Discover: Matilda

The June book of the month for Bon's Book Club was Matilda by Roald Dahl. I finished it in just a couple of days. It's a children's book after all so it's not very long and a very easy read. What I loved was the spirit of the book. With all of Roald Dahl's books, he creates a vivid fantasy world that immerses the reader completely. Who hasn't read James and the Giant Peach?

Matilda is a very special little girl in every way imaginable. She is brilliant but not arrogant. She's mischievous without being rude or bratty. And she discovers a love for reading that honestly inspired me to read more myself! Here are a few of the books young Matilda read (and I must admit I downloaded a few myself) 

Classics! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and although I haven't watched the movie version, I can't help but wonder if it even came close to capturing the "magic" of the book. 

If you haven't checked out The Life of Bon I suggest you take a visit and see what she has lined up for the upcoming books this year. The next book up is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Can't wait to check it out! 

Discover: The Light Between Oceans

Today I want to share with you my thoughts on the May book of the month: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. It's part of Bon's Book Club from The Life of Bon. She's a hoot if you haven't checked out her blog yet I suggest you get on it. 

So this month's book was The Light Between Oceans and I literally finished it 10 minutes before writing this post. I have to admit the first half was a little slow going but by the time I got to the "good stuff" I couldn't wait to read the next chapter. It's been a while since I've found a book that I couldn't put down, didn't want to end, AND wanted the characters to somehow have a happy ending ... although all three of those seemed highly unlikely. 

It's based in Australia in the 1920's and takes place mainly on a desolate island lighthouse. I was hooked just on the description of the idyllic fantasy island and the beauty described in the fictitious lighthouse. Yes I googled whether or not it was a real place, sadly it's not. The story line is centered around Tom and Isabel who miraculously find a baby adrift in a dingy on the beach of their private island. They have endured three really tough miscarriages and are desperate for a child. So when one practically appears out of thin air, naturally they think it is a sign from God. Tom is very by the book and wants to report it to the authorities. Isabel is aching for a baby and honestly believes the babies parents to be dead. They decide to keep the baby and raise her as their own but the guilt eats Tom alive for the next few years. After learning the child's birth mother is still alive and she's living in the small mainland town where Isabel is from (AND he's met her years before only never knew her name, small world right?), Tom just can't take it anymore. He leaves a note saying the child is alive, safe, and loved. Well this sets in motion a series of events, and without giving away all the details, it is truly heart-wrenching. I actually shed a tear or two ten! If you can believe that! 

I thought the author told a beautiful love story between two people who truly, deep down, loved each other despite the many hardships they faced. To me that is what honest love is about. It's not always happiness and sunshine. Sometimes terrible storms happen and it is how you cope with them that bring out your true colors. Life will either bring you closer together or rip you apart and it all depends on the choices you make. No one is perfect and can never hope to be. Our past makes us into who we are and we can either dwell on the decisions we made or choose to move on and just live with them. At the end of the day the world keeps turning, the stars keep shining, and the ocean waves keep crashing. All the drama that goes on in one person's lifetime can seem so small and insignificant compared to the eternity of the world. 

I'm excited to check out June's book Matilda by Roald Dahl. I used to love his books as a kid! Who didn't read The BFG? Or James and the Giant Peach? I think we can all agree the man has a knack for writing for kids. I can't wait to read his books to my kids one day. 

So if you are looking for something to add to your summer reading list, why not join me in this book club amazingness? 

Cinco de Mayo recap

So I'm a little behind on my blogging and this recap may seem a little late, but better late than never right? I took a doctor's-orders break from blogging for a few days, more on that here. Anyway, I wanted to share a fun local spot that I went to last week for the first time. En Fuego Cantina in Del Mar is a great place to share some strawberry margaritas or enjoy a taco Tuesday if you live in San Diego County. It's within walking distance of tons of other little fun spots like Crepes and Corks and Jimmy O's.

Thirsty? 

My friends and I were celebrating both a birthday and Cinco de Mayo, which for most people is just an excuse to drink and eat Mexican food, do you really need a reason? I digress. Even though it was the biggest Mexican-American (more like Ameri-Mexican) holiday of the year, we were able to get a table on the upstairs patio. The weather was perfect and from our table we could almost see the sunset over the ocean.

The bar below was slowly filling up. 

And we even saw a glimpse of our future selves. I'm the blonde in the yellow sweater, naturally. And you can't tell, but the redhead in the white has some pretty blue lips. You had to see it to believe it. 

The food was delish! I'd highly recommend the calamari tacos. Lightly breaded but not too heavy. The quesadilla and nachos were also quickly devoured. 

We of course HAD to sample the desserts. The churro stack was my personal favorite. The Mexican chocolate brownie wasn't too shabby either. 

Great atmosphere. Great location. Great company. 

We even had a little photo session with the Most Interesting Man in the World. 

What's your favorite local spot for a great margarita and a great time? 

Discover: Playing House

Playing House on USA

This is not a sponsored post by any means but it has been so long since a new show has come along that is actually BETTER than the trailer led me to believe. Every new show I try seems to fizzle or get cancelled or is just plain predictable. This show actually airs on USA network but I happened to catch it on E! on my lunch break. It's that good. It's a brand new show and it's already syndicated on two networks? That has to be a good sign! (By the way, how cute are those dresses, right?)

So the basic plot of the show is about two life-long best friends Emma and Maggie. Emma is some kind of business woman living in China, who flies home to Connecticut (thank you 3rd grade geography I can still spell Connecticut without thinking) for her BFF Maggie's baby shower. Maggie is 8 months pregnant and discovers her husband is a total perv who secretly engages in shenanigans in the basement with a German "lady" over the Internet. Emma tells Maggie to be brave enough to kick her husband out since he clearly can't let go of his little "hobby". Emma has to choose between her job in China and her friend in need. So Maggie tells Emma she needs to break her habit of running away when things get hard.  

Even though this was only the pilot episode, I felt like I was coming to the show mid-season, but in a good way. The characters felt likable, real, and well established. At the end of the day, they are best friends who challenge each other in the way only a best friend can. They support each other no matter what. And it's actually really, really funny too. My favorite line was Emma talking about going to karaoke in China and her awesome Mandarin version of "I don't think you're ready for this jerry". 

And in honor of BFFs everywhere here is a photo of me and my girls Courtney and Andrea. Love them! 

I'll definitely be setting my DVR for this little gem of a show. (PLEASE don't cancel it USA!). Looks like you can watch episodes online too so check it out. Have you found any new shows you absolutely love? I have a 3 episode rule for trying out new shows. If I'm not invested after 3 episodes, it's done. I'd love to hear any suggestions! 

***UPDATE: I just watched Episode 2 online and was almost in tears from laughing! You HAVE to give this show a chance!***