#YALLFest2014 - Recap

It's been two weeks since YALLFest. I meant to post this sooner, but two weeks turned out to be perfect. So here is my post about my experience at YALLFest.



Friday after my French class I headed over to Blue Bicycle Books. There was a buzz already in that area. The store was so full and busy, but it was neat to see! I felt into the hustle and bustle and started helping with set up. The most exciting part was that I escorted Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and her family to the library where she was going to be signing.

When I returned, I had a little bit of a break so I went down to the train museum to get Sarah Dessen to sign my copy of Truth About Forever. I did get it signed and my life was so perfect at that moment!

Afterwards, I went back to the bookstore and there I helped set up books for authors to sign. I helped Morgan Rhodes, Ally Condie and Lauren Myracle. Morgan Rhodes travelled all the way from Canada, Ally Condie was super sweet and has a beautiful signature, and Lauren Myracle is the craziest and has this energy that surrounds her! After I helped the authors, I helped prepare for the panels the next day.

The most exciting part of the evening was going to a beautiful, old Charleston house for a party. All the authors were there! It's every reader's dream to be in a room with their favorite authors! My goal for the weekend was to get Sarah Dessen's autograph and a picture with her. That dream came true! My life was so complete that night!

Saturday came around and it was busy! I worked the merchandise and information table during the morning and we were constantly busy! There were so many people and everyone had stacks of books. It was so cool to see. When I was done at the table I moved on to the Charleston Music Hall where some of the panels were being held. I spent the rest of the evening helping out there. I was able to listen to some really interesting and hilarious panels!  My favorite panels were the Incurable Romantics and Hollywood Stories.

I saw the closing keynote and the YA Smackdown Feat. Tiger Beat. It was an amazing experience and I hope to do it all again next year! I'm not sure whether I'll be interning, volunteering or just enjoying it as a reader.

#YALLFEST2014

Today is the first day of YALLFEST 2014 and I'm excited! Check out my awesome swag! I hope to gain more before the end of the weekend!

My YALLFEST Swag

You may be wondering what YALLFEST is. YALLFEST is a Young Adult literary festival held in Charleston, SC. This year we have 60 amazing authors and twenty different panels, plus book signings! This weekend will be so much fun! I'm excited to see many of my favorite YA authors. Here are my top choices: 

1. Sarah Dessen

2. Stephanie Perkins 

3. Gayle Foreman

4. Veronica Roth

5. Jennifer E. Smith

Check out my Twitter and Instagram for highlights from this weekend! Don't forget to follow YALLFEST as well! 

Have a great weekend! 

Now Listening: #TS1989

Today is the release of Taylor Swift's fifth album 1989! 

I headed over to Target to pick up the Deluxe edition as soon as possible! 

They also had these adorable cards. *HINT - I want a Taylor Swift Birthday Card- HINT*

*Cue Crazy Dancing*



Here are all my feels from the first listen and the secret messages:

• “Welcome to New York”: We begin our story in New York. SHE'S LIVING THE DREAM! It has a cute 1980s beat. 
• “Blank Space”: There once was a girl known by everyone and no one. I like the beat to this song. It's a relatable song. The relationship is a high, but they still go through with it. 
• “Style”: Her heart belonged to someone who couldn’t stay. Another relationship that you just can't say no to. Catchy. 
• “Out of the Woods”: They loved each other recklessly. This whole section is a crazy, whirlwind relationship. 
• “All You Had to Do Was Stay”: They paid the price. It's simple, he just had to stay. Almost everyone has felt this way, wishing it has worked out. 
• “Shake It Off”: She danced to forget him. This is totally going to become the anthem to 2014. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Taylor!! 
• “I Wish You Would”: He drove past her street each night. This is kinda upbeat for a remorseful song. That's what makes it amazing. We all regret and wish for another chance. Sometimes we get it. 
• “Bad Blood”: She made friends and enemies. ROAR! Cat fight. Heavy beat and I like it. Totally about a girlfriend/best friend, but it could also be about a boyfriend too. 
• “Wildest Dreams”: He only saw her in his dreams. Totally having enchanted flashbacks, but more urgent and older. LOVE IT! "He's so tall and handsome as hell". Totally one of my top faves, I already have it memorized. 
• “How You Get the Girl”: Then one day he came back. This is upbeat. I'm having Disney flashbacks. I love a cute simple love song like Kiss The Girl, Beauty and the Beast or I Won't Say I'm In Love. This is like that, but a little more real. 
• “This Love”: Timing is a funny thing. This is the only song written solely by Taylor on the album. All I think of is the old quote "If you love something let it go. If it comes back to you then it's yours". 
• “I Know Places”: And everyone was watching. Co-wrote with Ryan Tedder. It has his feel. Love the rushed feel of the song. It's an US against THEM song. Good choice.
• “Clean”: She lost him but she found herself and somehow that was everything. The hardest part is feeling like you're fully washed from a previous relationship. It takes a good rain to wash away the overwhelming part. 

This GIF sums up my feelings so well.

Now Watching: Fall Hits

Today is October 2nd! The best part is that it's closer to truly feeling like fall here in Charleston! This also means that almost every new or returning show has had their premiere. Here is a list of my top hits!

New Favorites: 

How To Get Away With Murder (ABC) - Thursday, Sep. 25 at 10/9c
This show was pretty good! A little bit more intense than I thought, but still good. It's more a mix of Scandal and Castle. Scandal's intense stories and intrigue and Castle's murders. 

