There's what I wear and there's what I really want to wear. This is my ideal summer wardrobe, budget be damned (not really but you know. In my dreams and stuff):
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Friday, April 28, 2017
Thursday, April 27, 2017
BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): MBMJ Bonanza at TJ Maxx!
The last bits of Marc By Marc Jacobs continues to get dumped at TJ Maxx and because I like to spend my evenings copying and pasting I've tried to capture most of it for y'all. Obviously I've been a big fan of this brand for years and I'm sad to see it go, but the bargains! They are real (and will hopefully get real-er if any of this hits the clearance section.) Here's what's new:
Recently Added:
Flipping Out Leather Tote
Ligero Leather Ninja Satchel
Flipping Out Top Handle Leather Bag
New Q Percy Leather Crossbody (white)
Abbott & Blaze Shine Leather Crossbody
Embroidered Fruit Canvas Tote
Biker Flocked Star Mini Backpack
Flocked Stars Printed Biker Backpack
Domo Biker Studded Leather Backpack
Pretty Nylon Medium Tote
Still available:
Too Hot To Handle Leather Satchel
Eliza Baby Bag
Leather New Q Mini Natasha Crossbody
Petal To The Metal Leather Wallet
Almost Gone:
New Q Natasha Leather Crossbody
New Q Fran Leather Satchel
The Legend Leather Satchel
New Q Small Legend Leather Satchel
New Q Percy Leather Crossbody (tan)
Pouches:
Petal to the Metal
Ligero
Too Hot To Handle
Classic Q
Wallets:
There are a ton more wallets - too many to list! I think some of them are still a bit over-priced but I’ll bet most will end up getting clearance priced.
I'm sure I missed a few things but that's the bulk of it. TJ Maxx is offering free shipping with code SHIP89 as well! I know that there are probably a ton of MBMJ bags at Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth and Bloomingdale's outlet stores but if you're like me and live more than an hour away from the outlet mall, this might be your best option.
Recently Added:
Ligero Leather Ninja Satchel
Flipping Out Top Handle Leather Bag
New Q Percy Leather Crossbody (white)
Abbott & Blaze Shine Leather Crossbody
Embroidered Fruit Canvas Tote
Biker Flocked Star Mini Backpack
Flocked Stars Printed Biker Backpack
Domo Biker Studded Leather Backpack
Pretty Nylon Medium Tote
Still available:
Too Hot To Handle Leather Satchel
Eliza Baby Bag
Leather New Q Mini Natasha Crossbody
Petal To The Metal Leather Wallet
Almost Gone:
New Q Natasha Leather Crossbody
New Q Fran Leather Satchel
The Legend Leather Satchel
New Q Small Legend Leather Satchel
New Q Percy Leather Crossbody (tan)
Pouches:
Petal to the Metal
Ligero
Too Hot To Handle
Classic Q
Wallets:
I'm sure I missed a few things but that's the bulk of it. TJ Maxx is offering free shipping with code SHIP89 as well! I know that there are probably a ton of MBMJ bags at Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth and Bloomingdale's outlet stores but if you're like me and live more than an hour away from the outlet mall, this might be your best option.
Stuff I Like: Treat Yo Self + Reading/Watching
Liking
Treat. Yo. Self. What are the little things you do that are treats? I've obviously listed a few of them here already (fancy candles, grocery store flowers, etc) but I also have a few things I do that are small luxuries:
- Pedicures. I mean, this seems like such a duh but I almost never get my nails done! I only get pedicures in the summer and I go to a weird little cheap stripmall place and I love it. I take a La Croix and my Kindle and I let the massage chair molest me for as many cycles as my pedicure takes.
- CineBistro. If you don't live near a CineBistro or something similar I'm sad for you. It basically ruins any other movie-going experience: giant comfy reserve seating, cocktails, no kids, dinner served as the previews start. It's fucking amazing and it's my favorite place to have a solo dinner-and-a-movie night. (Or, even better, if you have a weekday off and can go mid-afternoon.)
