Month: December 2014

Stories Unfolded | The Jolly Blogger Award

~ Danielle Olson ~ 1 Comment

christmas

To get you in the holiday spirit I wanted to share some exciting news!  I’ve been nominated by Coffee n’ Notes for The Jolly Blogger Award.  What a great way to start Christmas!

Thank you so much for the nomination Coffee n’ Notes!  I really appreciate my followers and how supportive they are of my blog.

THE JOLLY BLOGGER AWARD RULES

1. Answer the twelve questions that have been left for me

2. Create twelve new questions

3. Nominate ten lovely bloggers!

So here it goes:

QUESTIONS FOR ME

What is on your Christmas Wish list?

This year I didn’t really have a Christmas Wish List other than being able to spend time with my family.  I’ve been so busy with work and wedding planning that I haven’t been able to visit people close to me.  I will get to see everyone this Christmas and I can’t wait!

What would be the perfect Christmas?

Spending time with my family (there’s a theme here) and cuddling up next to my fiancé while we watch a Christmas movie together.

What’s your favorite winter make-up look?

I don’t really think about a particular “look” for the season in regards to my make-up.  I just wear what works with my complexion.  That’s usually a lot of neutral colors.

Do you believe in Santa?

No, but I don’t spoil it for others especially my youngest sister.  She’s 10 now and still believes in Santa.

What is your favorite Christmas food or drink?

I love my fiancé’s homemade hot chocolate.  He makes it right before we watch the Christmas carolers in our neighborhood.  It’s a big performance and yummy hot chocolate.

Will you be traveling for Christmas, if so where?

I will be travelling, but not far.  My dad’s house is only an hour away.

 Would you prefer Christmas with or without snow?

Without.  I really don’t like snow, but that’s because I can’t stand the cold.

Do you like eggnog?

Nope.  I’ve never liked eggnog, but I do have a funny story.  When my fiancé and I were hosting a Christmas party, he asked for me to start working on making eggnog while he picked up a few things.  Since I don’t like eggnog and never drink it, I didn’t really know what to expect when making it myself.  I followed my fiancé’s recipe exactly, but the recipe he found skipped a ton of steps and was even missing the main ingredient.  Needless to say, we didn’t serve eggnog at our party.

What is your favorite winter clothing?

Scarves.

Do you leave Santa cookies, if so who eats them?

I don’t recall leaving Santa cookies, but I’m sure my siblings and I did at some point.

What was the best gift you ever received?

I don’t think I can pinpoint just one gift, but obviously I love when I get books.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Dressing my baby sister up in her Christmas outfit and taking her to see Santa.

MY NOMINEES

Paris Baker’s Book Nook

Living Life With Joy

Books Over People

Friendly Bookworm

One More Page

Cleopatra Loves Books

Sand Between The Pages

MY QUESTIONS

Since it is Christmas Eve, I’m asking my nominees the same questions I was asked.  They are pretty great questions.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

WWW Wednesday | Dec. 24

~ Danielle Olson ~ 1 Comment

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It’s that time of the week again when I participate in WWW Wednesdays hosted by Should Be Reading. Feel free to leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments.

To participate in WWW Wednesday, you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY READING

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RECENTLY FINISHED READING

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WHAT I MIGHT READ NEXT

the storied life

Teaser Tuesdays | Dec. 23

~ Danielle Olson ~ 1 Comment

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So, it’s been so busy the last few weeks.  I feel like I barely have time to breath.  I’ve also had serious blogging and reading withdrawal.

Here’s my Teaser Tuesday this week:

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. It’s easy to participate. Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

CURRENT READ | THE IN BETWEEN BY OLIVIA PIERCE

“I try to remember how I got here, but I have no recollection, just fragments.  I was at the quarry, my hand almost touching Tara’s, and then, and then…I was pulled away by something or someone I could not see, powerless against its force, yanked from what I wanted most”

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Monthly Review | November 2014

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

November and December have been my busiest months this year.  It’s busy season at work which means I have no social life and my wedding is coming up in four short months.  I can’t believe how time flies.  As they say, it’s better late than never right?  So, I wanted to share my recap of November.

BOOKS READ

Like I said, it’s been busy so I didn’t finish reading many books in November, but I’ve had time to read much more this month. Yay!

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CURRENTLY READING

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POSTS THIS MONTH

Here are my November posts (excluding my weekly Sunday Quotes) –

FOLLOWERS

My blog reached 200 followers in November.  I couldn’t be more grateful for those who take the time to read my opinions and stories about books.

Stories Unfolded Reaches 200 Followers!

SOCIAL MEDIA

I was officially brought in as the Social Media Chair for the Women’s National Book Association Los Angeles Chapter.  I’m so excited to be working with this amazing organization.

Exciting Announcement | Social Media Chair Position

I also shared the several ways you can follow Stories Unfolded on social media.

