• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • More About Make Life Marvelous
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Make Life Marvelous

An Ohio Lifestyle Blog

  • Lifestyle
  • Productivity
  • Wellness
  • Recipes
  • How I Prep for the Holidays
  • Resources

The Latest

All The Things February 2026

All The Things | February 2026

Let's Look Ways I've Turned Into My Parents

Let’s Look: Ways I’ve Turned Into My Parents

All The Things January 2026 Cover

All The Things | January 2026

What I’ve Been Reading Lately

March 18, 2020      48 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. You can visit my disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.
  

What I've Been Reading Lately

Hi, friends! I’m sharing with you today what I’ve been reading lately: Girl, Wash Your Face and The Power of Heart.

 

I have been a lover of self-development books since I was young (like, thirteen-years-old young!). I feel like I gain so much, and often a new perspective after reading these books.

 

Some are certainly better than others, but we find that with all books, right?

 

I’ve had Girl, Wash Your Face on my reading list for a long time now. I happened to come across The Power of Heart while trying to pick out another book at the library, and I’m so happy I did!

 

I would highly recommend both of these books! Even if self-development books aren’t usually your jam, I think you’ll gain something from reading these.

 

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

 

What I've Been Reading Lately

 

As I mentioned before, this one has been on my list for awhile. Something that stopped me from buying it was a lot of the Amazon reviews. Have you guys read those? SO many are negative!

 

While I’m not someone who completely relies on others’ opinions of something, it definitely made me question whether I should buy it or not.

 

I finally got a library card a couple of weeks ago, and decided it was worth giving the book the benefit of the doubt and seeing for myself if I liked it. I’m so happy I did!

 

I really enjoyed this book, friends. It takes you through 20 lies that you tell yourself and so many of them resonated with me.

 

Rachel is very down-to-earth and she just tells it like she sees it, and I respect her for that. I enjoyed and appreciated her honesty, as well as humor!

 

Religion sort of comes into play with this book in regards to the reviews. I noticed a lot of people said you needed to be religious to enjoy this book and others were claiming it wasn’t religious enough. Huh?

 

The author is a Christian, as am I. However, I can tell you that other than a few times that God is mentioned in this book – that’s really all and I didn’t see it as even possibly overbearing for those who aren’t religious. For those who thought it didn’t have enough of Christianity in it, truly, I don’t really see that it’s an issue here.

 

There’s so much to love about this book and she unapologetically says that she is a Christian. I just don’t think you have to make the book about religion, one way or another.

 

Just read it for what it is – an inspiring, motivating book about all of those negative (and false!) thoughts that pop into your mind that are keeping you from achieving your goals. Rachel is so good at making you want to leap from your chair and get started on those goals, and I think most of you will fall in love with this book!

 

If you want to check it out on Amazon, you can preview the book here. šŸ™‚

 

The Power of Heart by Amy Bloch, M.D.

 

What I've Been Reading Lately

 

The title of this book stood out to me when I was thumbing through the new releases at the library. We often see so many self-development books focused on our brain, and how to silence all of those negative thoughts. Rarely do we see someone talking about the heart – especially from a psychiatrist!

 

Amy used to be all about the brain with her profession and that also carried into her personal life.

 

That is, until her daughter Emily was born. It changed her entire perspective.

 

Emily was born with brain damage and there are many things that she’s unable to do, however, Amy is convinced that what she is able to do is done by her heart!

 

It is really an eye-opening book and heart warming. It truly made me realize that the brain has so many limitations, but the heart does not. When we’ve thought through absolutely everything possible and can’t seem to find answers. Or when our brain tells us that we cannot do something that we are actually entirely capable of doing. It takes our hearts to keep pushing us towards what we really care about.

 

If you’d like to check it out, you can sneak a preview of the book here on Amazon. šŸ™‚

 

What I've Been Reading Lately

Have you read either of these books? Let me know in the comments!

 

I am also praying for each of you to stay safe and healthy. It is a crazy time for all of us. We will get through this – remember, faith over fear.

 

Signature

 

Let’s Chat!

Are you a book lover?
What are you reading currently?
What’s your favorite book?

Blog Posts You May Also Enjoy!

