Quarter-Life Crises and Making Changes
Baby, You're My Summer Jam
I'm a Philadelphia-based ENFJ with a love for strong coffee, loud laughter, a bold lip and killer shoes. I like starting my day off with prayer, inspirational quotes, YouTube beauty guru videos, and Honey Nut Cheerios and ending with a glass of Cabernet. Coming Up Roses is a hub for inspirational, funny, and pretty things every MWF. For essentially another in-person BFF, come hang out with me on YouTube!
Get your feet wet with these posts:
"You are enough."
The (Advanced) Beginner's Guide to Budgeting
13 Ways to know he's a Keeper
Leopard Booties, 10 ways
What's your favorite thing about summer?
I love that I get to camp out at the fiance's and come home every night to cook dinner together and catch up on Netflix. I love heading to the parents' house for the weekend to lay poolside and wedding plan with my momma, and I actually love being on more of a "real world" routine with work, so I know when everything is slotted to get done!
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Life is going to keep moving forward regardless of the obstacles you face, so take everything in stride, focus, and follow your dreams with the full intention of getting there. That, and with regards to blogging, "keep your eyes on your own paper!" It can be far too easy to start comparing yourself to everyone under the sun, but that's just toxic and never leave you feeling good. Just focus on always bettering yourself and helping others, and you will see progress!
What's something that you're passionate about?
Inspiring others to believe in themselves and create full, joyful lives. I really wish my full-time career could be "inspiring people." I just want to go around making people's days all the time and make a life out of that. Is that possible??
What are you most looking forward to about married life?
Getting to wake up and fall asleep every night with my best friend. And more regular toothbrush wars. I'm also really excited to change my last name and embrace this challenge of living selflessly for another person. It's really intimidating to me, but so so beautiful.
What's something that always makes you happy?
Watching Miranda Sings videos on YouTube. Actually though. I just have such a respect for Colleen's acting abilities - she never breaks character! The former theater girl in me is screaming with sheer bliss every time I watch her.
Favorite Childhood Movie Characters | Guest Post
Special thanks to Emily from Little Flecks of Gold for sharing her favorite childhood movie characters in today's guest post!
It’s only natural that our favorite childhood movies will have a new meaning to us when we’re older, it’s always a pleasant surprise when you realize your favorite childhood movies are filled with strong female characters and inspirational storylines, not just slyly mature dialogue. Lately, when I’ve rewatched a few of my favorite childhood movies, I’ve been able to see the characters that influenced me the most as a child, whether it was to improve, stand up for, or simply be myself. While I have many I could add to this list, here are just a few of my favorites:
Lily Moskowitz
I was obsessed with Princess Diaries as a child and decided to rewatch it a couple months ago. While I always wanted to be Princess Mia as a child, this time around, I found myself admiring her best friend instead. Not only is Lily incredibly loyal to and supportive of Mia, she has an immense amount of self-respect for any woman, let alone a high schooler (I wanted to cheer when she tells Jeremiah “The way to a girl’s heart is not by treating her like a vending machine.”)
Belle
The title of “favorite Disney princess” was on frequent rotation during my childhood, but Belle wins it by a landslide now. Beauty and the Beast focuses very little on the superficial aspects that a lot of other movies do. Besides the obvious “don’t judge a book by its cover” message in the film, Belle’s knowledge and love of learning is portrayed as one of her best attributes, instead of tiny feet or mile-long hair. I also love that Belle’s story doesn’t revolve around a typical damsel-in-distress storyline, instead the story begins with Belle saving her father from the beast.
Eliza Doolittle
The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady were my favorite musicals as a kid. While I used to love My Fair Lady for the music and costumes (and still do), I’ve come to love it for its inspirational main character. Even though Eliza was raised in poverty, she made a career for herself and took the first opportunity to improve her living conditions, even though it would be demanding. Eliza was determined to become more cultured and worked hard, even when her training was draining and tedious. Although Henry Higgins was condescending and misogynistic towards Eliza, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. In the end, Eliza doesn’t change who she is or succumb to social pressure. Instead, she becomes a better version of herself (while rocking some really great hairstyles.)
Luna Lovegood
As someone who watched the Harry Potter movies countless times and read the entire series twice before hitting my teenage years, it figures that it’s been a major influence in my life. While nearly all the female Harry Potter characters belong on this list (except for maybe Cho Chang and Dolores Umbridge), Luna’s been my favorite ever since Order of the Phoenix came out. I was immediately drawn to Luna for her quirky charm and positive attitude. Nothing could keep Luna from being herself and looking on the bright side, which I think is a great lesson for any young girl.
