10 on the 10th: Questions About Love

Hello again sweet friends! Phew, posting two days in a row after nearly a month of silence- who am I even?! But I couldn't miss an opportunity to join my friend Leslie and answer some questions about love! So without further ado...

How romantic are you? What is a romantic gesture you have made in the past?

Oooh I'm not very romantic! I suppose I do little things, like picking up her favorite candy when I'm at the store, doing the dishes when she cooks, leaving love notes in random spots... one Valentine's Day I made a Reese's bouquet out of Reese's individually wrapped peanut butter cups and dollar store flowers that I ripped the flowers off to use the stems... that one was a real winner! 

What’s the best relationship advice? Is it something you’ve learned or advice that was given to you?

Give each other some space, especially when angry. Relatedly, always have 2 bedrooms or an extra room for that space! Personally I like and need some space, so I learned that one (or rather taught the other person!). 

When did you give your first kiss? How did you feel about it? At what age did you begin dating?

I think I was about 10? I kissed a guy friend in his treehouse and he was so shocked that I was never invited back! I had my first "real" boyfriend in high school, so about 16? 

We're in the top right, our friend was jokingly strangling him!

What makes a relationship healthy?

Communication, compromise, shared responsibilities, honesty, trust, and mutual respect. 

What’s your love language? What is your partner’s or best friends? You can find out here.

Mine is acts of service and quality time. Blue is quality time and physical touch. Though I think we both don't mind presents, especially random ones not holiday/birthday/anniversary specific. I was overjoyed when Blue presented me with The Home Edit and The Home Edit Life books the other day! 

Who is one couple you know that you admire in terms of love?

My friends Jenn and Dave, because he is a handful and she has so much patience... and she can talk SO MUCH and HE has patience! Also they are both remarried and interact with their former spouses because of their kids, so being able to do so with grace is pretty admirable. 

Who is your favorite celebrity or fictional couple?

Michelle and Barack Obama and Franky Doyle and Bridget Westfall (from the Australian show Wentworth) 4eva <3

Name a flavor or food you love. A scent you love. An activity you love doing?

I love chicken parmesan and Italian food in general... and Mexican... and Indian! I'm a savory over sweets person. My favorite scents are rose, clean linen, and BBW Mahogany Teakwood. I love reading, organizing, reading about organizing (lol!), traveling (HA), and checking out new restaurants and breweries.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you think people are made for each other as in soul mates?

I believe in lust at first sight, but not love. Love needs to grow. I somewhat believe in soulmates, but more so that a person could have more than one soulmate. 

In a Covid-free world where money is no object, what would you like to do for Valentine’s Day weekend?

A getaway, preferably somewhere warm but really anywhere I don't have to wear a mask or be afraid to breathe in the wrong direction! Especially since it's a 3-day weekend with President's Day. 

Are you a romantic? What's your love language?

Linking up with Leslie!

January Reads

I started the year off with a bang reading 8 books and one novella! That's the most I've read in any given month since last April! I mentioned last month that I have a few reading goals, so I'll be keeping those stats at the bottom of these posts going forward. Those marked with an asterisk count towards Lauren and Lindsi's Read The Alphabet Book Challenge, where every month you read a book (or more!) starting with a letter of the alphabet. This month I read 3 books that started with A-B. Here's what else I read in January.

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals - Clea Shearer and Joanna Tilpin: 5 stars

library hardback

I don't give out 5-star rating very often but if I want to own a book it certainly deserves it, so here is the first 5-star read of 2021! I had post-it bookmarks all over this one in every room that I currently have, and even some that I don't (like a mud room- still some good takeaways in that section!). I enjoyed the mini quizzes too (I'm more Clea!), the overall tone, and the understanding that not everything will work for every room or every family. I also used it for org inspo and while I may not have been purchasing everything at The Container Store, I was able to find something similar on Amazon or even my local dollar store. Looking forward to sharing some of those purchases and org pics in the ear future! (UPDATE: Blue purchased this for me as a surprise- woot!)

