July Goals Update

Hey y'all! Can you believe tomorrow is August? I can't believe it, I wish we could freeze time for a week so I can get everything done that I need to do!

 Honestly, I'm actually starting to panic, I have so much to do, and I feel like I'm running out of time. One of the reasons I've been so stressed is because I decided a few weeks ago that I won't be using the CommonApp when it becomes available tomorrow, so that means I have to do all of my college applications separately, and I have to write essays for all the schools I apply to!

So, if over the next few months I don't post as often you know why!
But for now here's an update for my goals this month!

Read 2 Books

Lose Weight

Be a Better Blogger

Finish College Prep US History Part 2

Start and Finish English 2 Part 1

Start Geometry Part 1

Visit UE campus

 Send in UE college app

Write 10,000 words for Camp NaNoWriMo.
Order ACT study books.

5 out of 5!

Lose Weight
If you read Monday's Weight Loss Update, then you already know everything there is to know.

Start and Finish English 2 Part 1
Finishing my history course took way longer than I had planned, but I did finish it, now I'm just waiting for my teacher to close my course so I can get English 2 opened and I'm not sure how long that will take, usually 7-10 days but sometimes it can take longer.

Visit UE campus.
I had an appointment to tour the campus on Monday, but unfortunately I had to cancel it due to bad timing and health issues. But I did send in my application and hopefully soon I'll get to re-schedule!

Write 10,000 words for Camp NaNoWriMo
I made it to just over 7,000 words this month, I didn't write as much this month as I did last month, but considering everything that happened this month I'm happy with my results.

Order ACT study books.
Oops, I kinda forgot about this. I'll try to remember to order them tomorrow!


So that's all for this month! Did you accomplish your goals this month?

XoXo,
Lori

Book Review: Rachel Harris - Accidentally Married On Purpose

Today I will be reviewing 'Accidentally Married On Purpose' by Rachel Harris, copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing, LLC via Netgalley.

  

         'Accidentally Married On Purpose' is a Romance Novel , and it is the third book in Rachel Harris' Love and Games series. It is 266 pages long, and took me about an four hours to read. And it is available at Amazon for $0.99 and Barnes and Noble also for $0.99.

Book Stats

Genre: Romance

Length: ebook, 266 pages

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

Release Date: July 14, 2014

Book Synopsis:

One ring plus one wild night equals one crazy love.

Sherry Robicheaux loves men. She loves love. And she loves an adventure. So when she meets a mysterious man while working backstage at a country music concert in Vegas, she's all about what's happened in Vegas staying there.

Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity...thought there's something about the spunky waitress with the streaks of purple hair that tempts him like no other. Until the next morning, when they both wake up with fuzzy memories... and rings on their fingers.

Convincing Sherry to maintain the ruse for his public image isn't the hardest part-- it's reminding himself that their time spent playing husband and wife in her small town of Magnolia Springs can't last. Tyler's first love will always be music-- and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl.

So what did I think? 5 Stars

Like: Everything! Especially the ending!
Dislike: The book cover, I think it could be better.

Age Rating: 15 & Up.
Other than cursing, this is a clean romance, there is sexual tension, but for the most part it's clean.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, this is my first Rachel Harris novel, but I can already tell I'll be reviewing more of her books in the future! I've been trying to stay away from getting invested in any new book series, but I actually want to read the other two books now.

I really love the fact that in Accidentally Married On Purpose you really get to know the characters, you get to know about their pasts and their dreams for the future, but it's not boring. Sometimes when I'm reading I get bored and skip over that type of stuff because it drags on and on, but that didn't happen with Accidentally Married On Purpose, I read every word and not once did I feel like the story was dragging.

If you're looking for a light, easy, clean romance novel, then this is the book for you!

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review!
Will you be buying this book? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

Top 10 Tuesday: Six Authors I Own The Most Books From

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up hosted by The Broke and the Bookish .

This week's theme: Top Ten Authors I Own The Most Books From

Johanna Lindsey

Sara Shepard

L.J. Smith
Caitlyn Duffy
Jenny Nimmo
Julia Quinn

I know this is supposed to be a top ten list, but I honestly don't have that many authors that I buy every single book from. I'm the type of person who enjoys buying new books and discovering new authors, I do have a handful of authors that I will buy anything from, but definitely not ten.

So there's my Top 6 Authors I Own The Most Books From, who are some of your favorite authors? Let me know below!
XoXo,
Lori

P.S. Don't forget to check back tomorrow for a new book review!

July Weight Loss

Hello lovelies, I hope you had a great weekend! I'm not feeling too well today, so I'm going just going to get right into this months update!

