JaToya Reviews: Barbara Taylor Sissel, Evidence of Life

Summary:

On the last ordinary day of her life, Abby Bennett feels like the luckiest woman alive. But everyone knows that luck doesn't last forever.… As her husband, Nick, and daughter, Lindsey, embark on a weekend camping trip to the Texas Hill Country, Abby looks forward to having some quiet time to herself. She braids Lindsey's hair, reminds Nick to drive safely and kisses them both goodbye. For a brief moment, Abby thinks she has it all—a perfect marriage, a perfect life—until a devastating storm rips through the region, and her family vanishes without a trace.

When Nick and Lindsey are presumed dead, lost in the raging waters, Abby refuses to give up hope. Consumed by grief and clinging to her belief that her family is still alive, she sets out to find them. But as disturbing clues begin to surface, Abby realizes that the truth may be far more sinister than she imagined. Soon she finds herself caught in a current of lies that threaten to unhinge her and challenge everything she once believed about her marriage and family.

With a voice that resonates with stunning clarity, Barbara Taylor Sissel delivers a taut and chilling mystery about a mother's love, a wife's obsession and the invisible fractures that can shatter a family.

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My Review:

I have to be honest. I've had this book awhile and I just got around to reading it. Then when I decided to read it, I started the first chapter and put it down for like a month. It wasn't that I didn't find the book interesting, I just wasn't in the mood to read it. It started off slow. It was hard for me to get into. Then it did pick back up and I was able to read it in a day. I loved the mystery and the suspense. There were some parts that were a little boring but wanting to find out what happened to Nick and Lindsey kept me reading. I wanted to know. I had to know. I found the main character Abby to be relatable. I feel she did what any mother and wife would do if they were ever in her situation. I did however find her to be really naive, especially for a woman her age. I also didn't understand why everyone around her treated her almost like a child. They felt the need to protect her from the truth. As for "the truth", I did have my own theories but they turned out to be wrong. Part of me wishes something else would have happened, but it didn't. For me it wasn't predictable or maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention but I digress. I did think the story just ended abruptly and that's my biggest pet peeve. I would have liked a better explanation and what really happened to Nick and Lindsey (how it happened rather) just felt a little stupid. Like I said, there were things in the story that should have been explained better. It was like out of all the things that could have happened the author chose the one that I felt was the most preventable if that makes sense. There was suspense, it kept me guessing, and I wanted more. I do recommend this book, but it wasn't my favorite by any means. It was a good way to pass the time and I was entertained for the most part. There are better books out there, but it wasn't a total waste of time. 

JaToya Reviews: Elizabeth Scott, Living Dead Girl

Summary:

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was. 

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends -- her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over. 

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her. 

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

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My Review:

The way this book is written is unlike any other novel I've personally read before. It's interesting and it makes the story different. It took some getting used to but it also makes the book a very fast read. I finished it in less than a day simply because I couldn't put it down. It's disturbing, heartbreaking, and it's hard to read. Don't think it's hard to read because of the writing, it's hard to read due to the subject. It's never easy to read about child abduction. It's never easy to read about the way a child suffers, but that's were Scott is brilliant. The way she wrote the story makes you want to keep reading although it may be hard to at times. I felt said and mad. I cried because like I said, this story is heartbreaking. I was also left with a question. The ending of this book is one that can be interpreted in a number of ways. I reread the ending and to me it is brilliant (I keep using that word, sorry). For me, I love when things aren't so clear cut and you have to draw your own conclusions. After I finished the book, I was a crying mess but I immediately wanted my mom to read it because I love getting different perspectives on books and discussing them. If you've reading this, let me know what you thought of it. I recommend this book. It's a fast read, but it's not boring. I have read parts of it again and it still makes me feel something. It's worth reading for yourself, I don't think you'll regret it. 

Supplies to keep in handy for plants

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Here are a few things I always have around that help me take care of my plants.

Vinegar.

