Read Books Have Fun.

Forever 21 revealed...by Annie Role

2012-05-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

When you’re on a budget, it’s only natural to be drawn to stores that boast cheap, fast fashion, and Forever 21 has long fulfilled this need for many a penny-pinching college student. While the seemingly endless piles of disorganized clothes and blaring music may initially deter the neat freaks or the faint of heart, this retail giant has given millions of shoppers the unique opportunity to procure armfuls of outfits and accessories while staying well within their spending limits. But whatimplications does this era of “fast food” fashion have for our society?

A recent article in Businessweek by Susan Berfield delved extensively into Forever 21′s history and business practices, and the results are none too surprising for anyone familiar with the rampant violation of labor laws and flagrant disregard for intellectual property that permeates the fashion industry. About 10 years ago, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center and the Garment Worker Center sued Forever 21 on behalf of 19 workers who claimed the company had failed to maintain fair business practices or standard minimum wages. Like many other retail powerhouses, Forever 21 pleaded ignorance to the terrible factory conditions. But Julie Su, the lawyer who had won a $4 million settlement on behalf of 70 Thai garment workers in a separatecase against Forever 21 only a few years earlier, has a different perspective.

“‘It’s impossible to claim ignorance when the problem is so rampant,’ says Su. ’Forever 21 is not a victim of the industry. They create and demand these conditions. They squeeze their suppliers and make it necessary for them to get things done as quickly and cheaply as possible, no matter what the cost to the workers.” – Businessweek

Sadly, these labor violations are even more widespread outside of U.S. factories. And with the 2005 expiration of a trade agreement that had previously limited the amount of garments companies could import from developing nations, the outsourcing of factory jobs has hardly done much for the issue of human rights. Forever 21 has shifted much of its production to Asia, and while Berfield was not able to explore the factories in China and Vietnam, it is safe to assume that the conditions are not much better from what she could see in one of their American factories, which she describes at the end of the article:

“In one, on the top floor, with no company name on the door, about 30 people are sewing gray cotton vests for Forever 21 in a small, hot room. Many of them have stuffed scraps of fabric into their noses to block the particles of material floating in the air. They’re just finishing up a one-week, 10,000-piece order for which the seamstresses earn about 12 cents apiece… If they sew 66 vests an hour, they’ll earn minimum wage. The price tags other workers are attaching read $13.80.” – Businessweek

Maxi dress designed by Foley + Corinna, shown here next to its Forever 21 "version" (photocredit to jezebel.com)

Aside from labor violations, Forever 21 has been sued by about 50 companies, including Diane von Furstenberg and Anthropologie, in the last six years for copying their designs. But while big name brands are often able to settle their cases, smaller independent designers are not so lucky. When Virginia Johnson’s lawyer contacted Forever 21 in 2005 about a skirt they were selling whose print was suspiciously similar to the one Johnson had designed and sold at Barney’s during the previous season, Johnson was merely offered 10% of the profits from the skirt.

But here is where my problem lies. Anthropologie and Diane von Furstenberg are way over my budget, as they are for many college students. And even if I had endless money, I wouldn’t necessarily abandon cheap knockoffs for high-end designers, as many of the companies suing Forever 21 have themselves violated numerous labor standards and intellectual property rights. Furthermore, while buying from green and fair trade companies is certainly the ideal, it’s often not the most convenient option, price or location-wise (many times these companies are solely online, adding in shipping costs, sizing uncertainties, etc.). And although I am a diehard vintage fan myself, I understand that thrift stores are hit-or-miss for many people (only one item of everything means it either fits or it doesn’t).

The only solution I can offer is that we should perhaps start thinking about fashion consumption in a different way. We’ve become so accustomed to “cheap and fast” that it’s hard to fight the tide in order to shop slowly, purposely, and ethically, all while staying within our budget. In Berfield’s article, Larry Meyer, the executive vice-president of Forever 21, summed up the attitude of the fashion industry pretty accurately: “‘Every day in retail is another day,’ says Meyer. ‘You never win. You live to sell the next product.’” (Businessweek).

But we can’t live to buy the next product. If we want to be able to go through our day comforted by the knowledge that the cardigan we’re wearing wasn’t produced at the expense of someone’s health, livelihood or uncredited creativity, we need to become aware of the uglier side of the fashion industry. We need to take the time and energy to search out alternative, ethical clothing options that work for our incomes and lifestyles, be it a thrift store, a fair trade website or an independent designer.

We owe it to ourselves and to the workers that make our wardrobes possible.

