Happy Thursday friends! Today I am so excited to share my book, movie, and TV review with y'all! Before I start though- if you have any suggestions for me for March please let me know! I am constantly looking for biographies and true stories so if you have any favorites - please pass on your suggestions!
So because I traveled a couple of times this month I have quite a few things to share about so here we go: *smiles*
Books
I am wincing and biting my bottom lip a bit as I mention this book because it is... incredible. I really think that everyone should read it- it is the true story of Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolovamazing and the love story that finds him during his time in Auschwitz. I don't even know where to start in describing this book, but it has had the most profound impact on my personal life... and I can't recommend it enough. Go buy it NOW. You can find the book HERE.
Disclaimer... parts of this book are incredibly difficult in showing the horrific capacity that we as human can do to each other. But in that horror... courage finds a way to come out. Truly amazing.
Similar book recommendations that I have read and would recommend to this book:
You can find my review of it HERE and you can Beneath a Scarlet Sky by clicking HERE.
{two} Suzanne's Children
*sad sigh* I wanted to love this book. In fact it has been on my list to read for well over a year and so I took it (along with The Tattooist of Auschwitz) to California because I just knew that I would love them both. I honestly didn't care for this book at all. Which is really sad because the story of what Suzanne did is incredible. Honestly the part that she played in using her money, her influence, her status as a woman of "upper class" and all of her connections was simply unbelievable. The tragic part of her personal life (she decides to bring her best friend whom her husband is in love with into their home to keep him happy and the disconnect that she had with her children) I believe played a huge part in her desire to change the world around her. Unfortunately though the book was incredibly slow and had so many different facts and historical aspects I felt like the writer was trying to just include so many things to try to prove that Suzanne was a hero. There are so many different characters introduced, so much history explaining a lot of facts that really wasn't necessary that it really deviated from what I feel the purpose of the book was. I hate giving a bad review but I just really can't recommend it if you are looking to read about a "daring rescue" in Paris revolving around children who were saved. I would more classify the title and the expectation of an historical understanding Paris (and at times France itself) during World War II and the workings of the Paris underground resistance... Suzanne is killed at the end and in many ways I felt like the book (even with all of its trying to prove otherwise) didn't do justice to her story. If you want to check it out you can find the book HERE.
If you are looking for an amazing story with a similar concept to what I had hoped Suzanne's Children would be that I have read and would recommend to this book:
You can find my review of it HERE and you can Irena's Children by clicking HERE. You can also watch an amazing movie about Irena Sendler entitled: The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler by clicking HERE.
{three} Business Boutique
Business Boutique, (something I have mentioned before on the blog) is one that I saw on a friend's instagram feed that I decided to check out. There is SO much helpful and practical advice that I have finished reading it but am constantly working my way back through it to put into practice all of the information that she is sharing. If you are looking at becoming any type of entrepreneur than this book is chocked full of helpful tips and wisdom that you will want to explore. You can find it HERE!
Movies
{One} First Man
So I watched the movie "First Man" with friends technically in January, but am just sharing about it now. Have y'all seen it? I was skeptical because there were so many negative reviews, but y'all I enjoyed it ... it really makes you think about who we are as people in the face of ordinary and extraordinary moments in life... and also realizing on a deep and complex level how flawed we all are...and the hope that can be found despite this... I realized in new ways how circumstances in our lives can affect people and understanding someone's story is so incredibly important. If you saw it what were your thoughts?
If you haven't seen it- I would definitely recommend watching it and going into it with an open mind... I think that most of the reviews were expecting something else. I went into realizing that this is not a review of the space program (of which there are other good movies that do so!) but telling of a story of a man who made history, and that is why I think I enjoyed it. Another thing was that so many of the negative reviews said that it "depicted Armstrong completely wrong", but I found it interesting to read that his family believed that the movie "nailed it" and they were contributors to the film. In all honesty, this made me appreciate the movie more...we know he planted the flag... but this raw and real human component that was portrayed of this brilliant man was (I thought) incredibly well done. Let me know what you think! You can watch it HERE!
{Two} Hunter Killer
So my dad (who is a lovely man and let's us watch all of the girly movies we want to *smiles*) really wanted to see this movie after reading the book. Y'all I enjoyed it. It is definitely a adventure guys movie and it was really well done I thought. It was definitely action packed and I thought it was really well acted. Sometimes you just want a fun "guy" movie full of action and adventure- especially when you have guys watching with you *smiles* and so it was a fun movie to watch. Disclaimer: It is rated "R" ... honestly y'all know I have a VERY sensitive heart and am pretty picky about what I watch. I didn't realize it was rated "R" till after we watched it... I think that there is some definite language and it is a bit violent, but overall it was one honestly one of the "cleaner" movies I have seen and it seemed to me that there are some TV shows with more violence. (Not endorsing that just trying to give an accurate picture.) Let me know what you guys think! You can watch it HERE!
