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Etsy Spotlight: Justine Paige

Shop Announcement

Hello there!

My name is Justine, and I am a recent college graduate living in Washington (the state). I am so thankful to be able to run my own little Etsy shop. This is basically my job right now, and it allows me to be a breadwinner for my family (or rather, a cookie-winner)! I am so grateful to all my customers and supporters who have helped me get this far!

My shop is run entirely by me from my home: I answer your messages, package your order, and walk it down to the local post office to mail it to you. It amazes me know that I have customers from all over the world. Wow! I wish I could somehow visit and meet everyone I do business with! Speaking of which, I also do local craft shows, so if you're in the area, please check them out (see the "upcoming local markets" link).

I have a special place in my heart for beautiful Bavaria, Germany where I spent a year as a college exchange student (Universität Passau). In addition to academics and adventure, I also brought back several hundred beer bottle caps that I found on the streets and collected from pubs. I use these in my recycled bottle cap jewelry.

After making up-cycled bottle cap jewelry for over 10 years, I decided to branch out and try creating jewelry in a variety of styles which are now featured in my shop.

Thank you to all my customers and to anyone who just came by to tell me they liked my work; your support encourages me to keep doing what I do!

Thank you for visiting my shop. Browse around, and find something you love!

Warm wishes from the Evergreen State,

Justine
 *click on picture to purchase*


You get it? Do ya? 

If you don't. This is the key to 221B Baker St. AKA the residence of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. This is a really cute and simple necklace (mossy rock not included) that will make you feel slightly like Zoey from Zoey 101, but a nerdy version with a key that you don't know what lock it fits. 


Are you the son or daughter of a Greek god or goddess? (If you're reading this, then I am assuming no.)

If not, and if you never get the chance to go to Camp Half-Blood, then this necklace is the perfect way to pretend like you did. 


It's pretty much impossible for me to make an etsy post without some kind of Harry Potter item. 

I really love this pin (yes! pin!) that you could put on your backpack (!!!). 

(I'm a total nerd if you couldn't tell.) 

But, really, what better way to display your love for Harry Potter than a pin boasting about the broomstick you wish you could have.


As previously stated, I am a complete and total nerd. Being as such, I really like Doctor Who. And, like many Whovians, would love to be a companion to the Doctor. So, why not get this TARDIS key and pretend like you have?

Do you own any bookish jewelry? If so, what is it and where did you get it? Tell me down in the comments!

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Top 10 Books on My Fall TBR

"Top Ten Tuesday" is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish to share lists (because we love them) about books and bookish things.

  • THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS: I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK AND THAT IS REALLY EXCITING TO ME.
  • LOCK IN: Reagan the Book Pusher recommended this. I must read it.
  • JANE EYREWUTHERING HEIGHTS: These two are literally going to be on every TBR of mine until I read them . . . which might actually be never.
  • THE MARTIAN: Man gets stuck on Mars. Matt Damon is going to star in the movie. I need to read the bookk prior to the movie. I've heard it is absolutely hilarious.
  • STATION ELEVEN: SO MANY WONDERFUL WORDS ABOUT THIS BOOK. I read the first 70-ish pages a while back but then I had to return it to the library, but now I have my own copy and can read it as quickly or as slowly as I please.
  • THE PRINCESS DIARIES IV-VIII: 4 BOOKS. I want to knock out the next couple of books in the Princess Diaries series because 1) they're short and 2) they are starting Princess Training (AKA my fave).
What books are on your fall TBR pile? Which of these should I read first? Tell me down in the comments!

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Stacking the Shelves [27]: I Found the City Library

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and it's all about sharing the books that have come into your possession throughout the week, whether it books added to your collection, ebooks, library books, etc. Sunday post is a weekly meme  hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer where bloggers can recap their week, showcase books, and share news.

