Orange is the new Black Review

Since I have had more free time than expected, I decided to jump on the prison train. I powered through this show and loved every minute of it! One of my favorite parts, as a gender and womens studies major, was the sisterhood/womanhood the show provided. There is still a division of race and sexuality, inmate vs guard, and woman vs woman conflict, but when it comes down to it the women truly look out for each other. Sadly I kept comparing it to this recent season of American Horror Story. A coven of witches screamed some awesome feminist lady power bitches, but instead its petty "woman" issues pinning them all against each other and killing each other..sort of. Any way, back to Orange is the new Black!

The cast is full of amazing women, each with their own personal story on why they got sent to prison. The show obviously has a focus on the main character, Piper Chapmin, but almost all the women get their own side stories that show how they became who they are. Through season one you watch Piper learn the rules of prison and how to find her spot among the" criminals." I put that in quotation because yes they committed crimes but you learn so much about each woman.  The show makes you question what you find wrong and right. At first you clearly relate to Piper and think she is not like any other woman in the prison, she just doesn't belong there. As time goes on you love everyone and wish non of them were there! You also really question our prison system! So many times I found myself appalled at many scenarios the show portrayed. Do criminals really deserve that? Are criminals less than people? Should they be treated that way? The power dynamic is played out beautifully in the show! As I said before, the gws student in me loved analyzing this show!

The first season is all on Netflix and season two is rumored to be coming out this spring. I highly recommend this show! It is hilarious and drama filled. It deserves all the talk and high reviews it has received. I will eagerly be waiting for season two!!

Cooking Adventures

Since being abroad I have had to take up a lot more home cooking. I never thought I was a bad cook, I just didn't do it often. I didn't think I had cooking creativity. At first, being here I realized there is so much you need to cook things. The basics will only do for so long. But then tonight I took the basics to another level!! I made my own little pasta dish with some ingredients I discovered are good for many purposes.

-Pasta
-Steak
-Spinach
-Cherry Tomatoes
-Mushrooms
-Cheese
-Tomato sauce

That's all it took! A handful of ingredients I already had on hand. I cooked the steak, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes on the stove in some oil. Placed all that on the pasta with a bit of sauce and a dash of cheese on top! Waa-Laa a main course meal for one! The ingredients are good for you and its not a frozen pizza! I may be a little too pleased for creating a pasta dish, but this was my best quick pull together of fresh ingredients. Normally all my veggies go bad before I use them up. I can only eat sandwiches so many times too. Pasta noodles never go bad but they can be dull. I spiced up my cooking and it tastes delicious!! As pleased as I am, I am still taking recipe! Well eat on!

Gillian Flynn's Books Review

I heard Gillian Flynn on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and was immediately intrigued. She is a suspenseful thriller author. Her books have twists and are often dark. I have read Sharp Objects and Dark Places. I am just starting her newest book, Gone Girl.

Sharp Objects is written all from the perspective of the main character. She is a journalist who is sent to her home town to write a story on two young girls who were murdered. She has major issues with her family and a dark childhood. Between her struggle to survive at home she tries to help solve these murders in a small southern town.

Dark places is written in the perspective of three people. Libby Day, the main character, her brother Ben Day, and her mother Patty Day. Libby is the survivor of her family who were all murdered, while her brother Ben is sent to jail for the crime. Libby, later in her life, is approached by a crime obsessed group who wants her to rethink her brother's guilt. Ben's and Patty's chapters are all written within the day of the murder. This book takes so many turns and keeps you wondering the whole way through!!

I am only a few chapters into Gone Girl. It is written from the main guys point of view and his wife's journal. I havent gotten a grasp on it much yet. I believe the wife goes missing and things get pretty dark and twisted.

Gillian Flynn caught me in her web of thrills and chills. I highly recommend her books. They are about average in length and are pretty quick reads. What books are on your must read list?

