Top 5 Favorite Podcasts

 My Top 5 Favorite Podcasts

Lately, I have been listening to podcasts more than music when driving. I tend to listen to podcasts covering true crime and reality tv.  I know a crazy combination but it's a good mix of both light and dark. Here are my five favorites right now.

Reality Life with Kate Casey is probably the podcast that got me hooked on podcasts.  She specializes in true crime and reality tv but does venture into other topics.  I have gotten some great book recommendations from listening to Kate. She is the best when it comes to interviewing her guests.  She is the best at getting the behind scenes information that nobody else has.  She also interviews the makers of great reality tv and documentaries in an effort to get the story from an angle that nobody else has.  The Barabra Walters of Podcasting. With over 700 episodes there are plenty to listen to.  

Oh, the boys!  Nobody will have you laughing and crying like Mattie and Poodle. As only two guys who have been friends for 150 years can.  If you love reality tv shows like 90-day Fiance, etc then they are the podcast you can't miss.  They are hysterical but can be serious too.  Sometimes their conversions turn into life-changing episodes.  They are great at giving you perspectives that you hadn't thought of before.  Absolutely love these guys.  

Jodene Weber, a former FBI Agent, was a discovery of Kate Casey.  Kate has her as a frequent guest on her podcast to discuss the latest in true crime.  Kate convinced her she needed her own podcast and she took that advice and "Caught in my Web with Jodene Weber" was born.  She can be found on Patreon and is worth every penny.  She deep dives into the true crime cases that are filling the headlines and brings us cases that mainstream media has missed.  She brings an interesting and unique perspective tp covering cases that no other podcaster I listen to has.  

Phew Selle reads my mind when it comes to the tea and drama of reality tv. She holds nothing back when giving her perspective while recapping the episodes.  Her episodes covering Summer House Martha's Vineyard are my favorite. 

Kara covers everything from reality tv, pop culture, and internet drama.  She has the tea and the opinion and I'm here for it. I love when she has guest co-hosts such as Selle Brooks from "who asked me". She has great banter and the conversations come off as friends sitting around having a conversation over coffee.  

What are some of your favorite podcasts?  

Coffee Shop Spotlight: Mo’Joe Coffee and Cupcakes Wallace NC

My new favorite local coffee shop is just down the road in the cute small town of Wallace, NC.  They offer all the coffee flavors you can imagine as well as teas and cupcakes.  One of the things that makes this place stand out is the cute country décor and the coffee cubes.  Coffee cubes are a game changer.  Instead of regular ice cubes watering down

you iced coffee as they melt these are made with coffee and just keep adding coffee flavor. My go-to drink is a large iced latte with 2% and coffee cubes. 

 

Book Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now. Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents -- considered expendable by society -- are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life...or it could be a suicide mission. CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves -- but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth. Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.(Synopsis from Goodreads) This book received 5 out 5 stars from me. I wasn't sure if I would like this book but I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked the characters, even the bad guys. They all were very well developed and believable. Although the names of some seemed a little weird and threw me off a little bit. In the beginning the girls with the boy names kept confusing me. The plot was well developed and fast paced. Kass Morgan kept you turning the page but didn't give away the upcoming plot. I already purchased the next two books and can't wait to read them. Definitely added to my favorites list. Have you seen the tv show or read the book? Let me know.

Book Review: 11 22 63 by Stephen King

Dallas, 11/22/63: Three shots ring out.
President John F. Kennedy is dead.

