Currently: March

Well, well, well, look who's back after nearly a full month! February flew by, and I didn't mean to not post at all last month... in fact, I had even written down what I was wanted to post and when in my planner, but then forgot to look at my planner, which is also uncharacteristic, but so goes life. I don't even know what I did all month?! I know I didn't get my taxes done, which I usually get done the last week in February, but they didn't call/text/email me, so I forgot. I need to schedule that. I watched/cried (ok, not literally) during the Super Bowl- if you didn't know I'm an Eagles fan and that was a serious nail-biter up until the last 2 minutes!!! I was bummed out, but at least it was a good game (and congrats Dara - I know you and your fam must have been overjoyed!).

 

My mom celebrated a birthday (can't mention age- she might kill me lol)! THAT was an adventure though. She *had* to go to these two library events at two different libraries 20 minutes apart,... and in between she forgot her purse at the first library! But we had a very kind Uber driver who brought us back (and forth again). The first one I was a little late getting to, but they were having "technical difficulties" connecting the laptop to the projector, so I didn't miss anything. (Though my mom tried to tell them "hey, my daughter works in IT! She can help!" -ummmm, absolutely not. I shut that down real quick!) That one was about this artist's trip to Cuba, and was pretty cool actually. But the second one was 2 HOURS about the history of slavery in New Jersey,... and you guys. I could NOT. I couldn't even space out because we were seated in a U-shape. And we walked in late because of the purse fiasco, and I *hate* walking in to events late. (Fun side story: When I was in middle school, I was in jazz band, and the practices were in the morning, before school. I am NOT a morning person. But anytime my mom dropped me off at school and  I was more than 5 minutes late, I wouldn't go to the practice. I'd stand outside the door for awhile debating, and eventually walk away. THAT'S how much I hated being late. But I digress...) THEN she decides she wants to go to the spa, which I remind her we had not made reservations for (even though I asked her about it the week before so I could make the rezzie and she said she didn't wanna go)... so we came back to my place. I think we ordered Chinese food and watched the new Reese Witherspoon/Ashton Kutcher movie My Place or Yours on Netflix, which was really cute (but uh, I related a little too closely to Reese in this one)! 

She also made me go with her to church the next morning. I don't go to church anymore (with the exception of getting ashes on Ash Wednesday), but it was mostly fine,... until I couldn't get home. It took me nearly 3 hours (when it should have taken less than one) because of train issues. But even though she drove me crazy the entire weekend, I'm glad I was able to celebrate with her. 

I went to a Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras event with my mom at her church... again, in NYC. I haven't been there since late December (and 2 days before) and was still kind of freaking out (because you guys, Covid is still a real thing!), but I returned mostly unscathed. And the food - gumbo, pancakes?, bacon, hash browns -  and live steel drum band were actually really good! 

So there's your February recap! And now, on to March! 

Reading: Not doing great in the reading department lately. I read Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell in one sitting the other night (which I originally wanted to read in April, because April showers, but oh well), and started Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, because they are two of my favorite others, I needed a pick-me-up, and they are both on my list for the Reading Challenge. But I actually quit book club, which is super sad because I used to LOVE book club. I just couldn't get into the book this month (The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker), and know I wouldn't like the book selected for next month either (Goodbye, Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende, which is the second book in a series, and why would they choose the SECOND book in a series when we haven't even read the first?! Makes no sense!). I don't want to feel *forced* to read books that I know I'm not going to like; life is too short, and there are just too many good books that I WANT to read out there.

Listening to: You ever look back on your memories on FB? I found this last week from a post I added literally 10 years ago. I have no recollection of ever hearing this song before, but obviously I did and it was probably on heavy rotation since I felt the need to post it!
Fix Up, Look Sharp - Dizzee Rascal

 

 Watching: Still working my way through Poker Face (Peacock)  and Shrinking (Apple TV+), but all my regulars are back from winter break - Grey's Anatomy, Station 19, Good Doctor, A Million Little Things, 9-1-1... Oh, and a new season of my guilty pleasure Married At First Sight also just started so lots to catch up on!

