30.6.13

Blogger Book Club: "The Help"

Blogger Book Club June 2013-2014

Can I just say: I am absolutely ecstatic to take part in Blogger Book Club. I can't wait to share my love of books with a bunch of new blogger book nerds, like me!! And if you're new to the Hemline...WELCOME! *bear hug* I'm so glad you've stopped by!

I was a English Literature and Writing major in college but I've loved books for a long time before I got a degree in it. I was given the book "The Guernsey Literary and Potato-Peel Society" by my high school librarian. She wrote on the inside of it: I hope you never lose your love of books" and I can, honestly, say that I never have.

I figured that before you deep-dive into my discussion of The Help it might be useful to have a bit of background on what I think makes a book great. I look for books to have strong characters that seem to have real human characteristics and qualities, plus the ability to develop, and be complex enough, to evolve with the story. I also like a story to be well-rounded...you know, like at the end of the book you get that ah-ha satisfied moment? Yeah, I think that might be one of the best feelings, at least to me.

File:Thehelpbookcover.jpg

Okay, okay, enough about me... "The Help"

1. What is the book about?
The Help is about a group of women who's stories collide to create a book, in secret, about what it is really like to be a black maid in Jackson, Mississippi working for a white family...essentially. *Disclaimer: I've never been super great at answering "Oh, what's it about?" questions...

2. What were your initial thoughts on the book? Were you impressed? Disappointed?
The Help has been on my to-be-read pile since the summer of 2011. Mostly for the reason that I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie. I did end up seeing the movie at the beginning of the month to get all pumped up to read it. I was impressed by this book. Each chapter (though quite lengthy) were told from the perspective of a different character. Sometimes when author's do this, the story tends to have gaps but in reading The Help I never felt like that. The strong female characters captured the best and the worst of my emotions...ACK! That Miss Hilly!! I was cheering from my chair and crying with hope and satisfaction!

3. Favorite quotations from the book.
"Writing isn't that easy. And you wouldn't have time for this anyway, Aibleen, not with a full-time job." "Can't be much different than writing my prayers every night." (175).

"Half this stuff don't have nothing to do with colored rights. Ain't but day-to-day business." She eyes me up and down. "Look to me like you just writing life."
I stop my pencil. She's right. I realize that's just what I wanted to do. I tell her, "I hope so."  (195).
Constantine Jefferson -The Help
via
"There is so much you don't know about a person...We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought. But Lou Anne, she understood the point of the book before she ever read it. The one who was missing the point this time was me."  (492)

The Help// Nailed.
via
"You is kind," she say, "you is smart. You is important." (Oh that last chapter with Miss Mae Mobley! And yes, I did shout of with success when Mae Mobley said: "Miss Taylor.")

4. What did you like most about the book?
I liked the characters, most. The strong women, both the ones I rooted for and the others I wanted to have eat Minny's pie, made this story great. The commonalities and the differences drove the story but by the end, the character's hadn't necessary changed their ways, it was just that more of the allegiances came out.

5. Would you recommend this book to a friend?
Oh, but of course!!! (If you wanted to know...the book is, in fact, better than the movie in a different way but, still pretty good.)

The Help is Hemline Approved! Let me know what you've thought of The Help in the comments! Let's discuss!!

Check out the awesome Blogger Book Club hosts: My Name is MadelineTaylor from Confessions of a Busy Busy Bee, and Melissa at A Mile in her Boots! Thanks, ladies!!

Disclaimer: Everything mentioned above was purchased with my own money, pictures were taken with my camera (unless otherwise noted/credited) and all opinions are mine and in no way represent anyone or anything other than me, myself and I. This is NOT a sponsored blog post. You're beautiful.

13.6.13

Fashion Friday: June 14th, 2013

As I said earlier this week, I've been doing a bit of exploring lately. I took a walk about downtown St. Cloud, MN this week as well as Lake George. It was around 8AM and finally, FINALLY, after too many days of clouds and rain, it was sunny.  I loved all the different colors and textures that greeted me on this morning. I took some images...I hope you enjoy.

And this week, I went to a Twins game at Target Field. Go TWINS! (They won too! It was an awesome game!) Plus, I figured out how to do panoramic shots with my iPhone. It was all very exciting!

Have a happy Friday, everyone! Cheers to the weekend!





















