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Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Coffee with Cathy

Faves Friday // Books I’m Loving Lately + Recent Reads

Faves Friday // Books I'm Loving Lately + Recent Reads

This post contains affiliate links. Please see the disclosure on my about page for more information.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things.

Happiest of Fridays to you, friends! When I sat down to draft my business and personal goals for the second half of 2017 and then 2018, my personal goals reflected a lot on self-care and balance. I have always been a huge lover of books growing up, but reading was always pushed aside by the drive I had for my work in school, the work place, and now in my business. As part of that search for more balance, I made it a goal of mine to read at least one book per month.

It’s safe to say that this goal of mine has been going extremely well! I’ve loved all of the books that I have picked up and read so far during this journey of mine – and for once in my life I’ve been making a reading list of what I need to get my hands on next. The only problem is which one do I read first!

READ ALSO: Faves Friday // Spring 2018 Favorites

READ ALSO: Books Every Engaged or Newlywed Woman Needs to Read

Faves Friday // Books I'm Loving Lately + Recent Reads

Books I’m Loving Lately 

In the spirit of Faves Friday and encouraging you to embark on this road of balance with me, here’s a list of books that I’m loving lately. I’m also sharing with you what I’m currently reading (it’s a personal one!) and what’s on my list to read next. Hopefully this list will inspire you to curl up on your sofa this weekend (or on a beach this summer!) and lose yourself while flipping pages.

Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk

I read Crushing It! back in February after hearing Jasmine Star rave about it on her Instagram stories. As a sequel to his 2009 best-seller, Crush It, he offers new lessons and inspiration drawn from the dozens of entrepreneurs and influencers that he features in the book. I personally loved that he went through each social media platform and gave his take on them individually. And, as always, I love his blunt attitude about striving for success as an entrepreneur. I highly recommend this book to all my business friends!

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

The book, Present Over Perfect, is really perfectly explained by the tagline: leaving behind frantic for a simpler, more soulful way of living. It’s no secret that, as an entrepreneur and small business owner, life is frantic. We’re told in society that if we’re not ‘busy’, we’re not successful. So we fill out calendar with busy while craving connection, meaning, and depth.

This is something that I really struggled with when I first started my business. Right in a weak moment of mine where I was tired and burned out on ‘busy’, this book met me where I was at and was exactly what I needed. I couldn’t recommend it more to every woman I know going through the same thing. While I’ve gotten so much better with this over the past year, I’m not perfect. It’s definitely a book I plan to read again with the study guide.

Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst

Lysa Terkeurst is one of my absolute favorite authors for so many different reasons. Uninvited is also one of those books that really spoke to my soul, and it’s one that I still refer back to (and want to read over and over again!) As someone who grew up struggling with friendships, feeling left out, and feeling like I wasn’t enough, I couldn’t help but tear up so many times as I read it. Throughout the book, Lysa leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection’s ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God. It reminds us we are destined for a love that can never be diminished, tarnished, shaken, or taken–a love that does not reject or uninvite.

To say that Uninvited changed my life may be a little dramatic. But, it really did change my perspective on my relationships – whether they be personal and business oriented. If you were to pick one book from this list to read, my heart hopes that you’ll choose this one. I can only hope it touches you like it did me.

Make It Happen by Lara Casey

Make it Happen was actually the book I had planned to read throughout the month of April. However, I read the entire thing during our plane ride to and from Boston. It’s safe to say that I was hooked! I related to her so much with my ‘extreme’ personality of putting my entire self into everything I do, and hearing her story was remarkable.

Meanwhile, the way Lara describes the premise for the book is spot on. Your time has come to take a leap of faith, and by reading the book you join her in surrendering our fears, ending the chase for perfection, and saying yes to cultivating the meaningful lives God desires for us. Like Uninvited, Make It Happen really changed my perspective on how I spend my days as I try to grow this blog and business of mine. It was just what my soul needed to hear, and I hope it speaks to you as much as it did to me.

