Homemade Iced Vanilla Latte Recipe

My favorite drink to get from Starbucks is a tall iced vanilla latte. It has just the right amount of coffee and tastes like heaven. Whenever I would try to make an iced coffee at home, I could never get it to taste as good as my go-to Starbucks drink. Recently, I discovered how to make my own iced vanilla latte that tastes just as good as the one from Starbucks. If you're looking for a new drink to try or you love the iced vanilla latte as much as I do, this recipe is for you. Enjoy!

What you'll need:
-Milk
-Regular coffee (not anything flavored)
-Ice
-Vanilla coffee syrup

To Make:
-Fill a large glass with ice (think venti size)
-Brew a small cup of coffee (I took a French Roast k-cup and used the smallest cup size on my Keurig)
-Take 1 1/4 cup of milk and either keep it in the measuring cup or put it in a separate glass. Keep in mind that there has to be room to add the syrup and mix it in without the milk overflowing.
-Add 2 Tbsp. of vanilla syrup to the milk and mix well
-Pour the vanilla/milk mixture over the ice
-Add the coffee until you reach the desired taste
-Enjoy!

Yes Please by Amy Poehler Book Review

4/5 Stars

Amy Poehler is one of my favorite celebrities. She's funny, creative, and honest. She knows how to laugh at and be confident in herself. When this book first came out, I hadn't known much of Amy Poehler. I had watched many of her Saturday Night Live sketches and had seen her in Mean Girls but that's about it. I was drawn to the cover of her book and knew that I had to pick it. In March of 2015 I started watching Amy's show Parks and Recreation. Through this show, my love for Amy Poehler grew. As soon as I finished all seven seasons of the show, I picked up her book. It is a memoir that Amy writes herself. There are a few guest author sections (for example, Seth Meyers has a section) but for the most part, the book is written by Amy herself. She talks about her childhood and how she always knew that she would be making people laugh. She details her life on SNL which was really fun and entertaining to read for me because my family watches almost every show. She also talks about her kids and her divorce. She may have seemed okay on the outside but on the inside she was so upset. My favorite section of her book was about the different friendships that she has made over the years. Obviously she talks about Tina Fey and Seth Meyers, but she also includes the entire cast and crew of Parks and Rec and shares different stories from working on the show.

Canada Trip 2015

This past week, I attended the Stratford Festival with my best friend Kianna and her family. After months of planning the trip, we finally left Monday afternoon and arrived in Stratford, Ontario Tuesday morning. It was a long six hours in the car that was filled with Disney sing-alongs and trying to fall asleep while driving through construction.

Tuesday was the busiest day. We had two shows scheduled while also trying to unpack and eat. The first show we saw was The Sound of Music. I love the movie version of this and have watched it numerous times. I know all of the songs and I was really excited to see the stage performance. It did not disappoint. All of the actors and actresses were incredible. They hit all of the notes in the songs and the story was beautifully told. They had one main set and then different props were brought in to make it seem like there were multiple rooms around. My favorite part of the performance was the actress who played Maria Von Trapp. I lost my program so I don't remember her name but she was incredible.

The set of Sound of Music 

The second show we saw was Hamlet. I read Hamlet in my Humanities class my senior year of high school. My teacher is obsessed with Hamlet and she passed her love and obsession onto her students, myself included. I've only read a few plays from Shakespeare, but Hamlet is my favorite. I had high expectations going into this show and it was fantastic. The actor who played Hamlet was the perfect choice. He could be moody, angsty, and mad all at the same time. I didn't know whether to love or be annoyed by him. My other favorite character was surprisingly Polonius. He was incredibly sarcastic and fun. He had a few great one-liners and expressions that drew laughs from the audience. Although I would have preferred to see Hamlet first and then The Sound of Music, both were incredible performances.