I always have either apple cider vinegar or regular white vinegar around. It can be used as a trap for fungus gnats expecially when it's mixed with liquid soap.

Alcohol.

Alcohol is great for getting rid of spider mites.

Spray bottles.

I have several spray bottles on hand at all times. I have one filled with regular water that I use to mist my plants. Another one is filled with a liquid soap and water mixture, which is great for gnats as well as spider mites. Then I have one that is filled with a water and peroxide mixture, for gnats as well.

Rainwater.

I collect rainwater anytime it rains. I love watering my plants with it.

Epson salt.

I water my plants with Epson salt once a month and they love it. It's also good to mix with soil and you can sprinkle it on the top of your plant's soil. 

These are the things I always have that keep my plants healthy and pest free. 

Houseplant Pests

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Houseplant fungus gnats are a problem. I have dealt with them because before I knew what I was doing, I watered my plants like crazy. Fungus gnats love that stuff. Soon they were everywhere and I had no clue what to do. There are still a few left, but thank God, they're not a huge problem anymore. Even though there are so many resources online, I wanted to share with you what I did and the things I continue to do to get rid of those disgusting gnats.

Don't overwater.

In fact, I let my plants completely dry out. The plants I have can handle it but if yours can't, let them dry out for as long as they can.

Water with this.

I actually use glass watering bulbs to water my plants. Some people are against it, but they work for me. So when it was time to water my plants I watered with this:

4 drops of liquid dish soap

4 cups of water

I water with this every other time 

1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide

4 cups water

This works as well. If I do this, I water with it every other time.

Both of these mixtures will kill gnats living in the soil over time. 

Also spider mites can be a problem with some plants. I have a jade plant that had them and this is what I did.

Spider mites unlike fungus gnats don't like when the soil is dry. I make sure my plants soil isn't dry, but I make sure to never over water.

I also spray with water every other day because humidity is not a spider mites friend. Also spraying with water dislodges them from a plants stem.

If I see and webs I take either a cotton swab or cotton pad with alcohol and rub the plants leaves. I make sure to do this only once a week until there are no more mites.
I also spray my jade plant with a mixture of soap and water. I leave it on for two to three hours then rinse it off with a spray of plain water.

Remember, getting rid of any houseplant pest takes time. Be persistent and also be patient.

JaToya Reviews: Tracey Garvis Graves, On the Island

Summary:

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.
T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments -- instead of his friends. 
Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.
Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

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My Review:

I didn't 100% enjoy this book. That's not saying it's not a good book, I just didn't thoroughly enjoy it. There were some good parts but it was just meh for me. It was okay. The part I did enjoy was the survival stuck on an island part of it. I loved the book Hatchet so that part was interesting to me. The romantic part, not so much. I just can't get with the fact that Anna fell in love with TJ when he was 16 or maybe it was 17. I could understand how it could maybe happen, but nevertheless it just creeped me out. It threw the whole book off for me. I does however put a different perspective on how these things happen, but still. I just didn't like it. So do I recommend this book, yes and no. There may be some people who would enjoy it, but my honest opinion is this book was a waste of money.

JaToya Reviews: Laura Spinella, Beautiful Disaster

Summary:

Mia Wells's eco-friendly career goals are about to become a reality-but her life-altering moment is interrupted when an unexpected call ushers in her tremulous past. A man who's never left Mia's memory: Flynn, the enigmatic, passionate man whose disappearance broke her heart, has mysteriously resurfaced. 

Now back in her life and in the hospital, Flynn is gravely injured. Mia keeps a bedside vigil-terrified that he will die, awestruck at the prospect of his survival. In a story filled with sweetness and suspense, Mia's what-ifs are endless. And Flynn's return ignites an achingly powerful tale about the most enduring love, one that is greater than honor, or friendship, or the passing of time.