READ ALSO: Our New England Travel Diary // Part 1: Boston, Massachusetts

A Simplified Life by Emily Ley

I decided to read A Simplified Life after falling in love with Emily Ley’s first book, Grace Not Perfection. Throughout the book you’ll find Emily’s strategies, systems, and methods for permanently clearing the clutter, organizing priorities, and living intentionally in 10 key areas—from your home and meal planning, to style and finances, parenting, faith life, and more – all while showing you how to truly make the most of your days with realistic, achievable, and tactical tools.

Meanwhile, while it seems pretty straight forward of a process as you go through the book, you don’t realize how much is really simplifies and betters your daily life until you start. The book actually is what kick started my massive closet clean out where I donated or Poshmark-ed almost my entire closet to move towards a more capsule style wardrobe. (Can we talk about how scary yet freeing that was?!) While it’s definitely a marathon of a process and not a sprint, it’s inspired me to slowly do the same throughout the rest of my home.

Simply Keto by Suzanne Ryan

You may remember that I talked a tiny bit about my Keto journey in my last Faves Friday blog post and how I raved about Simply Keto. I get a lot of questions about how I ‘do’ Keto, and Simply Keto by Suzanne at Keto Karma has been an amazing resource for kicking off this new lifestyle. If you’re curious about Keto or thinking of adopting the lifestyle yourself, I highly recommend this book! Not only does it teach you everything you need to know about how Keto works. But it also has shopping lists, meal plans, and over 100 recipes!

Currently Reading

Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst

All of this brings us to what book I’ve currently got my hands on right now. Like I mentioned above, Lysa Terkeurst is one of my absolute favorite authors, and I’m on a journey to read all of her books. As I start on my new health journey, I thought Made to Crave would be the perfect book for my soul in the present moment. While I don’t necessarily like to talk about my weight journey, I am someone who has struggled with body image and that aspect of food and cravings. I loved that this book was suppose to be about satisfying your deepest desires with God, not food. I’ll have to give you an update with my thoughts when I finish it!

Up Next On My Reading List

  • The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson – My mom has raved about this book for so long. It’s time to give it a read!
  • The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst – I have done the study on this as part of the women’s ministry at my old church back when I first moved to Georgia. I really want to read the book and re-work the study in the future!
  • Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst – Naturally, she’s one of my absolute favorite authors, so I want to read all of her books!
  • Cultivate by Lara Casey – With how much I loved her book, Make It Happen, I know I have to get my hands on this book too! 

There’s nothing more relaxing that cuddling up with a cup of coffee, a good book, and a snoring pup on a rainy spring day – except reading that good book with your toes in the sand! As you can see above from what I’m loving lately, I have chosen a lot of books that have a personal connection to me and my life journey. What are some of the books that you’re loving lately? Add to my reading list by sharing with me your favorite recent read below in a comment. It’ll be like our own little A Hosting Home online book club!

April 20, 2018

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Comments

  1. Lisa @happylifeblogspot says

    April 20, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    I dont make time for reading nearly as much as i should. Think i might start with one of these!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:21 am

      You got this, girl! I hope you fall in love with these as much as I did! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mimi says

    April 20, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    These are so man good recs, looking for new books sto read and we like the same kinds 😉

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:22 am

      Great minds think alike, mimi! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Annika says

    April 20, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    Uninvited changed my life too. I totally agree. This is a great list. I purchAsed Make it happen from your link. I look forward to reading it!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:22 am

      Thank you so much for supporting me through my links! I hope you love it as much as I did! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Samantha Leigh Kresz says

    April 20, 2018 at 10:07 pm

    I have been seeing Grace not perfection In a few places. I think I need to check it out as well as the others on this list!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:23 am

      Yes!! Grace Not Perfection was the book that got me started on all of these. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    April 21, 2018 at 1:01 am

    Crushing it and a Simplified Life sound like two I need to pick up soon. Thanks for the recommendations!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:23 am

      You’re so welcome, Patricia! I am glad you liked the post. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kristeena says

    April 21, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    Those are some great book RECOMMENDATIONS! I’m definitely curious about the keto diet, so I’ll be picking up that book 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:24 am

      It is the PERFECT book if you’re curious about the diet! You’ll have to let me know what you think. 🙂

      Reply
  7. candy says

    April 23, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    I always enjoying finding new ideas for books. Plus like to see what other people are reading. Will be checking these out.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:24 am

      I agree, candy! I am so glad you liked the list.

