Band Wagon

Well, just go ahead and put me on the band wagon.  Wait, no ... I'm actually leading the charge.  I am head over heals obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy!  I heard all about it from friends but just caved this week to read the first book.  Boy oh boy, I sure am glad I did.  It's a real page turner (or ereader flipper!). 

I am pretty sure that is the fastest I've ever read a single book and I just couldn't stop thinking about what our heroine Katniss was going to do next.  Absolutely, LOVE this book.

If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up before you go see the movie!  You won't be able to put it down!  Take it from someone who prides herself on minimum fiction reading - this will not dissappoint.  It is worth every ounce of hype it has received!

Claim To Fame

It's one of those random things that comes up at cocktail parties ... how someone's cousin's boyfriend's friends know a celebrity and had some juicy gossip to share.  Or maybe it's that random happening of a brush with stardom in an airport (a la my cross country flight with drunk Eddie Money as a seat mate), but these are the interesting sidebar conversations that add a little interest to the everyday. 

This weekend while in Philly with my wonderful inlaws, my dear MIL told me that she recently sold a cavalier to Project Runway finalist Laura Bennett.  For background, MIL breeds and shows Cavalier King Charles spaniels.  Laura's little pup is the same tri-color breed as my diva dogs (but couldn't possibly be as cute).  MIL shared that Laura was a great lady and how much she enjoyed meeting her and working with her.  MIL said that Laura came to their house in Philly a few times over the past few months and now Laura, her big family of eight and their new furry addition are happily settling in in her NYC digs.

For those that can't quite place Laura, she was the firey red head from Season 3 of the hit show Project Runway.  Her designs are mostly conservative and she tends to focus on evening wear, but has had huge success with a private label brand with QVC.  Last year, she authored the book Didn't I Feed You Yesterday? A Mother's Guide to Sanity in Stilettos.  As a firm believer in super high heels (yes, still even at 7 months preggo), I have to say "Amen, sister!" and cannot wait to download this and read it asap! 

And last random Project Runway / Laura Bennett tie in, the next Season of Project Runway is casting in NYC in just a few weeks!  So, stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

~charmed b

Book Club

Every summer, I have the wonderful opportunity to go on a girl’s beach trip with some of my besties.  Priorities set in the moment our toes hit the sand.  Cool cocktail in hand, each of us sets our chair on the water’s edge and whip out our reading material du jour.  My selections are consistently mocked:  Entrepreneur Magazine, Fortune, Business Week and whatever business book has topped the chart at the moment.  Productive and educational … yes, relaxing … no.

Thanks to those wonderful trips with my besties, I’ve resolved myself to reading more fiction.  For those that know me well, I’m a productive person and so I have rationalized this as a way to stay balanced.  I try to fit a fiction read into my rotation of purposeful reading; whatever the latest cult phenomenon I hear all of my friends and neighbors chatting about or whatever Oprah recommends (I’d do most anything for dear Oprah!).   

I’ve found that I actually enjoy the brief escape to fiction land and enjoy absorbing the details of these books.  So much so, that I’ve begged my way into a book club.  Yes, begged.  When I expressed interest, bestie P’s response was “but you only read that boring stuff”.  I had to prove that she was wrong.  So I immediately picked up the monthly selection and began my reading journey. 

To my surprise, this month’s selection was an extremely easy read and I absolutely enjoyed reading it.  Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen is an entertaining story of one man’s reflection on his life lived, unlikely friendships made and the loves of his life.  Surprisingly, it made me reflect on my relationship with my Nana and all the questions I had for her and the stories I’m sure she and other 91 year olds could tell us young folks if we would just take the time to listen.

The other secret bonus of being in a book club is that there’s a theme party with each read!  Ya’ll know I’m a fan of parties so I can’t wait for our monthly meet and greet to discuss this book!

P.S. - I'm so excited that the movie is opening next month and it's starring dear Reese Witherspoon!  It's a definite must see for sure!

~ charmed b