Because I Can't Contain My Excitement for Thursday... Go Bears!

I am fully aware that most of you will find this post to be totally irrelevant but that's okay because every once in a while, to quote my favorite boy band ever, you've got to "be true to your school." I was going to post this on Thursday (game day) but I'm just too excited. My alma mater plays OU Thursday night and it's going to be a BIG day. In tribute to the Bears and our undefeated season, I wanted to feature this book The History of Baylor Sports by Alan J. Lefever. It's a great collection of stories and photos that showcase Baylor athletics.

read more & order from Baylor Press

*use code BBCE for a special discount*

For you fans of the other Bears team...

My dad is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan born and raised. So obviously this is the perfect birthday gift for him this year. Just released, Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football by Rich Cohen, has received great reviews and is a go-to present for any Bears or football fan in your life. The lucky recipient won't even have to pretend he likes your present this year and in most cases he'll probably forget he hasn't read a book since college.

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Tasty Tuesday: My Father's Daughter by Gwyneth Paltrow

No this isn't a foodie/cooking/recipe blog, but every once in a while I do want to feature my favorite cookbooks. If the only thing you have time to read during the day is a recipe, at least you're starting somewhere! So why not pick a great recipe out of an even cuter cookbook?! Regardless of how you feel about goop (if you fall more on the dislike side how excited are you for the upcoming Vanity Fair issue... dying) this cookbook, My Father's Daughter by Gwyneth Paltrow, is amazing. Being goop, she does use some ingredients that can be challenging to find but there are substitutions noted. Most things are pretty simple to make and it all tastes fresh and delicious. My favorites: blythe's blueberry muffins, fudgy chocolate brownies & sweet potato ravioli. Get to cookin'!

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In Honor of RHOBH Premiere Tonight: Drinking & Tweeting

The Short & Sweet of it: Insanely entertaining glimpse into the life of a Beverly Hills Housewife. Pulitzer Prize gold? No. But why in the world would I want to read something like that when I can read something by Brandi Glanville??

I couldn't put this book down. I read it on a three hour flight, and if there was any turbulence I sure didn't realize it. I did try to hide it from my seat neighbor because the last thing I wanted was to have him see that I was reading about uniquely rejuvenated body parts. Drinking & Tweeting by Brandi Glanville is everything I would expect from a RHOBH, including ex-husband trash-talking and plenty of stories juicy enough to make me blush. But it is more than just superficial goodness (believe it or not). The book also describes how Brandi got to Beverly Hills from Sacramento and how she has dealt with the struggle of being a single mom.  No one can fault Brandi for a lack of honesty- she holds nothing back!

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PS: Her new book comes out in Feb. Cannot wait.

Lazy Sunday: Coffee Table Edition

Whether I'm lounging at my own house or at a friend's I always glance at the books on the coffee table (that's what they're there for right?). Most are usually fairly boring, but every once in a while I come across one that I adore. If you have a coffee table sans books, add a few and your guests will thank you! Add one of these and they'll thank you even more...

Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel
Life's a Beach by Martin Parr
The Hundred Dresses: The Most Iconic Styles of Our Time by Erin McKean

Love Your Local Bookstore: Bay Books in Coronado, CA

There's just something special about shopping at a local bookstore. Maybe it's because you tend to see familiar faces, get to browse through new & sometimes local authors, find books you might not have discovered somewhere else, or perhaps you just love supporting your community. I love Bay Books for all those reasons and more. I grew up going to school just down the street, and while I generally checked books out from the library in elementary school, on special occasions we got to go shopping at Bay Books. Now whenever I'm back in town visiting, Bay Books is always on my short list of places I must go. (That and going to Village Pizzeria right across the street for the best pizza in the world.) 

Here is a description of the charming bookstore from their website:

Bay Books is an independently owned bookstore serving Coronado and San Diego County for over 20 years.  We specialize in new titles, indie favorites, military history, young adult and children's books.  We also carry foreign language magazines.

Bay Books carries a broad selection of books, from the latest published books to the established timeless classics. We boast an extensive Children's sections, with books and toys for all ages. Our Military History section is excellent, in support of our friends at the North Island Naval Air Station, MCRD, MCAS Miramar and at the Naval Amphibious Base. In addition to our books, we also offer a wonderful assortment of greeting cards (Papyrus), stationary,  journals (Moleskin and PaperBlanks) and specialty gifts. In addition, we offer one of the largest selection of magazines, domestic and international, in Southern California.

Located in Coronado, California, Bay Books is considered San Diego County's largest general independent bookstore.

Support Bay Books!

ILLUSTRATION BY RAY VELLA

Reading is Chic: No. 1

Reading is Chic is going to be a fun series of posts where I highlight some amazing reading accessories. After all, who can resist cuddling up with a cozy blanket, putting some on some glamourous reading classes, grabbing a stylish cocktail glass, and reading a juicy book? It's also a really fun gift basket idea- just tailor it to the lucky lad or lady! Pair the below with Mindy Kaling's book I highlighted here and you'll be a gifting genius.

glasses throw glass

Friday Funny: Mindy, Mindy, Mindy

The Short & Sweet of it: Mindy Kaling is really funny and if you don't want to hang out with her you might want to reevaluate your social circle because there's no way it's as cool as her.

I love Mindy, so naturally I loved Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling. If you asked me to I couldn't even pick whether I like her more as Kelly from The Office or as Mindy from The Mindy Project. She's just so likable. I'm honestly not a huge fan of every comedian's book, but I think Mindy's is so great because of her storytelling. The book isn't written like a standard memoir- it's almost like a glimpse into her diary or a conversation with an old friend over brunch. She writes about her journey to Hollywood and a breakout play she wrote that will leave you wishing you could go back in time and be in the audience for. Mindy became successful in Hollywood the old fashioned way- by working hard and being smart, and that alone is pretty appealing.

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