Life can turn on a dime—or stumble into the extraordinary, as it does for Jake Epping, a high school English teacher in a Maine town. While grading essays by his GED students, Jake reads a gruesome, enthralling piece penned by janitor Harry Dunning: fifty years ago, Harry somehow survived his father’s sledgehammer slaughter of his entire family. Jake is blown away . . . but an even more bizarre secret comes to light when Jake’s friend Al, owner of the local diner, enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination. How? By stepping through a portal in the diner’s storeroom, and into the era of Ike and Elvis, of big American cars, sock hops, and cigarette smoke. . . . Finding himself in warmhearted Jodie, Texas, Jake begins a new life. But all turns in the road lead to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald. The course of history is about to be rewritten . . . and become heart-stoppingly suspenseful. (Goodreads Synopsis)

I am an avid reader of books about JFK and I love time travel fiction.  So obviously this book was one I wanted to read desperately.  I must admit the size of the book scared me. As a result, it took me awhile to get around to reading it.  But I am so glad I finally read it.

 King gives you a great glimpse into the late 1950's and 1960's. I love his details about life during the era,especially his description of how the food tasted and how the towns people interacted with the main character and each other.  The part about the bathrooms in North Carolina was especially good but didn't seem to fit with any other part of the book. The story line about high school in the south during the early 1960's is so good it could have been a book all by his itself.  

I'm sure there are a few inaccuracies but I don't care it was a work of fiction and a great story. I love all of the historical information.  The Kennedy part of the story started slow but that was due to the fact that he had years to wait.  Boy did it pick up in the end though.

I must say I have mixed feelings on the end of the book.  The ending seemed a little dark, scary and extreme.  I will say this I do like that King didn't go with the obvious.  He easily could have played it safe and given us the obvious results of everything being wonderful and perfect.  But he didn't do that.  He made us think and really contemplate what might have been.

I loved this book.  This book is definitely going on my favorites list.  A five star read and highly recommended.

Book Review: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Do we ever really know somebody? Cecelia finds a letter addressed to her from her husband and dated years earlier.  The letter begins with "my dearest Cecelia, if you're reading this I have died." He than confesses to something Cecilia never thought possible. One man's secret can send ripples through the lives of so many people. I couldn't put this book down. The author has a great writing style and it is a very easy read.  The ending I didn't see coming.   I hope her other books are just as good.  

This Week I Am...

This Week I am...

Listening to... #1 to Infinity by Mariah Carey.  All of her number one hits and a new song on one CD.  I am a huge Mariah fan and was so excited to see this CD in the store.

Wearing... NYX Butter Balm.  I have been meaning to try these for so long and I finally bought a few.  I love them.  They are actually butter soft and the color is great.

Enjoying... the sun and the awesome weather here in Colorado.  Although I can do without the tornadoes.

Dreading... packing and cleaning. I'm getting ready to move to Wilmington, North Carolina and can't wait to get everything unpacked and put away.  If you have any tips on where to go in Wilmington please share.

Watching... The Island on NBC. I love this show.  A group of guys are dropped on a deserted island with no fire or food for a month to see if they survive.

This Week I Am

This Week I Am….

Looking forward to… moving.  All of the packing and unpacking is a real pain.  But I know the move to Wilmington, North Carolina will be worth it. 

Reading…  Still working on Crossfire by James Patterson.  I love this series and it never lets me down. 

Watching…  The Island with Bear Gryllis. It’s a reality show wear the producers drop a dozen or so men on a deserted island with no food or shelter. They’re told that they will be back to get them in a few weeks.  Chaos and drama starts right away. 

Wearing… shorts!!!  Finally the warm weather is here. 

Product Spotlight

I am obsessed with this new body wash by Suave in the almond verbena scent. This is definitely a new favorite.  The same scent also came in a deodorant. I wish it came in a lotion. It has a light scent that isn't overpowering.  I love how creamy and silky it is.  Bubbles for days.  

Book Review: The Last Juror by John Grisham

The second (after a Time to Kill) in Grisham's Ford County books and just as good as the first. I love this series and can't wait to read the rest. Grisham blends drama with history and manages to keep you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover. Set at the end of the civil rights era in Clanton Mississippi, two men and one family has a profound effect on the town.