Stories Unfolded On Social Media

Teaser Tuesdays | Dec. 16

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

teasertuesdays2014e

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. It’s easy to participate. Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

CURRENT READ | THE IN BETWEEN BY OLIVIA PIERCE

“The earth below us is far, far away and for those few perfect moments, suspended in the night sky, we are safe and untouchable.”

“When he speaks in class I listen intently as if the words contain a hidden code meant just for me, though he’s only every talking about whatever it is we’re reading.  Then again, I spend a good deal of time in my other classes wondering what he’s doing while we’re apart, anyway.”

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Upcoming Book Review | What A Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

This is the third book I’ve finished this month..so far. My review is coming soon.

This is book one of The Great Wedding Giveaway Series.

The Great Wedding Giveaway Series
Prequel: Beauty’s Kiss by Jane Porter
Book 1: What a Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter
Book 2: Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey
Book 3:Almost a Bride by Sarah Mayberry

Here’s a bit about the book:

cover52649-medium“What a bride wants…Ella Grace Emerson adores her father, but he keeps trying to marry her off to every eligible rancher in Montana. When he puts an ad in the paper on her behalf – for a docile house-husband – Ella retaliates with one of her own, pinned to the noticeboard of the local saloon. No husband required, housebroken or otherwise. What she wants is the perfect lover.
What a bride needs…Newcomer Cam Sawyer is perfectly willing to tear up the sheets with Ella and be her partner in chaos. She wants a bad boy and he’s had experience aplenty. But what she really needs is a strong and loving partner, and until Sawyer stops running from his past he can never be that.
Sawyer’s the one Ella wants. But can he be the man she needs? “

WWW Wednesday | Dec. 10

~ Danielle Olson ~ 3 Comments

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It’s that time of the week again when I participate in WWW Wednesdays hosted by Should Be Reading. To participate in WWW Wednesday, you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY READING

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RECENTLY FINISHED READING

Unknown

WHAT I MIGHT READ NEXT

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Stories Unfolded | Another Liebster Award

~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

I’m so honored that I’ve been nominated for another Liebster Award by Afiqah Hanna of This Is Hanna.  I’ve been so fortunate to have such amazing followers who recognize the work I put into this blog.  You can check out my first Liebster Award here.

The rules for the Liebster Award are as follows:

  • Link back to (and thank) the blogger that nominated you.
  • Answer the 11 questions they give you.
  • Tag up to 11 other bloggers who have 200 or less followers.
  • Ask your nominees 11 questions and let them know you nominated them!

***

Questions from This Is Hanna:

1. What are your hobbies other than the obvious?

Other than reading and writing I love playing softball.  I’ve played softball since I was 7 years old and never get tired of the game, even if I injure myself.  I used to play fast pitch up until I started college then I decided to switch to slow pitch adult leagues.  Now my fiance and I play on co-ed teams together, but I think I’m better than he is…shhh.

2. Cats or dogs?

I would go with dog only because I grew up with cats and my fiance is really allergic.  So I don’t see myself having a cat as a pet in my future.  Plus I really want a Yorkie.

3. Coffee or tea?

Definitely tea.  I’ve never been and never will be a coffee drinker.  I’ve just never been able to get over the taste.

4. What is/are your biggest fear(s)?

Heights.

5. Who is/are your idols?

I would say Taylor Swift.  She’s just amazing!

6. Serif font or sans serif font? Which do you prefer and why?

I’m going to say sans serif because that’s what I use at work.  I don’t really have a preference.

7. Do you listen to music while reading or working? If yes, what genre?

Sometimes I do.  Sometimes I don’t.  It really depends on what mood I’m in and where I’m reading.  If I do listen to music I’m usually on the train, but at home I prefer no music.  I usually listen to country, pop, or movie scores.

8. Favorite classics?

  • The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

9. Been to any concert? If yes, whose? If no, whose would you like to attend?

The most recent concert I went to was Blake Shelton.  Loved every minute of it!  And I already bought tickets for Taylor Swift’s concert next August.  I’m super excited to see her in concert.

10. Favorite TV shows?

This could potentially be a long list:

  • Pretty Little Liars
  • Switched At Birth
  • Awkward
  • Hannibal
  • Faking It

11. Your occupation

I currently work full time in the insurance industry as an Underwriting Associate in the Motorsports/Sports department.

***

And here are my nominations:

So, I’m nominating a few people who have over 200 followers, but I want to nominate them because I love their blogs.

Questions to those I nominated:

  1. If you were stranded on a desert island and only had one book, what would that book be?
  2. What’s your favorite part of going to a bookstore?
  3. What are you currently reading?
  4. What book from your childhood has stuck with you the most?
  5. What book has had the largest impact on your life?
  6. What is a book from your childhood that you absolutely want to read to your children?
  7. What is the most books you’ve read in a single week?
  8. What’s your favorite quote from a book?
  9. What literary character do you most identify with?
  10. What’s your favorite movie adaptation of a book?
  11. Who is your favorite author and why?