the truth about santa.

I found out that Santa wasn't real in the third grade. I believed in all of the make-believe characters for about an average amount of time. I feel like I found out that they weren't real at the correct ages. Santa was the last to go though. I don't remember how I found out about the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny. 

Apparently I should've listened to my original instincts and not trust him. Silly me.

I was pretty sassy when it came to the tooth fairy. In the few years that I lived with just my dad and my older brother, I feel like my dad did a pretty awesome job keeping all of the characters alive. The tooth fairy always gave me a dollar when I lost a tooth, but one time I wrote the tooth fairy a note saying that I wanted $2 instead of $1. I really don't know why. I mean, I was 6. What did I need money for anyways? My dad (or the tooth fairy rather) gave me $2, and I was pretty dang happy.
I don't remember the Easter bunny being a huge thing. I only have one vivid getting a basket from the Easter bunny once, and it was when I was living in Arkansas with my dad, step-mom, and 3 brothers and sisters. That was probably the last time we got anything from the Easter bunny.

Don't let the shirt fool you. I do not like cats. I did, however, wear a lot of hand-me-downs.

I think it was 3rd grade when I found out about Santa. My step-sister, step-brother, and I had made all of these cute crafts for Santa at school. Also, at our house, we didn't leave out milk and cookies for Santa. We left out sweet potato pie and something to drink (I think it was wine, but I don't really remember). Everything Santa related went according to plan. It wasn't until about a week later that we found out the devastating news. We found all of the crafts that we made for Santa in a kitchen drawer. We asked our parents if Santa was real, and they told us the devastating truth. So sad. It's a funny story to look back on though.

Notice Rocko's Modern Life on the telly and those awesome handmade candy canes on the tree. 

How did you find out about Santa?

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the fault in our stars {book review}

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Favorite character: Augustus

Favorite quotes (there are literally so many good ones):

“What a slut time is. She screws everybody.” 

“Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.” 

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” 

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” 

Book Summary from Goodreads
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Thoughts
When there's a YA book that gets a lot of hype, I always feel like I need to read it to see what the hype is about. And when that said book has been read by two of my friends and they both say how awesome it is, I, of course, need to try to read that book ASAP. When I had a reunion with a few of my college friends, we had a nice little chat about books (I really value friends that share my love for books. Some people just don't understand!), and my friends, Mandy and Tyler, had both read The Fault in Our Stars, and I just felt like I needed to read it after our conversation about it. The book definitely lived up to the hype of both the critics and them.

I listened to this on audio book, and man. It was hard to get through. Not because the storyline was bad or anything like that. More like, it made the sad parts even sadder. It was like Hazel was talking to me personally about all of these things that happened in her life, and when the sad parts came, I cried. I'm not even gonna lie. This book brought tears to my eyes.

From the get go, I was really attached to Hazel. I mean, she's a young girl with cancer. Then she meets Augustus, who is in remission. And oh. My. Goodness. If they aren't the perfect couple, then no such thing exists. For a book about cancer, I sure smiled and laughed a lot throughout this book. Both of them are so witty and amazing. I officially deemed Augustus my book boyfriend, in spite of what happens at the end of the book.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. John Green is brilliant. Like, why haven't I read this book until now (okay, more rambling. Sorry). I think these characters are easy to relate to in so many ways. They are both just trying to make the best out of the worst possible situation. Hazel has been terminal since her first diagnosis. All she wanted to do was sit at home and watch reality TV with her parents. All her parents wanted was for her to go make friends and have a life.

Augustus's struggle was different because things were looking up for him. He was in remission. He fell fast and hard for Hazel. His biggest problem was figuring out how he would be remembered to everyone in the world. Hazel didn't care about that. She just wanted to die knowing that she left a positive light on the few people she cared about.

For the skeptics who don't want to read this book because it's about cancer: the book isn't really about cancer. I mean, yeah, cancer is a big deal in the book, but in my eyes, it's secondary to the relationship of Augustus and Hazel.