Bird Box - Josh Malerman: 4.5 Stars*
own, paperback

I'd watched the movie adaptation when it first came out and while I remembered most of it, I was curious to see if the movie stayed true to the book. I don't normally like reading the book after seeing the movie either, but figured it had been a long enough time between the two. This was a quick, fast-paced read with quite a twisted ending! Loses half a star because the "big baddie" was never really explained. I'm curious to see what the author does in Malorie, the more recent follow up! 

In A Holidaze - Christina Lauren: 4 Stars

borrowed from my niece, hardback

I was hesitant to even want to read this book because I haven't enjoyed Christina Lauren's latest works and I don't really like the idea of time travel/reliving time, but couldn't resist the urge when I saw it on my niece's bookshelf. Though it was "Groundhog Day-esque," I liked that there weren't too many restarts- I think starting from the beginning each time would have been boring and made the story overly long. I liked that each time our protagonist passed a point in the timeline where before she had been sent back, it's like "Level: Unlocked!" and she learns from whatever mistake she had previously made. There were a lot of characters to try to keep track of but once I stopped trying and just enjoyed the setting and all the holiday/family  warm fuzzy feelings, it got much better! 

The Main I Fell In Love With - Kate Field: 4 Stars

Netgalley

I thought this would be a predictable rom-com-esque story and while I wasn’t wrong, it definitely held a lot of secrets and betrayals that threw me for a loop... in a good way! I was honestly so mad at Mary for the majority of the book- the way she let her ex-husband take credit for all of her work- and the fact that even 75% in she still hadn't learned- AARGGHH!!  I felt no need for one of the male characters if only to serve as a point of contention between her and her "best friend," which also brought up the pint of why did this woman not have any real friendships except with her ex-mother-in-law? Also the entire plot point with her mom's "lover" was over the top ridiculous. There was just- a LOT going on. I found the most interesting people to be Mrs. Archer and Bridie, who were side characters at best, but had one of the more interest storylines. But our protagonist gets herself together, rebuts everyone else's opinions and learns that she can make it on her own eventually, and I do love a solid HEA.


Mind the Gap, Dash and Lily - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan: 3.5 Stars
library e-book

I very rarely read series (as in, I think I only read 2 trilogies, maybe), but I was eager to jump back into the Dash and Lily world. They're just so cute and squueee-worthy (I know, barf, but I needed a bit of squee after Astrid, rated below)! This time we find both Dash and Lily floundering in their respective countries. They are complete lost as they try to navigate Oxford (Dash) and a gap year with a dog-walking/dog-crafting business (Lily). They try to be better for each other, they miscommunicate a lot, and they eventually figure out what they want/need. I think my favorite of the series was still The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily (which I mistakenly read before Dash and Lily's Book of Dares), but this comes in close second- even if the ending was a tad overdrawn.

This Time Next Year - Sophie Cousens: 3 Stars
library e-book

I read this because of hype, and I was still in "holiday mode" when I finally got it off my holds list. It was... fine? I appreciated the realism of the female friendship and the relationship between the bf's boyfriend and Minnie. The whole "I'm-no-good-for-you" trope got old fast though. In fact, I think my favorite relationship was between Minnie and Quinn's moms (and Minnie's parents, and Minnie and her dad - they were both very sweet). I'm glad the characters figured their shit out, but it took too long to get there and involved too much longing. I was delighted by the recipes at the end though - I copied them down and hope to try out this year. 

Wayward Son - Rainbow Rowell (Simon Snow #2): 3 Stars

own, hardback

Ohhh Rainbow, how you've let me down! I've been singing Rainbow's praise ever since Attachments and I knew  that this wouldn't be as fast-paced and adventurous as it's prequel and was ready for that. But wow, these characters that I was happy to road trip through America with felt so depressing and flat. And BORING! Where was the spark that had me rooting for Simon AND Baz in Carry On?! I'll continue with this series but with much less anticipation than I had for this one. 

Astrid Sees All - Natalie Standiford: 2 Stars*
Netgalley

I am in the minority it seems with not liking this book. I didn't like the writing, I still don't know what the plot was, and even though I grew up at the same time as the protagonist I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I also kept waiting for some big reveal that was never realized. Even the relationship and subsequent consequences of the one romantic relationship Phoebe had seemed completely underwhelming and under-developed. I found myself rushing to finish it just so I could be done with it.   