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My Review:

I'm just going to go ahead and say it, this is by far my favorite book I've ever read. Its tied with another book I haven't reviewed yet so it's a secret for now. I've read it so many times I've lost count. When I can read a book over and still love it as much as I did the first time, that's how I know it's a good one. This is a romance novel at it's core, but to me it's so much more than that. It's a story of love, but it's also a story of strength. It's a story of faith and just how far faith in someone can go. It makes you think and you start to put yourself in the shoes of the main characters Mia and Flynn. It makes you wonder how it feels to be that in love with someone and to know it from the moment you meet. The love they have for each other is beautiful. There's no other way to describe it. It's beautiful and it's real and it stood the test of time. My mind is all over the place, but just read it, that's all I can say. But we have to talk about Flynn; the main male character. He is probably my favorite character out of all the books I've read. I loved him and because I did, I understood why Mia did as well. I even named one of my plants after him (that's another story). I loved him even though he was flawed, they both were. A book like this (excuse the dramatics) makes you believe in love and how strong it can be when it's right. I have to mention Mia's best friend Roxanne. Hate is a strong word and one I don't like to use, but I hated her. I will say that even though my feelings towards her were strong and not in a good way, I understood her. I understood what drove her to do the things that she did. So if you couldn't already tell by now, I highly recommend this book. I think if you love romance mixed with a little drama and maybe some mystery then this book is right up your alley.

P.S. My review is not doing this book justice. Just read it!

Keeping plants alive

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I love plants. I've killed a couple but I've also kept the plants I have alive for quite some time. For me, it was all trial and error and of course research. Knowing what to do and what not to do is important, but it's also important to do what works for you. I don't do everything for my plants that I've read. I've taken things from here and there and also things that I know and I created my own routine. I've figured out what works for the plants I have so I'm sharing my tips with you. These are in no particular order.

Give them names.

This is something that not everyone does, but I like giving my plants names. I don't know why this matters (it probably doesn't), but I think that it's good for a plant to know that it's loved.

Talk to them, play music.

I talk to my plants. I play music for them. I give them encouragement to grow. I usually do this when I think about it, which isn't everyday.

Know when to water.

A general rule of thumb is to water when the first inch or two of the soil is dry. For some plants it's a little longer and for some it's shorter. I check all my plants once a week and if they're dry I water them. If not I wait a week. For my jade and snake plants, I don't check them every week because they don't need frequent watering. 

Have a schedule.

I check my plants on Friday morning. I like to have a set day to do this that way it's easier to keep track of. I always water in the morning.

Quick Tips:

(special things I do for my plants)

1. Water with rainwater.

2. Water once a month with 1 tablespoon of Epson salt mixed with one gallon of water.

3. Group plants together to increase humidity.

4. Mist with water every other day.

5. Rotate plants every day.

JaToya Reviews: Kristin Hannah, Firefly Lane

Summary:

In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all---beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.
From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success . . . and loneliness. 
Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend. . . .
For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship---jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart . . . and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you . . . and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget . . . one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

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My Review:

Okay can I start off by saying this book made me feel all the feels. All of them. I cried and I cried and I cried some more. This book is sad. Not all of it is said, but really it is so sad. It spans over a period of decades so it allows the reader to experience life with the two main characters Tully and Kate. It's a long read that took me a while to get into, but once I did there was no turning back. I enjoyed seeing the girls turn into women. I enjoyed reading about their problems and how their childhood shaped them. Neither of them were perfect and I found myself loving and hating parts about each woman. The thing I loved the most however is that even though they came from two different worlds, had two different personalities, and they had their differences; they always had each other's back. They were true best friends in every sense of the word and that to me is so beautiful and rare. I didn't agree with the way they handled some things (there was some betrayal) but that's what made the characters and the supporting ones real. They were relatable. Like I said, the book is sad but it is worth the tears. There is also a sequel that I can't bring myself to read because I loved this one so much, but it's on my list. If you're looking for a book to make you laugh, cry, think, and feel all while being entertaining, then this book is for you. I highly recommend. You can thank me later.

