Book Review: The Help

Before I started reading The Help, I knew nothing about it. And that's sort of how I like going into books, without any back story, no ideas of characters, time frame or anything. My aunt lent me the book saying "It's so good, you need to read it" and I'm quite glad I did. It was definitely a book that kept my interest and definitely opened my eyes to a time when I wasn't even born.

The Help follows the story of three women with three very different lives from Mississippi in the 60s. Ms. Skeeter is a young white woman who has always grown up with everything and been oblivious to the life around. However after returning home from college and really opening her eyes she begins to notice the very real effects of "separate but equal." Aibileen is a black woman working as a nanny/maid in the house of one of Skeeter's friends. She's been around long enough to raise many white children and acknowledges her standing in society. Minny, on the other hand, is Aibileen's best friend yet is nothing like her. She is younger, louder and all around sassier than any other woman in Mississippi. Although from very different worlds, all three womens' lives intersect as they embark on a journey to share their stories with everyone. (For a more detailed synopsis go here).

Basically I loved this book. I loved how each woman got to narrate different chapters and how seamlessly it transitioned from one to the other without confusing the reader. I also loved the story overall. One white woman, in the midst of segregation, standing out and risking everything in a society that shunned her to expose the truth is amazing. And Minny and Aibileen? They are such amazingly strong depictions of black women in the South and I loved it. Although they knew what they were risking and what could happen to them, they continued on with the book anyways because they knew it needed to be out there, needed to be exposed.

I also loved the ending. At first I was a bit torn about it because I wanted everything to be resolved. But then I realized it was better not wrapping everything up. It left me wondering, questioning, anticipating another book to continue where this one left off. So all in all, a very fitting ending for such a emotionally gripping book.

So do I think you should run to your library or bookstore and pick up this book? YES! Go get it, enjoy it and then come tell me about it.

Brand Review: GAP Born to Fit Party

So remember how I went to Tara's GAP Born to Fit party a while ago? Yeah well I was fortunate enough to get invited back, this time hosted by the fabulous Kerri and Nicole! I sort of love jeans (especially when they're free, haha) but I love hanging out with the LA blogger ladies just a wee bit more. So this time I ended up not getting any jeans for myself but being a fabulous fiance and getting Matt and brand spanking new pair. Basically it was quite fun to have some snacks, hang with the ladies, introduce my sister to the blogging world and meet some new people. Gotta say these GAP parties are great and there should probably be one every weekend.

umm LOVE this girl.


Yeah she's fabulous.


Love Kerri too, and her schnazzy new jeans.


Nicole and Andrea showing off their new jeans.


All the bloggers, woo!
Andrea, Amanda, Nicole, Ev'Yan, Kerri, me
and Michelle.


My sister helping me find some jeans
for Matt, haha.

All in all it was a great time and a fun change up for the regular Sunday night activities. Thanks again Kerri, Nicole and Brand About Town, twas loverly.

Oh so what jeans did I get Matt? I ended up getting him the Standard jeans, I thought they were a pretty good fit for him, not too straight legged and not too too baggy or anything. And I must say, he looks quite dashing in them :)

Oh I am a fan.


Clearly Matt is too.

Food Review: Ben and Jerry's Flipped Out

So remember when 20 Something Bloggers teamed up with Ben and Jerry's for some flipped out Carnival action? Well anyone that submitted to the carnival was eligible to get a free sample of the Ben and Jerry's newest creation, Flipped Out, and I was just lucky enough to get one!

So last night I finally decided to try the delectable creation. (diet, what diet? bridesmaid dress, what bridesmaid dress?). And man was it delicious. Matt and I got the cookies and cream flipped out and it was so tasty. A little weird at first with the actually flipping process, but pretty entertaining. And man was it chocolatey. Seriously, if you don't like chocolate you may not be a fan because it was a bit overwhelming (not that I'd complain, I freaking love chocolate).

But all in all it was definitely delicious and the perfect size for dessert. I think next time I'll try the vanilla fudge brownie, it just sounds divine.

Brand review: GAP Born to Fit Party

On Friday I had the pleasure of attending Tara's GAP Born to Fit party and man was it a party. It was so fun to meet some of Tara's friends, try on tons of jeans, eat some tasty snacks, some delicious sangria and have an all around grand time thanks to Brand About Town.

Tara was quite the hostess and you must check out her post/video of the night, it's amazing. She always cracks me up and she was loving her new jeans. I on the other hand tried on about ten different pairs of jeans before picking out some to own, the Real Straight jeans. The Always Skinny were a little too skinny for me and the Boot Cut was a little too flared, so the Real Straight was definitely a winner and definitely long enough which is good since I'm so dang tall (5'9").

it was quite the jeans display, like wo


the GAP party girls with our new jeans, woo

Basically there were tons of options and it was lots of fun. I love my new jeans and can't wait to rock them soon. Thank you GAP and thank you Tara for a fabulous time :)

loving them.