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!

Currently: October

I was so happy when I learned that Jennifer was picking up the Currently link-up! I know I haven't participated in a long time, but I'm excited to catch up with all of you! Let's jump right in, shall we?

Reading: My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress by Rachel DeLoache Williams. Now that Erin's Book Challenge is over (I wound up reading 14 books between July 1st and Oct 31st!), I'm doing some "free-for-all" reading, and this finally became available at my library. I also started watching the Netflix series - have you seen it? This chick is crazy!

Listening To: Lizzo - 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)      

Watching: I just watched Father Stu on Netflix last weekend; it was a bit of a tearjerker!

I am LOVING that Thursday Night Football has been moved to Amazon Prime. I don't have cable and even though I have an antennae to get some basic channels, the reception is spotty. This has been a real game changer (get it?! ha!)!

One of my high school friends shared this short documentary on FB called "One All The Way," which I didn't realize was a New Jersey regional term for Texas wieners! But it also shares a little history about the town Paterson, which is very close to me, and includes many hot dog joints that I've also visited on a hot dog crawl! 

 

Borrowing: my friend's Starz account. I pay for a bunch and she shares some of mine too, but I only watch one show on this channel (The L Word) and it's coming back soon.

Buying: some new clothes. I shared my Prime Purchases on Tuesday, but I've also purchased a leather encased flask with my initials on it and a new candle from some local vendors at a craft fair.

Planning: Vacation! Hoping for a quick fall getaway/long weekend in either Vermont or Lake George, and then a TRUE vacation to Aruba in December, which will be the first *real* vacation, on a plane,  in two years (pre-pandemic)! We already booked our flights, and are in the process of researching excursions. If you've ever been to Aruba and have any recommendations, please send them my way! 

Prepping: my apartment for colder weather. I've been putting this off since it's been so warm recently (and expecting 76 degrees this weekend? In NJ, that's really warm for this time of year!), but I just put my area rug out, and I've pulled out my thermal backed curtains, air conditioner cover, and down comforter so they are ready to be put to use when it's a little cooler! 

What's currently going on with you?

Linking up with Jennifer! 

October Prime Purchases

Hi friends! I know I've been mostly MIA here but am hoping to get better about posting now that my "busy season" at work is done! Ya ever notice how after work you no longer want to look at a computer screen?! I either want to read a physical book, talk to or go out with friends, or zone out watching TV. Ok that last one isn't the greatest habit, but it's true! Anyway, I hope to get better about being present here, starting now!

Before I get to my recent purchases though, I have a slight rant - can we stop calling these "belt bags"? They are FANNY PACKS! OMG, you guys. I can't. Yes, I understand why they're a "#1 Best Seller!" because they are convenient AF, but they are still the same fanny packs that your grandma wore, just more aesthetically pleasing. #endrant

In other news, they say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and I hope that's still true because I bought so many of the items Tanya shared in September and I love them! (Another reason why I love this linkup!) So without further ado, here's what I bought from Amazon last month:

Raincoat

I have a long black raincoat but have been searching for a shorter khaki one that hits right below my hips. I love this one because it has a drawstring in the middle so I can tighten it if needed, and one on the hood so I can tighten if it's windy. And the zipper plus button closure makes me feel extra secure that I'll stay dry!

Roll-sleeve top

I'm always looking for reasonably priced long sleeve tops, usually to go under sweaters or cardigans in the colder month. I like the versatility of this one because I can wear it in multiple seasons and the cut is a little fancier than some of the regular cotton ones I own so I can wear it alone or with something over it. 

Cardigan

I love a good chunky cardigan to throw on over just about anything on colder days! I got this in navy and really like the shape, texture, and deep pockets of this one.

Black flats

These Amazon Essentials flats were a replacement item since my last pair bit the dust recently. I was surprised by how well they fit and how comfortable they are! I sized down 1/2 a size and they fit perfectly. I'll probably buy them in multiple colors when spring comes back around!

Keychain card holder

Another replacement item - since losing my awesome slim wallet during MDW, I've been walking around with my driver's license and debit card just loosey goosey in my bag- no bueno! I was inspired by Tanya's daughter to get this slim RFID blocking card holder keychain, which is the perfect size to hold my ID, debit card, and some cash (does anyone carry around cash anymore?!). I also like the keychain because I can attach it to an inner pocket of my work bag so no one can steal it! Score! 

Drive-in + Dine

Essie nail polish in Drive-in + Dine. I'm a big fan of the Essie colors and needed a new polish for an upcoming vacation. Bonus, this one was only $6.

What are you purchasing lately?

Linking up with Tanya!