DIY Splatter Nails

It's #manimonday. I love doing my nails so on Monday (not every one) you can expect a post that's nail related. This time I'm showing you how I did this splatter, speckled, marbled (???) manicure. I saw a variation of this on Pinterest and I decided to make it my own. That's what I love about doing manicures at home, you can make them unique by choosing different colors.

What you'll need:

At least 2 different nail polish colors. *I used 4 (one as a base color and 3 for the splatter effect)

2 straws *I cut 2 straws in half because I worked with 4 colors

Top coat and base coat *Optional (I didn't use either for this look)

Cotton swabs *To clean up because it can get messy

Paper towel *To rest your hand on so nail polish doesn't get everywhere

Nail polish remover *Again to clean up

Step 1

Apply base coat (optional)

Step 2

Apply 2 coats of whatever color polish you've chosen as your base (I chose Essie Playdate)

Step 3

After both coats of your base color is dry, it's time to splatter. Lay your hand on a paper towel to prevent polish from getting every (a flat surface is ideal). Next, using a straw, dip one end into the color of your choice. Using the other end lightly blow into the straw to splatter the nail polish onto the nail. Repeat on all fingers.

*Optional

You can just use 1 color to splatter but I used 4. The process is the same. Just dip one end of the straw into the polish and blow into the other end. This creates the splatter effect. You can use as many colors as you want, but make sure to use a different straw for each.

Step 4

Clean up any polish that may have gotten on your cuticle with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

Step 5

*Optional

Apply top coat to seal in the design and allow to dry.

Step 6

Enjoy your work!

I think this looks really cool and I love that each nail is different. I can't wait to try this with different colors. Hope you enjoy!

*There may be other tutorials like this elsewhere. I am aware that I didn't "invent" this technique. I just thought it looked easy and I wanted to try it out for myself. 

Choosing a houseplant

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I'm no expert when it comes to houseplants. I just know what works for me. I've done research and since I have many of my own, I've kind of figured out what works for them. I do however have some tips that I've learned and things I do that have kept my plants healthy thus far. Here are some things I've learned along the way.

1. Know your living space.

It's important to know what kind of environment you live in. Does your space receive low light or bright light? Do you live in a humid area? A cold climate? All of these (and others I didn't mention) factor in when deciding what type of plant would best suit your space.

2. Do your research.

Before thinking about getting a plant you need to do your research. Find out what plants do well in low light. Find out which ones require little care or which ones are a little more high maintenance. Find out which ones are harder to kill (hello snake plants). It's so important to know what a plant needs so make sure you know before you buy.

3. Know the type of houseplant parent you'll be.

You know better than anyone the amount of time you have to care for a plant. All plants need some type of care. If you know that you don't have time to, then you might want to choose one that's low maintenance like a succulent. 

4. Choose a healthy plant.

When buying plants, there's nothing more important than buying a healthy one. That's where doing your research comes in. Knowing what a healthy plant looks like comes in handy. Make sure to check for dying leaves, pests, and other things that can make any houseplant you chose a bad one. You do not want to start off on the wrong foot. 

There are so many more things I could share but these are the basics. I hope this helps. 

Are you a settler??

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I'm somewhat of a settler. What I mean is that I settle. I settle with how things are and sometimes I don't expect them to get better. It's something that I'm working on because let's face it, it kind of sucks to be a settler. I mean settling is a bad thing, right? I'm so much a settler that I won't speak up even when I feel things aren't right. I'm talking in relationships and in my daily life. One example that comes to mind is the time I ordered a ring online. It was a ring that I really wanted so I was excited to get it. The ring is beautiful (I still have it) and I don't regret buying it. When it arrived at my house, the band of it had little indentations in the silver. It wasn't much, but looking back I was just satisfied with it not being the way I originally thought it was online. I could have (and I should have) just returned it and got another one, but because I'm just so much of a settler (not sure what else to call it) I just accepted the ring. Maybe not a good example but I think you get the gist. I'm not sure why I'm so comfortable with things the way they are, probably because I'm a little impatient. It's not a bad thing to be happy in good times as well as bad. I'm just saying that sometimes getting so comfortable with things when they're bad can lead you to never accept and expect things to be good. Or never even try to live the life you deserve simply because you're comfortable. Like I said, it's something I need to work on. I know that I'm worth so much more and that I (and you for that matter) should never settle. I don't care what is in life. Whether it be a ring you ordered online, a guy that you're not happy with, a job that you hate, or whatever. Settling just sounds so mediocre, and I don't want no mediocre.

