Lifestyle – Page 16 – Adventures in Polishland

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Book Review | Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Posted on January 14, 2016January 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Published by Roaring Book Press on June 2, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Religion, Coming of Age

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Source: Gift

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

Rachel Walker is devoted to God.

She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy.

But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

REVIEW

I’ve been wanting to read Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu ever since I had the opportunity to hear the author speak at BookCon in 2015. As soon as I heard the premise of the book, I knew I would love it. Devoted follows 17-year-old Rachel Walker, whose family is a part of the Quiverfull movement. This is a fundamentalist Christian sect in which children are seen as blessings and procreation is very much promoted. Rachel is one of ten children and her mother is pregnant with another. While Rachel loves her family dearly, she becomes curious about the world outside her own, and begins to explore how ‘worldly’ people live.

I really enjoyed Devoted, and I knew I would because I am fascinated with different religions and how people live their lives in a way that is different from my own. Rachel is a great first-person narrator because she is instantly likable and I was rooting for her from the start. Similarly, Mathieu has a great writing style. It is quite relaxed, and that made Devoted a really quick read.

My main critique of Devoted is that nothing big happens in the story. Perhaps I’ve just been reading more science fiction and fantasy lately, but I didn’t find any sort of climax in the story. Nonetheless, I do appreciate that Devoted focuses on a young woman growing up and making her own choices. The book is truly about her growth, and it’s refreshing to read a young adult novel that praises a young woman’s personal autonomy. While I would have liked a bit more excitement, or even some romance thrown in, looking back I can see how Rachel’s journey is an important one.

Moreover, I also would have liked to learn more about Rachel’s family. Maybe I’m just a bit obsessed with learning about people who practice fundamentalist religions (one of my all-time favorite television shows is Big Love, for example), but I needed more about Rachel’s parents, older sister, and even her older brothers. This is a small critique, but one I want to mention nonetheless.

Overall, I really enjoyed Devoted and am so glad I finally got the opportunity to read it. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who are interested in different religions. If you are looking for a young adult contemporary that isn’t all about romance, this is also a perfect choice. I can’t wait to read more of Mathieu’s work in the future!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Armada by Ernest Cline

Posted on January 12, 2016January 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Armada by Ernest Cline

Published by Crown Publishing on July 14, 2015

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction

Format: Hard Cover

Pages: 349

Source: Blogging for Books

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe.

And then he sees the flying saucer.

Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders.

No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it.

It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?

At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before—one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon.

BOOK REVIEW

I excitedly received a copy of Armada by Ernest Cline for review from the website Blogging for Books. I requested it after hearing so many amazing things about his famous work Ready Player One, and dove in without knowing anything about it whatsoever. Armada follows teenager Zack Lightman and begins when Zack sees a UFO outside his high school’s window while in math class one day. Seeing a UFO would be disturbing in and of itself, but this particular ship is from the video game he plays called Armada. Zack passes it off as a hallucination, and goes about his video-game filled life.

I was immediately drawn into Armada because of Cline’s relaxed writing style. Zack narrates the story in first-person, and his voice is easy to follow. I absolutely loved the beginning of this book. While I’m not into video games, I was really intrigued with the entire world of the gamer. I liked learning more about Armada and Terra Firma, the two games featured in the story, and it was cool to follow Zack and his friends while they played the games, too.

What truly drew me in, however, was the conspiracy theory! Zack’s father died when Zack was just a baby, and he left behind a lot of his possessions. One of those is a notebook in which he wonders if video games are created by the government in order to train an army without anyone knowing. I was hooked! I wanted this theory to be proven true, and had to keep reading to find out whether it would be.

Unfortunately, the story tapers off in the middle, and about one-third of the way through Armada I got very bored. I had to struggle to continue on despite really liking Zack and the other characters in the novel. However, I’m really glad I stuck through to the end, because the finale is excellent. I love the somewhat unsettling and open-ended conclusion. I also loved the discussion on humanity that Cline brings up to the readers.