- Lunchtime yoga. This is something I started doing for myself at the beginning of the year because most of my workouts are pretty tough/competitive and I needed to balance it with something gentle. The campus gym offers free lunchtime yoga classes and I've been going twice a week. I've always liked yoga in a casual way but this is the first time I've been consistent in my practice and it's been really wonderful. It helps a lot with my consistently tight hip-flexors and also makes me feel less murdery, which is a total bonus. For everyone.
Reading
Money Diaries. I am so obsessed with Money Diaries over at Refinery29 though the commenters can be SUPER JUDGEY but are fun to read as well. I just think it's interesting to read about how people spend their money at different income levels and clearly I'm not the only one. Also, I am always a little surprised at how much help some of the younger women get from their families because that was not my reality, sadly.
Also, this is a pretty hilarious read: The Unbearable Wrongness of Gwyneth Paltrow.
Watching
Gimme Danger. This is for the old rock-n-roll ladies! Did you know that Jim Jarmusch made a documentary about Iggy Pop and the Stooges? I just watched it the other night (it's on Amazon) and it was really good! I didn't know all of the history behind the Stooges and really loved watching the old footage. Iggy Pop is a national treasure and I'll pretty much watch anything he's in and his last album Post Pop Depression is brilliant.
I don't have a listening recommendation this week so maybe watch this instead:
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Review: LOFT In-Store Shopping Trip.
Okay, so here's the thing. I love online shopping. I love the deals, the rebates, the thrill of stacking codes. But there's a big drawback - when you can't see and feel things in person you miss stuff. Sometimes photographs make items look better than they are, sometimes much worse. And sometimes you just need to try shit on before you have any idea if it works for you or not.
So, last weekend Kate and I ate a hearty brunch, girded up our loins, and went to the mall. I specifically wanted to go to LOFT because they were giving 40% off of everything*. The first thing I grabbed was the Fan Floral Cap Sleeve Shirtdress which I hadn't noticed on the website, probably because the photo is terrible:
This is the perfect summer dress- light and floaty but still covered enough to wear to work. It's got a great 1960s French beach vibe that I just love. I bought this and can't wait to do an outfit post around it. For reference, I'm wearing a size small.
Kate, who was browsing the sale racks, handed me this Mixed Media Dress which didn't look like much on the hanger and looks pretty boring on the website:
It was marked down to $19.99 (final sale) plus the extra 40% off. Dang. I tried it on and wow:
It's definitely a work dress but it's super comfortable and flattering and TWELVE DOLLARS. I'm wearing a size 6 (I think?) and it fits perfectly. And it's machine washable! It's nearly sold out on the website so this might be one to seek out in person. Finally, I tried on the Leopard Utility Blouse because there were a ton of them on the sale rack and it felt necessary. People just don't appreciate a good print:
And here it is on me:
Despite my dubious expression I really love this blouse. I didn't buy it because I have too many utility blouses and didn't need to spend the money, but It's so fun. Also, there are leopard print shorts? LOFT is so weird.
After that we went to Old Navy where Kate tried on shorts but didn't buy them. I sat on a weird, squishy cube of questionable stability:
*Unfortunately the 40% off sale has ended but with LOFT all you have to do is wait a day or two!
So, last weekend Kate and I ate a hearty brunch, girded up our loins, and went to the mall. I specifically wanted to go to LOFT because they were giving 40% off of everything*. The first thing I grabbed was the Fan Floral Cap Sleeve Shirtdress which I hadn't noticed on the website, probably because the photo is terrible:
It looks kind of sad in the stock photo and my quick selfie doesn't do it justice at all:
Kate, who was browsing the sale racks, handed me this Mixed Media Dress which didn't look like much on the hanger and looks pretty boring on the website:
It was marked down to $19.99 (final sale) plus the extra 40% off. Dang. I tried it on and wow:
It's definitely a work dress but it's super comfortable and flattering and TWELVE DOLLARS. I'm wearing a size 6 (I think?) and it fits perfectly. And it's machine washable! It's nearly sold out on the website so this might be one to seek out in person. Finally, I tried on the Leopard Utility Blouse because there were a ton of them on the sale rack and it felt necessary. People just don't appreciate a good print:
After that we went to Old Navy where Kate tried on shorts but didn't buy them. I sat on a weird, squishy cube of questionable stability:
The End
*Unfortunately the 40% off sale has ended but with LOFT all you have to do is wait a day or two!
