Reading List: Women, the "F" Word, and Other Controversial Topics.

Here is a list of books about women. Written by women. But not just for women. Because men write books all the time that are not only marketed for men, but also for women. I don't have a problem if women write books for women, or if men write books for men. But it seems that often, when a women writes a book (particularly in a non-fiction/essay type style) it is to be marketed solely for women. Now this assumption is not a well researched one because I am too lazy and I am not in college anymore, BUT this feeling does stem from what I have perceived and I think it holds some truth. So long story short, just because these are books written by women it doesn't mean they are only for women. Okay. Let's move on.

(Left) Bad Feminist - Roxane Gay: Just started this one... so far it is a really refreshing and healthy conversation about feminism. It clears up a lot of confusion (you know, like when you hear feminism and all you think of is Beyonce...)

(Right) Yes Please - Amy Poehler: I mean, it's Amy Poehler? This book will be amazing. 

(Left) Not that Kind of Girl - Lena Dunham: Oh Lena. I am a fan of Girls. I am not a fan of everything that happens on Girls, with my complaints being on how narcissistic the characters are rather than how graphic the sex scenes are because sex is sex and at least this show is real about it. I appreciate the raw and gritty aspects of Dunham's writing style. I know there is a lot of controversy around Miss Dunham (in fact Roxane Gray criticizes Lena pretty harshly in Bad Feminist for the lack of diversity in Girls, which is an issue) All in all, this book will be intriguing to read. 

(Right) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling: I read this book a few months back and I could not put it down. It made me want to be a comedian. Go read it now. 

(Left) How to be Parisian Wherever You Are: This looks like a guilty pleasure read for sure, but who wouldn't want to be like a Parisian wherever they are?

 (Right) Girl Talk: It is more of a coffee table book than a bus book (which is something you can take with you to read on the bus... obviously.). I previewed some of the pages on Amazon and it looks hilarious.

 And on a more serious note... 

(Left) The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery: Someone recommended this book to me almost 3 years ago. It was one of those things where I was super busy with school but I checked it out from the library anyway, and then read one page and it was due back and someone had a hold on it and I was broke and had no money to buy books for fun, yada yada yada. Although this book isn't about women, it is written by a brilliant one!

 (Right) Girls of Kabul - Jenny Nordberg: This books seems fascinating and heartbreaking. It is about girls in Afghanistan whose parents decide to raise them as boys. 

So there it is. Some books written by women, about women, but remember... not just for women. Because women's thoughts are not only to be heard by women.

Life Lately

The past three weeks have been quite a whirlwind. Fall decided to show up here in the Northwest and it has been magical. I started my new job a few weeks back and I am adjusting to the 9-5, commuting, cubicle life. I am so grateful that I found a job but I have to remember what I really want. It is too easy to find a job with good pay and bearable work and forgot all that you have dreamt for your life. Good thing I walk past multiple books stores on my way to work and that I choose to sit (when I actually get a seat...) on the side of the bus that will give me a view of the UW library so I can keep on dreaming :). God has been showing me to wait. To stop. To just be in this season and don't immediately jump into the next thing. Oh the balance of dreaming and staying present...

Snippets of fall in Seattle

Oh and I chopped my hair off... I haven't had hair this short since I was 8 years old. As Coco Chanel says (and I TOTALLY agree) "A women who cuts her hair is about to change her life." and it has!

Spruced up the house last weekend and did a deep clean. It felt so good.

We finally built our desk! We had ordered the hair pin legs over a month ago, we were just too lazy to go to Home Depot and buy a piece of wood. This project was REALLY easy, so if you ever need to build anything, go with hair pin legs. I will admit they aren't the sturdiest, we are eventually going to add more support but for now this will do.

Weekends are for piles of waffles in the morning are they not?

A week ago we headed to Sodo to buy Mikey some new work boots, I made us take a little detour to Pioneer Square. I haven't been to this part of town in years, which is ridiculous because it is so amazing. But don't go here at night... alone.... ever...

We stopped in the London Plane for croissants and flowers. This place is everything I want in one spot. Mike commented that I love things that have multiple purposes and flavors. Like why have just apple pie when you could have apple, blackberry pie with a gruyere cheese crust? So the London Plane isn't just a place to get brunch, but also pastries and home goods and flowers. Not to mention the Little London Plane down the street for classes and parties. 

 I was very inspired to say the least. Perhaps I will open a pie shop/library/flower shop/coffee shop. Because just one would be too boring.

 We stopped in Drygoods design across the street and I was in love again. I don't know how to sew so perhaps I should take a class here. 

 I've been enjoying my commute to work. It is a little on the long side, but I love walking through downtown. I am glad my commute has built in cardio; I'm walking 3 miles a day people! It helps with the whole desk job thing. 

The Olympic Sculpture Park is 3 blocks away from my work, it is quite the inspiring place to eat my lunch. 

I will try and update more frequently once I am in more of a rhythm with my work schedule!

