Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See

I am fortunate enough to have found and joined a book club that started at the beginning of the year. It's the first one I have ever been a part of and I'm so excited about it. Usually, I'll read something and want to discuss it with others and instead have to settle for devouring reviews (or, you know, writing my own. . .). 

Our first book was All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Spoiler Alert: this story is phenomenal.

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All of the Yums: Recent Recipes

You guys. . .winter is seriously no joke. I am so itchy for warmth and being able to be outside for longer than five minutes without my eyes watering from the wind and cold. I am so ready for skin and lips that aren't chapped and hair that isn't static-y. 

I know I complain a lot about winter, but I really wasn't made for it. Jon and I both agree that if we could guarantee jobs in a warmer climate, we'd bounce. Thankfully, we love Pittsburgh and we have a lot of fun here, so it's not all bad - but I definitely feel like a grumpier, more blah version of myself through the grayest season of the year.

That having been said, we've been eating really, really well. As a lover of food (I may or may not have said out loud earlier today, "Food makes me so fucking happy"), a good meal can absolutely boost my mood. I am not one who eats to live - like, only putting in 'x' amount of proteins to fuel me or whatever. If you can do that, great, all the power to you. For me, it's more like I live to eat. I plan my meals out so that I always have something to look forward to and I love trying to balance pairings or meals throughout the week. 

Am I Bragging? Conversational Positivity

As potentially one of the least politically correct people I know, I often have a hard time finding the line between what is okay to discuss and, most importantly, how to discuss it. 

It seems that in society, even among the best of friends, talking about negative things is always okay (as long as you don't overdo it, of course, because then you're a whiner, a Debbie Downer). Upset with a boss? Bitch about it over cocktails. Frustrated with endless piles of work? By all means, we're here for you. Co-workers suck? Tiptoeing around silly office politics? Complete lack of accountability in others? Let it out, folks. 

But what about the truly good things? What about when good things happen and you're excited and want to share? What about when your efforts are commended, or you are given recognition and praise? What about when things are simply going well and you want to talk about that? The line gets fuzzy.

You think: well, can I just come out and say, "I got an award today!"? You think: am I going to look like a complete bragging ass for talking about how good things are going? You think: is it okay to be this visibly excited? 

Talking about and sharing good things, positive things is almost always harder than negative things. After all, think about your role as a responder to these instances: someone says "I had the WORST day today, I couldn't get a hold of anyone so 'x' project was delayed and then my co-worker completely dropped the ball on 'y' and of course my boss won't say anything or intervene. Then, I had to deal with this rude customer who all but insulted my intelligence and insisted to talk to my supervisor, despite my assurance that I was a supervisor. I feel so unappreciated and I just don't know what to do - there are only so many hours in a day!" 

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This, you think, is easy to react to: sympathy. Empathy. Words of encouragement. Maybe tidbits of advice, suggesting that she have one-on-one time with her boss and calmly explain the sources of frustration. Offer to take her out for lunch or happy hour and make her feel better, give her a safe space to vent. 

Believe me, I have needed exactly that reaction countless times in my life. My last position and employer was pretty terrible and my misery and anxiety levels were through the roof. I am so fortunate to have a myriad of great friends (and a great husband, of course) who would listen, who would offer support, who would be patient as I worked through my grumpiness, who would do everything necessary and really, truly try to make me feel better - and often times, they did. 

Book Review: Big Little Lies

I'm just going to give it away: Big Little Lies is a great, fun read. 

I was a little disappointed in my first book of 2015 so it was extra exciting to update my Goodreads with this one. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty is another one of those books that has been gracing Best Of lists and there apparently will be a limited television series based on it starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman (verdict: SO EXCITED! TV was the way to go, it'll play out much better on a week-to-week basis than if it were a movie).

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In the interest of complete honesty: is Big Little Lies some great, moving piece, some literary art? No - not to me, anyway. But I had so much fun reading it: the characters are great (and relatable - I can name a Madeline, a Celeste, a Renata in my every day life without hesitation), the storyline is interesting, the themes are easy to pick up on without being shoved in one's face. . . I really cannot ask for more in a novel.

ipsy Review: January Glam Bag

New month, new shiny pink envelope! Wee! 

Like last month, I was SO excited to come home to my new haul (bonus: it came a day early!). Also like last month, I totally posted slightly annoying shit to my Facebook in order to get the Sneak Peek so that I knew what was coming. 

Despite that, I was surprised at the size of the items - in a pleasant way. 

From left: LaFresh Eco-Beauty Be Good. Good Day. Day Moisturizer. (Malin & Goetz) Mojito Lip Balm. Manna Kadar Cosmetics Sheer Glo. Hikari Cosmetics Mechanical Eye Liner in Smoke. Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow.

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that I was all about the Fresh Start theme to this month's bag - after all, I specifically mentioned wanting to focus on my skin. Having seen some of the other items that were sent and having used these items for a little over a month, I definitely think I won the ipsy lottery this month.

Book Review: Belzhar

I've officially read my first book of 2015. 

thank you for the encouragement, Goodreads

I read Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer during a bed-ridden sick weekend (it was the worst. I'm a terrible sick person). This book graced many Best of 2014 lists, including this one by Publisher's Weekly and this one by School Library Journal. Amazon had repeatedly recommend it to me so I finally took the bait and went for it when I loaded up my Kindle right after Christmas.

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I have to be honest: when I was telling Jon about this book (which is rare, actually, but he asked and seemed genuinely interested) he asked what the name of it was. I told him, "Belzhar but it's more like BLEHzar," and cracked myself up - so, you know, that pretty much sets that tone, doesn't it?

The Best Thing I've Seen All Week

Seriously, you guys: does it get any better?

Happy Friday, everyone! This week flew for me and I'm hoping the weekend doesn't follow suit - although, since Jon and I have such an activity-packed few days ahead of us, I'm thinking it may. Regardless, enjoy whatever time you get to yourself and whether your Monday comes too quickly, too slowly, or at just the right speed, I hope it brings a week of awesomeness your way.