November Purchases

It has been quite a while since I've listed my purchases, and I've been shopping quite a bit recently so I thought I'd share! I bought a little bit of everything the past few months, from stocking stuffers and Christmas presents to organizational helpers and items for my home workspace. Let's jump right in, shall we?

The first three items are all wine related, since my friends and I really like wine in winter, especially reds! I found this cute elephant wine stopper that I believe someone else shared earlier this year, a purse-size red wine stain remover to take on the go, and these red wine drops for my friend who now only drinks organic wine because the sulfites in regular ones give her migraines. This supposedly removes the sulfites and tannin found in red wine - I hope it works! 

The middle row are Christmas presents for my nieces: a wireless keyboard and mouse combo, a cute The Child onesie for my pregnant niece, and a long cardigan from Amazon. 

The last row are presents for my coworkers: Ramen socks and a ramen bowl/chopstick set from Boxlunch, and a Rocketbook for my new boss. He's in to new technologies, and this  reuseable, paperless notebook looks like something he could really use!  

BBW Candle Restock! They had a Buy 3 Get 3 Free sale, so I got Vanilla Birch, Black Tie, 2 Fireside (one for my apartment, one for Blue), Gather, and Fresh Balsam. I already had a Marshmallow Fireside from last year, so that will probably be the first one lit! 

These items are just for me! adhesive dots I was inspired by The Home Edit and all of their fun and inventive space savers, so I purchased this twin pack of plastic cereal containers, a lazy susan for my spices, and an in-cabinet tiered shelving unit for my cans so I can see them all better. These small changes have made a huge difference- everything is easier to find and so much more organized!

I purchased a few items for my home workspace as well. I believe Adrienne mentioned these adhesive dots in an earlier post, so I got them to hang one of my small corkboards without ruining my wall! My hardwood floors are being saved from my office chair with my new plastic mat, and I got these sheet protectors for one of my work manuals that I use all the time. 

And just for funsies (and because I wanted free shipping), I found this Reset 2020 pin, and Jingle Bells Taco Bells ugly Christmas sweater! I love it and can't wait to wear it! I also found a plain black hoodie for $12 on Amazon, and perfect timing too because the zipper broke on my current one since I wear it all the time.

Of course, I still have a few more gifts to purchase, but I think I'm nearly done. Phew!

What have you bought recently? Are you done Christmas shopping?

Linking up with Tanya!

TTT: Non-Bookish Hobbies

Today's topic is "Characters I Would Name A Pet After," but I'm actually writing about a topic that I didn't get a chance to participate in two weeks ago: My Non-Bookish hobbies. 

Exploring/Traveling: I (used to) love to explore new places and travel near and far! I usually took at least 2 vacations a year- one around my birthday in December and another around March/April. They weren't always far- sometimes it was just a weekend getaway or day trip, but I miss it. My last vacation was Jamaica last December. This year we were supposed to go to Iceland but alas... we did make it to Vermont though! That was new, and so much fun since our friend has a house there and was able to show us around! 

Blogging: I've been blogging here for 11 years, but definitely more consistently in the last oh... 6 years? I love writing and sharing, and reading others blogs! I've also met a lot of great people through blogging (IRL!). it's just great seeing so many different perspectives and lifestyles and I love what they share in general. 

Planning and Organizing: This should probably be broken up into two categories, but they seem too similarly related. Planning... in my planner. Meal planning, monthly planning, trip planning... I love making plans and having things to look forward to. As for organizing, I mean specifically in my house- or your house if you'll let me! I'm always researching new organization tools or ways of thinking (The Home Edit really spoke to me!). I've also been known to, um, "update" a fridge or closet or shelf if I'm in your house... 

