::-::massive:update:&:books::-::

My kind of night...every night. Protein balls & tea. :) 

Fall is basically here...I mean, it isn't technically Fall just yet but the other day it sure felt like it. I have the candles going, the Fall smells everywhere, splashes of oranges and browns all over the place in our townhome...definitely looking forward to the leaves changing their colours. 

That is definitely one thing I really miss about our old apartment...the {fake} fireplace that we had...and just being able to see all the amazing colours the trees turned into just outside of our window. We have trees at our new place, but of course the view isn't the same. At all. But we are so much happier here, that's for sure. We definitely will never go back into an apartment. 

::*::16 for 2016::*::

I'm curious as to how certain people hold onto their motivation..if you will..if that is something that you can even do. 

Man oh man, was I ever gung-ho on the gym lately - and still am!! But then there are days like today...where I really cannot be bothered to get out of bed. And all it really takes is just one day...ya know? Friday I was sick and couldn't function even remotely normal so passed...yesterday was too busy and today -- too rainy? Lol. 

I guess there is a lot on the go as well - did I mention we're moving?!!! YA!!! 

As much as I am going to miss this place {and the view!} we decided we wanted something bigger {cheaper!} and more home-y. So have signed a new lease on a townhome about 10 minutes from where we live now {and closer to work!}. Not only that, but it's close to everything else {grocery stores and the mall!!} and it is just a fabulous new place to make NEW memories in all over again. :) 

I'll be sure to share a tun of pictures! 

I'm still going to probably drag my ass to do a sesh of cardio - but in the meantime, I am going to share a recipe post as well as my beloved book post - as my email is being bombarded with new things to read and I did promise myself and my GoodReads app that I am going to read 16 books in 2016. I have already read one...so 15 more to go. :) 

Make sure to let me know if you've read any of the ones below or if you have any suggestions for great - new - books! 

HA...I just figured out how to do split screen on my MAC - this is going to make posting this a heck of a lot easier. Lol. 

The 52 Lists Project: A Year of Weekly Journaling Inspiration by Moorea Seal$16.95 CAD

I wanted to pick this book up immediately ~ unfortunately, you cannot find it anywhere! This book in Canada is available in select stores...and the only store closest to me that has it, is Woodbridge {TOO FAR AWAY} and they only have one copy! Regardless...it's definitely at the top of my list despite it's 3-6 week waiting period. Ugh.
Why I love this book and want to get it, is because I want to really get back into writing this year. I always used to be a HUGE writer...journaling constantly, writing short stories and poems and just haven't been able to get back into it for some reason - a workbook like this is ideal for me. To ge the creative juices flowing. It's technically a journal - but to me, it's so much more.

::book:gift:ideas::

One day...

WOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!! 

Black Friday is coming up! 

Do you guys actually shop on Black Friday? I never have...and I won't be tomorrow as I'm broke as a joke! Damn...it's 

Murphy's Law, eh? You have a bit of money, you can't find nuttin....you don't have money? You want the entire world! 

I have got a long list for Santa this year {of course, nothing can really top the Vitamix from last year, seriously!} such

as books, boxing gloves, clothes {gym ones too!}, some things for the pups {an awesome HOWLiday gift idea post coming up in the next few days too!} and much, much more. What's on your guys' wishlist for the year? 

I know that I gotta take those pennies and spend on some kidlets for thie Christmas. I would have loved to get Travis' nieces and nephew a BUNNY for Christmas, but not sure if his Sister {my shopping partner-in-crime} Lori would appreciate that. LOL. So the hunt continues! 

::a:2015:wishlist::

The best combo EVER. Bath tub and books?! COME ON!!! *dream*room*

My first wishlist of 2015! 