Monday, April 24, 2017
Adrien: Summery Outfit and Gap Blouse Review.
Hey, so you know that convo yesterday where I talked about wanting to buy this Gap blouse? Well, by the magic of the Internet it's already been ordered, delivered to my house and photographed for a review. MAGIC I SAY:
It's really cute, right? It's the Embroidery Tassel Split-neckline Top. It's very flowy and the sleeves are turned up to eleven on the Renaissance volume scale, but it's just so pretty. Cobalt blue is a color I really love to wear and I think it would look good on most people. (It also comes in white but that color is mostly sold out.) I am wearing size small and that seems about right. I could probably wear an XS but it's pretty short and I'd rather have the length.
I'm wearing the top with my new white Fidelity Sola jeans, a birthday gift from Marianne! I love my other pair of Fidelity jeans so much that it's great to have the same style in white. And yay, I just discovered that Nordstrom carries Fidelity again! They have the Sola style in grey which is very, very tempting, or will be when they go on sale. I should also point out that Madewell has new white jeans that look really similar and I've also had good luck with Ann Taylor for white jeans. It's really hard to find a truly good pair that isn't too thin or see-through, but when you do, they're surprisingly versatile.
Action close-up! Like the dress I showed y'all last week, this top is pretty low-cut. I may stitch it up a bit or I might just go with it. Gap has a ton of cute embroidered peasant tops right now - I love the contrast on this one, of course there's an off-the-shoulder version and this one is crazy but maybe in a good way? My necklace is House of Harlow and I wear it a ton. It comes in a bunch of colors and you can always find it on sale - this one is the pave version and I love this dark teal colorway!
I'm carrying my cheap-ass Old Navy python bag from last year, which has shown up this year in the blush color, of course, though I much prefer this little faux leather saddle bag. My sandals are Sam Edelman "Trina" and they're a favorite. I love the little gold heel! There is also a thong version that's very on sale, but I don't know about that action.
That's all I've got for today. I should definitely keep the Gap blouse, right? It was 50% off when I bought it and now it's marked down to $54.99 with an extra 20% off with code GETMORE, which brings it down to $44. It'll probably get cheaper again but who can say? (Just never buy full price, everrrrrr.)
We Discuss Summer Shopping and Stupid Pockets.
M: thanks to you I want BOTH of these:
A: Sorry/not sorry! At least I'm making you want inexpensive things?
M: Oh definitely. It's funny, I couldn't think of anything I wanted to buy this weekend and now I have 6 tabs open with stuff I want.
A: Oh, do tell! I want new Birkenstocks and maybe this Gap blouse:
A: But otherwise i"m all, 💁
M: Mostly I blame I Want To Be Her for these. Well and you, for that Target dress that I should just order right now. So:
M: EXTREME PARTY MASCARA:
M: Someone said this mascara was so intense they only wear it at night which means it's perfect grocery store mascara for me:
A: Ooh, this is a great list! Did the Gap dress version of that blouse work out?
M: Yes, but it's a little big and I need to take it to get the pockets taken out. I wore it yesterday anyway.
A: Fucking pockets. Why.
M: POCKETS. Here's the thing: the blousey, belted waist means if you actually put things IN the pockets they weight down and make everything terrible. Plus they stick out and add bulk. HATECHU POCKETS.
A: HATE SO MUCH. Useless and add visual bulk to my hips. WHY.
A: So, back to these mascaras you just bought. I want extreme party lashes but I'm not sure my face does that. And I'm intrigued by this Honest Beauty stuff with the primer.
M: I haven't bought them yet!
A: Well, what are you waiting for.
M: I'm trying to resist bleeding money.
A: I'm trying to live vicariously through your mascara purchases. How can you be so selfish?
M: I ordered it! And that dress. Have you looked at the other Knox Rose stuff at Target? Not all of it is my style but there are some cute flowy summery tops.
A: Yay! I stopped buying Target clothes a few years ago but now I'm feeling like I need to check this stuff out. Really cute. I just ordered a couple of random things from Old Navy because it was so cheap it felt un-American not to.
M: Haha. Target has been getting better I think.
A: I don't really understand why I'm so into all this boho embroidered crap but I really, really am.
