Monday Favorites #2

Hello, again beautiful blog readers! Sorry I have been MIA for so long. It has been a crazy couple of weeks!

I had every intention of posting a real blog last week. Then, the RAIN started. And I mean ark inspiring, flood inducing, basement soaking rain. We woke up Thursday to a good inch of water on our lower level. Since we have a split level, our lower level is another living area...like a walk-out basement. So, the carpet was completely ruined (and now ripped up), we have one wall needing replaced, and we are missing a few tacky pieces of furniture (read: particle board stuff we had in college). We are annoyed by all of this, and by the huge bill for new porcelain tile, but are SO thankful that it was not worse. There are some people here who have completely lost their homes, and they are evacuating even more. So scary. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are still feeling the effects of this huge storm and subsequent flood.

But, that's enough excuses, right? Let's get down to what you REALLY came here for - Monday Favorites! Woohoo! I have become a HUGE CRAZY online shopper as of late!! I wrote about some of my favorite online jewelry retailers in my first Monday favorites. You can look back for links to Everyday Icing and Charles Emerson Designs here.

Today's favorites has a theme - my favorite (ever, of all time, always) FLASH SALE sites!! People are always asking where I got some cute and unique piece of clothing or jewelry. So, it's time to share my best kept secrets! Here are just a few of my MOST favorites!

• VeryJane - I am insanely in love with the amazing deals I get from this flash sale site. This is honestly where I get 70% of my jewelry, some of my clothes, and almost ALL of my baby shower gifts! Totally worth signing up and checking out their daily deal email every morning.  This is probably one of the best sites for any of you chic mommas looking for adorable baby gear! Such a variety and great prices!

• GroopDealz - This is where I get a lot of my other jewelry. I think Groop Dealz has more trendy jewelry, whereas Very Jane has a lot of classic, staple pieces. But, they both have amazing things! I love that Groop Dealz sometimes sends more than one "daily boutique deals" email (which I sometimes delete without even reading, just to keep me from emptying my bank account on four colors of Wilma necklaces and $3 statement bubble necklaces)!

• Brickyard Buffalo - These lovely folks are probably the most high end of my favorite flash sale sites. Things can get pricey here, but the quality is amazing, and they are so completely worth every penny! Right now, I have my eye on a wooden mounted deer head in a natural wood color. So insanely cute and trendy! I have also ordered jewelry from them - I know, go figure, right? I love the mint and gold enamel link bracelet I got from them earlier this week.

• Screaming Owl - Screaming Owl is definitely geared toward mommas! They don't have as many items, and most are mom or baby themed. You can also purchase just one item at time, which keeps their costs lower. That scared me at first. But, it hasn't prevented me from ordering literally EVERY color of their adorable bubble bracelets...because they were on sale for $3.99!!! Seriously? And, I just ordered two chevron headbands for a couple of my friends' baby girls because they were FREE! I just paid shipping. Uh-Maze-Zing!

For reference, I am also a complete Etsy addict, am in love with Zulily, and can't get enough of thrift stores (including Goodwill) and antique malls. I love to shop at Aldi because getting a deal makes me excited, and I shop the Bergner's yellow dot sales like a boss! Can ya tell I love deals?!

I hope these get you as addicted as me...because let's be honest. Your wardrobe and jewelry box will thank me! So will your checking account (and maybe even your husband?) when it realizes how much more money is in it after a shopping binge!

Good night and happy shopping, loves!

So sorry!

I've been away for too long!! And, I'm even posting this from my phone. (Read: please excuse my horrible auto-correction spelling errors!)

Crazy storms mean spotty Internet tonight...so, no involved post like I had planned. Just an update to say sorry I've been neglecting you all, and be prepared for a REAL post tomorrow about one of my favorite things...flash sales! Can't wait!!

It's a BEAUTIFUL Day!!

It has been a GORGEOUS weekend here in Illinois! Spring has officially arrived, and I have smelled rain and a charcoal grill in the same weekend! Amazing! I have given myself an adorable mint and hot pink pedi, and cannot WAIT to wear more sandals...I loathe shoes and socks!

Friday and Saturday night were amazing! Hubby and the pup went to bed early, and I laid out on the couch with the kitty girls reading. But, the windows were open, a cool breeze was blowing, the rain was falling, and I was snuggled up with my pillow, a blanket, and my iPad. I'm telling you...the most wonderful way to welcome spring EVER!! It was so relaxing to lay in a quiet house and read. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for hubby, the television would have remained off ALL WEEKEND...who knew I was capable of that?! Ha!

If you know me at all, you know that I am an AVID reader. I will read just about anything (fiction), and once I get into a good book, don't expect me to talk to you or catch up on my DVR for a couple of days. If I have the time, and a book is really good, I will most likely finish it in two days - obsessive insanity! Because I tend to read so quickly, I have stopped buying hard copy books, and just use the Kindle app for the iPad. Books on Amazon are MUCH cheaper than paper versions, and quite honestly, I was sick of investing money in new book shelves every 4-6 months.

People ask how I read so quickly, and my answer is fairly simple. One, I LOVE to read. I am pretty sure I inherited this from my Gram (my mom's mom), as she was an avid reader also. Two, when I read, it's the same as watching a movie. I see everything in such amazing detail that I can get lost in someone else's world for a bit. And three, I have no children - lots of free time, people!

All that being said, I am also constantly asked about what books I would recommend, and what I have been reading lately. So, this will be my first "book review" on the blog! These are not "official" reviews - more like me sharing the plots of books I have recently read, and whether I liked them! The titles/authors are links to the books in the Amazon Kindle store, so if you're on a device that can download, and any of these sound good to you, download away!

