2016 Book Challenge Results

January 1, 2017January 1, 20171 Comment

Happy New Year!

I hope each of you had a wonderful night, ringing in 2017 with the ones you love. I love beginning the year anew, writing down resolutions and planning all of the exciting adventures ahead!

Every year, I aim to read as many books as possible to de-stress and to spark creativity in my own life. Now that I’ve started graduate school, my reading for pleasure has tapered off somewhat, but I always like to share what I’ve read each year and look for new suggestions in the year ahead.

Below are the books I read in 2016. (Click for recaps from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.) You can keep up with the current list for 2017 by visiting the Book Challenge page at the top menu or by clicking here.

Books I’ve Read in 2016:

The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness by Amit Sood (1/6/2016)
How To Talk To Girls At Parties by Neil Gaiman (1/14/2016)
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson (1/18/2016)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (1/23/2016)
Room by Emma Donoghue (1/31/2016)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald (2/24/2016)
Looking For Alaska by John Green (3/1/2016)
Psychopath Free by Jackson MacKenzie (3/19/2016)
Slumber Party by Christopher Pike (3/21/2016)
The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve (3/30/2016)
So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson (4/13/2016)
American Housewife: Stories by Helen Ellis (4/17/2016)
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper (5/7/2016)
Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham (5/18/2016)
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes (5/22/2016) – 25 at 25 Bucket List: My Year of Yes
The Giver by Lois Lowry (5/23/2016)
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (6/3/2016)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (6/27/2016)
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero (7/30/2016) – All Or Nothing Day: Creating A Life You Love
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling (8/31/2016)
All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker (10/5/2016)
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer (10/24/2016)

Any suggestions for 2017? Share in the comments section below!

Link Love Wednesday: Goat Cuddlers Wanted

January 28, 2016January 28, 2016Leave a comment

a6dc09ca9c131ce46ff4c903ec1f1c2e Happy Wednesday! 🙂 Hope everyone is having a fabulous week. In my little world, I’m working on crossing a few more items off my 25 at 25 Bucket List, applying for graduate school, and figuring out some exciting upcoming travel plans. What have you been up to? As always, feel free to share your favorite recent links or plans in the comments section below!

A farm in Virginia is looking for volunteers to cuddle with baby goats who will be born on the farm next month. Someone please sign me up! 🙂
This couple left their corporate jobs, traveled the world, and moved to Spain. It was interesting to read their interview about why they decided to do it!
In case you haven’t made your plans yet for the new year, here is an adorable illustrated list of 50 things to do in 2016.
Disney fans: Take a look at the concept art for your favorite Disney animal characters!
The Warner Bros Studio in London is now inviting people to spend Valentine’s Day in the Great Hall at Hogwarts! Best date plans ever — if someone takes you there this Valentine’s Day, you should marry him or her on the spot.
A sloth in Ecuador got very nervous about crossing the street, so these cops came to rescue him. The pictures are so sweet!
Also, on the theme of cute animals: This K9 puppy still doesn’t fit into his vest!
Check out the U.S. presidents when they were “young and hunky.” The commentary on this site and its many lists will crack you up. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate Rutherford B. Hayes?
Whether or not you agree with his politics, Bernie Sanders has the best 404 page on his website.
In case you missed it, check out my turmeric scrambled eggs recipe!
Pinching pennies? Here are a few ways to stay frugal while still having fun this weekend!

Things I’m Loving Lately

This old gem from The Black Keys. Hadn’t heard it in forever but lately I can’t stop listening!
The new Larabar commercial set to the song Little Boxes. It is Larabar’s first TV commercial and it definitely caught my attention when it aired Monday!
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson. I couldn’t put it down.
Room by Emma Donoghue, my latest read and another great page turner.
This sweet and savory blueberry tortilla recipe from Stupid Easy Paleo. Yum!

What are your favorite links from the week? Share your latest finds in the comments below!

2015 Book Challenge Results

January 5, 20163 Comments

keep-calm-and-love-reading-64 Happy New Year, friends! I hope everyone has had a wonderful first few days of 2016 and that you are keeping on track with your New Year’s Resolutions. I have a few health and wellness goals this year (don’t we all?), but one of my annual goals is to make time for reading. 🙂

Reading a variety of genres and authors exposes you to new perspectives and can make you a better writer! Every year, I share my recap of what I read the year prior, as well as links to the blog posts that some of these books inspired.