How to Be More Productive (The Easy Way!)

How to Be More Productive (The Easy Way!)

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites – 11/8/2019

Friday Favorites - 08232019

Friday Favorites – 8/23/2019

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. candice says

    March 19, 2020 at 2:58 AM

    Thanks for the recommendations! I seriously need to get to reading.

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 19, 2020 at 1:34 PM

      You are more than welcome, Candice! It’s a great time to dive into a book with most of us being stuck inside for a little while.

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    March 19, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    I’ve been wanting to read ‘Girl Wash Your Face.’

    Jennifer
    Effortlessly Sophisticated

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 19, 2020 at 1:35 PM

      Let me know when you check it out, Jennifer! I think you’ll love it! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Diana says

    March 19, 2020 at 10:33 AM

    I was wondering if I should get Girl, Wash Your Face as I’ve read Girl, Stop Apologizing which I loved. I’m glad to hear you liked this one too!

    http://mylovelierdays.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 19, 2020 at 1:36 PM

      That’s awesome, Diana! I’m going to check out that one next, I’ve heard such good things. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Ellese says

    March 19, 2020 at 12:18 PM

    I really enjoyed reading Girl, Wash Your Face. I found it honest as well. Thanks for sharing! XO, Ellese

    Rock.Paper.Glam.

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 19, 2020 at 1:38 PM

      That’s wonderful, Ellese! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Kathrine Eldridge says

    March 19, 2020 at 1:18 PM

    Thanks for these amazing suggestions! I want to read both. They sound right up my alley.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 19, 2020 at 1:39 PM

      That’s wonderful, Kathrine! Let me know when you check them out and if you like them! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Angelica says

    March 19, 2020 at 2:52 PM

    These look like great reads! I recently read the attractor factor. Not bad in the self help realm also!

    XX Angelica
    https://eraenvogue.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 19, 2020 at 2:54 PM

      Thank you so much for sharing that one, Angelica! I haven’t heard of it. I’ll definitely check it out! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Jill says

    March 19, 2020 at 7:58 PM

    These books sound really good! I’ve heard good things about Girl Wash Your Face, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I don’t read self help books very often, but I should read them more often!

    Jill
    https://jilliancecilia.com/

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:48 PM

      I totally understand, they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea! šŸ˜› I hope you have a fantastic day, Jill!

      Reply
  8. Sonia Aicha says

    March 19, 2020 at 11:44 PM

    those books sound very interesting, I am dying to read the one by Rachel Hollis and with this quarantine time, it is the perfect moment.
    thanks for sharing,

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:48 PM

      Totally agree, Sonia! It’s a great time to get back to reading, and this is a great book!

      Reply
  9. itzel najar says

    March 19, 2020 at 11:48 PM

    thanks for sharing!!
    cool post!!

    https://www.itzytrendy.com/2020/03/femme-luxe-skirt.html

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:49 PM

      Aww, thank you so much, Itzel!

      Reply
  10. sonia // daring coco says

    March 20, 2020 at 2:33 AM

    You’ve inspired me to get out to a library (when it’s safe to do so again). I’ve never been a huge reader of self help books but more so because I never know where to start slash have an overbearingly excessive wishlist of titles I want/need to read.

    Sxx
    http://www.daringcoco.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:50 PM

      Yay! I really wish I would have gone to my library sooner. They have so many great options! I can relate to that, I try to prioritize the ones I want to read the most, and that seems to help. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Ashley says

    March 20, 2020 at 11:17 AM

    I’ve been meaning to check out Rachel Hollis’ book, too! I agree- just because she’s religious doesn’t mean her advice is solely for others who are religious. I’ve listened to her podcast a few times- she seems SUPER down to earth!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:50 PM

      Yas! I totally agree, she’s just one of us. šŸ™‚ I hope you’ll love her book when you get the chance to read it!

      Reply
  12. Tiziana says

    March 20, 2020 at 12:28 PM

    Oh thank you for the recommendations! That sounds exactly like the kind of books that I love reading at the moment and I didn’t knew any of them yet šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:50 PM

      You are more than welcome, Tiziana! šŸ™‚ Hope you enjoy them when you get a chance to check them out!