Overall, I found Armada to be a fun read, and one that was unique to me as someone who doesn’t know a lot about video game culture. I did find the middle section of the book to drag a lot, and I didn’t like that Cline included too many layers of truths and falsities. In fact, to truly understand the intricately woven web of truths and lies, I would have to graph out the novel. Finally, Armada contains multiple typographical errors and other copyediting mistakes.

I recommend Armada if you are looking for a book centered on video games, aliens, or 1980s pop culture. If you are a big fan of Ready Player One, perhaps go into this book with low expectations. I look forward to reading Ready Player One for the first time, because I know it is so praised and can only top Armada.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When you buy a book through Amazon or Book Depository using one of the above links, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Thoughts on the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan | Spolier Free

Posted on January 7, 2016January 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I want to share my thoughts on the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. I usually post individual book reviews for each book I read, but I decided I would post a general, spoiler-free discussion for this series instead. I picked up Percy Jackson for the first time in 2015 after hearing how much people love it. While I don’t read a lot of middle-grade books, I thought it would be fun to read this fantasy series while I was studying for the bar. I knew it would be easy to get through, and also entertaining. I did read the first three books of this five-book series in May, but it wasn’t until December where I finally picked up the last two. Percy Jackson took me on an epic adventure, and I want to share it with all of you!

My Thoughts on Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series follows 11-year-old Percy Jackson. Percy is a good kid, but he always seems to get into trouble. The series opens when Percy is on a field trip with his class, and all of a sudden his math teacher turns into a monster! It turns out Percy is a half-blood, which means his dad is a God. Percy goes to Camp Half-Blood, which just happens to be located in Long Island, New York. There he learns more about the mysterious world of the Greek Gods, and meets a wide array of characters.

The first book, entitled The Lightning Thief, was my least favorite of the series. While I really enjoyed Percy as a character and first-person narrator, the book is so derivative of my beloved Harry Potter that it actually made me angry! I spent the majority of the book grumbling about how everything in the novel parallels Harry Potter, and was quite frustrated as I reached the ending.

Nonetheless, I continued on with The Sea of Monsters, book two in the series. While it still had Harry Potter undertones, I really liked the new characters introduced to the reader. I also loved how author Rick Riordan wrote a middle-grade story that discusses the importance of accepting those who are different than ourselves. Thus, I picked up book three, The Titan’s Curse directly after finishing the second book. The Titan’s Curse was a turning point in the series for me. It broke away from the pack in terms of the Harry Potter similarities, and while I don’t remember too many details of the story, I knew for sure I would finish the series.

As I mentioned above, I took a few months off from Percy Jackson after completing the first three books, mainly because I was busy. That made it difficult for me to get back into the story when I picked up book four, The Battle of the Labyrinth. I ended up listening to the first third of the book as an audio book to help jump back into the world, which really helped. I was a bit disappointed with the fourth book, but the ending was excellent, and I had to find out how the series would conclude.

The last book, The Last Olympian, is by far my favorite. It is non-stop action, and I absolutely loved how all the loose ends got tied up in the end. Because The Last Olympian was so strong, it really gave me a favorable opinion on the series as a whole, and made me want to pick up Rick Riordan’s other books. I definitely look forward to starting The Heroes of Olympus series, which is a continuation of this one.

What I Loved:

The well-developed, likable, and relatable characters
The incorporation of Greek mythology
The adventures and quests
Percy’s sassy narration style

What I Didn’t Like:

How derivative it is of Harry Potter
The predictability (despite it being middle grade)

STAR RATINGS:

The Lightning Thief: ★★★

The Sea of Monsters: ★★★★

The Titan’s Curse: ★★★★

The Battle of the Labyrinth: ★★★★

The Last Olympian: ★★★★ 1/2

Overall, I highly recommend the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, especially if you enjoy middle-grade fantasy books. If you go into it prepared for Harry Potter similarities at the beginning, then you will like it more that I did from the start. You can pick up a box set of the entire series on Amazon HERE or on Book Depository HERE. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read this series, and what your thoughts are! Please use a spoiler disclaimer at the start of your comment if you are mentioning anything that could spoil another reader.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

December Favorites! | Beauty, Skincare, & More!