This was my last home addition- a shelving unit in my cabinet so I could see cans easier... thanks Home Edit :) 

Binging TV Shows: Blue and I often go into "Hibernation Season" right around now every year, but this year has been The Year of the Binge for real. I don't even know how many shows we binged, but definitely ALL of The Sopranos (6 seasons- I had never seen it), ALL of Wentworth (8 seasons? Whaaa?!), Emily in Paris, Love Life, High Fidelity, Dead To Me, Little Fires Everywhere, Upload... and so many more, I can't even remember. We just started The Undoing this weekend, and I still need to watch Cobra Kai and The Mandolorian, among others (I'm sure).

Drinking... Craft Beer! I enjoy craft beer and I love checking out new breweries with friends. Recently my friends and I found a trivia night at a new brewery and it was so much fun! Now it's getting a bit cold out, but hopefully I'll still find some new brews and do an at-home tasting! If you are also a beer aficionado, you can find me on Untappd: @Lildesiqua

Eating... or Dining at New Restaurants: I mean I do like eating, but not in like, an unhealthy way (unless there are carbs involved. In which case I've been known to eat an entire box of pasta in one sitting, given enough time and stretchy pants). But I like trying new foods and new restaurants, especially local ones that can become favorites. They don't have to be fancy either- this was a new hot dog joint we'd heard about and finally decided t check out even though we could't eat indoors at the time- in the car works too! 

Seeing Musicals and Concerts: Definitely concerts more than musicals because they're more accessible (and cheaper), but I truly love both. But as much as I miss Broadway, I know I won't be heading there even when they do eventually open their doors again :(  

This was the last live show I saw- a showing of Star Wars with a live orchestra in February. 

Ok now these last three were definitely a stretch. I don't do any of them consistently. In fact, I've had the same jigsaw puzzle sitting on my table since last winter. So maybe I should just call these "seasonal" hobbies? I definitely do all of them more in fall/winter than the rest of the year! 

Baking: I used to love backing, and now I just do it on occasion. I don't even like sweets, but sometimes I like to bake treats for others. These are black bottom chocolate chip cheesecakes. They're super easy to make- here's the recipe if you'd like to try them out!  

Scrapbooking: I found an album I'd bought a few years ago, bought some scrapbooking supplies (washi tape, stickers, background paper), got some photos printed, and made about 5 pages.... last year. Haven't touched it since. A work in progress?! 

Puzzles: I've literally had this guy sitting around since last winter, but maybe I'll finish it this year?! 

What are some of your non-bookish hobbies? 

Do we have any in common?

Linking up with Jana! 

10 on the 12th: Thanksgiving

Today I'm linking up (late) with Leslie and answering 10 questions about Thanksgiving. My family is still trying to figure out just how we're going to celebrate this year, amid a recent rise in Covid cases in our area. My mom hasn't even been inside my apartment since March, let alone eat inside a restaurant, so this will be interesting. Some of these may be repeats from the Monthly Musings post, but I still wanted to answer all the questions! 

Will you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade? Football? 

Usually I do watch the Macy's Day Parade. For the last few years I've wanted to go watch the balloons being blown up the night before, but that hasn't happened yet and certainly won't be happening this year either. The NYC Mayor said that, 

"It will not be the same parade we're used to. It will be a different kind of event. They're reinventing the event for this moment in history," said de Blasio. "You will be able to feel the spirit and the joy of that day on television. Online. Not a live parade but something that will really give us that warmth and that great feeling that we have on Thanksgiving Day." {via}

I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I guess I'll find out on Thanksgiving! Sometimes I'll watch football, depending on how's playing. Usually there are movies at night, like The Family Stone. 

Who does the cooking? Fix anything ahead of time? 

If we don't eat at a restaurant, we order in. I've made Thanksgiving exactly once, and it was terrible! I didn't take the turkey out in time so it was still frozen on Thanksgiving Day and I didn't know that they were insides and long story short, we didn't wind up eating until 9pm! So now we go out or order in!

What time do you eat the big meal?

Whenever it arrives?! Usually late afternoon, around 4pm.

Do you set a formal table or keep things more casual? 

We keep things very casual since it's only me and my mom.

Is the food placed on the table or served buffet style?