Diet:

My diet has been very good this month, since starting my new medicine for acid reflux I've been eating much better, and I'm actually enjoying the food I'm eating. Sure I still have problems a few times a week, but it's much better than it's been in a long time.

Overall my diet has been great, but last week while pmsing I discovered the new Reese cup flavored Oreo's, and they're great! To be honest, I'm glad they're only limited edition or else I could develop a real addiction to them!

Exercise:

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't do so great in this area this month. I've definitely got in more exercise than last month, but I didn't do as much as I was hoping. 

This upcoming month, however, things are changing! We're going to be moving and once we get moved in I'm going to ask my aunt if I can borrow her treadmill or elliptical, due to an injury she can't use it, so I'm hoping I can sweet talk her into letting me use it!

Weight Lost This Month:  0 Pounds

Total Weight Loss: 7 Pounds

So, no changes this month, but I'm hoping August will be better. This month overall has been really busy and stressful, there were a lot of up and down, but I'm a very optimistic person and I can only hope that things will change for the better, soon!

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

Via

When you're trying to lose weight it's easy to your motivation when you aren't seeing results, but I think the best way to get that motivation back is to focus on how far you've come.

So far I've lost about 8 pounds, but about two months ago I hit a plateau and I've been feeling stuck. In the past I would give up, eat whatever I wanted and quit exercising, but as you get older you learn lessons. 

One lesson I've learned is that you have to focus on the progress you've made and use it to motivate you. 

So stop dwelling on how much farther you have to go, celebrate how far you've come, set goals, and do the work, in time you will see results, it's just going to take a little bit longer than you want it to!

Hang in there!

Goal: Focus on the progress you've made!

XoXo,

Lori

5 Words: Week 79

Hello all my lovely subscribers, it's time for this week's 5 Words, and I hope you enjoy them!

Here's this week's 5 Words...

Aphasia- Loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage.

Proprioception- The reception of stimuli produced within the organism.

Bibliotaph- One who buries books by hiding them, locking them away, or otherwise shutting them up and keeping them from use.

Carmine- A vivid crimson color.

Cerise- A bright or deep red color.

Well that's all for this week, don't forget to check back on Sunday for a little weekly inspiration!

XoXo,

Lori

Don't Be Afraid Of Failure

Happy Thursday! Sorry I haven't been posting as much recently- it's been a very busy month! Here's some inspiration to get you through today!

XoXo,

Lori

Summer Playlist

 Since it's officially Summer,  I decided to put together a little Summer Playlist for you. 

Here's my picks for Summer!

So there's my picks for Summer 2014, what are your favorite songs for summer? Let me know below!
XoXo,
Lori

Pinterest Finds

Hello lovelies, I hope you had a great weekend, today I have another round of Pinterest Finds for you!

1.Pink & White Mani

2. I'm still obsessed with animal memes!

3. I've been thinking about cutting my hair, and I love how Demi's hair looks in this picture.

4. I can't wait for fall to get here!

This month most of my pins consisted of cute animal memes or hair pictures, I'm getting my hair done next week and I'm trying to decide what I want to to with it. I could have posted more, but I don;t think anyone wants to look at that many pictures!

XoXo,

Lori

Weekly Inspiration

Via

Goal: Make the jump.

XoXo,

Lori

5 Words: Week 78

TGIF, I'm so happy it's the weekend and I can finally catch my breath, this week has been crazy! I hope y'all made it through the week, and I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Here's this week's 5 Words...

Incipient- In an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop.

Emasculate- To make weaker or less effective.

Succor- Assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.

Insular- Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside of one's own experience.

Verve- Vigor and spirit or enthusiasm. 

 Well that's all for this week, don't forget to check back on Sunday for a little bit of inspiration!

 XoXo,

   Lori 

Adorable Summer Dresses

As you probably know by now if you've been following me for a while, I'm a Fall/Winter type girl, and there isn't many things I like about the summer season. However, one thing I do like about summer is that the weather is perfect for wearing dresses!

If you had asked me a few years ago if I liked wearing dresses I would have said no, but over the past year or two I've really grown to love dresses.

From left to right:
Top: Abaday Dress, Chiffon Work Dress, Mango Dress
Bottom: Black and White, Multi-Colored Dress

Which dress is your favorite? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

Top Ten Favorite TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up hosted by The Broke and the Bookish .

This week's theme: Top Ten Favorite Movies or TV Shows.