Posted on January 5, 2016January 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! December is over and January is in full swing, which means it’s time for me to share my December favorites with all of you. While I did post a Top 10 series featuring my year-long favorites for 2015, I wanted to highlight some products that I focused on in December. I have a good mix of beauty, skincare, and miscellaneous favorites, so let’s go ahead and jump right into the post!

December Favorites! | Beauty, Skincare, & More!

MAKEUP

Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde

Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde [BUY]

I spotted this brand new eyebrow palette at CVS a few weeks ago, and decided to pick it up because I had a coupon and Maybelline was on sale. I’m so glad I did! I’ve heard mixed reviews from other bloggers, but I’m really enjoying this palette. The color matches my brows perfectly, and I love that it comes with a spoolie and angled brush. I plan on doing a full review soon, so keep an eye out for that!

L'Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Blush in Baby Blossom

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Blush in Baby Blossom [BUY]

Another makeup product I’ve been loving is this blush from L’Oreal. I purchased this one specifically because of the light pink shade. I wanted a blush that looks really natural with my fair skin tone, and this one is perfect! It is a bit shimmery, but not so much that it’s over the top. I’m so glad I got this blush, because it is really wearable and has a great formula.

SKINCARE

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Black Tea and Blackberry

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Black Tea & Blackberry [BUY]

It’s no surprise that winter weather brings dry skin and lips! For some reason I didn’t own a medicated lip balm that wasn’t tinted, so I decided to pick up a Jack Black one after hearing so many beauty gurus rave about it. I got the Black Tea & Blackberry scent, and I have to say I really like it. The texture is different than a normal lip balm, but it’s not sticky or liquidy – it’s more of a gel. I’m glad I spent a little more on this product, as it works really well!

The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 [BUY]

I began using a new moisturizer in December, and so far it’s been doing a great job! I like that this Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer is light and that it has sun protection. However, I don’t like the citrusy smell! I’ve used a few other Vitamin C products in the past, and none of them smelled like oranges. Luckily, the scent doesn’t linger once the product settles into the skin!

BOOK

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling – Illustrated Edition [BUY]

I’ve been a huge Harry Potter fan my entire life. I went to the book releases, movie releases, and I own perhaps too much memorabilia. Nonetheless, I just had to get the new illustrated edition, and I’m so glad I received it for Christmas. I started reading it on Christmas and finished it the next day. I’m not usually a fan of illustrated books, but it’s Harry Potter, and that made me love it. I can’t wait for the next book to come out in all of its illustrated glory!

HOBBIES

Shopkins Season 3

Shopkins [BUY]

I’ve been adoring Shopkins ever since I saw YouTuber Grav3yardGirl post her first unboxing video. They are so cute, but I had no purpose for them, so I decided to save my money. Flash forward to Christmas, when I found a blind basket in my stocking! I was so excited! I decided that I would get a small glass jar and keep my Shopkins in there. That way, I can take my time filling the jar, and stop when it’s reached the top.

Adult Coloring Book with Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Coloring

Adult coloring is so trendy right now, and I finally jumped on board, too. I got a Christmas-themed book at Barnes & Noble that is pictured above, and the Harry Potter coloring book is on its way (though it’s currently back-ordered!). I like to color while I’m watching TV at night. It’s a lot of fun!

That wraps up my December favorites! December is always a busy month, and I am glad it’s come to a close so I can focus on the new year. I’m excited to have a fresh start, and I hope your 2016 is going well so far! Please share your favorites with me in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

New Year’s Resolutions & Goals for 2016!