Waiting On Wednesday :D

2012-03-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The book I am waiting to read just came out yesterday and I am so pumped to read it! :D

Synopsis of Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) from Goodreads :

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:
YAY! YAY! YAY! I am so excited to read this book!! :] :] :] I went to Barns and Noble yesterday and searched the aisles up and down but could not find is book anywhere! I had to settle for the ebook version instead. So happy to finally begin reading this book. I'll post a review once I'm done. :DD

Everyone have a kick butt day! Aza aza fight-ing!!

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) Review

2012-03-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

Synopsis from Goodreads :

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer .

My Rating: *****5 Stars!

My Review:
A riveting read! Gosh, every time that I finish one of Ally Carter's books, I say that it is the best one yet. I am glad there is another book following this one(well I hope there will be one). It has been a while since I read the 4th book in the Gallagher Girls series, so I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the plot in this latest book. No worrying needed though because I was still able to understand and keep up with the characters.
This book was full of action action and did I say action? The only downside was that Cammie was a little annoying in this book (she kept running away from her friends) though you can't help but feel bad for her at some parts. Other than that though the book was a blast to read!

Cool bookshelves

2012-01-17T11:26:00.000-08:00

Found this one on pintrest.com

Floating Bookshelf from B&N

a book lamp!

Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10) Book Review

2012-01-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

Book: Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10)
Author: Sara Shepard
Release Date: Dec. 6, 2011
Pages(hardcover): 336 pgs.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
For years scandal has rocked Rosewood, Pennsylvania—and high school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have always been at the center of the drama. They’ve lost friends, been targeted by a ruthless stalker named A, and narrowly escaped death. And it’s not over yet.

Aria’s love life is on the fritz. Emily’s exploring her wild side. Hanna’s kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer’s past—someone she never thought she’d see again—is back to haunt her.

But none of that compares to what happened last spring break. It’s their darkest secret yet and guess who found out? Now A is determined to make them pay for their crime, and the only thing scarier than A is the fear that maybe, just maybe, they deserve what’s coming to them.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a fun and interesting read, despite the fact that I thought this series was supposed to end after the 8th book. It never ceases to amaze me how dumb the characters can be at times... like really Spencer!? sighhh, those girls make me cringe when they do something that no one else in their right minds would do when put into their position. Though I must admit that because of their stupidity and lack of better judgement, the suspense and drama of this series is increased tenfold. Plus the cliff hanger at the end of this book left me with a daunting feeling. It didn't help matters that I finished this book at around 2 in the morning. I can't wait until the next book comes out! If you are a fan of the Pretty Little Liars book series than you would most likely like this book.

save earth sunday :]

2012-01-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

SAVE EARTH SUNDAY, IS AN EVENT that I MADE TO help make others aware of ways we can save the planet. EVERY WEEK ON SUNDAY I WILL POST an ECO TIP(S) WE CAN ALL USE DAILY TO HELP this cause. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGE THE WORLD! FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR OWN ECO TIP(S) AS WELL AND DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME A LINK TO YOUR POST SO I CAN DO IT TOO. SO I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU OUT THERE TO DO SOMETHING. :)

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” - Helen Keller

Image from www.ieee-earth.org

Today I want to let you know about a company called, ACE (Alliance for Climate Education). They go around to many different high schools to teach kids about ways they can help the environment. They came to my school a couple of years ago and I thought it was the best presentation that I've ever seen. The information was actually presented in a way that made everyone want to make a difference.

Here an an example of the presentation below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wureaQdI8nU&feature=endscreen&NR=1

I hope this helps to inspire some of you to go out there and make a difference. If you want to start a project but you don't know how to get started check out the ACE website. http://www.acespace.org/

Waiting On Wednesday or W.O.W

2012-01-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I am waiting on a book by the one and only, Ally Carter. It's the fifth installment of the Gallagher Girls series! Hooray. I am very excited for this book to come out.

Title: Out of Sight, Out of Time

Author: Ally Carter

Release Date: March 13, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads.

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

My thoughts:

I don't know if I can bear waiting for this book another 3 months! I find all of Ally Carter's titles very witty and fun. I find that they fit nicely with all the cute covers. What can I say, I'm a sucker for awesome covers.

Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2) by Simone Elkeles (2 out of 5 stars)

2012-01-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Book: Rules of Attraction

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating by me: 2 out of 5 stars

Synopsis from goodreads.:

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

My thoughts:

After reading all the epic reviews on goodreads and barnsnoble I was ecstatic to get my hands on this novel. Perfect Chemistry is one of my favorite books and I practically jumped for joy when I found out there was going to be a sequel. Who can deny that the cover is awesome!? I would probably buy this book just because the cover is so kick butt. Sadly everything in between the cover left little to be desired. The two main characters, Carlos and Kiara are so annoying and whiny. Plus what is up with Kiara's parents!? If some kid tried to hook up with my daughter under my roof I'd go ballistic, instead all they say is, "Did you use protection?" I was like WTF!? I thought the ending was pretty rushed as well. It went from climax to end in like 2 chapters. I think that's enough venting about this book for now.

Anyways thanks for reading and have an awesome day! :)

Waiting On Wednesdayyyyyyy

2011-11-30T05:54:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, hope you guys are having a wonderful day.The weather has been so nice lately(hope I didn't jinx it)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Ever since school started I haven't had much time to read so all the books I want to read have been out for a while probably.
But I am waiting until this up and coming holiday to read How to Save a Life, by Sara Zarr. (Goodreads)

Synopsis by goodreads:
Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.

- well that is all for today. Goodbye everyone!!! :D

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-11-15T20:57:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, happy hump day! I hope you guys are having a wonderful day. It's been raining in the east coast all week so hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I know this book has been out for a while but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Can't wait though :D
Book: Juliet Immortal

By: Stacey Jay

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

Greetings from college!

2011-09-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, long time no see. Sorry I haven't been updating for a while. I just started college this month (UNH). A lot of new things to get used to; I love every minute! Even though I didn't go out of state, I don't regret my decision; it's nice to see the family every now and then. Though I would have to say that the only downside is that I don't have time to read anymore. :( I feel like I am constantly falling behind with school work...... oh well, Love for College is > High School.
Best,
Veronica

Book review Twisted by Sara Shepard.

2011-08-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Synopsis from goodreads.:
It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The Pretty Little Liars have more secrets than ever - twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship.

Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore … eventually.

My thoughts:
When this book first came out I was a confused because I thought that Wanted(pretty little liars #8), was supposed to be the last book in the series. Though I can't really complain because I love this series! Even though we found out who A was in last series, this book will be sure to keep you on edge. There is no stoppage of drama or crazy unreasonable people. The things that happen to these girls are wild! If your a big fan of pretty little liars I have no doubt that you'll enjoy the newest installation of PLL.

save earth sunday!

2011-08-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

SAVE EARTH SUNDAY IS AN EVENT I MADE TO HELP THE PLANET. EVERY WEEK ON SUNDAY I WILL POST ECO TIPS WE CAN ALL USE DAILY TO HELP IMPACT THE EARTH. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGE THE WORLD! FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR OWN ECO TIP(S) AS WELL AND DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME A LINK TO YOUR POST SO I CAN DO IT TOO. SO I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU OUT THERE TO DO SOMETHING. :)

Image from www.ieee-earth.org

This weeks tip comes to us in video form:

Have an awesome Sunday everyone. <3

save earth sunday!

2011-08-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

SAVE EARTH SUNDAY IS AN EVENT I MADE TO HELP THE PLANET. EVERY WEEK ON SUNDAY I WILL POST ECO TIPS WE CAN ALL USE DAILY TO HELP IMPACT THE EARTH. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGE THE WORLD! FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR OWN ECO TIP(S) AS WELL AND DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME A LINK TO YOUR POST SO I CAN DO IT TOO. SO I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU OUT THERE TO DO SOMETHING. :)

This weeks tip: from http://www.seql.org/100ways.cfm

Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.

you can check out more tip if you follow the link above. Bye guys! Have fun! :)

Follow Friday/Blog Hop

2011-08-04T20:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone. Though if you're a student everyday is pretty much Friday now that it's summer! :))

http://crazy-for-books.com/2011/08/book-blogger-hop-85-88.html

This weeks question is: What ARC would you love to get your hands on right now?

A: DUHH easy question. haha. I would love love love it if I had Richelle Mead's new series, Bloodlines right now, which happens to be a spin off series of Vampire Academy. The book comes out this month ( Aug. 23) I know its so close, but I can't wait anymore!

Here is the synopsis from Richelle Mead's Website:

Blood doesn't lie...

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

Follow Friday:

Q: Talk about a book that most changed or influenced your life.