      Reply
  13. Kinga says

    March 20, 2020 at 2:45 PM

    I would like to read the 1st one:)

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:51 PM

      I hope you’ll love it as much as I do, Kinga! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Autumn says

    March 20, 2020 at 2:55 PM

    Ah! Girl, Wash Your Face is on my reading list for this year and now Power of Heart is going to be added! šŸ˜€ Thanks for your recommendations!

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:51 PM

      Yay! I hope you’ll love both of them, friend! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  15. Didier says

    March 20, 2020 at 3:40 PM

    I’ll add those to my reading list! Thank you for sharing!

    -DIdier
    http://www.didieryhc.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:51 PM

      Yay! I hope you’ll love them, Didier!

      Reply
  16. Radi says

    March 21, 2020 at 3:52 AM

    I’ve heard about the girl, wash your face book and will definitely check it out.

    http://www.fashionradi.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:51 PM

      Awesome, Radi! I hope you’ll love it as much as I do. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  17. monica says

    March 21, 2020 at 7:29 PM

    Nice! Irecently downloaded on my Kindle Gena Showalter books šŸ™‚ I love her Lords series

    Hugs from NYC

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:52 PM

      Ooh, I haven’t heard of those yet. I’ll definitely check them out, Monica! Thanks so much for sharing! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  18. Lovely says

    March 22, 2020 at 9:26 AM

    Need to check both of these out, thanks for the recommendations.

    xoxo
    Lovely
    http://www.mynameislovely.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:52 PM

      You are more than welcome, Lovely! Hope all is well with you. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  19. Makeup Muddle says

    March 22, 2020 at 5:43 PM

    I’ve not read either of these, but I’ve been looking for some new titles to read xo

    Makeup Muddle

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:54 PM

      Hope you’ll love them, friend! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  20. Jill says

    March 23, 2020 at 8:31 AM

    I read Girl Wash Your Face and enjoyed it. I’m going to add The Power of the Heart to my library list. Thanks for the recommendations!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:55 PM

      So happy you enjoyed it, too! I think you’ll love The Power of Heart, Jill. Have a fantastic rest of your week! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  21. Caitlin | Beauty & Colour says

    March 24, 2020 at 1:03 AM

    I need to read Girl Wash Your Face!

    Healthy Habits for a Productive Week | Vegan Fashion + Lifestyle Blog

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:56 PM

      I hope you’ll love it, Caitlin! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  22. Aleksandra Błaszczyk says

    March 24, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    The books seem interesting, I’d love to read them!
    Kisses :*

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:58 PM

      Thanks so much, Aleksandra, I hope you’ll love them! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  23. Jessica says

    March 24, 2020 at 9:13 AM

    They both sound really good reads. Thanks dear!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:58 PM

      Aww, thanks Jessica!

      Reply
  24. Laura says

    March 30, 2020 at 1:26 PM

    I haven’t read either of the books. But I will check them out x

    Laura
    https://www.beautywithlala.com/

    Reply
    • Make Life Marvelous says

      March 30, 2020 at 1:37 PM

      I hope you’ll love them, Laura! šŸ™‚

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

I'm Ashley, the one-woman village behind this little blog! Living in my thirties era and happily married to my soul mate. Cat mom to our two precious rescue cats, Draino and Pepper, both crossed the rainbow bridge but are never forgotten. I’m obsessed with grabbing iced coffee, watching court cases, check marking my to-do list, fresh air, cozy blankets, helping others, and saying ā€˜I love you’ before every goodbye.

I'm so happy you're here and can't wait to connect with you on all the marvelous things!

Featured Post: Outfit Ideas!

Pebble Beach Outfit Ideas - 1

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Gooey Butter Cookies

Join the (Email) Club!

Top blog posts graphic

CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE

CHOCOLATE COOL WHIP ICING

QUICK & EASY GOULASH

LAUNCH DATES FOR 2026 PLANNERS

GIFT GUIDE FOR GOAL GETTERS

WHAT TO WEAR IN MONTEREY

WHAT'S IN MY GROCERY CART

Looking for Something Special?

