What I've Been Reading and Watching

Books:

I read Vanessa Williams autobiography, You Have No Idea.  When I first began reading the book I was very turned off by Vanessa's story.  She had quite a tumultuous relationship with her mother, and how she described her feelings about winning Miss America just seemed very flippant. 

But, as I continued reading, I became engrossed in it.  It was actually a very enjoyable read, and I came away from it with a newfound respect and appreciation for Vanessa Williams.  I recommend it.

Another book I read was The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn.
I really enjoyed this book.  It follows Ivy Ames, who has recently been fired from her job, and soon after getting fired she discovers that her husband is having an affair.  So, she is left to pick up the pieces of her life.  She begins a business advising parents on school admissions for their upcoming kindergarteners.  I laughed aloud quite often throughout the book, and I was amazed at the lengths that many of these parents would go to in order to secure a spot for their child at a "Baby Ivy."

Television:

Melissa Gorgas of RHONJ said on the show a few nights ago that the key to a successful marriage is to have sex every. single. day.  I do enjoy watching Melissa and Joe Gorgas.  They seem to be very hot for each other, which is sweet to see for a young couple with three children. 

The season finale of Pregnant in Heels came on last night, and I savored the last episode.  I love this show.  I'm even thinking about becoming a baby planner myself.  ;)  I was so happy for Rosie as she welcomed her precious baby girl, and tried to get over her own difficult relationship with her mother.  It was endearing for Rosie to allow cameras to see her vulnerable side. 

Teen Mom:  Yes, I still watch this, although maybe not for long.  All I do is fast forward through Catelynn and Amber's scenes.  I was absolutely appalled at the way Farrah and her sister treated her mother on the show last night.  There is no reason under the sun to treat a mother with such disrespect.  We are to honor our parents.  And, I don't even see where Farrah's mom is so bad.  Sure, she may be annoying at times, but that DOES NOT warrant the complete disrespect that her daughters show her.  I would be ashamed to even be on national television treating anyone like that. 

The Client List

I have to say that I enjoy watching The Client List. Last night's episode was. . . wow. Finally, Riley and Evan kissed. Honestly, it's been so long since I've watched a TV show that was not a reality show that I almost forgot how wonderful watching a real show can be.

The season finale is next Sunday, and I'm a bit sad. Although I hate what Riley does for a living, I like that she's a very feminine woman. And, I just knew her estranged husband who deserted her would show up as soon as Evan finally showed his feelings for her! The background music during their kiss was perfect. Is it sad to say that I rewound that scene like five times? . . . Yep, it probably is.

I just love romance. Sorry. :(

Pretty Books to Read

I've been reading quite a bit lately, and it's so much fun. I read, Something Blue by Emily Giffin and Lilia's Haven by Kay D. Rizzo.

Both books inspired me to enjoy my children even more and appreciate their sweet little presence in my life.

I think I've found a new author that I want to continue reading. I love Emily Giffin's simple, pastel-colored book covers, and have admired them for some time while perusing through the book store. But, a few weeks ago I started reading her second novel, Something Blue, last week finished, Baby Proof, and I'm currently reading, Something Borrowed. I honestly did not think that I would enjoy reading the books, but they are fun books to read, with some substance too.

The movie version of Something Borrowed, is coming out soon, so I may check out the movie or wait for it to come out on DVD.

Since having children, I haven't read many fiction books, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back to my book-lover self in the past few weeks!

Miss America 2009

I enjoyed watching the Miss America pageant tonight. I enjoy watching pageants, and even competed in one a couple of years ago. Aside from the swimsuit competition, I think pageants are a great way for young women to develop confidence and communication skills.

Congratulations to the new Miss America, Katie Stam, a 22 year old communications student from Indiana. The first runner up was Chasity Hardman, Miss Georgia. I was rooting for Miss Georgia, because that's where I'm from, but Miss Indiana did a great job, too.



Katie Stam, Miss America 2009



Chasity Hardman, Miss Georgia, 1st Runner Up

Cute business

Yesterday I discovered a delightful website called Designhergals.com . I had so much fun with it. I love beautiful stationery and am always looking for cute and creative ways to design stationery. This website is a great way to do it. You can send out invitations, announcements, create notepads and other unique gifts by creating or designing a particular woman. You choose the hair, body type, outfit, accessories, basically everything about the woman, you create.

I spent more time than I should have creating the perfect person to go on invitations that I was creating. I was having so much fun. Check it out if you're ever planning an event and want to design creative invitations or just to create something unique and pretty to have around your house.

Prime Time Love

I watched a bit of the Tyra Banks show today, and Deion and Pilar Sanders, of Prime Time Love were guests on the show. He is a former pro athlete and she is a former model, turned stay at home mother.

I enjoyed the part of the show when he said that he is a PROvider, with emphasis on pro. He said that he is old school and believes that his woman should not have to work outside the home. Her job is to take care of the home. He said that his own mother worked two jobs to take care of him, and he did not want his wife to work, because it is his job to take care of her.

When asked if she would return to modeling, Pilar said she does things here and there, and Deion went on to say that he did not want his wife hustling to try to make money modeling. If opportunities come to her, that's fine, but he doesn't want her hustling trying to have a modeling career.

I respected that he understands his role as the provider for his family, and wants to take care of his wife and family. Just because a man has a lot of money doesn't mean that the man wants to take care of his family. There are wealthy men who desire and encourage their wives to work, even though they can fully afford for her not to.

I just thought it was an interesting tidbit to share from the entertainment world.

Congrats

I watched The Miss USA pageant on Friday night, and I was excited about Miss Texas, Crystle Stewart, becoming the new Miss USA. I like pageants, and have competed in one, and it was a very positive experience.

She's 26, an educator, and has her own business, Inside/Out, which helps foster self esteem in young ladies. Congrats to Miss Stewart, and I hope you continue to be a role model and mentor for young women across the country.

What happened to TLC's Secrets of a Soccer Mom?

I had been watching a show on TLC entitled, "The Secret Life of A Soccer Mom." The channel advertised the show a lot before the first episode aired. It was slated to come on on Monday nights at 8 or 9. I watched an episode where a former fashion designer decided to go back to work. An aspiring police officer was told by her husband that he did not want her to work as a police officer. So, she reluctantly decided not to take the job offer. And a former chef who decided that at the season in her life, she needed to focus on her kids, so she also declined her job offer.

But, I'm confused, because the channel moved the show to Sunday nights, and then I kept looking for the show to come on and it never did, until finally, I saw an advertisement for the new night and time that the show would come on: Fridays at midnight. Midnight. Please tell me who is really up at that time? And if they are up, they're probably not at home.

I'm wondering has the show received a lot of backlash or something to be moved to such a horrible time slot. The show was pretty interesting to me, but maybe a lot of women called and complained, especially the episode with the husband telling his wife to not take the job. Maybe that was too "radical" to show on television. In such a feministic time, something like that would be seen as radical.

I'm just curious as to what really happened. I guess I'll just set my DVR to record it from now on.