Monthly Rewind: May

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that looks back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, my five monthly favorites, and my monthly TBR list.

May! Lots of things happened in May. Graduation, organizing and visiting with all of my family during graduation, a very fun time at an English major party which resulted in an awful hangover while all said family was getting into town, having a blast at my grad ceremony with my friends, and finally graduating! It was a really rewarding experience and I am glad that I got to experience it with all of those friends. Then I came back home and spent time with my sister, which was great because I hadn't seen her in a while. Then went back up and got all of my stuff and have been trying to sort through it all. It is exhausting. Then add job hunting onto that. It has been a month.

Books read this month: 2. It's been a busy month, alright!
The Wrath and the Dawn, The Witch Hunter

Book reviews: ugh none. I got some queued up. So prepare!
Favorite book of the month: The Wrath and the Dawn. My review is pretty much a love letter to Renée Ahdieh's writing. Xoxo, I'm obsessed.

TV: Constantine and Steven Universe
It seems like I am bad luck for shows because as soon as I like something and start watching it, POOF channeled. See: The Fades, In the Flesh, Happy Endings, Eye Candy, etc. Same goes for Constantine. I watched the pilot when it first came out and then forgot about it, and then rediscovered it and loved it! And now I am stuck with a whole lot of questions and no program has picked it back up yet! Probably I am just going to have to read the comic now.

I also watched Steven Universe too! This show is so sweet and wacky. It has really short episodes so it is great for just a little break to keep your spirits up. Plus I love all of the Gems especially Garnet!

Food: Liquidology Cold Press Juices
Okay for most of this month, I swear I have only eaten burgers. You travel, you get a burger. So when things finally started to settle down again, my body was like "Give me something nutritional! I beg you!" Then I found these really great juices at the farmer's market and discovered they had a store right near my house. My nutritional savior! I have only tried two so far, but they are epic with super good a complex flavors. My favorite has been City Scout which has navel oranges, cinnamon, and other ingredients that I can't remember right now. All I know is that they are delicious and have made me feel a little bit healthier!

Beauty/ Fashion: Shorts
This month I moved from coast back into central Cali, and it's too hot (hot damn). So I have been wearing a lot of shorts, probably much to the chagrin of all the people who get blinded by my pale legs. I picked up a pair of army green lace ones and a pair of purple ones that I have been really enjoying wearing recently. I am going to be wearing them a lot too because it is only going to get hotter.

Music: Road trip playlists and a monthly playlist
I spend a lot of time on the road this month, and I have been enjoying my road trip playlist, Are We There Yet? Lots of upbeat pop punk, lots of Fall Out Boy, and lots of nostalgic 90s and early 00s music. Pretty much things that I can sing to in the car!

Also this month I am introducing a monthly playlist of songs that I have been loving each month. This way you can get a listen to songs that I have been enjoying during the month! I will probably have each up for two months. So enjoy and I hope you find something you like. Here is: May I Get a Hell Yeah.

Person/Thing: Mark Hoppus's twitter

Yes that Mark Hoppus. The amazing Blink 182 bassist and singer. I have been really getting into twitter this month, and I just have love his tweets. So funny! Seriously I would totally recommend checking him out if you want a good laugh.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
I still need to finish this book! I just have a third left. I just haven't had time, but it is sitting on my bedside table just begging for my to finish it.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
I am so excited to read this! I have read the web comic, but there is something about reading it as a graphic novel that sounds so satisfying. I will probably blaze through this in a wonderful afternoon!

Olivay by Deborah Reed
This book looked like such an interesting story. I requested it when I was looking to read something different from what a normally read, and this psychological thriller seems like it will do just that.

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
I just got this book last week, and I am so excited to read it. It seems like a book lovers fantasy! Plus I have always found the Great Library at Alexandria to be one of the greatest losses of all time and would love to see what would happen in a world that still had it.


How was May for you all? Any favorite you want to share? Any of these book one your TBR list for this month?

Monthly Rewind: April

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that looks back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, and my five monthly favorites.

April was a pretty stressful month. It was 80 percent sickness and injury and 20 percent senior portfolio work and computer dying for a bit. There were some good times hanging out with my friends and watching movies and going on little adventures to the beach, but it was a rocky month. My graduation is so close that I am actually starting to get excited about it! I have a lot to do but it is getting close! Also I saw Age of Ultron last night, and as a Black Widow fan, I am feeling a bit conflicted, but as a Vision and Scarlet Witch fan, I am psyched. I'm going through a bit of a roller coaster of emotions about that right now. But on the bright side, starting off May with a fun trip the the Ashland Shakespeare Festival this weekend with my class!