{Three} Mary Poppins
I think the last time that I saw Mary Poppins I was a child. I found the VHS version in a thrift store for 10 cents and this past week my mom and I watched it again. Y'all... I loved it as an adult and if you haven't seen it in a while - watch it. It is so precious and brought back so many childhood memories! You can watch it HERE!
{Four} Flammen & Citronen
I watched this back in February after it was recommended and it was honestly one of those film recommendations that sticks with you for your life I think. Here is what I wrote about it to the person who recommended it which I think is an accurate portrayal of my thoughts:
"I am a girl who is very passionate about keeping this era of history "alive", so I was very intrigued by this recommendation & the portrayal of a not so talked about part of the Danish resistance...I definitely agree with you... I think this is definitely THE most captivating foreign film I have seen so far & honestly probably one of the more "gritty" (as far as accurately portraying the realistic nature that war doesn't always come succinctly as simple "good/evil" as many films on the subject matter seem to depict) ... & yet I admit that like some other films on this era I walked away at first a bit "disturbed" for lack of a better word...as I read through more of the director's thoughts & reasoning behind some of the historical inaccuracies/liberties taken(i.e. the suicide, etc)...I came away feeling that the film drew me into a deeper discussion of (as you point out)...the concept of heroism in gray areas & the role that this plays in our actions & choices...similar to the movie Defiance from 2009, but in a(dare I say?) darker way (despite the fact that the cinematography was stunning)...perhaps that is what keeps replaying in mind as I continue to think about it even days later...one line that I found particularly haunting that seemed to sum up all of my thoughts was: "there is no just or unjust any longer"...a haunting thought... thank you for the amazing recommendation... going to be pondering this one for a while!"
Even two months later haunting is the word I would definitely keep coming back to... You can watch it HERE!
TV
Life has been so busy that I haven't really been watching to much TV so I am going to save those reviews for next month y'all!
If you are curious about other book reading lists I have done in the past you can find those posts below:
Happy Thursday friends! Thank you so much for reading today! What about you- what have you been watching and reading that you would recommend?
*Giveaway Closed*
Friends! Thank you so much for following along on this sweet adventure at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort these last couple of days over on Instagram! I can't wait to recap in further detail on the blog about the entire experience but tonight I am so excited to share that Golden Arrow is graciously giving one lucky winner a free night* stay at the beautiful Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort!
To enter head on over to my Instagram page- and follow the directions on THIS photo!
Friends! Thank you so much for following along on this sweet adventure at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort these last couple of days over on Instagram! I can't wait to recap in further detail on the blog about the entire experience but tonight I am so excited to share that Golden Arrow is graciously giving one lucky winner a free night* stay at the beautiful Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort!
To enter head on over to my Instagram page- and follow the directions on THIS photo!
*Winner will be chosen by @lpgoldenarrow & Giveaway will end on Thursday, February 28th at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winner will be announced on Friday! Good luck everyone!!!
What else do these tycoon shopping centers offer? You can bet there’s more than world-class shopping and five-star dining. There’s no limit to the fun and entertainment possible in a mega-mall. Keep reading to learn about the biggest malls in the world.
1. The West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada
The biggest mall in North America sits in the heart of Alberta, Canada. The West Edmonton Mall is a destination for tourists and locals alike. Inside, you’ll find over 800 retailers across a range of price points. The infamous amusement park has a roller coaster, water park, and a skating rink. Plus, there’s an 18-hole mini-golf course, a cinema, and a bowling alley.
This mall is the kind of place where you come in for one thing and leave with ten bags. And, a wet towel from playing in the water park.
2. Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Between the twin towers that house Berjaya Times Square, there are 7.5 million square feet. That makes it the fifth largest building in the world. There are over 1000 retail stores in addition to over 60 dining options. Not to mention Asia’s largest indoor amusement park.
On the tenth floor, you’ll find Malaysia’s first IMAX 3D cinema. There’s no need to leave this dream mall when it closes because it contains two 5-star hotels.
3. Dubai Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Have you ever wanted to feel the calming serenity of a massive aquarium while you shop? At Dubai Mall, you can! It has one of the world’s largest aquariums for observation. The mall is over 12 million square feet and has over 1200 retail stores. There’s a massive candy store, a five-star hotel, and 22 movie cinemas. Plus, there’s even a SEGA gaming center with 3D bowling. It’s impossible to get bored here.