It's been a while since I got my desperately grasping hands on some new books - or looked on the Amazon site for that matter. The last couple of months have been undoubtedly chaotic. Between Christmas, losing work, starting a new job, trying to get school under control and preparing to study for my driver's test...you would think I'd have absolutely no time to read. But I do. Because I just I love it and cant imagine life without reading or books. It's actually one of the things that calms me at the end of a hectic day, my form of stress relief. 

Or it's the perfect way to spend a Sunday; on the couch, under toasty wool blankets, reading an engrossing book with some delicious tea, or a latte, a treat and the pups and Travis there. Bliss!

Before I go on with my book wish list I wanted to share that Trav and I are currently looking into renting a bigger 'home'. I say home in quotations because we live in an apartment right now. It's a gorgeous apartment but it would be great to have a home to rent with a backyard and garage or a townhome would work as well. We did fall in love with one back in January - but they were all sold out. :( We are still being very picky with what we are going to view these days and of course the price has to be good as well.

I also am coveting a new couch...this will require time to save up money to get, but I am just not feeling the leather couch and would love a nice big comfy material one. Saw a bunch on sale at the Brick - this will be added to my 'vision board' of the perfect living room. Where you live should be incredibly comfortable, serene and feel like HOME. 

Not to mention some good bookshelves are on that home wishlist as well. The ones we currently own are not that great {a tad cheap from Ikea} and the shelves themselves are slowly beginning to bend. 

I would ideally love one that had doors on them, so you couldn't necessarily see all the books, should you have company over and whatnot. 

All these plans. 

Anyways! Back to the point of this post! BOOKS!

As you know I share some of the latest and well-received books out or ones that I just seen through a magazine or online or through a friend and would love to read. 

These prices are from Amazon.Ca - you could get these books anywhere but I feel like Amazon has the best prices. 

::christmas:booklist::

It's the perfect time for the book list! Because who knows...you might find something worth reading or worth getting for someone as a gift this Christmas!
We all know how much extra time I am going to have...well, sorta...after the holiday season...I hope not...but...anyways! So I will be reviewing a lot more books for you all. Especially cookbooks. It's hard to find good cookbook reviews out there in the online world...so might as well start one for you guys, no? 

They are also coming out with a lot of "Books of the Year" lists on Amazon and Indigo...there are quite a few on there that appear intriguing to me...but this list is what my eyes and mind are coveting at the moment. ;) 

Let's start with the cookbooks! 

The Tucci Table: Cooking with Family & Friends by Stanley Tucci - $22.57 CAD

Gotta start off by saying that I think Stanley Tucci is a great actor - love a lot of the movies he is in...especially Hunger Games! I honestly can't wait until I go and see Mockingjay Part 1. :)
ANYWAYS! I saw him on Dr. Oz the other week and had no idea that he had his own cookbook! I have looked through it and it's chockfull of the most mouthwaterly delicious recipes. I can't even...

::bookish:lass::

When you work and go to school full time you don't have a lot of time to do anything else...because on top of work and your studies you gotta also take care of your household, cook, clean, prep, take care of your pups and man and take care of yourself. So oftentimes I was always so exhausted and just irritable...now that I am done school I am not sure what to do with myself...well, except study for the final exam of course. 

The great thing though is that I have a bit of extra time to do whatever it is that I want to do. :) 

This means, reading!! 

I have more time to take that bubble bath at night without feeling guilty and reading a few chapters of a new book or taking time on weekend mornings to peruse through a cookbook. I haven't done this in a long time...and usually I am found reading at the gym while doing cardio if anything...or while waiting for Travis to finish work. But reading is supposed to be relaxing...and is one of the many things I do to unwind after a particularly hectic day. I just love books...and you will never see me reading digital copies (except at the gym...just one particular novel that I have on there)...I am all for the paper and smells. 

So here are a few books that I am coveting right now. 

