Book club update: 50 Shades of Grey

I know it has been a hot minute since we updated you about our book club, but don’t take that silence as failure. Much like Beyonce, Ladies (insert current season here) Book Club is a fabulous, sparkling, beautiful success – not to mention one helluva dancer. Since our inaugural meeting in June, we have made it through 15 books, a hockey game, a brunch, an ornament/cookie exchange, and countless wedges of brie and bottles of bubbles.

In an attempt to get my parents to stop asking me when I am going to update our blog, I am going to roll out a series of book club update posts (yay!). First up: 50 Shades of Grey. This was a controversial choice, but the the popularity of this book spiked our curiosity. While the consensus was the book was complete and utter trash, most of has had a good time reading it and discussing it, mostly because of these bomb discussion questions.

Have you read it? Did you love it/hate it/get super grossed out by it?

50 Shades of Grey

Book Club Discussion Questions

Throughout the book, Ana embarks on a whole new adventure in her life, sexually and romantically. As a little icebreaker, we will open up our own sex novels and start out with a little game of ‘never have I ever.’ Be prepared with at least 4 “Never have I ever’s”… and yes, you lushes, there will be drinking involved (duh).

Never have I ever

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Christian tilters on the line between total sweetheart romantic boyfriend and complete stalker in the tale. Has a boyfriend ever shown his psychopath side? Have you? Please provide examples of both.

Rumors are floating around of the making of a 50 movie (eeeeeeeek) and consequently, so are rumors of who will play the ever so dashing Mr. Grey. Opinions please ladies. (Be prepared with Google images ready on your phone as well, as this can easily turn into a heated debate).

What were your feelings on the end of the book? What do you think will happen in the next book? How do you think the series will end? Do you plan to continue?

That’s all…. for now.

Laters, baby.

Top Ten Worst One Direction Lyrics: in descending order of terribleness

During our countless hours listening to One Direction’s historic canon (utilizing Spotify’s wondrous collection and equally wondrous private-listening feature), Shannon and I have discussed just how badly worded and incomprehensible One Direction’s lyrics can be. So please let me now take what started as a friendly workplace game, and submit it as an official artifact for the Internet.

The worst 1D lines/The best 1D gifs*:

A juxtaposed love story

10. “…and if we get together (yeah get together), don’t let the pictures leave your phone.” – Live While We’re Young

Not the worst line, no, but one that stands out on account of how generationally specific it is. Lyrics that will speak to people born in a year that starts with “2—.”

9. “Oh, I just wanna show you off to all of my friends/Making them drool down their chinny-chin-chins.” – Kiss You

No thanks.

8. “The one that I came with/She had to go/But you look amazing/Standing alone.” – C’mon C’mon

The bright side of this totally insensitive premise: They certainly know how to look on the bright side.

7. “Hands are silent/Voice is numb/Try to scream out my lungs/It makes this harder.” – Moments

When we hit this line, Shannon wonders both what they are trying to say and if it is about penises.

6. “Cause I can’t compete with your boyfriend/He’s got 27 tattoos.” – I Would

This is opposite of the lyrical magic of Harry Styes’s hair.

5. “And I will steal us a car/And we will drive to the stars/I will give you the moon/It’s the least I can do.” – Stand up

How? How is that the “least you can do”? It makes no sense. Unless what you mean is, “Where we’re going we don’t need roads.” Then just say that. It makes about as much sense as the people drawing cat faces on 1D’s regular faces.

4. “I won’t let these little things slip out of my mouth…And I’ve just let these little things slip out of my mouth.” – Little Things

WHOOPS. Thanks for telling the whole world about how I have to squeeze into my jeans. Also from Little Things: “You’ll never treat yourself right, darling, but I want you to.” Sure, that sounds good.

3. “Every minute’s like a lasso.” – Everything About You

What does this even mean? No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to “lasso” any meaning out of this.

2. “If I’m louder/Would you see me?” – More Than This

No. That makes no sense.

1. “And girl, what a mess I made upon your innocence.” – Gotta Be You

Gross.

In summation: At least they always seem to be having fun.

*All One Direction gifs are the best. I in no way narrowed these down by quality. That would be impossible.

 

Bourbon balls!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups ground vanilla wafers
• 1 cup ground pecans
• 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup good bourbon whiskey
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar (for rolling)

Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients and liquid ingredients first then combine both in large mixing bowl. Shape in small balls the size of a large cherry, and roll in confectioner’s sugar. Makes about 40 balls, depending upon the size.

NO BAKING INVOLVED!

These “cookies” will keep for about a month when stored in a tin can.

headbands are the new winter hat

I learned this was a fact last year by accident. I stumbled upon a headband and decided to buy it because I fell in love with the adorable snowflake pattern. But after wearing it a few times, I quickly realized the headband functions way better than a hat does when you’re trying to be cute and warm at the same time (enter hair in bun.)

This is me looking cute in my headband.

This season I planned to follow the trend on purpose, so I started my search online. There are tons of blogs out there talking about headbands but not many that actually tell you where to get one that’s cute, warm, AND affordable.
So here’s our list, complete with links to the website you can purchase them from (just click on picture!)…

Portolano Chunky Cable — Bloomingdale’s
On sale for $35 from $50

Owl Headband by Miss Pom @ Top Shop
$32.00

Jack Willis headband
$30

Grey Knit from Target.com
$9.34

…also comes in ivory!

Jack Willis Taplow
$29.50

Free People Diamond Jacquard Twist Headwrap
$28

…also comes in black and white

…and cream

Jack Willis Cambray
$29.50

Knit headband from Etsy.com
$22

And if you’re feeling really ambitious, click on this pic for a pattern to make your own from NobleKnits Knitting Blog…