Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets: Book Review

I can't put these books down; I'm pretty sure I'm obsessed with Harry Potter... now if only I can figure out a way to get to Hogwarts ;] Who's up for a trip to London?!


Synopsis from Barnes & Noble:

The eagerly anticipated sequel to the astounding smash hit Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is finally here! No need to wait — Harry's back for his second year at Hogwarts, where the infamous Chamber of Secrets has been opened for the first time in 50 years. The monster that is unleashed is literally petrifying Hogwarts students (turning them into stone, that is), and who is the primary suspect? Harry Potter himself. Add to this some enormous spiders, a Deathday Party, a ghost named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and lots and lots of suspense, and you'll soon find yourself engrossed in another terrific tale in which magic does exist and good eventually triumphs over evil.


My Review:


I think the first thing I need to do is stop comparing the book to the movies; partially because they are not comparable, and partially because they are extremely different in some aspects. 
It wasn't as if I didn't like this book, because I did, but I didn't like the beginning when all J.K Rowling did was repeat things that those who read the first book would already know. The first few chapters were quite boring, but as soon as Harry got to Hogwarts things were quickly getting more interesting, and more mysterious. From the Chamber of Secrets Opening and the new Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, to Moaning Myrtle and the enormous spiders in the Forest, you're bound to be kept on the edge of your seat throughout this whole read. 
You'd think that by reading this I'd fall more in love with Harry, but I absolutely adore Ron. He's such a hero in disguise. The three best friends, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, battle through yet another mission, and well you'll just have to read it yourself. 


My Rating: 5 Stars

"Voldemort.. is my past, present and future..." - Tom Riddle

Re-do Room

I'm beginning to re-do my room. It began about a month ago, and is still slowly progressing. 


I've currently bought a bedding set, which includes three small throw pillows, a duvet cover & comforter, and white sheets.

Source: Bed Bath and Beyond

I'm looking everywhere for the rug in the above picture, but can't find anything remotely close to it. 

I also received a cute lamp for Christmas.

Source: Target

Not only did I get things to switch my layout, but I also received prints for my walls.

Source: Target

Source: Target

I was looking on Etsy as well and found this adorable "Keep Calm and..." Print & I knew I had to have it!

Source: Jenny Holiday on Etsy

I love all my finds, but I need more storage, as well as cute things to put on my shelves. 

To- Do List Now: DE-CLUTTER & ORGANIZE !

New Year, New Resolutions

New Year's Eve was spent very low key with my family, relatives, and of course Sal. I figured we had so much alcohol left over from Christmas Eve, it would just make sense to stay home. Plus the prices to actually go out to a bar or a club were atrocious. While I baked [using my new BabyCakes maker!!], my mom set up the games that we would play. Once everyone arrived we enjoyed some desserts, drinks, and board games like Apples to Apples, Scattegories, and even card games like 'Screw Your Neighbor.' We tried playing Scene It: Comedy Movies, but by then everyone was having too good of a time to want to sit there and play games. 

Using My BabyCakes Maker - Cupcakes from the Box

&

Chocolate Cookie Dough Truffles - Recipe soon found on my Baking Blog

So we went downstairs, and were ready to watch the ball drop. Before we knew it we were counting down.. 10... 9... 

8... 7...

 6... 5...

 4... 3...

 2... 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! 

We all screamed and shared our love, as we participated in good luck traditions. Hopefully this year will be a much better year for my family, than last year. It's quite personal, but my family in fact went through tough times. I'm actually thankful though, because we grew extremely close because of it. 


If I learned one thing in 2010 it's this ... it's not about where you are, what you're doing, or the amount of time you spend... it's about being with, and surrounding yourself with those who you love, and love you in return. Nothing can ever compare to being with loved ones, and enjoying oneself. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything. 


Last year, I set goals for myself ... I wanted to become a more organized person, as well as a more productive one. I also wanted to get more in shape, and volunteer more often. Now although I haven't gotten in shape [I can't believe a year has gone by and I haven't flattened my stomach! ugh], I have attended the gym, took kickboxing, and jogged a couple of times throughout the year. I have become more organized, and also extremely productive. I not only volunteer for the March of Dimes Organization, still, I also just recently became a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I'm also going to begin volunteering at a local hospital in the Child Life Department. So overall I had an extremely productive year.


This year I hope to:

• Exercise Daily
• Blog More
• Volunteer More
• Begin Writing My Book
• Travel
• Bake
• Laugh & Smile More Often

What are your New Year's Resolutions?