Wordless Wednesday...

 Photo Credit: Lydia Young 

Gift Ideas for Your Host Family...

Hello All! In about one week my daughter will be leaving to study abroad in Spain for the Spring semester. This is an exciting time for her. I will miss her dearly but I am so happy that she is stepping outside of her comfort zone and taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

It is customary to bring your homestay family or in my daughter's case, her Madre, a gift to say thank you for opening up your home to me for 89 days. The gift doesn't have to be expensive, but should be thoughtful, creative.  Keep in mind portability issues. Below are some suggestions I have for host family gifts.




1. Something made in your home state: Ah you thought Texas Pete was made in Texas? Me too until I moved to North Carolina. Look for locally produced items such as honey, hot sauce, jam, or spices.

2. Writing pad/Journal and pretty pen: A great way for you to leave your host family a note or vice versa.

3. Beautiful mug: Anthropologie and etsy has beautiful mugs or check out a local potter. The mug above was handmade by a local potter in North Carolina. Unique and beautiful.

4. Guest napkins or kitchen towels: Another favorite of mine. I love pretty guest bathroom napkins.

5. Bracelet: If you just have a Madre, a pretty charm bracelet will be nice. Add a charm that represents you. Perhaps you play tennis, add a tennis racket charm. Or maybe you love to read, add a book charm. She will think about you every time she wears it. The above bracelet was made by Sydney Austin Designs

6. Enamel Pin: These are unisex. Small collectible item. Can be worn or a denim jacket, scarf, tote bag or like I do on my backpack.

7. Canvas Tote Bag: (not shown) Buy a plain canvas tote bag and paint a design on it. Your host family can use it as a grocery bag, travel bag, etc.

My daughter purchased a pretty journal and pens for her Madre.

I hope your find these suggestions helpful. If you have anymore ideas for host family gifts, please post in comments.

Wordless Wednesday...

13 Books I Read In 2016...

Happy New Year All! How are those resolutions going? I've accomplished one of my 2016 goals and that was to read 1 book a month. It may not be a lot to some, but I'm a slow reader and I'm easily distracted. Last year, I read 13 books! Some were for book club and others for enjoyment. This year my goal is to read 24 books. Check out the books I read.






 1//  Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley { Easy Rawlings is back with his sidekick Mouse}
 2//  The Woman in Cabin 10  by Ruth Ware { Suspenseful, not as good as Girl on the Train }
 3//  The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena { Quick read, get it from your local library }
 4//  Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead { Book club book, great discussion }
 5//  The Girls by Emma Cline { Summer read, loosely based on Charles Manson, recommend }
 6//  The Girl You Lost by Kathryn Croft { Quick read, predictable }
 7//  Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith { Book club book, loved it needs to be a Part 2 }
 8//  Dead Wake by Erik Larson { Great for History buffs, I loved his novel Devil In the White City }
 9//  Men of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor { Book club book, first time reading this gem }
10// Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins { Book club book }
11// Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi { Favorite book I read in 2016!! Highly recommend }
12// Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim { Book club book, Author will Skype for book club meetings }
13// Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche { Started in 2104, finished in 2016, Recommend }


There are so many books I want to read this year. A few are:

Swing Time by Zadie Smith
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Mourning Calm by Frances Frost. Buy her book here 
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero

If there are any books you recommend that aren't listed, do tell!