      Reply
  8. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    April 23, 2018 at 1:48 pm

    I’m so glad I’ll have time to read again soon with school ending!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:24 am

      Amen, Friend! Let us know what you plan to read first!

      Reply
  9. Courtney Byers says

    April 23, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    These sound like must read books! I really need to read the keto book. I do a low carb diet and I am really interested in learning more about keto.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:25 am

      It has been the best investment with starting Keto! I love the book!

      Reply
  10. Helen Little says

    April 23, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    This is a really varied and interesting selection of books, I’d love to pick up a few of these, particularly A Simplified Life – I need that right now!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:25 am

      I am so glad that you liked the list. 🙂 You’re going to love A Simplified Life!

      Reply
  11. Antonia says

    April 24, 2018 at 3:53 am

    I’ve had uninvited on my bookshelf for a little while now, I think I will go ahead and move it up to my ‘to-read’ list. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      You definitely should! I think you’ll love it. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Emily says

    April 24, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    I have been so curious about keto! I’ll have to give the book a try!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      April 24, 2018 at 2:32 pm

      Yes! You’re going to love it! 🙂

      Reply

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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Momma went shopping… and I spent a lot more than Momma went shopping… and I spent a lot more than $873. (But don’t tell Rob that part. 💁🏼‍♀️)

The furniture for the study finally came in, and I was SO excited to see how perfect everything looks in here. Hands down my favorite room in the house. 😍👏🏼 Real talk: I can’t wait to curl up in here with a cup of coffee and a book while my kids destroy the house around me. 🫠🤷🏼‍♀️😂 #ahostinghome 

Comment STUDY for the link to these gorgeous leather arm chairs and the end tables. OR You can shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/45GFW 

#ltkhome #diy #diyproject #diyprojects #interiordesign #homedesign #builtins #diybuilds #diybuild #diyideas #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomeprojects #diyhomedecor #diylikeamother #diydesigntherapy #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #traditionalhomedecor #traditionalhomestyle #homerenovation #bhg #bhghome #mybhg #bhgcolor #bhglivebetter #bhgstylemaker #kirklands #kirklandsfinds #tricornblacksherwinwilliams
Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I’m already starting to get ours prepped thanks to @walmart Lawn and Garden! #AD With a newborn and a toddler, running errands can be quite the task. But thanks to #WalmartLawnandGarden, I’ve been able to get everything I need to kickstart our garden this year in one place — from the convenience of snuggling my babies on my couch with Walmart.com and the app! The time it saved me from running all over town, I got to spend making core memories with John as we taught him how to start his very first set of seeds in the @jiffygroup seed starting tray. 

Here’s a look at what we got to kickstart our garden this year:
- The @jiffygroup Seed Starting Greenhouse Kit: to grow our own seedlings and get a head start on the season by starting them indoors! 
- The  @ferrymorseseed Seed Starting Heat Mat: to give our seeds the best chance possible to promote germination and improve transplant results 
- Ferry Morse Seeds (flowers, tomatoes, and peppers!) 
- @pennington Rejuvenate Potting Mix and Garden Soil: to give our seedlings the nutrients they need once transplanted into our garden 
- Pennington Rejuvenate Tomato Plant Food
- @scottslawn Landscaping Fabric: to keep our garden clean and free of pesky weeds
- The @flexonhose Flextreme Advanced 100ft Hose: to keep it all watered without fighting kinks as we move easily around our raised garden beds

Add this kit to your cart now ➡️ https://click2cart.com/59600bc

Get a jumpstart on your spring and summer garden this year by shopping everything you need at Walmart, in-store or online at Walmart.com. And stay tuned to see how our garden comes together and grows this year! 