Loving: Being fully remote this week! There was a huge water main break in the town I work, so we couldn't go in. Normally most of my department is remote, but my group is in the office full time, so this was such a nice break! I even got into the habit of taking naps, but I gotta get out of that soon since looks like we'll be back in the office next week. It was a really productive week overall though. 

Starting: to do some spring cleaning/ decluttering (again). I feel like I have to do this every few months. Maybe I should just join a challenge to get 'er done. This 7-Week Decluttering Challenge looks like it may be a winner. I'll update with how it's working out next month! 

Finishing: more blog posts. I start them when inspiration hits (or a link-up is coming up that I want to participate in) and abandon them in draft... I literally have 59 drafts sitting here! Hoping to either finish them or delete them.

Trying: to find some decent product to cover up these white hairs popping up on my hairline. Yup, welcome to (almost) 40! I don't want to start dying it just yet because then I can't donate it and I've worked too damn hard growing it out to donate 12+" for the last two years to give up now! So, if you have any recommendations, please send them my way! 

Going: to see Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania this weekend. (And now I'm trying to remember the last movie I saw in theaters? Maybe Top Gun: Maverick? What was the last movie you saw in theaters?)

Also just got tickets to author Harlan Coben's first book tour since 2019 and am SO EXCITED!! He's going to be speaking about and signing copies of his latest thriller (thanks for the head's up Steph!)

What's currently going on in your world?

Linking up with Jennifer!

Dani Day

Dani Day (noun): A day where one me takes off from work, and does whatever the heck they want. Some ideas include sleeping in, enjoying a slow morning with coffee, ordering in or cooking a favorite meal, watching a series/movie they have been wanting to watch, reading a book without paying any mind to the time, and generally doing self-care. Occurs on 12/12 annually and several other times per year, as needed. Synonyms: Mental health day, day off.

I was going to format this by photo-an-hour, but I didn't feel like it. So here's a general rundown of how this particular Dani Day went:

• woke up right before 8. Attempt and fail to go back to sleep. (I can't sleep in anymore. That's some serious BS right there.)

• coffee and phone games (the dailies: Wordle, Waffle, Sudoku, Solitaire, in that order) until 10. 

• watched Jenna and Hoda :)

• remembered Top Ten Tuesday (TTT); wrote and posted to blog. Read some other blogs.

• ordered lunch from local Italian deli that I've been meaning to check out since I moved to this area 10 (ish?) years ago. It was a chicken parm sandwich, and it was delicious!

• put on music and did some chores. Dusted, swept, mopped, put in laundry, emptied dishwasher. Getting shit done, whether it's running errands, cleaning, and/or organizing is actually relaxing for me. I feel so much better after it's done.

• hair night (in this case, afternoon, but it's usually later). This needs it's own highlight because it takes me over an hour to straighten my hair; it's really thick in general and long at the moment.

• phone a friend. This particular night it was my friend Marissa who lives in CO, so later is better because of the time difference. These calls are usually quite long as they're "catch up" calls after not talking for awhile. 

• watch a movie + have sushi and ice cream for dinner because I'm an adult and I DO WHAT I WANT! But it kinda was a perfect pairing!

What does a day off look like for you? 

Currently: February

Hey friends! I know I say this almost every month, but seriously, how is it February already?! I'm still putting Christmas stuff away (I keep finding little decorations everywhere)! How are you doing? Anyone else feeling similarly? I need to figure out what to do for Valentine's Day and my mom's bday this month. So much pressure! But first- a little look at January! 