Revival: A Novel by Stephen King - $17.99 CDN

This book won't be available until November 11th - but this is the kinda author that I just sit and eagerly anticipate new books from. He really doesn't disappoint. One book that I recently read of his that was pretty good was Mr. Mercedes and before that the follow-up to The Shining called Doctor Sleep. You can't really follow up The Shining...I must admit I was a tad disappointed, but it was still good none the less and wonder if they are going to make it into a movie. 

They say that this new book is a masterpiece of King's. Let's see!

::beach:reads::

Not having a particularly good start to the day...well, it's not bad, but TGIF! That's all I gotta say. When I am down in the dumps you know what makes me feel better??.....

Books books books. 

Books can change your life.

How I love books! Nothing makes me happier then reading books, shopping for books, flipping through books, reading reviews on books...just...anything about books! But if you have been following this blog for a while, you will know that I am *obsessed* with books. Definitely one of my passions is reading, other then writing, animals, health and fitness. :)

There is always something to read, and I have spent the bulk of my Summer reading many books...anything from Stephen King to Cassandra Clare and then my regular old school books or recently a book on mindful meditation. You just can't run out of good books! 

You may have noticed my taste in books is completely random and all over the map. I have yet to find a blog that shares their top picks on what books to purchase and read! So therefore I am going to show you what hot new books are out there that I am itching to get my hands on and what I think you should be taking with you to the beach with this last month of Summer on the horizon. 

What are you currently reading? Let me know! 

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - $14.43 CAD

A YA book that sounds interesting enough to me! :)

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

The Kiss of Deception is the first book in Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles.

::happy:reading:&:dream:library::

Grrr....the brand new Kate Moss book *was* available on Amazon and now it's disappeared! Will ship in 1-3 months! :( *tears*tears*tears*

This book was released as an homage to her 40th birthday and to her beyond successful career...I own pretty much all the Kate Moss books...because I'm obsessed with her and want to BE her. Lol.
Anyways...it's available on the US Amazon if anyone is interested. Please let me know what you think! I am desperate to find out what that book is like! I can't even find it in my local stores!
Anyways...

I told you I would share some new Spring reads and here they are! They aren't novels...but I am sure you are going to have a lot of fun reading them - of course, there are cookbooks...I read those like I read Harlan Coben or Dean Koontz. ;) 

Happy Reading!!

"The Body Book" by Cameron Diaz - $15.99 CDN
Wow, the price of this book has come down a lot since I threw it in my wish list bucket on Amazon. Okay, I must admit, I wasn't a *huge* fan of Cameron Diaz...I don't know why! I guess she annoyed me immensely in Charlie's Angels...but I did love her in The Mask with Jim Carrey.
Anyways...for some reason when I saw that she released a book all about nutrition and your body there was a switch that flipped and I though - yea, I could like her again. I don't know why! I guess I am loving all people that tout healthy living these days. I love even more the photo of her here...no makeup and just happy to have a copy of her own book. That'll be me one day! Mark my words!! :D
I looked through the book (online) and it really does seem quite interest, a no nonsense, layman terms take on nutrition and being overall healthy.

"Cameron Diaz shares her formula for becoming happier, healthier, and stronger in this positive, essential guide that is grounded in science and inspired by personal experience.

Throughout her career, Cameron Diaz has been a role model for millions of women. By her own candid admission, though, this fit, glamorous, but down-to-earth star was not always health-conscious. Learning about the inseparable link between nutrition and the body was just one of the life-changing lessons that has fed Cameron’s hunger to educate herself about the best ways to feed, move, and care for her body. In The Body Book, she shares what she has learned and continues to discover about nutrition, exercise, and the mind/body connection.

Grounded in science and informed by real life, The Body Book offers a comprehensive overview of the human body and mind, from the cellular level up. From demystifying and debunking the hype around food groups to explaining the value of vitamins and minerals, readers will discover why it’s so important to embrace the instinct of hunger and to satisfy it with whole, nutrient-dense foods. Cameron also explains the essential role of movement, the importance of muscle and bone strength and why we need to sweat a little every day.