M: Because nothing says summer like some boho hippie crap and also they are better outfit-makers than t-shirts! Welcome to my world. It's floaty here.
A: Yes! Floaty cute tops! They make cut-offs and Birkenstocks look casual and breezy rather than schlubby and half-dressed. Or something.
A: Oops, I just panic-ordered my Birkenstocks. It was the last pair in my size with the gold buckles that I could find.
M: A solid choice.
A:
image:: http://blog.footwearetc.com
M: YAY SUMMER! Summer shopping is so much fun.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Weekend Window Shopping: Anthropologie Sale!
Oooh, you guys! Anthropologie is giving an extra 40% off all sale items (no code - discount reflected at checkout) plus 1% cashback from eBates. As per, there is a lot of charmingly odd stuff and ruffles galore but also a ton of really cute things for spring:
Thursday, April 20, 2017
BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Sephora VIB Sale!
I always feel bad posting these sales since not everyone is a VIB but I am and anytime Sephora throws me a tiny bone I feel like I MUST ORDER SOMETHING. Code VIBSPRING gets you 15% off any order and, really? That's not even that amazing and I don't need a thing but I keep putting the following items in my cart and then taking them back out and closing the window.
These aren't even my colors but this Marc Jacobs gloss is so good and the set is SO FREAKING CUTE:
This Sunday Riley set one keeps torturing me by going in and out of stock:
POWER COUPLE. LIKE. WANT. DO. NOT. NEED:
Ugh, this Benefit palette. you got your Dandelion and your Hoola and some other colors you may or may not ever wear (but who cares) in one adorable palette? UGH I SAY:
This MJ palette is one I actually already own but it's really, really good and it's marked down PLUS the 15% off:
I DON'T NEED ANYTHING. NOT ONE THING. BYE NOW.
Stuff I Like: Springtime + Watching/Reading/Listening
Liking
OH MY GOD IT'S SPRINGTIME. I love summer the best but spring is summer's sprightly cousin and it's amazing how much my mood has lifted now that it stays light later and the trees are all fluffy with new leaves. Obviously I'm not crazy about the pollen or the mosquitoes but I am really liking: bare legs, blooming azaleas, mountain biking with friends until the sun sets, stalking baby turtles and ducklings, La Croix cocktails, long walks without wearing a coat, ridiculously good locally made ice cream sandwiches and honeysuckle! The honeysuckle is starting to bloom. Yay spring.
Watching
I'm not watching anything new right now, but excellent new stuff is coming: Catastrophe season 3 starts April 28th! Master of None season 2 and Kimmy Schmidt season 3 both coming in May! Yay! Definitely looking forward to all of those. Also, Better Things season 2 is filming now, so I'm going to assume it'll be available in the fall? It was my favorite new show and I highly recommend it.
Reading
I'm still reading Coming Home (it's long) so instead of a book I thought I'd talk about a few blogs I like. I don't actually read many fashion blogs anymore and when I did it was usually smaller blogs, not the super-popular, curated fancy ones. My favorite is Girls of a Certain Age because Kim France is the best. Back in the day I was an avid reader of Sassy and Lucky and definitely wore my Kim France Pants. Kim somehow manages to be cool, comfortably stylish, and relatable in a way that's still aspirational. She makes you feel like she's your cool NYC friend that you've known forever. Most importantly, she writes for people my age, which is so rare. I get her references! We are relevant!
I'm also really fond of Grechen's Closet which I've been reading for as long as I remember. Grechen's style and mine are very different but I really like her voice and total lack of pretense. And, her photo-bombing dog is ridiculously cute. Plus, she is an awesome provider of coupon codes. Thank you, Grechen!
Listening
One of my favorite podcasts, the one I look forward to every week, is Girls Gone WOD. I started listening to it when I got into CrossFit and I kept listening even after taking a break from CrossFit. I promise you don't have to be into CrossFit to enjoy listening to Joy and Claire. They talk about all manner of things - Mean Girls, food, boys, dogs, babies, makeup, fashion, working out, fitting it all in. Their personalities compliment each other rather than competing and they're very relatable. I tend to like the "just Joy and Claire" episodes better than when they interview someone, but I've listened to almost all of them.