Posted on December 31, 2015December 29, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday, and Happy New Year’s Eve! Today I thought I would share some of my New Year’s Resolutions and Goals for 2016. These resolutions are ongoing lifestyle changes, some of which are serious and others are just for fun. I also like to set a few specific goals to motivate myself to complete certain challenges. I’ve put together five general resolutions to share with you today!

New Year's Resolutions & Goals for 2016! | Adventures in Polishland

1. Paint My Nails More Often and Try More Nail Art!

Holiday Lace Nail Art | Adventures in Polishland

You might be surprised to find out that for the past couple years I haven’t been painting my nails on a regular basis! While I swatch a lot of nail polishes for my blog, I only wear polish about once every 1-2 months. That is so crazy, especially considering how much I love polish and how much polish I own. I want to try to paint my nails at least once or twice per month. I also would love to try out more nail art techniques to share with all of you!

2. Nail Down a Skincare Routine

The Body Shop Haul Skincare, Scrubs, & More! I am so bad when it comes to taking care of my skin! One of my recurring makeup bad habits is not taking off my makeup before bed. I know, it’s terrible! This year I want to make sure I go through an entire skincare routine both morning and evening. That way I can put my best face forward!

3. Focus on My Overall Health

Beachbody Piyo Review | My Current Fitness Routine It’s a cliche New Year’s Resolution, but I definitely want to focus on my overall health more than ever. For me, this includes taking the daily vitamins recommend by my doctor, exercising on a regular basis, and eating better foods. As you may know, I am a vegetarian, and this year I want to truly embrace my vegetarianism by focusing more on produce and less on grains and dairy. I don’t aim to go vegan right now, but I know that putting good foods into my body will make me feel a lot better. To go along with this, I want to continue trying new recipes on a regular basis!

4. Organize My Life – Budget, Space, and More!

Erin Condren Ready to Ship Rose Gold Horiztonal | #PlanWithPolishland

Despite loving the idea of being super organized, I can easily be a messy person both when it comes to the physical space I inhabit, and the systems I have in place for the different aspects of my life. I’ve been using my Erin Condren Life Planner for the past six months now, and I’m slowly becoming more on top of my game. I want to continue to create workable systems in my life. That means keeping on track of my finances, having a cleaning schedule, and all of that fun stuff. I look forward to sharing more on this with you in future posts!

5. Read 40 Books

Christmas Book Haul | Adventures in Polishland Last but not least, I always set a reading goal on the website Goodreads. This past year I was able to read 50 books, and I’m setting my goal at 40 for 2016 so I don’t put pressure on myself. I also want to make an effort to read longer books, so I should have a nice cushion with a goal of 40. Here are the books I received for Christmas this past year. I’m so excited to get to them all!

That wraps up my New Year’s Resolutions for 2016! Please share your resolutions with me in the comments so we can cheer for each other. After a difficult 2015, I’m so excited for the future and what is ahead for me. Have a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve, and don’t forget to enter my 4th Annual New Year’s Eve Manicure Contest – details HERE!

Top 10 Books of 2015!

Posted on December 29, 2015December 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m continuing on with my Top 10 series, and sharing my favorite books of 2015 with all of you. I was very happy with myself, because I managed to read 50 books this year! My goal was originally to read only 20 books, because I knew I would be busy with my schoolwork. Luckily, I made reading a priority out of my hobbies and managed to read some amazing stories. This Top 10 list will includes the books that I read this year, not purely books that were published in 2015. Let’s jump right into my Top 10 Books of this year!

Top 10 Books of 2015!

Honorable Mention | Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’m cheating a bit and including an honorable mention on this Top 10 list because I really enjoyed reading Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. This is a debut novel, and I did find some issues in it, but the story itself was so emotional. I look forward to seeing what Yoon will release next!

10. The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engell [REVIEW] [BUY]

I was so excited to read the conclusion to The Book of Ivy duology by Amy Engell. This is a great dystopian read, with well developed characters and exciting adventure. I know I’ll be re-reading it in the future!

