Book Club: Good Omens

Synopsis according to Goodreads: According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.

So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture.

And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist...

Double Date | Turquoise Midi and Wrap Body Suit

Top: Forever 21 (similar here) || Bottoms: Forever 21 (similar here) || Accessories: Prada bag (similar here), LOFT tights, Kate Spade necklace (similar here) || Shoes: Sole Society Daphne (on sale!)

February 2017 Bucket List

I can't believe we're almost one whole month into 2017! How are you guys doing with your New Years Resolutions?

January was tough for me as a DC resident working in politics and advocacy. I think everyone across the nation has been feeling that heaviness too. Now that the month is ending and I've caught a glimpse of the people who will fight for the marginalized and I'm feeling a renewed sense of optimism going into the next month.

In any case, here's what I'm looking forward to doing in February:

My Life in Books

Harper's Ferry, WV

Last weekend my friends and I went to Harper's Ferry for some much needed R&R. As DC residents who work in politics, we were just really burned out by the election and the last thing we wanted to do was deal with the inauguration and the crowds of people. When we planned the trip we all agreed to a no talking about politics or the news rule. In order to achieve this we tried to find a place we could go for a three day weekend (so not too far away), that was pretty isolated and quiet (so no big cities), but close enough to nature for hikes (so that we could get some exercise between the food and drinks we would inevitably be consuming). We found a great house on Air BnB that had enough rooms for all eight of us, a giant basement area with a bar, and, best of all, a hot tub in the back! We jumped on that right away.

Emergency Friendcation | Sherpa Cardigan and Duck Boots

Top: Forever 21 shirt, H&M cardigan (similar here) || Bottoms: J.Crew toothpick jeans || Accessories: Kate Spade necklace (similar here) || Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider

Emergency Compliment

Today is National Compliment Day! I know it's one of those silly holidays but still I think this is a much needed one. With a lot of negativity and hurtful rhetoric that's been floating around on the national stage, a compliment can only help. 

I found this cute site that dishes out an emergency compliment for when you really need one! Best of all, you can buy the print of the compliment you really can't get enough of! I also found out they have a book version of all of the compliments you can get here. 

Thanks for reading!

These Boots Were Made for Walking | Ruffled Sweater and White Jeans

Top: ASOS || Bottoms: J.Crew toothpick jeans || Accessories: Kate Spade necklace (similar here), Tory Burch Robinson bag || Shoes: Forever 21 (similar here)

Currently... (Vol. 37)

This weekend I escaped Washington, DC and went to a cabin in the woods - Harper's Ferry, WV to be exact. I know I could have marched with my fellow women but honestly, I was just tired. The idea that I would be a neighbors with a president who is surrounded by so much controversy was enough to exhaust and overwhelm me. When I feel like that, it usually means I've been expending a lot of emotional energy and need a break.

I was, however, incredibly happy to hear that collectively, 2.5 million people around the US (and the world) came out to march for women. Two and a half million people who believe in equal rights came out to say they don't agree with the way the new President has spoken of and treated women. Two and a half million people who stood up to say that we will fight any form of bigotry. Two and a half million people who were fired up and ready to go. Thank you all for doing what I should have been doing. I work in politics myself and I promise will fight the good fight too. 

That's not to say I regretted going to Harper's Ferry. As I saw the millions of people marching and my friends in town saying they couldn't get on the metro because it was so crowded, I was kind of glad I went away. I don't do too well in crowds. It was nice to breath fresh air, hike a mountain pass, and visit the quaint (and cute) little town. We took the train both ways and the scenery was gorgeous! I'm planning on writing a post all about it soon. 

Anyways, on to the things I've been enjoying currently: 

Social Loner | Lace Up Sweater and Duck Boots

Top: H&M || Bottoms: H&M jeans || Accessories: Kate Spade necklace, Tory Burch Robinson bag || Shoes: Sperry

Party Night | Blush Cami Dress and Black Booties

Dress: H&M (similar here) || Accessories: H&M bag, Kate Spade necklace (similar here), Julep nail polish in 'Evelyn' || Shoes: Sole Society Daphne

Currently... (Vol. 36)

My first week without OOTDs! I wanted to spend some time working on posts that didn't have to do with outfits which is exactly what I did! I had a lot of fun writing more and thinking about non-fashion related blogs but I'm ready to get back into my usual routine. 