That's it for this week! As always, please let me know if you have suggestions, recommendations, etc.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Adrien: I Can Stop Any Time I Want To.
I might...have a stripes problem. I literally have to remind myself not to buy more striped things as they make their way into my online shopping baskets. It's bad, y'all. This dress is from last year, I swear:
Finally, my boots. These are the Madewell Lucien boot and are still available and still on sale, though I'd wait for a code if you've waited this long already. They're really great and I wear them a lot and I don't understand why you haven't bought a pair yet. Or maybe you have an you're mad at me. I get it.
It's a cheap-ass Old Navy dress and I wear it a ton in the warmer months. It's just one of those easy dresses that you can dress up or down or whatever. Obviously it's long gone but there are so many options right now! At Old Navy alone you have the Fit & Flare Jersey Dress which is a perfect casual option, the Jersey Swing Dress which gets great reviews and comes in two different striped patterns, and the Fitted Crew-Neck Tee Dress which couldn't be more versatile. Plus, they're all 50% off today so they're basically free. Go ahead, I'll wait.
If you want a casual striped dress but don't want it to be cheap-ass, I should mention that the Striped T-Shirt Dress at J.Crew is making me slightly insane with it's cute contrast piping. Ugh. I did throw a drapey cardigan over my dress and it's not doing much for the overall look, but it's cuter in person! Mine is from TJ Maxx which is where I found this option, which is really similar. I also love this one at TJM which is my kind of drapey mess. On to details!
My crescent moon pendant was a gift from Nina (I think it's Alex & Ani?) and I can't find it online but this RACHEL Rachel Roy version looks really similar and I love this more delicate version from Rebecca Minkoff. My tiny pyramid stud is BR but, again, Rebecca Minkoff does it better. My bracelet is Lisa Freede (also a gift from Nina!) but this one by Vince Camuto is very similar.
Yes. Yes I did. I did! I did buy one of the TJ Maxx MBMJ bags and I sold two other bags to do it because that's the only way it felt right. This is the Too Hot To Handle hobo in faded aluminum and it's now sold out but there are still a couple of other MJ styles - the Too Hot To Handle Leather Satchel and the New Q Small Legend available in this color. I have no regrets! It's a bit bigger than the older style THTH bag but the color is just so good I couldn't resist. Did anyone else snag one?
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Beauty Review: Sephora Play! Box.
I haven't done a beauty review in a while and I have a few things to talk about. But first I feel like it's important to let you all know that the MBMJ New Q Percy crossbody is now clearance-priced at TJ Maxx. I keep an eye on these things just for you. It's marked down in the cement color (a personal favorite) and also a very pretty peony color. It's a tiny bag but just the perfect thing for summer. Plus, code SHIP89 will get you free shipping.
Now! On with the beauty stuff. I used to be a big fan of Birchbox because I love getting all kinds of fun little beauty samples in the mail but more and more I was finding the products they sent irrelevant for me - too much dry shampoo, neutral lip color and products I just couldn't use because of my skin type or whatever. Then I read a glowing review of Sephora's Play Box and decided to give that one a try instead. The bonus is that I already shop at Sephora so I know I'm going to be getting some brands I already know and like. Here's my first box:
Now! On with the beauty stuff. I used to be a big fan of Birchbox because I love getting all kinds of fun little beauty samples in the mail but more and more I was finding the products they sent irrelevant for me - too much dry shampoo, neutral lip color and products I just couldn't use because of my skin type or whatever. Then I read a glowing review of Sephora's Play Box and decided to give that one a try instead. The bonus is that I already shop at Sephora so I know I'm going to be getting some brands I already know and like. Here's my first box:
The box and packaging are super cute and I was pretty pleased overall. Here's what I got:
Boring, but useful. I have received this before as a points bonus and it's perfectly fine, just not exciting or new.
This also falls under the "boring but useful" category. Why would anyone ever buy this? I've received it as a sample a gazillion times so I never need to purchase it. Stop trying to make Photo Finish happen, Sephora. It's never gonna happen.
This one I was excited about. I don't wear black eyeliner very often but I love MUFE Aqua liners (they're up there with UD 24/7) and this one is worth the hand cramp you'll get from the teeny-tiny pencil.
