Currently reading: ‘God’s Trophy Women’

As you know I love reading and tend to flit between different types of non-fiction, whether they be about relationships, career, God or personal development, etc.

On the personal development/building my faith side, I am currently reading God’s Trophy Women by Jacqueline Jakes {TD Jakes sister}, kindly borrowed from Mr E’s cousin over the holidays.

In the book she encourages us as women to use our struggles to become "trophy" women—"women of extraordinary substance who possess huge value and distinction." The very troubles that threaten to crush us are instead God's way of making us shine.

I’ve just started it, but so far so good. I will review it properly when I’m done.

Over to the right {all you RSS subscribers, you’re gonna have to hop over to the site for this one!}, you will notice that I have started a ‘Books that Inspire’ list.

These are books I have read over the years which have really blessed and inspired me. Some you may recognise, others you may not, but if you’re looking for some good reading, I highly recommend them all.

Likewise, caring is sharing and if you happen to have read a really good relationship/marriage/self development book lately and want to let others know about it, please leave the information in the comments below.

Gracias! Happy Reading!

Book review: Buff Brides – Sue Fleming

I’ve heard about this book on lots of different bridal boards and it has some really good reviews online, so I’m going to check it out.

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There are lots of different workouts and exercises you can do to get you toned and fit for not only your wedding day, but post wedding too.

Sue advises giving yourself 6 months, but if that is not possible you can do it in 12 weeks. An interesting article which talks about the program makes an interesting observation that as brides-to-be we should pace ourselves and not resort to overtraining:

"The biggest mistakes brides and bridesmaids make is overtraining, trying to do too much, too   soon, and continuing to do too much too close to the wedding day," says Fleming. "Bumping up your activity levels the week before your wedding isn't going to make that much difference, and you could get injured."

or starvation:

"Don't starve yourself in the weeks before the wedding. Not only is it not healthy, but it can also affect the way you will look on the wedding day, including your skin and your hair," she says.

Hmm…interesting!

It’s currently 15p on Amazon Marketplace – bargain! Nothing to lose!

If you have a spare 5 mins...

I love reading and try to read a new book every month. I even got an award at school, when I was 12 for taking the most books out of the school library! Lately I have found myself really busy and it has been taking me AGES to finish one book. But with reclaiming back time, I'm really hoping to get back to my 'one book a month' routine very soon.

When I have the chance to read, I am reading a lot of books that help with courtship and the prepartion for marriage. Two books I have read recently, that I would highly recommend are: 

The Man Whisperer: Speaking Your Man's Language to Bring Out His Best - Rick Johnson

I really enjoyed this book as it essentially got you to think like a man and see things from their perspective. It also made me realise the massive role that we women have in supporting our men through all things and if they are the head of the home, then we are the neck. It talks about how the words we speak can bring your man down or raise him up and we should always hold him in high regard in front of others, no matter what. Really great book for all people in relationships, married or not. 

Marriage Works - J.John

Mr E bought this book and gave it to me to read, once he had finished. This book talks about everything that goes on before you reach marriage in terms of friendship, serious dating, courtship etc. Then it moves on to what happens when you are married and the different aspects and areas you should consider from a social, psycological, physical and sexual perpsective. Very insightful and whilst written by a Christian writer it appeals to all. 

Both books are available from all good bookstores or online.

'Confessions of a Shopaholic'

Saw this yesterday - what a great film! Isla Fisher played the part of Rebecca Bloomwood fantastically. For those of you who haven't read the book, it is based on 'The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic' by Sophie Kinsella.

I have read the book (and all the others in the series) and after watching the trailer I was slightly concerned that the film wouldn't do the book justice. But I was pleasantly surprised and sis and I really enjoyed the film, laughing throughout.

It did make me think about my own shopping habits and whilst I can safely say that I'm not at risk of having to attend 'shopaholics anonymous' anytime soon, the film did touch on some serious issues something that is discussed in this article.

I admit sometimes I have bought things to make myself feel better and whilst you do feel better it is only a temporary feeling. Other times I have bought something because 'I just had to have it' even though at home, I have several variations of the same thing (how many pink lip glosses does a girl really need!). I have found magazines in particular to be a huge influence on my spending habits, which is why I stopped buying a lot of fashion magazines a year ago. One minute you're perfectly happy with the things you own and then half an hour after reading one of these glossies, you start planning your next visit the High Street. Don't get me wrong these magazines are not 'bad' per se, but you have to approach them with your eyes wide open and not feeel we have to 'keep up with the Jones'. 

The ten commandments give us a good indication of how God feels on the whole thing; Commandment number 10: 'No lusting after your neighbour's house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbour's' Exodus 20:17. 

OK, so my neighbour doesn't have a donkey, but you get the idea.

Readers, what can we do practically, to help ourselves not become overly influenced by society's materialistic pressures - answers on a postcard please (or in the comments box below)!