Regardless or where we eat, it's usually placed on the table. 

Ham or turkey? What’s for dessert? Who carves the meat? 

TURKEY! Since it's takeout or restaurant, some chef somewhere cuts the meat lol, and there isn't a wishbone but if there was I would most certainly wish on it! I love pumpkin pie for dessert.

Does your family have a Thanksgiving tradition? 

We say grace before eating on Thanksgiving, and list some things we're grateful for that year. We don't stay up or go out for Black Friday- I'm more of an online or Cyber Monday shopper! 

Yay or nay to leftovers? Favorite leftover recipe? 

I love leftovers on any day, but ESPECIALLY Thanksgiving! Usually I just make a sandwich with all the fixins', but I would love to try this Turkey Empanada recipe one day- maybe this will be the year! 

What will everyone wear? Dress up or comfy? 

Jeans and sweaters for us! 

For what are you most thankful this year?

My health, my family, and my friends. And having a job, especially one that allows me to work remote at least part of the time. 

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year?

Linking up with Leslie! 

October Reads

I have been having a really hard time focusing on reading lately. I mean, I had 2 DNFs, and I don't think that has happened to me all year. November doesn't seem to be going much better either. Also, October just seemed to fly by. Here is what I managed to get through. 

Upright Women Wanted - Sarah Gailey: 4 Stars

library e-book

I don't even remember requesting this Western novella, but it was great! Set in the near-future America, Esther is a stowaway who has "hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her—a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend," whom she was also in love with. She joins them to try to "fix" herself but finds that they are not at all what they seem. I don't think I've ever read a Western before, but I loved the character and world-building, the action shoot-em-up scenes (done by women), and the touch of romance. I also thought it was the perfect length. 

"Keep fighting. It will be hard, and it will be awful, and it will be worth it. Don’t give up, even when it feels like dying. Don’t give up. This is only the beginning."

The Rule Of One - Ashley and Lauren Saunders: 3.5 Stars

Kindle Unlimited

This dystopian story was well written, but a little too realistic. In a not too distant future, the U.S. starts microchipping its inhabitants, building walls around the country (huh...) and enforcing the "Rule of One"- meaning one child per family. The Director of this initiative has twin girls, so he has developed an elaborate system: the one non-microchipped one follow the micro-chipped one's daily activities and they switch off daily until one day someone in an authoritative position finds out. The girls take off with their father's directions to safe houses all the way to Canada, where they will be safe. But will they make it? 

This fast paced novel kept me interested throughout, and I'll continue reading the series. This came recommended to me by Blue, and I agree with her when she said that the alternate narratives between the twins was superfluous- it added absolutely nothing to the story until the very end. 

Head Over Heels - Hannah Orenstein: 3 Stars

Netgalley

Once I started skimming the overly-technical gymnastics terminology, this got much easier for me to get into. I wanted a bit more from Jasmine and her relationship with Dmitri once they married. I hated how Ryan refused to listen to Avery about how she was treated as a young gymnast by this "superstar" trainer until he saw the one he treated his current gymnasts. I also didn't like how Avery yoy-yoed Ryan around during their budding relationship. While this gave a nod to a serious topic, I think it just barely skimmed the surface rather than fully delving into it head-on which seemed lame. All that aside I will admit that the relationship between Dimitri and Avery felt icy and completely realistic on all fronts. 

DNF:

Woman Last Seen In her Thirties - Camille Pagan: I couldn't connect, but this may have been a timing issue on my part vs. the actual story. I put it down for now, but may pick it back up. 

Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh: The latest from the author of Hyperbole and a Half (which I enjoyed), I just didn't find this graphic novel to be as funny as the first, and I was looking for funny. This just seemed a bit absurd and nonsensical. But again, may try giving it another shot. I placed it back on my holds list. 

