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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

Amazon Prime Day- My Must Haves

♡This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you so much for helping to support my little family!♡

First of all, are you an Amazon Prime Member? I’ve been one for 9 years and I have never ever regretted it. The membership paid itself off in free shipping within the first month I bought it- it was the holidays! An annual subscription costs $119 (or $13 per month if you don’t want to pay all at once).

Second of all, you will probably find more comprehensive lists elsewhere. Shrug. It’s exhausting and overwhelming picking through everything so instead of losing my mind, I just looked up my favorite things that I already own and use regularly in my home and saw if any of them were deals.

And SURPRISE- they were!

Here is a list of things we’ve been using and loving in the Howell home for years. Enjoy!

Audible Membership – Sign up and enjoy Audible for just $4.95/month for the first 3 months. After 3 months it’s $14.95 a month. – People ask me alll the time how I manage to read so much. One of my biggest secrets is audiobooks. I listen while I’m driving, cleaning, organizing, cooking, you name it. You can cancel after three months and keep the books!

Amazon Music Unlimited 4 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for 99 cents (regularly $7.99 a month)- We LOVE Amazon Music in this home. We have the family plan and in my opinion it’s worth every (full-priced) penny I paid.

Dyson Vacuum– $149.99 (regularly $249.99)- We’ve been a Dyson family for a long, long time. We are currently on our 2nd Dyson vacuum and nothing compares. This is an amazing price. SOLD OUT

Keurig K-Cafe coffee machine – $99.99 (regularly $179.99)- Living in Italy turned me into a TOTAL coffee snob. My daily latte habit had stop when we moved home because buying them here is so expensive. Since them, I’ve tried French Press, Moka Pot, and a drip coffee pot. Let’s be honest. I don’t have time to create the perfect cup of coffee in the morning with 5 kiddos nipping at my heels. I finally (desperately) bought myself one of these about a month ago. I have the brushed nickel version, which isn’t on sale. Jimmy and I both LOVE it. The frother is amazing and so so easy.

Kindle Paperwhite -$84.99 (regularly $129.99)- I held off on getting an e-reader for years and years. I much prefer paper. But in the past year publishers have been sending me galleys and reading them on my iphone/ipad was giving me major headaches. I actually freaking love my Kindle and I’m kind of ashamed I was such a snob about it for so long.

Instant Pot – $49.99 (regularly $99.95)- Yeah, yeah, yeahhhh. I’ve been raving about my Instant Pot for years. Four years actually! You can find my very first IP post HERE. Its a lifesaver and I own two. This price is amazing.

Beats Wireless Headphones – $139.99 (regularly $299.95) – My teen desperately wanted these for her birthday and we treated them to her. I have to say I steal them alllll the time. I’m so jealous of this incredible price!

Crock Pot – $29.69 (regularly $49.99) – Yes I love my Instant Pot, but I don’t love using it as a slow cooker. I much prefer to use my OG Crock Pot. Gotta love a fix it and leave it meal!!

I hope you found this list helpful. Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

S

My All Time Favorite Airbnb Homes for Big Families.

Hi everyone! So glad you stopped by today.

We’ve been using Airbnb for YEARS. It’s so much more affordable than hotels, especially with large families. We simply cannot afford to rent two hotel rooms every time we travel. ESPECIALLY in places like Alaska and Europe where hotels are so dang expensive.

For an Airbnb overview, as well as tips and tricks…you can CLICK HERE and read a post I wrote a few years ago. It should tell you everything you need to know.

Please read the post, but my number one tip is DO YOUR RESEARCH. Read the reviews and look closely at the photos. Only use superhosts if possible.

That said, I want to share my absolute favorite Airbnbs we’ve stayed in the past 5 years.

On top you will see a photo from the listing on the website, and underneath I’ve added a photo I snapped during our time staying in the rental.

Enjoy!

