Wacky Wednesdays with Jenbiff

Book In Review: Gulliver's Travels

Since high school I've wanted to read Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. As in the original, not any "updated" or the Jack Black movie version (which I have never seen, but I'm not sure if I really want to). If you don't know anything about the book, let me tell you it's quite a little adventure! The book is broken into four parts or four adventures and is told by one main character: Lemeul Gulliver.

Lemeul Gulliver lived in England and worked as a surgeon. When his business failed, he decided to become a surgeon on ships and travel the world. On his first trip a storm left him shipwrecked alone on an island. When he woke up, he is tied down with tons of little ropes and being poked by tiny swords. Gulliver had to figure out how to gain the trust of the Lilliput people and how to get back home. In the three years he was on the island, Gulliver learned their language and consumes more food than a thousands of Lilliputians. In the end the emperor decides it would be a better idea if Gulliver returned to where he came.

 
In the second adventure  Gulliver's ship sails off course and they are forced to land for fresh water. While walking around the coast trying to find water, they spot giants, and his ship mates abandon Gulliver on the island to fend for himself. When the giants find him, they first treat him like a small animal, and later he sells Gulliver to the queen. Life is pretty easy, but not really enjoyable. One day when he is out in the country with the queen and members of the court, Gulliver is picked up by an eagle and dropped into the ocean. In total he spent four years on the island.

Missing the ocean and adventure, Gulliver set out again on a third trip. THIS time his ship is attacked by pirates! This guy can't catch a break! He ends up landing in  Laputa, which is a floating island filled with exceptionally intelligent persons. The inhabitants are completely out of touch with reality which made it really hard for Gulliver to understand and enjoy the experience, and by the end of his four year stay, he was ready to go home.

And JUST when you think he would give up sailing because it just doesn't seem to be working out for him, he sets sail one last time. Without fail his crew mutinies against him and leaves him for dead (a little reminiscent of Captain Jack Sparrow? Although I have a small feeling that it might be the other way around...). While wandering around the island to find people he sees horses. Now these horses were no ordinary horses. These horses ruled the land and were rational thinkers. They lived in homes and had their own language. Gulliver fell in love with this island and in inhabitants. Unfortunately, five years into this stay, the Houyhnhnms (the horses) worry that he may be too much like the Yahoos (which are humans in their primal state), and banish him. He is rescued by Portuguese sailors and they help him return home.  

My only issue with reading the original was that is was in old English, which at times was a little hard for me to follow. But it's def a good read!
*All photos are from Google Images

Quote of the Week: "A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that he is wiser today than yesterday."
Last Weeks Answer:  "Domino" by Jessie J

KM Explains it All!

PLL Has Consumed My Life Part Two...


If you watch Pretty Little Liars and have not seen last night's episode I just want to warn you about SPOILERS that may be revealed below.  Read at you're own risk!

(Photo taken from http://www.wetpaint.com/pretty-little-liars)

I think that Jen Bou put it well when she said that last nights episode left her feeling unsatisfied...we were told that the big reveal of who A is was going to be revealed instead we were told who one of A's minions were.  We were also told that A isn't who it is in the book yet the person they revealed last night was A in the books.  Granted the episode had me on the edge of my seat all night but I was not at all pleased with the ending. 


In both the books and now the show, Mona was the ever present A who always seemed to be one step ahead of the little liars.  But was she really A?  While speeding down a winding road Mona told Spencer that she could join team A or be taken care of permanently, whenever talking about A she used the plural, and once Mona was finally locked up in a psych ward she is visited by a stranger and tells this person that she did everything that they asked her to do.  Instead of wearing the usual black ensemble this character was wearing red.  


There were also several other suspicious characters at the masquerade ball.  While Mona and Spencer were at A's lair, they found a drawing of a black swan costume and since this was before Mona was revealed, Spencer thought this person was A.  Back at the masquerade ball the girls spotted the Black Swan (although this girl was clearly not pregnant based on what she looked like I think that it was Melissa and that she has been faking her pregnancy) talking with Jenna and Lucas making them look very suspicious.  This episode only opened up more questions.  It's understandable why they chose Mona as A but the reveal was overall a bit disappointing and it will be interesting to see where they take the story from here.

Who do you think was the Black Swan? (Photo taken from http://www.wetpaint.com/pretty-little-liars)

Pretty Little Liars returns with new episodes in June!