Now that you’ve seen some of my favorite fictional characters, who are some of yours?
Want to see more posts from Emily? Check out her blog, Little Flecks of Gold.
Ingrid Nilsen is Gay & I Love Her
Most Anticipated Summer 2015 Book Releases | Guest Post
Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter. She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly
they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.When another boy from her past returns to
her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.When another boy from her past returns to
her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved
Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
To be honest I'd probably read this even if I hadn't read the first book because I LOVE Jenny Han. If you've never read The Summer I Turned Pretty or Burn for Burn series please go do so immediately! This book is a sequel and I was quite surprised with how much I enjoyed the first book. I thought it seemed a bit too juvenile but I found myself really getting into the story and I have been impatiently waiting for this sequel for what feels like forever!
Expected Publication Date: May 26, 2015
What would you do if you could literally rewrite your fate—on Facebook? This heartwarming and
hilarious new novel from the authors of Your Perfect Life follows a woman who discovers she can change her life through online status updates.
Kate is a thirty-five-year-old woman who is obsessed with social media. So when her fiancé, Max,
breaks things off at their rehearsal dinner—to be with Kate’s close friend and coworker, no less—she
goes straight to Facebook to share it with the world. But something’s changed. Suddenly, Kate’s real
life starts to mirror whatever she writes in her Facebook status. With all the power at her fingertips,
and heartbroken and confused over why Max left her, Kate goes back in time to rewrite their history.
Kate's two best friends, Jules and Liam, are the only ones who know the truth. In order to convince
them she’s really time traveled, Kate offers to use her Facebook status to help improve their lives. But her attempts to help them don’t go exactly as planned, and every effort to get Max back seems to only backfire, causing Kate to wonder if it’s really possible to change her fate.
them she’s really time traveled, Kate offers to use her Facebook status to help improve their lives. But her attempts to help them don’t go exactly as planned, and every effort to get Max back seems to only backfire, causing Kate to wonder if it’s really possible to change her fate.
This book seems like one of those books that's either going to be amazing or I'm going to hate it. I think the premise sounds intriguing and if done right it will be a wonderful read! It's worth noting that most of the reviews from readers who received early copies are in the 4-5 star range so that makes me even more interested in reading.
Expected Publication Date: June 2, 2015
On the eve of her wedding to Nicholas Young, heir to one of the greatest fortunes in Asia, Rachel
should be over the moon. She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond from JAR, a wedding dress she
loves more than anything found in the salons of Paris, and a fiancé willing to sacrifice his entire
inheritance in order to marry her. But Rachel still mourns the fact that her birthfather, a man she
never knew, won’t be able to walk her down the aisle. Until: a shocking revelation draws Rachel into
a world of Shanghai splendor beyond anything she has ever imagined. Here we meet Carlton, a
Ferrari-crashing bad boy known for Prince Harry-like antics; Colette, a celebrity girlfriend chased by
fevered paparazzi; and the man Rachel has spent her entire life waiting to meet: her father.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s It Girl, Astrid Leong, is shocked to discover that there is a downside to
having a newly minted tech billionaire husband. A romp through Asia’s most exclusive clubs, auction
houses, and estates, China Rich Girlfriend brings us into the elite circles of Mainland China,
introducing a captivating cast of characters, and offering an inside glimpse at what it’s like to be gloriously, crazily, China-rich.
having a newly minted tech billionaire husband. A romp through Asia’s most exclusive clubs, auction
houses, and estates, China Rich Girlfriend brings us into the elite circles of Mainland China,
introducing a captivating cast of characters, and offering an inside glimpse at what it’s like to be gloriously, crazily, China-rich.
Yes I know another sequel but Crazy Rich Asians was so fascinating and entertaining!! I devoured the first book and had no idea there would be a second so this was a pleasant surprise!
Expected Publication Date: June 16, 2015
In Killing Monica, Bushnell spoofs and skewers her way through pop culture, celebrity
worship, fame, and even the meaning of life itself, when a famous writer must resort to faking her
own death in order to get her life back from her most infamous creation--Monica. With her
trademark wit and style, Killing Monica is Bushnell's sharpest, funniest book to date.
I have been a loyal Candace Bushnell supporter since I first picked up Sex and the City years and years ago. I was moderately disappointed with her YA series, The Carrie Diaries, so I was happy to hear her next book would be an adult book. I think the pop culture aspect has the potential to be hilarious.
