10 on the 10...errr 20th: Playing Dress Up

I was trying to participate in Leslie's 10 on the 10th linkup, but I was away on vacation and she was having technical difficulties with getting the linkup live. Like her I was also having technical difficulties due to a terrible wifi signal. All that aside I still wanted to play along, so onward to the prompts!

When do you most often dress up?
Weddings. Our date nights are usually fairly low-key unless we're celebrating something, but we always do it up for weddings, BIG birthdays (like a friend's 50th),... things like that. Here I'm wearing a LOFT halter dress a sit was hot AF at our friend's wedding in Key West, Fl. a few years ago. You gotta be pretty damn special for me to put on a strapless bra! 

What makes you feel fancy and dressed up?

Heels and makeup. Changing out my purse to match my outfit. 

What does getting dressed for the day mean to you? 

Wearing clothes that are clean and not too wrinkled! I'm back in the office 5 days a week and I work in IT, so usually black or gray slacks, flats (or boots in winter), and a weather appropriate top (sleeveless with a cardigan in summer or a sweater in winter). I usually don't wear makeup, especially now with the mask mandates, and my hair is usually pulled back in a ponytail or clip because I hate having hair in my face when I'm trying to work. 

Do you wear make up every day? Do you do anything different for special or dress up occasions? 

Absolutely not! I was never big into make up, but even less so (if that's even possible) now that I have to wear a mask at work/most public spaces. For special occasions, I'll do everything but foundation (my face doesn't agree with it, usually breaking out the next day).

Eye shadow: Urban Decay Naked palette (and Urban Decay eyeshadow Primer Potion)

Eye liner: NYX slim eye pencil in black (though I also like the Rimmel Kohl pencil)

Mascara: CG Lashblast Volume or  Too Faced Better than Sex 

Blush: MAC Sheertone Shimmer in Flirt & Tease for REALLY special occasions since it's no longer available, other MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Thing

Lipstick depends on the outfit, but my two faves are Revlon's Absolutely Fabulous lipstick in Temptress (a deep red that's also no longer available) and Burt's Bees Wine Wave.

What is your skin care regimen? What issues do you address with your routine and choice of products?

I actually need to re-evaluate my skin care regimen as it switches between summer and winter to heavier creams and moisturizers. Usually I just wash with Olay (water-activated) Daily Facials cloths and moisturize with Aveeno Positively Radiant daily moisturizer. If I remember and have time, I'll add Shea Moisture Problem Skin toner. Once a week I like to use either Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out peel mask or kick it old-school with St. Ives Apricot facial scrub.

Describe any vintage or heirloom pieces you have. 

I have a favorite "fancy" necklace, but it only goes with one dress I own (first pic). As for heirloom pieces, I have my high school class ring (does that count? It's personalized with my signature on the inside, birthstone, tennis rackets on one side and grad year on the other), and my  grandmother's pearl necklace which I've never actually worn.  

                                            

Do you have pierced ears? If so, what age were your ears pierced? 

I do! That's basically the only jewelry I change out almost daily. I was too young to remember when they were pierced though. But I also have my nose and belly button pierced, which I got done on the same day when I was 20. 

 
Did you dress up for Halloween as a child? As an adult? Describe a favorite costume you or your children wore for Halloween. Will you be giving out candy this year?

Yes and YES! When I was a kid, I remember I was Jasmine from Aladdin for several (maybe 3?) years in a row because I loved it. As an adult I'm more into homemade costumes. Picking a favorite is hard, but I really got into Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump in 2019. I didn't have a wheelchair (thought that would be a bit much, especially for a house party), but I didn't stand at all, instead getting around on my knees if I needed to, and drew on my beard. It was also one of the most comfortable costumes ever! 

Do you have a favorite Halloween costume?

Book Tag

I've seen this book tag making its way around the blogs, and was saving it for a random day, and here we are. These are the rules: Answer all the questions honestly, share 10 random facts, and tag four book people. Let's go! 

What book has been on your shelf the longest?
Second to Nun on my Kindle shelf (2015) and probably either Shantaram or Memoirs of a Geisha on my physical bookshelf.

What is your current read, your last read, and the book you’ll read next?

Last: 

Currently: 

On deck: 

What books did everyone like, but you hated?
The Martian, Life of Pi. And though I didn't hate them, I didn't love Perks of Being a Wallflower or Looking for Alaska.

What book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t?
Probably the three I listed in question 1! I didn't realize Second to Nun was number 2 in a series, and it was one of the first books I acquired through Netgalley when I didn't really know what I was doing and just mass-requested everything. Shantaram is just SO BIG! and Memoirs of a Geisha... another big one, and I already know what happens because I saw the movie, but I *think* I still want to read the book?!

What book are you saving for retirement?
Life is way too short to save books! (I second this with Brittany!)

Last page: read it first or wait ’til the end?
If it's a physical book I almost always read at least the last few sentences.

Acknowledgment: waste of paper and ink or interesting aside?
Interesting aside that I rarely read.

Which book character would you switch places with?
This is a tough one... I like my life. I don't think I'd want to switch with anyone!

Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (place, time, person)?
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. I remember my mom reading this to me as we sat on the couch when I was younger, maybe middle school? I feel like maybe I had to read it for a book report, but I was too tired. There's a passage on page 193 (from "Maniac yawned" to end of page, below) that I distinctly remember. I can hear every intonation of her voice.

Name a book that you acquired in an interesting way.

Surprise Me by Sophia Kinsella because it was the first and only one I won in a Goodreads giveaway!

Have you ever given a book away for a special reason/to a special person?
Yes. One of my friends was in a bad way, and was asking for food donations on FB. I promptly cleared my pantry for her, but also threw in a candle, some nail polish, and 2 books- Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter for her, and my autographed copy of Carry On by Rainbow Rowell for her 12 year old daughter. In my mind, it's not just the body that needs nourishment, but also the soul.

Which book has been with you to the most places?
Uhh, none? Or maybe the first two I mentioned above in terms of moving.

Any ‘required reading’ you hated in high school that wasn’t so bad two years later?
I was a pretty good kid so I did most of the required reading to my recollection, and I don't re-read. But I remember hating Grapes of Wrath.

Used or brand new?
Used. I'm always afraid of cracking the spine or getting watermarks on new books! Plus, I sometimes dog-ear pages and won't do that in a new book.

Have you ever read a Dan Brown book?
No. (I've never read anything by Dan Brown, James Patterson, Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks, or Jodi Piccoult.)

Have you ever seen a movie you liked more than the book?
You by Caroline Kepnes and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

Have you ever read a book that’s made you hungry, cookbooks included?
Eat, Pray, Love. That whole section in Italy made my mouth water! Oh, and Budget Bytes, which is literally the only cookbook I own, though I still use her website more.

Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?
Steph for thrillers, Lauren for YA, Kristen for chic-lit and romances, and Michael and Kay for just about everything.

Is there a book out of your comfort zone (e.g. outside of your usual reading genre) that you ended up loving?

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, because I don't typically like historical fiction (or Christian fiction for that matter), and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi because though I love YA, I don't really *love* fantasy or series. Oh, and I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara because I was never a fan of true crime until that one. 

10 Random Fun Facts:

• I don't like series in general

• I love short chapters

• I prefer e-books, then paperback, then hardback. I have more options at my fingertips, don't have to carry them,  and don't need to worry about damaging the books

• I don't really have any favorite authors. There are only two I can think of off the top of my head that I've read more than 2 of their books, Gillian Flynn and Rainbow Rowell

• I can't do audiobooks because I'm easily distracted

• I don't buy new books, but my favorite place to buy used books is the library because they are 5 cents

• Getting Blue into reading has been one of my proudest moments. I swear I swoon a little every time she suggests a "reading hour" or asks me to request a book for her

• I owned 2 copies of Me Before You but had zero interest in reading it so I wound up donating both copies

• I won't read "sad" books or sick lit. For example, if "tearjerker" is in the description or a review, I'm out. If the dog is gonna die, I'm not reading it. (Same goes for movies)

• I'm anti-readathons. I just don't like that kind of unnecessary pressure! 

I'm tagging Steph, Kay, Alexandra, Lauren and anyone else who wants to play along! 

Let's Look: A Day In The Life

Today I'm linking up with Shay to share my typical day! I haven't done one of these since 2016, and (gratefully) my life/schedule hasn't changed much since. Last time I did this though, I posted only about my nigh time routine since I work a 9-5 office job and that's not all that interesting. I'll try to skip over the more boring parts of the day, I promise! Also in case you're new to these parts, I live alone, don't have any kids,  and "Blue" (mentioned further below) is my gf. 

7:40- alarm #1 ::snooze::

7:50- alarm #2 ::snooze::

8:00- alarm #3 aka GET THE EFF UP, WOMAN!

8:02-8:20: pour pre-set coffee into reusable mug, brush teeth, get dressed in clothes I set out the night before, make coffee (milk/sugar), grab pre-made lunch from fridge, race out the door and walk to the train station.

Disregard the time, I took this on a day I had off!

8:30- 8:50: My train is usually on time (thank heavens). I text Blue and read my latest book on my way in to work. 

8:55- 9:10: Walk over to my work shuttle stop and wait since I've missed the 8:50 shuttle. If my "shuttle buddies" are there we usually about the weekend or pop culture things (yesterday it was about the latest Stranger Things season).  There are 3 of us and we sit in the back of the shuttle and everyone else on the shuttle (it's usually the same 7-ish people) think we need to start a podcast because of our antics lol. If they aren't around, I sign in to my work apps on my phone to make sure I'm not missing anything important, and then scroll social media and/or read my book. 

9:20: Walk into work. My "official" start time is 9 but my boss doesn't work in the same building as me since our work space is currently under renovations and thus our department has been scattered across campus. Anyway, he's lenient about start/end times and gives us a grace periods. 