4. Cevahir, Istanbul, Turkey
Very few malls can be massive in size while still maintaining a level of beauty. Cevahir does just that; it’s one of the most stunning shopping centers you’ll ever see. Every shiny surface is meticulously cleaned and maintained. There are over 300 stores, 50 dining options, and lots of entertainment. It includes a giant stage for concerts and other events as well as 12 movie cinemas. And, like other mega-malls, it has its own indoor roller coaster.
5. King of Prussia Mall, Pennsylvania, USA
At nearly three million square feet, King Prussia is the largest mall in America. Since its opening in 1962, it’s attracted over 22 million visitors per year. It’s known for its gorgeous architecture and dome ceiling windows. There are over 400 retailers including luxury brands like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
6. SM Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines
You may be wondering how people get around a mall that’s over four million square feet. SM Mall of Asia has you covered. They provide a 22-seater tram to move visitors around the mall. Between the four buildings, there are over 600 shops, restaurants, and services. The Olympic-sized skating rink gets used by professional skaters as well as recreationally. If you’re coming for entertainment, you must check out the theater. The IMAX inside SM Mall has one of the largest 3D screens in the world.
7. CentralWorld, Bangkok, Thailand
The largest shopping center in Bangkok, CentralWorld, has eight stories of shopping bliss. Unlike its upscale competitor, CentralWorld has mostly middle-income retailers. Find crowd-pleasing stores like H&M, Uniqlo, and Toys r’ Us. Many of these retailers are online; Voucher Empire has all the discounts you could dream of. There’s also a fitness center, a hotel, and two Hindu shrines.
People come to this mall for the smartly-priced retail, and for recreational entertainment. Get some exercise in the skating rink or watch a movie at the cinema. It also has a convention center for business conferences and meetings.
8. Centro Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is the highest-populated city in North America. It’s no surprise that it also has one of the biggest malls in the world. Centro Santa Fe attracts 1.5 million visitors per year. Shoppers flock to the major department stores, like Sears and Saks Fifth Avenue. Find all your favorite beauty brands from MAC to Tarte. There’s also a 22-cinema multiplex theater and a 450-room hotel.
9. Morocco Mall, Casablanca, Morocco
The build-up for Morocco Mall’s opening was highly anticipated by most of the country. In fact, when it opened in 2011, Jennifer Lopez performed. The architects received praise for their spectacular work in designing this mall.
Central to the mall is a one million liter aquarium. Here, you can observe over 40 different species of fish and other water critters. You can even scuba dive in the aquarium. Morocco Mall has won many awards for design, property, and shop directory. It’s one of the crowning gems of Casablanca that all tourists need to check out.
10. Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka, Bangladesh
The largest mall in South Asia sits at a healthy four million square feet. Jamuna Future Park is a favorite destination for family fun, shopping, and entertainment. Head up to the fifth floor and you’ll find a gymnasium, theme park, fitness center, and two swimming pools. There’s even a 22-lane bowling alley.
The main level of the mall has lots of shopping in addition to a catwalk. It’s a popular location for fashion shows and live music. You’ll find plenty of Bangladeshi retailers as well as international ones. There are many familiar names like MAC, Levi’s, and Clark's.
Want to Learn More About the Biggest Malls in the World?
The biggest malls in the world offer more than just retail therapy. They’re a place for family outings, first dates, and fun with friends. These mega-malls provide the best of the best entertainment and fun. And, lots of shopping.
Not a fan of shopping malls? Perhaps you prefer online shopping. Read here about some of my favorite online shopping finds!
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I am also excited to share that starting with this trip I am going to start adding Instagram Stories! I have been wanting to add this in for a while and thought it would be the perfect time to start! *smiles*
I hope y'all have had a wonderful day! Happy Sunday friends!
PS- It is hard to believe that this picture was snapped the last time I spent some time over in Lake Placid (except for skiing at Whiteface last year! *smiles*) back in early 2017. These past two years have been a whirlwind in many ways of deep moments, incredible blessings, and some of the hardest moments of life too. As I remember looking out over the mountains in this picture I had no idea what the next couple of years would bring... and yet as I look back I remain so incredibly grateful. Thank you for following along here on this blog space and joining me in this journey of life friends these past two years and all of the years of this blog before that- I am so excited to see what the next couple of years will bring!!
Updated: You can read all about the adventure over in Lake Placid by clicking on the links below!
Blog Posts:
Instagram Posts:
Instagram Stories:
YouTube Video:
Happy Saturday friends! Today I am so excited to share with you a fun and cute addition to the shop! This adorable Tiffany Blue Dream Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!)