NYC/Chelsea– He’s changed this to a sublet preferred for the summer BUT this is one of my favorite rentals we’ve ever stayed in. It’s STUNNING and safe and in a wonderful location. Did I mention how freaking gorgeous it is??? Swoon.

Puglia / Conversano– If you have ever wanted to stay in an actual trullo, then this listing is for you. We loved every moment. Puglia ended up being one of my favorite places in Italy.

Marina, Croatia– This rental was actual heaven. It was super isolated but you could walk to this amazing beach and we felt so relaxed after we left. It was magical.

Florence, Italy – we went to Florence many times and stayed in many rentals but this was by far my favorite. It’s decadent and soooo Italian. Check out that fresco on the ceiling !

Pontassieve, Tuscany -this house is ancient and has so much character. There’s an actual wishing well, y’all! It’s in an amazing location too. The inside is super old and kind of creepy, but it’s totally worth it for the freaking VIEWS!

Barcelona, Spain– This is an entire freestanding flat right next to Parc Güell. Super modern and affordable and central to so much good stuff. We loved sitting on the rooftop.

Positano, Italy– This is by far my favorite Airbnb that we’ve ever stayed in. It was picturesque and magical and I get teary-eyed thinking about it. I miss Italy so much! n

Honfleur, France (Normandy)– This home was super adorable and quintessential France. If you visit Normandy this town is a must see.

That’s it ! And now I’m officially bit by the travel bug. Off to plan our next Alaskan adventure. Y’all have a beautiful weekend!

xoxo

S

Reading Recap June 2019

Happy July! How in the world did June fly by so quickly? I had a wonderful reading month.

My wonderful reading group is still thriving and it’s bringing me endless joy. You can check it out HERE.

I’m changing up my recap blog format a bit today and just listing each book and rating. You can find full reviews and opinions for each book on Goodreads. Just click on Books Read in 2019.

June in a snapshot:

Books Read in June: 11

Ebooks vs Paper: 2/9

Favorite book of June: Evvie Drake Starts Over

Genres Read: women’s fiction, literary fiction, thriller, YA, romance

Five Star Reads:

The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets by Molly Fader (pub date 7/16)

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren (pub date 10/22/19)

Four and a Half Star Reads:

Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik

Four Star Reads:

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

Three Star Reads:

Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak

After the End by Clare Mackintosh

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker (pub date 7/2/2019)

Two and a Half Star Reads:

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

What was your favorite this month?
Happy reading !

xoxo

S

Review : The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin

This book was sent to me by Berkley and Penguin  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% authentic and 100% my own.

My current read is The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin. I love historical fiction because it often exposes me to events that I literally had no idea happened, and this book is no exception. If you are a fan of HF and fashion, you MUST add this to your TBR pile!

Title: The Last Collection

Author: Jeanne Mackin

Publisher: Berkley

Pub Date: 6/25/2019

Purchase Here: B&N/ Amazon /Target

 

 

From the Publisher:

Would you believe that Coco Chanel once had a rivalry with a fellow designer that was so intense, that she (accidentally) lit Elsa Schiaparelli on fire by dancing her into a flaming candelabrum?  It’s absolutely true, and for the first time in fiction, author Jeanne Mackin explores the pre-War rivalry between Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli in her new historical novel THE LAST COLLECTION (Berkley Hardcover; June 25, 2019). Included in InStyle’s Summer Reading list this week, this dazzling novel transports the reader to Paris in 1938—where Germany’s imminent invasion looms as haute couture designers battle for household name status. Everyone knows Coco Chanel. But if you’re unfamiliar with fashion history, you might not know about her biggest rival: thewild, colorful, and imaginative Elsa “Schiap” Schiaparelli. And while much has been written about Chanel, little has been about Schiaparelli—until now.
 