Book Review: Timeless Love by Judith O'brien

One moment Sam is afraid her dad is going to kill her for scratching his BMW than the next moment she is standing in the bedroom of King Edward VI. History comes  alive  like Sam never imagined.  I love time travel romance books and I also love the Tudors.  So this book feels like it was written just for me.  I absolutely loved it.

Book Review: Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson

James Patterson takes a different turn with his Alex Cross series. During some down time Alex decides to write a novel based on an old family story.  This is the that novel and it is great.  Ben is sent by the president to investigate lynchings in Mississippi in 1906.  Right away Ben gets involved way over his head and finds his life in danger. With the help of Alex Cross's cousin moody and her grandfather Abraham Ben takes on the KKK and racism in the deep south.  I really loved this book and I hope Patterson writes more like this.

Coffee mmmmm

I am obsessed with Donut-House-Chocolate-Glazed Donut coffee.  It is amazing.  What are some of your favorite coffee's?

Product Spotlight: Beyonce Heat Perfume

I bought Beyonce Heat Perfume for 50% off the day after Christmas.  I hadn't smelled it before I bought it but for $2,50 I could take a chance on it.  I loved it.  It is not too strong and the vanilla really comes through.  It is a really good choice to wear to work since it is not too overpowering.  This is a small bottle but even the bigger bottles are really affordable.  Let me know what you think of this scent and any others you love.  I provided the link to purchase above and again below.  

Beyonce Heat Perfume

September Fave's

Hey dolls!! I thought i'd share with you some of my favorite things from this past month.  I love the Nicole Richie perfume.  It smells so good and the bottle is just gorgeous.  Next is the Suave dry shampoo.  I love the fact that this product is only like $3 and it has a heavenly fruity scent.  The Sally Hansen double duty base and top coat is the only top coat I will use.  It really helps the polish last longer and prevents chips.  The Jergens cherry almond scented hand cream is so soft and the scent last a long time.  Recently Cover Girl introduced their glosstinis mini nail polishes.  I have Bahama mama which is a very sparkly coral color. I also have pina colada, a pretty yellow color. A new find this month which I am head over heels for is the Rimmel stay glossy lip gloss.  I currently own the the non stop glamour, lights camera action, always lovely, unlimited gold and endless summer.  Of course I always have my blistex around. Last but definitely not least are the Rimmel scandaleyes eyes shadow sticks. I have paranoid purple, blamed blue, blackmail and bulletproof beige.  These are shadow sticks but I love to use them like eye liner.  The black reminds me of my favorite eyeliner from benefit the bad gal big eyeliner stick. What are some of your favorites.  Leave a comment below 

Book Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

CeeCee Honeycutt has had a hard life and for twelve years she has held on.  On one tragic day everything comes tumbling down and CeeCee's world falls apart.  Since she is only twelve decisions are made for her and she doesn't like them.  As the summer rolls on CeeCee begins to realize that what she thought was wrong for her was what she needed all along.  A five star read there ever was one. Usually a book offers up one character that you fall in love with but this one has half a dozen. One of my favorite books.  I'll definitely be encouraging everyone to read it. I can't wait to see what the author writes next.   

"It's how we survive the hurts in life that bring us strength and give us our beauty"

Product Spotlight: XOXO Body Splash & Shower Gel

My first Bodycology products!!! This smells so sweet.  I love it.  With a blend of lemon sorbet, raspberries and musk you'll be captivated by the sweet scent. I can't wait to try some of the other scents.  

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Wow where do I begin? I loved this book! Tris must choose which faction she wants to join and that one choice will change her whole life.  Soon to be a major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley from the TV show The Secret Life of an American Teenager and the Fault in our Stars movie. One of the best and most Popular Dystopian books out there.  Did I mention Four?  You will love him.  This book will definitely go on my favorites shelf.  

Book review: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

A book I couldn't stop reading.  I will truly miss some of these characters.  Set in the antebellum south, the lives of the masters and the slaves of Tall Oaks plantation are brought to life.  The author makes you feels their pain and their happiness.  One of the best books I have ever read.