Butterball - Brit Bennett: 2 Stars*

Kindle Unlimited

I randomly came across this while browsing Kindle Unlimited and decided to give it a shot because I enjoyed The Mothers- a novel by the same author. What a terrible short story. There was nothing positive in all... 28 pages! It was about this young woman who works at a call center that handles turkey tips- literally. She recounts some of the more odd questions/situations she's been called about, she lies to all of her callers (a different lie every time) about her life if they ask, and she goes home to her empty apartment. Oh, she's also in love with her married best friend. The end. If it wasn't so short this would have been a DNF- don't bother! 

Book Stats 
Total number read: 9
Netgalley: 2
Owned: 2
Non-Fiction: 1
WOC: 1
Given Away: 20 (book drive)

Currently reading: The Push - Ashley Audain

What are you currently reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

Currently: February

Hi friends! Thought this space was getting a bit lonely, so I want to share what's currently going on over here with Anne and all the others! 

I am... okay. That's all I got and I'm ok with that since last month was pretty rough, especially work-wise.  I still don't go anywhere unless absolutely necessary or to go to Blue's on the weekend. Last week I literally did not leave my apartment- my mom bought me a few groceries (like milk for my coffee, tomatoes, lettuce, bread, and cold cuts), so I had no reason to leave. 

This week it was back to the office which was a nice switch because I got to see my coworkers whom I didn't really realize I missed until today, and just got outside in general- love that Vitamin D! But it was also refreshing to "shut off" work as soon as I left the office- too often I stay online working late when I'm working remote. I've gotten better at it more recently, but I don't even set up my computer when I get home from going to the office (besides now to type this!). Thankfully we're only scheduled to be in 3x a week, but even that makes me nervous since I was already exposed (and subsequently quarantined) in October because of a customer. 

I still get weekly Covid testing to go to work. I would like to get the vaccine, but can't get an appt in my area. Blue and all of the Mountain Mamas have gotten Round 1 and have round 2 scheduled, so I'll be able to hang out with them more freely very soon and I'm excited about that!  So that's where I'm at in general- now back to our regularly scheduled post! 

Reading: I'm in a bit of a reading paralysis as 4 books that I was on the holds list for all showed up within 2 days of each other! Why does this always happen?? I'm working my way through Outlawed by Anna North now (ehhh...), with The Push by Ashley Audrain, Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas, and Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan on deck (and of course none of these are for the reading challenge ::facepalm::)!

Watching: WandaVision on Disney+ and this weekend Firefly Lane on Netflix! I am SOOO psyched for the TV adaptation- it is one of my favorite books! I also recently watched Ma (Wow. Love Octavia Spencer, even as a psychopath!), Everything Must Go (possibly my least favorite Will Ferrell movie ever), Run (somewhat predictable but pretty good twist!), and King of Staten Island (meh, def glad I didn't pay real cash money to see this) - all available on Hulu. 

Listening To: my "happy" playlist, aka US Summer Hits of the 90's! 

Loving: The snow! We got our first serious snowfall Sun-Tues, leaving us under two feet of snow and giving us two more days of working remote. I love watching the snow fall- it's so peaceful! And I live in an apartment and don't own a car, so I never have to worry about digging myself out afterwards! 

Remembering: our last fly-away vacation in December 2019 in Jamaica. (We did drive up to Vermont in September and stayed at a friend's house for a long weekend which was also nice but REALLY F*N COLD!) I really miss going...anywhere (but particularly AWAY, vacation mode activated!), especially with friends! 

Sharing: Superbowl foods! We used to have a Superbowl party every year but alas, not this year. We're still celebrating with food though! There will definitely be chicken wings and these taco puffs (with a dollop of sour cream, omg soooo good!) and probably pretzels (as pictured), but other ideas we had were Air Fryer twice loaded baked potatoes, chili cheese pigs in a blanket (drool), and a Philly cheesesteak french bread we've made in the past- so delicious!

Wishlisting: While I wasn't able to get my act together for Tanya's Prime Purchases, I did browse some of the posts and Cici shared this Tiffany lamp. It's expensive but isn't it so purty?! I think it would look quite nice in my living room! 

