Book Review - The Eyre Affair

The Eyre Affair is a weird book, but I loved it.  I don't even know how to summarize this book without giving away all the fun bits.  Let's just say our main character is a literary detective, in an alternate reality involving time travel, literary terrorism, and even some vampires.

From the title, you might guess that Jane Eyre is important, and you'd be right.  I haven't actually read Jane Eyre, but I did see the movie a few years ago, so I knew enough to get by.

My main complaint was that I kept forgetting our narrator was a woman, because the voice just sounded like a guy.  And really, who am I to judge whether a voice is manly or womanly?  So just a minor gripe.

This is the first in a series of 7 so far.  I'll probably plan on picking up the sequels before too long.

Channeling Mindy

Basically, if I could steal any fictional character's wardrobe, it would have to be Mindy Lahiri from The Mindy Project.  She wears lots of bright colors and crazy patterns, so we are basically style soul-mates.  I'm probably pretty obnoxious when watching the show, because I'm always saying I want her outfit, or I have the same items to copy it.  John is not as invested in the wardrobe choices as I am.

I couldn't find any internet evidence of it, but this outfit is 97% stolen from Mindy.  She was wearing a navy cardigan instead of a v-neck, and I honestly don't remember her footwear, but the basic idea came from her.  I also love Mindy Kaling's book.  She just seems like a person I would actually want to be friends with.  And I don't want to be friends with very many celebrities, because most of them seem pretty terrible.

It's Tuesday, so go link up with Laura!

Sweater: Gap (similar)
Top: JCF (exact)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Wanted

Fancy Polar Bear

Once the temperatures dip below freezing, I think it's appropriate polar bear sweatshirt weather.  I decided to dress it up a bit with my black pencil skirt.  Because doesn't a black pencil skirt make everything look classy?  Well, maybe not everything.  But most things.

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  I unfortunately caught a cold at the end of last week, so I was mostly trying to rest and recover.  I even got a flu shot this year; why am I sick??

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Coat: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)
Chambray: JCF (exact)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Tights: Target (exact)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Book Review - The King's Curse

The King's Curse is the last novel in the Cousins' War series by Philippa Gregory.  Or at least, they are saying it is the last one.  But I think they said that about the previous book, too.  So we will see.

Um, I don't really have strong opinions about this book.  I enjoyed it.  It's very similar to the rest of the books in this series, except I know more about Henry VIII than I did about the previous kings, so I knew things weren't going to end well for his various wives.

Two complaints which might be the same general idea.  Gregory kind of rehashes the theme over and over and over again.  Maybe readers aren't smart enough to remember that there is an alleged curse on the king, but I mean, that is the NAME OF THE BOOK.  So maybe we don't have to bring it up and explain it in it's entirety every 10 pages?

Same basic complaint about mentioning things that have happened in the past.  I don't mind a brief reminder of who someone is, but it was like every time a character appeared there would be a paragraph of who they are, what their relationship is to the main character, etc.  Yeah, there are a lot of folks named Henry, Mary, Edward, Elizabeth, etc - but give the readers some credit.  We can remember main plot points!

Happy Friday

Note - these sunglasses were provided by HFEyewear for me to review.  All opinions are my own.  

A few weeks ago, I got a message from one of my friends from college.  He offered to send me a free pair of sunglasses from his company to review on the blog.  I'd been checking out HF Eyewear since he started it, so I was pretty excited about the opportunity!

The hardest part was picking the style.  My "play it safe" persona was leaning towards the Sole, because it looks the most like sunglasses I would buy anywhere.  But Andiamo was pretty cool, and it kind of has my name in it.  Or I mean, the red ones are gorgeous!  I finally asked my sister for advice, and she suggested I go with the bamboo-iest option.  Upon further thought, I agreed.  Arrivederci is the winner.

They arrived in a really cool bamboo case, which is important because I am not very responsible when it comes to sunglasses and I want to keep these safe!  Full disclosure - when I first tried them on, I thought "I am not cool enough to wear these!" but after a little pep talk and then wearing them around for the past week, I'm 100% on the bamboo glasses train.

Other than the fact that I love my new sunglasses, I think this company is pretty cool.  The HF stands for "happy Friday" which you can read more about here.  They also donate 10% of proceeds to protect panda habitats, so you can feel good about your purchase.  You can get sunglasses or prescription glasses (or I suppose just fake lenses, if you are into that).  I pretty much always wear contacts, but I'm super sensitive about sunlight, so I'm usually sporting shades even when it is cloudy outside.  People make fun of me, but it's important to shield your eyes against the sun, okay!  Even when it is freezing outside!

If you are looking for a fun gift idea for a friend or family member (or yourself), you can even get 15% with the promo code JUSTANOTHERDISCOUNT

And because I love you all, here's my serious, gazing into the nothingness picture. I wanted to show a side view. I know, I have a bright future as a sunglasses model.

Anyway, go check out HFeyewear!  You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too.

Denim and Lace

I kind of felt like a poser in this outfit.  I really liked it, but it didn't feel like me for some reason.  Like I was pretending to be a cowgirl or something.  But I have wanted a lace dress forever, and navy seemed like a good color for it, so I am glad I got the dress.  I'll try a more "Andi" outfit next time I wear it.

DISCLAIMER: This was worn in mid-November, before the arctic temps arrived.  I'm getting closer to caught up, I promise!  Soon it will all be brown grass or snow in my pictures!

Dress: Younkers (similar)
Pearls: Gift (similar, similar)
Jacket: JCF (exact)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Currently December

I'm starting to think these "currently" posts are just invented to make me feel bad about myself.  Do I even do anything?  Am I even a person???

making - um.  Nothing.  Should I be making something?  Like fancy DIY presents for everyone or some fabulous holiday dessert?  I guess I'm making excuses for not making anything else.  So that works.  

listening - I'm not quite in the mood for Christmas music yet, but I hope I get there soon.  And then I will be listening to the Christmas albums from Weezer and Relient K.  Any recommendations on newer Christmas music to check out?  

wrapping - I also haven't wrapped anything yet.  I've purchase just a couple Christmas presents, but most of the things I need to buy will be shipped directly to the recipients, so I don't need to wrap much this year.  

watching - Gilmore Girls!  I have been told for many many years that I should watch this show, because I apparently talk like Lorelei and Rory.  I hadn't ever seen an episode until it came out on Netflix and I've been watching a few here and there.  I like it.  I'm not sure I talk like them, but it's possible.  

anticipating - CHRISTMAS!!!  Despite my lazy answers to the above prompts, I am really excited for Christmas.  

What are you currently doing?  Link up with  In Residence and Dearest Love to share your answers!  

Cardigan: Gap Factory (similar)
Top; Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)