Fifty Shades of Grey

I know I’m probably the last woman on Earth to be reading Fifty Shades of Grey – better late than never, I guess (I’m not sure if that actually applies to scandalous romance novels or not).

I started reading it on Saturday and couldn’t put it down. It reads fast and easy, and has a tempting story line that makes you want to know more. I’m only to page 80, and I just read the first of the love scenes… it was intense, but not inappropriate. Descriptive would be a good word for it.

What I really like is that the main character, Anastasia, is funny. Her inner dialogue reminds me of ridiculous conversations with my best friends. If she was real, I think we’d get along. (Is is weird that I always make that assessment when reading books?)

Have you read it? Does it get racier than the first elevator encounter? (I’m going to guess so.) Maybe it’s a good thing Jeff is working extra hours training for his new job this week. More time for me to read!

Have you read anything good lately?

Image via.

The Short Lamp Dilemma

When I was decorating the guest bedroom in our house,  my mom gave me a lamp and shade (from a thrift store, of course) that matched the rest of the room perfectly. The problem was, between the tall antique bed, the short nightstand, and the normal height table lamp, you could barely see the lamp peeking out from beside the bed. I didn't want to find a new lamp or nightstands, so I stacked books underneath the lamp base to give it a boost.

It was a quick fix that ended up working really well. To tie everything together, I strategically placed a few more stacks of books around the room.



(Yes, the bottom book is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and yes, it's a library book. I'd like to say it was a damaged one that they gave away, but I can't promise that that's entirely true. Shhh. Don't tell.)

Your Life in Lists

As a wedding gift from some of our best friends, we received a book called Listography: Your Life in Lists. It's a genius little journal for logging events in your life, from your firsts and lasts and the closest friends you've had, to your drunkest moments and the things you'd like to change about yourself.

While on our honeymoon, we filled out the first half of the book. Filling it out as a couple was so fun -- it brought up some things we never thought to talk about, like bad things you did as a kid and the most memorable friends from your past.

I can't wait to fill out the other half on our next road trip. I think it's going to be so fun to look back at the things we wrote.

My To-Read List

I've said it before - I'm really not much of a reader. But, if I pick up a book and start reading, I can't stop. Here are three I can't wait to get to.


Because I love Tina Fey.




Because I've heard it's hilarious.




Because I know I'll enjoy it.
(I really want to see the movie, but not before I read the book.)












































Get them here:
Bossypants
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
The Help

Photos via my Pinterest.

Adorable Notebooks

I love these cute, personalized notebooks from Minted’s latest design challenge. I especially love the wedding day thank you notebook. What a cute bridesmaid gift idea!

See all the winners here.

(Photos via Minted)

The Last Lecture

I’m not much of a book worm, but something happens almost every time I pick up a book – I can’t put it back down.

Almost a year ago, on a recommendation from a co-worker, I bought The Last Lecture by Randy Paush. I finally read it last night and made it through the 206 pages in a few hours. During those two hours, as cliché as this will sound, I laughed and cried (mostly cried) and was so glad I started reading it.

In a nutshell, it’s the story of a man with pancreatic cancer who’s given the news he only has months to live. When Carnegie Mellon, the college where he was a professor, asked him to give a lecture about his life journey, he rose to the challenge. He titled it “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

I won’t tell you much more, but that it was incredibly inspiring, heartwarming, and something I’m definitely going to read again. I really can’t recommend it enough. 

Watch his lecture below, and learn more at lastlecture.com.