Classy Lady Wish List

Tomorrow I start a new job and I am pretty excited/nervous about it. I have to dress like a classy lady everyday and I am pretty excited/nervous about that as well. Excited because it will be fun to play dress up everyday but nervous that it will get old and that I will cry many tears for my jeans. I created a little classy lady wish list to inspire me to be all about professional dress. 

1. Statement Necklace: Classy but still edgy and not too glitzy.

2. Make-Up Bag: All of my make-up (which isn't that much by the way) is in a plastic bag under my sink. I feel like classy ladies have make-up bags, especially ones with french words on them.

3. The Classic Dress: This dress screams "Look at me, I'm an adult!" Maybe I'll even wear it with nylons, nude heels, a cardigan, and red lipstick. Talk about classy.

4. Fancy Boots that aren't from Target or Old Navy: I officially dubbed these boots as my reward for getting a job. I have been holding out for a long, long while to purchase these bad boys. They are made with real italian leather and won't wear out after a month or two. I'm still going to wait a little while longer and see if they go on sale (because I still can't justify the price). 

5. A Kate Spade Planner: Now what is classier than Kate Spade? Plus I am into the watercolor book illustration on the front.

6. A Signature Scent: I have never really been into perfume until I took a whiff of No. 31. It is literally enchanting. And I want to smell enchanting. I feel like the classiest of classy lady things to have is a signature scent.  

P.S. all this blogging has been fun but it will probably be much slower now that I will be working again. Putting together this post was a fun way to celebrate my last day of unemployment/being a lazy bum all day.

Snippets of my week

Explored the neighborhood where my new job is! Yes! A job! Yahoo!! 

Went out to celebrate at Mioposto  for some delicious wood fired pizza.

Took a refreshing walk/run at Carkeek Park

Took some sneaky pictures of this house. I love the white with black trim.

Went back to one of my favorite spots in Queen Anne. What's better than ordering a mexican mocha and perusing a book store?

A Quick Trip to California

One of my dear friends from high school got married last weekend in California. Mike and I were so glad to be able to attend and soak up some California goodness. We were only in town for less than 48 hours, but it sure felt good to see my family, old friends, and take a walk on the beach. I didn't snap too many photos because we were busy celebrating/spending time with family/traveling. Here we are all in Cayucos, CA with my lovely family, the besty included.

It was strange leaving California and not knowing when I would be back, I usually have some sort of trip planned but I have no clue when I will be traveling here again. Mike and I plan on staying in the PNW for the holidays this year and then who knows!

Autumn Survival Kit for the Pacific Northwest

Fall is here, Trader Joe's is officially overrun with pumpkin EVERYTHING (even pumpkin flavored dog treats because dogs need to celebrate fall too), and the temperatures are starting to drop. As much as I love fall, its coming means that The Deadly 4 is on its way. What is The Deadly 4? It's what I call the 4 months of winter that the Pacific Northwest experiences. Halfway through November we change our clocks and the trees become bare and then we wait; through the darkness and the rain and the cold, until the middle of March when finally, FINALLY, blossoms start to peek out and we change our clocks again. During The Deadly 4 you eat a lot of grilled cheese and tomato soup and your feet are always cold (I swear my toes are frozen from November to March). Anyway, thinking about The Deadly 4 makes me think about cherishing autumn and taking pleasure in the little things that make this time, where the earth essentially dies, so beautiful. 

Below are some things that will be with me throughout fall.

1:: Stumptown Coffee - A PNW staple if you ask me. A good cup of jo is essential to enjoying cold, crisp fall mornings.

2:: A Way to Brew Said Coffee - The Chemex is really great. We got one as a wedding gift and I'm in love!

3:: Joseph - This PNW based band of siren-like sisters is incredible. I have literally been listening to it on repeat for days now. Plus their harmonies are pretty bad ass and when I'm home alone I definitely sing along with them.

4:: A Good Jacket - Living in the PNW requires a good jacket. It needs to be warm AND water resistant AND have a hood AND (if this is important to you) it needs to be stylish. Apparently Seattle is one of the worst dressed cities in the country because style isn't really our thing; REI is. Since I'm sort of into style (the functional kind) I think this H&M jacket would be a good choice.

5:: Bean Boots - I love my bean boots. I invested in a pair last fall and although they hail from the Northeast they are great for the Northwest as well.

6:: A Good Sweater - A warm sweater is essential for fall in my book. Preferably one that looks like your grandmother's, is way too big for you, and from Value Village. The one pictured here is from the British clothing company Toast. It is one of my favorite places for thriftspiration; aka where I love the style of their clothes but can't afford them so I find similar things at the thrift store.

7:: A Beautiful and Slightly Spooky Book - I think people often overlook the spookiness of fall. As much as I love the whole pumpkins and leaves situation, I am also into black cats, hocus pocus, and foggy walks through the woods. Jane Eyre seems to be an appropriate fall read to add a dash of spookiness to the season.

8:: A Good Smelling Candle - Never underestimate the power of a candle; it provides instant coziness.

Art for the home part I

I have been on the hunt for some art pieces for our home. Our budget is pretty low, as in there isn't really a budget for wall art (what a shame!) But, in the future we are hoping to fill our walls with some beautiful art. Here is what has been inspiring me.

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