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 47
Netgalley: 13 / 14
Owned: 5 /7 - no change
Non-Fiction: 6 / 7 - no change
WOC: 10 / 11 - no change
Given Away: 29 / 37
 

Currently Reading: The Flight Attendant - Chris Bohjalian

On Deck: Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers and We Have Always Lived in the 
Castle by Shirley Jackson
What are you reading?
Linking up with Steph and Jana!

Monthly Musings and What's In My Nightstand

1. Favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

My mom and I have rarely celebrated a "normal" Thanksgiving. There were years where we went to the movies, had Chinese take out, stayed at a hotel and had the buffet, etc. When I had serious boyfriends I often went to celebrate with their families because I just wanted "normal!" More recently my mom and I were taking the two hour train ride up to the cemetery to visit my grandma's grave because her birthday falls right around this time, but we're definitely not going this year. In fact, I'm not sure what we're going to do this year! 

2. Favorite Thanksgiving dish?

I don't have a favorite dish- the entire meal is a favorite of mine! 

3. Do you watch the football game?

I sometimes watch the game on TV, as I am useless and just in the way in the kitchen!

4. Talking turkey- white meat or dark meat?

White meat only please!

5. Do you call it stuffing or dressing?

It's stuffing... and raisins and dried cranberries or whatever don't belong in it!

6. What are 3 things you're thankful for this year?

My health, my family, and my friends. And having a job, especially one that allows me to work remote at least part of the time. 

7. Pumpkin, apple or pecan pie?

Pumpkin pie! It's the dish I always offer to bring. (And I use the classic recipe off the Libby's can!)

8. Do you put your Christmas tree up before or after Thanksgiving?

The tree doesn't go up until December 6th at the earliest. 

9. Are you a Black Friday shopper?

Definitely not! I'll save my sanity for Cyber Monday! 

10. Do you sit at the table for Thanksgiving dinner or eat more casually?

I guess it depends on what I was doing that year, but whenever I visit others for Thanksgiving they always eat at the table. 

What's In My... Nighstand! 

I don't have an end table, but a round nesting table in my living room. I love them because it's two tables in the same space, and they were free- I actually found them curbside a few years ago! I use the bigger one to hold seasonal decorations, and the smaller one usually has a magazine that I've been meaning to read for several months, my Kindle, and my two remotes. 

Since I'm pretty minimalist in terms of what I keep on my living room table, I added what I keep on and in my nightstand. (Thanks fr the idea Kelly!)  This was given to me for free when I purchased my bed, dining room table and chairs, and bar all from the same person- she was moving and said "just take it" so I did! 

Some things you will NOT see on my nightstand are books or a lamp. I use my bed for sleeping only; I don't have a TV in my bedroom and I don't lounge around in bed (that's what the couches are for!). I also don't need a lamp because the main light switch is right next to my bed! 

On Top:

Alarm Clock- My alarm clock is super old and the plastic top is broken, and I don't even use it as an alarm clock anymore but I like being able to see the time,... and now that I'm realizing how crappy it sounds I think I'll just head over to Amazon and get a new one!  

(Plastic) Cup of Water- I hardly ever actually drink the water during the night, but I like having it there.

Phone + Charger - I use my phone as my alarm clock and charge it overnight. 

In The Drawer:

Eye Mask- I think I've only used this once? It was cute and came with a gel insert that can be warmed up or put in the freezer... I should really use this again! 

"Current" Journal and Pen- Current in quotes because the last time I actually wrote in it was two years ago. But it's there in case the urge ever strikes again! 

In the Cabinet: Old Journals + extra PJ's

What's your favorite part of Thanksgiving?  

Linking up Patty, Holly, Ashley and Adrienne!

November Goals

I feel like I've been majorly slacking both in my personal (blogging) and professional life, but I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. Here's how I did with my October goals:

• Clean Out Hallway closet - Done! 

• Switch over wardrobe - I didn't do this because it wasn't warranted. It was still fairly warm up until this week, but I'll surely be doing it soon, possibly this weekend! 