I tend to be into "romance-y" type novels right now, so be warned...most of these books have "mature" (read: ADULT) content in varying degrees and levels of detail (if ya catch my drift).

And here is it - SPOILER ALERT! I will try not to give too much away, but let's face it - book reviews often include a couple of spoilers for the plots. So, if that is a turn off to you, stop reading now!

Here are my top three books from the last few months:

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski - This story brought me to TEARS! It was such an amazing emotional journey for both of the main characters (Cam and Andrew). They are both facing some pretty heavy changes in their lives - including death, growing up, and love. I loved that I could really see the changes and growth in them by the end of their story. I was completely lost in this one while I was reading it!

The best part is...the author is writing book two of this series! Woohoo! I have already pre-ordered it for my iPad through Amazon, and cannot WAIT to start reading it when it comes out! The sequel is called The Edge of Always, and is set to be released November 5, 2013.


Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder - Another tear jerker! This book literally had me near sobbing at some points. It was so well written, and you could feel the pain of the main character (Nell) as she experiences one of the most heartbreaking, tragic events anyone can go through. Her guilt, fear, and pain over the course of the story are easy to experience right along with her. The comfort that she seeks in the other main character (Colton) is so heartfelt and poignant. Again, I was completely consumed by the world this author created, and barely came up for air while reading this one!

The author has said she is coming out with a sequel, but it will read more like a parallel story - what other characters we know from the first book were going through while Nell and Colton were feeling the tragedy. It is said to be coming out in late summer of 2013. More updates on this soon, I hope!


Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens - This was one I read because it's what my book club was reading. The plot sounded like something I would like, based on the Amazon description, so I was perfectly fine to read it. (I also like long books since I am a quick reader - and this one was PLENTY long. Love!) 

Once I started reading, I was HOOKED! Could. Not. Put. This. One. Down. I am not even sure what exactly I can say about this book without giving everything away and launching into an obnoxious, rambling synopsis of the entire plot and cast of characters. 

The characters (all of them, not just the main ones) were amazing, and one of the male main characters - a local rock star named Kellan - SWOON! Pheeew, ladies! He is a hot one! If you read any of the three of these books I have talked about, read THIS ONE!

I am pretty excited that there are two more in this series - Effortless (book 2) and Reckless (book 3) - and that I am guessing we will read them in book club. I have refrained from reading the two sequels since I don't want to get ahead, but I am dying to read them both! Once I do, an update will ensue!



I think I will now go off for some more reading and general enjoyment of this gorgeous weather (reading outside, anyone?!). Let me know if you read any of these books, and what you think of them once you do! Final note - be prepared for a new look to Adventures soon! So excited!

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, lovelies!

Happy ((Belated)) Easter

Hello blog world! It's been a bit since I've updated, but the hubby and I have been busy with Easter! We don't currently live in either of our hometowns, so there is always travel involved in our holidays. With the puppy, you'd think we were packing for a newborn...who knew an 8-month old Shih Tzu puppy required so many things?!

Hubby and I enjoyed a nice trip back to visit my family for Easter. We got to meet the newest addition to the family - my cousin's little one! He was so sweet...and his festive outfit was complete with bunny ears and a little cotton tail - in love! It was great to see everyone. I wish we could all get together as a family more often, but with distance and busy schedules, it's not always easy getting us all in one place!

We are back home now, and have tried to spend our past few evenings relaxing! I always miss having weekends at home. For some reason, I am never more relaxed than I am in my own home, on my own couch, watching my own television, surrounded by my own pets! Home really is where the heart is I guess!

I posted a while back about being on Bloglovin', but the link stopped working. So...here is a new link to find my little blog on Bloglovin', in case you want to follow me along with your other favorite blogs! Click here to follow Adventures of a Connell on Bloglovin!


Mondays can always bring me down a little bit (mostly because I want nothing more on  than to stay in bed until noon! for just ONE more day), so I thought I would start a semi-weekly Monday tradition on the blog to raise our spirits - Monday Favorites! Here are a few of my favorite things from the last few weeks!

• Everyday Icing Accessory Auctions - This is an amazing company that does Facebook auction style sales of the most adorable jewelry and accessories every Monday night at 9pm EST/8pm CST! If you are looking for some trendy, affordable pieces for the spring, check them out!
• Charles Emerson Designs - Another online source for trendy, fashionable jewelry at amazing prices! I'm obsessed with The Abigail! So cute!
• Brownie Refrigerator Cake - My aunt made this for Easter, and it was absolutely delicious! I just finished up the last of our "to go" order of this tonight, and it was just as good! So chocolately and fudgy, but light too!
• New Girl - At first, I thought this show wasn't  funny...I had high hopes, but Jess was just a little too weird for me. But, after a couple of episodes, it has grown on me and is now my absolute favorite comedy on television. So hysterical...my stomach hurts from laughing after every episode! I you haven't seen this show yet, set your DVR - you'll thank me later!
• Little Baby Garvin - Probably my most favorite blog ever! I don't even have a kiddo of my own yet, but I dream of one day being one tenth as amazing as Jessica, who writes this incredible blog! She is completely hilarious, has the best ideas, is an amazing momma, and has the most gorgeous baby girl to boot! I read her new posts every morning...they make my day!

I hope those favorites give you all a place to start, and that maybe some of my favorites can become yours, too!

I am off to update my iTunes, since my iPhone officially ran out of memory today! I have learned three things from this dilemma:

1. Take less pictures with my iPhone! We DO have a camera...why don't I ever just USE it?!
2. Always keep iTunes updated. If you don't, it will take about 45 minutes you don't have to update.
3. When purchasing a new iPhone, don't be cheap - pay the extra $100 to have double the memory! (Oops!)