Landline Book Review

4.5/5 Stars

Landline follows a character named Georgie who is a comedy writer. She is married and has two kids. Her husband Neal is the one who does all of the cooking, cleaning and taking care of the kids because Georgie seems to always be working. For Christmas, the four of them are supposed to fly out to Nebraska to visit Neal's mom. Georgie decides she can't go because one of her shows that she has been working on has been given the opportunity to become a pilot. With her marriage seemingly crumbling, Georgie tells Neal that she can't go to Nebraska, causing Neal and the girls to leave without her. Georgie is so upset and winds up going to her mom's house. It's in her childhood bedroom that she finds an old phone. She later learns that this phone is magic. It allows her to talk to Neal from 1998, right before they got engaged. By talking to this version of Neal, Georgie realizes what she really wants in life and why her marriage may be crumbling.
Like all Rainbow Rowell books, I fell in love with this story. The characters were relatable and the story was fun but also semi heartbreaking. It was addictive, as all of Rainbow's books are. My only problem was that both Georgie and Neal could be annoying at times because they weren't communicating but it's easy to look past that small detail and love this book.

**Spoilers ahead. Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled**

An Ember in the Ashes Book Review

5/5 Stars

An Ember in the Ashes is a debut young adult fantasy novel by Sabaa Tahir. It follows two characters, a scholar turned slave girl named Laia, and a solider named Elias. Their society is sort of based on ancient Rome. There is an empire who has taken over these different groups of people. Laia is a part of the scholar group and her people are attacked by the soldiers. They kill her grandparents and take her brother to prison. Laia barely escapes. She goes in search of the resistance, a group of rebels who are trying to fight against the empire and bring order back to their world. She believes that they can help her save her brother.
Elias on the other hand is a trained soldier. He is a Mask which is the most deadly of all of the soldiers. He has been training since he was eight years old but he knows that he is different than the other students. He believes that what the empire is doing is wrong and he doesn't want to hurt people. He tries to escape but then is chosen to participate in a set of trials to become the new emperor. As one can guess, Elias and Laia cross paths and work together to figure out how to escape the empire.
This book was fantastic. I went into it with very high expectations because there was so much hype surrounding it. It was an epic fantasy story that was much darker than I anticipated. I found the pacing to be perfect and the characters to be interesting. The plot was fast paced but there was a lot of world building and information being thrown at the reader but because the story was so engrossing, it's hardly noticeable. This book was marketed as a stand-alone fantasy which was kind of annoying because the ending of the book left off at a cliff hanger. Thankfully, its sequel was announced a few weeks ago and that can be expected in 2016.

**Spoilers ahead. Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled**

Summer Bucket List

Summer has officially started for me! Even though I have technically been out of school since May, my family is now on summer break as well. Each year I make a list of things that I would potentially like to do or accomplish this summer. The list consists of little things, like finishing up a book series, to larger things like going on a trip. Summer is my favorite season because it seems like the possibilities are endless! I already have some summer plans but here are some of my "bucket list" items that I hope to accomplish!



1.) Go to Chicago: I live in Michigan so Chicago is about a 2 1/2- 3 hour train ride. I love exploring the city because there always seems to be something new to discover, plus the food is delicious. I want to either take a day trip with some friends or even go for a few days with my family!

2.) Spend an entire day at the beach: Last summer I participated in beach week which is an entire week where the seniors camp out at the beach. My friends and I had such a good time going out to the beach every morning and staying until sunset. I love going to the beach and even though camping out for a week might not be possible, spending a day there with some friends sounds great.

May Favorites

I'm a little late on this but here are some of the things that I loved in the month of May!

Once Upon a Time Season 4B Finale: Throughout the second half of season 4 of OUAT, I was really annoyed with all of the characters. They were acting without thinking things through and the episodes were boring. The finale completely made up for the crap that has gone on this past half season. I don't want to say much because of spoilers but let's just say that I am so excited to see how season 5 plays out now that some of the character's roles in the series will be changed.