The Body Book does not set goals to reach in seven days or thirty days or a year. It offers a holistic, long-term approach to making consistent choices and reaching the ultimate goal: a long, strong, happy, healthy life."

::bookworm::

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

We'll, I am a little disappointed. I had entire blogpost written out on this iPad and it disappeared. >:( 

How very frustrating that is. Especially since it was a bookworm post and that takes time! 

So I guess I have to start all over again. Ho hum. 

I trust that everyone had a safe and fun night last night ringing in the New Year! I had a quiet night ringing 2014 in with my little family. I made an oven-baked chicken and we watched Roasts on Comedy Central. I must admit I fell asleep just after 10:30pm! Thankfully Travis woke me up quarter to 12am so we could ring in the New Year with some sparkling wine, a smooch and the puplets. :) 

I just want to say that if you have never baked a chicken in a cast-iron skillet ~ do it!! You will not regret it!! Thanks again to Kev for that skillet. It's amazing. If you don't have one in your kitchen then get one! Some of the best chicken I have made and tasted. 

Today, since everything is closed, we are laying low and watching the Winter Classic. 

My Christmas vacation is coming to a close and I can't believe how fast it's come and almost gone. Throughout the break I have been voraciously reading. A reading machine! Anything I can get my hands on really. And of course there are so many sales on because of Boxing Day and New Years. 

Oh before going on, Candice Kumai is going to be coming out with a new book in Spiring 2014! I am so excited since I loooove her. I have been reading tunz of her blog too. :) 

Books really are my weakness. They fill me with a joy like no other and I seriously will have my own little library when I have my own house. :)  

Let's get on with it shall we? And maybe you can find a gem within my list. 

City of Fallen Angels ~ $8.98 

&

City of Lost Souls ~ $19.99

both by Cassandra Clare 

Both of which are the last two instalments in the five book series that I am obsessed with. I just finished book three and *SPOILER ALERT* I knew the two main characters weren't brother and sister!! Hahah! I am so smart! Anyways. I just want to keep reading! When I get into a series I really get into them! Cassandra Clare is a great writer too and really can suck you into her books. 

Why the price difference? We'll, the first is a mass paperback and Lost Souls probably hasn't been released in mass paperback yet and is the last book in the instalment too. I guess I could wait for the paperback. I just hope the last book doesn't disappoint! 

::happy:september:new:year::

Happy Name Day to Me!

In Poland we celebrate Name Day's...and today, the 26th of August, it's my Name Day! I am not going to get into it...but a lot of people have forgotten it's my Name Day and that is all I am going to say on the matter! Lol. 

Anyways...other than the month of May {because it's my month of birth...duh} I think my favorite month is September...or maybe it's October...now I'm not so sure.

But anyways! 

September is almost like, the New Year. I know that January IS THEE New Year but September is where all the magic happens. All the "Fall Fashion Fatties" come out, the new books are released, artists release their new albums around this time, designers come out with their craziest collections ~ things just *happen* in September. 

So it shouldn't come as a surprise that there is a *boatload* of cookbooks that are going to be released within the next few months...not all of them are going to be released in September but many of them will be along with announcements of their release dates. 

This is quite an exciting time! Not only cookbooks but novels that I have been waiting over a year to be released! GAH. 

Anyways...I now you guys are going to go crazy over these things too, but here are a few things that will be released over the next 2-3 months. 

Giada's Feel Good Food: My Healthy Recipes and Secrets - $21.95

Release Date: November 5, 2013. 

I love Giada....I really used to not like her, which may come as a shock to some people. Lol. She used to drive me bonkers when I watched her on TV but now I have a serious obsession. Probably because she shows me that you can love food, be crazy successful, a celebrity chef and totally fit!

{Excerpt Taken From Amazon}

Food Network’s most beautiful star reveals her secrets for staying fit and feeling great in this gorgeous, practical book with healthy recipes including nutritional information, and personal lifestyle and beauty tips.
 