The Mysteries of Laura (NBC) - Wednesday, Sep. 17 at 10/9c
Great show! Murder and comedy! Plus is has Debra Messing and Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama Hottie!) leading the cast. 

Old Favorites:

Bones (Fox) - Thursday, Sep. 25 at 8/7c
Bones and Booth are back together! The opening episode of Season 10 was as crazy as the Season 9 finale was. We lost a beloved member of the team. This season will be intense. 

Castle (ABC) - Monday, Sep. 29 at 10/9c
Like Bones, Castle started out by picking up quickly from the end of last season. Since we finally tied up the loose ends with the murder of Beckett's mother, it made sense that we needed a deeper storyline to hold up this season. We also have the hope of a marriage! Bones is proof that the main characters can be in love, married and have kids while still solving murders and catching criminals.

Nashville (ABC) - Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 10/9c
Love this show! I binge-watched the second half of season 1 and season 2 in about a week. Country music, soap opera-esque story lines and characters you love or love to hate!

Soon To Be Favorites (Haven't Watched or Haven't Premired): 

A-Z (NBC) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
This show is supposed to be similar to How I Met Your Mother and also stars the Mother, Cristin Milioti. It will follow the love story of Andrew and Zelda (Now the title gained about 10 more cute points)!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) - Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 9/8c
I know, I know. I'm late to this party, but I'm trying to catch up on the 1st season. I really don't think it'll matter since I saw Captain America 2 and Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. I figure I'll just jump into season 2 and go from there.  

Forever (ABC) - Monday, Sep. 22 at 10/9c
My mom has watched this show and she said it was good. I have it on my list to check out this weekend! 

Gotham (Fox) - Monday, Sep. 22 at 8/7c
My dad texted me to tell me I had to watch this one. I knew I would, as Batman has always been one of my top superheroes. I also love backstories! 

Gracepoint (Fox) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
Totally psyched about it! I love miniseries. Harper's Island was a fave of mine. I think Gracepoint will be great and hopefully without the serial killer angle. 

Reign (CW) - Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c
I really wanted to watched the first season, but I never got to and Hulu only has a few of the end episodes. I'm just gonna jump into season 2. I love historical story lines. 

Tech Talk: Apple's iPad Smart Case

I've had my iPad 3 for over a year, and I love it! I love my Macbook Pro and my iPhone 5s, but some things are easier and more enjoyable on my iPad. Today I'm going to talk about why I love my new case for my iPad.

A few weeks ago I was going through the electronics section of Wal-Mart and I saw a clearance bin full of iPad and tablet cases. I was in a rush that day so I didn't stop to browse. Saturday I had to make a run to Wal-Mart and on my mind was checking out that clearance bin. I'm glad I did!

I found a Targus Versavu case and an Apple Smart Case. I took both cases to the register for a price check and the Targus case was over $50, and my heart sank a bit. I wanted a new case, but I didn't want to spend that much. The cashier scanned the Apple Smart Case and it rang up for a little over $30. Perfect! I spend less than $40 on a lovely grey Apple Smart Case.

I love it! The case is nice and slim, and it makes sliding it in and out of my purse or book bag easy! Plus the cover is great because it wakes and puts my iPad to sleep! Helpful when you're in a rush and are always forgetting to turn the screen off. I love how the cover folds into a stand. It's the perfect angle to tilt it up and use it to type, scroll through Pinterest or watch movies and shows. I love it at school too. I use it mostly in my English class because we have many online reading we have to reference in class.

If you are thinking of buying a case for your iPad or even getting a new one like I did, then I definitely recommend the Apple Smart Case!

Side Note: For older model iPads like the iPad 2-4, you may have to look at stores such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy or even Amazon. Apple doesn't sell these case online through their store.

Odds & Ends

I was going to call my posts that are about events, links, news and other things I found cool or interesting Laney's Roundup, but I decided to change it to Odds and Ends.

Today is Monday and I have loads to talk about!

One: http://www.taylorswift.com

After weeks of trying to figure out the clues, Taylor Swift finally answers all of our burning questions with a LiveStream on Yahoo! Her fifth album, 1989, will be in stores and online on October 27th, 2014. I already made an event in my calendar!

Two: Taylor Swift's newest single "Shake It Off"

"Shake It Off" is AMAZING! Taylor has definitely moved from her country roots and gone to the pop side! She still is an amazing singer and performer, so this move isn't all too surprising. Check it out! You'll instantly be addicted!


Three: Sophie Simmons Wearing Her Dad's Iconic KISS Makeup 

I'm a huge KISS fan and have been since I was 14. I loved watching Gene Simmons on The Celebrity Apprentice. Then I got hooked on his reality show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels on A&E. This was so much fun to watch!

Four: Jimmy Fallon says Ew! with Taylor Swift

I love Jimmy Fallon. I love Taylor Swift. I LOVE Ew! This is a perfect combination!

Five: Hilary Duff - All About You

More new music from Hilary Duff! It just keeps getting me excited to buy a new cd from her!


Six: Tribute to Robin Williams

It has been a week since Robin Williams passed away. Death is always sad, and I think everyone feels the sting from Robin Williams' passing because he brought joy and light to our lives, and it was a shame that he didn't have the same feeling. My favorite of his movies are Mrs. Doubtfire, Bird Cage & Jack. Honestly, all of his movies are amazing because he brings something special to them. Here links related to Robin Williams that I enjoyed.

5 Facts You Didn't Know About Robin Williams

Jimmy Fallon's Tribute to Robin Williams