Pitch Perfect 2: When the first Pitch Perfect movie came out, my friend Hannah and I went and saw it multiple times in theaters and since then I've watched it so many times that I can quote the entire movie. I was really excited when it was announced that a sequel would be coming out but I had high expectations. Although Pitch Perfect 2 wasn't as good as the first one, I still enjoyed it. This one follows the Bellas in their senior year of college and they seem to have lost their way. Everyone is trying to figure out what to do after they graduate while also focusing on winning the world a cappella championship. It was cute and funny and I loved that we got to see how the characters have developed through their years at Barden.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry Review

5/5 Stars
There are no words to describe how much I adored this book. After having sat on my bookshelf for many months, I finally picked this up and devoured it. The book is only 258 pages so it is a very quick read. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is about a bookseller named A.J. Fikry whose life doesn't seem to be going anywhere. His wife died in a car accident a while back and his store isn't making enough money. He is lonely and because of that, he drowns his sorrows in alcohol. His life is completely turned around when he discovers that a young child by the name of Maya has been abandoned in his store. There is a note that says that Maya is to be placed in A.J.'s care because the mother can no longer support her. The mother wants the child to grow up to be a reader and thought the bookstore was the best place to leave her young daughter. The novel then chronicles different events that happen in A.J.'s life once Maya has entered it. It is such a beautifully written story. A.J. is a fantastic main character who is funny and witty but also devoted and caring. After I finished this book, I immediately wanted to pick it up and reread it because it was that good. If you see this book in your local store, don't hesitate to pick it up. I guarantee you will love it.

**Spoiler section ahead! Do not read on if you haven't read the book!**

Top Tuesday #2

Let's talk about my top 5 favorite TV shows!

1.) Parks and Recreation 
This show has quickly become one of my favorite shows of all time. I love all of the characters and the story lines. All of the characters are hilarious and I often found myself laughing out loud. Although the hilarity is undeniable, this show also made me cry because there were some really sweet and heartwarming moments. Don't hesitate to start watching Parks and Rec. It is so good and you won't regret it.

2.) Once Upon a Time 
This is my fangirl show. Captain Swan is my favorite ship (couple for those who don't understand what shipping is). OUAT is a show about fairytale characters who get stuck in our world and have to figure out how to live. There is magic and mystery, romance, and a huge emphasis on family. It is so good, especially if you are someone who loves fairytale retellings.

April Favorites

The month of April was absolutely insane. I'm happy to say that I have finished my first year of college! I've been on summer vacation for a few days now and it feels really weird to not have classes or homework to worry about. Overall, April was a good month. Here are some of the things I loved in the month of April.

Books
 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: I adore this book. This was a reread for me and it gave me all the feels. It's so good. Go pick it up. I guarantee you won't regret it! I also did a full review of Fangirl if you want to check that out!

 The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen: I picked this book up for the Booksplosion book of the month read along, hosted by some of my favorite book tubers on youtube. This follows a girl named Kelsea who is now of age to become queen and take back her kingdom. The only problem is is that many people want her dead. This book is filled with political intrigue and a strong female protagonist. It started out very slow but I eventually became more interested and ended up really enjoying this book. Check out my full review if you want to know more!

The Queen of the Tearling Book Review

4/5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a little bit to get into it but in the end, I couldn't put it down. For those of you who don't know, The Queen of the Tearling follows a nineteen year old girl named Kelsea who has been in hiding since she was a baby. Her adoptive parents have been training her to become Queen of the Tearling, her kingdom which was taken over by her evil uncle, the Regent, after her mother Queen Elyssa died. The only problem is, is that not only is Kelsea nervous about ruling a kingdom, there are many people who want her dead. This book is filled with lots of action and political intrigue. I enjoyed Kelsea as a character. She was strong and logical. She thought things through before acting. This book was entertaining, fun, and a strong starting point for the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend it.

**WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD**

Top Tuesday

I was inspired by Katytastic.com to do a Top Ten Tuesday post. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post by The Broke and Bookish where they answer their top ten favorite things that fit into the category for that week. Instead of going along with their prompts, I've decided to make my own top ten list for the week! Hope you enjoy!