What is something that you've settled on in life?

Pin-spiration Friday

It's Pin-spiration Friday! If you're new, this is where my obsession with Pinterest and my love for blooging meet. Here I share a few of my favorite pins from the past week and sometimes there's a theme. This week's theme is plants. Houseplants. Garden. Green. I'm obsessed. I plan to talk more about that next week, but for now you can follow my new instagram page dedicated to my plants here and you can always follow me on Pinterest here because I'm always pinning. Let's get started!

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I love everything about this picture from the hanging planters to the plant itself. If you're wondering its a donkey's or burros tail and I recently added one to my little collection.

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I have one word, OBSESSED. Okay I have a few more words, but I just love this. I have 3 snake plants in my collection, this photo makes me want even more!

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This is literally my dream.

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Succulents. Hot pink gravel. Enough said.

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I have 4 jade plants so I'm a kind of biased but I love them. They're so easy and practically indestructible. Also this diy vase is amazing!

That's all for this plant themed Pin-spiration Friday. Are any of you guys as obsessed with plants as I am? I can't be the only one. 

Have a great weekend guys!

Let's talk about...plants

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I want to start this off by saying I hope you guys are liking some of the changes I've made to le blog. I'm changing my content up a little and I'm going in a little bit of a different direction. My whole vision for this blog has changed drastically. Well maybe not drastically (that's me being all dramatic) but its changed. Things are still in the process of being perfected, but so far I'm liking it. Let me know if you are. So back to the subject at hand. The subject of plants. Houseplants. Succulents. That sort of thing. Over the past few months, I've become literally obsessed with plants. I'm not exactly sure how it started but the love is real. All I want to do is fill my space up with as many plants as possible. I love the way they look and not only that I enjoy taking care of them. I also enjoy, probably more than I should, going on Pinterest (you can see what I've been pinning here) and looking at all the plants and how people have decorated with them. I research how to take care of them and everything. I told you the love was real. I've even created an Instagram page (follow here) with my mom to showcase all our plants. I'm crazy, but there are worse things to be obsessed with. I thought that since plants are the new loves of my life I could incorporate them into my blog. If you're not into this stuff there will be plenty of other content, but that's just where my head is at right now. I've done so much research on how to choose the right plant for you, how to take care of it, and all that stuff. I'm somewhat of an expert, not really but I like to think I am. I want to share my knowledge with you all here cause we're friends. So let me know what you think, and if you think I'm crazy that's okay. I agree.

Don't take it personal

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Okay, let's just get it out of the way. I'm totally singing don't take it personal by Monica right now, it's in my head. I can't help it. But in all seriousness, don't take it personal (baby, personal baby). There's a quote (and I'm paraphrasing here) that says there's freedom in learning not to take everything personally. That is so true. I'm one of those people who takes everything personally, or at least I used to. I'm sensitive, but I also thought everything was about me. I thought this person is doing that just to get back at me or they're doing this because they know I hate it. That kind of thinking is so self centered and stupid and to be honest, I'm neither of those things. Don't ask me why I thought this way, I'm going to chalk it up to just being immature. It's amazing what a few years and life experiences can do for you. Back in college I had a string of bad roommates (we'll save that story for later). I'm talking messy, loud, partying, and disgusting roommates. We didn't get along because little old me was in college to study not to party, what a concept! Every last one of them would do things like leave dirty dishes in the sink for days, leave food out, leave clothes everywhere; you get my drift. I would always think that they were trying to annoying me or get back at me; that they were doing it intentionally. Who knows? Maybe they were, maybe they weren't. Maybe just maybe it wasn't about me at all and that was just who they were: slobs. Everything is not about me, it's not about you. People are going to do things that might make you mad and that you don't agree with, but I had to stop taking responsibility for what other people were doing. I had to take me out of the equation. Sure there are vengeful people out there that do things to get a rise out of other people, but again, that's not my problem. It's not personal and if it is, I have to stop taking it personally. There really is such freedom in that like you wouldn't believe. It's amazing to not let every little thing someone does get to you. When people would do things to me, it would hurt and I would turn it around on me. People still do things that hurt me (and they probably always will) but the way I respond has changed. I don't let it get to me. Instead of thinking it's all about me, I realized that it's on them. They're the one with the problem and I've got enough of my own. And sometimes they might want to make you mad, but isn't it amazing to be calm when people expect you not to be? This is totally unrelated but I love that quote (again paraphrasing) what people think and say about me is none of my business. I'm going to turn it around and say what and how people act towards me and how they treat me is none of my business. Unless I'm being a bitch then it's on me.

