#operationreadmore | May

Today I'm taking a break from sharing Week in the Life pages and sharing the books I read in May instead.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
I wasn't entirely sure what to think of this book at first. I loved that it went back and forth between the past and the present. It told a more complete story by giving you the details of the background to explain the details of the present.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
I loved I'll Give You the Sun by the same author, and I loved this book. It was emotional, but I really loved living a fictional life where my sister dies and I can't figure out which boy I want to be with.

The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure and The Kill Order by James Dashner
Every once in a while I love reading some really messed up fiction. I'm not entirely sure if this falls under fantasy or not (I don't think so) but I enjoyed it. Some parts were a little more cringe worthy than I'd like, but I still enjoyed the books.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK. I gave myself some serious eye strain and finished this book in two days. I read from the time I got up, to the time I went to work, then read through most of my work shift and  loved every second of this book. I made a point not to watch any movie previews before I finished the book, and it was so worth the wait. This book pulled all my heart strings and as I got closer to the end I started reading faster and when I finished, I wanted to read it again in case I missed anything. This book is one I will absolutely read again. It was a beautiful story and Jojo writes so beautifully!

Thanks for coming to see my May books. On Friday I'll have another Week in the Life post to share with you! Have a great day.

#operationreadmore | March & April

March was a busy month for me. I started my accounting course at the start of the month, and that led to me only reading 3 books. I got halfway through Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, but knew that I'd never finish it in March so I left it for April.

Anyways, in March I read:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
The Life Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck by Sarah Knight
(Which was amazing by the way.)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

It was so awesome to re-read the Harry Potter books. Books 1-4 were my favourites as a kid, and everyone I hear talk about them who's read them as an adult says they're better for the kids than the last few books. Books 5-7 get darker, and reading them as an adult I definitely got more from them than I did while reading them when I was younger.

Books I read in April:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Me Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
A Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

I loved A Year of Yes and The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck. Both are those books that encourage you to change your life. Even if it's just in small ways like saying yes to certain things, and saying no to other things.

I've been looking at my bookshelf, and it still has a bunch of books on it, but I love the excitement of new books. Eventually I'll get to reading all the books on my to-read shelf, but I love the feeling I get when I add books to it.

#operationreadmore | February

Today I'm sharing the short list of books I read in February. I read so many in January that I'm not surprised February was a little light on books. I'm still ahead of my challenge, so yay me!

This month I read
Burial Rites by Hanna Kent
I love historical fiction, especially well researched historical fiction. This book was perfectly that.

Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
I love Gretchen's books. I love her podcast Happier with Gretchin Rubin. This books led me to assess my family and try to figure out which tendency they have based on how they act. I'm not certain in my assumptions, but I'm excited for her book about the 4 tendencies so I can figure out which one I really am, and work on changing some habits.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone & Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
When Alan Rickman died earlier this year, I had a sudden urge to re-read the Harry Potter series. Which was a great idea because I haven't read any of them since the last book came out (ages ago). I didn't realize how many details I forgot, or things that the movies ruined in my brain (Jon and I watched all the movies a couple years ago).

Thanks for coming by to see the books I read last month. March will probably be filled with the rest of the Harry Potter books, and nothing else, and I'm completely okay with that. Have a great day!

#operationreadmore | January

This year I'm doing another reading challenge. This is the third year that I've done the challenge, and the last two years have gone completely differently.

 The first year, I stopped reading in the middle of the year and rushed to reach 50 books before the end of the year. Last year, I read 50 books by the end of summer so I increased my challenge to 72 books, and managed to complete that, but for a little while near the end I was afraid I wouldn't get there.

This year my challenge is 65 books. January was full of reading. I made my way through 8 books, but would have been happy with 4. I'm glad I was over in January because I've been busy this month and have only made it through one book. I'm using the challenge tracker on Goodreads.com to keep track of the books I read, you can follow me (here).

The books I read this month were all really well written, but my favourite would have to be Rising Strong. Of course.

Here's a list of what I read this month;
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (here)
See Me by Nicholas Sparks (here)
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (here)
Rising Strong by Brene Brown (here)
Still Alice by Lisa Genova (here)
The Unspeakable by Meghan Daum (here)
Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed (here)
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (here)

All the links above just take you to their Goodreads page with their descriptions. No reviews from me. I hate writing them. I either love or hate a book, but I make myself read it all the way through because I've had books that I started out hating and loved at the end.

Thanks for coming by to see my January books. If you're on Instagram, when I post a book I'm reading, I use the hashtag #operationreadmore to keep track of all my book-ish photos.

Have a great day!

Read More Books 2014

Happy Friday friends! Today I'm sharing a layout I made while I was working through Ali Edwards' Type Class. It really helped me embrace using typed words in my journaling on my layouts, and it taught me different ways to use text (alpha stickers, hand journaling, typed journaling) on my layouts. I love this page so much, and it was the most fun way to document the 50 books I read last year.