This Tiffany Blue Dream Journal has a leather hard-cover and is the perfect companion or gift. There are approximately 120 pages inside this approximately 3x5.5 journal filled with adorable embellishments including unique and one-of-a-kind ribbon, and vintage ribbon.
Looking for an engagement gift? This beautiful Tiffany Blue Dream Journal could be the perfect answer. The perfect color of the Tiffany Blue quality leather would make an excellent engagement gift!
If you are interested in this Tiffany Blue Dream Journal can find it HERE. Or if you are interested in looking at other items from the engagement collection that are available in the shop you can find them in the Engagement Collection by clicking HERE.
Happy Saturday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day with friends and family!!
I am so excited to share with y'all something very exciting that is coming next week- my blog posts about our time on Gornergrat and the Gornergrat train ride that we took in Switzerland!
This was such a special time and I am so excited to share more with y'all this next week!
In the meantime I hope you will follow along on Instagram (click HERE), as we are heading out on a special trip these next few days for a very exciting and fun travel adventure and I can't wait to share more with y'all over on Instagram and then on the blog later next week! *smiles*
Happy Friday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day!
So, you’re a first time camper and you want to make sure your first trip is a success. You’ve come to the right place! Below, we have some advice for people who are in this situation and want to stay comfortable while having the best time imaginable. Read on to learn more!
Make Sure Your Tent Is Large Enough
First time campers famously buy tents that are too small. You absolutely have to make sure that your tent is big enough. You have to fit you in, your campmates (if you’re all planning on sharing), as well as your stuff (unless you’re keeping most of your stuff in your RV or campervan).
New campers often underestimate the size they really need and end up in a super crowded tent. For example, a group of two should probably have a 4 man tent, while a group of 4 people would be better off purchasing a 6 man tent. Your future self will really love your past self for taking the time to buy a tent that’s the right size!
Get To Grips With Your Gear
Don’t wait until you’re on the campground to actually get to grips with your gear. You’ll have a nightmare. You don’t want to spend a ridiculous number of hours attempting to put up your tent, so try setting it up in your garden first. You’ll be really pleased you did this. If you’re pretty sure you’re going to be camping regularly, then by all means buy your gear outright. However, you could potentially save money by renting or borrowing big ticket gear, do that instead to see how you feel after your first trip. There are a few pieces that will likely benefit you regardless, such as the Zero Tolerance knives for sale. Having an everyday carry knife can help in numerous situations, not just camping.
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Make A Camping Checklist
It’s too easy to forget some of the essentials when camping - you need a lot of stuff if you’re going to do it properly and stay comfortable. With a great checklist you can ensure you take everything you need, and don’t forget anything on the way back either. All smart campers use checklists!
Get To The Campground Early On
As a new camper, you’ll be largely unfamiliar with camp site rules and etiquette. Arriving early means you can get a great spot, set your tent up in peace, and then get to grips with how you’re supposed to behave at this campsite. You’ll want plenty of time to get to know the campsite layout during day time, too - don’t kid yourself into believing you can do it when it’s dark. You’ll just annoy your fellow campers and won’t set a very good impression upon arrival.
As well as this, make sure you set up your tent when it’s light (not just for your sake, but for your fellow camper’s sakes). It can be really exciting and you probably want to go and explore, but get the important stuff done first.
Plan Your Meals
You can make things so much easier by planning your meals in advance. You can chop up things like veg and meat, marinate them, and keep them in ziploc bags. For this, one of the greatest things you’ll invest in is a great cooler. You don’t want your food to spoil. Planning your meals in advance will ensure you have plenty of good grub to feed your group and you aren't just left with snacks like chips that won’t really fill you up! Treat this as a priority.
Take The Right Clothing
Camping for the first time means going shopping to make sure you have the right clothing, too. Many new campers fail to take enough clothing with them, and end up too cold or uncomfortable during their trip. You want to head to a great store and ensure you have things like quick drying items and sweat wicking items. A rain suit, a swimsuit, light jackets, layers, thermal underwear, and more. Make sure you’re prepared for various weather scenarios!
Camp Close To Home
Rather than travelling far and wide for your very first camping trip, consider going somewhere close to home. When you do this, you’ll have peace of mind as you know you can just nip home in case of an emergency or if you’ve forgotten something. You can then learn from your first trip and travel further afield on your next one. It’s also worth mentioning that although camping can be fantastic, it’s not for everybody. You might realize a day or two in that you’re just not cut out for camping. You can keep your options open and bail if problems do arise when you decide to stay close to home.