Do you take everything personally? What are some ways you can change that?

JaToya Creates: DIY Gallery Wall

I'm obsessed with gallery walls. I loved the idea of having one in my room, but since my living situation is one that I hope isn't permanent, I didn't want to spend a ton of money on one yet. I know that when I get my own space having a gallery wall will be something I spend more time on, but for now, something easy and temporary would do the trick. I love the way it turned out and it's perfect for my room at home which doesn't have much space. It looks harder and more expensive than it actually is so I'll show you how I did it. Remember the best part about this is that is can be easily customized!

1. Choose the images you want to print.

I chose a combination of quotes and fashion illustrations that I mostly got on Pinterest. When I get my own space I definitely want to order some prints but hey, a girls gotta work with what she got.

This is also the stage where I figured out what size I wanted the prints to be. I did a combination (with no rhyme or reason) of 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10 prints.

2. Print out your images.

I just used regular printing paper which is something that I would recommend if you're just starting out and I used a regular printer. Nothing fancy yet.

3. Find your frames.

Again, we're doing things the inexpensive way so I just got frames that were sleek and plastic. I think the frames I have are around $1, maybe a little more. If I were really decorating a space that was mine, I would get better frames. These work just fine for now.

4. Cut your prints to fit the frames.

Most inexpensive frames come with a cardboard insert. That is what I used to trace along the back of the images. I did this lightly with a pencil. It's an easy way to make sure your prints fit in the frame you're using. Just make sure you have the cardboard centered around your image and that you don't press too hard with your pencil. After you're done tracing, cut around the line you traced and your print should fit perfectly in the frame.

5. Figure out how you want to hang your prints.

You can get all fancy with this step, but I didn't at all. There are tips on Pinterest (really what doesn't Pinterest have) that show you how to figure out how to hang pictures. I just went with it and hammered nails in the wall in a way that I thought would look good. I don't recommend that, but it's what I did. I liked the idea of the frames being hung in different ways but also creating a uniform shape. Again, it worked for me but you might want to take more time on this step.

6. Hang your prints.

Once you've figured out how you're going to hang your frames and you've placed nails in your wall; it's time to actually hang them. You can play around with this and have fun until you're satisfied with how it looks.

7. Enjoy.

Again, I love the way it turned out. It looks really chic and no one would know I did it myself. 

JaToya Reviews: Sarah Dessen, Dreamland

Summary:

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

summary and image from goodreads

My Review:

I have read almost all of Sarah Dessen's books and this one stands out as one of my favorites. When I read it, I couldn't put it down and I basically finished it in one day. It captivated me, but it also got me thinking which is the perfect formula for a book in my opinion. I also had mixed emotions. Although Rogerson was a bad guy (whom I had zero respect for) the way Sarah Dessen portrayed him was brilliant. I was left sort of wanting the best for him even though he was extremely flawed. I almost even felt sorry for him in a way that left me conflicted. I don't agree with what he did and how he reacted to situations, but he was written in a way that I could see his point of view. Caitlin was an amazing character as well who represents so many girls and women. She was broken and vulnerable and she made the story relatable. I might have never gone through the things she did exactly but there have been times in my life where I have felt vulnerable. The supporting characters also made this story and provided much needed comic relief because they were quirky. The book did however start off slow, but once I got into it, it picked up. It's a good one that I highly recommend if you're looking for something that's not just your typical teen romance. There's more depth to this story. It gets you thinking and feeling, it's a must read.