Here's the layout. I added the red heart paper behind the photo, title and journaling. It was completely by accident that most of the books I chose for the photo were red, white and blue. I thought it was funny when I printed the photo, and so I added red and blue to the layout. This page is 8.5 x 11 and it was a huge change for me. I usually do 12x12, and while that has it's own challenges, so does making smaller layouts. I love how this turned out, and I'm working on one to document the books I read this year as well.

Here's another close up. I used two fonts for the text (can't remember either of them of course) and made the numbers bold to break up the text a little bit. If you want to see all 50 books I read last year, you can check out my profile on Goodreads (here) and follow me! (It's only showing 49 books, but I did read 50, so I'll have to fix that). If you have any book recommendations, I'd love to check them out. Just leave them in the comments! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

-Alexandria

10 Books To Read in 2015

Good morning! Today I'm going to share a few books on my to-read shelf for 2015. I'm not telling you that you have to read them, but I'm hoping that you might find at least 1 book you want to read, whether I'm suggesting it here, or you find one "related" to it somewhere else. I'm also not telling you that any of these books are really good. I'm just sharing a few that are on my shelf. Enjoy!

 
Then and Always by Dani Atkins // The Heiresses by Sara Shepard

Landline by Rainbow Rowell // The Vacationers by Emma Straub

 
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven // The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin // The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison // This is What Happy Looks Like byJennifer E. Smith

 This is just a few of the books I want to read. My goal is another 50 books, and at the time I'm writing this (the 4th of February) I've already read 8 of my 50 books. I'm currently working on number 9, and number 10 is in my bag. Reading is definitely one of my favourite things to do! If you have any book recommendations, leave them in the comments. I'm always looking for new books to read. I like almost anything and I'm the one person who judges books based on their cover. If I'm drawn to the cover, I'll read the description and usually give the book a chance.

Thanks for coming by! I hope these suggestions helped you find some books you might want to read this year (or next year). Or maybe they inspired you to do a reading challenge of your own. Happy reading!

-Alexandria

Vintage Book Paper Wreath

Good morning! I'm sure we've all seen those beautiful wreaths that look like a flower, made from old book paper right? They're all over Pinterest, and I desperately wanted to make one. I thought about making this a tutorial, but decided to just link the video that helped me make mine at the bottom instead. This particular project is better with a video tutorial than a photo tutorial.

I had already taken apart the book for a couple of other projects (I'd used a few pages in my 100 Happy Days album) and so I had a stack of pages just waiting for me to use them for something, so I found a tutorial online, and got to work.

I spent a couple of hours before work on it, and it took me about three days. I'm satisfied with how it turned out, but I know I could have done better. The book paper was a little thicker and didn't want to roll very nicely, so my cones turned out different sizes. It could always be worse, and I'm just happy that I tried something new. I stopped procrastinating it and just did it. I'm glad I did. I feel so much better about it, and know I probably won't make it again anytime soon.

I wasn't sure how to go about filling in the center so that it looked good, so I just took a rosette I had left over from another project, and hot glued it to the center.

The paper was a little on the thicker side, so some of them didn't roll as nicely as I'd wanted them to, but I worked with it. I hid most of the evidence of the paper folding more than rolling, and I'm pleased with the outcome. Now I just need to figure out how to hang it up.

Here you can see that the rosette has nothing underneath it. I just glued it to the pages that it touched. I also really love looking at it from this angle. The pages I used were from a book that was published in 1911. I'm so glad I could re-purpose them into something new.

Thanks for coming by today. I hope you'll come back on Monday to see my Project Life spreads, and share your own in Karen's link up!
Have a great day!
-Alexandria

Long Weekend & Good Books

This weekend will be a long weekend for us Canadians, and since Jon and I have a family reunion to host/attend we've been pretty busy this week preparing for that. Okay he's been preparing for it, and I've been working on some summer reading. I was falling behind on my Goodreads challenge, and knew that if I didn't finish the two books I was currently reading, that I'd forever fall behind and never reach my goal of 50 books by the end of the year.

You can follow along with my Goodreads challenge here.

This challenge has got me to buy books that I wouldn't normally have read. I also realized that I do in fact judge books by their cover. Perhaps that means I'm missing out on some really great books, and possibly reading some that aren't that great, but I love pretty looking books, and so far it hasn't steered me wrong. Plus my book collection is full of bright fun colours!

Here are some books I've loved:

• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
• 101 Secrets For Your 20s by Paul Angone
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
• The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
• Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
• The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
• City of Bones
• City of Ashes
• City of Glass
• City of Fallen Angels
• City of Lost Souls
• City of Heavenly Fire
• Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
• Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• How to Love by Katie Cotugno 
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Infernal Devices
• Clockwork Angel

I don't suggest that you read all of these books, but if you want something funny I suggest Bossy Pants or 101 Secrets for your 20s. If you want something that will make you really think about your life, or your faith, or both I suggest One Thousand Gifts, Time Keeper, and Have a Little Faith. If you want a series that will take you half the year to finish, I suggest the Mortal Instruments. If you want to cry I suggest The Rosie Project, Eleanor & Park, The Fault in Our stars, and The Best of Me.

