Blogs Worth Bookmarking

Last week I shared with you that one of the things I did before I created my blog was to read blogs. To this day, one of my favorite things about blogging is still reading other blogs. I usually read blogs in the morning when I wake up and at night before dinner. I think it's fun to read what others have to say, gain inspiration, and learn new information.  On a daily basis, I read anywhere from five to fifty five different blogs depending on how much time I have. My reading list includes a wide range of bloggers from small start up blogs to big blogs that have tons of sponsorships. I find value in reading both types because I am able to learn from both. 

Today I wanted to share a list of some blogs that I frequently read. I'm always searching for a new blog to check out, so I thought most of you would enjoy learning about some new (to you) blogs as well. 

The College Prepster

I go through phases of reading a ton of her posts and then I go awhile without.  Carly's blog was the first blog I remember ever reading. She's seriously blogger goals.  Her posts are a combination of sponsorships, guest bloggers, and her own content.  Her preppy style and life advice are a great source for inspiration. 

Cristina Was Here

Cristina is a legit lifestyle blogger. She shares about all aspects of her life (healthy, beauty, anxiety, recipes, her constant moves, college, etc.). I love the variety in her content as well as the way she shares her honest views on different parts of life. As bloggers, we tend to sugar coat the negative aspects of life and paint a picture that is so far from our reality. Cristina does a fabulous job of being real with her readers. 

Fran Acciardo

Another great lifestyle blogger. Fran just finished her freshman year of college and shares her daily life adventures. She has everything from fashion to food on her blog. I always enjoy her top ten posts she shares on a weekly basis. 

Prep in Your Step

Dorothy's lifestyle blog is one of my absolute favorites. She is a year younger than me and shares a lot of commonalities (chapter president of her sorority, teacher, blogger). She has lots of great fashion posts, travel diaries, and book reviews. Her step into my week posts are always fun to read. 

Easily Inspired

Mary's blog is one that I have stumbled upon in the past few weeks. She has lots of fun posts about relationships, life advice, traveling, and more. Her blog is filled with fun GIFS, great photography, and has a fun layout. 

What are your favorite blogs to read?

XOXO

Summer Reading List

My goal for this year was to read a book each month. So far I have been able to do so successfully. This summer I've actually been able to read two to three books per month. Summer is hands down the time of year when I am able to get the most reading done. I am still busy in the summer months, but no school work is involved so it allows me more time to read. 

During the day I am a summer nanny. The children I look after are getting older and don't need to be entertained by me every minute of the day, which allows me to have more free time while watching them. My favorite activity to pass the time is to read. I can take a book anywhere we go- the pool, trampoline park, swim lessons, outside, inside, etc. The amount of reading I get done depends on the week, but there are some weeks when I am able to read at least a whole book. I try to read at night, but I usually get no further than ten pages and you will find me asleep with all the lights on. 

Most books I read during the summer are light beach reads.  I like mindless reading that has a happy ending. This summer I seem to be mixing it up a bit more with some thrillers and non fiction. 

Finished

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

"...Straub packs wisdom and insight and humor together in a satisfying book about neighbors and nosiness, ambition and pleasure, the excitement of youth, the shock of middle age, and the fact that our passions- be they food, or friendship, or music-never  go away, they just evolve and grow along with us."

The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins

"Every day the same. Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their desk. She's even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life-as she sees it- is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. Until today. And then she see something shocking.."

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

"At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone."

Currently Reading: 

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

"Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why."

What's Next:

Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

"Isabella, Mary, and Lauren feel like everyone they know is getting married. On Sunday after Sunday, at bridal shower after bridal shower, they coo over toasters, collect ribbons and wrapping paper, eat minuscule sandwiches and cakes. They wear pastel dresses and drink champagne by the case, but amid the celebration these women have their own lives to contend with: Isabella is working a dead-end job, Mary is dating a nice guy with an awful mother, and Lauren is waitressing at a midtown bar and wondering why she's attracted to the sleazy bartender."

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

"In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, #1 New York Times Bestselling 

Author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word. If you're ready to make some serious changes around here, You Are a Badass will help you: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, blast past your fears so you can take big exciting risks, figure out how to make some damn money already, learn to love yourself and others, set big goals and reach them - it will basically show you how to create a life you totally love, and how to create it NOW."

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

"Is it really better to have loved and lost?  Louna's summer job is to help brides plan their perfect day, even though she stopped believing in happily-ever-after when her first love ended tragically.  But charming girl-magnet Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged now that he's met the one he really  wants.  Maybe Louna's second chance is standing right in front of her."

Note: book descriptions are from Amazon

I'd love to hear about what books you've been reading this summer. I'm always looking for books to add to my reading list!

XOXO