9. An Italian Wife by Ann Hood [REVIEW] [BUY]

I read An Italian Wife early in the year, and I was a bit nervous to do so because it has pretty bad reviews on Goodreads. The book definitely has its issues, but it’s also a book that has stayed with me throughout the year. I’m surprised how often I think about the stories within it, and I really loved the overall message.

8. Binge by Tyler Oakley [REVIEW] [BUY]

Tyler Oakley’s Binge is by far the funniest book I read all year. It truly spoke to me, and I’m so glad I decided to pick it up even after originally snubbing it. If you’re a fan of the YouTuber, you have to get this one!

7. Shutter by Courtney Alameda [REVIEW] [BUY]

I won a copy of this young adult horror book on Goodreads, and I’m so glad I did! It is a modern day twist on Dracula starring Micheline Helsing, a kick-butt heroine. Shutter gave me the chills, and I was obsessed with it for weeks after finishing it. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out!

6. The Martian by Andy Weir [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’m sure you’ve all heard of The Martian! Not only is it one of the most popular books of the year, but it came out as a movie, too. I haven’t seen the film yet, but the book was really cool. It definitely encouraged me to pick up more science fiction.

5. The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley Doyle [REVIEW] [BUY]

Another debut that I was really impressed by is The Accident Season. This is a creepy read for sure, and one that actually got me quite scared while I was reading it late at night. Plus, it has a fun plot twist that I didn’t see coming.

4. We Are Pirates by Daniel Handler [REVIEW] [BUY]

I seem to have read quite a few weird books this year! We Are Pirates is by far the most disturbing book I’ve ever read. I’m not going to say much about it, because I want you all to read it and let me know what you think!

3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saénz [REVIEW] [BUY]

There are four medals on the cover of this book for a reason! Aristotle and Dante is a uniquely written book with equally unique characters. Whilst the ending was predictable, the journey to the end was one hundred percent worth it.

2. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff [REVIEW] [BUY]

Illuminae was beyond incredible! It is a young adult science fiction novel that is written through hacked document files. The reading experience is completely different than anything else I’ve read. You need to pick this up, trust me!

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn [REVIEW] [BUY]

I know, I was very late to the Gone Girl train. I am so glad I finally picked up this book. It lived up to the hype for me, and is by far the best book I’ve read all year. It is just amazingly crafted. I cannot say enough good things about it!

I hope you enjoyed hearing a bit about my Top 10 Books of 2015! If you’d like to learn more about any title, simply click on the link to my review. The link will either be on this blog, or to my Goodreads profile for older reviews. Please share your favorite books of the year with me in the comments! I’m always looking for my next read.

My Favorite Christmas Tree Ornaments!

Posted on December 24, 2015December 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday, and Happy Christmas Eve to all of you who celebrate! I thought it would be fun if I took you on a little tour of my family’s Christmas Tree today by sharing some of my favorite ornaments with you. We have a lot of ornaments on the tree, and there is a huge variety. I, of course, have certain ornaments that are important to me for different reasons. Let me show you some of my favorite Christmas Tree ornaments!

My Favorite Christmas Tree Ornaments! | Adventures in Polishland

Minnie Mouse

Let’s begin with my Minnie Mouse collection! I’ve been a huge Minnie Mouse fan for my entire life, and that is certainly reflected on the Christmas Tree. I’ve received several Minnie ornaments as gifts over the years, and I’ve picked up a couple on my own, too. I’m showing you two of my many Minnies in this post. I know the personalized one came from my parents, but I have no clue where I got the other one. It’s vintage at this point!

