Three Things...

1.  Journals/Planners.  I love to journal and I do like a good planner. Writing down all the feels in my journal has always been one of my favorite things to do.  Except, I recently found myself falling down the rabbit hole of YouTube videos about journaling and planning. Yikes! Those videos showed all the things that I thought I needed- journal covers, paper ephemera, stickers, washi tape, watercolors, etc.  So, I made a few purchases here and there. And, I tried to join in on the fun by decorating my planners and journals. Except, the more I joined in on the fun, the less I wanted to actually journal. Ack! I had lost my journaling mojo. The horror! Well, it felt that way to me. Especially, as I've always been one to write in a journal - whether it be about what was going in my life or a poem I was working on.  I would always find something to write.  And, I loved that feeling of wanting to write in my journal. So, I've decided to go back to the basics. A journal and a pen. That's it. I will use the journal covers I bought - how could I not, right? They are pretty cool. And, I might add a sticker or a piece of washi once in a blue moon, but I'm not going to pressure myself to "pretty" everything up. That's just not me. I'd rather have a pretty journal/notebook and fill it with writing instead of paper ephemera and stickers. Of course, this now means that I want to cull my stationery supplies. I've been watching YouTube videos about stationery minimalism and definitely want to give that a try - its basically, keeping the items you truly love and using those (using what you have, instead of buying more).  Wish me luck!

2.  Books.  My reading has been rather decent lately. I was mowing through the Maisie Dobbs series (again), but decided to stop and pick up a book or two from my TBR pile on my nightstand. So, I'm currently reading:

What about you? Which books are you getting lost in? Or do you have an recommendations for me?

3.  TV/Music.  TV is consisting of Hallmark Christmas movies (and a few Lifetime ones), along with some of my favorite holiday films - Christmas with the Kranks, Love Actually, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  And, I'm still watching Housewives - OC, NJ, and Dallas. Last night was OC and it was a doozy. The women are in Key West and they are getting drunk, screaming at each other, and eating cake. All in all, its definitely a fun season to watch.

Music is Christmas music and it is so much fun to sing along to. Joy to the World and Hark the Herald Angels Sing - LOVE!!  Also, did you hear about the Alanis Morissette tour? OMG! Garbage and Liz Phair, too! Talk about an awesome tour!! I feel like I'd be listening to my high school/college soundtrack live - how can I resist?

And now, I'm off to read some more of Cleo Wade's book, Heart Talk. Hope you are having a groovy week. Happy reading!!

My Friday Five...

1. Books.  My reading has fallen to the wayside.  So, to ramp up my reading mojo, I read some magazines and am currently re-reading All These Wonders (and am LOVING it even more this time round).  I've also added some new-to-me books to my TBR list:

2.  TV shows.  Real Housewives is where's it at for me lately. I am loving Beverly Hills - OMG! Its all about a rescue puppy. Apparently, Dorit got a rescue dog from Pump's dog place and the dog bit her kids and husband. So, she gave the dog to some woman who promised a happy home for it. Well, the dog wound up at a shelter and Pump's business got a call since they chip all of their dogs - even the ones they wind up getting a home for. Pump was upset that the dog wound up in shelter. And now, everyone knows and they are all in a tizzy. It is crazy!! Over on NYC, Luann is still upset with Ramona and Dorinda, so she is icing them out. And the new lady on the block, Barbara is stirring up trouble left and right. It is so much fun to watch!!  I'm also back on TWD - Daryl and Beta!! OMG!! What a battle!! Can't wait to see what happens at the fair.

3.  News.  Parents getting arrested for buying their kids' into college. I'm not shocked at all and am happy they are all getting busted. I only hope the other cheaters get busted, too. I have no problem if you are rich and can afford to send your kids to privates schools, get them tutors, and all that jazz. However, when you have to pay a chunk of money to buy your kid into school - that is just wrong on so many levels. What do you think?

4.  Journals.  My obsession is getting even worse. Not only do I keep buying journals and journal covers, but I am now buying junk journals, too. Ack! I can't seem to help myself. I have two journal covers on the way from Chic Sparrow and an awesome junk journal on the way from Char DeRouin (found her on IG).  The craziness must end. So, I am going to try and force myself to use what I own.  I think I'll switch out my journal covers every month, so that way I can go through what I have and actually use it. I have my daily journal (gratitude), my real journal (all the feels go into this one), my creative journal (quotes, poems, songs, etc.), and my devotional journal (I just started these - I bought two devotionals and want to journal about what I read).  Oh, and I have a journal where I put quotes from the Joel Osteen books I read. And, I have my memory journal.  I also want an art journal - where I can just draw and collage.  Oh, and I was thinking of starting a glue book - where you just glue cool images.  Plus, I have another journal I just started for my writing - stories I'm working on. So, you see - so many journals. Ack!! I think that I am trying to get my cluttered brain organized with all of these journals, but it might just be too much. What do you think - how many journals are too many?

5. Music.  The Beatles are in my head again. Along with Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, and Natalie Merchant. What a mix!

And now, I'm off to journal about this crazy week. Take care and happy reading!!

My Friday Five...