In THE LAST COLLECTION, “Schiap” and Coco fight to dress the gorgeous, well-heeled Parisian women—the influencers of their day—and to define what high fashion should look like. A young assistant comes to work for Schiap, and meets Chanel in the process, casually observing their intense competition while learning to respect each woman for her contribution to the scene.
 
The novel also exposes pre-WWII sentiments in Paris.  While the Coco/Schiap rivalry is rooted in fashion, it’s enflamed by political tension: France stands on the brink of German occupation, and the country is deeply divided. Steeped in historical research, Mackin also exposes Chanel’s rumored affair with a Nazi and German collaboration. And she brings to light the very real fear at the time that the Germans would move the high fashion business out of France and info Germany, a move that would have changed everything we know about fashion today.

Review: I’m totally immersed in this novel. It’s fascinating to me because I was feeling a little burned out on WW2 historical fiction, but this book totally reinvigorated me. The combination of fashion, drama, and history is perfectly balanced and the descriptions of Paris are vibrant and utterly seductive. I also can’t believe I was unaware of this rivalry. I love that Mackin is completely honest about these women. She doesn’t hide their shortcomings and faults and she doesn’t use revisionist history. It’s glamorous but terrible and riveting but ugly.

Does this sound like something you’d enjoy? Comment below, I’d love you hear your thoughts!

xo

S

June Recs for Your TBR Pile

Happy weekend everyone!  I love reading and reviewing ARCs for publishers and although I consistently share my reviews on bookstagram , my Facebook group, and on Goodreads, I want to get better at sharing them here.

Once a month I’ll share my absolute favorite galleys/advance reader’s copies . Please note: These are not available yet. You will see a pub date with each review!

Happy Reading,

xoxo

 

The Great Unexpected  by Dan Mooney

Pub Date 6/25/2019

Oh, my heart. Be forewarned, this book has some heavy themes. Depresson, death, suicide…it took me aback at first but by the end of the book I understood and appreciated Joel. I cannot imagine the loneliness one must feel in a nursing home, especially after the love of your life has passed.

I loved the characters that Dan Mooney wrote. They simply leapt off the page. The friendship between Frank and Joel, one of true acceptance and appreciation, is just beautiful.

I smiled, laughed, cringed, and cried throughout this book. And at the end I just felt hopeful and happy. The perfect addition to my Up Lit must read list.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Pub Date 10/22/2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

“I want every wish he ever makes to be for this. A penny in a fountain. The first star. An eyelash. 11:11. Just for one more time.⁣⁣”

⁣⁣Oh. My. HEART. I just devoured @christinalauren ‘s #twiceinabluemoon and I’m literally S W O O N I N G. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣if you know me you know that I have read all of their books and haven’t had a bad word to say about a single one of them. But Love and Other Words was easily my favorite. Until I read this one. I think LAOW might have been unseated. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣On the surface this is a story of love lost and love found. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a story of friendship, family, vulnerability, and deception.⁣⁣

⁣⁣t has a beautiful subplot covering discrimination, race, and hope. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣It’s just perfect. Christina Lauren can do steam to perfection. But their best novels combine steam with true depth. Their absolute best moments can make me cry and swoon simultaneously. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣Once in a Blue Moon will stay in my heart for a long time to come. ⁣⁣

 

 

The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets byMolly Fader

Genre: Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Pub Date 7/16/2019

I loved every single word of this book.

As a mother to five girls, it should be no surprise that I was drawn to a book that is ultimately about the ties that bind mothers and daughters.

Secrets, lies, fear, regrets, pride, and at the root of all of these things…LOVE. Pure, unadulterated love unmarred by time and mistakes and separations. I’m no stranger to the art of sweeping things under the rug and the fierce determination to do better for your own children. I connected with these women and felt their struggles and triumphs.

I don’t want to spoil this lovely book but let’s just say it’s destined to be one of my favorites of 2019. The characters are written beautifully. They are imperfect and messy and they’ve made mistakes. And you will fall in love with each and every one of them .

Well done, Molly Fader.