Barbie

Another one of my ornament collections is my Barbie collection! Hallmark has put out a few different Barbie series during my lifetime, and I’ve gotten one every year since 1993 (except for last year, when there wasn’t a Barbie released). You can see my first-ever Barbie on the left, and my Barbie from this year on the right. These ornaments are so special to me, and I hope to continue getting a Barbie ornament every year. One day I hope to have a Barbie tree that is hot pink!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

My Favorite Christmas Tree Ornaments! | Adventures in Polishland

This next ornament is special to me not because I love the film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but because this was the first purchase I ever made in Disney World! My family went to Disney World for the first time when I was in first grade, and we went to Magic Kingdom on the first night when we arrived. I got this at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square for $4.95 (yes – the price tag is still on the box!). I saved up all my birthday money for our Disney trip, and was so excited to spend it on souvenirs galore. That first night in Disney World was so magical for me. I will never forget when Minnie Mouse waved to me during the parade! This ornament represents that magic even 20 years later.

Boston Celtics

My Favorite Christmas Tree Ornaments! | Adventures in Polishland

Last but not least, I’ve always been a huge Celtics fan, and my parents got me this engraved ornament a few years back. It’s the only Celtics ornament I have, and I love putting it on the tree. It’s so classy, and I love that it’s handmade as well!

That wraps up my post on my favorite Christmas Tree ornaments! I hope you enjoyed this mini tour of my tree! Please share your favorite ornaments with me in the comments, or tag me on social media in a photo. I’d love to see your ornaments! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Book Review | Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Posted on December 17, 2015December 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Published by Speak on January 1, 2008

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★

The weather outside is frightful, but these stories are delightful! When a huge blizzard (that doesn’t show signs of stopping) hits, Gracetown is completely snowed in. But even though it’s cold outside, things are heating up inside, proving that the holiday season is magical when it comes to love. In three wonderfully (and hilariously!) interconnected tales, YA stars John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson create a must-have collection that captures all the spirit of the holiday season.

BOOK REVIEW

While I wouldn’t call myself a seasonal reader, I was very excited to pick up Let it Snow as soon as the holiday season began. There is something magical about Christmas stories, and Let it Snow contains three. I had no idea that the three stories in the book are interconnected, and that was a great surprise for me. Each story takes place in Gracetown, a small town that is experiencing a huge snowstorm on Christmas Eve. In each story we follow a different cast of characters, but, of course, each is a holiday romance. They are sweet, silly, and super enjoyable.

The book begins with Maureen Johnson’s The Jubilee Express. This is my favorite story in the book, and it follows Jubilee as she travels south by train to visit her grandparents in Florida after her parents are thrown in jail on Christmas Eve. I really enjoyed Johnson’s writing – it is snarky and funny, and flows really well. Even though The Jubilee Express features the insta-love trope popular in a lot of young adult fiction, it was enjoyable in this short story.

The second story is by none other than John Green, and is called A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle. I was quite disappointed that Green decided to use a gay slur in his story, and that his characters used the R-word (more information on that HERE). Otherwise, I really enjoyed his story, which follows Tobin and his group of friends attempting to visit the local Waffle House after a bunch of cheerleaders get stranded there. Of course, it is quite outlandish, but it’s a lot of fun, and perfect for the holidays.

Finally, Lauren Myracle’s story is called The Patron Saint of Pigs. It has a very different feel than the other two stories in the book, and is my least favorite simply due to the main character Addie’s negative demeanor. Nonetheless, I still thought it was enjoyable, and I loved how it rounded up the overall story of Let it Snow.

All in all, Let it Snow is a great book to pick up during Christmastime, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a holiday-themed read. Keep in mind that it is a little bit corny, but I think it is justified during this time of year. I am definitely going to be rereading this during Christmases to come.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Garlic Chickpea Popcorn Recipe | Vegan Snack Idea

Posted on December 15, 2015December 7, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’m so excited to be sharing another recipe with you today. As you might know, I am a vegetarian, and try to make healthy choices whenever I can. I struggle a lot when it comes to snack foods, especially in finding snacks that are high in protein. I recently saw YouTuber Kathryn over at DoitonaDime post a Chickpea Popcorn recipe. I tried it out, and put my own spin on it, and thought I would share the deliciousness with all of you. This recipe is vegan, but of course can be enjoyed by anyone. Let’s get started!