1.   Weight Watchers.  Its not easy.  I was doing so well calculating all my points and then this past week I sort of fell off the wagon.  Meaning that I didn't jot everything down like I should have.  So, I wound up using all of my extra points already (or at least I think I have).  Ack!  Of course, I feel badly about this, considering I was doing so well with it.  I don't know what happened, except that it happened and now I need to get back on track.  Today I'm writing every last bite down and making sure to tally up my points.  I have noticed that I'm definitely more aware of what I eat and how much of it I eat, which has definitely been eye-opening.  I'm not mindlessly noshing on food anymore.  However, I will be noshing on something sweet for Valentine's Day (aka Galentine's Day - thank you, Leslie Knope!).  I have my eye on a bundtlet - a chocolate one - Yum!  Anyhow, I think I just need to come up with a list of healthy snacks and plan out my meals for the week - that should help me keep track of my points better.  Let me know if you have any recommendations for snacks or tips on how to stay on track - I'd really appreciate it.

2.  Sojourner journal.  I've seen Natalie from Coffee & a Book Chick raving about these for quite some time now.  They are handmade leather-bound journals that just look so amazing to me.  I was on the website the other day and OMG, they all look like the perfect notebook to start jotting down anything and everything in.  I must have one.  I'm trying to decide on which style to pick and what color I want.  Plus, I'm a bit confused about the sizes and not sure how big I want the journal to be.  Has anyone else purchased one of these journals?  What do you think? Which do you recommend?

3.  NetGalley.  Thank you for so many great new reads! Here a few that I'm really looking forward to:

4.  Ladies of London and RHOBH.  Well, it is "cheerio" to the Ladies of London now that the season has ended.  I must say that I definitely enjoyed this season - all the fashion, all the drama, and London were such a treat to watch.  In the last episode, Caroline S. threw a dinner party to say goodbye to the women before her big move to Dubai.  Of course, it didn't go perfectly.  Why is it that people always have to confront one another at a party - why can't you just enjoy the party and chat later?  And what is the deal with everyone's obsession with the word 'loyalty'?  Juliet believes that none of the women have it when it comes to friendship, while many of the women admit to not caring or even believing in 'loyalty' - wow, shocker!  I think that when you trust your friends enough to tell them something personal, they should not go around and tell it to someone else. That's loyalty to me. And its just plain common sense.  Then again, what would the show be, if they didn't go around spilling the beans, right? As for RHOBH - whoa! Kyle asked Rinna why Eden was so obsessed with her and her sister, Kim.  Rinna acted like she had no clue.  Fast forward, Eden tells Pump that Rinna told her Kim was still imbibing and near death's door and that Kyle was enabling her.  Say what?! Now, Pump knows why Eden was always inserting herself into Kim's business.  Fast forward again, the gals are in Mexico and Pump tells Kyle what Eden has told her.  Everyone is shocked (but not really) with Rinna.  The next day Rinna arrives in Mexico and receives a less than friendly greeting from Kyle.  I can't wait to find out what happens when Kyle actually confronts her about it all - what will Rinna say to explain her behavior?!

5.  Tom Petty.  He was my first concert and I still love to listen to his tunes.  I was just jamming out to this song the other day:

Hope you all have a great weekend!! Don't forget TWD is back on Sunday nights - woo hoo! I can't wait to see the gang RISE UP and finally take down Negan.

Happy Reading!!

Five Things Friday

1.  The Walking Dead.  Mid-season finale is over and the gang is back together - Hurrah!  The episode was a mixed bag for me, but I loved the ending.  Negan relished touting his power over Alexandria as he waited for Rick to show up with goodies for him.  Michonne realized that the Saviors far outnumbered her crew.  Daryl finally escaped the Sanctuary - no more Easy Street for him!  And Spencer got his comeuppance for his shady attempts to overrule Rick.  Yep, Negan gutted him like a fish and it was pretty cool.  I never cared much for Spencer, even though I can see why he didn't like Rick.  As for Rosita, she's still acting stupidly - trying to shoot Negan with one bullet and missing - ugh! Now, Eugene has been taken away thanks to his bullet making skills - thanks a lot, Rosita!  Oh, and Maggie is acting tough and taking apples away from Gregory up at the Hilltop - wow, what a leader!  And, Carol and Morgan are still refusing to fight - will they ever find out about Glenn and Abraham?!  The highlights were Michonne's speech to Rick, where he finally admitted that he knows that they do have to fight back against Negan; Daryl and Rick hugging - OMG! I teared up; and the gang finally being reunited and in fight mode - woo hoo!  So, looks like the next half of the season will be about taking down Negan and his Saviors. I can't wait!!  By the by, the new photo that AMC put up on their FB The Walking Dead page reminds me of Hamilton every time I see it:

Am I right?  Don't the lyrics to My Shot (my favorite song!!) pop in your head?  Its all I think of when I see this photo. 

2. Christmas cookies, bread, fudge, etc.  Yep, this weekend, my sister and I will be baking up a storm.  Every Christmas we make some yummy treats to give out to friends and family. I'm looking forward to it.  We put on Christmas music, laugh, talk, bake, and taste-test.  Should be a fun time.

3. 

I am in love with this book.  I finally finished it and can't stop thinking about it.  The writing, the characters, the story - oh, my!  A True Novel is true literature. Its the kind of book that makes you love reading.  Apparently, the author has a new book coming out next year - talk about exciting news!  I am so looking forward to it.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get my hands on an early copy.

4.  

My new journal for the new year.  Its a companion to Shonda Rhimes awesome book, The Year of Yes.  I loved the book and am positive that I'm going to love this journal.  Can't wait to use it in 2017!

5. 

Loved the latest issue of my O magazine. Oprah's focus for 2017 is ADVENTURE and I thought that was just great.  Reading this issue has me wondering if I should pick a word to focus on for the new year.  Hmm...something to consider. 

Enjoy the weekend!! Happy reading!! Happy Holidays!!