#GrowYourGardenatWalmart #GreenThumbAndGardenVariety
Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or reall Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or really, are you tired of forgetting to charge your Dyson?) Because I was. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Enter in: a DIY-er’s solution ➡️ stick a @dewalttough battery on that thing and vacuum for weeks on a single charge. 

But really, I’ve been using the same battery charge for a couple weeks now on vacuuming the downstairs of our house — and with two kids and two dogs, I do a quick vacuum every single day (sometimes multiple times a day!) The best part? Can rotate and charge with all our other Dewalt tool batteries. 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with links to shop or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/432TF

#ahostinghome #ltkhome #diy #diyhacks #diyhack #diyprojects #diyproject #amazonfinds #dyson #ltkfamily #ltkfind
Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this stu Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this study transformation we finished right before baby got here! Officially my favorite room and project in the house right now. 😍 #ahostinghome 

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with a link to shop sources or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/42XaB

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #whodatwithponderosa #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diylikeamother #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #ltkhome
James Kayleb Nugent January 20th, 2023 💛 James James Kayleb Nugent
January 20th, 2023 💛

James was born last Friday morning, and spent the first 5 days in the NICU for some breathing issues and fluid in his lungs. While those days were extremely rough, trying, and brought back a lot of emotions from Layne’s birth — God is so good, and my heart is just overwhelmed by His faithfulness. My favorite moment in life thus far was surprising John before bedtime the night we were finally discharged to come home. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I walked through that door. Thank you, Jesus, for my babies. 🦋💛 #ahostinghome
10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the 10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the entire room black. ✨ #ahostinghome

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle
✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous respon ✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous responses when I said I wanted to design an all black formal study right off my entryway, but I’m completely obsessed with every detail of this space. Rob has always wanted a study, so my goal with this space when it’s finished is to have almost like a moody, swanky cigar lounge feel. When we moved into this house this spring, I told Rob I was done playing it “safe for resale” with designing projects. Here’s to more of doing whatever the heck I want design wise in 2023! 👏🏼✨ Next up: let’s get this space styled and furnished! #ahostinghome

// Paint Color: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint Marquee (satin on built ins, eggshell on walls) at @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

// Wallpaper: @wall.blush 

// Light Fixture linked via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Yy4l #ltkhome 

#diy #diyproject #diyprojects #interiordesign #homedesign #builtins #diybuilds #diybuild #diyideas #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomeprojects #diyhomedecor #diylikeamother #diydesigntherapy #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #traditionalhomedecor #traditionalhomestyle #homerenovation #bhg #bhghome #mybhg #bhgcolor #bhglivebetter #bhgstylemaker
It’s been a year. ✨ & I can’t wait to see wh It’s been a year. ✨ & I can’t wait to see what the next one holds. #ahostinghome
“And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end. “And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end.” ✨🎄 When do you take your Christmas decor down? The Christmas decor got put away earlier this week, and the house always feels so empty every year when it gets taken down! I was going to wait till next week to take it down, but with only 3 weeks left until baby arrives I’m finding myself in total nesting mode right now. Behind the scenes we’ve been putting finishing touches on the study while Rob was off work for Christmas, so I’ll be sharing all the photos and updates on that to the feed soon. In the meantime, who wants to come organize closets and baby stuff with me?! 😜 #ahostinghome

#bhghome #bhg #bhgholiday #bhghowiholiday #bhgchristmas #bhgcelebrate #homedecor #christmas #christmasdecor #christmastree #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #traditionalhomemagazine #homedesign #interiordesign #tablescape #tablesetting #tabledecor #tablescapes #centerpiece #tablecenterpiece

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