How are you doing?

Winter Bucket List

Well, well, well, here we are in mid- JANUARY and I have yet to post my Winter Bucket List! Let's just say the end f the month was a bit busier than usual, and hey, better late than never right? I'm going to include things that have already been done because they WERE on my bucket list, even if I didn't quite get around to posting the list!

But first, a recap of how I did with the Fall Bucket List! I did quite a few things by my October update, so below is my progress since then. 

I did...

donate food to a food bank

light fall-scented candles

change over clothes (last week?), and am putting together a box for donations. I also wrangled up my friends and donated a bunch of coats to a coat drive. 

I didn't quite...

make chili. Not once. Blue didn't make chili either, or if she did she didn't share it with me! I also did not make my annual Oreo pumpkin cupcakes even though I purchased all the ingredients for them! Of course by now the Oreos are gone so... ::shrug::

give myself an at-home mani/pedi. Honestly I wasn't seeing anyone and it seemed more like a hassle tahn anything else. Not what that was intended for. 

drink allthepumpkinales. In fact, I think I only had one? But I was also completely out of it calendar-wise because I was still asking why there wasn't any Oktoberfest beers at my local liquor store in... December ::facepalm::

try a new food. In my defense, I was quarantined for 2 weeks and since cases spiked I haven't been going anywhere, so maybe that goal was too lofty. 

find/create a new skincare routine. After the new mask my mom got me dried out my face, I didn't try anything else other than lots of mosturizer. Honestly, I think my face doesn't like to be messed with. As soon as I stopped trying, everything cleared up! #girldontwashyourface

deck the halls

Have a holiday movie night- complete with hot cocoa and footie pajamas

read some cozy Christmas-themed stories

set some New Year/monthly goals

start a new holiday tradition

drive around looking at Christmas lights

read a self-help book

accomplish 5 to-do items I've been avoiding

"Home Edit" my apartment and Blue's kitchen

create a 2020 recap of GOOD things

How are you doing with your Winter Bucket List? 

Linking up with Leslie! 

December Reads

I always struggle with starting posts. Especially ones that have been pre-written (though I'm getting at writing my reviews right after I finish reading the books!). Anyway, with no challenges to complete and my personal "must reads of the year" out of the way, or at least out of time (minus Little Women... will I ever read that book?!) I read a lot of humorous, light, seasonal books in December, and it was exactly what I needed to end out the year. No heavy hitters here, but no DNFs either! 


The Twelve Dates of Christmas - Jenny Bayliss: 4 Stars
library e-book

I was really excited to get this one because it's rare that my library actually purchases one of my recommendations. This was highly predictable but I had fun going on the 12 dates with Kate. I also really enjoyed the cast of characters, especially Mac and Esther. But I especially loved the surprise recipes at the end! I'm hoping to make one or two of them this season. I just wished there was one for the mulled wine or hot toddies they kept mentioning!

"On the fifth date of Shagmas my true love gave to me, One gay man dancing, One date of drinking, One fireman skating, One vegan weeping And a no-show outside the Pear Tree!"

Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema - Lindy West: 4 Stars
library hardback

While I didn't like Shrill, I decided to give Lindy West another chance, this time in a non-memoir form. I didn't read every essay in this collection because I didn't see every movie, therefore the jokes and critiques wouldn't make sense but I did make sure to watch The Fugitive before diving in, since she thinks that it is the greatest movie and rates every movie on a number of DVDs of the Fugitive it was worth (10 being the highest).

This was hysterical and I could not agree with many of her reviews more, even when she was bashing some of my all-time favorite movies (Love, Actually and The Notebook). I would love to see her critiques on 100 Days of Summer, Final Destination, and Die Hard, or even a whole collection based on holiday movies (and I don't just mean Christmas- Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day and Independence Day can be in there too). 

10 Blind Dates - Ashley Elston: 4 Stars
library e-book

Another highly predictable Christmas romance, but it was so cute! Sophie overhears her high school boyfriend basically breaking up with her to his buddy at a party right before she heads to her Nonna's for the holidays. Nonna thinks it would be fun (and help Sophie get out of her funk) if each family member set her up on 10 blind dates with someone of their choosing. Not part of the deal was that her family members start taking bets on which one of their dates will "win" (her heart), and how long she lasts on each date. It was fresh and flirty and fabulous! 