A: So I know this probably will sound silly but I would have to say it was Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Before I read that book I despised the very thought of reading. I didn't understand why people would read for 'fun'. The very thought would send chills throughout my body. After I was forced to read Twilight (against my will, in case you didn't see how I mentioned forced) I found myself wanting more. My brain wanted to adsorb more words. It was like a little tug on my heart string. I was probably 11 or 12 at the time in middle school. (I'm in college now) So it's been a couple years since then. Too bad the Twilight movies kinda ruined the books for me though.

Well that's all for tonight bye guys! Have a great day.

-V

save earth sunday!

2011-07-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

SAVE EARTH SUNDAY IS AN EVENT I MADE TO HELP THE PLANET. EVERY WEEK ON SUNDAY I WILL POST ECO TIPS WE CAN ALL USE DAILY TO HELP IMPACT THE EARTH. TOGETHER WE CAN make a difference and CHANGE THE WORLD! FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR OWN ECO TIP(S) AS WELL AND DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME A LINK TO YOUR POST SO I CAN DO IT TOO. so i encourage all of you out there to do something. :) peace be with you guys.

Landfills everywhere are running out of room, and the EPA estimates that roughly 25% of the garbage in the U.S. is made up of yard trimmings and food scraps. That's over 60 million tons each year! Instead of watching your local landfill get bigger and more expensive to maintain each month, try composting.

This weeks tip:

Composting is a great way to save money and trash from piling up in landfills. Plus if you're a gardener like me, your plants will thrive in rich soil that you practically got for free. All you need to get started is a composting pail/ bin! For more info follow the link below.

http://greenliving.about.com/od/thegreenyard/tp/compost.htm

Divergent by Veronica Roth book review

2011-07-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

Synopsis by Goodreads.:
Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

Rated by me: 4 out of 5 stars!

My thoughts:
Usually I do not like dystopian novels, but to my surprise this one was very awesome and well written! :) The book seems a little intimidating with almost 500 pages but the time flies when you first open it up. This book was recommended to me by my cousin and for some reason I tend to dislike books when I am forced to read them. ( like in school) But try as I might I couldn't get myself to hate this book. Though the main character, Beatrice, was a little annoying, I found myself able to look past her tendencies and was overall able to enjoy this book as a whole.

13 Reason Why by Jay Asher * 5 out of 5 stars!*

2011-07-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Love Love Love Love this book! I thought it was a fantastic story that was very well written. At first I was hesitant to read this book because it was about suicide. Lets admit it, it's a scary topic and no one really wants to talk about it. But in 2007, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. with more then 30,000 deaths according to nimh.nih.gov. This book, "13 Reasons Why" by Jay Asher takes us into the world of Hannah Baker, where we are able to experience her thoughts and reasoning for killing herself. This book shows us that our actions, no matter how small, does effect others; for better or worse. I highly recommend everyone to read this book, I thought it was fantastic. The author, Jay Asher, makes me want to change the world. I really hope he writes more books in the future. :)

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Follow Friday/Blog Hop!

2011-07-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

So since we have to find giveaways this week I discovered this giveaway.
The Reader Bee is giving away the book, The Goddess Test (autographed too, that's like double points!) Follow the link here to her blog: The Reader Bee.

Now onto follow Friday!
Here is this weeks question.
Q: "What is the worst book that you've ever read and finished?"

A: This is a hard one because I've read so many terrible books! But if I had to choose one, it would be Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols.
I was so excited to read this book because of all the hype surrounding it, but once I picked it up, I wanted to build a time machine so I could go back and warn myself not to. I didn't like the main character. A lot of people really enjoyed reading this and I want to like it but I can't. What makes it worse is that I bought it. :(

You have to be 21 to buy sparklers at Wal-Mart!?

2011-07-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I hope that you are all fantastic this evening. Well today I decided to stop by Wal-Mart to buy some sparklers to celebrate my patriotism for this great country, but no way jose, they wouldn't let me because I wasn't 21. I thought this was a little ridiculous because I am 18. Like hellooooo I can go buy cigarettes and kill people with second hand smoke, but I can't hold a sparkler. I don't know but I was very upset when I left that store. No worries though because I do have good news! After I left Wally World, I went across the street to Target (good ol' awesome Target) and got myself a bunch of sparklers (same exact ones they sold at Walmart), which I was able to without questions asked. :)

Hooray!!! So now it's time to celebrate!! :))

So just to be safe here is a little tib bit I found on safety prevention with sparklers.