23

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Happy Birthday to me! It's my 23rd birthday and it really doesn't even feel like it. I don't feel 23. I don't feel like I'm ready to be 23, but I am. I'm not big on making wishes on my birthday, but I've been thinking and there's really only one thing I want this year. I want to start living instead of existing. For me that means stop going through the motions because that's how I've been living my life lately. I want to enjoy every moment of my life. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the in between. I want to truly live! In honor of my birthday I want to share a few nuggets of wisdom that I'm striving to live by this year!

1. Happiness really is a choice.

2. Never compare yourself to others.

3. Enjoy the journey.

4. It's okay to not have it all figured out.

5. Love yourself first.

6. Whatever is meant to be yours, you will have.

7. Don't rush, slow down.

8. Always be happy for others when they win.

9. Let that shit go.

10. Always have a good heart, even when others don't.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to all my April babies out there! We really are the best!

23 thoughts on turning 23

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1. I'm 23, I can't believe it.

2. I still feel like a teenager.

3. I'm not ready.

4. Okay, I'm ready.

5. Actually I'm not ready.

6. I'm old.

7. My life isn't anything like I imagined.

8. I still live at home, oh my God (don't judge).

9. I need to find out what I want to do with my life, stat.

10. I'm still not ready.

11. Maybe being an adult will be fun.

12. Still figuring things out over here.

13. Can time just slow down?

14. I got this.

15. I still act like a child (only sometimes).

16. Honestly, where did the time go?

17. Feeling lonely sometimes is normal right?

18. I'm trying my best not to become exactly like my mother. At least not yet.

19. It's never too late.
20. Gotta start working out like yesterday.
21. I'm making a big deal out of this aren't I?
22. I think everything's going to be okay.

23. I'm ready!

23 lessons

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My 23rd birthday is this Sunday and it really got me thinking. I'm still young but I feel like I've gained so much wisdom and I'm still learning. I thought it would be cool (um???) to share 23 things I've learned and that I would tell my overly dramatic, stressed out teenage self.

1. Don't worry, it's all going to be okay.
2. Never settle.
3. You are enough.
4. Three words. Life. Goes. On.
5. Forgiveness is for you, not them.
6. Never make a mountain out of a molehill.
7. Relax.
8. No matter what, always be happy.
9. Gratitude is everything.
10. You are never alone.
11. Work hard, always.
12. Don't let what people think or say phase you.
13. You and only you are in control of your life.
14. Your fear should never be bigger than your faith.
15. Your value isn't dependent on what other people think.
16. Never let them see you sweat.
17. Sometimes (most of the time) it's never that serious.
18. You thought you could never get over him, well you can and you did.
19. Love unconditionally and with your whole heart.
20. Life is a gift. Treat it as such.
22. You are beautiful.
23. Attitude is everything.

What are some things you have learned and that you would tell your younger self if you could?

23 things I want to do

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1. Be more positive.

2. Complain less.

3. Fall in love.

4. Find my passion.

5. Feel more confident.

6. Be happy even in the hard times.

7. Worry less.

8. Say what I feel.

9. Live and love without limits.

10. Work harder.

11. Laugh more often.

12. Never hold back.

13. Know that it's okay to cry sometimes.

14. Be more creative.

15. Take better care of myself.

16. Write more.

17. Sing more.

18. Be myself.

19. Have more faith and less fear.

20. Spend less time on the internet.

21. Create lasting memories.

22. Be successful on my own terms.

23. Make myself proud.