Reading: Klara and the Sun - Kazuo Ishiguro

Listening to: You Are Enough - Sleeping At Last

  

Watching: Poker Face on Peacock (I love Natasha Lyonnes (even if her accent is a bit extra in this one), the ever-changing all star cast, and how each episode is another wild caper type of

"who-dun-it" adventure(kinda Glass Onion-esque), Shrinking on Apple TV+ (I will never tire of Harrison Ford or Jason Segel, and this is pretty funny though a somewhat dark premise!), and Firefly Lane on Netflix (even though I didn't read the second book and I almost NEVER watch the show before the book, but I was curious and bored! I'm only on episode 3 but I really like it... probably because I didn't read it first!)

Loving: Book Club! We got shirts made in December and even though I didn't make it to that event I got my shirt and we all (mostly) wore them at the January meeting! The discussion we had about the latest book (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid) was excellent- I really love this club because of the intelligent discussions and topics that come up, though I was more quiet in this one. Also loving that I found 2 books on my (nearly 800!) TBR Goodreads list at the Dollar Store! 

Feeling: a little hurt tbh. 2 of my best friends aren't responding to my messages and I don't know why. I have a weekly call with one of them but she's been making excuses for not answering calling/answering the last couple of weeks, even though I just saw her when she came to NYC the last week of December (she lives in CO) and we solidified the day/time again, and the other one I really mostly talk to via text and it's only been a few days but even so, it's unusual and makes me feel anxious and uneasy. 

Posting: My Winter Bucket List, Tips to Beating the Winter Blues, and Would You Rather? Q+A last month. Upcoming are some goals, recent purchases, and a book post (which I haven't done since Nov, so that should be a biggie!). 

Receiving: daily horoscopes from my mom lol. I never asked for them, but she keeps sending them and I'm not exactly mad about it even if I don't *fully* believe in them (some of them seem a little too spot-on though!). 

Seeing: my Eagles in the Super Bowl, soon! I'm SOOO excited!!

What's currently going on with you?

Linking up with Jennifer! 

Monthly Musings: Beating The Winter Blues

Hey friends! I'm doing pretty good with this whole "keeping up with the blog" thing! I'm back with some more Q+A's, and next week I'll come back with some real updates but for now...

1. Something you do for yourself to beat the winter blues?

Indulge in a hobby - reading, baking, scrapbooking, blogging, etc.

Listen to music - loudly. 

Clean or take care of a nagging task
Call a friend 
Unplug/ Write a  gratitude list

2. Something you do for your family to bring joy over the winter?

Call them - get out of your own head, ask how they are and LISTEN. Make plans to get out somewhere for a change of scenery. 

3. Favorite cozy items or go-to's?

FLEECE-EVERYTHING! The fuzzy blanket, pants, socks, oversized sweatshirts- all of it! 

4. Winter exercise habits or practices?

I walk 30 min (mostly uphill) everyday during my commute- does that count? Also getting some cardio in when I'm running late for my train!

5. Do you practice journaling or meditation?

Yes. I can't quiet my mind enough for meditation, but I actually just started getting back into journaling. I forgot how much I missed it, and how cathartic it can feel.

6. Do you light candles or use essential oils to relax?

I light candles more for ambiance, but I do it as soon as I get home from work. I also kept a string of snowmen lights up for the same reason- and they make me smile. 

7. Any bedtime rituals you would like to share to promote quality sleep?

Turning off the phone at least a half hour before sleep, and also reading before bed. 

8. What are your morning habits that help prepare for a good day?

I'm REALLY not a morning person. But I do prep my coffee, put my bag together, and figure out what I'm wearing the night before. 

9. Favorite way to spend a day off in winter?

Wake up late and wear lounge clothes the entire day. If I'm alone, curl up and read or write or both. Have a spa day. If I'm with someone, play a game (Scrabble or Yahtzee are favorites), have a big meal together and some adult beverages, and watch a movie (or at least part of one!). 

10. Favorite winter themed movies?

I don't know if I have any "winter" themed favorites, but I definitely have Christmas faves: Elf, Love Actually and the Holiday. Oh, I really liked Serendipity too, and pretty sure that counts as a winter one! 

Tell me more about you!

Linking up with Holly and Patty!

