Book Review: Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

The latest installment of the popular Shopaholic series is out from Sophie Kinsella and I grabbed a copy the week it was released and was excited to gobble it up. Mini Shopaholic is the fifth book about Becky and all of the gang and it focuses on two plot lines, her two-year old daughter Minnie's out of control behavior and Becky planning a surprise birthday party for Luke. Becky's outrageous spending habits haven't changed much despite talking about the global recession on every page of the book. Each chapter presented a dilemma she found herself in due to lying to cover up for something either related to shopping or the surprise party which made me feel like I was reading a book aimed towards fourth graders. I know it's not supposed to be thought provoking reading material, hey that's why I read this stuff, but the latest Shopaholic book was not so good. It actually pained me to read it at times and I finished it just to say I was caught up in the series. I love Sophie Kinsella and the character of Becky Bloomwood Brandon and I'm hoping the next Shopaholic book is better than this one. If you're looking for a clever book from Kinsella who can tell a chick story with humor, I recommend Twenties Girl. Maybe that's why Mini Shopaholic wasn't so good because I know Kinsella can do much better. The grade I'm giving this would be lower if Mini Shopaholic was not part of the Shopaholic series. Book Report Grade: C-

Getting Crafty for Fall with a Mums Wreath

Autumn is such a fun time to get crafty because there are so many great ideas with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the fall leaves. Paper Source is one of my favorite places to discover new ways to be creative and I love this Mums Wreath. Besides being so pretty and realistic looking, it's easy and fun to make. The kit comes with everything you need except for the double stick tape and scissors. I have a soft spot for mums since we had them in our flower arrangements for our wedding reception (Happy Anniversary to us this week!) but if you would rather, there is a kit using autumn leaves or you can get ready for the winter holidays with a poinsettia or holly wreath. I plan on storing it after the season by putting it on a hanger and stowing it in the closet or hang it from a nail on the garage wall. Paper crafts are fast becoming my new hobby and can't wait to share some more of the stuff I've made recently.

September Results of the Great Pantry Experiment

September is over and so is the Great Pantry Experiment. The whole point was to use what we already have in the cupboards when making meals in order to meet our grocery budget for the month. And the results? On the downside, we were 15% over budget. On the upside,  We're usually 25% over budget. The other positive to come out of this is that we tried new recipes and added some new favorites to the family cookbook. A month wasn't really enough for us to clean out the pantry and the shelves are still full so I've decided to continue this experiment. For some reason, I bought flour like it was going to be discontinued so some baking will be done today. We've had enough of the sweet stuff after going through two loaves of Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread in a week and a half (this was the best pumpkin bread recipe I've tried ever) so I'm going to make popovers. I haven't had a popover since I was a kid and I remember requesting them for my birthday to my mom. Most kids ask for a pony and I ask for a popover. Anyways, I was reading the October issue of Country Living and found this popover recipe so I'm going to try it out today. Here's to coming under budget on our grocery bills this month and to making a darn good popover even though I know it will not be as good as my mom's.

Holiday Gift Guides

Believe it or not, the holiday shopping season has begun. It used to be the day after Thanksgiving was the best time to get the greatest deals but now it seems the beginning of October is when the prices start dropping. We missed the boat on this last year because we were busy with the impending birth of our first baby but not this year. Starting next week, we'll be bringing back the Holiday section of SimpleandPosh.com and it will be filled with gift guides for every person in your life, where the coolest deals are, and some other fun stuff. We won't be flashing every sale, just ones we think you'll like because we like them too. If you're still having trouble finding the perfect present for someone and want some suggestions, shoot us an email and we'll be excited to search for you. Hey, shopping is fun but it's even more fun when it's not with our own money.

A Reality TV Snafu....You'll Be Glad It's Not You

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you know I'm shamefully a huge TV reality fan. Against my husband's wishes, I'll watch anything from Amazing Race to Real Housewives of Orange County and The Bachelorette to Top Chef Desserts. I even stooped to an all time low of tuning into Dating in the Dark. I used to be a fan of America's Next Top Model but I haven't been able to tolerate it the last couple of seasons and stopped watching. After seeing this clip that's gone viral of ANTM Australia, I've forgotten how reality TV can be just so darn riveting. I feel bad for the girl and I even feel worse for the ANTM host but then I wonder, is it all set up? I don't know and I can't believe I waste my time and energy on pondering such trivial things but sometimes we all need a little break from our own reality. Check out this video of the ANTM Australia finale and you'll either laugh or cringe. Which ever one you do, just be glad it's not you. Have a happy Friday and a fantastic weekend.

Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger

I was in need of some fluffy chick lit after the heavy and somewhat disturbing plot of the last book I read so I decided on Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger. Weisberger is probably best known for her first novel The Devil Wears Prada which I enjoyed but I can't say the same for her two books that followed Prada.  I figured I'd give her another shot with Last Night and happy to report that it was worth it. The book is still ladled with Hollywood references and celebrity cliches but there is more substance than in her two previous books. The plot is simple, not many twists and turns, and really just focuses on the relationship between an everyday husband and wife in their early 30's who have been together for several years and everything is fine and dandy until the husband's music career takes off and he's the next Justin Timberlake/John Mayer/flavor of the month on the cover of US Weekly. Even though it's a simple and fast read it's still fun and makes you contemplate what you would do if you were ever in her situation which becomes a mess. Book club worthy? No, but definitely a good weekend read. Book Report Grade: B

Sassy Elmo? Halloween Costumes Gone Bad

Halloween is probably my most favorite holiday (tied with Christmas and tied with Fourth of July) so when October hits I'm all about spooky movies and bagged fun size candy bars. We already have a costume for the little one but figured we needed to dress up too for the different parties and festivals we're going to this year. When looking for a safari hat in the adult section of costumes online, I stumbled across a Sassy Elmo costume. What the heck? Besides Sassy Elmo, you can get Sassy Cookie Monster and Sassy Big Bird. I don't know why I find this so strange and somewhat disturbing. I thought maybe my son's new fascination for Elmo (the real one, not the sassy one) is what made me weirded out but it's more the idea that a grown person wants to dress up like a Sesame Street character. I totally get the notion of wanting to dress up like a sexy something for Halloween and believe me, I've done my share over the years, but what makes one think looking like Elmo is hot? He is a furry red creature with an incredibly annoying voice and is the least desirable object that comes to mind. If anyone out there has picked out one of these Sassy Sesame costumes to be their disguise this Halloween, let me know what made you decide to be Sassy Elmo. And by the way, what about Sassy Snuffleupagus and Sassy Oscar the Grouch?