Reading List

I'm not going to pretend that a great deal of my time is spent doing leisure reading.  These days most of it occurs on the toilet.  (I apologize for the unpleasant mental image).  When you're a mama of two the word "leisure" in general tends to be a non sequitur, but if I had my way I'd figure out how to get paid to read.  I could read all day every day.  Happiness for me, truly is a good book.

And guess what?  I just read one!  And I "know" the author.

The super talented Rebecca Cooper Thumann is my blogger friend and soul sister, who happens to have the one up on me in the novel department.  She has written three.  Oh yes.  Three.  I have written: none.  Not that I want to.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't write a novel if my life depended on it.  I can read them.  I can write about them.  But write them?  Hell to the no.

But this sweet, kind-hearted girl has written three.  They are all Pride and Prejudice fanfic.  (I told you we were soul sisters!)  And so far I've read her first novel The London Chronicles, which I loved despite her warning me of an errant typo or two.  I wanted to read her first book first, because I am the kind of geek who enjoys seeing someone evolve as a writer.  I can't wait to read Lost Along the Way, which is sitting on my nightstand as we speak.

In my humble opinion, The London Chronicles was a terrific debut novel.  I loved the story, and while the themes of Pride and Prejudice are apparent, I didn't feel like I was reading a cheap imitation.  It would easily stand alone as a lovely, albeit at times suspenseful, love story, without the Austen connection.  The characters are well-developed, the story line holds your interest, and the pacing was perfect.  It's a funny, thrilling, and feel-good book.  Think: Bridget Jones meets Knotting Hill meets Sex in the City with a touch of John Grisham just for good measure.   Is it chick lit?  Yes.  Is it predictable?  Sure.  Should you read it?  Yes.  Will you love it?  Absolutely.  Will you find yourself asking "Christian who?"  Yeah, probably.  Mr. Grey has nothing on Christopher Harrington (except maybe that stack of psychotherapy bills from Dr. Flynn).

Why waste time, get your copy here:

I can't wait to hear what you think!

Maybe I can start my own book club - like Oprah - only without her tv show, readership, or bank roll...

All in favor of  a monthly column titled The Fashionista's Fiction Picks say "aye."

Here's September's reading list.  You can read one or all four!

Happy Reading!

xoxo

Jenny

You're an idiot

if you don't sign up for Shop Your Way Rewards.

Don't know what I'm talking about?  You don't know what you're missing!  I save TONS of money participating in this FREE program.  I am not their spokesperson, (though I wouldn't be averse to the idea) and I do not get any kickbacks for singing their praises on the internet (although I wish I did).

I am just a lowly shopper like yourself, trying to save a buck whenever and wherever I can.  Shop Your Way Rewards is a great way to get free stuff just for shopping at KMart, Sears, and Lands End (online and in store).  I am not going to get into the nitty gritty about the program; you can read more about that here.  What I will tell you is that I have received hundreds of dollars in free product since singing up a few years ago.  It helps that we bought new kitchen appliances at Sears last year (thats lots of points people) but even occasional incidentals add up fast.  Toilet paper at Kmart?  Points.  New hiking boots from Lands End?  Points.  A new drill for dad from Sears?  Points.  You get my drift right? In addition to earning points on every purchase, you also have access to special deals and coupons.

Here is my latest Sears shopping victory thanks to Shop Your Way:

Clothes for Colten
2 pairs jeans, 1 bathing suit, 2 long sleeve shirts,
3 pairs of shorts, 1 sweat suit, two short sleeve shirts.
All brand names.  

Okay, take a deep breath because I am about to BLOW. YOUR. MIND.

.....

Retail value of these items:  $265.97 plus tax.

I paid: $12.69 total.

Close your mouth.

I'll just sit here and wait for the applause to die down.

Shall we continue?

Good.

How can this be, you ask?  Well, everything was on sale.  Clearance was an extra 50% off.  I had a Shop Your Way coupon for $20 off $50 clothing purchase and $67 in Shop Your Way Rewards dollars bringing my out of pocket cost to under $13.  That, is insane.  That, is unreal.  That, my friends, is a shopping victory, a gold medal, a slam dunk, a home run.

Go ahead and bask in my glow.

Then go sign up for Shop Your Way Rewards and start saving some money honey!

Have a great Wednesday!  Thanks to Labor Day we're already half way to the weekend!  Woooo hoooo!

xoxo

Jenny

A Heathen No More

On Sunday we baptized Cooper.  Just a simple ceremony at church followed by swimming at my parents hotel pool and a BBQ at our house.  It was so nice to have both sets of grandparents up visiting for this special event.  My 93 year old Pop-Pop even made the trip.  There truly is nothing like family.  What a special day it was.

Coopy Scoopy!

The Whole Family

My Home Team

Scoopy and Mommy

Hope your last weekend of summer was spent with all the people you love too!

xoxo

Jenny