Expected Publication Date: June 23, 2015
A funny new novel from international bestselling author Marian Keyes about Irish
beautician Stella Sweeney who falls ill, falls in love, then falls into a glamorous new life
in New York City. When her dream life is threatened, will she rally to reclaim love and happiness?
In her own words, Stella Sweeney is just “an ordinary woman living an ordinary life with her
husband and two teenage kids,” working for her sister in their neighborhood beauty salon. Until one day she is struck by a serious illness, landing her in the hospital for months.
After recovering, Stella finds out that her neurologist, Dr. Mannix Taylor, has compiled and self-
published a memoir about her illness. Her discovery comes when she spots a photo of the finished
copy in an American tabloid—and it’s in the hands of the vice president’s wife! As her relationship
with Dr. Taylor gets more complicated, Stella struggles to figure out who she was before her illness,
who she is now, and who she wants to be while relocating to New York City to pursue a career as a newly minted self-help memoirist.
I discovered Marian Keyes the summer after I graduated college. I finally decided I had time to read again and found one of her books at Half Price and fell in love. Her books are almost always funny, easy to read, and wonderfully written. Her book Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married is still one of the funniest books I've ever read. I say all this to say that I would read pretty much anything she writes but I am extra excited about this because it's been a VERY LONG time since I had a new book to read by Marian Keyes.
Expected Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Jacqueline Jordan knows conflict. A fearless journalist, she’s spent the past decade embedded in the
world’s hot spots, writing about the fall of nations and the rise of despots. But if you were to inquire
about who topped Jack’s enemy list, she’d not hesitate to answer: Kitty Carricoe.
about who topped Jack’s enemy list, she’d not hesitate to answer: Kitty Carricoe.
Kitty reigns supreme over the world of carpools and minivans. A SAHM, she spends her days caring
for her dentist husband and three towheaded children, running the PTA, and hiding vegetables in deceptively delicious packed lunches.
Kitty and Jack haven’t a single thing in common—except for Sarabeth Chandler, their mutual bestie.
Sarabeth and Jack can be tomboys with the best of them, while Sarabeth can get her girly-girl on
with Kitty. In fact, the three of them were college friends until the notorious frat party incident, when Jack accidentally hooked up with Kitty’s boyfriend…
Yet both women drop everything and rush to Sarabeth’s side when they get the call that her
fabulously wealthy husband has perished in a suspicious boating accident. To solve the mystery
surrounding his death, Jack and Kitty must bury the hatchet and hit the road for a trip that just may bring them together—if it doesn’t kill them first.
Doesn't this just sound like a funny, light read? I've read a few of Lancaster's nonfiction books and didn't realize she would be writing a fiction story. I loved Bitter is the New Black so I have high hopes for this.
Expected Publication Date: August 4, 2015
An intelligent and madly entertaining debut novel reminiscent of The Crying of Lot 49, White Noise,
and City of Glass that is at once a missing-person mystery, an exorcism of modern culture, and a
wholly singular vision of contemporary womanhood from a terrifying and often funny voice of a new
generation.
A woman known only by the letter A lives in an unnamed American city with her roommate, B, and
boyfriend, C, who wants her to join him on a reality show called That’s My Partner! A eats (or
doesn’t) the right things, watches endless amounts of television, often just for the
commercials—particularly the recurring cartoon escapades of Kandy Kat, the mascot for an entirely
chemical dessert—and models herself on a standard of beauty that only exists in such advertising.
She fixates on the fifteen minutes of fame a news-celebrity named Michael has earned after buying
up his local Wally Supermarket’s entire, and increasingly ample, supply of veal.
Meanwhile B is attempting to make herself a twin of A, who hungers for something to give meaning
to her life, something aside from C’s pornography addiction, and becomes indoctrinated by a new
religion spread throughout a web of corporate franchises, which moves her closer to the decoys that
populate her television world, but no closer to her true nature.
OK, full disclosure here, I took a Buzzfeed quiz called "What New Book Should You Read This Summer" and I got this. I've never even heard of it but after actually reading about it on Goodreads I was intrigued.
Expected Publication Date: August 25, 2015
For more from Brittany, check out her blog, Your Friend, Brittany.
What book releases are you looking forward to this summer?
3 Things I Learned About Finances in College
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith | #BlissfulBookTalk
Fat Girl Walking by Brittany Gibbons | Book Review
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins for my honest review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
Meet Brittany from Your Friend, Brittany
write about things happening in my life, books I’m reading, pop culture, and anything else I find
interesting. The idea behind Your Friend, Brittany was that it would be a space for people to come and read things they hopefully find interesting and enjoyable. I wanted the site to be fun and laidback and for people to feel like they’re just chatting with a friend when they’re reading the blog. I also have a street style/fashion blog over on Tumblr called BritBritLand.
