternate “chick books” with more mainstream “intellectual” novels so that my fiance and friends don’t judge me too much.
The same author as Gone Girl (the greatest book ever). I found it creepy and disturbing, but I also was always interested to find out what would happen and how it would end. A very quick read. Her other book Dark Places is on the list of ones to read.
Like most of Sophie Kinsella’s books, it is super cheesy and lighthearted, but sweet and funny too. It’s a quick read, probably because not many brain cells are required, but that makes me like it even more.
I loved, loved, loved this book. My future mother-in-law gave this to me and she always gives me the best books. It takes place in the 40’s and has romance as well as history all mixed into one. Each chapter alternates from the present to eight years prior in the past. It’s the perfect beach read – and a warning, it’ll leave you wanting to drink gin and tonic and smoke the whole time you read it, because they are doing it constantly.
This is another one of the NYT Best-Sellers. It was different than expected….. It tells the story of a few friends over the course of a few years. It was not as good as I had hoped…. I kind of never understood what the point of the book was?
In my opinion, do not read this. Another NYT best-seller, but it was completely opposite of what I was expecting. The review says it’s about “the impossible, haunting power of love – obsessive love, illicit love, fading love, maternal love.” Umm…. right up my alley! But no. Every other word is a curse word (and I don’t mean f-bombs or sh*t, or even the horrid c-word…. it was all kinds of bad language). Each chapter is a story about losing love, and it was NOT the kind of sappy-crap I was looking for. It was sad, yes, and I’m sure in a critically-acclaimed-writing-way it was well written, but it was truly filthy. No gracias.
I love, love, loved The Devil Wears Prada and this did not disappoint either. Like the first, it is a quick read, but it takes the characters down paths you don’t expect and it perfectly picks up where the last left off.
This is my current read…. I’m in the beginning of it, but so far I like it. I love books that span a length of time, past and present, and this is just that – friends from summer camp but in the present day.
What are you all reading?
What should be next on the list?
Was this enough rambling to annoy the crap out of you?
You should read "Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar" by Kelly Oxford. It's HILARIOUS! It's similar to the Chelsea Handler books, but even funnier (is that a word?). I'm not a big reader at all, but I flew through this one. A very easy, light read that will keep you laughing!
-Sarah @ 702 Park Project
So glad you shared your books, I've been looking for new ones for vacation!
I totally need to get into the habit of reading before bed again, it's such a nice way to end the day. A Hundred Summer sounds great, I'll have to pick it up! I'm currently reading and really enjoying Where'd You Go Bernadette? – so far, so good!
Ok – I'm putting "A Hundred Summers" on my next list. I loved Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews (Main character is a blogger) – a great beach read.
Have you read any Marian Keyes books? You would love her.
I love love love Nico and Lala!!! They have the cutest things. Also…I need to read Revenge Wears Prada and Sharp Objects.I really liked Dark Places but of course it was disturbing…which I kind of like. xoxo
Love that stationary! Gorgeous! And thanks for all the book recommendations!
I love books and I keep telling my husband that he needs to turn off the damn computer at night because he doesn't go to sleep until so late! One of my all time favorite books is The Other Boleyn Girl. My sister gave it to me and due to it looking so huge I tossed it to the side and didn't think twice about it. Then one day I had a flight and nothing to read so I brought the book along. It has been the best book I have ever read and it had me fascinated with everything King Henry VIII!
I absolutely LOVED The Interestings- so glad you're giving it a chance!
I'll have to check out A Hundred Summers because it sounds like Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmen. If you haven't read that yet, I highly recommend!
Keep posting what you're reading! Its so nice to get ideas from someone who seems to have pretty similar taste to mine.
I started reading Dark Objects and it was just too dark and depressing for me. Revenge wears Prada is still at the top of my list to read next. Wedding Night looks cute I'm sure just like Sophie Kinsella books usually are. I'll check out A Hundred Summers too! Thanks for the recs!
ugh I hated the book Girls in White Dresses. I read it and was so upset the ending was so blah!
I'm excited to read Sharp Objects. I waiting for it from the library.
Dark Places was really good! Not as good as Gone Girl but definitely worth reading.
I just finished The Kitchen House. I almost stopped reading, but I am very glad I didn't. I read Revenge Wears Prada but honestly I was a little let down. I think it tried to take on too much if that makes sense. I'm in need of a beach read so I may have to pick up Wedding Nights or A Hundred Summers.
I wasn't the biggest fan of Little White Dresses either…quite honestly I was disappointed by it!
I loved Gone Girl so I'll have to check out Sharp Objects and I will definitely be checking out A Hundred Summers!
My favorite book of the summer was Gone With the Wind. I also read Fireflies in December this spring and really loved that!
I read girls in white dresses too and really didn't like it. there was barely any story! was so disappointed. haha but i'm def checking out a hundred summers – it sounds so good! (plus the kindle version is only $2.99 right now – score!)
Thanks for the recs!!