Winner winner chicken dinner! These peel pads are the bomb. They're full of burn-it-all-off goodness (but they don't actually burn, I promise.) I got two of these in my box and used one last night. So good. HOWEVER, I am pretty annoyed that a 16 pack costs $88 GD AMERICAN DOLLARS and they recommend you use it 2-3 times a week. Why not just have me rub a gold nugget on my face, Dr. Dennis Gross? You rich asshole. Ugh.
This is interesting in theory and I don't normally even bother with perfume samples because I'm so damn picky. I was intrigued, however, by the premise of this one-note not-perfume. I was also a bit confused by it being described as "woody & earthy" and "minimalist, fresh, and clean" all within the same description. Uh, okay. I sprayed a little on myself and it smelled nice and clean and inoffensive. I like that it's not cloying or sweet and it doesn't try too hard.
YAS. I am bound and determined to find a Vitamin C product that works for me. This one smells too good to be truly effective l but I'll happily give it a try.
So, overall I'm pleased. I can actually use every single thing they sent me which almost never happens. I'll give them a few months before I really decide if it's better than Birchbox but so far, I definitely feel like I got $10 worth of good stuff. (And hey, if you know of an amazing makeup sample subscription, do tell!)
Monday, April 17, 2017
We Discuss Important Pants Journalism.
M: This is important journalism.
A: OH MY GOD YES.
M: I have tried. I TRIED. I LOVE FASHION AND I LIKE TRYING NEW THINGS. And I am TALL with LONG LEGS and this style is a travesty.
A: You are SO MUCH MORE TRY-Y THAN ME. I just look at that and go nope.
A: SEE ALSO: cold shoulder tops.
M: I'll try them! Just don't make me wear the bad pants!
A: I would never make you wear the bad pants! I would really love it if bootcut jeans came back.
M: Aren't they?
A: Are they?
M: I think they've been coming back for a while. I wear my Pilcro Stet Slim Bootcut jeans all the time.
A: Oh yay! Thank God I don't write a style blog or anything.
A: PS. NOPE.
M: Okay those are a definite no, but at the same time when I was in New York last I picked these up and put them back down at least 17 times and I haven't stopped thinking about them. I don't even know.
A: OH MY GOD I LOVE THOSE.
M: AREN'T THEY PRETTY.
A: I SERIOUSLY LOVE THEM. FEATHERRRZZZ.
M: I fear Zara will not be cut for me, but they are are pretty to look at.
A: I currently hate all my clothes and apparently all the clothes in the stores, so I feel you.
A: OH MY GOD YES.
M: I have tried. I TRIED. I LOVE FASHION AND I LIKE TRYING NEW THINGS. And I am TALL with LONG LEGS and this style is a travesty.
A: You are SO MUCH MORE TRY-Y THAN ME. I just look at that and go nope.
A: SEE ALSO: cold shoulder tops.
M: I'll try them! Just don't make me wear the bad pants!
A: I would never make you wear the bad pants! I would really love it if bootcut jeans came back.
M: Aren't they?
A: Are they?
M: I think they've been coming back for a while. I wear my Pilcro Stet Slim Bootcut jeans all the time.
A: Oh yay! Thank God I don't write a style blog or anything.
A: PS. NOPE.
M: Okay those are a definite no, but at the same time when I was in New York last I picked these up and put them back down at least 17 times and I haven't stopped thinking about them. I don't even know.
A: OH MY GOD I LOVE THOSE.
M: AREN'T THEY PRETTY.
A: I SERIOUSLY LOVE THEM. FEATHERRRZZZ.
M: I fear Zara will not be cut for me, but they are are pretty to look at.
A: I currently hate all my clothes and apparently all the clothes in the stores, so I feel you.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Weekend Window Shopping: Spring Print Dresses Under $50!
All of a sudden I want a closet full of floaty patterned spring dresses. Every year this happens and there are a ton of cute and inexpensive options, so why even fight it? Also! Just FYI, LOFT has 40% off everything right now and the dresses are plentiful and pretty. Get it.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Stuff I Like: Kindle + Reading/Watching/Listening
Liking
I love books. I've always loved books. Something about going to the library and coming out with a stack full of books to read always made me feel indulgent and happy. And then one year for Christmas my aunt gave me a Kindle. I was suspicious. How could I read books on a screen? I used it a little bit but not much and then one day I discovered that my library offers Kindle downloads and IT WAS ON. Suddenly I realized, hey, I can have three or four or twenty books on my Kindle AT THE SAME TIME. And carry them around with me!