Top Ten Favorite Books (in no particular order)

1.) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: This entire series is amazing. It follows an assassin named Caelena Sardothien who has been sent to a slave camp. She is rescued when she is approached to compete in a competition to be the King's champion, otherwise known as his own personal assassin. If she accepts the offer to compete, she can earn her freedom back. It is a gripping story with lots of action, a strong female protagonist, and a great love triangle. I would highly recommend.

2.) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: I can't stop gushing about how much I love this book. I recently reread it and loved it even more the second time. Cath is just starting her freshman year of college and nothing is like how she imagined. She would much rather stay in and write fan fiction than go out and meet people. This follows Cath throughout her freshman year and shows how she grows out of her shell.

Fangirl Book Review

5/5 Stars

This was a re-read for me and I loved it even more the second time. It follows a girl named Cath and her struggles through her freshman year of college. Cath has a twin sister named Wren and they have always done everything together. Wren is more outgoing while Cath likes to stay in and write Simon Snow fan fiction (it's like our version of Harry Potter). She doesn't know how to adjust to college life without her sister by her side. It is a great story of growing up, falling in love, and relying on family. Definitely pick this up if you want an adorable and heart-warming read.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Afterworlds Book Review

5/5 Stars

This was a fantastic book. It follows two different stories throughout 600 pages of epicness. The first story is about Darcy Patel who at 18 years old wrote a novel called Afterworlds. Now she is in the process of learning the world of publishing and deadlines while she works on editing her novel before it comes out. The second story we get to read is Afterworlds, the novel that Darcy has written. This story follows a girl named Lizzie who encounters a terrorist attack in the Dallas airport. After that, weird things start to happen to her (I don't want to give anything away because it is so good). The way that the two stories are intertwined is perfect. They would be good as separate stories but together they fit perfectly. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it.

What it has:
Romance
Action
Paranormal elements
Creepiness

Friday Reads

Hello everyone! Wow, it feels like it's been forever since I've done one of these but welcome back to Friday Reads! This weekend I will be making my way through The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson. I'm about 30 pages in and I'm enjoying it so far. All I really know about this book is that there is a princess who is set to marry a prince but on her wedding day she runs away. There is also an assassin mixed in there. I know, not a great synopsis but I want to go into this book not knowing much. I've heard really great things from different Booktubers and I'm excited to continue reading this!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday Reads

Welcome to Friday Reads!

This weekend I'm going to try and finish All Fall Down by Ally Carter. This follows a girl named Grace who goes to stay with her grandfather at the U.S. Embassy in Adria after she claims she witnessed her mother's murder. Her family thinks that she's crazy and believes time away would be good for her. Everything starts to go downhill when Graces sees the man who murdered her mother in Adria. Now she will stop at nothing to prove that she isn't crazy and take this man down.

This intrigued because Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series is one of my favorite series of all time. I'm a little over halfway right now and I'm enjoying it. It is a very fast-paced read and entertaining.

If I finish that, I might start The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson but that is still up in the air.

Have a great weekend everyone!

How to Survive Winter

Winter can be a brutal time, especially if you live in the Midwest or on the east coast. Personally, I hate winter. I think the snow is pretty but I hate the cold. Growing up in Michigan, I'm used to harsh winters. Over the years I've found things that I like to do to prepare myself for the polar vortexes that are bound to ensue. These are things that I like to get and that I find essential in trying to make the winter months a little better.

All the Light We Cannot See Book Review

5 out of 5 Stars 

5 out of 5 Stars 

This book was amazing. After a slow start (I had put it down for a few months), I finally picked it back up again and finished it in about a week and a half. Once you start reading, you can't stop. The chapters are super short which makes the story fly by. This follows two different perspectives. The first is a young girl named Marie-Laure who lives with her father in Paris. When she is six years old she goes blind. The other perspective is of a young German boy named Werner who finds a radio and realizes that he has a gift with fixing machines (not as boring as it sounds). The book follows the two as they live life while World War II is in progress. The story is enchanting. It draws you in. I would highly recommend this book. It is 530 pages of pure gold. It made me laugh, cry, and think deeply. I was talking to my grandma about it (she read it before me) and I agreed with her when she said that this was a book that "sticks." After I finished, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I wanted to know more. It is incredible and I cannot recommend it enough.

