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It’s Monday! What are you reading? (9)

December 10, 2012

“It’s Monday! What are you reading?” is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. Post the books you finished reading last week, the books you are currently reading, and the books you plan to read this week.

Book(s) Read: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Currently Reading: Adulation by Elisa Lorello

For Review: The Bellwether by James W. Nelson

What I plan to read next: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

What are you reading this week?

Christmas Giveaway

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Sunday Social (5)

December 9, 2012

This week’s questions:

1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?

-My favorite Christmas movies are Elf, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. My favorite T.V. special is obviously TBS’s marathon of A Christmas Story. We watch it every year.

Via

2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?

-We shop for Christmas gifts for children for a charity through our church. Once, I actually had the privilege of giving the children their gifts as well and it was so special. I’ll never forget it.

3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays?

-Our 4 wheeler was a pretty awesome surprise. Santa was good to me that year.

4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays?

-This isn’t really an “item” but I remember everyone would change their ringtones to Christmas songs (although I still do that).

5. Item you begged for the most and never got?

A dog. I always begged my parents for a dog but never got one until Pippa! This isn’t from my childhood, but for the last couple of years I have asked for a Michael Kors watch. We will see if I get it this year. (Hint to the hubs)

6. What do you do on Christmas Eve?

-It’s different every year. This year, due to a busy Christmas day, Ryan and I will celebrate our Christmas together on Christmas Eve. We also watch A Christmas Story on TBS.

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Stacking the Shelves (4)

December 8, 2012

“Stacking the Shelves” is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews to spotlight the books you have added to your shelf.

Purchased:

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman

French Kiss by Susan Johnson

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

Did you purchase any books this week?

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{GUEST POST} Tarole at “Island Livin’ with One Haole Girl”

December 7, 2012

Aloha all you Southern Sunflowers and Coffee Bean readers!

I’m Tarole and I blog over at Island Livin’ with One Haole Girl

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin’

I’m stoked that Logan is allowing me to guest post today! I absolutely love her blog and I think she is so stinkin’ adorable! Don’t you agree?

Moving on..

Today I’m bringing you a post on health/fitness. I’m such a health nut and am always looking for work out routines and new healthy recipes. I have an entire blog dedicated to leading a healthy lifestyle (plus it acts as GREAT motivation!) You can visit it here.

There are SO many ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. Whether it be in the kitchen, in the gym, or what have you. People think they have to spend tons of money on “healthier” foods or memberships to a big fancy gym. No. Wrong. I don’t have a gym membership, nor do I waste money on those packages claiming to be “fat free” or whatever they say these days.

Want to know the secrets to my success?

Yup.

She’s The Biggest Loser coach for a reason people!

Things I love about the 30 Day Shred video:

You can work out in the comfort of your own home – not a stinky, sweaty gym with creepy guys staring at you.
All you need is a set of hand weights, and a mat if you’re on a hard surface.
It’s only 20 minutes with a 2 minute warm up and a 2 minute cool down.
There are THREE levels so you can work your way up as you get stronger and more fit.
She has two friends working with her. One for beginners and one for more advanced. You can make it as hard or as easy as you want.

Personally, I use a set of 5 lbs weights. I have a smaller frame, so to tone and be lean, I use a lighter set of weights, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still working my ass off. I also use a set of 2 lb ankle weights to add a little extra to the work out.

Don’t think I just get by on a 20 minute video work out.

I’m also a huge fan of running. Living in Hawaii I am blessed with beautiful scenery which makes running a heck of a lot easier. But honestly, anyone can do it. And it’s the fastest way to shed that fat that’s covering up all of your defined muscles! 🙂

When it comes to running, people always have misconceptions. “I need to run hills”, “I need to run as fast as I can”, “I need to run every day”.

Whooooaaa pump the brakes there Sally.

No. Wrong.

Some facts about running:

Running on flat surfaces with slim you down, while running hills will bulk you up.
Women who regularly JOG live about 5.6 years longer than women who don’t jog.
Higher mileage isn’t always better – You don’t have to run 8 miles every time you run!
Running in the rain or cold does NOT mean you will get sick.
There’s no set speed you have to keep while running. Set YOUR own pace.

Read more on running myths here

I am training for a half marathon, so I actually will run 5 nights out of the week. It’s *ok* to have a rest day or two. Your body needs time to keep up and change the way you want it to.

Of course listening to music can help with the process. I like to listen to the “Workout” station on Pandora while I run. It has upbeat music that helps me to set a good pace and gets my mind off of the actual exercise. I also use the app “Nike+ Running” It works as a GPS, records your time, pace, and distance. It also has an option for “root me on” where people can drop messages to help you keep going! Plus, it still allows me to listen to Pandora!

Moving on to Health/Nutrition

You know that saying, “abs are made in the kitchen”? Well, it’s true.

Often times people think working out on the regular will allow them to eat whatever kind of junk they want.

No. Wrong.

Working out will dramatically increase your fitness, but you have to be in full force if you want that dream body, or to simply live a healthier life style.

“But Tarole, healthier foods are SO expensive”

I bet you there is a farmer’s market at least once a week somewhere close by where you live. These days people are all about locally grown and organic. Farmers markets are a GREAT way to save money while getting those healthy fruits and veggies you need to have a balanced diet.

Pay attention to your problem areas. There are specific foods that are geared more towards specific areas. For example, my problem are is the midsection. I like to store a lot of belly fat for some weird reason. So I like to stick to foods packed with protein, omega -3 fatty acids, and fiber (spinach, fish, and nuts). There are so many foods that can help sky rocket your metabolism. That in itself will shed body fat.

