Monday, February 27, 2023

Recent Purchases 13

I've been really needing some new clothes and have had such a hard time finding anything lately! This is really all I have bought in the last 6 or so months (or at least all I've kept. I've bought other stuff and returned it because I didn't like it.) 

I feel like the styles are just so ugly lately. Although Target seems to be getting some cute stuff in for spring. Spring is usually when I tend to find the clothing I like the most just because I like more of the colors and prints associated with spring time. 
1. Under Armour Women's Shorts in Black/White: I really like these shorts and wear them all the time! I need to order them in some more colors. It's so hard to find athletic shorts that aren't super short. I like something in the mid-thigh area so the 5" length is perfect. The material is nice. It's a bit heavier than most athletic shorts and has a bit of stretch to it. And these have decent sized pockets.

2. White T-Shirt Bodysuit and Black T-Shirt Bodysuit: I've been trying to find some bodysuits to wear with skirts and have had a hard time finding any that fit right. I don't like the ones that feel like swimsuit material and a lot of others are really thin and see through. These have a nicer, slightly heavier material so the white specifically isn't too see through. They fit nice and they're looser fitting so they aren't skin tight like a lot of others.

3. Women's V Neck Ruffle Floral Wrap Maxi Dress in A1-blue: This dress is really pretty although I'm not a huge fan of the material. It just feels kinda cheap. I did get it on sale so it's not a huge deal. That said I like how it fits. It's flowy, adjustable, and super flattering. It comes in a bunch of different colors, fabrics, and styles. I would definitely buy this again in a different style/color. If you're between sizes I'd definitely recommend ordering your larger size (that's what I did) especially with wrap dress you want to make sure you have enough dress to wrap around and tie!

4. Acorn Lightweight Bristol Loafer in Navy/Blue: I got these for my birthday and I really like them! I was looking for something to wear around the house that would be comfortable for when I'm standing for long periods of time cooking. Pretty much every pair of slippers I've looked at are of the really warm and fuzzy variety and since I live in South Carolina I really didn't want something that is going to make my feet hot! I like that these look more like a shoe and are great for all seasons. The sizing is weird on these and they were a little big but I got some insoles that helped to make them more comfortable which made them fit just fine.

5. OFFLINE By Aerie Goals High Waisted Legging in True Black: I like these leggings pretty well. The waistband does roll down which is annoying (if I go a size up they're too big. I think it's just the silky material). But besides that I like the look and feel of these. I got these on sale for half off. Definitely would not pay full price for them.

6. Under Armour Vanish Jogger in Black/White: These joggers are nice although I don't love the fit. They're kind of baggy in the hips and thighs (you can tell just from the picture) but they're fitted from about the knees down so if I sized down I think they'd be too small. It's not a big deal though. I just like them for wearing around the house. They have a functioning drawstring waist (it's surprising how many pants have a drawstring that doesn't work!) and decent sized pockets. Like, I can actually put my phone in my pocket. Which is a huge plus for women's pants!

7. Midi A-Line Slip Skirt in Black/White: This skirt it so cute! I was really surprised at how well it fit too! Sometimes this style of skirt is really unforgiving and clingy in all the wrong places but it's actually really flattering. Definitely recommend! It has an elastic waist, the slit isn't too high so it looks cute on the side and also off center at the front, and the heart print is just really cute!

8. Daily Ritual Standard-Fit Short-Sleeve Crewneck Tunic in Deep Green and Deep Blue: I really like these and have this tunic in three other colors besides the two listed here. This is the only tunic length t shirt I've been able to find that is actually long enough to wear with leggings. 

 Have you purchased any new clothes lately? 
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Monday, February 20, 2023

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin Book Review

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

From back cover:

When the German march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden. American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research - her life's dream - and makes the dangerous decision to print resistance newspapers.

As Else hears rumors of the movement's legendary Havmand - the merman - she also becomes intrigued by the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse. Henrik makes every effort to conceal his noble upbringing, but he is torn between the facade he must maintain and the woman he is beginning to fall in love with.

When the occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech...or in silence.

I was honestly a little disappointed with this book. I was really looking forward to this story because I really enjoyed the previous two books (When Twilight Breaks and Until Leaves Fall In Paris. Just a note, these books can all be read as stand-alone.) and I had never read a WWII book set in Denmark. I think my biggest issue was I just couldn't connect with the characters. 

Else was just so nice and came across as too perfect. Her biggest "flaw" in the story was the fact that she didn't know how to stand up for herself. And that was only because she was being treated unfairly by one person. Else's job as a physicist was hard to relate to. I mean, I liked and appreciated that she was such an intelligent physicist and I would have liked to learn more about her job and what she was doing, but it was all very vague and hard to understand.

And then with Henrik (who goes by multiple names throughout the book which can be a tad confusing) who is described as being a playboy before the war and then makes a dramatic transformation with very little explanation. I really could have done with a some more backstory or something. We see him struggling with different concepts and he's had some things happen in his past that are said to have changed him but we don't get to see any of that growth. It was like "this happened, then this happened." and that was it.

Mostly I found the character development to be lacking, the romance was just way too easy without any tension or anything. I wasn't rooting for them or wondering if they were going to end up together. It was basically just a matter of that they they like each other and that's it.

Another issue I had was how hard the Danish language was to understand. There was a pronunciation guide at the back of the book but it really just frustrated me more than helped. I would have been fine with it had it just been locations, but it went beyond that and really hindered the progress of story for me. 

I did like that the story was set in Denmark as I was very interested in reading about what went on there during the war. While I have never been to Denmark it was described well enough where you could easily imagine the setting. 

Unfortunately this could have been a great story but it just felt like it was missing something. While I was invested in the book and wanted to know what was going to happen, it just didn't have that don't-want-to-put-it-down quality that some of Sarah Sundin's other books have for me.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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Monday, February 13, 2023

6 Months of Photo A Day 2022

Well, I only made it through half of the year with the photo a day. I always enjoy looking back at it but I struggle with a lot of the prompts. So many of them repeat quite a bit throughout the year and then others are just not possible. Unless you live in a big city and are out and about all the time it's really hard to come up with ideas that fit the prompts! I try to be as creative as possible and "think outside the box" but you can only do that so much!

Anyways, despite my complaining about the prompts I am pleased with what I did come up with. I wish I could remember to just take a picture of something on my own each day but I both like having a prompt (just something of a starting place) and dislike the constraint of having a prompt if that makes sense! 

Did you make any goals or do any challenges last year? 
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