About as Target Geek-y you can get...Spot with Target Field and Target Center. Go Bullseye!

Yours xx

Disclaimer: Everything mentioned above was purchased with my own money, pictures were taken with my camera (unless otherwise noted/credited)  and all opinions are mine. and in no way represent anyone or anything other than me, myself and I. This is NOT a sponsored blog post. You're beautiful.

What I Wore: A Summer Selection

When traveling bring all you favorite pieces! All of them!!

Disclaimer: A collection of mirror selfies await you.


Yea, I wore the black pants again. What are you going to do about it?? I love them. While the weather has been less than summer, jeans are still appropriate. This polka dot shirt has seen so many days. I'm constantly wearing it and pairing it with different accessories. It was chilly and I turned to my trusty denim jacket. The necklace, seen on this post in both cream and mint, can be found online in cream, pink and black.



If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen this guy: the awesomely amazing peach blazer from Herbergers, now on clearance! I cuffed up the sleeves making it more casual and not so business. Black pocket tee from Target, skinny jeans from Old Navy and the cream version of the previous necklace made this outfit perfect to do a bit of shopping in.


I know, denim on denim. I swore to myself that I would never. But I did. I'm sorry. I even did a bit of a Pinterest searching to make sure I was doing this look okay. The dark jeans and lighter wash shirt seemed to be the common thread throughout all my denim on denim searching. So, I tried it and it seemed to work. 


Ahhh summer time dresses!! I've previously professed my love of dresses so I thought I would wear my favorite spring/summer navy dress (couldn't find exact but I linked the Old Navy summer dresses above) with the mint necklace. Plus, it was nice and warm this day. YAY for summer...finally.

I'm on a blogging spree this week! Wee! 

Yours xx

Disclaimer: Everything mentioned above was purchased with my own money and all opinions are mine. This is NOT a sponsored blog post. You're beautiful.

9.6.13

An Unplanned Father's Day Gift

Unbeknownst to me, other than when my father mentioned it out to dinner, I was, for the last two weeks, 10 minutes away from one of the 13 Best Places to Watch College Football: St. John University’s Clemens Stadium.

via
"...Clemens Stadium is built into a horseshoe-shaped hillside, surrounded on three sides by many trees, thus giving the stadium its natural beauty and nickname. The hills not built over with concrete or metal stands are almost always occupied with fans who bring blankets to sit on. Because of the hillsides and other space inside the stadium, Saint John's can fit more than double the number of people than official capacity allows." via

We went, of course. It was raining. (Weather not ideal for tourist stopping but for...well, actually it probably would’ve been okay football weather. I've attended football games in all sorts of weather..rain, snow, sleet, ice, sun, and sometimes all in the same game.) The windy roads surrounded by tall, luscious trees were more suited for a horror film than cheering on the Johnnies but we ventured on. Cruising our way around, wipers going, peeping through trees only to find parking lots and beautiful buildings. Until, spotted along a man-made path from a paved road was a yellow field goal post.

Taking the next right, through two stone ticket booths, we parked and, lucky us, the gate was open. Opening umbrellas (my a very fashionable orange and purple paisley print), we joked about getting caught by campus security, leaving our car running for a quick getaway from said security or, of  course, the killer lurking in the trees. (We didn’t actually leave the car running.) I grabbed my camera and took a couple pictures...              


We were a little early...


See that building on the left hand side? After this stop, we drove around the field, took the road right onto the field. But if St. John's campus security is reading this...I'm joking. Totally joking.




Image those trees in October...Full of fall colors, a slight breeze weaves its way through them, while you sit on a blanket, wearing a chunky knit scarf, a hoodie, and a great pair of jeans with your Converse All-Stars all ready to cheer on your team! Oh man, am I excited for fall or what? 

Just thought I'd share... I've got more weekend fun coming up this week. I took a walk around St. George Lake and I was THAT girl with her camera...

Happy (Early) Father's Day!

Yours xx

6.6.13

Fashion Friday: June 7th, 2013

This week has been insane all starting with the Game of Thrones episode on Sunday. My reaction was priceless. I have never been so stunned by a show before; it was a lot of eyebrow raising and complete distress and outrage. And to avoid more moments like this, I have Google-d spoilers. I’m a-okay with this. Plus, I have not read the books, yep you read that right. I need to. The list of books Haley-needs-to-read is, at this point, probably longer than the books-Haley-has-read but, that is a post for another time.

