Currently: October

Two posts in two days- whaaaat! Really trying to make my comeback here guys! Here's what's currently going on over here...

Reading: The Bean Trees - Barbara Kingsolver

Watching: so happy Fall TV is back, but most excited about The Morning Show! 

Listening to: DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez - Selfish Love

Borrowing: Books! I've finally found my reading groove again after several months of being in a slump. I just got The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson from the library. It's starting pretty slow but hoping it picks up soon since I've read so many great reviews! 

Buying: Just posted about some of my recent purchases yesterday with Tanya! Lots of clearance/ off season steals, and these adorable dish towels! 

Planning: A getaway to Lake George very soon! I've never been and it's just about leaf peepin' season, so I'm very excited. If you've been and know of any places I should check out, please let me know! 

Prepping: Meals! I mean, I finally went *real* grocery shopping for the first time in about 6 months, so I'm well-stocked! So now that I'm getting back in the kitchen, what's your favorite fall recipe? I'm thinking first up may be this veggie pot pie (with cheddar biscuits) from Budget Bytes!

What's currently going on with you?

Linking up with Anne! 

Recent Purchases

Oh, hello! Apologies for the completely unplanned hiatus! I'm hoping to get back to this space more regularly going forward and promise to share some updates from the past couple of months soon, but first I had to share what I've been purchasing lately! Though "lately" is a loose term in this case... I drafted this post back in APRIL! The majority of these purchases were off the clearance rack and replacements for winter loungewear that succumbed to overuse during the pandemic. 

Old Navy

high-waisted printed leggings (x3) - $7/ea (normally $17)

thermal lounge set - $22 (normally $42 - top and bottom sold as separates) 

thermal long sleeve tee  $4 (normally $15)

flannel PJ pants - $5 (normally $20) 

long sleeve V-neck tee- $10 (normally $20)

graphic tee - $9 

slub tees (x2) - $8/ea

fuzzy socks (x2) - $3/ea

relaxed fit soft shorts - $7.50 (normally $26) (out of stock- similar) 

Kids gender-neutral sunnies - $11

Katie posted this a few months ago. I adore all things organization, so you know I added it to my cart! I'm using it under my kitchen sink, so it holds some random tools (screwdriver, hammer, blades, tape measure), and some cleaning things (rubber gloves, dish detergent pods, garbage bags, new sponges). I love being able to see and find everything more easily!

Do you buy items during the off-season for the deals? 

Linking up with Tanya!

Summer Bucket List

Hello friends! So I know our Summer Bucket Lists were "due" on June 21, but I'm a little late to the party. No matter, I've already made some headway on mine! Here's some fun stuff I'd like to do this summer.

Go to the movies - Oh yes friends, we're doing this! I honestly don't remember the last movie I saw in a theater. Going to see a matinee showing of Black Widow.  

Fix/update Mom's tablet - We both got new tablets during Prime Day, but she hadn't set hers up, so I helped her do that and downloaded some apps for her. 

Go to the beach - we made it down there right before Memorial Day, which was great because there weren't any crowds yet. I'd like to go again at least one more time this summer, with my new beach tote! 

Attend a trivia night - I'm historically terrible at trivia, but I love going! I'll be meeting Michael at a favorite brewery tonight for a Schitt's Creek trivia! 

Celebrate Blue's birthday - HELL YES! Next week were are heading to the Poconos for a quick getaway and I can't wait! 

Enjoy a weekend getaway with mom - This is in the works for August! 

Celebrate the 4th of July - DONE! Had some great food and laughs with the family! It was wonderful to see everyone for the first time since pre-Covid. 

Visit a fair - there's a local county fair in August which takes place down the street from Blue, so hoping to get there this year since it was cancelled last year. 

Check out American Dream - Oooh, I actually just did this last weekend, but I definitely want to go back. This place is HUUUUUGE and it has an indoor ski/snowboard "resort," LegoLand, Nicolodeon Universe, an ice rink, a mirror maze, an aquarium, a water park, mini golf, and yes- stores! I don't think I've ever been so excited about going to a mall lol! 