Fireworks Safety During July 4th Celebrations

For many in New Hampshire, fireworks have become a way of life during the holidays – beautifully colored sparks flying through the air in concert with loud rumbling explosions. As exciting as this may seem, people often forget that they are playing with dangerous chemicals and combustibles that can destroy property and injure people. These deceptively simple objects explode, throw hot sparks through the air, and can often reach temperatures hotter than 1,200 degrees.
According to the NFPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2008 fireworks were the cause of 30,100 fires, 7,000 injuries, and 7 deaths. From June 20th to July 20th, 2008, devices such as sparklers, fountains, roman candles and novelties accounted for 40% of injuries; another 18% were caused by firecrackers. Shawn Murray, President NH Association of Fire Chiefs warns firecrackers due to their high injury rates are illegal in New Hampshire. Bill Degnan NH State Fire Marshal advises if you plan to shoot your own fireworks make sure they are legal to use in your community and pay particular attention to safety tips to help reduce the chances of a destructive fire and/or injury:

Only purchase fireworks from a licensed dealer that sells New Hampshire permissible fireworks.
Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional shows and could pose a danger to consumers.
Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that sparklers have caused more injuries to children under age five than any other type of firework. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak with water and throw them away.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Light one item at a time, and then move back quickly.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
Avoid the combination of alcohol, drugs and fireworks.

Shawn Murray, President NH Association of Fire Chiefs suggests "The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a public fireworks display,". Enjoy the July 4th celebration safely and remember to practice fire safety every day said Degnan and Murray. Plan your escape, install and maintain smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers. The life they save may be yours!

Save Earth Sunday :)

2011-07-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I hope that you are all enjoying your 4th of July weekend! In the mist of all this fun and excitement I urge you to also be respectful of our environment. I found this little snippet called, "8 Ways to Green Fourth of July," by
Michelle Talsma Everson.

The Fourth of July is arguably summer’s most popular and celebrated holiday. And, like most occasions, you can take steps to make sure you and your fellow party goers remember to keep Mother Nature in mind while you celebrate.
So, whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or traveling to see your local fireworks show, remember some of these helpful tips to stay green this 4th of July.

When determining if your disposable dishes can be recycled, take into consideration the following: If food can be cleaned from the product (in the case of some plastic tableware), and if it has a plastic recycling symbol that is accepted by your community, generally it can be recycled. Photo: Rubbermaid.com

1. Pass on Plastic Party Ware

They’re popular and easy: Plastic, ready-to-go plates, cups and utensils are convenient for parties with a lot of guests. The down side, they’re not so convenient for the environment.
To avoid this, do your best to use normal tableware that can just be washed and reused. If you must go the disposable route, clean them up (they’re often washable) and use them at your next big gathering.
Also, make sure to recycle your plastics when they’re not usable anymore. Check the resin number (#1-#7) to see if it’s accepted by your curbside recycling program. If not, check out our recycling search for drop-off locations near you. Be aware, if paper plates are more your style, they will have to be thrown out or composted due to food residue.

2. Take the Celebration Outdoors

Even though temperatures might be soaring, most Fourth of July parties don’t get exciting until the evening. So, take advantage of the cooler evening weather and throw your party outdoors. It’s a great way to enjoy nature and reduce the energy costs of using indoor facilities.

3. Green Your Menu

For barbecue lovers, there’s nothing better (or more traditional) than grilled food on the Fourth of July. But, instead of heading to your traditional meat and veggie aisles, consider using locally grown organic food this holiday.
It might surprise you, but nearly everything on your menu can be replaced with its organic cousin. It’s a great way to introduce family and friends to delicious organic foods while helping the environment by reducing chemicals used in processed foods and the transportation costs that usually come with shipping non-local food products.

4. Save (and Reuse) Your Decorations

If you’ve hosted Independence Day celebrations before, you know the décor is often the same: streamers, party favors and table toppers all in bold red, white and blue. Sadly, most people often use these decorations once and then throw them out. But they can be reused year after year! So, this year, after the party’s over, take the time to store and save your decorations. You or someone you know can use them again next year, which helps to save on a bit of unneeded trash.

Fireworks also release heavy metals like lead into the air. If you do put on a backyard show, opt for fireworks rich in nitrogen. These may cost a little more, but you’ll have less smoke.Photo: Associatedcontent.com

5. Eco-Friendly Fireworks

Fireworks are hardly an environmentally friendly activity, but they’re an unwavering Fourth of July tradition. If you’re setting off your own fireworks this year, be sure to use fireworks rich in nitrogen. They often cost a bit more but put out less smoke into the environment.
Another option is to gather your group and go see your local fireworks display. It’s a great way to see a much bigger fireworks show and negates you from harming the environment with your own personal display.