Now, without further ado, here are the things I am enjoying currently:

Books to UNHaul

This is the opposite of a haul post - this is a post on unhauling! Since this is the time of year where everyone is starting fresh, getting things cleaned and out of the way is a part of that. 

I'm actually pretty good at letting things go and getting rid of things I no longer need (I'm the opposite of a hoarder, as I mentioned here). Books, however are another story. I have the hardest time getting rid of books because once I finish a story, it becomes a part of me and the characters of an especially good book become like my friends. I realize I sound like a crazy person but it's honestly the reason why I'm a book hoarder. 

In the spirit of starting anew, I do think it's time to get rid of a few books. And by "get rid," I mean donate or give away - I couldn't really just trash any of my precious books! 

If you're in a similar predicament and your bookshelf has seen better days, here are a few things you should think about when you decide which books you should take down:

What's On My Kindle App

As an Amazon Prime member, I get access to some free Kindle-edition e-books and the library is actually really good! I went on a downloading spree a while back and then... I never read them! To be honest, e-reading isn't my favorite reading medium because I'm a pretty traditional reader (physical copies are my favorite). But that means I'm leaving a ton of books that are at my fingertips untouched! As one of my goals for this year is to prioritize reading again, I'm planning on going through all of my Kindle books and having them all read by the end of the year. Before I list all of these, there are a few in here that I'm actually a bit embarrassed I still haven't read (as a self-professed "bookish" girl, I still haven't read Life of Pi!) No judgments please :]

Book Club: Dark Matter

For Christmas last year I looked through Jen's Amazon wishlist and got her a couple of books that she wanted. One of them included Dark Matter by Blake Crouch and I was so happy when Jen texted me upon finishing the book telling me she wanted to review it! I love a book that makes me feel anything strongly enough to want to write about it so I am happily letting her do so.

---

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

By Jen

11 Goals in 2017

This is a late post and for that I apologize. I was planning on having this post sooner but life got in the way (I mean, already? The new year just started, amirite?). 

I wanted to share some of my goals for the new year! Better late than never, right?

Currently... (Vol. 35)

Wow, first "Currently" post of 2017! 

...Which is probably a weird time to tell you guys that I'm planning on taking a short break from outfit posts. I had a rough week and with the snow and the freezing cold we had this past weekend, I thought this was a sign that I should focus on writing about things that really matter to me instead of going picture-heavy with outfit posts. But not to worry, I'm making plans for outfit posts the week after. I just want to try something new. 

That said, here are a few things I am enjoying currently:

Ambivert | Daphne Booties and Draped Cardigan

Top: H&M cardigan, Forever 21 sweater || Bottoms: J.Crew jeans || Accessories: LOFT aviator sunglasses, H&M bag, Kate Spade necklace (similar here) || Shoes: Sole Society Daphne boots 

Book Club: Coraline

I first read Coraline when I was a kid but I didn't really think too deeply about it. I enjoyed it, for sure, and I found our titular heroine to be a really cool girl, but I thought that there wasn't enough...emotion there. I thought the narration was a bit flat and that turned me off from the book. 

I revisited this book last Halloween when I read an interview with Neil Gaiman describing his book as "refreshingly creepy." In the spirit of the creepy season, I gave this another read and I was thoroughly and refreshingly creeped out.
What once seemed like such flat narrative really helped play into the creepy tone of the book! All of the things I had forgotten about Coraline (not Caroline, thank you), came flooding back to me and I remembered how awesome and spunky the main character was!
Coraline Jones and her family move to a new apartment full of interesting neighbors, none of which have time for her. She's bored and lonely until she discovers a hidden door to an apartment that looks exactly like hers and a world full of the people in her life with one exception: the "other" family members have buttons where their eyes should be. Her other mother is attentive and nurturing where her real mother is busy and dismissive. She starts to enjoy being in the other world when her other mother offers for her to stay with her forever. The catch? Coraline has to trade in her eyes for the buttons.
If that brief synopsis doesn't send shivers down your spine, I don't know what will.
The book (and the movie if you ever see it) has a Tim Burton-esque feel to it - a playful world with dark undertones, if you know what I mean. I highly recommend this book to any Neil Gaiman fan! 

Ready | Faux Fur Vest and Leather Skirt

Top: Forever 21 sweater (similar here), Forever 21 vest (similar here) || Bottoms: Forever 21 skirt (similar here), Forever 21 choker || Accessories: LOFT tights, H&M bag (on sale) || Shoes: Catherine Malandrino