Wednesday 30 May 2018

My Summer 2018 Reading List


With summer fast approaching, I thought that I would share my summer 2018 reading list. I’m someone who can read a novel a day, so trust me – there’s lots of books I can’t wait to read. I shared Reese Witherspoon’s reading list in a links and loves a few weeks ago. I loved her list but unfortunately mine isn’t nearly as cool as hers.


To start with a reading list inspired by Reese Witherspoon, I thought that it was more than fitting to share her upcoming coffee table book, Whiskey in a Teacup! I’ve loved Reese Witherspoon since I saw her in Legally Blonde then Sweet Home Alabama. From the images on Amazon, her book seems like a great resource for all things southern – from hot rollers to cheddar biscuits! Unfortunately the book isn’t set to release until four days before summer ends, however, I know I’ll be first in line to check it out! (P.S. it is available now to pre-order!)


As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I would be hooked on the idea! It’s a fiction novel based on a woman named Margaret Jacobsen. Margaret is living the picture perfect life, but everything she’s looking forward to in the future is soon to be taken away from her. It has nothing but high praises, including one that states: “If you read just one book this year, read How to Walk Away”.


I have loved Jodi Picoult since reading My Sister’s Keeper and Nineteen Minutes when I was 16/17. I keep looking at Small Great Things but keep putting it down. This summer, I’m determined to read it. It’s about a young couple who have a baby but ask that their nurse, Ruth, be reassigned as she is coloured and they are white supremacists. Although the hospital complies, it runs into a situation when they baby goes into cardiac arrest while Ruth performs CPR. After performing the CPR, Ruth faces trial where she has a public defender who wants nothing to do with bringing race into the courtroom. As usual, Jodi Picoult’s books are page turners full of twists and I for one cannot wait to read this.


Since I work with seniors, my friend bought me The Little Old Lady Who Broke All The Rules and The Little Old Lady Strikes Again for my birthday one year. I died laughing. And now there’s a third book! Essentially, all three books are about a group of ladies called “The League of Pensioners” with Martha, the leader. They’re based out of Switzerland and in each novel, they rob a bank then travel to somewhere to enjoy their retirement. In this book, they plan to cheat billionaires out of their luxury yachts in Saint-Tropez. These books are a lighter read but an absolute blast!


I loved The Office and I loved Jenna Fischer as the infamous Pam Beasley. For those who didn’t know, Jenna Fischer is on a new show called Splitting Up Together and I’m hooked on it, too! This autobiography is about how Jenna Fischer when from a 22 year old theatre graduate to a 30 year old star of The Office. Plus there’s a foreword by Steve Carrell and I loved him in so many great things. This book is great if you loved Mindy Kaling’s books – her first one has many trials and tribulations about The Office, too.


This book seems like the perfect easy summer read with a lot of high ratings. Eleanor Oliphant struggles with social skills and tends to speak her mind. Eleanor has her life perfectly time lined including frozen pizza, vodka and phone dates with her mom. Everything changes for her though when she meets Raymond, an IT guy from her office. Together, Eleanor and Raymond save their elderly neighbour when he falls. Thus leading to the three of them rescuing one another from the lives they’ve been living, all isolated.


I’ve read repeatedly that this book is relatively short, which is cool by me. Quite often, I enjoy a shorter book like Milk and Honey or The Sun and Her Flowers. This book is an expansion of a speech Lauren Graham in 2017 at her old high school’s commencement ceremony. This book is reflections of growing up, pursuing your dreams and living your life in the here and now. One quote that stands out in the synopsis of this book is:
“Whatever path you choose, whatever career you decide to go after, the important thing is that you keep finding joy in what you’re doing, especially when joy isn’t finding you.”

If you want to save this post to Pinterest (which I’ll love you forever if you do!), here is a Pinterest friendly photo:



Monday 28 May 2018

Links + Loves

Happy Monday everyone! And happy Memorial Day to my American readers!

Friday 25 May 2018

25 Indie Party Songs



If you’re anything like me, you dread the idea of how many times you’re going to hear God’s Plan, Psycho or any other top 40 hits all summer long. Therefore I thought I would share some great party tunes to carry you throughout the summer.