The Stack


  • HOLLOW CITY, HAWKEYE VOL. 1: SO EXCITED ABOUT HAWKEYE. I have heard wonderful things about him as a superhero and I just really want to know more and by more I mean everything that I can.
  • EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING: I actually preordered this and it arrived at my mailbox the day it arrived. I just forgot to put it in last week's STS. Oops.
  • DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, NIGHT FILM: Kay. I am a week human at Barnes and Noble. THOUGH I did go in to buy Dragonfly in Amber and Night Film was in the bargain section for $6 and I've wanted to read it forever.

What I Read This Week

  

Everything, Everything was not everything that I had hoped it would be. And it was a let down. HOWEVER, I still think you should read it because it was still really enjoyable. I am just hard to please when it comes to YA Contemporary-Romance.

Also, you should listen to The Bad Beginning even if you already read them as a kid (like me) because this is basically like listening to the movie. There is a cast of characters and sound effects. If you want, you can listen to it through my Scribd link and get two months of free audiobooks, ebooks, and comics.

When I Wasn't Reading

sleep and school. basically. and putting off work because I am horrible, procrastinating student.

music recommendation of the week: Bear's Den. So relaxing and great, great content with wonderful vocals and instrumental. Check out their website.

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What has been going on in your world of reading this week? Tell me down below!

Stacking the Shelves [26]: #BookMail + #BooksForTrade

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and it's all about sharing the books that have come into your possession throughout the week, whether it books added to your collection, ebooks, library books, etc. Sunday post is a weekly meme  hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer where bloggers can recap their week, showcase books, and share news.

The Stack





What I Read This Week


SO GOOD. It may be the only book I've completed this month, but I'm okay with that!

When I Wasn't Reading

I was writing essays. And watching Youtube and Friends and buying things that I shouldn't off Amazon.

You Might Have Missed

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What have y'all read and loved this week? How is September going for everyone? Tell me down in the comments!

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Waiting on Wednesday [3]

"Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating. I, however, do it monthly.
I have been seeing Waiting on Wednesdays for as long as I have been blogging, but every week just seemed like too much, so I decided to post a monthly version with a handful of books on the second Wednesday of every month!

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin
Expected Publication: October 20th 201
Code Name Verity meets Inglourious Basterds in this fast-paced novel from the author of The Walled City.

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. To commemorate their Great Victory over Britain and Russia, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball.

Yael, who escaped from a death camp, has one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin's brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. But as Yael begins to get closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?
This was one that so many booktubers picked up from BEA. Everything about this appeals to me. 1) Alternate universe containing 2) historical characters and 3) shape-shifting (I think?). It just sounds absolutely amazing.

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl
Expected Publication: October 13th 2015
Enter the world of the Avengers' iconic master spy

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world's most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow's infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments-until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn't really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned-and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava's dreams. . . .

Black Widow:Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.
That synopsis is really long (TBH: I haven't even read it). All I want to know is Marvel is having Margaret Stohl (one of the co-authors of Beautiful Creatures) write a novelized version of Black Widow (aka Bae).

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent
Expected Publication: September 29th 2015
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie…

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.
Five reasons to be interested in this book: 1) beautiful cover 2) carnival 3) carnival 4) carnivals and 5) carnivals.

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Expected Publication: September 22nd 2015
Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety?

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.
I only need two reasons to pick up this book when it comes out 1) cover love and 2) Sam @ Thoughts on Tomes said you would like it if you liked playing Oregon Trail as a kid. I enjoyed Oregon Trail as a kid. I need this book in my life ASAP.

Which of these are you guys anticipating? Or have you even heard of any of these? Any sparked interest? Tell me down in the comments!

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Top 10 Series that I Haven't Finished or Caught Up On

"Top Ten Tuesday" is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish to share lists (because we love them) about books and bookish things.

Finished Series

    
  • The Infernal Devices: I am going to read Clockwork Princess ASAP. As soon as I can cut out a chunk of my time and just read and appreciate what is happening. Probably fall break.
  • The Princess Diaries: I am not in a huge rush to finish this series. It is something I will continue to pick up here and there throughout the year when I am feeling slumpy. I really just want to get to Royal Wedding.
  • The Series of Unfortunate Events: Hopefully (again no rush on this one) I will reread this series and finally read the last book. Mainly because I remember other than: 1) fire and 2) orphans traveling.
    
  • The Pretty Little Liars Series: I won't ever finish this series. No, no, no.
  • The Giver Quartet: I might finish this quartet eventually. I need to reread the first two first.
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: One of my summer goals was to reread this series and read the ones I'd never read. Well, now it's a 2015 goal.

Unfinished Series

      
  • The Selection: I'm completely undecided wheter or not to read The Heir. I think I will wait until the last book is released and then marathon both of them.
  • Outlander Series:  The questions here are: 1) will I ever finish this series and 2) will this series ever end (don't get me wrong, I don't want it to end). I am hoping to read Dragonfly in Amber over the next couple of months.
  • Throne of Glass: The question here is: do I continue? Every one of you down in the comments will say "Yes! Monica, you have to finish it!" but I really didn't like the first one, and I am struggling to find motivation to read the second. Someone convince me because I want to love this series as much as everyone else. 
  • The Lunar Chronicles: Again, I want to love this series as much as everyone else, and Cress seems to be the favorite thus far. Someone convince me to read this one.

What book series have you not finished or caught up to? Do we share any series?

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My Month in Tomes: August 2015


This is where I talk a little. However, I don't have a lot of words to say because college has squished my brain out of my ears.

Books Finished


So I started college this month, and so I didn't read a lot, but I still did pretty well.

Books Finished

Book covers are linked to my goodreads reviews.

  

 

Reviews this Month

Reading Challenges

Goodreads: 70 /70
Popsugar: 40/50
Rereads: 5/10
Over 500 Pages: 5/5
Classics: 0/3

Stats


  • Favorite Read:  Clockwork Angel was so much fun to read. It was great. I need to start the third soon!
  • Wish I Never Read: The Circle. I "had to read this" for college. I didn't have to read it. It's one of my least favorite books of all time. 
  • Most Exciting Audiobook Find: THE FIRST THREE PRINCESS DIARIES BOOKS ARE NARRATED BY ANNE HATHAWAY. 'Nuff said. You should listen to them on Scribd (get two months free here: https://www.scribd.com/g/4tlyl0).

When I Wasn't Reading

COLLEGE. It's been rough, it's been tough. I've watched a lot of Friends (Yes, I love Friends, yes, my name is Monica, yes, we are very similar although I like to think I am less crazy). I've done a lot of homework. 

What was your favorite thing you've read or listened to this month? Let me know down below!

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Bookish September: Participation + TBR


This readathon is a wonderful thing. Basically, it is a motivation to read while life is getting a lot more busy (school, college, ahhhh). It takes place through all of September.

For more information, watch Elisabeth Paige's video.

MONTH LONG READATHON CHALLENGES

1. Reread a favorite - The Phantom of the Opera
2. Read a recently purchased book - The Martian
3. Read a book from your favorite genre - Clockwork Prince(ss)
4. Read a book with a beautiful cover - The Wizard of Oz
5. Read a book you know nothing about - The Girl With All the Gifts
6. Read a book with a darker theme - Burial Rites
7. Read a book you want to read - The Princess Diaries Series - Books IV +

There are a few more books that I want to read this month that are not pictured above (e.g. my Six of Crows ARC that I will finally have in my possession on Saturday (!!!); Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon which I have pre-ordered; and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me and Other Concerns which I really want to listen to on audio this month). And, if I read 5 of the books on this list and/or the books aforementioned, I am going to reward myself with the UK edition of Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

Hopefully this goes well. Are you interested in participating in Bookish September? It is definitely going to be a main motivator for me to read this month (because let's be real, I've been struggling).

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