I think we've decided to go with Divergent for the December book of the month [BOTM].  There's a lot of buzz about it and a movie is coming out early next year.  It is a Young Adult Fiction, so it should be an easy read during the holiday hustle and bustle.  Don't think you'll have time to read this month?  How about the audio book version?  You can access it here... Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance. [from Amazon.com]

Click on the "Join my Book Club" icon on the right of the page to follow along with the discussion and reading progress.  I'm very excited to read this book with everyone!  Whether you read a physical copy, an e-book copy, or use Audible, I think we're really going to enjoy this read.

xo Emilee

.chit chat [November]

Can you believe it's getting close to Christmas already?  This year has really flown by.  Course it seems as I get older, the years go by quicker and quicker.  I can't lie though, I'm very ready for Christmas.  I plan on decorating this week.  There's just something jolly about a house full of whimsy holiday cheer.  I've already finished my holiday shopping and I'm readyyy!  

So yesterday the worst thing happened... Okay so maybe I'm being dramatic, but you all know how I am about my phone.  First thing yesterday morning at work, I dropped my beloved phone into the toilet :'(  She's still sitting in a bag of rice, but I honestly don't have much hope for her.  It has been a very strange 24hrs without a phone.  I stopped into Aldi yesterday after work to pick up a few items I needed.  I went to pull my phone out to check a recipe on Pinterest and was like, "Ohhhhh yeah.....".  I went to set an alarm before bed and was like, "Ohhhhh yeah.....".  Woke up this morning and went to check the weather and was like, "Ohhhh yeah....".  It's been rough! Haha!  Currently, I'm utilizing my laptop && my kindle fire to reach the outside world.  I know that it is sad how dependent we are on technology, but I don't really feel guilty about it.  I love my phone, and I use it non-stop.  I'm getting a loaner phone soon to get me by until I decide what I want to do.  

For those of you that keep up to date with me and my POHS, I can happily report that so far I'm still doing great.  Not much to report there.  Other than I'm having to make some serious health insurance decisions very soon [as I'm sure most people are].  POHS is such an expensive condition to have, && I want to make sure I make wise decisions about my insurance choices.  

Since Thanksgiving is upon us I want to tell you all how thankful I am for you.  Thank you for uplifting me, being a loyal reader, and taking time out of your day to learn about mine.  Blogging is such a blessing and I'm very thankful to get to share that experience with you all <333  

xo Emilee

.goodreads book club update

From the start of the Emilee Speaks book club on GoodReads, we've been reading the entire Harry Potter series.  It's been more of a "read along at your own pace" type of thing.  Now that we've finished, [if you haven't read the series before please do so NOW!] I'm going to have a more structured book club.  Monthly book choices instead of a free flow.  If you'd like to jump in and join us for December, hop on over HERE and join myyy group!  I'll announce the December book of the month at the end of November [if you'd like to make suggestions for a book, leave a comment below].  Can't wait to read with you!!! <333

xo Emilee

adorn your android [november 2013]

Home screen

Photography & Music screen

Home management screen

I'm really only using 3 screens this month.  I have another screen that has the 4x4 Bookmark Widget, and another screen that has my Google Drive widget [I use it to house my proof of insurance for my vehicle, so I have it there for easy access].  I wanted to do more of a fall theme, but wasn't finding any icons that flowed well.  So I went with sort of a Shabby Chic theme.  

All Icons were found using the CocoPPa.  [CocoPPa username: emileeblogs]

sodastream review

I was recently sent a SodaStream* starter kit via House Party to hold a party and essentially advertise the SodaStream Source.  It was NOT a requirement that I make a blog post on this, but I'm just so obsessed with my new SodaStream I had to share myyy thoughts!  

House Party is a neat website that you can sign up for to hold "parties".  Basically they send you a free item, and you commit to having a party with your friends to try out the item.  I was incredibly lucky to get in on the SodaStream party!  When my SodaStream arrived I fell in love instantly.  I've seen them in stores but never would have purchased it for myself.  However, after playing with one I definitely would have ended up buying one.  Several people from my SodaStream party have ordered one already ahah!  

REVIEW:
So far I cannot find anything negative to say about this unit.  It's easy to use, makes wonderful drinks, and is environmentally friendly.  What more could you ask for?  My favorite flavors include: Orange Soda, Ocean Spray Cranberry, Dr. Pete, and Diet Pink Grapefruit.  I will warn you, all of the flavorings have a sort of "artificial sweetener" taste to them.  None of the flavorings are made with High Fructose Corn Syrup, and the diet flavors are made with Sucralose instead of Aspartame.  The non-diet flavors do seem to be made with a mixture of Sugar & Sucralose.  This keeps calories lower than regular store bought soda brands, but something to keep in mind if you do not like to consume artificial sweeteners.  They do offer regular Cola flavoring without artificial sweeteners, it's made with 100% Pure Cane Sugar.  I haven't tried this one, so I am unable to tell you how it tastes.  There are other flavorings as well in their "Sparkling Naturals" line that are made without artificial sweetener.  

CONCLUSION:
If you don't mind consuming artificial sweetener, and are looking to cut calories, SodaStream would be an amazing option for you.  Even just using it to have plain sparkling water!  If you prefer pure cane sugar drinks, but want to limit your intake of High Fructose Corn Syrup, I'd say this would also be a good purchase for you.  The only downfall to the latter is that they don't have as wide of a flavoring choice for the no artificial sweeteners.

I took my sodas to work to have my party.  Nearly all of my friends are my co-workers and it was just easier that wayyy.  We had a great time tasting different flavors and even made rootbeer floats!  

We work in I.T. so we've all got headsets on :)  I'm not pictured because I was the photographer, and my other co-workers chose not to be photographed.  We had a fun time being sillyyy && just taking a break! <333

*All opinions are my own, I was not paid to write this post.  I was sent the SodaStream Kit by HouseParty.com, however, making a blog post was NOT a requirement by them.  I chose to write about my SodaStream on my own accord.