Below are the books I read in 2015. (Click for recaps from 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.) You can keep up with the current list for 2016 by visiting the Book Challenge page at the top menu or by clicking here.

Books I Read in 2015:

1. The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero (1/12/2015)
2. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (1/29/2015)
3. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (2/3/2015)
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (2/9/2015)
5. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides (3/21/2015)
6. The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom (3/22/2015)
7. Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth (5/18/2015)
8. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (5/22/2015)
9. The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan (5/24/2015)
10. Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov (6/4/2015)
11. Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell (6/6/2015)
12. Winkie by Clifford Chase (6/11/2015)
13. I’m Only Here For The WiFi by Chelsea Fagan (6/18/2015)
14. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (6/23/2015)
15. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (7/6/2015)
16. Dating Up by J. Courtney Sullivan (7/24/2015)
17. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling (9/23/2015)
18. The Mathematics of Love by Hannah Fry (10/1/2015) — Unique Holiday Gift Guide for All Friends
19. When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka (11/12/2015) — Adventures in Florida: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
20. Many Waters by Madeleine L’Engle (12/11/2015)
21. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (12/13/2015)
22. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich (12/29/2015)

Have you read any of these books? Any suggestions for 2016?

Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments section below!

Link Love Wednesday: Keep Calm and Do Your Pilates

October 21, 2015Leave a comment

whoever-thinks-that-10-seconds-goes-by-really-fast-has-never-taken-a-pilates-class-9c667 Good evening, readers! It’s Homecoming Week at my alma mater, so I’m feeling the nostalgia and school spirit (even if my football team isn’t playing so well this year). I can’t wait to get decked out in black and gold at the game this weekend! What are you all up to this week?

Enjoy this week’s Link Love, and as always, share your favorites in the comments section below! 🙂

Did you know that Pilates has been around for more than 100 years? I sure didn’t! Absolutely loved this eye-opening article about the history of one of my favorite workouts, which was originally designed to nurse prisoners back to good health after an illness!
Mel Joulwan shares 20 ways to make paleo easier and more fun. (Great follow-up article to last week’s article from Stupid Easy Paleo!)
A big thanks to my sister for sending me these awesome Harry Potter memes. You know me too well!
Let’s hit the mall! Sarah Scoop shares the 10 items of clothing that every girl should have in her closet.
This recipe for ranch-flavored baby carrots was pretty delicious and easy to make.
As a fan of Gothic literature, I enjoyed this timeline of the genre’s greatest moments… Although I could do without the Twilight references!
Choosing a career is tough, but these four tips can make the process a lot simpler!
In case you missed it, check out my latest recipe post on the blog. 🙂

Things I’m Loving Lately

Macarons. I tried my first one over the weekend as part of my 25 at 25 Bucket List!
My NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder.
The Morikami Museum and Gardens in Delray Beach. Look out for an upcoming blog about my experience there!

Share your link love in the comments and have a wonderful week!

Link Love Wednesday: Futuristic Fashion, Love & Mathematics

July 1, 2015Leave a comment

5ClGUNklg-wk7KVyQwU50Q Happy July, readers! I hope the summer is treating everyone well and that you are finding fun ways to beat the heat. Grab a cold beverage, crank up the air conditioner, and tune into this week’s batch of link love to entertain yourself on one of those days when you just can’t bear to go outside. 🙂

Fashion designers in the 1930s predicted that we’d be wearing outfits like these by the year 2000. I think we could all use an electric belt to adapt the body to climactic changes. (I think it’s also important to have that headlight to help “find an honest man,” but I guess we have flashlights on our iPhones and that’s kind of the same thing.)
Speaking of fashion, Who What Wear has an excellent guide to defining your personal style.
As a former career counselor, I couldn’t help but laugh at these spoof interview tips.
Looking for summer reading? Check out Modern Mrs. Darcy‘s suggested books based on your Myers-Briggs personality type!
I’m moving to a new apartment in a few days, and I’m obsessed with this new pineapple trend.
Seriously, I love pineapples.
In case you missed it, check out my recent blog making fun of the diet industry!
I loved this article and TED Talk about how to use mathematical principles to get the things you want in life, love and your career.
The Girl Scouts turned down a huge donation from a donor who demanded it not be used on a trans girl. It is so refreshing to see an organization so committed to the acceptance of all girls.
My latest guest blog for Career Camel discusses the different ways you can take advantage of the summer to propel your career and college goals forward.