My day in town

Today I decided to gain some Independence. I took a bus into town all on my own. Lancaster is a small town, there is a city center area and thats about the most exciting part of town. It is really pretty and charming though! Brick and stone walk ways old and new buildings. I grabbed a coffee and wondered. I came across this huge bookstore! It was like a piece of heaven. Sitting areas to drink coffee and read, all types of books, cards, and character. Everyone is very kind. Made an old lady friend at the bus stop. Was told to go to the Lake District for the millionth time! I am still waiting another 2 weeks for my loan, sadly. I will be broke for a long time! That will keep me on campus for a long time. But everything I need is on campus. Any who, here are a few snap shots from town!

I didn't get any books. Everything is really expensive! Someday I will bring my ipad down and do some nook book reading at the book store. Also there is a Starbucks in case I need a taste of home! I now plan on staying in most the night and watching some Netflix! I just made myself some veggie and chicken curry! NOM!! 

Cheers from the UK

Hello all!! I have been away from blogging forever! But I am back with some free time and blog worthy adventures. I am currently studying abroad in Lancaster, England. It is a charming place with loads of new experiences ahead of me! Here is a few photos of my almost first week here. Some pictures are from Manchester. I spent a day there when I first arrived. My suitcase was lost and took a few days too get here, but I finally got it and got to take a nice UK outfit pic! So stay tuned for whats to come!

School Days

School started for me. It will be my junior year of college! I have some big important classes and responsibilities this year. A chair at the Coffee Hag will have my butt imprinted in it by Halloween. Goodbye summer, hello books, papers, and long nights.

End of Summer reads

Summer is my favorite time to just relax and crack open a book I've been dying to read. Sadly summer is coming to an end. But I thought I would share with you some books I have either read or want to read. Because let's face it, reading is pretty pleasant all year round.

Out of these books I have actually read three. The other four are books that will get bumped to another non-school period of time soon! I get pretty burnt out on reading during the school year, so reading for pleasure takes a step back.

Anyway, the three books I have read are The Virgin Suicides, Game of Thrones, and Perks of being a Wallflower. These books are all great reads! They are also all written in some interesting ways. 

• The Virgin Suicides has very dark humor in it and is written from the neighborhood boys point of view. 
• Game of Thrones is an intense adventure fantasy-ish read. It is written from different character's point of views.
• Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age story about an awkward freshmen. This book is written in forms of letters the main character is writing. 

I have seen the movies of The Bling Ring and Ridding in Cars with Boys. I loved both the movies! So, I find it only fair I give the books a chance.

• Riding in Cars with Boys is an emotional roller coaster! I don't think I have watched the movie without crying. I am assuming and hoping the book is equally as powerful.
• The Bling Ring would be a book I would use as like a beach read. A book that would just be fun and entertaining to pick up. Even though it is based on real events, the people is is based on are so perfectly crazy and delusional!

That just leaves On My Knees and I Could Pee on This. I am interested in these two books for very different reasons.

• On My Knees is a memoir. It seems like it would be a good inspiring feminist book. Any book about a women's sexual experiences and her reactions seems interesting to me.
• I Could Pee on This interests me for two reasons. One, it is about cats and has cat pictures. Two, I love coffee table books. Once I have my own home and coffee table it will be fully stocked with silly random books. This book is basically random little poems about cat things. So basically it will be amazballz!

Hope some of you out there still have some summer to pick up a book! Otherwise, here are some books to look into for next summer! Or heck, just keep reading all year round!!

My Summer Look Book

I have been working some major summer trends this year. From the maxi to the crop top. This summer seems to be all about playing with lengths. And I have had a blast playing around. Here are some of my favorite looks..

 

Top: Posh Love

Bottoms: forever21

Shoes: urban outfitters

The crop top is huge this summer! I have stocked up on a few different styles and just love to mix and match them with different looks. And crop top or not this shirt is a must have!! High waisted shorts are still trending too. They are perfect for crop tops so you don't show too much skin. Also I can't get over the pin up style they bring to a look. 

