March Goals

With about 2 weeks left in the month, I'm finally posting my goals for March! To be honest, I write these at the beginning of the month and have been working on them, so they're mostly all in progress. But I haven't marked them as such just yet. Before diving into those, let's see how I did in February. 

February Goals

• Get renter's insurance- oops. 
• Get taxes done- Done! 
• Book work conference and mini getaway to Denver, CO- Done!
• Clean out one closet- Done!
• Meal plan - Did this for half the month, then forgot around the 18th.
• Make 3 new recipes- Nope. 
• Continue working on Erin's Reading Challenge- Yes! You can see what I read here. 

More successes than fails, so I'm happy! March is crazy busy at work so I tried to make easy-ish goals for the month. 

March Goals

• Get renter's insurance
• Clean out dresser
• Cut Expenses
• Re-open savings account
• Make eye doctor appointment
• Restart morning and night face routines
• Finish Erin's Reading Challenge- one left! Then bonus round!
• Make Pi on Pi Day (yesterday)- done! 

Oreo-crusted Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Here's what I've got planned for the Erin's bonus round (asterisk denotes previously selected by someone else in the challenge):

•Freebie: On the Come Up- Angie Thomas*
•Made into a movie: The Sun Is Also A Star- Nicola Yoon*
•Set in Europe: The Paris Wife- Paula McLain*
•Newbery Award Winner/Honor Book: Hello, Universe- Erin Estrada Kelly*
•A friend or family’s favorite: Daisy Jones and the Six- Taylor Jenkins Reid*
•Published over 100 years ago: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- Mark Twain*
•Six words in the title: Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman- Lindy West
•Compass or cardinal direction in the title: North of Beautiful- Justina Chen Kelly*

•Originally published in a different language: The Lioness of Morocco- Julia Drost*

•Begins with the letter N: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist- Rachel Cohn and David Levithan 

What are your goals for March?

Linking up with The Peaceful Posse!

Show Us Your Books: February Reads

Hello friends! It's finally time to share what I've been reading while in my self-proclaimed hibernation period! After a somewhat slow reading in month in January I've definitely upped my reading in February, even for a short month.  I've diversified a bit too, with 2 YA, 2 non-fiction, and 3 adult-not straight up-chic-lit. Make sure to link up with the hosts so I can see what you've been reading too! 

Long Way Down- Jason Reynolds: 4.5 Stars
Category: BCBE 10.0- Newbery Award Winner, MMD Book Outside Your Comfort Zone (written in verse), 52 Weeks Challenge GR Choice Awards Nominee, ALF Book About Illness, Grief, Death, PopSugar Book That Takes Place in Single Day
library e-book

I wasn't sure if I'd like a book written in verse, but I LOVED it. I read it in one sitting. I especially liked how he changed words like "ALIVE=A VEIL," etc. and how even though each character was only introduced for a brief period, they seemed so fleshed out and real. And of course, I always love seeing a character named Dani :) Definitely a powerful read! 


The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well- Meik Wiking: 4 Stars
Category: MMD and ALF Book About a topic that fascinates you, PopSugar Book set in Scandinavia
library hardback

I don't think I have accurate words to describe just how much I enjoyed this book. It was the perfect amount of history and culture of Hygge in Denmark and "here's how to bring hygge in your own home" with easy, completely feasible tips. I found myself taking pictures of the pages to make some of the recipes and crafts next season. Just a wonderful starter book into the culture that I'd recommend to anyone who wants to add a little cozy to their life. 


Nine Perfect Strangers- Liane Moriarty: 4 Stars
Category: BCBE 10.0- Starts with "N," ALF Book That Gives You Goosebumps, PopSugar Book Told From Multiple POVs, 52 Weeks Book Everyone Is Talking About
library e-book

Well, Masha is batshit crazy. This started out a bit slow, but the second half of the book was over the top in the best way possible! I loved the dynamics between everyone in the group while they worked through their issues alone and in speaking with the others. I also got some warm fuzzies from the epilogue. 

I'm only disappointed that I keep seeing reviews that this wasn't Moriarty's strongest work. I understand comparisons, but this was only the second thing I've read by her so maybe I'm biased, but I thought it was great! 

Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One- Raphaelle Giordano: 2.5 Stars
Category: BCBE 10.0 and MMD- Book in translation, ALF Book Purchased More Than  A Year Ago and Not Read, Popsugar Book that has an item of clothing on the cover, 52 Weeks Book Set Somewhere You've Visited
Netgalley

Part fiction, part self-help. This had a very interesting premise- a woman in a life rut runs into a "routinologist" who promises to help her- but fell flat. It was very repetitive and completely predictable. Claude (the routinologist) gives the woman tasks to retrain her to think happy thoughts, and she executes them. I was definitely wondering how one becomes a routinologist, and the ending answered that, so that was a saving grace for me. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Bookshop of Yesterdays- Amy Meyerson: 3 Stars

Category: BCBE 10.0 Friend/Family Favorite, MMD Book recommended by someone with great taste, 52 Weeks Book Picked Out By Someone Else 

library e-book

"There are three things in life that matter—your partner, your job, your place. One of those three has to be number one. The other two have to come second."