• Shred pile of mail - I tried to do this with an old shredder a friend gave me that she wasn't using. Unfortunately it's quite old and wasn't actually shredding! Adding a shredder to my wish list!

• Read/discard all old magazines - In progress.

• Organize recipe/home binder - In progress. I purchased these 3-Ring binder sheet protectors so I could slide any magazine articles and recipes I wanted to keep in them for the "home" binder. I didn't get a chance to go through all the magazines so still working on this one, and I would like to get some dividers. 

One big thing I did that wasn't on this list was upgrade my desk! I purchased a new-to-me desk from Facebook Marketplace and "borrowed" my desk chair from my workplace since I wasn't using it there (don't worry, the Boss said I could!). I'm looking forward to sharing my new at home workspace with you as soon as I get my new corkboards up! 

As for November, I actually started writing this around the same time I wrote out my October goals, breaking them up across the two months. Since things are kinda crazy with voting this year, I decided to drop off my mail-in ballot early, so that one's already completed! And last year I didn't get the planner I wanted because I waited too late. When I started looking earlier this month, I noticed that some of them were already sold out, so I jumped on that goal right away too! 

Vote!

Purchase 2021 Planner

Start using the Waterpik I got last Christmas

Toss old make-up and hair products

Weatherize in-wall AC units and fix bathroom blinds

Sort Christmas Presents and Finish Christmas Shopping (if possible)

Plan birthday "party"/activity/dinner

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As I stated before, I feel like I'm falling behind in my personal/blogging life. As in, I meant to post my Fall Bucket List Update back on the 21st! But better late than never! Here's where I'm at: 

Put up fall decor - I put up some minimalist decor; changing out my welcome rug to my fall one, putting a pumpkin out front, and adding a small "centerpiece" on my coffee table. Just a few touches for now!

Go on a Fall mini-getaway - YES! Blue and I spent a long weekend with our friend in Vermont and it was great! It was my first time there and I'm hoping to get a recap up soon! 

Check out a new brewery or winery- My friends and I just visited Torne Valley Vineyards  in New York on Saturday. The wine was just okay, but the company was better :) We were lucky to have a beautiful day for it! 

Enjoy apple cider and donuts- Got my first apple cider donut yesterday! It wasn't very fresh though- I demand a redo! 

Get cozy and read from my Fall TBR List! - So far I've read 3 from my Fall TBR: George by Alex Gino, Beartown by Fredrik Backman, and Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid. You can see my reviews here!

"Fall" into a new binge-worthy series- I started (and finished) The Home Edit on Netflix (OMG LOVE!), Wentworth (S8) on Netflix,  and What We Do In The Shadows on Hulu. I feel like I watched a lot more than that, but I can't remember right now.

Create new skincare routine (more moisturizer, please!)- My mom repurchased one of my favorite masks, Lush's Mask of Magnaminty, but for some reason it made me break out! Either that or my cotton mask, not sure which was the culprit. Either way, now I'm trying a bunch of "calming" products to clear it up a bit. Always a work in progress! 

Have a Chili and Fall movie night- Didn't break out the chili yet, but so far we watched 3 of my favorite "Halloween" movies, Practival Magic, Hocus Pocus, and The Craft. On deck are The Witches on Disney+ and The Witches of Eastwick. 

How are you doing with your Fall Bucket List? 

What are some of your favorite Halloween movies? 

September Reads

I'm kind of surprised that I read 6 books this month, but I guess I shouldn't be since one was a comic and one was a middle grade, and both were read in just a few hours. Also, I finished the Reading Challenge I was participating in, and am halfway done with the Bonus Round (even though I have no intention of finishing it)! Woot! One 5 Star read for me this month (the first of the year- I must have been feeling particularly emotional haha!), and the rest pretty mediocre, here's what I read last month: 

George - Alex Gino: 5 Stars

library e-book

I read this for banned books week and am so glad I did. This was such a sweet story! I really felt for George, a transgender middle schooler who wants to play Charlotte in the school play Charlotte's Web but gets pushback from... well, everyone except her best friend. I don't think I had the same courage she had back when I was her age but I wish I did, and a best friend that would push me to be my true self as much too. 