Winter Bucket List

Much like last year I'm late in posting my Winter Bucket List, and because of that I've already crossed some of these items off of my list but I thought I'd post it anyway (better late then never, amiright?)!

deck the halls

Have a holiday movie night including all my favorites: Love Actually, Elf, The Holiday, and Die Hard- complete with hot cocoa and footie pajamas

read some cozy Christmas-themed stories

set some New Year/monthly goals

start a new holiday tradition

get back into meal planning

read a non-fiction book

accomplish 5 to-do items I've been avoiding

"Home Edit" my apartment (aka get rid of some shit lol)

create a 2022 recap of GOOD things

What's on your list? Any ideas I need to add?

Would You Rather?

Hi friends! Sorry for the impromptu hiatus, but I'm baaaack! To say I haven't been motivated to post would be a severe understatement. I don't know why, but I wasn't feeling particularly "festive" this holiday season. Many of my coworkers and friends were either feeling the same or were sick with one thing or another. BUT! I'm ready to share again, and what better way to start than with some "Would You Rather?" questions hosted by Marsha?! I promise to give you some real-time updates soon, but for now, this is all I got. So without further ado...

Would you rather make resolutions, select a word of the year, or make bucket lists?

Bucket lists. I love making lists!

Though I did choose a word this year which I haven't done in... well, I don't actually remember the last time. It's "engagement." I was kind of forced into it for a work project, but I can absolutely apply it to my personal life as well. A lot of times, I'll see a message in a group text (or something similar) and not respond. Sometimes I answer it in my head but forget to actually respond, and sometimes I just ignore it completely. Not sure why. That's just one example but this year I want to make a conscientious effort to... not do that. 

Also, I don't believe in new years resolutions. People follow them for what, a month? Lame. I'd rather make some more attainable monthly goals. 

Would you rather make memories on vacations or save for a big occasion (retirement, wedding, college, etc.)?

MAKEALLTHEMEMORIES!!!

I honestly don't want a big occasion for any reason (believe me, my Sweet 16 was enough)! But seriously, even for a retirement or wedding I want to GO somewhere I've never been, and make memories there as opposed on spending big on a party. 

Feeding Mala papaya in India

Would you rather buy all the things on sale or shop your closet?

Shop my closet, because I already shopped all the sales and they're in my closet! I also hate shopping so unless something loses it's shape/doesn't fit right and I really loved it, or something needs to be replaced, I'm not inclined to go shopping. 

Would you rather shed weight through fad dieting and do it quickly or eat differently and lose slowly?

Um. This doesn't really apply to me as I've always been too skinny (and don't skinny-shame me! It's a real thing!) But to gain weight, I'd rather eat differently to gain slowly. (Also don't say "drink milkshakes everyday!" I tried that... it just made me feel sick.)

Would you rather undergo some type of facial treatment or update a room in your home?

That's a pretty vague question... what kind of "facial treatment?" Like getting a facial or like a nose job? I decided a loooong time ago I'm not getting any type of cosmetic surgery (back when I was considering getting a boob job) but then I saw my friend go through a breast reduction and all that went along with that. NOTHANKYOU. So yeah, let's revamp a room in my home! I've always dreamed of having a cozy bay window facing the sun with lots of cushions as a reading nook. Something like this...

Would you rather watch Paul Hollywood or RuPaul?

WHO??

Would you rather have to wear the same color all year long or not wear that color at all?

I basically only wear shades of black, gray, and burgundy/dark red all year round, so I guess wear the same color all year. 

Would you rather wear a designer look or a designer knockoff?

LOLOL. I guess knock off? I can't imagine spending that much money on any outfit, I'd rather spend it on a vacation (see above)! Also, I feel somewhat embarrassed by designer things, like I'm going to get them dirty or messed up somehow? Someone bought me a designer bag a couple years ago and I think I carried it out exactly once?! I'm just not that kinda girl. 

Would you rather be overdressed or underdressed at an occasion?