With Memorial Day weekend coming up for my American readers plus about to hit the most beautiful weather, this playlist is definitely great and will never go out of style. Hence the Chili Peppers and Fatboy Slim. One thing that I also love about this playlist is that there’s minimal explicative lyrics so you don’t have to worry about children hearing words they shouldn’t or grandma getting offended!  

P.s. for whatever reason, the picture is blurry in mobile view but if you click the actual picture it’s clear and easier to read! I’m so sorry, I have no idea what happened there.

Let me know in the comments what your summer party playlist consists of! I love hearing new music ideas.

Wednesday 23 May 2018

Reitmans Summer Try On


I feel like most Canadian girls have shopped at Reitmans, or one of their umbrella stores, at least once in their lives.

Monday 21 May 2018

links + loves


Happy Monday! Hope the long weekend treated my Canadian readers great!

Friday 18 May 2018

Under $25 Wish List!


I have a mild obsession with finding a good deal. That’s just me. That’s where Amazon comes into play. There’s so many great things for such a great price. I could honestly spend 12 hours a day looking at things on Amazon; which is why so many items on this list are from Amazon!
With my 25th birthday coming up, I thought why not share some things I’m loving too as a birthday wish list. I remember reading Kathrine’s post last month and falling in love with it. Although I don’t expect gifts from anyone, sometimes I find it fun to create lists like this!
On another completely off topic subject, I have fallen in love with Spensha Baker’s music from The Voice. I have had her cover of My Church on repeat since Saturday.

Wednesday 16 May 2018

Old Navy Mini Try On Haul + Wish List


I’ve legitimately had this sitting as a draft for over a week now! Don’t ask me why.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I’m obsessed with Old Navy. The price points are great, the quality is good for price and they have something for everything! Last week, I had to sneak over to my local Old Navy to try on the chambray shorts. I fell in love with the midi dress below, too.

The only thing that I had an issue with was the sizing in the shorts! Holy! I do typically remember their shorts fitting kind of awkward so I grabbed a size bigger than I wear in Pixie pants. They wouldn’t even do up. One day maybe I’ll share the picture of that adventure on the blog but for today, I decided that I would focus on the pluses of Old Navy’s summer line.
Update: I lied. I posted it on my Oliver & Moose Instagram.

Also just for reference – I’m an apple body shape and typically wear an 8-10 in pants and a large in tops! The shorts and top were both size large, as was the dress.



Monday 14 May 2018

Links + Loves


Happy Monday!

Wednesday 9 May 2018

101 of the Best Gluten-Free Summer Recipes

Before I get into this post, I needed to add – I upgraded my phone on Monday morning to an iPhone 8 and I’m obsessed with the quality of the camera on it! I definitely will be starting to post more day-to-day pictures on the blog in the coming days (starting with today, actually).

I think I’ve said this about ten times over the past year on the blog but I love recipe round ups. I haven’t done one since January though!

As the weather gets warmer, I’m starting to appreciate salads more and more. I find with the hot weather that starchy foods just make me feel “blah”. I also wanted to share two recipes that I love for summer!
My new obsession is one of the premade salad bags with iceberg lettuce, either BBQ chicken or ground beef, a bit of cheese and either ranch or thousand island dressing. The ground beef and thousand island mix tastes like a Big Mac! So good!
One of my recent salads!

My second recent summer obsession is roasting a cauliflower on the BBQ! So simple and the most perfect side. I take an entire cauliflower head, rub olive oil and seasonings of choice and put it on the BBQ, head up.
Cauliflower on the BBQ with some chipotle seasoning & black pepper
After 40 minutes on the BBQ with my chicken breasts

Today I’m sharing 101 gluten free summer recipes. Perfect for low key relaxing evenings or great for BBQs, too.

Main Courses

Avocado Chicken Salad (would be great on a bed of lettuce or some gluten free bread!)

Side Dishes

Desserts


Cocktails & Other Drinks


Let me know in the comments below what your go-to summer recipe is + what recipe you’re wanting to try from the list!

Monday 7 May 2018

links + loves


Happy Monday!

Friday 4 May 2018

Home Vision Boards


I’m sitting here writing this embarrassingly in advanced. While listening to Holocene on repeat after it being stuck in my head for the past 48 hours. 

Wednesday 2 May 2018

May 2018 Wish List



It finally feels like summer is here! Kind of.