Try some new cocktails and/or beer - A given every summer! I think I want to try High Noon and maybe some new cocktails.

Go to an aquarium or museum - Hmm... I guess I could do this at American Dream, but I really want to go to the "Best Aquarium in the Northeast" (according to USA Today), Adventure Aquarium. Best part, it's not too far away! 

Send care package to friend in Colorado - I meant to send this for Christmas in July. Maybe if I can get my act together quickly I can still send it (almost) in time! 

Visit Raven's new apartment - one of my close friends got a new apartment that she's really excited about. It'll be her first time living alone again since we lived next door to each other and saw each other practically every day (again, pre-Covid). And she got a new kitten I can't wait to meet! 

Sign up for/take a class - I DID THIS! I signed up for Yale School of Business Executive Education Women's Leadership Program, and it started yesterday. In 6 weeks I'll earn credits and a certificate. I'm really looking forward to this! 

Read 5 books - Book Challenge By Erin 15.0 started on July 1, so I need to get my butt in gear! I've already finished 2/10 books, and am working on my third now. 

And that's it! Got any fun plans for this summer? 

Linking up with Leslie!

Let's Look: Bathroom Organization

I love all things organization, so I was really excited when I saw this topic for this month's Let's Look series. One thing I learned lately is to have a storage container for EVERYTHING so you know exactly where it goes when you're done using it. I'm all about clear containers because if I don't see it, I don't use it. I can't wait to read some of your answers too so I can get some ideas on how to work on my "trouble area"- under the sink! 

So first off- here's my bathroom. It's more long than square. I live in a rented apartment, so I can't do anything about those sick yellow tiles except pair it with dark gray (my towels, rug, and shower curtain- at the top [not shown]). 

I try to keep my countertop mostly clear. I have a small basket for my nail polishes, a small ring holder that actually has sample size perfumes and safety pins (not sure why lol), 2 jars- one for Qtips and one cotton balls/pads, and then this corner caddy for hair and beauty products. (I don't wear much makeup, but the makeup I do own is stored on my dresser in my bedroom which is why you don't see any here.) Oh, and the waterpik I asked for one Christmas and still have never used (sorry Blue!) 

I mentioned jars. I love the looks of apothecary jars for storage, but I just cannot bring myself to spend $15 on a jar. I found this hack on Pinterest many moons ago and I love it! I purchase a lot of those BBW 3-wick candles. When it's empty/burnt out, I toss it in my freezer for a bit, and then scrape out the excess wax. I also found this way of cleaning them out using boiling water but I haven't tried it yet. Either way you do it you get an instant container- and less waste! 

Behind the mirror is where I store my mud masks, Band-Aids and Neosporin (easy access because I'm a clumsy girl!), and excess creams. 

I have two small, narrow drawers in the vanity. In one I store my toothpaste, a smaller face towel, and some random samples. In the other is my hair brush, glasses, extra contacts, bobby pins, and hair ties (and apparently tissues, a Tide stick(?), and a really old dip nail polish remover!). 

Above my toilet, I have the only piece of "art" in the bathroom, a poster that says "Enjoy the Journey" that I picked from TJ Maxx because of the gray background. On the lid, I keep my rubber duck collection (I work for a college and that's our mascot... and I also think they're cute). 

My under the sink storage could use some help. Right now I just have things lined up, and everything else thrown into a bucket. 

It's got a little bit of everything- hydrogen peroxide and iodine, contact solution, mouthwash, nail polish remover, sunscreen, femme products, my hairdryer, extra shampoo, conditioner, hairspray (listen, when there's a sale on Pantene I take advantage- don't judge me!), mosquito spray and bracelets. AND, what you can't really see, in one of those pouches in the back is just lipsticks, and the other is some more femme products. 