Overdressed for sure. I don't think I've ever been underdressed... just wasn't brought up that way. Actually wait- I was underdressed once. I got called in to work for an emergency meeting on a Sunday when I was already at the beach and showed up in a bikini and coverup... SO EMBARRASSING! 

Would you rather have only neutral clothing or extremely colorful clothing?

Again, most of my wardrobe is neutrals so definitely neutrals. Easier to mix and match. 

My Month Is Booked: October Reads

I totally forgot to post September's read, so you get two months worth this time, though I definitely didn't read as much as I did in summer! And I'm having a hard time picking my next read (though I did read 2 books already this month). I'm hoping to get some inspiration from reading all your recent reviews in Lauren's linkup! Anyway, Here's what I read since the last time I joined:

Opium and Absinthe - Lydia Kang: 4 Stars
library paperback

Trigger warnings: drug abuse/addiction, rape

I was a little wary about reading this one as it's not something I normally would have picked up because it's set in 1899 (I'm not a big fan of historical fiction) and vampires (also not a fan of paranormal). It was a book club pick, but perfect for "spooky" season! I was reeled in hard though! Basically our MC, Tillie, gets into a horse-riding accident, breaking her collarbone and hurting her shoulder, and is given opium for the pain. The same day, her sister goes missing and then is found dead in Central Park with what appear to be vampire bites on her neck and a bottle of absinthe next to her. When she finds this out, she makes it her mission to find out more about vampires and who or what killed her sister, but she's heavily drugged the entire story. (It should be noted that "Dracula" was also just released around this time.) 

I felt bad for Tillie. First of all, she got hooked on opiates (as many young people do) due to an injury. It was actually a bit baffling since this is still such a raging issue today. Second, her family was awful (they had been keeping secrets of their own, which they continued not to discuss because it also kept them wealthy and "in good name"). Third, I was reminded how women were rated as second class citizens even when they were rich. She wants to WORK? Why, when she could be a "kept" woman?! Oh, Tillie is angry, reacting, and speaking up about it? She must be hysterical! Let's take her to the doctor for a dose of morphine immediately! Also, (almost) everyone was so willing to keep her drugged up so she would keep subdued, quiet, and just "let it go"! 

There was a lot going on in this story, and characters kept popping in, it seemed ad-hoc, to throw the reader (and Tillie) for a loop with a possible new killer candidate, which worked but was also a bit confusing. Our narrator is very unreliable so it's hard to figure out "whodunit" as she researches other vampiric-appearing deaths and more about the creatures themselves. Did Tillie truly know her older sister at all? As the pieces come together through the drug-induced haze, we begin to see a bigger picture of who her sister, and the people in her life, all played a part in her ultimate death... one that Tillie nearly meets herself.

The Golden Couple - Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen: 4 Stars

Own

Overall I really enjoyed this book. However the ending left me wanting to know one more thing - ___was acting really weird, and I want to know her full story. 

People We Meet On Vacation - Emily Henry: 3 Stars

Own

I liked this, but didn't love it. First of all, it was overly predictable. Second, I didn't really like either of the main characters. Third, I don't like it in general when a story goes back and forth in time, and this was no exception. It got so confusing! Fourth, I was irked that the title had absolutely nothing to do with the book. Or maybe I didn't love it  because I adored Beach Read so much?! 

I Choose Darkness - Jenny Lawson: 5 Stars

Kindle Unlimited

It's had to rate this because it wasn't a book... it wasn't even a novella. It was like a longer essay? But I love her reasoning for why she loves Halloween so much, the stories from growing up, her "conversations" with her editor sprinkled throughout, and of course the pictures. I was literally laughing out loud for most of it! 

Book Stats (recounted this month)
Total number read: 34
Owned: 22

Library: 12

E-book: 18

Physical book: 16
Non-Fiction: 5
BIPOC Author: 5

Given Away/Paperback Swap: 14

What are you reading?

Linking up with Lauren!