Easily and happily giving this book a 5 out of 5. TFIOS sent me on an emotional rollercoaster. It was full of extremely awesome and happy moments, moments that warmed my heart, moments of pure anger, blissful moments, and, of course, the dreaded devastatingly sad moments. I loved reading from the perspective of Hazel. I felt like we were friends, and I was just sucked into this storyline that I didn't want to get out of. The voices in the novel are just raw and real and no one tiptoes around the things that everyone thinks you're supposed to tiptoe around.

The movie poster came out yesterday, and it's freaking precious! Everyone's talking smack about the tagline on it: "One sick love story," but I think it's perfect. Clever. It makes a lot of sense to me, so I don't know why everyone is so offended by it.

For more information about John Green, visit his website, follow him on twitter, or like him on Facebook.

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merry mail! {ornament exchange}

I love crafting even though I'm not particularly good at it. Usually my crafts are made pretty hastily, because I want to get things done quickly rather than taking my time and making things look perfect. Regardless, I'm pretty happy with the ornaments I made for my partners for the Merry Mail Ornament Exchange. So happy, in fact, that I almost went and bought myself another clear ornament so I could make one for myself, but I didn't, though I'm still temped.

For the Merry Mail Ornament Exchange, Kenzie from Chasing Happy (seriously an awesome blog, y'all. If you haven't already, go check it out. Kenzie's blog is just full of so much positivity, optimism and amazingness. You won't be disappointed) grouped us together, and I got grouped with two people who are both from the south, so I was excited that we all had that in common. My group consisted of Keizra from 27th and Luxe and Meghan from eat.live.make.

Here are the lovely ornaments that they sent me:

Keizra's ornament

Meghan's ornament

Aren't they fabulous? How creative, right?

I also want to share the ones that I made for them! They were so easy (and super fun) to make!

All you need is:

Clear ornament

Glitter

Hairspray

Hot glue gun

Feathers

Ribbon

Scissors

1. Take the top off of the ornament and pour a little hairspray into the ornament. Swish it around and make sure that every surface is covered.

2. Pour out any excess hairspray into the sink or paper towel.

3. Pour glitter into the ornament and move it around to try to cover the inside. Repeat this until the entire inside of the ornament is covered.

4. Take your hot glue gun and glue the feathers onto the top as desired.

5. Replace the ornament top.

6. Take stickers and spell out whatever you would like onto the ornament.

7. Tie some ribbon at the top, and voila! Done! How fabulous!

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cinder {book review}

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Favorite Quote: "It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth."

Favorite Character: Iko and Cinder

Book Summary from Marissa Meyer's Website

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My Thoughts I first heard about The Lunar Chronicles series when I decided to go to the Austin Teen Book Festival back in September. I thought it sounded interesting because it was based off of the famed fairy tales, but I didn't think I would like it enough to buy it. When I heard Marissa Meyer talking about at the panels, I became fascinated with the series, and I wished I had more money so I could buy both Cinder and Scarlet. 
I became skeptical again when I first started reading the book. I was afraid that because it was a retelling of Cinderella, I would eventually get bored because the plot would be predictable. I also wasn't sure how much I would enjoy reading about a main character who was a cyborg mechanic. A couple chapters in, I couldn't put it down.
Cinder's life is, of course, similar to that of Cinderella's. Apart from the obvious cyborg mechanic situation, she does have a dead father, an evil step-mother, two step-sisters, and the interest of the prince that everyone else is pawning over. That's pretty much where the similarities stop. In the book, Cinder only has one evil step-sister and is actually quite attached to her other step-sister, Peony, who happens to be her only human friend. Cinder also has a companion named Iko who serves as the family's android, a servant of sorts.
Can I just say that Marissa Meyer is a genius? I mean, people have done so many retellings of Cinderella, but no one has branched out quite as much as Meyer has. She really pulls you into this world full of cyborgs and androids, and it's so easy to get lost in it. My mind was going crazy trying to picture the brilliance of the world that Meyer created in her mind.
I loved that this book wasn't just about Cinder escaping her horrible family and trying to fall in love with the prince. It's filled with several twists and turns - a plague that's been affecting Earth for over a decade, the evil Lunar queen who is determined to become the empress of Beijing, the mystery of Cinder's past, not to mention, unexpected people keeping unexpected secrets. 