What are some of your favorite links from the last week? Share your Internet findings in the comments section below!

Link Love THURSDAY: From A to Zinc

March 6, 2015Leave a comment

big dill Bon jour and happy March! I hope everyone is having a great week and enjoying this beautiful new month. I had the opportunity to take a few days off from work to see family from overseas and spend time in my hometown. I can’t deny it: there’s no place like home. 🙂

How has everyone else been spending the new month? Any vacations planned in the near future?

As always, enjoy this round of link love and be sure to share your own favorites in the comments section below!

Did you know that red peppers are richer in Vitamin C than orange juice? Health.com highlights the best foods for each vitamin and mineral, from Vitamin A to Zinc! 🙂
It’s National Book Day! In honor of this awesome holiday for bibliophiles, take this short quiz to see which banned book you are. (I’m Tropic of Cancer!)
On the subject of good books, Beauty Coated Life has compiled an excellent list of books that every career girl (and guy) should read.
Last night, I made a delicious, veggie-filled and Whole30-compliant version of fettuccine alfredo, featuring cauliflower and zucchini noodles. Friends, you have to try this!
Where are the men of The Princess Diaries today? BRB, swooning over Chris Pine right now. (I love and miss you, Fat Louie.)
I love these style tips! Glam Radar shares a few fashion techniques for looking more youthful.
Eating healthy or following a program like Whole30 can be difficult to do while maintaining your social life. Check out my tips on how to enjoy both without sacrificing one or the other!
I am now managing my dog Charlie’s Instagram page. Please be sure to follow him @charlie_sez for adorable pictures of the nicest Cavalier King Charles Spaniel you’ll ever see.

What are your favorite links from the week? Sound off in the comments section below!

Link Love Wednesday: Happy New Year!

January 14, 2015January 13, 2015Leave a comment

0b32ed3e28a98cf77dbc847abf7697c0 Happy Hump Day, my dear readers, and welcome to the very first Link Love of the year! I hope 2015 is treating you well and that you are on track to accomplish everything you set out to achieve in the final days of 2014. I know I am! 😉

Settle into the New Year with this week’s batch of Link Love. You won’t regret it!

Now that I’m 24, this song totally describes my life. I laughed the first time I heard it, and then I was sad when I realized how true it really was and how old I was starting to feel.
Looking for some reading inspiration for 2015? Check out POPSUGAR’s 2015 Reading Challenge!
If you think you can’t afford to eat healthy in the new year, think again. Steph at Stupid Easy Paleo discusses her 15 tips for eating paleo on a budget.
Your university’s career center might be one of the most underutilized resources on campus! Check out my guest blog for Career Camel on how to make the most out of your university’s career center.
Let’s face it: We all say “I’m sorry” way more than we should. Lisa M. Hayes shares the top five times not to apologize!
Save hundreds of dollars with these DIY versions of Anthropologie products. Looks like a lot of fun!
I loved this article on how to get your kids to become health nuts. I’ll have to store these away for a few years – I’d love to build my own garden!
Looking to actively improve yourself in 2015? Check out this list of 7 weekly rituals for a superhero life!
These paper doll versions of famous artists are too clever! My favorite is the Frida Kahlo doll.
Now that the spring semester is here, check out NerdWallet’s compilation of the best money moves students can make in January. (Did I mention I was quoted in this article?) 🙂
To all my Whole30-ers, take a peek at my Week 1 recap, featuring recipes, tips and more!

2014 Book Challenge Results

January 2, 20152 Comments

tumblr_static_bibliophile Happy New Year, and thank you for stopping by! 🙂 2015 is an exciting time for me at So It Must Be True, with health and wellness becoming one of the blog’s added focuses, as well as some brand new content. As a writer, I love to read in my spare time, and occasionally the books I read will inspire my blog posts!