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Keep An Eye On The Weather Forecast
Don’t make the biggest mistake of your life and ignore the weather forecast. It’s easy to do, but you’ll curse yourself once you arrive if extreme weather conditions make themselves known. There’s no shame in bailing on your trip if the weather forecast just isn’t great. You’re not going to get a very good first impression of camping if you attempt to set up your tent and camp in torrential rain! Everything will be soggy, you’ll feel wet to the bone, and it will be a struggle to enjoy yourself. Make sure you know what the weather is going to be like leading up to your trip and you’ll have a much better time. It’s worth noting that good tents can withstand a little rain, and a small amount shouldn’t necessarily put you off your trip. However, if there’s set to be numerous downpours, you should probably reschedule.
Being a first time camper is great, because you get to experience the joys and excitement of camping for the first time. Many people fall in love with camping and do it a number of times a year, which allows them to get back in touch with nature and themselves. Have fun!
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With the 6th season of When Calls the Heart quickly approaching on Sunday, this sweet Junk Journal would make a lovely gift that would be a lifetime keepsake.
This one just makes me smile... some of you may know that the song I chose is actually one of my all time favorites- and it has been on repeat here recently. Working on this journal and remembering some of these quotes from my time writing the devotionals back in 2017 has inspired me in new ways on a personal note... to step out and to love fearlessly and to risk and take a chance. Sometimes I feel like I make a bit of a bumbling way of doing it but I am still inspired to try... Anyways *smiles*... I hope this video brings a smile to your face this chilly Thursday morning! *smiles*
You can find the video HERE (or watch right below) and the new channel by clicking HERE! Thanks for checking it out, liking it, commenting, and following along y'all! *smiles*
Happy Thursday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Your health is something that you should be thinking about pretty much all of the time. Not to the point where you feel as though you might start to obsess over it, but you definitely do need to be thinking about how the decisions you’re making at the minute, are going to affect the decisions you’re able to make later on in life. But if there’s one thing that we think is a bit annoying about health at the minute, it’s the fact that everyone seems to be going on about it, and everyone has different views as to what you should and shouldn’t be doing. Take dieting for example. Think how many diets there are out there at the minute, and think about how much criticism is facing the majority of them. There will be a group of people who truly do swear by them, the rest of the population which reads all of the negatives of said diet, and says it’ll do nothing but bad to people. The argument for what’s good and what’s bad happens in pretty much every area of health. But, that doesn’t mean you should be put off thinking about your health. Instead, you need to start thinking about what’s going to suit you, and how protected is your health at the minute. Let’s dig a little deeper!
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What’s Your Daily Routine?
Your daily routine is actually so super important to all of this. You need to have this routine set up, so that you can feel as good as possible at the end of the day. Because some people have such a bad routine throughout the day, that when it comes to the evening, they can barely be bothered to do anything at all, and who can blame them. If this sounds like you, then we probably know the sort of routine that you’ve got going on. You’ll most likely start the day with no breakfast, and if you do eat it, it’ll no doubt be a bowl of sugary cereal. You’ll have something like a lunch meal deal for lunch, or maybe just snack on some crisps and chocolate. To finish the hard day off, you won’t be bothered to cook so a ready meal or take away will do. We just know that this is the routine that so many follow, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you’re feeling the repercussions of this. Whilst we know sometimes it’s hard to eat good, you need to be able to prioritise it if you want to keep your health protected. Further along down the article, we’ll give you some great advice on how to keep to a healthy diet without feeling so restricted.
What Happens When You Do Become Ill?
If you do become ill, which may happen at some point, then you’re going to have to think about what you do when you become ill, and if things get in the way of you getting better quicker. Even things like the common cold see people suffering for weeks rather than the normal week because they just don’t care for themselves properly. But what if something a little more serious were to happen? Some people are injured at work, or get nasty viruses that require hospital treatment, but so many aren’t aware of the types of medical malpractice that could happen. Some go through a whole hospital visit not even knowing anything malpractice is happening to them! It only prolong the stay in hospital, and how long it takes you to get better. So even when you think your health is protected, it really might not be! To ensure you’re on the mend as quickly as possible, always make sure you’re following the doctor's orders. It might sound silly, but how many times have you ignored rest advice, food advice, sleep advice, and you’ve just been to take ages to get better! The better you follow, the better you’ll be.
Basic Health Tips
So, we think the biggest basic health tip that any of you need to listen to, is one when it comes to food. It’s no doubt our biggest weakness in life, and it’s so easy to fall off the wagon even after a few hours of being on a diet. So, our simple tip is to use fitness apps to calorie count, but not think you’re restricted to just eating salads and small meals. Eat a balanced diet full of low fat natural foods, and you’ll feel healthier within weeks. The dishes you can create will just be so full of flavour and excitement, that it won’t even feel like you’re on a diet!
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