**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED!**

Friday Reads

Currently Reading 

Welcome back to Friday Reads, my weekly update of what I'm planning on reading over the weekend.

This weekend, I want to get farther in All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. This is a World War II story that follows a young German boy and a young French girl who is blind. I don't want to give much away, especially since I'm not that far into it. So far I'm enjoying it. It is an enthralling story with very short chapters which means I can move through it pretty quickly.

If, by the very slim chance that I finish this book, I might start Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. I've heard mixed reviews but I love Stephanie Perkins and would like to finish the Anna and the French Kiss companion series.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

The Assassin's Blade Book Review

Companion to the Throne of Glass Series 

4 out of 5 Stars 

I am a huge fan of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas and was excited when I saw this novel at the library. I immediately picked it up and was anxious to dive back into the world. The Assassin's Blade is a bind up of five novellas that all lead to the events that occur at the very beginning of Throne of Glass. Each novella follows the main character, Celaena Sardothien, on a different adventure following the events of the previous one. I would highly recommend this bind up if you have read the Throne of Glass series. It can be read at anytime during the series. I read it after I had already completed the first and second books. Sarah J. Maas did not disappoint. The novellas are filled with action, romance, and betrayal. This is a great edition to the Throne of Glass world.

**WARNING: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK OR ANY OF THE OTHER THRONE OF GLASS NOVELS FOR THIS NEXT PART CONTAINS SPOILERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED**

Most Anticipated of 2015

I know that I'm incredibly late at putting this up but I thought I should anyway. These are my most anticipated books, TV shows, movies, and albums that are either being released for the first time or coming back for 2015. I'm so excited about each of these things and I can't wait for them to come out!

Books 
All Fall Down by Ally Carter- January 20
Fairest by Marissa Meyer- January 27
Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins- April 7
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas- May 5??
The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan- October 6
Throne of Glass #4 by Sarah J. Maas
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Winter by Marissa Meyer


T.V. Shows
ONCE UPON A TIME- March 1 on ABC
Friends on Netflix

Movies
Cinderella- March
Avengers: Age of Ultron- May
Pitch Perfect 2- May
Pan 
Star Wars 7 - December 15
Paper Towns 

Music
R5's new album
Smoke and Mirrors by Imagine Dragons

Friday Reads

I've decided to post about what I'm reading/planning to read every Friday. Each Friday Reads post will include the book that I'm currently reading with a brief synopsis and any books that I might try to start over the course of the weekend. Hope you enjoy!

Currently Reading 

This Friday I plan on trying to finish The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas. This novel is a bind-up of five novellas from the widely popular Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas. Each novella follows the main character Celaena Sardothien on her adventure leading up to the events in Throne of Glass. Each novella is fast paced and very entertaining. It's been a while since I've read a Sarah J. Maas book and I was very glad to be re-emmersed in this world. I'm a little over half way done and so far I'm really enjoying it.

If I happen to finish The Assassin's Blade, I'll either pick up All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. I'm already part way through All the Light We Cannot See so I'll most likely pick that first.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

All the Bright Places Review

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is now available 

I was given the opportunity to read this book a few weeks before it came out because I had access to an advanced reader copy. This book had been described to me as perfect for someone who loves John Green and Rainbow Rowell's book." I am an avid fan of both Green and Rowell so I was immediately intrigued. This book made me laugh, cry, angry, annoyed, etc. I basically felt all the feels with this book. I ended up giving it a 4.5 stars because it left such an impression on me.