Every year, I aim to read as much as I can, and I create annual recaps to share my book lists with readers!

While adjusting to full-time employment and a busy schedule, I haven’t had a ton of time to read for pleasure this year, but I am still happy to have enjoyed some great books! (Yes, I know I fell way short of my 50 book challenge, but hey – I really liked the books I did get to read!)

Below is a list of books I read this year, as well as any blog posts inspired by them. (Click for recaps from 2011, 2012 and 2013.) Let me know what great books you’ve enjoyed this year!

Books I’ve Read in 2014:

1. The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1/18/14)
2. Silent Dancing by Judith Ortiz Cofer (1/21/14) – The Stories We Tell Ourselves
3. I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being A Woman by Nora Ephron (1/28/14)
4. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (2/20/14)
5. It Starts With Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig (2/25/14)
6. Divergent by Veronica Roth (3/30/14)
7. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult (4/30/14)
8. Dirty Love by Andre Dubus III (5/22/14)
9. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg (7/10/14)
10. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (8/2/14) – How I Met Your Mother, Toltec Wisdom and Letting Go
11. Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding (9/3/14)
12. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (12/25/14)

Have you read any of these books? What are some of your favorite books you’ve read this year? What do you suggest for 2015?

Link Love Wednesday: Draco Malfoy & Shane at Walmart

June 25, 2014Leave a comment

Courtesy of HelloGiggles.com

It’s that time of the week again! You know, that time when I post interesting, funny and sometimes bizarre articles from around the web for a very eclectic link roundup. Get ready for this week’s Link Love and share your own favorites in the comments section below!

Naturally, the marketing professional in me cringes (and occasionally laughs) when she sees some of these crimes against design.
Sugar is packed in everything we eat, but how much are we sacrificing our health for taste? (You’ll be shocked at how much added sugar we consume in the U.S. compared to the daily recommended amount.)
Shane is either the best or the worst Walmart employee of all time. I’ll let you be the judge of that! (I’m assuming this is completely fake, but it’s still pretty funny.)
As a UCF alumna and Knights fan, I’m a little bit obsessed with this homemade crocheted Knightro hat.
Male celebrities get an interesting Photoshop makeover with Zooey Deschanel’s eyes. Cee Lo looks adorable.
According to J.K. Rowling, if the Harry Potter series were written from Draco’s perspective, you could expect such titles as Draco Malfoy and the Rejected Handshake and Draco Malfoy and the Year His Father Would Hear About. Check out this post for the full list of Draco Malfoy titles, as well as the titles of other books as narrated by different characters.
Here are five things to do before bed that will make tomorrow a whole lot easier!
In case you missed it, check out my article on the role of women in romantic comedies.

Any fantastic articles you’ve come across lately? Drop a note in the comments section or share your favorite posts that you’ve published!

Link Love Wednesday: Crazy Stock Photo Edition

May 14, 20142 Comments

What a wonderful week it has been! In the last seven days, I celebrated my one-year anniversary at work, played my favorite arcade games and won a silly mask, visited my family for Mother’s Day, and went on a shopping spree. I’m looking forward to the weekend already, but as always, the Internet has done a great job of keeping me entertained after work. 🙂

BuzzFeed posted these 50 completely unexplainable stock photos (like the man with the corn dog, pictured left) that had me literally laughing out loud. For the record, I would probably have a similar reaction if someone asked me to eat a corn dog!
New bloggers: These are some great tips for blogging etiquette.
The Onion is creating its own parody of sites like BuzzFeed and Upworthy, and I’m excited for it to launch!
PR and marketing professionals will appreciate this one: 11 ways dating and public relations go hand in hand.
In honor of Shailene Woodley’s misguided comments about feminism, enjoy this list of non-feminist celebrities who actually owe their careers to feminism.
What happens when you remove one letter from your favorite book title? Huffington Post investigates. (Here’s looking at you, Twilight New Moo!)
Loved reading about this young woman’s experience working for Miss Cleo’s psychic hotline.
Want to see some of the Disney attractions that were never built? Now’s your chance! (My favorite is probably Hotel Mel.)
I watched Rocko’s Modern Life as a child, but I never realized how dirty some of the jokes were!