"me before you" review

last week i finished the book "me before you". and this week has been so exhausting, i am just now getting around to telling you all about it. me before you by jojo moyes is the story of two individuals who couldn't be more different brought together. lou and will learn things about themselves and each other, in a heartbreaking, hilarious, never predictable novel. you will laugh, you will cry, and you won't be able to put the book down. moyes writes a complex love story with characters that capture your heart and stay there. it is a book you may want to read with tissues and in the end will leave you wondering what really is the "right" thing to do.

i'm sorry for the short and to the point post, but other academic (i guess those come first) things have me busy. this past week was filled with homecoming hours, homework and group meetings. luckily, come wednesday the minute my test is over, i will be headed home. a quick break will be nice. hopefully i will have some time this week to post some but if not, everyone have a fabulous weekend and cross your fingers for a "W" today! go vols!

xoxo,
clp

first fall day OOTD

topshop for nordstrom crop top and skirt, j. crew necklace, ivanka trump booties

xoxo,

clp

judah and the lion concert + OOTD

if you aren't listening to the band known as judah and the lion, you should be. i have been hooked ever since i first started listening to them. judah akers, the lead singer, played on my brother's college baseball team and if you saw him playing on the baseball field a few years ago, you wouldn't recognize him today. but its a change that has been for the better. formed just two years ago in nashville, judah and the lion is going places. with a mix of southern gospel, country, folk, pop and really everything in-between, judah and the lion has a sound all their own. following a new album release, the band embarked on their first headlining tour just this week, with the second stop being the square room here in knoxville on thursday. without question, mom and i bought our tickets for the show.

(image via Judah and the Lion Facebook)

what a show it was. it was one of the best concerts i have been to. the energy, the passion, the lyrics: everything that was felt on stage was felt in the audience too. each song has an energy and a story told through the lyrics that could only be told by the band. i must say that i love every song on the new album, "kids these days", as well as their previous albums, and i loved every rendition and stage version of the song last night. it was a concert that, now, days later, i am still amazed at how good it was. from "sweet tennessee" to "everything changes" there is a song for everyone and every mood and every occasion. if you aren't listening to judah and the lion, you are missing out on a band that is going places fast (and quite an attractive lead singer).

LEONA very v blouse, nordstrom leather leggings, via spiga wedges

xoxo,

clp

domestic violence awareness month

i love that october is now often referred to as "pink-tober" because of it being breast cancer awareness month. everything is "pinked" out - from the NFL to fountains in NYC. i love the pink ribbons and the strides made to raise breast cancer awareness.

unfortunately, the pink outshines the purple. many forget or don't even know that october is also domestic violence awareness month. even though it is not as well known or as socially-endorsed, domestic violence awareness is just as important as breast cancer awareness. raising awareness for domestic violence has become more important to me since joining alpha chi omega. as a sorority, we hope to raise domestic violence awareness and help those who are victims. we work to fight against unhealthy relationships and build healthy relationships. as alpha chi omega simply says in regards to domestic violence, "love shouldn't hurt."

the issue of domestic violence is a silent battle and one that unfortunately affects more people (not just women) than we know. i am blessed to have never been a victim of domestic violence, but i know some women that have and their stories are heartbreaking. i see, especially recently, more and more stories of domestic violence in the news. as a young female, i feel that it is necessary to speak out against domestic violence. too many young women are victims and they are fighting the battle silently.

the recent "outbreak" of domestic violence in the news can be seen as both a bad and good thing. though i hate that the women are victims of domestic violence, it has brought the issue to light. now, more and more celebrities and news anchors, from actress kerry washington to TODAY show host tamron hall,  are speaking out against and raising awareness for domestic violence.

so, with this being said, i invite you to join the fight. wear pink and purple this month, and every month after. silence hides the violence so keep the conversation going. speak out, speak up. no one deserves to be a victim of domestic violence. it's on us to end it.

xoxo,
clp