Chickpea Popcorn is in essence baked chickpeas! Did you know that chickpeas get crunchy when baked? I had no idea! I always eat them raw, or in meals like falafel or hummus. Chickpea Popcorn is such a perfect snack if you need something crunchy to much on like I do.

First things first, rinse off your chickpeas with water and dab them dry with a paper towel. Look at that beautiful bean footage!Next, spread out the chickpeas on a lined and rimmed baking sheet. I use tin foil because that’s what I have on hand, but parchment paper works, too. Then it’s time to season! Of course, I used garlic because it’s my favorite spice. I also added in oregano and a bit of black pepper. You can totally customize the flavor of your Chickpea Popcorn. Just make sure to drizzle with some olive oil and mix everything properly before popping them in the oven.

Here is the finished result! I cook the Chickpea Popcorn for about 42 minutes. That way they are crispy, but not overcooked. The time will vary depending on your oven, but once the chickpeas start turning a deeper beige they are ready to eat! You’ll be so impressed with how delicious your Chickpea Popcorn tastes. It’s a protein-filled and healthy snack whether you’re watching a movie or eating your lunch!

Garlic Chickpea Popcorn

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Olive Oil (to drizzle)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º.
Rinse chickpeas with water and dab dry with a paper towel.
Spread chickpeas on a rimmed baking sheet lined with tin foil or parchment paper.
Sprinkle garlic, oregano, and black pepper on chickpeas.
Drizzle olive oil on chickpeas to lightly coat them, and use a spoon to ensure the chickpeas are coated.
Bake at 350º for 40-45, or until crispy.

How to Use Finished Coloring Pages | DIY Holiday Projects

Posted on December 12, 2015December 5, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I’m exciting to share with you some very simple DIY projects that are especially relevant during the holiday season. Adult coloring books are super on trend this year, and I decided to purchase the Erin Condren Coloring Book & Sketch Pad to join the party. As I was coloring one day, I thought about how I would use the coloring pages once I finished them. I didn’t want to just recycle them, so I got creative and thought of some uses for them. In this blog post I have some holiday themed DIY projects, and in the future I’ll be sharing even more ways you can use coloring pages. Let me jump right in and show you the projects I recommend!

Wrapping Paper

How to Use Finished Coloring Pages | DIY Holiday Projects

A really easy way to use your coloring pages is for wrapping paper! I’ve always felt a little guilty about all the wrapping paper I use during the holiday season. It’s so wasteful to just buy paper, wrap a gift, and throw out the paper afterwards. Now I can create my own wrapping paper! Not only does it look really cute, but it gives my paper another life. Coloring pages are the perfect size for stocking stuffers and other small gifts. Feel free to dress it up with bows, tags, or twine!

Christmas Tree Ornament

There are so many cute ornaments that you can create out of paper! I decided to go with the classic bauble shape. All you need for this ornament is a small brad, some glue, and a piece of ribbon. Cut the paper into half-inch strips (I used five), and punch a small hole in both ends. Secure the ends together in a loop shape with a brad and spread out the loops. Finally, use a dot of glue to secure the ribbon on top. Voila! You have an ornament!

Wall Art

Coloring pages make awesome wall art, and a great holiday gift! Pop your page into a frame and you’ve got a great gift item that’s made from the heart. I used a small frame from Birchbox to showcase the leftovers from my ornament project, and a larger black frame to house a quote. Wall art makes a perfect gift for your friends at the office, as it dresses up any cubicle, and it also makes a nice hostess gift. This is also a great way to gift your child’s art!

Writing Paper

Last but not least, coloring pages make excellent writing paper! It’s the perfect time of year to send a note to a loved one to check in and say hello. Your friends and family will enjoy that you took the time to not only write to them, but to color in a page, too. Of course, you can do this all year round!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the ways I’m using finished coloring pages this holiday season! It’s great to have a relaxing hobby that can turn into something functional, too. If you recreate any of these projects, make sure to use the hashtag #PlanWithPolishland on social media so I can see your posts!