Book Reviews // Sept '14

The Story Book of Legends by: Shannon Hale

Goodreads synopsis-At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life. What if the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven, doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both. 
My Review- This was a really cute idea and great for middle schools. However, there were some story issues but for a quick light read I enjoyed it.

Stars: ** (2.5 out 5)

If I Stay by: Gayle Forman 

Goodreads synopsis-On a day that started like any other, Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving. 
My Review- I went in reading this book totally not understand the description. Pretty much the girl get into a coma and is thinking about a decision. I will warn you if you don't like gory stuff then skip the first chapter. It was pretty yucky. Other then that I thought the book was unique in doing something a little different but in the end it was a typical young adult book. Although I was impressed with how the Author wrote the ending, expected but with a twist. 

Stars: * (1 out 5)

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by: Lisa See 

Goodreads synopsis-In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men. As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.
My Review- Bittersweet and sad is this book but I love it anyways. The author writes wonderfully. I can feel all the experiences the characters do. I think this shows the ancient china beautiful and sad. It shows all the seasons of friendships. The only thing I "bad" was I was waiting for that terrible moment to happen (TINY PLOT SPOIL) it took the whole book to get to it. Still lovely though.
Stars: ***** (5 out 5)

Peony In Love by: Lisa See 

Goodreads synopsis-Steeped in traditions and ritual, this story brings to life another time and place–even the intricate realm of the afterworld, with its protocols, pathways, and stages of existence, a vividly imagined place where one’s soul is divided into three, ancestors offer guidance, misdeeds are punished, and hungry ghosts wander the earth. Immersed in the richness and magic of the Chinese vision of the afterlife, transcending even death,Peony in Love explores, beautifully, the many manifestations of love. Ultimately, Lisa See’s new novel addresses universal themes: the bonds of friendship, the power of words, and the age-old desire of women to be heard.
My Review- I was really surprised by this book because I couldn't believe what happened so soon! I felt like I was betrayed but the author brought all the plot back together and wove an even deeper story. The author told this tale in such a beautiful way. The whole thing was beautiful and makes me want to learn so much more about that time. 
Stars: ***** (5 out 5)


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Get Messy // September Prompt

This month's Get Messy's Prompt was about living adventurously. I decided to paint something that I always have wanted to and would make as my dying wish: to visit Alaska and see the Northern Lights. I think my love for them started when I watched Balto when I was little. I also really want to see a dog sledding race and do all things Alaskan.

We were challenged this month to doing something different that we hadn't done before. This turned out to be the hard part of the challenge. How was I to paint something in a different way or with different materials and still be able to convey what I the picture was about? It wasn't til I recieved an artful email that I realized there is something I haven't done before; so, I decided that I would try finger painting the picture. It was alot harder then I expect it to be and I don't think it turned out as well as I had in my head but that' okay. I painted it and that's more then enough for me.

I also decieded that this month I would record the process and share it all with you. Below is my video. Ignore the bad hair I was having. I didn't feel like rerecord the into for it.

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Hello Fall 2014

In case Google didn't tell you, today is the First Day of Fall! Here in Florida, it's finally starting to feel like it. It's been raining everyday so the temperature has been on the cooler side. It feel so nice to be outside and I think that my body had been enjoying the change because I finally feel like I can get up and do something.

I also happen to love fall, like every girl. It's my second favorite season, right after Summer. I decided to commemorate the change with these two pages. The first page is just a little hello. Like a reminder that finally it's cooler. The second page was a reminder to me, why I love Autumn so much. I wrote the foliage (leaves, pumpkins and acorns) , crisp weather (cooler and softer), warm colors (it seems like fall is all about orange, yellow and browns. Yum), the fashion (because who doesn't love sweathers and scarfs) and last of all HOLIDAYs. I have more Holidays than most in Autumn because of the fact that there are two birthdays, brother's and partners, my dating Anniversary, and the normal Halloween and Thanksgiving. Amazing isn't it?

My fall is going to packed to be brim this year and I can't wait to share it all with you. Do you guys have a fall bucket lists? What do you love about this season? Or are there things you don't like about this season (like germs Ech)? Let me know below!


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Get Messy // Sail the Seas

 If you didn't read yesterday, let me tell you something, INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY IS TOMORROW!! I am soo excited so I thought I would sit down this week with my art journal and do some pirate related pages. Little did I know that my pages would reveal how I have been feeling this last month. It's be a rough beginning, I got sick and battling tooth pains. So these pages are telling me that it's okay to have difficult times,  I just need to breathe and remember who I am.
Amazing how creating art can bring out your feelings.


To see larger images go to my Flickr. These images were edited using PicMonkey. Affiliated link provided. 

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal.

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SWAP-oween

I live in a house and have a body that makes planning hard. Everyday something new is going to happen. And no I don’t have kids, although it sounds like it. Not being able to plan anything makes Holiday’s a lot harder around here. I am not sure if I will enough energy for activities or if something will suddenly come up. That is why I love the blogging community. There are so many ways that I can feel like I am still celebrating the Holidays, even if in reality I am not. That is why when I heard about Chaotic Goddess Swap’s Swapoween, I was ready to jump. It’s basically a swap (or exchanging of gifts) that all Halloween themed. The cool thing is, I don’t have to worry about decorating or hosting or anything except picking up goodies when I am already out, or I could the new age way and buy them online.  

My point to all this? Well I am joining in an awesome swap and you should too. Halloween is my second favorite Holiday anyways, (right after 4^th of July). So go over and check them out because they have all the rules and fun details over there.

BOO!

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Art Journal // How I Arrived

Today I am talking all about my art journal journey and giving out a few tips over at The Chronicles of Chaos.

Snip from my post: "I have been creating in my art journals for one whole month now. I can't believe how much I have change from then til now. I have improved my skills in everyway. I know more about the style I like to create in. I know more about myself now. All because I decied to just go for it." I hope that you will click over to read the whole thing.











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Art Journal Prompts // Journal 52 - August

I realized now that last week was a horrible #getmessy art journal post. I have written on this blog before about the groups that I am in on Facebook. The Documented Life Group and Journal 52. Every weekend they come out with new prompt to help you with your art journaling journey. Plus you have the a huge community of artist people to ask advice from. I joined both these groups round the same time but it wasn't til I bought my new art journals that I really started getting serious about trying to each prompt. I thought it would be nice to share with you the August prompts I did, from Journal 52. 

I know I skipped a few weeks in August but some of prompts just didn't inspire me. I plan on finishing the ones that were missed and sharing them next week (or so). Oh and totally shameless pug here but visit again tomorrow for an extra awesome post about my art journal journey! 
To see larger images go to my Flickr. These images were edited using PicMonkey. Affiliated link provided. 

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal.

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Art Journal Prompts // Documented Life Project

I totally have another post for today planned. However, I have been suffering with a tooth ache for the last fours day. That doesn't mean I am not creating art, I could do that, it just means that today you get to enjoy my art journal of prompts. The weeks shown are prompts are provided The Documented Life Project. Enjoy.

To see larger images go to my Flickr. These images were edited using PicMonkey. Affiliated link provided. 

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal

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