Anywayzzzz...

Does anyone else get loads of random junk-type emails that they never open? Me too. Most of my consist of fashion websites sending out marketing and promotional materials, and when I have time, I browse them and dream of buying all the things. But lately, it has been more open-delete-open-delete. I don’t know why I haven’t cancelled my subscriptions.  I have that one thought that “maybe, just maybe I will look through them.” Anyone else have this problem or just me??

Also this week I have been constantly processing what I’m going to do with my apartment! A home is all about living fashionably, right? Plus, a great place for my books and my clothes (my two constant companions). As an avid Trading Spaces (anyone, anyone?!), and all things HGTV lover, I am desperately seeking inspiration. I have turned to my BFF, Pinterest, in my time of need! I want my apartment to be a home. I want it to be a reflection of me and my taste as well as accessible to anyone entering. While not working with a whole lot of space, I still want all the awesomeness that is pictured below. My place will be a constant project that *fingers crossed* will turn into a place that makes coming home enjoyable and relaxing, and a place where two or more gather on occasion, which after all, is the point, right?

Requirements:
-A great place to read books
-A nice porch to sit on to read books
-A comfy chair to sit in and read books
-A great kitchen to make great food to eat while I sit and read books
-Oh and a kick-ass closet!

If you have any home decorating tips, tricks and inspirations, please don’t hesitate to share.

A funkier (is that a word?) entry space.

This mirror is awesome! I know I want a big mirror. In fact, I need it!
Great entry space. I'm a constant "Where are my keys?" so having a space for them right away when I walk in...ideal.

Open, calming...two of my favorite things!

C'mon now. 

An enviable office space...big dreams are created (and accomplished) at a space like this!

I love the colors and pattern in this chair. Love the idea of a focal point piece such as this!

Now, there has got to be a way to re-create this awesome map pillows... 
All images, with links, can be found here: Building My Barbie Dream House. Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest while you are there! I pin very exciting things, not to toot my own horn or anything... *toot toot*

Yours xx

1.6.13

May Favorites

I cannot believe that it is June. I mean, what is happening to 2013?? But, hey, another month another group of favorites...

Beauty and Body Care

As summer approaches my routine simplifies. Mascara is a must-have as well as an easy-peasy eye shadow. I love the Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. It is a super light and fresh cream color; almost a highlight color. My only complaint is that my eyelid are a bit on the oily side so without primer it doesn’t last all day but I just love it too much!



As far as mascara, I received The Benefit They’re Real trial size and just loved it so much I had to go get it in the full-size. It makes your eyelashes look exactly like you are wearing fake eyelashes and who doesn’t want that?? The Maybelline The Falsies does a similar thing as They’re Real but it, hmm, fluffs them more..yeah, fluffs.





Maybelline Master Duo liquid liner is like eye liner for dummies. The brush allows for control with its thick side and thin side. I thought I could draw a straight line...I can’t. But with this guy, I can fake it pretty well. Obviously, I approve.




As you know I’ve become a big fan of the body butters. This Nip and Fab Mango Smoothie is perfect for summer. It isn’t too thick and very smooth and soft to apply. It smells like summertime, all mango-y and fruit-y. And my hair, since my pledge treat my hair with respect, I have been using a detangler for normal-thick hair. When I get out the shower my hair is a rat’s nest so combing through it is torture, but with this my hair is super easy and seems amazing.





Music Favorites

I made a post about my favorite YouTube covers recently so make sure to check that out. Plus, this month I have spent every morning getting ready to Demi Lovato’s new album “Demi.” It has everything from rock, pop, dance beats, ballads and it is just, well, awesome. My favorites include: Neon Lights, Nightingale, Fire Starter, and Warrior.

You can listen to the whole album on Spotify...as I have been doing.

Movie and Fashion Favorites (+ Blogger Book Club)

Obviously I’ve got to include The Great Gatsby movie for this month’s favorites. And my fashion favorite this month would have to be my Black Classic TOMS. Chances are if you’ve seen me this month I’ve been wearing them. They are worn through and just about perfect.


Starting in June I will be participating in Blogger BookClub. Each month I will read a new book, along with my fellow bloggers, and review it! I’m absolutely ecstatic about this! Up first, The Help...

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