Books read this month: 5
The Art of Being Normal, A Magic Dark and Bright, Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, Angelfall, World After

Book reviews: 3
Favorite book of the month: Angelfall and World After! I read them both back to back so they are essentially one book to me right now. I'm obsessed, and it's a problem. I need End of Days to get here stat.

TV: Daredevil
Daredevil was released this month, and I have been obsessed. Like full scale obsession. I watched it the day it was released on Netflix and because I was sick that week, I watched it again. Twice in one week! Damn it is just so good. I am a pretty big Marvel fan, and I have to say that this is my favorite TV or movie they have brought out, which is saying a lot if you knew how many times I've watched Winter Soldier. I have never really been a fan of the character Daredevil before. He just never interested me in the comics and the movie was just eh. So for me to fall so deeply in love this show is saying A LOT. I really can't begin to say everything I love about the show, but I really think that Matt and Foggy's relationship and the way the show dealt with the villain Wilson Fisk was phenomenal. Plus Charlie Cox is simultaneously the hottest and most adorable creature in existence. See what I mean when I say I'm obsessed, guys? Even if you don't like comics, just wow do yourself a favor and watch this show. You will not regret it.

Food: Olives
Thinking back at food I made this month, somehow I managed to put olives in everything. Tacos, polenta, pasta, salads, omelets, it all had olives in it! I even grabbed pizza before the movies last night with my friend and bought the Olive Special. Yeah, I might have an olive problem. At this point, I may even turn into an olive.

Beauty/ Fashion: Essence Longlasting Lipstick in 04 On The Catwalk
I am not really a bright lipstick person. If I ever wear lipstick, it tends to be in almost exactly the same shade of dark berry red. (Seriously, I have like six lipsticks in slight variations of that same shade. It's a bit ridiculous.) So I decided to branch out and get a new color that was out of my comfort zone, and I am glad I did. The color looks a lot brighter on than it looks on the bullet, but I actually really like that and I have been wearing it a bunch toward the end of this month. Very springy!

Music:  Chill Music

I am usually a fan of music that is more upbeat. Pop punk, ska, alternative, stuff like that. Something that is toe tapping or head bobbing. But this month I have been craving calm-ish indie music. Just have been enjoying mellow happy music. Lots of Elliot Smith, Hozier, and Cloud Cult. 

Person/Thing: Essie Button

So as part of my morning routine, I like to watch a youtube video or two to wake me up. They are usually happy and excited, and it just gets me happy and ready for the day too. And my favorite to watch at the moment is Essie Button. She is a beauty and lifestyle youtuber, and I really like her vlogs too. She's just so much fun and inspiring but also seems real, and I seriously want to hair to be like hers. Plus her dog Reggie is so sweet. If you haven't seen her videos, I would go check them out.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Ever since I heard about this book, I have so excited to read it! I am about to start it right now and I just can't wait!

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Soooooo here's the story with this book. I got an eARC from FirstToRead but was busy with other books before I could read it. So I finally started reading it and was loving it, but during a really intense moment, I flipped the page and my heart stopped. It EXPIRED. It was the worst. Always a reminder to check expiration dates. But now I have the glorious book again and I finally get to finish it!

Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos
This book just seems like such an interesting concept. "Project Runway meets Divergent?" It seems like such an interesting twist, especially with a lot of books like the Hunger Games and Red Queen contain little makeover moments. I am curious about how it turns out.

Cleo by Lucy Coats
I've always found historical Cleopatra to be one of the most fascinating female leaders, and history and media tends to paint her in many different ways. I am excited to see how this young adult novel portrays her and retells her life. Plus that cover!

End of Days by Susan Ee
I just finished the first two books in the Penryn and the End of Days trilogy, and I am so excited for this last one! I am loving Penryn and Raffe, and I need more! Bring on that May 12.


How was April for you all? Any favorite you want to share? Any of these book one your TBR list for this month?

Monthly Rewind: March

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that looks back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, and my five monthly favorites.