I really enjoyed the scavenger hunt aspect of this one, learning more about the mysterious Uncle Billy as clues unfolded, and the eccentric characters Miranda met along the way who were in some way connected to him. I realized the "big secret" about halfway through, but I was already invested and curious to see how Miranda would handle the news. Miranda herself was insufferable and I had a hard time imagining her as a (late) twenty-something because her actions and even mindset were so immature, but overall I liked enjoyed the story and the setting. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky: 3 Stars

Category: BCBE 10.0 Book Turned into a Movie, MMD Book I've Been Meaning to Read, ALF Coming-of-age Book, PopSugar Book With More Than 1M GR Ratings, 52 Weeks Book About Mental Health

library e-book

So maybe I should have read this when I was younger, but I didn't and I haven't seen the movie, so I had no idea what this book was about. I generally like books written in letter-form, but I kept trying to figure out who he was writing to, and much of the dialogue seemed unrealistic which kept distracting me from the actual story. Charlie was SO quirky and emotional that I often thought he was somewhere on the Autism spectrum. I didn't feel connected to the characters or the story, but that ending was a real punch to the gut. 

Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living- Linnea Dunne: 1.5 Stars

Category: MMD Book By Author Who is New To You, PopSugar Book With Clothing or Accessory on Cover, 52 Weeks Book That Makes You Mad
library hardback

I think I read this too soon after reading The Little Book of Hygge, but this was a TERRIBLE example of how to introduce your culture and provide tips to help others embrace it. The author often introduced terminology, did a really poor job of explaining what it meant, and then used them over and over again. It was also a complete unorganized mess, with ideas mentioned briefly in the beginning popping up at the end like "hey remember when we talked about this word 100 pages ago?" .... uh no, actually I don't remember because you explained it poorly to begin with, didn't give any examples, and haven't mentioned it again until now. Not to mention, it wasn't even visually stimulating. Many of the color blocks on the pages clashed or were a black print against a dark background that was too hard to read. (And don't even get me started on the photos or "illustrations.") I found myself skimming about 2/3 of the book looking for some saving graces or something I could actually use. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. 

Currently reading: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer- Mark Twain
On deck: The Field Guide to the North American Teenager- Ben Phillipe

What are you reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

What's New With Me

Hi friends! February seemed to whiz by and while I didn't feel like I did very much, I forgot to link up last month so this includes January fun as well. 

Let's see... 
The first week of January Blue and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary with Pretty Woman the Musical and a FABULOUS dinner at Da Marino NYC. It's the cutest little spot - like, literally it's small inside! and had some of the best Italian food I ever had. (Also, I only heard about it because Chris Noth [Big]  posted it on IG as one of his favorites and I certainly agree!) Also, Blue put together this framed piece with the Playbills from all the shows we've seen together. It currently resides above my couch and I love it! 

We met Lea DeLaria (Boo) from Orange is the New Black at the NY Rangers Pride Night, along with some old school players that I've never heard of but Blue had and was a bit starstruck. Side note, Boo is kinda bitchy and full of herself in person. 

We met up with our buddy Mark for a brewery day. We went to Cricket Hill and Hackensack Brewing Co., which  I've never been to before and an old favorite, Ale-mentary. Then we went home, ate a bunch of pizza, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots and sacked out. It was glorious. 

We checked out a new-to-us restaurant in Hoboken for Hudson Restaurant Week called Court Street. Blue got steak and I got a wild boar ragu because I thought I liked boar. Turns out it's not my favorite, but it was still a yummy meal. I even had dessert which is rare, and the double fudge brownie sundae did not disappoint! 

Valentine's Day found us at our very favorite Italian restaurant. I got her a bouquet of Reese's and NY Ranger tickets (which I bought right before we found out we were going to the Pride Night game- ugh!), and she got us these matching Wanderer bracelets with our initials on them.

Other than that, I've been cooking more at home, planning, and reading. Oh, and working. Do you like my new work space? I don't, but thankfully it's only temporary. They're remodeling our floor so my whole department has been displaced across different buildings and while some get to work remotely, I am not one of those people. Not that I'm bitter or anything... clearly... 

Anywho, what's new with you?

Linking up with Kristen! 

Currently March

Happy March! I'm off to a slow start again this morning, and the winter air is hurting my face. Anyone else over winter yet? I swear that stupid groundhog lied. Work has been kicking my ass since we lost a team member and I don't see it getting any better until next month, but I'm pushing through. I'm still in hibernation mode, mostly going straight home and under fuzzy blankets the minute I get home and honestly I don't see that changing anytime soon. Here's what else is currently going on with me. 

