It was a pretty good week! As I mentioned, I took Wednesday off and had a fabulously productive day. I watched Zero Dark Thirty which was super intense but really good as well as four hours of the British series "Silk" which took a lot off of my DVR. I also reorganized my closet and because it was so successful, this weekend I tackled my bookshelves and under my bed. It's very much still a work in progress but I'm loving the feeling that I have slightly more open space plus I uncovered three pairs of shoes so it was almost like I went shopping but without spending any money.
Halloween was great fun! I dressed up as Minnie Mouse, which was very easy and super adorable. I already had a black shirt and tights as well as yellow shoes so I just needed to pick up a red and white polka dot skirt and ears. It got a lot of compliments so I was pleased.
Have I mentioned that I'm a planner? Well I've been stressing over what I wanted to give my coworkers for Christmas (12 people within my department plus a few others outside) and I'm really struggling beyond cookies, which I haven't ruled out. Is anyone else planning and have an idea to share?
The Month That Was, October:
I thought October was a pretty good month with 26 books read but it turns out my average rating was only 3.71 after the 3.83 rating of September. The books I would be most likely to recommend are The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas and The Heiresses by Allison Rushby with the caveat that I can see why others wouldn't like them.
The Month That Will Be, November:
My fourth blogoversary is coming up! I'm not planning anything big but since I like to celebrate in style there will be a giveaway; still working on the details. Otherwise just more reviews and continuing to work on War and Peace.
My Obsession:
Finally it's not music related. Instead it's the website Shoes of Prey, where you can design custom shoes according to your own design tastes. Below is a pair I've been working on and hope to purchase. I could not find a pair of tan patent heels I liked and this just might end up being the solution. If you like shoes, you'll have a fun time on this website!
Week to Come: Lots of random goodies this week, across categories and genres-I hope you enjoy the eclectic mix and find something you're interested in :)
Find Me by Romily Bernard
Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
Loud Awake and Lost by Adele Griffin
Glittering Promises by Lisa T Bergren
Flo & Wendell by William Wegman
All God's Children by Anna Schmidt
Loved your newsy post and YAY on 4 years this month, quite an achievement!
ReplyDeleteI used to always make home-made Ferrero Rochers for co-workers and they were a real hit. Now family and friends request them every Christmas. Recipe on my blog if you're interested, or I can send it. This year I'm trying some gifts in a jar ideas from Pinterest ... Gingerbread in a jar with a gingerbread man cookie cutter and for those that don't like gingerbread; M&M cookies in a jar with a Christmas tree or star shape cookie cutter tied on the bottle.
I ordered The Burning Sky after seeing great reviews. Hope to get to it soon!!
Have a great week and happy reading :)
Thanks for the ideas-I'm continuing to refine as the time nears. Now I'm looking at fudge with some other goodies as I have a pretty simple recipe.
Delete4 years is huge- congrats! I love the idea of Shoes of Prey. I'll definitely check them out. I don't work so I've never given anybody Christmas presents (I'm also not Christian) but I know my mom gives little care packages with moisturizer, shower gel, perfume, etc. Or she gives Christmas ornaments.
ReplyDeleteHave a greet week!
-P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex
I wish I could do Christmas ornaments-we have a holiday party with a white elephant of ornaments though so that's out. I like the little care packages and I may incorporate something like that.
DeleteIt's always nice to find a surprise when you are cleaning. I once found money in the pocket of a coat :)
ReplyDeleteYour costume sounds really cute! I did not dress up for Halloween but I am going to be dressing up as a maid for a library program next weekend. That means a trip to the craft store today :)
As far as homemade gifts, you could always do gifts in a jar. You can get small Mason jars and fill them with the ingredients to make cookie mixes or hot cocoa. The hot cocoa recipe is really easy and would be a good one for larger numbers of people. You could also buy a box of plastic spoons and a bag of candy melt or almond bark and dip the spoons to go with the hot cocoa. There are also recipes for soup and pancake mix. I have some on my Pinterest page. Taste of Home puts out a little booklet every year around this time with ideas for gifts in a jar too. http://www.pinterest.com/readextensively/gift-basket-and-gift-ideas/
BSP: Here is the link to some homemade gift ideas that my friend and I put together for the library last year: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2fdU9-CvFV5weBEVPxkdveSlpAzKQHXi
DeleteIt has the hot cocoa mix and chocolate spoons as well as other ideas.
Thank you thank you thank you! I love these ideas and feel so reassured that I have some ideas as the time nears.
DeleteOh my Gosh! I can't belive you read 26 books last month! It makes me think I have to read a lot more!
ReplyDeleteYou Halloween costume sounds like a fun idea! we don't celebrate Halloween where I live but I wish I could dress like Minnie, too!