On to a bit of a happier subject...the cookie dough dip was AMAZING!  My mom's friend had made it for our Super Bowl Party so I knew it was good but I forgot how good t was.  On top of that it's unbelievably easy to make!  

All the ingredients needed for this delicious dip!

The recipe can be found here and takes only minutes to make!

My final product!  It tastes good on it's own but the chocolate grahams
definitely give it that extra crunch needed to make it extra delicious!

What did you think of last nights episode of PLL?  Have you made any delicious treats lately?  Let me know!

Outfit Outtakes by Jen Bou

Hot Pink Stripes

I bought this hot pink skirt about a year ago and wasn't sure how to style it. I knew I didn't want to wear it with black because I felt like that was too practical. Fast forward to a year later with my immense amount of blogs that I read daily and all of the inspiration I get from magazines and websites, I decided to take the plunge and try something a little out of my comfort zone. This navy striped shirt was the perfect top to mix up the look but not too far off where I feel like I wouldn't be able to wear it out and about. So there ya go something different that I'm glad I tried. Here's to all of the fashion inspiration I receive daily from just about everywhere :)

Top: H&M

Skirt: The Limited

Booties: Payless

Do you have any pieces in your wardrobe that you're having a hard time styling?

P.S. I would just like to give a shout out to Mother Nature for the warm week ahead. So glad to see it's finally spring time! Go outside and enjoy this awesome weather! :)

The Gossip Corner with Stine

Happy Friday!!
How is everyone liking our new layout?! We figured flowers for the spring and then changing it up a bit for the summer time! It really goes nicely with the beautiful weather we've been having. Now I know KM talked about how crazy-amazing PLL is (and it seriously is!) this week, but I wanted to get your thoughts on a different show...

I realize that everyone has their own opinion on this topic, some positive, some negative, and maybe even some in-between. So let's talk, what were your thoughts on this past season with Ben Flajnik? If you haven't been watching all season (like me) or haven't read People or Us Weekly, let me fill you in-the short version.
Basically, this year's bachelor was the guy who got rejected on The Bachelorette, his name is Ben Flajnik and he is a winemaker from Napa, California. America fell in love with him and were sad when Ashley Herbert chose to send him home. So it was his turn to date thru 25 women in the hopes of finding himself a wife. Unfortunately for Ben, he ended up choosing the most hated girl in the house and quite possibly the country, Courtney Robertson, a model. Courtney made a lot of outlandish and off-the cuff remarks towards the other women, but in the end she won the game-I mean the man-oops! 

Ben popping the question in Switzerland

Courtney trying on wedding dresses to distract the paparazzi

Or did she?? For the first time (I think) in Bachelor history the lucky girl (or guy for The Bachelorette) was leaked before the finale!!! Courtney was photographed trying on wedding dresses just as pictures of Ben kissing 3 different women surfaced! (See photos below) Here's the kicker-Ben and Courtney planned the wedding dress photo op to divert attention away from Ben's cheating scandal!!! (See above photo) Now I'm not completely sure if this is true but I believe there is a contract that both parties sign stating they will not be seen in a public way that would jeopardize the outcome of the show. 

 Check out this clip from "After the Final Rose"

Personally I think that what he's saying is a load of crap! He is obviously lying about the pictures of him kissing other women. Here's what Us Weekly published:

The proof is in the pudding! I think that even though Courtney was acting like such a mean girl to the women, she deserves to be treated better and with respect. I don't see this relationship getting anywhere near an alter.

What are your thoughts on The Bachelor? Love it or hate it? Are you Team Ben or Team Courtney? Let me know!!

(Photos: Google, Video: Youtube)

Thirsty Thursday's With Vicki Live

If The Shoe Fits...

Now that the warm weather has arrived I've not only been doing my research on what clothes I want to buy for the spring season, but also what shoe trends I should be on the look out for to go with my fab new spring outfits.


 When I purchase my shoes I look for a shoe that is great quality but stays within my budget, and can be worn for day and night night activities. I try to find styles that are trendy, comfortable, and fit my fashion sense. 


Before purchasing a brand new pair of shoes, I take a look through my closet, and figure out what type, color, and material of shoe would work best with my wardrobe. I like to research different retailer's websites such as: DSW, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, or Macy's to see what kind of trends are hot for the season, and what type of deals/promotions each retailer has for the moment. I like to also read customer's reviews, and how they rate a pair of shoes. But the best way to know if a shoe is really for me, is I try it on at the actual retailer's store. I always take a lap or two around the store to see if the shoe fits comfortably. 