9:25-10:00: Everyone knows I don't really start doing work until 10. Somehow, this is widely accepted and my coworkers leave me be other than the casual "Hi, how are you?" until 10, after I've had my coffee. I have no idea when this even started being an understood thing, but it is and it's lovely. (It may have something to do with the fact that I'm the most senior person in my office, having been there for 9 1/2 years.) 

10:00 - 1:00: Work. I'm an IT Technician and Help Desk Manager at a college. So basically I fix IT things (my main area is telecommunications) and I'm in charge of all the student workers- recruiting, hiring, firing, training, etc. It's like IT Customer Service for the school.

1:30-2: Lunch break. We get an hour but I usually only take 30 min. I make a point to step out of the office to get a "real" break. I don't really socialize (except on Thursdays when we order in as a group) - I eat, take a walk, and read and/or scroll social media. Usually I pack a sandwich and chips or leftovers and an iced tea. 

2-4:45: More work things. 

4:50: Shuttle back to train station. 

5:13: Train ride home. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays Blue meets me in our usual train seats and we ride together since we're on the same train line, but different stops. Sometimes after rough days we split a roadie, but usually we just catch up about our days until my stop.

5:45 - 6:30: Walk home, immediately change into comfy clothes, empty work bag, and do nothing aka decompress for at least 30 min. If it's nice out, I'll hang out on my deck, otherwise it's couch o'clock. 

6:30-ish - 7:30-ish: Dinner. I decided to make this green chili and chicken dish, and it was really tasty!

7:30-ish -10:30-ish: Quick clean up (read: put dishes in dishwasher and wipe down counters) and then... Free time! Usually each weeknight is designated for something: Mondays are for planning the week and decompressing, Tuesdays is groceries, Wednesdays laundry night, Thursdays Blue comes over and I cook and we watch "our" shows, and Fridays I head to Blue's apt. for the weekend. So tonight I'm doing laundry and packing for a camping trip we're going on this weekend. 

10:30-ish-11:30-ish: Get ready for next day and bed. Wash reusable mug and set coffee, make lunch (unless I've already packed leftovers from dinner), shower, check weather and set aside two outfit options for next day, set multiple alarms, and go to sleep! 

And that's a wrap! 

What does your typical (week) day look like? 

Linking up with Shay!

10 Random Facts About Me

I need a side with meals. For instance I can't just have, say, fried chicken. I need to have something on the side, like macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes or macaroni salad. And sometimes I just want the sides. 

I don't drink anything while eating. And I'm probably the slowest eater you will ever meet.

One more food one: I don't like mixing meats. For instance if there's turkey and ham (like at a holiday dinner or potluck), I'm sticking to one, with the exception of Italian sub sandwiches. 

I won't start a book series unless the author has finished writing it because I'm really impatient when it comes to waiting for books. 

I prefer drinking with straws. I suppose I should invest in some of those stainless steel ones now that there seems to be a whole straw debacle, but for now I just keep a pack of disposable/normal ones in my desk at work and one at home.  

I use thick comforters all year long. I can't sleep if it's too hot so in the summer the AC is on high, and I just like the weight of the comforters. 

I can't read in car (I get really nauseous), but I can on trains or planes.

I make my bed every single day and I can't sleep in an unmade bed. If the bed isn't made when it's time to go to sleep, I will make it and then get in bed. 

I'm not into sweets. I like the occasional fun size, but I don't like plain chocolate except for ice cream or hot cocoa, and only regular Oreo's or Thins- no double stuf/vanilla/holiday colored, etc. I like to bake so it's great that I can make all these sweets and never have the urge to dive in!

This is going to sound like I'm a TOTAL creeper, but if I'm driving or walking at night and people have their lights on and blinds open, I love to see what they're doing or what they're watching on TV or how their couches are placed. I don't know why, but its something I've always done. 

Tell me a random fact about you! 

You can find other stuff you didn't know about me here and here! 

TBB Asks: Party Edition

1. Favorite Birthday party as a child? Hmmm... probably the one I had at a hotel. My mom let me have a sleepover with a few friends at a local hotel with an indoor pool (my birthday is in December). We rented out the party room right outside the pool for the pizza and cake and kept running between the two. Some kids stayed over and some just came for the day but we had so much fun!

This is not from that party, but I can't those pics so here's one from my 6th birthday

2. Do you like to entertain? No, not alone at least. Blue and I host an annual Halloween party though and I love it then!

3. What kind of parties are your favorite? Theme parties!

4. Big or small parties? Smaller, that way I can get to talk to everyone.

5. Favorite thing to do at parties? Laugh, play games, and dance (if it's that kind of party!).

6. Party food favorites? I'm a sucker for finger foods, like pigs in a blanket. I can devour an entire tray of those given the opportunity!

7. Favorite flavor of birthday cake? Ice cream cake!

8. Balloons: yes or no? Sure? I don't have any strong feelings about balloons, except that I'm terrible at blowing them up.

9. Best Party song? Groove is in the Heart- Dee- Lite, Good Vibrations- Marky Mark, Party Up- DMX

10. Do you like to dance? I love to dance but that's not always an option, especially in small gatherings! 

What's your favorite kind of party?

Linking up with The Blended Blog!