#27 - Summer Book Challenge Update

Well, the Summer Book Challenge is over as of September (check out Megan's blog for more details), so here's my final list.  I mostly finished, and not for lack of reading enough.  I just didn't have many options in the category of "finish a book you couldn't get through the first time."  Basically, if I stop reading a book, it's pretty bad.  I shouldn't try again.  Anyway, for anyone who is interested, here's my full final list of what I read for each category, and my rating of the books.  I was pretty good at writing book review posts early in the summer, so I included links to my full reviews for those.

Read in May: 95 points

• 15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe - The Wives of Los Alamos (240 Pages) - 3 stars (my review)
  
• 25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir - I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star (256 Pages) - 4 stars (my review)
• 25 points: Read a book written by a blogger - Hyperbole and a Half (384 pages) - 5 stars (my review)
• 30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles - Where'd You Go, Bernadette (330 pages)-4 stars (my review) and Uganda Be Kidding Me (257 pages)-3 stars

Read in June:  55 points

• 5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long - The Rosie Project (295 pages) 5 stars! (my review)
• 10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore - Walk Two Moons (280 Pages) - 4 stars
• 20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014 - This is Where I Leave You  (352 Pages) - 4 stars
• 20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title - Cinderella Ate My Daughter  (244 Pages) - 4 stars

Read in July: 30 points

• 15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times' Best Sellers List - Landline (308 pages) - 4 stars
• 15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge - Orphan Train (294 pages, 5 stars) 

Read in August: 10 points

• 10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born - The House of Dies Drear (244 pages) - 2 stars

 Total: 190 points (out of 200)

• 10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn't finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use it for this category.)  
• Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America by Tanner Colby (320 Pages) - I started reading this again and just couldn't get into it.  The topic is really interesting, but the writing is not.  So I gave up.  And I wasn't about to pick up Eat, Pray, Love again, so I'm skipping my final 10 points. 

I was getting into a bit of a reading rut, so this challenge helped inspire me about what to read this summer.  My to-read list is out of control, and sometimes when I look at it, I just don't even know where to start.  The good (and scary) news is that there are quite a few books coming out this fall, and I'm already on the hold list at the library, so I should get them pretty soon.  I just hope I don't get them all at once, because I'll have to read quickly before they are due back!

Have you read anything good this summer?  So I can add it to my ever-growing list!  
 
Top: Gap (similar, vaguely similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Skirt: J.Crew Factory (exact style in other colors)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#8 - This Shirt

I bought this shirt back in April.  It was $6 and I loved all the colors in it, and how the print is sort of floral, but not really.  Then I just kept wearing it with jeans.  So when I wore it with my white shorts for shorts week, I decided to really plan some outfits around it.  My first thought was all "pair it with white jeans!" which is basically exactly like wearing it with white shorts.  So I went for a bolder look and grabbed this reddish-orangey-coral skirt, which is the exact color of the smaller accents on the shirt.  And I officially loved it! 

But then my normal picture spot by the gym was full of people who actually parked their cars in the parking spots?!!  Who would do that?  So here I am in the bright sunshine with my purple sunglasses.  But I get extra points for remembering to take a close-up picture of my jewelry situation.  I usually wear a watch and one ring on my right hand, and then just my wedding/engagement rings on my left.  But this day - I added a bracelet and an extra ring.  Because I like to live on the edge.  One of my pearl rings is real (a gift from my parents for my 16th bday, I think?).  The other one was recently purchased in a 3-pack from Old Navy for about $3.  But I think they look good together. 


Cardigan: Gap (option, option)
Top: Gap (option)
Skirt: J.Crew Factory (exact style in other colors)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Nautical Week - More Anchors

 

The only thing MORE nautical than a sweater with an anchor on it is a tee with ALL THE ANCHORS on it.  I promise this is my last red/white/blue outfit of the week.  I think.  Remember to link up after the jump! 

So remember how I was complaining commenting about my very busy week this week?  What do I get for complaining?  An impromptu business trip.  I have to leave Sunday.  And I think I should probably buy a real suit.  I've previously worn this blazer and this skirt as a suit, when needed.  But then those started to get sort of old, so I got replacement items (blazer and skirt).  I just don't know if they will work as a suit, or look stupid.  I'll have to figure something out, I guess.        

Tee: Banana Republic
Jacket & Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Necklace: F21
Shoes: Old Navy

Valentine's Week - Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I decided to be crazy and try the bright red with bright pink look.  This skirt is actually "bohemian red," according to J.Crew.  Sometimes it looks a little bit orange, but I think that helps it look better with bright pink.

Anyway, John and I don't usually do anything too fancy for Valentine's Day.  All the restaurants are crowded, so we tend to celebrate a week later (if at all).  I mean, I do like an excuse to dress up and go to a nicer-than-usual dinner, but sometimes it seems like more fun to just be lazy.  Maybe we'll celebrate next weekend when the crowds aren't out!

This is my last "Valentine's Week" post, but the link-up is open until Monday, so you still have time to join in on all the fun.  Thanks to everyone who participated, especially my fabulous co-hosts!