When the book begins, we meet Finch, a high school senior who is standing on the ledge of his school's clock tower contemplating suicide. He soon realizes that he is not alone up there. Violet Markey, one of the most popular girls at school stands on the ledge as well, unmoving. Finch eventually coaxes her back and the two head down together. Thus begins their story.

**Warning: Spoilers Ahead. Do not read if you don't want to be spoiled. I'm warning you***

5 Tips to Help You Start Second Semester

For many college students, winter break has come to an end and it is time to head back to school. The month off of school was pure bliss compared to the hell that is finals week. There was no homework to complete, no alarms set, and no dining hall food. For me, my second semester started last week Tuesday so I've already had a week of classes. It was hard to get back into the swing of things after not having any responsibilities for a month. Here are some of my tips to help you start the semester off right.

1.) Get a planner
      This one may seem obvious but trust me, a planner is one of the most helpful things you can ever buy for college. Mine is from Vera Bradley and it has a big calendar for the entire month plus places to plan out the week. It has been my life saver since day one of college. I can copy down all of my assignments and social events that I have going on throughout the month. Another tip is to buy colorful pens and color code your classes. My favorites are the marker pens from Paper Mate.

2.) Copy the syllabus into your planner
     In most college classes, the first day you will receive the syllabus that has assignments and due dates for the entire semester.  I'm in four classes this semester and I copied every single assignment from each syllabus into my planner. This helps keep me organized and prepared for class. I just have to look at the date and see what assignments I have due before the next class. It makes staying on top of work very easy.

3.) Take breaks while studying
      It can be hard to get back to school and suddenly have all of this homework and studying that needs to be done. It can be a tedious task that most students dread. My tip is to take short breaks while studying. It will help keep your mind fresh and not feel overloaded with information.

4.) Organize your notes
     Personally I love color coding my notes. My binder and notebook are the same color and stored together on the same shelf. I also love tab dividers to separate notes, handouts, worksheets, and schedules. It will make things so much easier to find when studying.

5.) Grab things you need the night before
     Another obvious tip, but it has saved me when I'm running late for class. The night before, I take    everything that I'll need for class the next day and put it in my backpack. I also fill up my water bottle and charge my phone. It may seem silly but it's definitely worth the extra minutes of sleep I get in the morning.

I hope these tips help you start off your second semester in a good way. It'll take a little bit of time to adjust, but once you're there, it's almost as if you never left campus at all! Have a great second semester everybody!

Goals of 2015

I know I'm a little late on this but I thought I should share my goals of 2015. I feel if I put them out in the world then I will hold myself accountable for them throughout the year. When the new year approached, of course I was thinking of ways to improve my 2015. I thought of some goals that I could try and maintain throughout the entire year. I don't like resolutions but I felt like goals would be more obtainable and give me something to work toward. Here are my goals for 2015:

1.) Read 30 books: I love to read and in 2014 I read 36 books. Because of my busy college schedule, I don't have as much time to read as I would like. I feel like 30 is a number that I can reach, especially when I have free time in the summer

2.) Save money: I am a broke college student who loves to shop and is addicted to Starbucks. When my friends and I are bored on campus, we go into town and shop. I'm really going to make an effort to save money this year and only spend on things I truly need.

3.) Get healthy: This is the goal that almost everyone makes for themselves in the new year. I hate working out but I want to try getting back into it. I was a swimmer in high school and during those months, I was in the best shape of my life. Right now, I'm in a "gym" class at my college which is helping to motivate me to go to the gym. Also, summer vacation is right around the corner and I live about 5 minutes from the beach (:

4.) Stay organized: I go through spurts where for a few months I'll be super organized but then clothes will start to pile up on my floor and dishes will be left out. I want to truly put in an effort to be organized. I feel so much better when my life is in order and I can find everything.

5.) Use up products: I have a lot of products in my collection. Like I said before, I'm a shopaholic. If I see something I want, I tend to buy it. This year, I'm going to try and use up all of my stuff completely before going out and purchasing something new. This will also help with my other goal of saving money so it's a win win!

6.) Get rid of things I don't need: This goal goes along with my other goal of organizing. I need to declutter my life. I have clothing items in my closet that I haven't worn in years but just haven't made myself get rid of yet.

Those are my goals for 2015 and hopefully I can stick with them! It'll be tough but I'm really going to put in the effort. What are some of your goals for 2015?

Top Books of 2014

I know this is a little bit late but I thought that it would still be fun and interesting to share my favorite books of 2014. All of these I gave 4 or more stars to on my Goodreads account. The books that I've listed are in no particular order.

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: I read this book over the summer and absolutely fell in love with the story. After her father dies, Amy's mother decides to move across the country from California to Connecticut. It is Amy's job to get their car across the country. The only problem is that Amy refuses to drive. Her mother enlists the help of an old family friend to drive with Amy to Connecticut. Together, Amy and Roger embark on an epic road trip and along the way learn more about each other. It is a great story that includes adventure, romance, and heartwarming moments. Along with the awesome story, the book also includes playlists, receipts, and other mementos from Amy and Roger's trip.

A Year in Review

2014 was a crazy year. So much happened that I can't even begin to comprehend. It seems like it went by so quickly. Though it was full of ups and downs, overall it was a pretty great year. Here are some of my highlights.

Spring Break (April 2014): This was the first year that my family decided to go away for spring break. We ended up going to Nashville, TN for about four days. Even though the weather wasn't the greatest, I still had a blast. My favorite part was going to see Wicked. It was my first time and now I'm obsessed. I also loved that I was able to spend time with my family.

Prom (April 2014): Oh my goodness. Prom was one of the highlights of my senior year. I went with a big group of my friends and we had so much fun. We all got ready together, took pictures, and headed to the venue to dance the night away. There was a photo booth with props, good food, a koi pond, and really good music. Let's just say I had a great time :)

December Favorites

December was a great month. Not only did I finish my finals early, I was able to spend most of it at home with my family and friends. December is one of my favorite months because of the Christmas feeling that is all around. In my family, we start decorating right after Thanksgiving, so when I got home, my house had been turned into a Christmas wonderland. December was a fabulous month and was a great way to end 2014.

Some of my favorite things:

Once Upon a Time Mid-Season Finale: Oh. My. This was amazing. OUAT is my favorite show and I had been anticipating the very hyped finale the entire season. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. I spent most of the season hating the Snow Queen, but soon grew to love her. The entire #OnceisFrozen arc was fantastic and I was sad to see Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff leave Storybrooke. Although they are gone, the Queens of Darkness have teamed up with the now banished Rumpelstiltskin and I can't wait to see the havoc they wreck on the citizens of Storybrooke (plus Captain Hook survived which mean more #CaptainSwan!!!)

Christmas: This year's Christmas was fantastic. I got to spend lots of time with my family and friends. My sister, best friend Ashley, and I had a Christmas party where we ate lots of food and watched movies all night. We exchanged presents and hung out. It was so much fun. My dad's side of the family came over for Christmas Eve and we had a gift exchange. On Christmas, we went to my grandparent's house, ate breakfast, and opened gifts. Everyone was so happy and it was a great time for my family to be together.

New Years Eve: I had a very full day on New Years Eve. First, I went to my friend Katie's birthday party. We went downtown and made candles at a local shop. We went around and smelled about 100 different candle scents and picked out our top ten. After we had our top scents picked out, the workers picked out three that would fit well together. We were able to test the different scents and make our candles. Mine was hot cocoa, cinnamon spice, and candy cane scented. After the party, I went out to dinner with my family and Ashley. We then went and saw Into the Woods (which was amazing btw). When we got home, we watched the ball drop and drank sparkling grape juice. My sister, Ashley, and I stayed up until about 2:30 a.m. watching The Other Woman, That's So Raven and Lizzie McGuire. It was a great way to ring in the new year.

December was a great month and I can't wait to see what's ahead.