Summer Reads

Every summer I start looking for some great summer reads. I saw this one in the bookstore, and I knew I had heard the title before, so I decided to give it a try. It's a fantastic read about the round-up of Jewish Families in France during World War II (fictional, but based on real events). I can't put it down. Normally, at night any book (even a fantastic one) is more effective at putting me to sleep than a bottle of Lorazepam, but not this one. I highly recommend it.

Ps. 25 more summer reads - can't wait to dig into a few more!

pinterest | instagram | facebook | twitter | subscribe

Grace: A Memoir

I don't typically read biographical novels, but when I saw Grace, I was intrigued. Grace Coddington is famous in the fashion industry. She started her career as a model, and transitioned to a role at Vogue, where she is now the Creative Director. She even starred in the documentary film The September Issue (a behind-the-scenes look into Vogue).

Her memoir takes you through her childhood, growing up in Anglesey, Wales (which I found pretty cool because I've been there) to her modelling career, to working for British and eventually, American Vogue.

This novel is the right balance of stories from her life and insider fashion tales, which, to me, is a perfect mix.

I would absolutely encourage you to read this one. It was well worth the overdue fee I have to pay to the library for keeping it an additional week. Hey - I had waited months for that book to come my way and I wasn't giving it back until I was finished!

pinterest | instagram | facebook | twitter | subscribe

Rooftops of Tehran

I've never done a proper book review on This is Lovely. I tend to leave it to the experts (ie. Hilary). But since one of my New Year's Resolutions was to read a book a month (and I've been holding true to that so far), I figured I would tell you what I thought about this one.

I didn't have any preconceived ideas about this book before I picked it up. Sometimes that's the best way to start something because you have no expectations; the story just takes you where it's meant to. Rooftops of Tehran takes you through the daily life of an average teenage boy living in Iran in the early 70's. The author's purpose for writing it was to tell a story that would shed light on real life in Iran (and provide an alternative to the westernized view of the country). This is a story of a family, friendship and love.

I fell in love with the main character, Pasha, almost instantly. I'm a hopeless romantic, and Pasha embodies just that. The story has some pretty serious twists and turns, and completely touched my heart.

Please read it, you won't be disappointed. Then come back and tell me what you thought!

pinterest | instagram | facebook | twitter | subscribe

Library Love

We live right across the street from the library. I wish I could say I take advantage of it, but I don't. On the other hand, Husband certainly does. He comes home with books, music and movies all the time.

When I was in high school, I worked as a Page at the library, putting away books. I was Head Page of the Children's department (nerd alert - queen of the nerds, actually). Anyway, between that job and studying in University, I think I overdid the library and have since been on hiatus.

The hiatus is over.

Since one of my resolutions for 2013 is to read more books, I headed over to the library to see what I could rustle up! They've got lots to choose from and I even put a hold on Grace Coddington's memoir that I'm looking forward to (I'm 7th in line...)

So yesterday I picked up two - let's not get ahead of ourselves here, I usually fall asleep after reading two pages. It can take awhile to get through a book. Let's hope these ones capture my attention!

xx E.

Ps. Thanks for the recommendations Jess!

Pps. Check out more great reads from Hilary :)

Hunger Games

So as I mentioned here, I took the Hunger Games away with me to Barbados as my beach read.


Well it made it to the beach one day, but I had read the entire book by Tuesday. I could NOT put it down. Loved it. Obsessed. If I was reading, and someone tried to talk to me, I would actually be a bit annoyed!


I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of your genre of choice. The Hunger Games has it all. As an adult (well based on my age anyway...) I can't believe that this is supposed to be a book for teens. I mean, sure, teens will like it too, but I didn't feel like I was reading a book for kids.


So this past Tuesday, Husband and I ventured out to see The Hunger Games: The Movie. Now normally, I'm pretty skeptical of movies based on books - it's hard to get them right.

The verdict?

LOVED IT! 

Of course, in my opinion, the book was still better, but the movie really did it justice. I'm sure that can be attributed to the fact that Suzanne Collins was one of the writers of the screenplay (good idea!).

Now I can't be certain, but I think the movie was more enjoyable because I had read the book first. It just gives some insights that are explained in the book, but that just 'happen' in the movie. For example, when the people of District 12 kiss their three middle fingers and then hold them up in the air - in the movie, they just do that action, but in the book we find out that it is a sign of love and goodbye, and is most often seen at a funeral. It's knowing those little nuances that made it just that much better.

So my recommendation: Read it, then see it. Then get the next book (which I'm reading now).

xx E.

ps. I'm Hungry for more (ya, I said it)

Valentine's Day DIY

As we all know, we're coming up to one of my favourite holidays, Valentine's Day.

Side note: I love it so much that I even forgot that it's not an official statutory holiday, so when my entire department at work decided to each dress as one of the stat holidays for Halloween (hey, we're in HR, it works), I yelled out "dibs on Valentine's day!" ...then I was not-so-gently reminded that V-Day isn't a 'real' holiday...


Anyway, I love the day so much because I love LOVE and because hearts are my favourite shape.




I'm not that into giving gifts, I much prefer a romantic dinner with a valentine card and some chocolate. That being said, lots of people DO give gifts for V-Day and other than the obvious (flowers, chocolates, jewellery) it's difficult to come up with something original.

Last year, I got Husband this print for Valentine's day. Later in the year, for our anniversary, I was inspired. Framed words are so popular, and they're everywhere. I decided I would create my own.

Here's a quick and easy DIY that your significant other will certainly love, because it carries meaning specific to only you!

Choose one or two songs (or poems) that have particular meaning to you as a couple. I chose our song (It's Only Natural, Crowded House), the song from our first dance at our wedding (Lucky, Jason Mraz) and a song that my sisters-in-law read during our wedding ceremony (Better Together, Jack Johnson).

Out of those songs, choose one or two lines that convey the message you're trying to send (for example, It's always better when we're together)

Type out those lines in the font of your choice, making it bold enough to be able to read from a distance.

Print the lyrics out on cardstock, or pretty paper. Be careful to choose paper that the words will stand out on.

Choose a set of frames, and frame your work!

I chose to do three different fonts and different alignments for my lyrics, just to make each one unique. Husband loved them and they are on display in our bedroom.

This gift could work for any occasion, and for different people (it could be a great gift for your best friend, parents, etc, just choose a song that has meaning)

Happy (almost) Love Day!

xx E.

ps. what are your Valentine's Day plans?