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

makelifemarvelous

In this beautiful new year, I’m really leaning int In this beautiful new year, I’m really leaning into slower, cozier moments! A cup of coffee, a good book, a little planning time, and finding beauty in the everyday while wrapped up in the softest cardigan ever. ✨
Ā 
These vintage-inspired frames from @firmoo_optical’s Retro Flair collection are absolutely perfect for adding a little extra cozy aesthetic to my day. I’m wearing the TM13880 frames in Pattern C7. They’re stylish, comfortable, and so helpful for making the most of those quiet moments when I’m reading, making lists, or going over what needs to get done for the day. 
Ā 
If you’ve been wanting to refresh your glasses (or try something new!), you can shop Firmoo using my link and save 50% off with my code below ✨
Ā 
šŸ”— Shop here: https://bit.ly/4myPRIs or use my link in bio! 
Ā 
ā˜€ļø Use code: MARVELOUS50
Ā 
How do you make your day a little extra cozy?

šŸ’— Ashley
 
#MakeLifeMarvelous
#firmoo #myfirmoo #eyeglasses #RetroFlair
Your Friday reminder. 🫶 Here’s your gentle nudge Your Friday reminder. 🫶

Here’s your gentle nudge to believe in the tiny shifts, the quiet growth, and the moments you’re creating today.
Ā 

šŸ’— Ashley

#MakeLifeMarvelous
Start fresh, motivational quote, keep going, change is possible.
🌊 Coastal winds, cozy layers, and wardrobe staples 🌊 Coastal winds, cozy layers, and wardrobe staples I’ll be wearing all season long!
Ā 
Everything I packed for Monterey was under $60 from Amazon and super easy to mix and match.
Ā 
You can find all the details in my blog post on makelifemarvelous.com and everything is linked in my LTK Shop! ✨
Ā 
I can’t wait to share with you my recap posts for our Pebble Beach trip, this is the first of many! 

šŸ’— Ashley

#MakeLifeMarvelous
Cozy season, what I wore in Monterey, Pebble Beach outfit ideas, Amazon budget finds.
A gentle reminder to… Ā  🧔 Slow down šŸ¤ Brew or pick A gentle reminder to…
Ā 
🧔 Slow down
šŸ¤ Brew or pickup your favorite coffee
🧔 Wear something soft and cozy (I’m picturing my emotional support scarf!)
šŸ¤ Take on the day with an open heart + kindness

Wishing you the very best day, sweet friends!

šŸ’— Ashley

#MakeLifeMarvelous
Cozy season, inspirational quote, sweater weather, find joy in each day.
The first snow of the season called for one thing: The first snow of the season called for one thing: ✨ cozy soup weather ✨

So I whipped up my favorite quick and easy chicken tortilla soup, and it really hit the spot! Warm, comforting, and perfect for nights when you want something delicious without spending all evening in the kitchen.
Ā 
Be sure to save this post so you can come back easily to the recipe!
Ā 
🄣 Chicken Tortilla Soup — Stovetop
Ā 
Ingredients
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked — diced or shredded)
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 (15 oz) can chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 (15 oz) can corn — undrained
• 1 (10 oz) can original Rotel — undrained
• 1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• ½ tsp chili powder
Ā 
Directions
Add everything to a pot on the stove, mix well, and let simmer for 1 hour. The flavor gets even better the longer it sits, but since everything’s already cooked, it’s ready once heated through!
Ā 
Top with tortilla strips, cheese, sour cream, or whatever your heart desires. 🤤 I love to serve this soup with cheesy garlic bread!
Ā 
What’s your go-to winter comfort meal?

šŸ’— Ashley

#MakeLifeMarvelous
Cozy soup season, quick and easy recipes, chicken tortilla soup, football recipes, comfort meals.
Tiny moments of care add up to something beautiful Tiny moments of care add up to something beautiful. 🫶
Ā 
The little things you do matter more than you think — savoring your coffee, giving yourself just a little extra time in the mornings, sending a kind message, choosing rest when your body needs it, taking action on your goals, etc.

What’s one small, cozy win you’re celebrating today?

šŸ’— Ashley

#MakeLifeMarvelous
Inspiring quotes, tiny wins, every little bit counts, the little things add up to big things, keep going.

Copyright © 2026 · Make Life Marvelous · Wordpress Theme by TinselPop