6. Barbecue with Propane

To help reduce your grill’s carbon footprint this Independence Day, make sure to grill with propane – it burns the cleanest, which causes less smoke. It can also help to keep a fire going longer, which is obviously a classic grilling goal.
To be even more earth friendly with your grilling, make sure to recycle your propane tanks once it’s empty.

7. Gather in Large Groups

This may seem like a no-brainer for such a popular holiday, but the larger a group you gather (preferably outdoors), the less energy you use at individual parties that may take place indoors. Plus, the more people to help prepare and purchase food, the less of a cost it is to each individual. Just make sure your fellow party goers know these green tips!

8. Use Large Water Containers

Plastic water bottles are convenient, but like other disposable goods, they can add up fast. In lieu of individual plastic bottles, store water for your family or guests in large containers so they can re-fill their reusable water bottles or reusable cups. If you must use plastic water bottles, be sure to encourage your guests to recycle them.

Airhead by Meg Cabot Review 4 out of 5 stars

2011-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

My Thoughts:
This book was recommended to me by my sister and we usually enjoy different kinds of books, but this one was fantastic! Its been a while since I've found myself captivated by a book, so imagine my joy when I finished this one. I love the plot and storyline of this series; so original! The story starts off while the protagonist, Em Watts, is in class. Em is an outcast that doesn't have any tolerance for the popular kids. Though I love the idea that Em doesn't conform to the pressures of society, her attitude leaves little to be desired. I personally didn't like her very much at all.
After her accident when she wakes up in the body of "it" girl, Nikki Howard, her world turns upside down. Suddenly she is thrust into a world of fame and boys, two topics that seem harder then all her AP classes.
This book was amazing, I loved it!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis by Goodreads:
EM WATTS IS GONE.

Emerson Watts didn't even want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister, Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Gabriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there-along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard.

How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her-and life as she'd known it-forever? One bizarre accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.

Now getting her best friend, Christopher, to notice that she's actually a girl is the least of Em's problems.

But what Em's pretty sure she'll never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one thing that's going to make her dream come true . . . .

NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-06-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys its another wonderful Tuesday...if you don't know what Teaser Tuesday is about here is a refresher:
Teaser Tuesdays are a meme hosted by Mizb of Should be Reading. Here are the rules if you wish to participate.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

Book: Demon Kisses
Author: H.M. Ward

Teaser: "Ivy, the past is the past. What's been done can't be changed. We should just leave it." (ch.23)

Synopsis:
The Valefar boy tricked Ivy Taylor into kissing him, but he took much more than a kiss - he stole her soul and left her within inches of death. By surviving, Ivy is drawn into the conflict between the Martis and the Valefar. The war between these two immortal forces has raged for millennia without distraction. Until now.

Ivy is an anomaly-she is the only person who has ever walked away from a demon kiss alive. Her survival gives her unique and deadly abilities. Too powerful to ignore, Ivy is a threat to both armies. These two ancient enemies will stop at nothing to kill the seventeen-year-old.

Surviving is nothing new for headstrong Ivy, but her survival has never depended on another person before. This time it does. And if she misplaces her trust, she's dead. To her horror, she starts falling in love at the worst possible time-with the enemy. He appears to be protecting her. But she can't be certain if he is trying to help her, or help himself to her power. For Ivy, trusting the right person is the difference between love and survival, or a deadly demon kiss.

That's all for today guys. I hope you have a lovely day today. A special shout out to all the 2011 graduates; we made it! :)

Follow Friday/Blog Hop

2011-05-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. It i so nice out right now, so I'll try to keep this short. ;)

Q. How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?

A: I try not to read too many books at once because usually I end up not finishing any of them. Right now I am reading three books; 1 in paper format and 2 on my kindle.

"What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? Which have you disliked?"

A: I've enjoyed the Harry Potter movie series, though I've never read the books so maybe I'm biased. But I've really disliked the Twilight movies; it completely ruined the series for me unfortunately.

Follow Friday

2011-05-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hooray Friday!! WOOHOO. :)

Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you?

1. I smell my food before I eat it. I don't know why but I can't help it.

2. I love the smell of my shed and basement. (its like an old lingering smell of gasoline?) I don't think that's healthy! :x

3. I seem to always be obsessed with something.

4. I love GLEE!

5. I read every night before bed. :D

Well that's all for now guys! Thanks for reading this. So in the spirit of follow Friday just leave me a comment and I'll follow you. :)