Here are some books on my to read list, and a few that haven't made it on there yet, but have made it onto my bookshelf:

• The Heiresses by Sara Shepard
• The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
• The Infernal Devices
• Clockwork Prince
• Clockwork Princess
• Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (They also wrote the beautiful creatures series)
• Then & Always by Dani Atkins
• I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson
• Landline by Rainbow Rowell
• Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin
• The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
• Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
• P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
• Orange is The New Black by Piper Kerman
• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without me by Mindy Kahling

If you want to see more of what I've read and want to read, check out my Goodreads profile and follow me! I'm trying to do more than 50 books, but who knows how that'll go.

Have a great weekend! I'll be back on Wednesday with a Project Life spread!

-Alexandria

Michaels Haul #3

Good morning lovelies! Today I'm going to share everything I picked up when I was in Calgary. Let me just say I picked up A LOT of things. I spent close to $1200.00 throughout the whole trip, which is a little crazy, but totally worth it.

First up, the movies I picked up at HMV in Cross Iron Mills Mall. All of these were 2 for ___ deals. So I ended up with more than I had intended, but I can't wait to watch them!

I went to a little stationery and party supply shop in Calgary called Reid's and picked up these adorable note cards. I bought them simply because Jon wanted the tin, but I love them just the same! I can't wait to use them.

I went to Staples and picked up some dividers for my stamp binder so that I can hopefully group some of the same stamps together (birthday, christmas, etc.) and hopefully not have to separate the sets.

I picked up some Trading Card Pages to put my smaller stamp sets into. (The individual acrylic stamps from Studio G)

I also picked up some four and two pocket page protectors for larger stamps.

When we were in Target I picked up these baskets for my bathroom. I had intended to leave them with the cabinet when I moved out, but now I want to find something else to put in that place, and take these with me. They'd be great for storing all my Project Life cards in!

We also went to the book store. I've always wanted to read the hunger games, so I picked those up, and the third book to the Beautiful Creatures series. I also picked up two new day planners, one for personal/project life and the second for my mail/penpals.

Here's the things Jon picked up (minus the book). I bought him the Keep Calm & Carry On day planner, and he picked up all the board games. We now own all the Smallworld and expansions, Pandemic and the new Tsuro. Which we played while at his friends store. We've also played a lot of Pandemic since getting home. So much fun!

Next we move onto my Michaels haul. Here's the things in bags (minus two more washitape holders).

The other item not in a bag, was my Silhouette Cameo. Which I'm so excited about! I can't wait until I actually have time to use it and start on my Christmas cards and a couple of Christmas card orders I have.

I couldn't resist these two paper stacks. I fell in love as soon as I started flipping through them. I really don't need any more paper, but I couldn't resist. At this rate my paper shelf will be full by the time I move.

I also picked up this paper stack because I love the colours!

I was so excited about the 5th & Frolic Edition of Project Life. It's so pretty! I was hoping to get a mini album as well, but couldn't find a single one at the Michaels I was in.

I also picked up the Vintage Travel Edition of Project Life.

I needed 3 sets of Washitape dispensers. But could only get two.

I picked up some My Mind's Eye 6 x 6" paper stacks.

I picked up some more Zots, and Mustache Duck Tape. I'm not sure what I'll use it for yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something!

I love making cookies (though I don't very often). Now I can make Anchor & Sailboat cookies, or maybe I'll put them into a random act of kindness, or a giveaway.

I love twine. I picked up this package because of all the different colours!

I picked up some stamps. all the bottom ones came from the sale bin and will be going to penpals.

I've always wanted to make cards with Kraft paper, so I picked up these card and envelope sets.

I picked up these sticky note and tab sets from the sale bin. I grabbed one of each design.

Burlap flowers. One day I want to make my own.

Since I've been making a lot of tags I picked up a TON more eyelets.

My other craft knife broke, so I picked up this Martha Stewart craft knife. I still have replacement blades if anyone can use them I'd be happy to send them to you! Just comment with your e-mail and I'll send you a picture of the knife/blades.

I've seen this punch used for those accordion paper flowers, and I can't wait to use it for that, and other things of course.

I also picked up a Doily Lace punch! It's so pretty.

My Mind's Eye chipboard stickers. I can't wait to use these!

I also picked up more stickers for my niece. She loves all these characters, and I love the smile she gets when I hand her a strip of stickers.

Did I ever talk about how much I love owls? Love these stickers.

I did some hunting scrapbook layouts for Jon's dad in April, so I picked up more stickers to do more pages for him to hang in the Trophy Room.

Picked these up for a penpal. I love them so much I might pick up a couple for myself.

I picked up a few other things for penpals, and Heidi Swapp tags that I'm not sure what I'll use for yet.

 

Stickers for penpals, and making pretty envelopes and whatever I feel like using them for!

That concludes my largest shopping haul to date. I even have the longest receipt from any Michaels trip. I spent almost $900.00 at Michaels. It would have been on par with the other ones, had I not bought the Silhouette.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

-Alex