March was for the most part a pretty chill month. I got a lot of reading done, did a lot of school work and work work, and hung out with my friends. The usual. Then for spring break I when to the UK to check out some grad schools that accepted me so that I could decide which was the right fit. It was a great trip with a lot of walking and traveling, a lot of great food, and even a book festival that I just happened to be in town for. Here are a few pictures from my trip: 1) Drank lots and lots of tea on this trip. Even one while sitting by the Thames. 2) Okay I know this sounds weird as hell, but I love the graveyards in the UK. They just look so spooky and old while graveyards here in California look so cookie cutter. It's a weird thing. 3) This was the marquee tent at the Oxford Literary Festival, and I just loved all of the cute bunting and the books everywhere. 4) Saw this at The World's End in Edinburgh and thought it was hilarious!

 

Pretty sweet month I would say!

Books read this month: 4
Ask the Dark, Hinges, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, Steelheart

Book reviews: 3
Favorite book of the month: Uh that's too hard this month because I read too many good books. It's a tie between Ask the Dark and Steelheart

TV: iZombie
iZombie just got started this month, and I am really digging it. When I first heard the premise of the show, I was not interested. I think it was the name that made me totally roll my eyes. But wow was a wrong. It's like a ya zombie cop show if that makes sense. Which is perfect for me because I love paranormal shows and i love cop shows. Win win, right? Also you can totally tell that Rob Thomas is behind it because it totally has a Veronica Mars feel to it. (If you don't know, he created Veronica Mars. Hence the vibe.) I know it has just started, but I am so into it. Give me more episodes!

Food: Tea
Tea and I have been best friends this month. I have been really loving Earl Grey and Gunpowder Green tea, which is surprising because I am not usually a fan of green teas. There is something just so comforting about a cup of tea to take a break with during a long day. Ah a moment of relaxation.

Beauty/ Fashion: Leather Sk8-Hi Slim Vans and Elizabeth and James's Black perfume
New love of my life: Leather Sk8-Hi Slim Vans. Oh man, they are just so pretty. I got them because I thought they would be much more comfortable than walking around in boots, and they totally were! They have these awesome zips in the back which make taking them off and on super easy too. Plus, did I mention they are pretty? Because they really are.

Another favorite is the Elizabeth and James's Black perfume. I don't normally wear perfume, and if I do, it's a very light scent. But I got a sample of this perfume, and I am obsessed. It smells warm and comforting, maybe a little like a guy's cologne but very subtle. I am almost out of my tester because I have been using it so much, which has never happened before.

Music: Ska and July Talk

Two bits of music that I have been obsessed with this month. The first is ska. I have always been a fan, but this month I went a bit nuts listening to it.  I just love all the different waves of ska from the popish punk of Reel Big Fish to what I like to label as very skater/stoner music of Sublime. Such an awesome genre with so much variety! It is just the combo on the bass and sometimes horns that just makes it so good! Particularly been loving listening to Streetlight Manifesto.

Just in the last week of this month, I found this band called July Talk, and wow are they addictive. I think their album was released earlier this month, and it's so good. The music is like this catchy but sometimes a little dark alternative combo. The two singers have this amazing pairing of a gruff male voice and light female voice. My description probably doesn't even do it justice but go give them a shot!

Person/Thing: Hawkeye Funko Pop Action Figure
Finally a Hawkeye Funko Pop figure! I love Hawkeye, and I have been waiting so impatiently for one of these figures. He is going to hang out with my little collection of Funko Pop toys in my favorite characters: Captain America, Starlord, Crowley from Supernatural, and Mikey from The Goonies. Now if I could get my hands on a Donald Duck figure...


How was March for you all? Any favorite you want to share?

Monthly Rewind: February

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that looks back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, and my five monthly favorites.

February was chaos. It just seemed like everything that could possibly happen this month did, and it all went by so fast. Like the Flash fast. Birthday fun, massive group project, getting into grad schools, car breaking down, work camping retreat: blinked and they disappeared. Probably just because things were sooooo busy but it seemed like february barely happened. But things look to be settling down. Well for a millisecond because I am off to look at grad schools in the UK next week (Yes!)

As for books this month, my enthusiasm for reading with all of the stuff I had to do we just: "eh." So I read a bit, but mostly enjoyed turning my brain off at the end of the day with tv.

Books read this month: 3
Silverwood, The Raven Cycle, Emissary

Book reviews: 1 (ha yeah)
Favorite book of the month: The Raven Cycle
Read and Run Challenge: Ha! I honestly forgot I was doing this, but I will try to make progress this month.