Top: forever21

Skirt: TJ Max

Shoes: urban outfitters

Another crop top! This one is flowy and an off the shoulder. It has been my summer go to top. My skirt is on trend with its high low style. Black and white has been my summer colors. I often add a pop of color with my shoes. It is just so chic and great for any occasion. 

Dress: Forever21

Shoes: TJ Max



Light and flowy is a must for those hot summer days! If I could I would wear this dress everyday! The cream color makes it easy to add bold accessories or play it down for a day look. It follows the high low trend and also has a little cut out in the back. This dress is also great because it can be work spring-fall.

Dress: Posh Love

Shoes: Heartbreaker

 

I have jumped on the Maxi trend train! I always thought people were crazy for wearing long length skirts and dresses in the summer, but turns out Maxi is very comfortable. Black makes it easy to wear through multiple seasons and good for day or night wear. It is a pretty sexy look too. I have been noticing people add crop tops over their Maxi dresses for a fun look. I might have to combine cat shirt with this Maxi!

 

 

 

So my main summer looks this year are: crop tops, Maxi dresses, high waisted shorts, and high low skits and dresses. Summer is a great time to add those pops of colors but I have been playing into the black and white look. It makes transitioning from day to night easy. What are your top summer looks?

Summer must haves

Summer is finally amount us! I have been trying to enjoy all my free time and do all the summer musts! By doing this I have noticed a select few things I must have for this time of year! Here is my list of 6 must haves for summer..

1: Water is a must! Staying hydrated is so important while spending time in the sun. It is good for you on many levels too, like helping with digestion and keeping your skin hydrated and glowing. I use a babble. They are perfect because they are reusable and have a filter. I like plastic water bottles more than metal. They are also cheap and sell new filters for cheap too.

2: sun hats are all the rage this time of year. They are fashionable and come in all kinds of styles, fits, patters, and colors. I have never been a hat person, but I am going to try on sunny days. Hats also help protect your scalp from sun damage and your face too. 

3: Yoga is my new favorite activity. You can do it outside, in a porch, or in your Livingroom. So even on rainy summer days you can still get your tree pose on. I also like yoga because it helps center me and connect with my nature surroundings. Not to mention it is great exercise. 

4: sunglasses are an absolute must!! There are so many pairs to choose from! Beach day pairs, road trip pairs, family BBQ pairs, it's endless. You should look for pairs that have a uv protected sticker on them. That will help protect your eyes from those harmful sun rays. 

5: Summer is the main time I have to read any book I choose. Finally I can read for pleasure and not chapters of a text book. Reading can be done at all my favorite summer spots, a coffee shop, outside, in a big comfy chair looking out the window. I have a list of books I look forward to reading this summer.

6: Last but not least is sun screen! You cannot go through summer without sunscreen! Protecting your skin is a huge issue that many people look over, myself included. I now carry some in my purse for days I catch myself sitting outside. Having tattoos has helped me keep up on The sun screen, but I still have areas I sometimes look over. It is worth the investment to purchase face lotion and chap stick have have sun screen in them too.

So there are my 6 summer must haves!! What items can you not make it through summer without? Health is a big part of my list. Taking care of your body and mind will make summer that much more enjoyable!

Mind and Body Photo Dump

Since the academic school year has finally ended, I have been putting my focus on new goals. I want to take this summer to embrace the weather and things around me. I also want to focus on myself and my body. I am starting to do a variety of different workouts. I try to run, do yoga, hike, or ride my bike everyday to every other day. I forget what a great peace of mind exercising brings. So far I have enjoyed the view of my country home and some pretty spots around town! Enjoy the images of my peaceful few days.

 I will only accept cloudy days if the clouds are this stunning!

Hike in the backyard

Spoooookkyy Jurassic Park woods

 Bricks and Greens

 Biking over a bridge.

 Porch Yoga..can't wait till its nice enough to yoga outside

 I love my Bike! No gears though..

My favorite statue this year

Hope you are all finding your own peaceful summer center!!