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5. I know the obvious audience for this book would be females due to its Cinderella roots, but I really think that males would enjoy this book too. I mean, cyborgs, evil people, deadly plagues? What guy wouldn't love that? I'm really looking forward to reading the second book in the Lunar Chronicles series, Scarlet, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.
For more information about Marissa Meyer and The Lunar Chronicles, visit her website, follow her on Twitter, or like her on Facebook.

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24.

So I know that a lot of bloggers like to get philosophical and deep on their birthdays and make a list of things that they learned in however many years they've been living and whatnot. Instead of doing that, I'm just going to tell you about all of the awesome gifts that I got for my birthday. That's philosophical too, right? No? Oh well. Here's me drinking a strawberry margarita. And yes, I did get carded.

Yesterday, I turned 24. I guess I really am turning into an adult because I didn't make plans for my birthday. This year, I went out to dinner with my family, and Jon came into town for the weekend. I had a lot of fun, but I didn't celebrate my birthday like I have in years past with nights on the town and vodka. Instead, I ate sushi and watched The Conjuring, which I did not find very scary by the way, on the night before my birthday.

On the day of my actual birthday, I went to see my friend graduate and spent a few hours with her family, which was lovely, and then after Jon left, I went to spend a few hours with mine (and I watched Once Upon a Time and Revenge, and both of those shows are just making me so mad and stressed. Grr).

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I got to have a mini reunion with some of my college friends, and my friend, Anamaria, gave me my birthday present early, and man, what an awesome gift!

She got me Cassadee Pope's new album, signed by Cassadee Pope herself. And let me just clarify something here, I've loved Cassadee Pope since her Hey Monday days. I turned a few of my friends onto Hey Monday, and when I made videos and such, I would put Hey Monday songs in the background and force people to listen to them. My love for her grew after watching her on The Voice, and of course I rooted for her the whole way through. I'm so so soooo jealous that Anamaria got to meet her!

Anyway, she also got Jenae Cherry to send me a signed copy of her new album as well, and Jenae sent a sweet sweet birthday card too! It was such a surprise, and it was so amazing! Anamaria and I met Jenae Cherry (now Brach, newly married and such. Awww) when we went to see The JaneDear Girls in concert. Jenae opened for them. We met her and she was super sweet, and I bought her album and she signed it and took pics with us. And then a few months later, she came back and opened for Gloriana, and we were so excited to see her again! You must must must go listen to her and buy her new album. My favorites are "Around" and "We Just Do." So awesome.

First meeting after the JaneDear Girls concert.

Second meeting after opening for Gloriana

She wrote me a really sweet note in the card.

My sister got me Influence by Mary-Kate and Ashley, which you may have noticed was on my wish list! When she ordered it, they didn't give you a choice as to who was on the front, so she just crossed her fingers. As luck would have it, she got Mary-Kate, and Mary-Kate is my fave, so I was super excited!

Jon shopped from my Amazon wishlist. So smart. Chamber of Secrets is the only Harry Potter book that I don't have (or didn't have), and so I was so happy to finally complete my collection! Twenty years later (or so it seems). And Dollhouse is one of my favorite shows (so under-appreciated!), and I already had the first season, so he got me the second (and last, unfortunately) season. Yay yay yay!

I also got some lovely cards from Jon's family and some Europe money! Eternally grateful.

*****

I wrote this entry last night, but I wanted to add this little bit today because it's so awesome. When I walked into my office this morning, it was all decorated with balloons and such thanks to my lovely co-workers. They all pitched in and bought me an APPLE TV!!! I'm freaking excited about it, and I can't wait to go home and play with it.

*****

I love when my birthday rolls around because I just feel such an outpouring of love. I got phone calls from my dad, my grandma (who I haven't talked to since I was last in South Carolina. Too long!), and my best friend in California. And of course so much social media love. I know people think it's cheesy to comment on someone's Facebook on their birthday, but I think everyone smiles when they read all of the birthday comments. I mean, really.