Another app I like to take advantage of is called, “My Fitness Pal“. This is great for those of who who are dieting and exercising to lose weight, but it’s also great for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It’s basically like a food diary. You record everything you eat (you can even scan barcodes of packages and the nutrition facts are recorded for you) insert the amount of calories burned during your workout, and it tells you if you are good to go, or if you need to eat more or burn more calories. It’s a great tool to have!

I’m sorry this post was so long – but you made it through! I could go on and on about this subject. If you have any questions, concerns, or would simply like a few tips in the health/fitness department, shoot me an email – I’d love to help you out!

Stick to a daily routine of health and fitness and this could be your result!

That’s me!

Living in Hawaii – A bikini is an almost every day attire.

I hope you enjoyed my post and found it semi useful! If you’d like, head on over to my blog for more tips and ideas. I have a whole page dedicated to a healthy lifestyle!

Thanks so much Logan for letting me take over and writing an obnoxiously long post. Isn’t she the greatest!

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) and Happy Holidays everyone!

Xoxo,

Isn’t she awesome!? And holy cow, I want her body! I know that during the holidays, I need a bit of motivation to stay away from the sweets and get off my tush to work out. I hope this gave y’all the extra push it gave me! Thank you, Tarole!

Be sure to go check out her blog for more tips!

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It’s Ok Thursday (2)

December 6, 2012

It’s ok:

that I have called Bath & Body Works “Bed Bath and Body” all week. Oops.

that I cried when I heard Kate was pregnant.

that I want to move here:

Source: bluepueblo.tumblr.com via Joy of Dad on Pinterest

that I’ve had zero time to read this week.

that it’s 78° in December.

that I bought 4 candles…for myself.

that I decorated for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving (gasp).

that I bought my dog a Christmas stocking.

that I don’t have my Christmas cards yet.

What’s okay with you?

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Oh How Pinteresting (8)

December 5, 2012

Today I’m linking up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting!

Source: 9gag.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: rstyle.me via Logan on Pinterest

Source: qtpiekelso.polyvore.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: hijabi-fashiion.tumblr.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: achadosdaliedaqui.tumblr.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: locatiarchitects.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: popularonpinterest.com via Logan on Pinterest

Source: stuff.co.nz via Logan on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Logan on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday!

Helen’s Giveaway.

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Harry Potter Link-Up (1)

December 4, 2012

I’m linking up with Tarole, Ashley, and Kim for the Harry Potter Party! Whoop!

1. What is your favorite quote from the Harry Potter series?

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
-Albus Dumbledore

2. How old were you when you became a fan of the series?

I fell in love when I began watching the movies when they first came out in 2001 (I was 15), but I didn’t read the books until I as 22.

3. Have you ever tried any HP recipes at home?

No, but I’d love to! I wouldn’t mind getting the HP cook book!

4. Which sort of obscure character would you want to know more about?

Via

This one is tough. Bellatrix, maybe because I am a psych nerd and her craziness fascinates me. I’d love to know what made her so crazy. I’d like to know more about that entire family (Sirius, his mother, Bellatrix, Narcissa, etc.).

5. Have you ever used Harry Potter to prove a point in your everyday life?

Not to prove a point, but I’ve been known to quote the books.

6. Be honest…would you dabble in the dark arts?

Absolutely! But I’d use it for good, not evil.

7. Shop you would most like to visit in Diagon Alley?

Via

Flourish and Blotts! Hello, book heaven in the wizarding world!

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(Guest Post) Bookworm Review by Melanie from “Keep it Simple and Fun”

December 4, 2012

Today I want to introduce you to Melanie! She is a newlywed, a teacher and blogs over at Keep it Simple and Fun. I have really enjoyed getting to know her, and I know you will too!

Welcome, Melanie!

First, I would like to say how honored I am to be writing a
book review for Logan. She is one of the sweetest bloggers I’ve gotten to know,
and I absolutely love her blog! When I
first started blogging about a month ago, she was the first person I asked to
swap buttons. She realized my button was not quite right (even after I had
worked on it for hours) and she fixed it for me! Pretty cool. Now, onto my book review!

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Publisher: Scribner, 2012

Format: Hardback, 352 pages

First Line: On the day of the miracle,
Isabel was kneeling at the cliff’s edge, tending the small, newly made
driftwood cross.

Description: After
four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia
and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s
journey from the coast. To this isolated island where the supply boat comes
once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later,
after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s
cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a
living baby.

Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a
horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel
insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim
her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to
the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their
choice has devastated one of them.

My thoughts: This novel captured my
attention from the very first page. The first chapter describes the day Isabel
and Tom discover a boat with a baby and dead man. The reader is left wondering
how the couple got to this point, and so begins the journey of Tom and Isabel’s
pasts, their love story, loss, and difficult choices. This beautifully written,
unforgettable book takes many twists and turns and leaves the reader wanting
more. It is a story of morality and deep, unconditional love for one’s spouse. I applaud M.L. Stedman for her first work of
literature and look forward to reading more of her books. I give the book five stars.

While
searching for the backcover description, I found out that Dreamworks is
planning to make the book into a feature film. Click here for the trailer! http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=97428

Doesn’t this book sound awesome? Thanks, Melanie! Go check out her amazing blog, Keep it Simple and Fun!

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So You Think You Can Dance {Tour}

December 3, 2012

This past weekend, we went to Atlanta for the So You Think You Can Dance Tour. Ryan bought me tickets back in October for our anniversary (I know, he is pretty awesome).

It was incredible. Seriously, if you ever get the chance, GO. It was a fantastic show. I only cried…3 times. Yes I’m a baby when it comes to dancing. There are just those few dances that make you ball. So here is a look at the show in (poor quality) pictures, shot on my IPhone. Because of the stage lighting, they turned out extremely blurry.