Finally answering the question her fans ask most often, “How do you stay so trim?,” Giada De Laurentiis shares the delicious easy recipes and tips she uses to maximize energy and remain fit. Here are 120 recipes for breakfasts, juices, lunches, snacks, dinners, and desserts that can be combined into 30 days of delicious feel-good meals. So that everyone can enjoy these dishes, many are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and/or vegan, with helpful icons to call them out—and, for the very first time, each recipe includes a calorie count and nutritional analysis. Special sections delve into Giada's everyday life, including her beauty and exercise routines, how she satisfies sugar fixes, what’s always in her bag, and her ordering tips for eating in restaurants. With 100 color photographs, Giada’s Feel Good Food is a beautiful guide to staying on track while still eating everything and enjoying life to its fullest.

::onward:&:upward::

I wrote this post yesterday as a means of motivation to myself...I was having a bit of a rough day and just been a bit down on myself as of late...I just need to move along a bit. Anyways, I wasn't really going to share, but I might as well. Who cares...it might help someone else get their big asses up off that couch and do something with their lives too. :P 

Then I will share some books that have interested me as I perused Chapters and Amazon...it's dangerous for me to go into that store or onto that site, seriously. 

::bookworm::

Bookworm...

What a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had a good time, unfortunately they are too short. There should be two day work weeks and 5 day weekends! ;) 

It was a really busy one too, which coaxed the weekend along in going by so fast. On Saturday morning Travis and I were able to make it to the market {with Lou'e in tow of course} and we picked up some fresh veggies. Next time I am definitely going to pick up a little bouquet of flowers. They have such pretty ones. But Travis seemed rushed and it made me feel rushed so we were only at the market for a half hour. Maybe next time. 

He helped his family move and I did a thorough cleaning of our apartment. 

We received a gift card from our great friend; Kevin, to The Keg {steakhouse}. Travis, of course, ordered steak and I ordered lobster. I have had lobster at Red Lobster, but that ain't 'real' lobster...and The Keg is a little bit expensive so you know you are getting fresh ingredients on your plate. The lobster was awesome! At first I couldn't decide between the King Crab or the lobster {trying King Crab next time} but lobster won. I really enjoyed the claws, the lobster tail was a little more chewy. Dipping into the butter sauce...heavenly! I can only imagine how many calories was in that little bowl of butter though. 

I shared with Travis and he enjoyed it too. :)

Sunday was a lazy bum day and I made delicious chili for the week {I know, I am crazy to make piping hot chili in the middle of a heat wave here in Ontario}. 

Over all, it was fantastic! I just wish it were a bit longer...and I am moving along pretty good in my Game of Thrones book. So much going on! ;) 

Anyways...you know me, I am obsessed with books and it's been a while since I shared some new books that are out that look intriguing. So here ya go! Some new books that I would completely devour in one sitting. ;) 

Eat to Lose, Eat to Win: Your Grab-n-Go Action Plan for a Slimmer, Healthier You by Rachel Beller - $18.25 CA

This books apparently changes your entire view on food and what you consume, at least this is what a lot of the reviewers have stated. Rachel Beller is a nutritionist and indeed will change your views on proper consumption and what you should be eating...even the stuff you think is 'healthy', isn't necessarily so. 

Since I am studying this, I find this interesting and am eager to see what sort of opinions Rachel has on food and diet. 

::cookbook:crazy::

So my parents have surprised me with a little housewarming gift for our new apartment. 

It is a slower cooker! :))

I have been looking around and prodding people if they use theirs because I just really wanted one!

I got hooked and wanted one ever since I was in California the other year and my Mom cooked up a delicious turkey breast for dinner in the crock-pot  I also like the idea and convenience of throwing everything into it in the morning and coming home to a dinner that is already made. 

