Because my body decided to catch a cold yesterday(I had no say in the matter) I had nothing better to do but knit and watch movies. I caught the middle of “The Mask of Zorro” and decided to watch the rest of it.I had an observation after watching this part of the movie.
Obviously Catherine Zeta Jone and Antonio Banderas are sexy people but GOOD LORD! If this clip isn’t proof that they should have left their less attractive spouses and procreated then I don’t know what is. Enjoy!
That is from page 53 of the book I finished last night, “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I know the title is lengthy but don’t let that deter you. I heard about this book from another blog I follow. I didn’t have a clue what it was about but I went to the library and brought it home, without ever reading a synopsis. In a little over 24 hours I had finished the book! I don’t think I’ve ever done that in my adult life.
The thing that made it so easy to read, for me at least, was that the whole book is written as a collection of letters to and from the characters. It made the flow of reading so effortless and enjoyable. It also inspires me to write letters! Why did we ever stop writing letters?? Curse you technology!!! okay, I fell better now.
The characters are so endearing and lovely. I became so invested in their lives, even though they are fictional. The non-fiction part of the book is the history and time-frame. This story is set in a post-WWII England and talks a lot about how the Nazi regime effected the Channel Islands. As factual as these parts are, the book still keeps an upbeat pace that won’t depress you.
I don’t want to spoil it for anyone so I suggest you read it! I could go on for hours but I will spare you all. If you do read it I would love to know what you think. I’m really quite open to others opinions and views.
Enjoy xoxo
For a few months now I have been wanting to get into reading. My sister was always the reader. She had a huge collection of books and at one point even wanted to be a librarian (thank goodness she came around and chose physical therapy for a career). I was always more hands on and go-out-and-do. Nowadays I’m still pretty hands on but I would like to read more. Not just blogs and magazines but actual hard books! Now, I don’t like the idea of resolutions because they usually end up being broken so instead I will call it a good old fashioned GOAL! My goal is to be someone who reads!
For Christmas I was gifted some money that I received before the holidays so naturally I used it to buy other gifts. My father and Grandfather enjoy books so I made my way to Walden books for gifts. While I was there, with Peace Sign actually, I decided that I would purchase a book for myself as well, to ignite my goal! I chose “Eat, Pray, Love” after hearing such great things about it (and no I have NOT seen the movie yet). As I was checking out the woman at the register said “did you know that all our books are buy 4 get 1 free?” At first this didn’t interest me but I had a quick shift in thinking. Why get one book for myself when I could get three?! So back into the stacks I went. I took me a while to really find things I knew I could commit to reading but I did.
I wasn’t able to start any until after the holidays so when I decided that it was time to begin my goal I chose the lighter of the books I bought.
Chelsea Handlers books are the best. I have adored her as a comedian and love her show on E! so when she started writing books I was all about it. I used my opportune moment at the bookstore to buy her third book that I hadn’t read yet. It was a great starter book to warm me up.
Unlike her first two books, “Chelsea Chelsea, Bang Bang” isn’t focused on her sexual escapades and mishaps. It’s more a collection of stories from her childhood up to the last year. A lot of which involve her now ex-boyfriend Ted, who is also the CEO at E!, and her quirky family. It’s as though you were sitting across the living listening to Chelsea tell the stories to you personally. There are even a few candid photos that certainly enhance the stories.
I know it’s not a Pulitzer Prize nominee but if you want an easy and very entertaining read I highly suggest this book. It will literally have you laughing out loud so try not to read it in a library or any other place that requires your silence. If you have read it, spread the word. If you haven’t read it, try and get your hands on it and let me know what you think. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
happy reading! xoxo
I’ve been thinking very much lately about how I let people influence me. Some in good ways, some in bad. I tend to be easily influenced which is something I’m just now admitting out loud.{epiphany}
While in my sophomore year in college I met a girl (who for all intensive purposes we will call, Jezebel). Jezebel was the type of girl who is magnetic. She never had a shortage of friends who wanted to be around her or men who were interested in her. It was almost like a spell she put on people. I was one such person. I wanted to be her friend and her to be mine. And that’s exactly what happened. For the next 4 years we were almost inseparable. We had our tiffs like people do but managed to get over them. She knew all my little quirks and “isms” and, as cliche as it sounds, we actually did finish each others sentences. Well, things didn’t quite work out for Jezebel and I. True colors were shown and they were not colors I liked. Now I look back at those years with a new perspective. I think about the things I did or changed about myself because of being friends with Jezebel. More of them bad than good. I’m not proud of it.
On the other side of the coin, there are my friends who influence me in the best of ways. First I’ll talk about one of my oldest friends, who we will call Peace Sign. Peace Sign and I have known each other since 8th grade and are closer than ever. There is no one in my life that I giggle more with. It can’t even be helped. Just being around her fills me with joy and love and any hard exterior I have up immediately sheds itself. I can be my silliest, most innocent self with her. Peace Sign is contagious in her unwavering belief in true love. For a long time I didn’t really think that being in love really existed but she makes me feel that it is out there and it’s attainable! She’s a wonderful influence and I love her dearly.