I put the bucket on my counter so I could get a better look at what was in it- basically pills (Dayquil/Nyquil/ Mucinex/Midol), a thermometer, first aid kit, a pack of unopened toothbrushes, an unopened loofah, razors (mostly unopened), a Rembrandt teeth cleaning kit (that I didn't realize I had)... other lol. 

What do you do for your under-the-sink storage? 

 Linking up with Erika and Shay!

Currently / Prime Purchases

Reading: Seven Days In June by Tia Williams, All The Lives I Want: Essays About My Best Friends Who Happen To Be Famous Strangers by Alana Massey and I just got One Last Stop by Casey McQuinston - I better get to reading a bit faster! 

Watching: I just finished Dirty John on Netflix and OMG! Can't believe it was based on a true story too- I binged the series in 2 sittings. Also watching Loki on Disney+ and Physical on Apple TV. 

Listening to: my 2021 Playlist on Spotify. I think my favorite right now is Vacation by Dirty Heads.

Enjoying: Spending time with family that I haven't seen since the summer BEFORE the pandemic, and hanging out with our newest little member! 

Eating: I FINALLY made this sausage pasta dish  and it was DELICIOUS even if it did shatter my casserole dish in the oven (still upset about that, and the MESS... ugh). I also didn't get any good pictures of it but I would definitely recommend and plan to make it again in the near future!

 

Feeling: Uneasy/uncomfortable/anxious. There's a major re-org going on at work and he entire process is stressing me out. No one is losing their jobs (thankfully), but a lot of roles and titles are changing, including mine. 

Going: away for Blue's birthday! We're heading to a casino/resort in the Poconos for 2 nights and I can't wait! 

Realizing: That literally half the year is over already! Time really does fly!

Ordering: So. Many. Things! I definitely took advantage of Prime Day, so here's a look at some of my purchases. The first four were for a bday/care package for my friend who loves to putter around in her new garden- I hope she likes them! She also likes gin, hence the book! 

Bamboo Gardening Gloves (x2) - $7/ea

Unisex Outdoor Activities UV Protection Sun Hat - $14

7-Pocket Gardening Tool Belt - $14

Gone With The Gin: Cocktails with a Hollywood Twist - $9.75

Hanes Women's Jersey Shorts (x3) - $7/ea

Needed some new lazing around shorts, and I love that these were inexpensive, comfy, and have pockets! I got them in gray, black, and navy. 

Amazon Basics Oven Safe Bakeware Set of 2 (rectangle and Square)  - $18

Because my trusty casserole dish broke! 

Olive Oil Sprayer - $9

Someone else mentioned this in an earlier link-up so I decided to try it. Haven't used it yet though!

Mesh Beach Tote Bag with detachable cooler - $35

I love this tote, especially the pockets that zip closed and the detachable cooler on the bottom that also has a handle so you can carry it separately. This isn't the exact one I got, because appararentally Amaon isn't selling it anymore? It said "page not found."

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer - $35 *Prime Day Deal*

Since I got my major hair cut, I wanted something easier to do my hair with. This is a lot bigger than I was expecting though! I will report back once I try it! 

Real Simple 12- Month Subscription - $3.75 *Prime Day Deal*

$4 for a year?! YAY! I cancelled my subscription sometime last year but I've come to realize that I missed it, and you definitely can't beat that price!

Amazon Fire 8" Tablet 32 GB (x2) - $45/ea *Prime Day Deal*

My first tablet! So honestly, I'm not sure how I'm going to use it yet, but I did download all of my streaming and social apps so I'm excited to use it- maybe on vacation! 

Did you take advantage of Prime Day? 

Linking up with Anne and Tanya! 

March Reads

Not much of a preamble today. March felt forever long and I was aiming for light reads, though some of these packed more of a punch than I was expecting! Here's what I got through last month. 