Get your feet wet with these posts:
What 3 words describe you?
Loyal, introverted, open-minded
What's your favorite part about blogging?
I enjoy the community aspect of blogging as well as the act of blogging itself. I started way back in 2011 and after taking a break I realized I enjoyed it so I came back. It’s nice to have a creative space to call your own and it’s even better if people can relate to it and enjoy reading it.
What are your plans for the summer?
Finish planning my wedding. I’m getting married in September so I’m on the final stretch of planning!
Get out and do!! I’m looking forward to just being out and really utilizing my weekends. I love the
summertime so this is the best time of year for me.
What are three things you want to accomplish in 2015?
I’d like to gain more readers/followers on my blog, maintain this active/healthy lifestyle that I’ve really gotten into in 2015, and work on my patience!! I am actively trying to work on my patience because I have none, ha!
What song are you currently obsessed with?
I have been obsessed for a while with this mashup/remix/cover of “Don’t” and “Loyal” by Eastside,
called Ellie. I’ve also been obsessed with Taylor Swift’s “Style” since I bought 1989; it was immediately my favorite song on the album.
What's your favorite book?
I’ve had the same 3 way tie forever because I can’t pick just one.
The Giver, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and American Psycho
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Rome
If you could live a day in the life of anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
Barack Obama. Really anyone who has been POTUS because I imagine that would be a job that’s really interesting for about a day and then terribly stressful.
Where is your happy place?
My happy place is somewhere warm and sunny and where I can lounge with a book in my hand and a
cocktail by my side and if I can’t have that just give me my couch and a good book!
Name 5 things that make you happy.
-- Coming home to my little family (fiancé, puppy, and kitten) each day.
-- True and loyal friends
-- Food that’s so good that you can’t even speak while eating it.
-- Well written books that totally and completely suck you into a story.
-- The fact that it seems (at least to me) that this younger generation seems to be more tolerant of people and less tolerant of hate, negativity, and discrimination. Hallelujah!!
Want more from Brittany?
Love Your Curls
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Meet Emily from Little Flecks of Gold.
Little Flecks of Gold is a lifestyle blog that covers everything from health and fitness to books to beauty. I have a lot of passions that I love sharing, but I also know that life gets busy, so I am always sharing simple ways to live a healthier, happier life.
Get your feet wet with these posts:
What 3 words describe you?
Determined, passionate, loyal.
What's your favorite part about blogging?
I love the sense of community. It’s so cool to be able to interact with other bloggers from all over the place that share similar interests.
What are your plans for the summer?
When I’m not working, I’m definitely planning on doing a lot of hiking (I’m also dying to try backpacking and trying to convince my brother to go with me.) My friend and I have a road trip in the works up to Alberta, Canada, which I know will be great since we had a blast on our road trip last summer.
What are three things you want to accomplish in 2015?
One of my goals has been finding a fitness program that I enjoy and can stick to on a long-term basis. I also want to start reading for fun again (since I started college, I think I’ve read two books that weren’t textbooks) and teach myself to play at least one song on the guitar.
What song are you currently obsessed with?
I just barely bought Taylor Swift’s 1989 album (I’m about six months late to the game, I know) and while I’m definitely in love with the whole thing, “Clean” is definitely my favorite.
What's your favorite book?
Jane Eyre, although half the time when you ask me, I’ll say Pride and Prejudice. It really just depends on my mood, I guess.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, especially Venice.
If you could live a day in the life of anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
Audrey Hepburn, not only because she’s my favorite actress of all time, but also because I admire her humility, grace and compassion. Although, I really want to go back in time and meet her, so maybe I should say I’d rather spend a day in the life of her son or someone instead.
Where is your happy place?
Growing up, I always loved visiting my grandparent’s house in Virginia because they had the coolest backyard with a creek running through it. I still love visiting them and feel nostalgic whenever I see a place that reminds me of their yard or neighborhood.
Name 5 things that make you happy.
Singing, herbal tea, Pinterest, sitcoms and chick flicks (especially those with Sandra Bullock in them.)
Want more from Emily?
Movin' Shakin' Groovin' | Swon Brothers Concert
 |
| I'm sad that this is the only decent picture I got of Seth Costner. He was so awesome that I spent his cover singing and dancing along and not taking pictures. |
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