Happy Friday!

Did anyone else wake up this morning and feel like they took a breath of fresh air? There was a chill in the air this morning that just feels like Spring is on its way. In the spirit of Spring, my bestie and I got together and did a fun picnic shoot. I am going to be honest, it’s probably my favorite post of all time. We were so stinking excited and had a blast getting to come up with a theme, inspiration, and of course outfits! Chelsea and I both share a love of books, however it’s usually me calling Chelsea asking her for recommendations, and then calling her back to talk about how great it was! Below Chelsea has reviewed 4 must have books for this season, all of them are must reads. Enjoy!

^^ The beautiful girl in the blue is Chelsea. We met in college and have been extremely close ever since. We worked together and lived together for 4 years. Chelsea has always inspired me because not only is she an incredible cook (I am absolutely not), but she loves to read. She literally can get lost in the characters and their stories. She is that person that can start a book and finish it within two days. I was in nursing school in college and used to bring my books to  wherever Chelsea was to study and she would read.  We called this our “CS” time, companionable silence. Have you ever had one of those friendships that you literally just can sit with each other, no one has to say a word and somehow your friendship grows deeper from moments like that? That’s our friendship.  I felt like we became so close, not from the things we said to one another, but how we have been there for the other person in moments where nothing needed to be said. An understanding that the other person was there for you no matter what.  Chelsea has such a peaceful spirit about her that the second you are with her you already feel relaxed and joyful. I am so lucky and honored to have her in my life, and it meant so much that she would share in this blog journey with me. I truly have appreciated her support through this!

^^ Being the avid reader that she is, I asked Chelsea if she would do some book reviews. There are four books that Chelsea reviewed and everyone should pick them up this Fall.  Her first review was on Flight Patterns by Karen White.

“If you love the south, family mystery, and antique china then this book will keep you snuggled on the couch for hours. The novel surrounds an antique guru named Georgia, who has tried so desperately to flee her family and her haunted past that she left behind in Florida years ago. All of that changes when she must go back to the very home that she swore to never return to in order to research a very particular piece of china for a client. This mysterious piece of china transports us to France in WWII and a family mystery that has remained tucked away for decades. It is up to Georgia to face her past and heal old wounds. Everything about this book spoke to me. The writing style of Karen White is nothing less than superb. If you want an escape from the world for a time, then I highly recommend diving into this novel.”

^^ For our picnic we kept the food pretty simple. Chelsea made corn salsa, it was amazing. She also brought some pink lemonade, I brought some dessert and fruit. It was just the right combo for an evening picnic, light but filling.

^^ The second book she reviewed was The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.

“I need to start by saying that ANY Kate Morton book you read is a gem. She is positively brilliant and my favorite author of all time. This is saying a lot. The Distant Hours centers around a woman named Edie, who receives a mysterious letter and discovers that her mom has been hiding a huge part of her past. The contents of the letter lead Edie to Milderhurst Castle, an old castle in Kent, where the Blythe sisters reside and where, she discovers, her mother was billeted as a child during WWII. The older Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives looking after their younger sister, Juniper, who has not been the same since her lover vanished years ago. As Edie tries to unravel her mother’s past, she discovers that the ancient walls of Milderhurst Castle have many more secrets waiting to be revealed. Morton weaves such an intricate and suspenseful tale, leaving you pondering even after you read the last page”

^^ This is Sam and Chelsea’s puppy, who I am obsessed with. His presence at the picnic was nonnegotiable.  His name is Herschel and the most precious dog in the world!

Francine Rivers is a beloved author, Chelsea chose Bridge to Haven as her third book to review.

“Any novel that Francine Rivers writes is automatically on my to-read list. Rivers captures us with Bridge to Haven, a story about a girl named Abra who is sucked into the dazzling world of Hollywood in the 1950s. Abra flees from her hometown with the belief that she is not loved by the family who found her when she was a newborn, abandoned under a bridge. This is a classic Prodigal Son story, teaching us that we are all worthy of God’s love, even when we believe that we are too far for Him to reach.”

Chelsea’s dress is so beautiful, when I saw her in it I told I had just tried it on the week before! I have worn this dress on repeat, it’s Free People so you know I love it!

The final book Chelsea wrote about was The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews.

“Mary Kay Andrews is my go-to author for lighthearted reads. The Fixer Upper provides the perfect amount of entertainment without making my brain feel exhausted after reading. When her Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left jobless and homeless. With nowhere else to go, she reluctantly accepts her father’s offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family Victorian Mansion he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia. What she does not realize, however, is just how bad of a state the mansion is in. Dempsey arrives to find the mansion in total disrepair. All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. And before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love, and ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected- back home again. I have read this book quite a few times and I always finish it with a strong feeling that something has been accomplished. It is also an inspiration to renovate something. (probably not the best idea for me!)”

Needless to say this was a blast! I hope you all have enjoyed Chelsea’s book reviews. I am linking all the books below, so grab a cup of coffee and light a volcano candle and get to reading!

xoxo

Mary Margaret