Secondly, I will talk about a friend who I haven’t known for very long but am clearly a kindred spirit with. We will call her Green Goodness. I don’t know if I can put Green Goodness into words for anyone to really grasp her effect on people. She emits the kind of good vibes that can fuel an acre of wind turbines! When we are together I suddenly feel like I can change the world in a day. It’s the strangest thing and it’s slightly addictive. She is one of the most genuinely nice and good people I know. Like with Peace Sign, whenever I’m hanging out with Green Goodness I feel like my truest self. I don’t have to change who I am or pretend to be someone I’m not. It’s joy and happiness in it’s purest form. I adore her and our times together.
I think everyone has their own Jezebel at some point their life. It’s hard to realize it in the moment, but if you do part ways with him/her take a look back at your time together. Learn from the experience and you will know how to avoid him/her in the future, or at least keep them at arms distance. On a happy note, there are people like Peace Sign and Green Goodness out there and they are SO worth your time and love. When you find them, nurture and cherish them and never be afraid to tell them about their great influence on you.
I don’t know if it’s my age, the way I was raised, or just where I am in my life, but lately I am entirely over the idea of people hiding behind things like facebook, IM, and text. In particular, people who are romantically interested in someone. With the invention of these networking devices it became easy for people to not have face-to-face interactions and hide behind their computer. Now I’m not trying to point any fingers because I’ve done it too. But I find myself being more annoyed by it now.A couple months ago the strangest thing happened. It seemed like once a week a guy came out of the wood work and was interested in ME (weird in the first place because I wasn’t really putting myself out there. at all). Now of course all this attention was flattering and part of me enjoyed it but I couldn’t help being bothered by the fact that ALL of them went about their “smooth moves” on facebook! One of them is someone I see on a fairly regular basis whom I’ve know for years. Since I moved home whenever we were around each other, he wouldn’t even speak to me! Now, knowing him, I do know that he is a very shy guy but still, how are you going to talk to my mom (who was next to me!) and not say hello and then send me a facebook message overflowing with your emotions. I’m not Medusa! You will NOT turn into stone if you look at my eyes!
I can recall two other times where something similar happened, only those two skipped the message all together and used chat or just posted their number on my wall! All I can do is wonder: Is this how relationships are started now? Am I going to start my next relationship with my computer and not a person? I don’t think I’m okay with that. I think people should have the guts to look someone in the eye and ask them a question. “Will you go out with me sometime? Can I call you? Will you be my significant other?” I can’t remember the last time I HEARD any of those questions and I don’t think I’m the only one.
When did rejection become something so terrifying that people can’t just talk to each other? The worst answer one can get is a “no”. So what! It’s really not the end of the world. I intend on being more present and enjoying peoples faces more; hearing voices more. Try it! It can only enrich the relationships you have.
Here are some of my favorite things lately: |
| check out this and other colors! |
I took some time to do a girl thing today and got my nails done. Picking a color can usually be pretty stressful so you can imagine my delight when the first polish I picked up was “the one”! It’s by O.P.I and it’s called Russian Navy. Now, I am a huge fan of both dark purple and navy and usually choose dark purple, but this polish was awesome in the fact that it’s a little bit of both. Sometimes it looks navy and others it looks dark purple. I usually don’t get overly excited about products and such but I can’t help but share the news on this one.
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| please excuse the dry hands. Working at Joanns dries a girl out! |
Most importantly, it was nice to take some time to sit and rest and do something nice for me. I think it’s essential for people to take some “me time” and do something they want and not necessarily need. I highly recommend finding your “me thing” and enjoy it guiltlessly! (yes i know that’s not a real word)
Much Love xoxo
I finally made it back into my sewing room and boy did it feel good! Monday I only worked half a day (a much loved treat) so I was able to commit myself to getting behind my machine. First thing on the To Finish list, the Christmas pants. At this point they might as well be called 2011 pants! Since there wasn’t a lot to do on each of them I was able to finish Roy’s and Cassie’s before heading to the gym. That night I finished my own pants and immediately put them on! They are a little long in the crotch(a minor detail) but beyond that they are perfect! Roy’s fit him wonderfully and I’m so glad to have finished them. Note to self(AGAIN): start next years pants BEFORE November!
Tuesday night I get out of work a little early and I was entirely unmotivated to go out in the tundra to the gym, so to the sewing cave I went. My next project that needed to get done was another Christmas gift. I know, I know, clearly being on time during the Holiday’s isn’t my strong suit. This gift needed to be mailed anyway so I didn’t feel TOO bad. I guess at this point I can reveal what the mystery gift is. I made purses for my girlfriends. I had been wanting to make a boho-esque sack purse for a while and searched high and low for a pattern, to no avail. Eventually I decided that I would have to take matters into my own hands. With craft paper and pencil in hand I drew up a pattern and hoped for the best. This is the first purse I made.(big thanks go my sister for modeling!)
When I was finished I had a reversible cross-body sack purse! I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the end result. The front pocket was a little too small so on the rest I adjusted that. Also, I decided to put a pocket on both sides so no matter what, there was on inside and outside of the purse.
I can’t believe that it turned out as well as it did. And as an added touch I put a super cute decorative stitch along the top 
I hope the ladies that received them enjoy them. Each was a token of my true gratitude for their friendship and love. I love each of you dearly.