The Forgotten Girls (Suburban Murder #1) - Alexa Steele: 4 Stars
Kindle Unlimited

What a dark, twisty tale of the life of the privileged in Westchester County, NY where people will do ANYTHING to get ahead! This was a fast-paced story that I read in one sitting. Though I figured out "who dun it" pretty early on, I was still on the edge of my seat as a lot of crazies came to light once the investigation got started and I wanted to know more about the trinket left with each of the bodies. 

I really liked that there wasn't a lot of police procedural jargon bogging it down, and one of the suspects reminded me so much of Joan Ferguson from Wentworth. The only thing I wanted more of was the backstories of our MCs, Bella and Mack. But I was so happy that for once this is a book where our MCs did not fall in love just because they were partnered up! Huzzah! I'm not usually one for reading series, but I think I'll continue this one! 

Such A Fun Age - Kiley Reid: 3 Stars

library e-book

I think I'm in the minority, but I didn't love this one. This book could have been done at 20% - Black babysitter gets stopped at grocery store for being with a white toddler late at night, she doesn't want to talk about it afterwards, they give her a big fat check, the end. 

I hated Alix.  She just sucked as a person. "There was a point in time when—if someone was described as Indian—Alix thought it was funny to say, “Dot or feather?” That's not humorous, that's ignorant. I found myself thinking... is this [Alex/Alix] bish really hanging on to some embarrassing moment from high school? Also, it wasn't even that bad!! So you broke up! Ugh, she's so overly-dramatic.  And at 50% - she's seriously hyperventilating over an ex from high school... 15 YEARS ago?! She needs a life!

There were some humorous parts that I've also asked myself (and/or Google), like "Is Childish Gambino a person or a band? How do you pronounce the name SZA?" I really liked Kelley and Emira, but didn't agree with the ending at all. 

Gender Queer - Maia Kobabe: 3 Stars

library e-book

I think I found this one more interesting than anything else. I say "I think" because I didn't feel  much of anything after reading it. I'm very much of a "you do you" person and while it was eye-opening, I can't say I fully understand it- the themes, the pronouns, or the person. And I didn't feel like it had an ending, but maybe that's because the author is still living and figuring it out. I kinda felt like this after reading it: 

Beartown - Fredrik Backman: 3 Stars

library e-book

I know I'm in the minority with this one, but I just didn't love it. That being said, I'll probably still read the follow-up. This took me awhile to get into it which surprised me since it started with a gunshot. It may have been Backman's very descriptive writing style, or the topic, I'm not quite sure. I will admit this is the first novel I've read by him, so it may just take some time to get used to. Once "the incident" has actually occurred things speed up and while there were a lot of terrible townspeople to keep track of, I really came to love Benji, Maya, and Amat. 

The Whole Town's Talking - Fannie Flagg: 2 Stars
Netgalley

The only book I've read by Fannie Flagg was Fried Green Tomatoes, years ago, and I remember enjoying it it which is why I originally requested this book. And it sounded promising- A Swedish immigrant farmer starts up a small town in Missouri, orders himself a mail-order bride who turns out to be normal and quite amazing, and they're living life until eventually pass on, and then weird things start happening and it starts "the whole town talking." 

Except that's not what happens. Actually NOTHING happens, the entire book. It's like a day by day (and eventually starts skipping to decades, thank goodness) life of all the neighbors and descendants from those early beginnings up through today. It was excruciatingly boring, and there were far too many characters to keep straight. The only interesting thing was on the very last page, which bumped my rating up from 1 star to two.

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 44
Netgalley: 12 / 13
Owned: 5 /7 - no change
Non-Fiction: 6 / 7 
WOC: 10 / 11
Given Away: 28 / 29 - no change

Currently Reading: Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties - Camille Pagan

What are you reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!