Reading: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, and 4 others that came in from the library at the same time. (Why does that always happen?!) 

Listening to: LOLO- Wild

Watching: I just started Whiskey Cavalier with Scott Foley (Felicity!) and Lauren Cohan (from TWD) and I'm loving it! Also the usual suspects, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us, A Million Little Things, Top Chef, Married At First Sight. Super excited that Station 19 is back tomorrow too! 

Scheming: Uhhh... nothing? But looking to my favorite couple showing me around their new hometown of Denver, CO after my work conference later this month! 

Making: my list of March Goals. 

Accomplishing: A few months ago I finally got a savings account, but I, um, forgot to put money in it and it closed. So I went back last night and opened a new one and actually added money, so yay! I also got my taxes done last week, and my return will go directly into the new savings account. 

Buying: I just finished Frugal February where I didn't buy anything for the month. However, here are my purchases from January. 

Glittery Washi Tape- Ok, I may have gone overboard with this one, especially since I don't actually know how to use this stuff, but it was pretty and I figured I could use it for my scrapbooking project and my planner. 60 rolls does seem a bit much though, so this might get returned. 

Rael Acne Healing Patches- I think someone mentioned these in the last linkup, so I decided to check them out. I love them! So easy to use, and they really work! 

3 ColorBlok Design Pads- These were an add-on item for $5/ea and I needed filler paper for the scrapbook I'm working on. 

Party Pong- Purchased this as a housewarming gift (along with a bottle of champagne)for a friend who loooooves her bubbly and games. 

Seasonal Stickers- I love adding stickers to my planner, and I figured I could use the bigger ones included in this pack for the scrapbook. 

Blue Sky Egg Press planner- After a whole month of waiting for Michael's to restock The Happy Planner, the one I wanted was no longer for sale, so I got this one. 

Crystal Flask Bracelet- Purchased 2 for my nieces who love concerts and booze. 

Snowglobe Picture Frame- Purchased 6 of these for the Mountain Mamas for Christmas. They are officially done! 

Zodiac Mug- I couldn't find a pic of my sign (Sagittarius), but this was on super sale so  had to have it. 

Critter Ring Holder (elephant)- Another part of an early Christmas present for my niece who loves all things elephant.

The Red Book of Luck- I bought one of these as part of my mom's birthday present (she loved it), and another one for my neighbor friend but my mom wants to read it together, so looks like I'll be keeping the other one. 

Linking up with Anne and Tanya! 

TBB Asks: Shop Til You Drop Edition

Hello and Happy Monday! As you can see I'm off to a slow start today. My company had a delayed opening due to snow and of course I did not have this post up and ready to go. Clearly I've been off my blogging game lately, but I'm back with another edition of TBB Asks and this month's theme is shopping! Honestly, I used to shop (and actually liked going shopping) a lot more when I was younger. Back to school shopping was my favorite, and going to the mall with friends was a weekend hobby. However nowadays most of my shopping is done online and out of necessity. My self-described style would be comfy-classic, and not at all trendy, so I definitely get the most wears out of all of my clothing. Anyway, onto the questions! 

1. Top 3 Shops? Old Navy, TJMaxx, and Nordstrom Rack, though I love the heat-tech stuff from Uniqlo in winter. 

2. Where is the majority of your shopping done? Online! I usually find the best deals there, and can use coupons and cashback (like E-Bates!) 

3. Favorite thing to shop for? Graphic tees, especially punny ones! 

4. Least favorite thing to shop for? Riding boots! I can never find ones that don't leave a gap between my calf and the boot and it drives me nuts! 

5. Favorite clothing I ever bought? My North Face fleece. When I was in college, EVERYONE had a North Face fleece except me. It made me feel beneath them because mommy and daddy bought them everything and we just couldn't afford it at the time. As soon as I got my first job out of college I bought one (in boys size- because I could!). I still wear it all the time. 

My coworker and I in San Diego

6. Do you prefer to shop alone or with others? Alone! I often feel rushed when shopping with others. 

7. Best bargain? Probably my original tall Hunter boots that I found at Costco (like Sam's Club) for half price. Oooh, or my tweed Guess jacket that I found for $10 in a thrift shop! 

8. Do you like thrift store shopping? Yes! I haven't gone in awhile but I love combing the racks for that hidden gem. I guess now the online version would be Poshmark?! 

9. Best cities to shop in? I don't usually go shopping when I'm visiting other cities except for keepsakes like magnets or ornaments, so I honestly don't know! 

10. Who are your style icons? Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston... my style is comfortable and classic, and these ladies embody that with pizzazz :) 

Do you like to shop? 

Linking up with The Blended Blog!