I don't know the first thing about slow cookers though, or recipes for that matter ~ of course the world wide web is filled with recipes but you know me, I am a book worm and like my books and so I perused Amazon (so cheap!) and stumbled onto a slow cooker recipe book that has positive reviews and then I spiraled out of control and found more cookbooks that I want to get my greedy hands on. Ha ha. 

Honestly, looking at cookbooks right now is the only thing that is keeping me sane because of how stressful everything else is at the moment. There is something about cookbooks ~ the stories behind the food, fresh ingredients, the author itself ~ for me, it is sort of like reading a novel. I can get totally lost in a cookbook and will read it from cover to cover believe it or not. Some of my favourite cookbooks are by Sophie Dahl or Candice Kumai and not because of the recipes necessarily, but the way they explain food. Their take on it.
Ultimately, once I am done school I would love to write and publish my own cookbook. :) 

Food is my forte. It is a passion. I just love it.
So here are a few cookbooks that are out that have cajoled me and I must get my hands on.

Cooking Light Slow-Cooker Tonight: 140 Delicious Weeknight Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves by Editors of Cooking Light - $14.40 CAD
I really love the Cooking Light cookbooks, they are chock-full of recipes that are relatively simple, delicious and full of flavour. So when I saw that CL had a slow-cooker cookbook I knew I had to throw that badboy in my wish list. The CL cookbooks also have gorgeous full colour photo's beside every recipe, and you know me, I love my full colour food pics. ;) 

::poison:study::

So, I am on the last chapter of my book “Poison Study” by Maria V. Snyder and I am mildly infatuated with it. To the point where I have an urgency to read the second installment of this book and am beyond excited that they are going to be on their way soon (thanks Kev!). Honestly, I don’t want to say too much, as it may spoil it for anyone that plans on reading it but I highly recommend it.

When I had mentioned in a previous post that the beginning was a tad stagnant and that it lacked any structure I was wrong…because everything came together halfway through the book and I finally understood.

You can't just read the first few chapters and think you have it figured out and I think the reason as to why I did that was because I was looking for something better than Divergent and Insurgent…although this may not be better – I mean they seem to be two totally different genres – one dystopian and the other more medieval - I think it comes in close. I definitely hope for more than 3 books in the Study series by Snyder; that is for sure.

::bookworm::

Lou'e started hurting out of nowhere today...crying and won't walk. I am worried about him as I sit at work. 

I hope he gets better by the time I get to him at lunch. 

Love my little Lou'e. 

Here is another post from yesterday.

As I mentioned in a previous post...I am gaga over the newly popular dystopian books that are out there like Hunger Games, The Host & Divergent {Insurgent}. So I went on a search for some more books that were very similar. Here is what I found...not only are there so many but the reviews on most of these are fantastic! I honestly can't wait to get my hands on these books and begin reading. 

By the by, Amazon usually is cheaper when it comes to purchasing books. These books I found on the Amazon {Canada} website and all pricing is in Canadian currency. 

Here are some books that are on my wish list. 

I am a reading fiend lately.

::question:3::

So the weekend went by so fast, too fast.

I love my weekends and my poor Trav was sick as a dog for the entire thing. I did drag him out to a few stores on Saturday {he needed a few things anyways}, yesterday was total laziness and A LOT of studying that I got done, so I am happy about that. 

I know I said I was going to blog and I didn't do a heck of a lot of that, don't hate me! I will do more today. I also have my blog posts timed to post randomly throughout the day. So I write most of them in the mornings or in the evenings and set them to post during the day when I am at work. Nifty idea there blogger. 

Anyways...30 day challenge! Question 3! I will try to not make this as long winded as the last couple were. Lol. And I know I am behind, so will post four at some point with some more editorials.

A Book You Love

::little:book:club::

I should probably start my own book club...considering the amount of books I have and my extreme obsession with them, from the smell to the size of text or font to the actual stock that is used. I think that is why cookbooks are some of my favourites to go through.