I eventually stepped on that Kindle and upgraded to this one, which I still have. I'm really into it to the point that I was reading my current book (see below) in paper form and was mad because it was too heavy to balance on my chest while reading in bed. Ugh, so heavy. I literally got out of bed and downloaded it onto my Kindle and everything was better. The only thing I really don't like is when the charge is low because it only happens at really inconvenient times. Real books never need charging (but I also can't read them in the dark, so it's a draw.)
PS. If you have a Kindle, this cover is the best.
Season 3 (aka the final season) of Home Fires started showing up on my DVR! For those of you into WWII England stuff, this is for you. The first two seasons are on Netflix (I think? Maybe Amazon.) It takes place in a rural English village on the verge of WWII and it's really well done in that British character actor way. Highly recommend.
Also, I started watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix because somehow I never watched it and I didn't get the references in Shonda Rhimes's book. FINE I WILL WATCH YOUR DAMN SHOW. It's really compelling and easy to watch (especially if you like to play games on your phone while watching TV) though Kate warns me that it goes kinda Scandal after the first few seasons, meaning, it starts out fairly relatable and then all the characters lose their minds. Like, by season 3 of Scandal I was like, THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL MONSTERS. So, I will just keep binging until I can't take it anymore. I really like Sandra Oh, so that helps.
Reading
Continuing the theme of World War II books, I started reading Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. I've read this before (a few times) and have always liked Rosamunde Pilcher for when I need a good, comforting read. Her books, while not challenging, tend to be long and involved so you can fall into them and really get invested in her characters. You can also generally count on a happy ending, which I appreciate.
Another writer I like for the same reason is mystery writer Dick Francis. Now, I actually like horses and horse racing but even if you don't his mysteries are still really compelling and intelligent. He also writes really dreamy male characters which makes me believe that his wife was his ghost writer all along. A few of my favorites: For Kicks, Longshot, To The Hilt.
Listening
This week I'm going to recommend a comedy podcast I've been listening to for a while:
The Guilty Feminist. Each week they "discuss topics 'all 21st century feminists agree on' while confessing their insecurities, hypocrisies and fears that underlie their lofty principles." It's real talk taped with a live audience and is very, very funny. I especially recommend the earlier episodes when it was Deborah and Sofie hosting together because they play off each other well.
PS. Thanks for all the Ryan Adams help last week! I remain overwhelmed by I've been listening to some of them online, including 1989 which is growing on me.
Bonus Question: I hate the iPhone calendar. Anyone have a calendar app they love?
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Adrien: Weekend Stripes and a Grana Review!
I'm sure at least one of you is thinking, "How many striped shirts does this bitch actually own?" and you would be right to think that. But! I recently retired one so there was an opening and I had some credits from Grana (that's my referral link which will get you 10% off your first order). I'd already bought this tee in the burgundy colorway (outfit here) and love it so I decided to go for the navy version. I also bought a white v-neck t-shirt so I could compare it to Everlane, so that review will be coming soon.
The Pima Oversized Long Sleeve Tee (also in solid colors) is everything I want a tee shirt to be. It's slouchy, it's soft, it isn't high maintenance in any way. I'm wearing a size small so you can see that it's definitely oversized. It doesn't have the cool details of the Everlane Breton Cotton Tee or the swankness of this Kule shirt but it's nearly identical to this French Connection top which costs twice as much. I'm not saying you can't go even cheaper - this striped Merona tee looks awfully cute, but I love Pima cotton and this Grana t-shirt is just really good
I took this on a Saturday so I wasn't really creating an outfit so much as throwing on my new tee with the jeans I was already wearing. They're my Fidelity Sola jeans, which I wear an embarrassing amount. They're hard to find but I'm also a big fan of Madewell denim and the high rise skinny in Polly wash look really similar and this pair at LOFT is a slightly destructed version. Details: