Five on Friday - August 11, 2023 ~ Fourth Wing Book Review, Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibit, Regrub Barbie Shake, Joe Fresh x Jillian Harris Dress and The Hidden Gem Small Business Finds

Happy Friday everyone - hope you all had a good week! We are off to the cabin again for the weekend, so a busy short week at work! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I heard so many good things about Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros that naturally I had to jump on this bandwagon too and I really enjoyed this! 4.5 stars. This is an adult fantasy where we are introduced to our main character, Violet as she is getting ready to go in to a high stakes war college, she has been studying to become a scribe, but because her Mother is a high-profile Dragon Rider, she insists her daughter follow in her foot-steps. The setting is a high-stakes, often brutal and violent place with everyone competing to eventually get chosen by a dragon. When they are selected, they also manifest a power in themselves that can only be called forward through their dragon. 

It's a fast paced book, there is a bad boy love interest with an enemies to lovers plot, a potential love triangle with a best friend and a small group of tight knit peers working together. Through the romantic tension, there is also some political stakes that are at play, with groups of people not getting along and outside threats to their empire that they may be called to protect at any time. It's a little trope-y, but honestly, those of use that grew up with Divergent, Hunger Games, ect. will probably enjoy all the similar tropes in this with a little more romantic tension (and steamy scenes) added in too! This is supposed to be the start of a 5 series books and the next one is out in November! 

(Also, I picked up my copy from Etsy seller OutOfThisWorldTB because I missed the original print with dragons and really wanted a copy, it's pricey but lovely!)

TWO 

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Calgary's science centre, Telus Spark just opened a new exhibit "Barbie: A Cultural Icon" and I went this past weekend - it was great! So many past dolls and fun photo spots. It was super nostalgic and I really enjoyed it. It's only here until the start of September though, so make sure you check it out before then if you are interested! 

THREE 

After we checked out the Barbie Exhibit, we had to go over to Rebgrub to try one of their Pool Party shakes - it's such a fun burger spot with lots of vegan options and over-the-top shakes! It's so cute and the hat and the legs are all made out of candy! So good! 

FOUR 

Alright, I had basically picked up everything from the Summer Joe Fresh x Jillian Harris collection when it came out, until it just went on sale - I couldn't resist this Blushing Flower Tiered Dress for $33! They were a little pricey before and I wasn't quite sure they were my style, but I'm pretty happy with it! It's really cute. 

FIVE 

Recently I was shopping at The Hidden Gem - a store that highlights small businesses in little booths throughout the whole store! I found these adorable cheese markers (can't wait to pull them out at my next party) and then then cute playdough bubblebaths - thought they'd be really fun! 

I hope you all have a good weekend!