The Home Edit Life: The Complete Guide to Organizing Absolutely Everything at Work, at Home, and on the Go - Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin: 4 Stars
library hardback

I've been low-key obsessed with Clea and Joanna (but mostly Joanna- for some reason I just liked her so much more!) since watching their Netflix series. And while I was hoping to get The Home Edit first (because it came out first), I was excited when this became available from my library holds list, even though my hopes for it weren't as high. But I took so.many.notes! I loved the mini quizzes, I loved how they explained how to keep/get rid of things even if they didn't "bring me joy" (cough, Marie Kondo... sometimes you need THINGS because they are USEFUL even if they don't always bring you JOY), and why it's "okay" to have surplus of certain things, especially based on your lifestyle/work style. I took waaaaay too many screenshots and tagged so many pages, which basically just means I need to own it, obviously!


Blue Christmas Balls - Nick Spalding: 3 Stars
Kindle Unlimited

I admit the only reason I read this was because it was Christmassy, a novella, and Blue really enjoys this author. I'm still waiting to become a real fan. While there were some funny parts, there some seriously graphic, cringeworthy parts as well. Though I DID enjoy the parts about the Ewoks begins his favorite of the Star Wars characters, because honestly, same. I think that part may have jumped my rating up a whole star, tbh. 

"The Ewoks were my favourite characters in Star Wars when I was a child. This is a fact that could get me murdered should it ever come to light at a sci-fi convention. Until Jar Jar Binks came along, they were the most universally hated of all Star Wars characters, for being too bloody cute for their own good."

You Better Not Cry - Augusten Burroughs: 3 Stars
own, paperback

As with all short story collections, this was hit or miss. Hits: the time he worked as a Macy's Christmas elf, and confusing Santa Claus with Jesus (he was very young- and in his retelling, I could see where he would get confused). Misses: eating Santa's (wax) face and having to get his stomach pumped, getting black out drunk and spending a night (or two? three? he doesn't remember) hanging out with some bums, and the very dark tale of his relationship and Christmas with one of his lovers/boyfriends, George. His childhood memories of Christmas were much more enjoyable than his Christmases as an adult, that's for sure. 

Currently reading: Never Never - Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

What are you currently reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

January Currently and 2021 Resolutions

Welcome 2021! I'd say I'm happy to see you, but I thought I was happy to see 2020 and we all saw how THAT went! Anyway, I haven't participated in this linkup since last...August? So I figured it was a nice, easy way to ease in to the new year! 

{via}

Reading: The Home Edit by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin and Astrid Sees All by Natalie Standiford

Watching: The Mandolorian on Disney+

Listening To: My top 2020 Playlist on Spotify

Looking Forward To: This weekend. Tomorrow is me and Blue's 6 year anniversary (6 YEARS! Time sure does fly!), so on Friday we are ordering in from our my favorite restaurant, and on Saturday we will have our annual Thanksgiving Do-Over. Every year we have a do-over because on Thanksgiving we see our families (sometimes... and sometimes I have Chinese food alone in my apartment, or Pret Manger turkey sandwiches while racing to get to the cemetery 2 hours away which was my mom and I's "tradition" for several years, or this year Mom and I "Zoomed" and had pre-made Shoprite Thanksgiving dinners!). 

Procrastinating: doing "real work" before I have to return to work tomorrow

Feeling: Slightly glum, since I have been off since Dec 23 and have been enjoying it IMMENSELY, and slightly anxious, because, well, see above! And like a dumbass I scheduled two trainings for new employees tomorrow ::facepalm::

Wondering: when I'll have to return to the office. It's officially closed (working remotely) until Jan 25, but with cases spiking and new orders in place, who knows what the future holds.

Organizing: everything! I've been implementing small organizational changes throughout my apartment, and this weekend I'll begin tackling re-organizing Blue's kitchen. Thankfully I love projects like these, and reading The Home Edit is fueling me with so many ideas and inspiration. Wish me luck! 

