Confessions of a Coffee Mug Addict

So this morning after I tweeted a picture of my new favorite coffee mug, Liz of Elizziebooks said she thought it was cool (thanks!) and that she needs more nerdy coffee mugs in her life. Obviously I agree with both sentiments.

Which got me thinking about all the other coffee mugs in my cabinet. Which got me thinking about my favorite coffee mugs. Which got me thinking I should share that with y'all because I haven't blogged in awhile and because coffee mugs are like bow ties and fezzes - they're cool.

Here are my top ten favorite coffee mugs right now! (subject to change because I am a crazy coffee mug lady) (I'm taking no time to edit or crop these photos because I am crazy lazy today so enjoy the counter and messy background thank you)

Left: The Red Filigree mug is GORGEOUS, right? And it's huge. No special story. Just a big, beautiful mug.

Middle: Like No (M)other mug is from Caribou Coffee (which is like Starbucks of the Midwest). I have a million Caribou mugs of different varieties, but I adore the size of this massive mug as well as the red & teal combo. It's one of my favorite color combos evah.

Right: That Owl mug was a gift from my husband. It's adorable. It's actually pretty amazing considering he's trying to curb my coffee mug hoarding so whenever I get one from him, it is most treasured indeed.

Left: Another owl mug! This one is from my darling sister-in-law for Christmas last year. I just love that mossy green handle and all those cute owl mugs on my mug.

Middle: Tetris mug! Courtesy of Think Geek. I bought this for my husband but I end up using it a ton because it's a great size, weight, and is classic nerdy chic.

Right: Oh, Dear! mug is from my Broke & Bookish Secret Santa two years ago! I mean seriously, the mug has a spoon, y'all. I used this like 2 days ago with my hot chocolate because I dunno about you, but my cocoa separates instantly and all the good stuff sinks to the bottom of the cup. Not with this mug! I can stir it up to keep it at maximum deliciousness. And I do just that.

Left: STAR WARS MUG. Also from Think Geek, I'm sure. It's a classic, man. 

Middle: Dumbledore Stein. So here's the deal with this one - my mom & brother went to HP World like 3 years ago and she's had the mug and just forgotten to give it to me for that long. When we went to TX this past May, I finally got to hold that handsome wizard in my tiny little hands. It's massive. It barely fits in my cupboard. I LOVE IT. 

Right: Obviously I have the Dr. Who Tardis mug. OBVIOUSLY. From Think Geek of course. Not pictured is the little top that goes with it because ain't nobody got time for that, despite it being super cute.

My number one favorite mug right now is this little glass Batman Forever mug! And I'll tell you why.

So you know how I went to Chicago with a gaggle of teenagers for a week? Well, me and a couple of the teens helped sort a gajillion items for a clothes closet. Among the sorting, we found this mug. I FLIPPED MY LID because (1) IT IS BATMAN and (2) BATMAN FOREVER IS THE BEST and (3) this was totally a collectible mug from McDonald's and so it is not made anywhere!

So I flipped my lid. And then I gave it to them to shelf. And both of the teens I was serving with were like "Lisa no seriously, you need this." And that was really all the motivation I needed! I left a donation and took this home with me and it was the best decision ever because not only do I get to have coffee with The Dark Knight on a regular basis, but I get to remember what a great trip I had in Chicago with those dudes. Right? SO GOOD.

Okay so maybe you'll notice that my collection is definitely missing some literary inspiration. 

WHO AM I that I don't have bookish mugs? 

Allow me to share a few bookish (and other fun) mugs I've got on my Etsy wish list...

Jane Austen, OBVS.

Etsy Shop

Whatever I totally count this as a bookish mug.

And yeah Ron, I would. 

Etsy Shop

The Banned Books Mug! 

Philosopher's Guild Page

Mean Girls FOREVER, amirite?

Etsy Shop

I love Finn & Jake something fierce, y'all.

Etsy Shop

WHO DOESN'T

Etsy Shop

Aren't these ADORABLE?

Etsy Shop

Indeed.

Etsy Shop

Okay, I'm done with my confessions - but you're not!

Tell me about your favorite coffee mug! Share a picture with me on the Twitter! 

OR you could link it to me in the comments.

OR OR OR if you have other coffee mugs you think I should have on my radar, please let me know that too!

The collection. No two matching mugs to be found!