Here are some of the women's shoe trends for Spring/Summer 2012 I will be on the look out for this season:


Espadrilles

Splendid Sandals-Kutie Ankle Strap Wedge
Bloomingdales.com

Coach Charla High Wedge with Ankle Strap
Bloomingdales.com

DV Volce Vita Wedges-Tulle Woven Strappy
Bloomingdales.com

Lady Like

Ivanka Trump Pumps
Bloomingdales.com

Kate Spade New York-Espadrilles
Bloomingdales.com

Joan & David Pumps-Quella Platform
Bloomingdales.com

Bright Color

Sam Edelman Sandals-Taryn
Bloomingdales.com

Tory Burch "Miller" Thong
Bloomingdales.com

Aqua Sandals-Silvia Platform
Bloomingdales.com

I don't know who invented the high heel, but all men owe him a lot.  ~Marilyn Monroe 


Happy Thirsty Thursday & Have A Happy St.Patty's Day Weekend! Let the Madness Begin!

Wacky Wednesdays with Jenbiff

Paris Fashion Week

Everyone knows that Paris Fashion Week is the biggest of all the Fashion Weeks...and while New York is a close second and may be bigger soon, in my mind Paris will always be bigger. (But in all seriousness, how can you say one is bigger than the other when they all have different designers!) . Now I mentioned that I had a hard time picking favs of the past Fashion Weeks, well this was reallllllllly difficult. But here are my favorite 3:

Valentino

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but I'm obsessed with leather recently. And I love mixing textures, so this line def is a win in my book. I also love how simple it is! Let me show you my fav looks:

Elie Saab

I loved everything about this. Everything is so sleek, feminine and beautiful. I would put a picture of everything that came out in the runway if I could!

Collette Dinnigan

Lace tops, dresses, and skirts; feminine silhouettes, feathers and sparkle! Do I need to say more??

Other designers to check out:

Comme de Garcon

Roland Mouret

Christian Dior

Givenchy

Alexander McQueen
Chanel
John Galliano

*All Photos are from WWD.com

Quote of the Week: "I can taste the tension like a cloud of smoke in the air 
Now I'm breathing like I'm running cause you're taking me there 
Don't you know...you spin me out of control
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
We can do this all night 
 Damn this love is skin tight
Baby come on"
Last Weeks Answer: Earnest Hemingway

KM Explains it All!

PLL Has Consumed My Life...


Pretty much all of us except Vicki watch the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars and we're all absolutely OBSESSED!  It's coming to the end of the second season and a huge part of the show is going to be revealed next week.  For those of you who don't watch it, PLL is a show about four girls who are being tormented by a mysterious character, A, who also tormented their deceased friend, Alison.  Not only is the show unbelievably tense and full of suspense, but it also has some great fashion in it.  We're always talking about wishing that we had some of the characters wardrobes.

 Aria (I'd wear anything she's worn):  Her style is a bit more funky than the rest and her style choices are a bit more risky.

 Emily:  Her style is much more comfortable and easy going.

 Hanna:  Her style is very girly and more of an "It Girl" kind of look. 

Spencer:  She has a very preppy look but has worn some very...interesting?  sweaters...one involved horses...

The fashion is one reason I watch the show but more importantly it's one giant WHO DONE IT mystery.  Who killed Alison?  Who's A?  Is A who killed Alison?  Ever since the first episode I've been trying to figure out the answers to these questions and next week it will finally happen!  I can barely contain my excitement!  For those of you who watch the show my top A suspects are:

1.  Lucas (he's been MIA for many episodes and hated Alison with a passion)

2.  Melissa (Alison was dating the same boy as Melissa and Melissa is just plain ol' crazy bananas but she is a very obvious choice)

3.  Jenna (she became blind after an incident with the little liars and Alison so she has plenty of reason for revenge)

4.  Ezra (I just think it would be hilarious if it ended up being someone completely out of left field like this)

5.  Noel (Alison put an end to every relationship he's had and he was also turned down by Aria after she chose Ezra over him)

5.  A group of these people...possibly including other characters on the show that happen to be a part of A's evil escapades!

Tune in to the season finale of Pretty Little Liars on Monday at 8pm to find out and check back here next week to hear my thoughts on the finale (just a word of caution, if it is Melissa be prepared for a rant...).  I'm also going to share with you a fabulous recipe for cookie dough dip which will be served while my friends and I watch the finale!

Do you watch Pretty Little Liars?  Who do you think A is?  Let me know!