TV: Parks and Recreation
It's over! How? WHY? And that last season with everything between Ron and Leslie, I sobbed like no tomorrow. Actually the entire season tugged at my heartstrings in the best and worst way. Parks and Rec was such an amazing show, and I am going to miss it. I would totally recommend giving it a go if you haven't. The first season is a bit rough to get used to, but stick with it. The characters are amazing. It's so fun but heartwarming. Leslie Knope will become your hero. Then soon you will be an emotional post Park and Rec trash like me.

Food: Sparkling Water
I know, I know. As pretentious as that sounds as my favorite of the month, it's true! I tend to just drink water, coffee, smoothies for breakfast, and that's it! I don't like sodas because they taste so sweet and the whole being awful for you thing. So I never get that fizz. Well, until I started getting sparkling water as a treat. Do I sometimes feel silly buying water? Yep. Do I really love it. Hell yes!

Beauty/ Fashion: Essie Matte Nail Polish
I don't think I have ever painted my nails so much in one month. I love the way this matte top coat makes my nails look, especially over navy blue and army green.

Music: Soundtracks

Soundtracks are my go-to concentration music, and because of how this month went, they were my go-to staple music of the month. For me, I can't read with normal music because the words distract me. So exciting movie soundtracks keep me awake and focused without distracting me. My main soundtracks have been: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Attack the Block, The Dark Knight, and Pacific Rim.

Person/Thing: Check, Please!
So when I said I was a bit lacks on reading this month that didn't include web comics. Really, I had never actually read web comics until this month, but I stumbled upon this one and loved it! Check, Please! is the story of Eric Bittle (or Bitty) and his adventures in college and on the school hockey team. You will love Bitty. He is amazing and he might have a pie baking addiction.  The rest of the characters are just too hilarious for words too. Plus I learned quite a few things about hockey that I never knew! Give the comic a shot!


How was February for you all? Any favorite you want to share?

Monthly Rewind: January

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that will look back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, and my five monthly favorites.

I love January. Everyone is always so positive about New Year's resolutions and new starts, and the sense of possibility just gets sort of contagious. So while there were some bumpy parts to the month, it still was great! I went back for my final semester of university, I finished my grad school apps (finally), and my friend got the news that her and her husband are having a baby. All very exciting things. I was also really glad that I finally started to work on this blog. It's been in my mind forever, but it just kept getting put off. While it's not perfect, I am working on it little by little. But I'm proud of myself that I started doing it! Great start to a year.

Books read this month: 7
Dove Arising, Veronica Mars #1 and #2, Red Rising (re-read), Seeker, Half Bad, and The Raven Boys

Book reviews: 4
Favorite book of the month: Half Bad (review coming soon!!!)
Read and Run Challenge: Several hours left to go in Yes Please by Amy Poehler, but that's more motive to keep going!

TV: Agent Carter and Sirens
Other than just having Friends on in the background this month (thank you Netflix), I really haven't watched a lot of TV this month. However, when I did, it was good. Oh so good. I'm a huge Marvel fan, and I was psyched for Agent Carter! I loved her in the first Captain America and to have her as the lead made me sooooo happy. Plus the first in MCU to have a female focused plot! I am loving the post-WWII setting, and the critics of attitudes toward women, especially working women, during the time. Not only is the plot exciting and fun, but it is powerful look at women in history. My other favorite show this month is Sirens, and I have cried-laughed watching this show. So funny! The characters are so dynamic, and they deal with different issues that shows don't normally cover. If you need a good laugh, watch this show.

Food: Smoothies
Since I have been trying to live a healthier and more active life, I've been having a smoothie almost every morning. It gives me so much energy to start the day and makes me full all morning. Plus they are so easy to make, and you can make tons of different flavors combinations. My favorite this month has been strawberry, kiwi, banana, kale, and coconut water. Yum!

Beauty/ Fashion: Old Navy Compression Leggings
Again, trying to be active, folks! These leggings have become my favorite workout outfit. I love sweats for running and weight training, but I feel a lot more comfortable wearing leggings in Zumba and circuit training classes. I've noticed a big part about getting the confidence to go to the gym is feeling that you look good.

Music: Bear Hands

I've been obsessed and I'm cool with that. The lead singer's voice is just awkward enough without being weird, and the music is a strange mix of both relaxing and energetic. Does that make sense? Listen to Bone Digger and Moment of Silence and you will understand.

Person: Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter
Stop what you're doing and go watch her seasonal outfit videos, especially the last two. They will just make you smile. I love watching her videos. Her personality is just so honest and fun that the videos just lift up my spirits.


How was January for you all? Any favorite you want to share?