Beginning: to put away Christmas decorations. While I love reading in front of my little tree, I won't have time to put it away properly later this week or this weekend, and Christmas always "comes down" on Three Kings Day. 

Resolving: to post my "resolutions" before February this year! 

Finances

• Check finances monthly (amazingly even after someone hacked my bank account last December and stole literally thousands of dollars from me, I have not done this ::insert see no evil monkey emoji::)
• Complete a "no buy" month
• Find and open a better savings account option

At Home

• Declutter one room/month (including rooms at Blue's condo since I don't have 12 rooms!) 
• Sell/donate everything in coat closet
• Create/update home/recipe binder
• Instill One In, One Out philosophy
• Start a "Go Bag" - my coworker and one of the Mountain Mamas has been on my case about this for over a year, and it's not a bad idea! Deadline: Aug. 31 - again, blog about it! (EDIT: already added the go-live date of this post to my planner since September is National Preparedness Month, so it's gotta happen!) 

Personal

• Get back into journaling
• Scrapbook 2020
• Let go of one thing - physical, emotional, spiritual- that's been weighing heavily on you

Reading

• Complete my Goodreads goal of 50 books
• Complete BCBE 14 and 15
• Participate in the A-Z Reading Challenge
• Read 12 Non-Fiction
• Read 10 books from my physical bookshelf and 10 Netgalley books (with reviews)

Blogging

• Find and implement a new website design- change as needed (recommendations welcome!) 
• Reply to comments within 24 hours
• Post (at least) 6 times /month
• Finish, schedule, or delete posts in "draft" form, <12 (I currently have 57, dating all the way back to 2014... that is NOT okay!)

What's currently going on with you?

Linking up with Anne!

TTT: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021

Who else is excited for a brand new year?! I know I am! I've been reticent to make any grand plans or "resolutions" for the year (since we all know how well that worked out last year), but one thing that hasn't changed is my love of lists and books! Just for fun I checked out my post like this from last year, and I only read 2/10! So as per yoosh, who knows if I'll actually read any of these this year, but here's hoping! Without further ado, here are some new releases from many of my favorite authors for the first part of the year, in date order:

Jan 12: Concrete Rose- Angie Thomas

I have been anxiously awaiting to read ANYTHING by Angie Thomas since On The Come Up in early 2019. Looking forward to hearing more about Starr Carter's father, Maverick, in this prequel. 

Feb 2: The Project - Courtney Summers

Sadie was one of my favorite reads last year, so I'm curious to see what Summers has in store for us in this YA thriller involving a cult. 

April 13: Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing: Essays - Lauren Hough
Another one involving cults, but this one is of the non-fiction variety, and since I love reading memoirs as well I'm definitely intrigued by this one! 

April 20: Kate in Waiting - Becky Albertalli

I haven't read anything by this author since 2018, and I'm not sure why because I remember really enjoying her writing style. This one sounds a bit too similar to Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. 

April 27: Sure, I'll Be Your Black Friend - Ben Phillipe

Again, an author who I haven't read since early 2019, but his writing style was so refreshing! I've often been the non-white friend, coworker, etc., so I'm curious to see how our experiences compare. 

May 4: 10 Truths and a Dare - Ashley Elston

I just finished 10 Blind Dates last month, and I'm already anxious to jump back in and see what the Fab Four are up to in this not-quite-followup-but-same-world. 

May 25: Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid

I've only read one other by this author (Daisy Jones), and this occurs in 1983- my birth year! Not too mention I'm feeling like I'll be ready for some big family drama-type read by May. 

June 1: The Other Black Girl - Zakiya Dalila Harris

I saw this one on a Goodreads "most anticipated releases" list, and was instantly intrigued by the premise! Also looking forward to checking out this debut author.

June 1: The Maidens - Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient was my favorite read of 2019, so I've been anxiously awaiting more from this author!

June 24: The Lucky Escape - Laura Jane Williams

This one is a Netgalley e-arc I received since I read another one by this author, Our Stop, which I loved. This also sounds like a fun chic-lit for summer!

What new releases are you looking forward to?

Linking up with Jana!