I had such a lovely 24th birthday, and I loved celebrating with a few of my favorite people. I'm excited to see what this next year has in store for me!

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tiffany's first world problems.

Happy Friday the 13th! I'm sure most, if not all, of y'all have heard of First World Problems. I never kept up with the website like I did with FML and whatnot, but I liked to complain about my own first world problems. I'm not gonna lie, I complain a lot about dumb stuff. I'm a whiner. People still love me though. These are some of my first world problems (or struggles, which is what I like to call them).

I will never get used to touching my eyes while putting my contacts in or taking them out.
Wasting gas while sitting in the drive-thru because you don't want to get out of the car.
When you get in your car and it takes forever for the heater to fully kick in.

Waiting for the water to boil when you just want to drink hot cocoa...now.
When you're creeping on Instagram and you accidentally double click someone's picture and like it.
When you want a bacon, egg, and cheese McGriddle but it's already past 10:30 am. 

When you're eating a meal and the food is so delicious and you want to keep eating, but you're already full.
That moment when you try to slyly take a picture of someone or something without notice, but your phone is on loud.
When the heat is on in the apartment, it gets too hot. When I turn it off, it gets too cold.

When you want to make a sandwich, but all that's left is one piece of bread and the end of the bread with one full side of crust.
Your hotdog bun is too long for your hotdog.
Ahhhhh! What are some of your first world problems?
In other news, my birthday is on Sunday. I'm turning 24. I'm not having a party or anything, but I'm going to dinner with my family and Jon is coming to town this weekend, so that'll be fun. Also, one of my friends is graduating on Sunday and having a party afterward, so I'll be secretly celebrating my birthday in the midst of her graduation celebration.

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divergent {book review}

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Favorite Quote (I couldn't pick just one, so I chose three): 

• "One choice can transform you." 
• “Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” 
• “I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different.” 

Favorite Character: Four
Book Summary from Veronica Roth's Blog In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.
My Thoughts Randomly I heard a bunch of people talking about this book, but I just didn't think I would be interested in it because the cover didn't appeal to me. I know they say "don't judge a book by its cover," but I always do. Can't help it. When I went to the midnight premiere of Catching Fire, I saw a preview for the Divergent movie, and I became fascinated. It looked SO GOOD, so I jumped on the bandwagon. I listened to the audio book version in about two days. I did a lot of painting and made an ugly sweater for a Christmas party while I listened. In the midst of doing all of that, I was talking back to the audio book like the characters would hear me. I found myself gasping, laughing, and sitting at attention when things started to get a little crazy. The book is super fast paced, and I just didn't want to stop listening!
From the get-go, I was amazed by the concept of this book. A future world divided into factions, and you have to make the biggest decision of your life when you're just sixteen-years-old, and your decision will determine whether or not you're able to see your family and friends ever again...no pressure. When they described what the five factions were, I was shocked at what Tris chose and also shocked at what her brother, Caleb chose as well, considering they both came from Abnegation.
I found myself getting super attached to Tris during her initiation. When bad things happened to her, I just wanted to protect her (not that I could because I'm 100% sure that's she's much stronger than me, putting the fact that she's a fictional character aside). I cheered her on when she showed up the people who viewed her as weak and when she achieved anything worthy of hatred from her opponents. I got goosebumps when things started heating up with her and a new love interest. I just wanted to jump in the book and be her friend. A part of me also wished that I could be in the book just so I could see what fears I would face in the simulations and fear landscape (which is also dumb because I'd probably just sit there crying the whole time).
I think most people, not just teens, can relate the struggles that Tris and Four and several of the other characters faced throughout the novel. When Tris finds out that she's different than most people, that she's divergent, she has to choose whether to be selfish or selfless, and that's a common theme throughout the novel. Everyone can relate to that battle in some way.

I give this book a 5 out of 5. It was so much more than I was expecting - more interesting, more exciting, more action packed, and the story line was just not what I was expecting even after seeing the movie trailer and reading what it was about beforehand. It was just more. I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation in March.
For more information about Veronica Mars and the Divergent series, check out her blog. For more information about the movie adaptation, click here.

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