I have The burning sky on my TBR pile, I hope I can read it soon!
Lis @ The reader lines
That was a good month-the usual goal is 25 to reach 300 for the year, which I am on track to do. I hope you like The Burning Sky!
DeleteThere's a site you can design your own shoes?! That's cool! I've been working on organizing too. I got a new bookcase so I keep changing things around. Trying to put authors and genres together. It's frustrating because I have more TBR books then anything and I like to keep them separate so I can look at the bookcase and just pick one. Ah well, I'll figure it out! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that fun? I just found out that my grandma is giving me cash for Christmas so I guess I will be moseying over there soon!
DeleteIt's great you read that many books. I think I only read 17 or so. I am hoping to make up for this month, so more going back and forth to the Dr and I might be able to. :) Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteCurrently my goal is 25 a month so I'm glad I'm on track. Next year I'm reducing the amount to 17 a month and I think that will be more manageable.
DeleteGlad you had an awesome week :D Aw, Minnie Mouse is adorable. <3 hope next week will be awesome for you as well :) Happy reading. <3
ReplyDeleteI love her-I felt so adorable!
DeleteI'm glad you had a nice day off. Minnie Mouse sounds like an adorable costume!
ReplyDeleteI love finding gifts for people too...besides cookies, there are other food items you could probably do or check out pinterest! I can look deeper into things if you want help. Just let me know!
I saw your gift guide and loved that. Right now I'm thinking fudge and peppermint bark possibly-just trying to keep things interesting!
DeleteSounds like a great month!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice and now it's almost December-where does the time go???
DeleteCongrats on four years!
ReplyDeleteThank you-I can't believe it's been so long (I mean, that's 1/6th of my life!)
DeleteOooo that's why I miss Canada (okay, and every other country that I've lived in)– because Singapore doesn't celebrate Halloween! Really missing the candy and dressing up :/ Oh well, next year at uni hopefully! And Zero Dark Thirty sounds intense, but my mom said it was good, so it must be, hehe. AND OMG Shoes of Prey sounds awesome! Lol I need to control myself, pretty sure I'll spend all my free time on that now... :/ hehe looks like you've had a good week! :D
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize Halloween wasn't international. I love seeing all the kiddies dress up and sometimes us adults get into the swing of things too :)
DeleteI have The Burning Sky but haven't had time to read it yet. I need to get on that :) And oh my gosh, that shoe-designing website sounds unbelievably awesome!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely recommend The Burning Sky-slow burning but worth it!
DeleteI am such a planner, too--I have a ton of family and friends to buy for, so I need to start early (we have to ship at lot, too), but I'm pleased to say I'm probably more than halfway done at this point--so you're not alone! It's always hard to find small stocking-stuffer type gifts that are affordable and nice, because I never want it to be something people throw out, either. Last year I gave a lot of miniature candles, which were a big hit.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your upcoming blogoversary, too! That's fantastic.
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
I'm working on my complete list this weekend-hoping I don't forget anyone!
Delete26 books, great job :D! Dressing up like Minnie Mouse is so cute and a fourth blogoversary, that's wonderful :D
ReplyDeleteThank you-I had a lot of great news to share that week!
DeleteWhat a great link for the shoes! My daughter can never find the shoes she wants- so I'm directing her to that site. Maybe she can design her own.
ReplyDeleteAren't they cool? A bit pricier than my usual but with that level of customization, you can understand why.
DeleteChristmas shopping! *hides*
ReplyDeleteI'm off to see what you think of Wide Awake and Lost because I also have that one…
Jen @ YA Romantics
It's scary but if you attack it with a plan, it should be more manageable!
DeleteI am determined to read The Burning Sky this month!!
ReplyDeleteHope that happens!
DeleteI absolutely adore those shoes you designed, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteChristmas shopping stresses me out too! My mom usually makes christmas ornaments (like one year she made foam snowman ornaments with each person's name on it) Not too expensive, and pretty easy to make too! :)
I love them and I wish I could find a similar pair at a lower price point but since I can't, I'm saving up to splurge on these.
DeleteThat's a lot of people in your office. I like the cookies. You can put them in pretty boxes? Maybe do handmade cards? One year I did hot cocoa mix, a 5 dollar gift card to B&N, and Hershey kisses in a little bag and people seemed to like that. I usually do candy, starbucks cards, and nail polish for my coworkers if I'm lost I'm sure this is not helping. haha. I love love love shopping and coming up with presents for people! Don't stress! You have a ton of time!
ReplyDeleteThat's just in my department (we're on the larger side)! I have some ideas and I'll keep refining. Thanks for your suggestions!
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