Top & Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Boots: Steve Madden

#22 - Social Media

I'm not as good at social media as I probably should be.  Most of my tweets and Facebook posts are just Instagrams.  Half the time I don't even #hashtag anything.  I do spend more time than I should scanning through everyone else's posts on the various sites.  The other day, John was looking over my shoulder as I checked Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  His perspective made me laugh.  A few highlights:

• Why is there an old picture on Instagram?  It's "INSTA" gram.  Like Instant!  
• Why do people use hashtags on Instagram?  Isn't that a Twitter thing?  
• WHOA, that's a long Facebook status!  Shouldn't she just have a blog for stuff like that?  
• Wait, wasn't that on Instagram?  Why is it on Facebook, too?
• What is a picture doing on Twitter?!  Isn't that why people have Instagram?
• That's the same picture we saw on Instagram and Facebook!  Why is it on all three?

I was trying to explain the logic, but he has a point.  This is all ridiculous!  I mean, I'm still going to do it, but it is kind of strange!  

Also, I like this outfit.  I'll probably Instagram and Tweet about it.  

Shirt & Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Sweater: Gap
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

#12 - Combat

Have any of you been to a BodyCombat class?  I think it's basically just kickboxing, but the Les Mills "official" version.   It was intense!  I'm not a particularly coordinated or aggressive person, so I wasn't sure how I would like it, but I'll definitely be going back.  After I have a few days to recover.  I just need to get my courage up to try all the other classes.   

This outfit has nothing to do with working out, but until Old Navy decides to send me a bunch of free gear, I won't be posting sporty outfits. 

Sweater: Gap

Shirt & Skirt: J.Crew Factory

Tights: Target

Necklace: Old Navy

Boots: Steve Madden

Tights Season

Well, I had big dreams of avoiding tights until December, but I gave up without too much of a fight.  We had a cold spell last week and I didn't want to wear jeans every day, so I had to rummage through my tights to find a decent pair.  Apparently, I need to get restocked.  (get it? tight are stockings!)

Anyway, happy Monday and happy short work week!  My weekend was pretty good.  I went to see Elf the Musical on Friday evening with my MIL and SIL, which definitely got me in the mood for Christmas.

On Saturday, I went to see Catching Fire, which was fabulous.  Not so fabulous: the women sitting behind me.  They were the worst kind of movie-talkers.  (Warning, there's no real spoilers in these quotes, but you may want to avoid them if you don't already know what happens in the books.)  (And for the record, Gale and Peeta don't look at all alike, except for the fact that they are both white 20-something males.)  "Is that Peeta?"  "NO, it's Gale!"  "Wait, I thought he was dead?"  "No, why would you think that?"  "So, Peeta is dead?"  "No, I don't think so.  Maybe...  I'm not sure!"  UGH - STOP TALKING!

This is the last week of Take One, Pass It On.  My polka dot cardigan is making an appearance from Friday's post.  Make sure you check out Sarah and the other bloggers who are participating.

Cardigan: Old Navy
Chambray & Skirt: J.Crew factory
Shoes: Seychelles

Dress Shirt

 

This polka dot blouse is a dress.  Or at least, that's what they want you to believe.  It might be an appropriate length of dress on some people, but it is not a dress on me.  I'm trying it out as a shirt today, and I think it works okay.  The biggest problem is that the back of the dress is longer than the front, so if I wasn't careful, a little bit showed out of the slit in the back of my skirt.  Awkward!

Anyway, I felt very ladylike in this outfit, and also kind of edgy with the moto jacket.  Also, when did we stop saying "pleather" and start calling it "vegan leather"?  By "we," I don't mean me.  I will keep saying pleather.  I should really dig up a picture of my 1997 pleather jacket.  It was awesome until it started peeling. Then it was not so awesome.  Maybe I'll have to bring back Throwback Thursday!  

Top: Old Navy (dress)
Jacket: Relativity
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Deep Thoughts on Internet Envy

Over the last couple of years, I've seen quite a few articles that warn against Facebook because it will cause depression.  The argument is that everyone posts about the happy things in their lives, and none of the sad things, so we all have a skewed perception of others, and then get sad about ourselves.  Like "All my FB friends have awesome jobs/cars/relationships/vacations, and my life is terrible!!"  This may be true, but it always bothers me for a couple of reasons:

First, if you aren't happy with your life, will it really help to know your friends/acquaintances/strangers on the internet are also miserable?  I think that would just make me more depressed.  Also, it's never wise to base your contentment on what other people appear to have, whether being envious of them, or thinking at least you are better off than them.  

Second, you SHOULD NOT BE INTERNET FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE IF YOU CAN'T BE HAPPY FOR THEM WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM!  Sorry to get shouty, but seriously.  If I'm scrolling through Facebook and see that someone I'm "friends" with went on an awesome vacation, and my first thought is "ugh, why do they get to spend 3 weeks in Europe?!"  then it probably means I don't actually like this person.  Un-friend immediately!  Or at the very least, hide them from your news-feed.

Also, how is this different than in real life?  If I ask one of my co-workers how they are doing, they always say "good!" and unless we are pretty close, that's all I know.  Isn't it just common sense to know that you are getting a tiny glimpse of anyone's life by your interactions with them, whether online or IRL? 

And finally, I don't know about you, but I have plenty of friends on my various social media sites that are pretty open about the good and the bad things in life.  Is this just because I have un-friended all the annoyingly braggy folks?  Maybe. 

I'm not sure what my point is here, but I just wanted to throw those thoughts out there.  And look, I may have a cute dalmatian-print* belt, but look how wrinkly my skirt is.  Just keeping it real!  

*No Dalmatians were harmed in the making of this belt.  I actually don't know that, but I assume/hope.  I really don't want to be Cruella De Vil!  

Top: H&M
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Belt: Limited
Shoes: BCBGeneration