"Life's too short for matching mugs, you guys." - me

Let us begin.

Source: PrintableWisdom

The Legend of Korra Recap | Chapters 6 & 7

YOU GUYS. One of my favorite shows of all time is back for a hot new season and the lovely Amy and I are recapping the episodes! Weeeeee!

If you haven't watched The Legend of Korra, you need to do that immediately. GO NOW TO THE INTERNET AND FIND IT. 

If you need to catch up on the episode recaps of this season, please peep these two guys.

Season 3: Premiere (Chapters 1-3)

Season 3: Chapters 4-5

So now that you're all caught up on the what's what, let's recap the latest chapters, shall we? Okay!

We return to metal bender island aka Xaofu where Korra is still kinda training Opal, but mostly the drama between Lin and her sister Su is at maximum levels. I mean, Lin is kind of crotchety, and we kind of love that about her, but girl has some serious momma issues to deal with. Lucky for us, she finally airs it out in this episode! We find out through some metal bending acupuncture (which might be the coolest thing of all time) that Su and Lin were kinda of the opposites of each other - Lin was the dutiful daughter who tried to be everything her mom (Toph!) wanted her to be, while Su rebelled and was basically throwing all her cares in the air. Anyway, it all comes to a head when Su reminds us all - AGAIN - that Lin is a loner and it's no wonder that Tenzin broke it off with her. BURNNNNNN. Commence intense earth bending and sibling rivalry! 

Toph flashback! (she is disappoint) Source: Cap-that.com

In the meantime, Korra starts learning how to metal bend thanks to Su. Bolin is crazy nervous that he won't be able to do it and is absolutely adorable and heartbreaking with his anxiety and tentative watching of Korra learning. In short, Bolin continues to be the best forever amen. He once again drops the best line of the episode when he gets busted peeping Korra training when he says "Just thinking about my body...and...mustaches I might have in the future." WHAT A BRO, Y'ALL. OH and also he and Opal kind of have this thing brewing and it makes me so very happy. Bopal? Bolopal? Whatever, it's the best.

DO NOT BE SAD, BOLIN. Source: Cap-that.com

Finally, Opal decides to go to the air temple to train because she is all empowered by her Aunt Lin and just needs to live her own life, you know? GET IT, GIRL. Old wounds are healed. People are moving on. Women are empowered to live the life they want. Much fistpumping! OH and Varek is still around making weird crap. I continue to not trust him. 

Also, the 4 big baddies are still on the search for Korra and somehow Zahir knows that she's hiding out at metal bender village so that's not going to go well. Not well at all, I'm afraid. 

see you in my nightmares, bro. source: Cap-that.com

Since we were blessed with another double episode this week (wooooo!), that means a double recap. Holla! Let's do the damn thing.

We check in on Tenzin and the airbenders at the Northern Air Temple. Things are going not so great as they aren't quite as interested in the detailed history and discipline it takes to become an airbender. It kind of reminds of being a camp counselor, actually. All the questions about when will they eat, where's so and so, what are they doing next, why are we doing this (repeat for infinity). Tenzin struggles trying to teach this crop, and Korra has a great idea to incorporate the natural leader in his brother Bumi. It also doesn't go well because Tenzin cranks it up to 11 and drives everybody nuts.com. 

slow your roll, dude. source: cap-that.com

Meanwhile, Kai and Jinora kinda have their own little romance blossoming in the most adorable of middle grade ways. He tells her that she's a great teacher and definitely deserves to have her airbender tattoos. She blushes and acts like it's nbd. He takes her to see baby air bison and my heart explodes into a million pieces because BABY AIR BISON, Y'ALL.

TOO PRECIOUS FOR THIS WORLD. Source: Cap-that.com

Basically he empowers Jinorah to be like LISTEN DAD I'M GROWN. So more empowerment! Wee! Some baby air bison poachers come and snatch them up, taking Jinorah and Kai with them. It's terrible. And what makes it worse is that they work for the Earth Kingdom Queen! SHE IS THE WORST. I welled up. I MEAN LOOK AT THOSE PRECIOUS BABIES. Anyway, Bumi finally rallies the air benders and they have a grand rescue of Jinorah and Kai and the baby air bison! It's proven that they really are learning things, Tenzin is a decent teacher, Bumi is a great leader and Jinorah is the bad ass we all know she is what with her connection to the spirit realm. Tenzin vows to take her desire for airbender tattoos under advisement, which those of us with parents knows means "No" but she seems to be happy with that so we'll roll with it. 

I love that we learn more about Tenzin and Bumi's relationship and how Bumi never really felt like a part of the family until now. This show does an amazing job branching the original The Last Airbender series to this series, while maintaining the integrity of both shows. The family dynamics run thick and the relationships are layered and complex and just SO GOOD. 

Bros being bros. <3 source: cap-that.com

And just for fun. MORE AIR BISON BEBES.

MY BOOS! source: cap-that.com

Now that the relationships seem to be back in balance, I predict we'll see more of the 4 big baddies. Hopefully more of Fire Lord Zuko (and his grandson Ihro) and his dragon riding badassery as well. Because dragons.  To Friday!

Dance parties are good for your soul.

Source: MofEHome

Review: Tiger Lily

Title: Tiger Lily

Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson

Pub Deets: 2012, HarperTeen

Series/Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Source: Purchased

Goodreads | Jodi's Facebook | Jodi's Twitter

A quiet, complicated love story set in a dramatic, dark Neverland where enemies lurk around every corner and changing times are not a welcome development. 

I was warned by everyone that this book would punch me in the face with the feels.

Everyone was right. 

And since this book isn't a typical book, I don't think a typical review will do it justice.

So instead of summarizing the plot or my reactions, I want to share with you the three emotions that I felt most predominantly while I read Tiger Lily. And you should know it wasn't easy to narrow it down to just three because this book PACKS IT IN, YO.

Yeah, basically the entire time. 

Apprehension over what would happen with Tiger Lily and her village.

Apprehension over what would happen with Tiger Lily and Peter because we know it doesn't end well.

Apprehension over what happens with the Englishman and his changing the values of the village.

Yeah so basically everything. 

I couldn't put this down. I never wanted to.

I felt like I was constantly on the edge of weeping, but I didn't want to stop reading.

I knew my heart would break, but I didn't want to stop reading. 

Anderson weaves so many elements into this story that fit together absolutely perfectly. 

The dynamics of Tiger Lily's village. Her reputation in the village and her relationship with Tik Tok was so well developed and authentic. Even her relationships with the other villagers were incredibly detailed and three dimensional. 

The quiet tone of the book lends itself to contemplation and that is exactly what I did. I didn't rush (although I did read it in two days), I savored. I pondered. I reflected on why Hook aged but Peter didn't. There's so much food for thought and social commentary and just LIFE packed into this little book. So very much. 

KLEENEX.

"An unspoken rivalry threaded their relationship, in which Tiger Lily thought that if she could keep up with him, she could hold tighter to him. It didn't occur to her there was anything in which Peter wanted her to fail. But sometimes I could see that, even for him, she was too fast, too sure-footed, and didn't see to need him quite enough."

Ridiculously amazing.

Source: AllTheBestQuotes

Get ready, Chi-city! I'm on my way.

So my day job involves spending time with kids & teens. My official title is Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministry. That basically means I form relationships with kids, teens, and their parents and we explore what it means to be in relationship with God and with one another. We have small groups. We go on trips and fun events. We worship. It's a nice blend of fun with spiritual growth and relationship development that I absolutely live for. 

I tell you this because (1) I ADORE MY JOB and (2) this job is taking me to Chicago for a mission trip! Which means I'll be internet absent. 

I'll be taking 11 teens and a couple of adults to Chi-city for a week of service work. We partner with local organizations like Boys & Girls Club, food kitchens, etc. during the day and then we get to see different parts of the city at night. 

I mean, Chicago is cool and all, BUT I WILL GET TO MEET TARA & ANNA AND I AM SO STOKED, Y'ALL. 

SO - I won't be around much on the internet for the week. Well, I will be on my work Twitter (@blc_youthgroup) and you're welcome to follow on that.

I will miss all of your faces. Truly, I will. 

BUT I'm excited to live my dream job and travel to Chicago with an AMAZING group of teens who want to serve! 

Allow me to share with you a few top jamz from Chicago natives.

(yeah, these will be explicit)
(shout-out to Ginger for helping me learn how to embed these songs)

THIS IS MY ALL TIME JAM.

Forever this song. Forever and ever.

See you next week, friends!

oxoxo

Epic Recs: July

Epic Recs is hosted by Judith at Paper Riot & Books of Amber
Basically you are paired up with someone else on the interwebs and recommend books to each other and then you have to read them or you will die. It's pretty serious. 

Oh so you know, Gaby and I are 6 for 6. Which is 100%. Which is AWESOME.

LONG LIVE THE QUEENS OF EPIC RECS.

Ahem.

Here we go for July!

For July, Gaby said she wanted something fantasy. Preferably something with a map, but definitely with magic and things that definitely are not normal. While A CURSE DARK AS GOLD doesn't have a map, it does have magic and is PERFECT for Gaby. But you'll have to go to her beautiful blog to find out why! 

And for me, she epically recs FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS by Diana Peterfreund. Here's why!

"Okay, truth time, when Lisa told me what she was looking for this month, I checked her TBR and her list of book she owns and I couldn't find anything I've read that fit what she wanted. I know, major fail. HOWEVER, she does want "romance, the kick-ass-ness, the magic, ALL OF THE THINGS" so I decided the best way to go with this is FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS by Diana Peterfreund. There's romance, a crazy strong female protagonist, and awesome sci-fi-ness. Lisa also wanted a stand-alone, which is what she's getting - ACROSS THE STAR-SWEPT SEA is the companion, not a sequel."

I mean you guys. YOU GUYS. It is a Jane Austen reimagining.
It is Sci-Fi glorious.
THAT COVER THO.
I'm so excited for this pick! WEE!

Have you read FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS? 
Do you think I'll love?
Have you read A CURSE DARK AS GOLD? 
Do you think it will be an Epic Rec for Gaby? 

Lemme know! Kthx!

Review: This is What Happy Looks Like (Epic Rec)

Title: This is What Happy Looks Like

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Pub Deets: 2013, Headline (division of Hachette)

Series/Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Source: Library!

Goodreads | Author Website | Author Twitter

image from Judith at Paper Riot

I read this as part of the Epic Recs feature hosted by Paper Riot & Books of Amber.

Yeah, Gaby nailed it again. I wanted a book that was light, sweet, fun standalone read. That is PRECISELY what This is What Happy Looks Like packs within it's glorious pages.

Graham emails Ellie on accident. She has a witty reply. They continue their witty correspondence and something develops between them. Ellie has no idea Graham is a huge movie star. But Graham knows where Ellie lives via their chatting and twists the arms of the right people to get his latest movie filmed there so he can finally meet the girl who has captured his heart via email. 

Yes. YES THERE ARE. Not like make you weak in the knees swoons, but more like the heart aflutter and stupid smile on your face, swoons. Which is adorable! 

Small town Maine. It's so charming! There's an ice cream parlor, little touristy shops, and lots and lots of lobster. It's also set around the 4th of July so Gaby's timing was ACES, Y'ALL. 

OH YES. Graham is trying to keep his relationship with Ellie on the low to keep the paparazzi away. Ellie is trying to keep the real reason she and her mom live in small town Maine under wraps from Graham and her best friend. Much sneakiness abounds!

What does happy look like to Lisa?: White mochas. Sweatpants. SNOW. Video games. Dance parties. Laughing until I pee my pants. Pretending to be a dragon. HARRY POTTER. Ten. Reading into the squeaky hours of the morning. Snuggling under all of the blankets!

If you got an email from a cute celebrity who's about your age and who actually wanted to continue talking to you post-clarifying email miscommunication, what would you do and how does it all play out - y'know, in your imagination? (In this scenario, you are not married, natch.): I wish I could be like Ellie and not let it get to me, but the truth is I am WAY too into pop culture and movies and such to let that happen. So, as much as I wish it weren't the truth, I'd probably chicken out and let it fall apart. I KNOW I AM THE WORST. 

If you could have a non-traditional house pet (like a pig) what would it be?: Oh, most definitely a burro. I've wanted a burro FOREVER. Seriously, have you seen how cute they are! Evidence. 

Seriously, are you even surprised anymore? I'm not!

That's not to say that this book is life changing or perfection or whatever. It isn't. But it was the right book at the right time and so I give mad props to Gaby for knowing that and to Jennifer E Smith for writing books such as this because we need them in our lives, you know? 

The real question is, did Gaby adore Wanderlove? Check it, yo.