The Push - Ashley Audrain: 4 Stars
library paperback

Originally, I wasn't too into this book. I got it in early February, read 30%, and then let it expire and had to wait for it again in order to finish. I think it was a timing issue though because I finished the last 70% in one sitting. I was a little thrown by the "Past" sections about the MC's mother and grandmother and thought they were completely unnecessary so I started skimming them. The fact that Blythe starts by sitting outside her ex-husband's house watching his new family coupled with the fact we learn early on that she was never sure she wanted to have kids makes her the perfect unreliable narrator- of course she appears to be a bit off kilter because um... hey creeper, why are you stalking your ex and his family? But then the author takes you back to where it all started/how she got there and well...What a messed up story! I think Tanya expressed it best- unsettling, disturbing, raw, and yet addictive! Definitely looking forward to more from this author! 

The Chicken Sisters - K.J. Dell'Antonia: 4 Stars
library e-book

I picked this one up because it sounded like a funny, breezy read and it turned out to be so much more (in a good way)! I thought the characters were well developed and the relationships between them all, particularly the sisters, was realistic. I also really enjoyed the centuries old family "feud" between the chicken shacks. There were a couple of subplots that I could have done without but overall, I definitely recommend! 

The Layover - Lacie Waldon: 3.5 Stars
Netgalley

I was annoyed that the author took nearly half the book setting the stage and the characters. Also, Ava's relationship with Alexander gave off some real Behind Closed Doors vibes. I couldn't figure out why they were engaged when he was such a pretentious asshole. After they got to Belize though, things moved along nicely and though it was fairly predictable, I enjoyed it. It was also really nice to pretend I was in Belize drinking cocktails with little umbrellas and re-imagining when I was in Puerto Rico at a bioluminescent bay. Siiiigh. Extra half star for the final pages and epilogue.

The Roommate - Rosie Danan: 3 Stars
library e-book

“Most people will do anything to avoid change.” Naomi brushed her flame-colored hair over her shoulder. “Even the ones who try often revert back to old habits as soon as life gets hard. Remember that before you go doing something crazy. Sometimes we think we want something until it’s time to live with the consequences.”

I do not recall, nor was I expecting, such a steamy romance. HOT DAMN! I do not recommend reading in public or right before a work meeting, especially if you get slightly flustered reading graphic material... which is exactly what I did before knowing any better! Maybe I'm just a prude like our MC Clara. I liked that there was more to the story than just steamy sex scenes in which our main characters really grew, but some of the language and wording could have been defined/changed to make it less slutty and more sentimental since that's where their relationship was headed. 

Apparently the second in the series was just released, but I think it's too hot for me to handle! 

Book Stats (Previous/Now) 

Total number read: 13 / 18

Netgalley: 2/ 3

Owned: 2 / 3 (no change) 

Non-Fiction: 1 (no change) 

WOC: 1 / 3 (no change) 

Given Away: 20 (book drive- no change)

Currently reading: Get A Life, Chloe Brown - Talia Hibbert

What are you currently reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

March Prime Purchases

I've been doing really well with spending this year, and in fact completely a "no-buy" month last month! However the following were for Blue's condo, so I decided to share them! 

Balcony Privacy Screen - Blue is on the 3rd floor and has a deck that overlooks a parking lot. Every time we would sit out there we'd feel like we were on display, so she picked up this privacy screen. It's perfect! It was really easy to put up (just tie on with zip ties that come with it) and it's not completely opaque so we can see through it just enough to peek through and pop up to say hi to our friends when we see them! 

Bedside Storage Organizer - Bedside table game changer. I don't know why she didn't buy one sooner. She has like 3-4 remotes that are always falling over her bedside table or under the bed, so this keeps everything together and easy access! 

Cat Placemat - our boy Keebler is SUCH a messy eater! I don't know how but every time he eats he gets half his wet food on the floor or wall (or himself, but that's another story!). Enter this placemat- it's rubber so it's easy to clean and keeps his food off our floors! I think it's pretty cute too!

Sunnies - tis the season! Blue got these sunglasses as a replacement/back-up since they aren't too expensive and she's always misplacing them.

What are you buying this month?

Linking up with Tanya!