Pretty Little Liars

Revenge
Nashville

Once Upon A Time

Chasing Life

Coronation Street

Call The Midwife

Orphan Black

Melissa and Joey

The Middle

So there's my Top 10 Favorite TV Shows, what are your favorite TV Shows? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

July Playlist

Hello lovelies, I hope you had a great weekend! Sorry for the late post, I forgot to hit publish this morning!

So that's all for today, I hope you liked this months playlist! What have you been listening to recently? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

Weekly Inspiration

Via

XoXo,

Lori

5 Words: Week 77

Happy Friday lovelies, I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Here's this week's 5 words...

Fervent- Having or displaying a passionate intensity.

Impetuous- Acting or done quickly and without thought or care.

Mendacious- Not telling the truth; lying.

Surreptitious- Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

Impregnable- (Of a fortified position) unable to be captured or broken into.

 Well that's all for this week, don't forget to check back on Sunday for a little bit of inspiration!

 XoXo,

 Lori 

Book Review: Audra North - A Lesson In Temptation

Today I will be reviewing ' A Lesson In Temptation' by Audra North, Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing, LLC via Netgalley.

  

         'A Lesson In Temptation' is a Romance Novel , and it is part of Audra North's Stanton Family Novella series. It is 116 pages long, and took me about an hour to read. After it is released it will be available through Amazon for $0.99 and through Barnes and Noble also for $0.99.

Book Stats

Genre: Romance

Length: ebook, 116 pages

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

Release Date: July 14, 2014

Book Synopsis:

Adam Harkness pulled himself out of poverty to become one of the world's most respected Finance professors, but at the cost of his personal life. When a well-meaning friend gifts him with a dance course, Adam decides to attend one class out of courtesy, but no more than that. He has work to do, after all - or at least, that's what he tells himself.

After being bullied in high school, Julie Stanton took refuge in her studies. But now that her hard work has paid off and Julie has found success in her job, it's time to focus on finding the same happiness in the rest of her life.

When Adam walks into the same tango class that Julie signed up for, she recognizes him immediately as the professor whom she had a crush on in college. Both Adam and Julie have proven themselves to be excellent scholars. But when the attraction between them turns into something more, will they be able to open their hearts and learn a new lesson - how to love.

So what did I think? 4 Stars

Like: The well-developed characters.

Dislike: I wish it wasn't a novella, I prefer novels.

Age Rating: 17 & up.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you probably know I'm not a big fan of novella's. But every once in a while, a book comes along and makes me not so completely against reading a novella's.
This was one of those books. When I requested this book from Netgalley, I was really excited to read it, but once I found out it was a novella, I was kinda disappointed.

But, once I started reading, I didn't want to put my phone down till I was finished. I usually find that novella's are too short or too rushed, but I think the pace of  'A Lesson In Temptation' was perfect. I really enjoyed getting to know about the characters pasts and getting to know about their lives, while still enjoying an action-packed story line that never stalled.

So would I recommend it?

Of course, I really enjoyed 'A Lesson In Temptation', I'd been in a reading rut for the past few weeks, and now I think I'm reading to get back in the habit of reading daily. If you're looking for a well written, quick read, with well-developed characters, then this is the book for you! On the other hand, if you're not a fan of romance, sex, or cursing, you probably don't wanna read this book because it contains a lot of that.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for giving me the opportunity to discover a great author, and possibly a new love for novella's!
Will you be buying this book after it's release? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

July Goals

Hello lovelies, I hope you had a great weekend, I know I did, and for those of you on the east coast I hope Arthur didn't mess up your plans too much.

Read 2 Books

Lose Weight

Be a Better Blogger

Finish College Prep US History Part 2

Start and Finish English 2 Part 1

Start Geometry Part 1

Visit UE campus

 Send in UE college app

Write 10,000 words for Camp NaNoWriMo.
Order ACT study books.

SO there's my goals for this month, what do you hope to accomplish this month? Let me know below!

XoXo,
Lori

Weekly Inspiration

Via

XoXo,

Lori

Happy Fourth of July!

Via

In honor of Independence Day, I thought I would put together a playlist of some of my favorite patriotic songs!

I hope you all have fun today, enjoy your long weekend, please be safe, and think of all the people who gave their life for our freedom!

XoXo,

Lori

Little Late Night Reminders

Via

XoXo,

Lori

Ten Classics On My To-Be-Read List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish .

This week's theme: Top 10 of My Favorite Classics or Ten Classics on my TBR list.

I chose Ten Classics on my TBR list because I want to start reading more classics. A few years ago I went through a phase where I read a lot of classics, but in recent years the only classic I've read is To Kill A Mockingbird and that was for school.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

So that's my Top 10 Classics On My TBR List, what classics do you want to read? Let me know below.

XoXo,

Lori