Friday, March 30, 2018

Self Care Friday

In the last few weeks, I have created five new programs at my library and since my mind has been running a mile a minute, I've been coming up with new ideas and posts to incorporate into the blog as well. More on that a little later though. To switch up Friday posts, I'm adding a new morning series, Self Care Friday! So dish on your favorite products and tell me what you're doing on a Friday night in! Now that I'm 30 and staying in on a Friday night sounds so much more luxurious than going out, I'm into this new thing called Friday Night Chores. What are your plans today or tonight? 

What I'm Doing: Friday Night Chores

What I'm Reading: Am I There Yet

What I'm Wearing: Clay Cleanser/Mask

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

The Librarian Suggests


What I'm Reading: 
Sex and Rage - I still don't know how I feel after reading Sex and Rage and that was practically a month ago. Jacaranda is basically Edie Sedgwick on the west coast. She's a beach bum, part-time painter, sun-kissed and beautiful, she hangs with people who resemble Daisy and Tom Buchanan from the Great Gatsby. It's about nothing and it's all over the place, wild like the Jacaranda flower itself. We find our heroine at twenty-eight years old, she's jobless and has no sense of purpose, she's wild and free but is easily "thrown away" by her friends. She moves to New York in hope to write a book and enter a new phase in her life. Semi autobiographical of Eve Babitz's life, Sex and Rage is not really about sex or rage. Maybe you'll like it more than I did.

Help! I'm A Prisoner in the Library - A few weeks ago as I was weeding the Children's Fiction and I came across this title, it instantly intrigued me. Written in 1979 and based on a library somewhere in Indiana, this book was so much fun. Two girls who accidentally get locked in a library one evening must figure out how to get out. Told similarly to The Mixed Up Files of Mrs.Basil E. Frankweiler, the two sisters explore the library and eventually meet the librarian who help them find their father. Needless to say, I will not be getting rid of this treasure of a book. 

No Matter the Wreckage - Do people even read poetry anymore? I'm all over the place from Sylvia Plath to Mary Oliver, Anne Sexton and Langsten Hughes. I've been trying to make the effort to read more modern work and when I stumbled across Sarah Kay a few years ago, I instantly fell in love. B is her most famous piece, No Matter the Wreckage is filled with wonderful poems. 

The Prince and the DressmakerKeeping his secret of wearing dresses and taking Paris by storm as Lady Crystalia, (only the hottest fashion icon in the capital of fashion), Prince Sebastian's parents are looking for a bride. Forget the women his parents are trying to set him up with, Sebastian would rather twirl in his one of a kind gowns and Frances, his dressmaker. A beautifully crafted story that acknowledges gender fluidity and explores love, this is sure to be a graphic novel you will come back to again and again. And if you enjoy this author and these illustrations as much as Jade and I do, then follow Jen Wang

Sula -  One of the best books I've read this year. Sula is a novel that traces the lives of two black women from their childhood in a small Ohio town, through their own paths of womanhood and their final confrontation and reconciliation. This book is all the feels. Make sure to pass it on to your best friend. Nel and Sula are soulmates. Nel conforms to the society she lives in while Sula is more rebellious, seeks city life and is fiercely independent. Despite being published in 1963, this book is very relevant with the discussion of female friendship today. #girlgang   

What I'm Watching: 
Two words, Queer Eye. 

What I'm Listening Too: 

Monday, March 26, 2018

Weekend Wrap Up...

 good morning...
 lazy saturday.
 girls night in reading...
 the most relaxing weekend.
this little fur ball!

(images via instagram)

Friday, March 23, 2018

Friday Morning

Hey guys, I'm over the moon for this weekend for several reasons. The ac-unit has been out at the library for the last two days and I feel like I could faint. How we've managed to stay open without dying or being yelled at by patrons, it's been an interesting week. I'm also finally getting a much needed hair cut and looking forward to sleeping in. I've been working weekends for a little over a month and I'm happy to have them back. What have you been up too? 






Thursday, March 22, 2018

Man Crush





I never got into the original Queer Eye For The Straight Guy mostly because I was in high school and college and I just didn't watch a ton of television then. And I only got into the reboot after a coworker was praising the show last week (and said the guys were super good looking). She told me make sure you have tissues, it will make you cry. So last week after a particularly long day, I binged the first four episodes. My coworker was right, I teared up every single episode. When I say it's one of the best shows I've watched lately it's because it's so heart warming, it pulls at your heart strings. There's an episode where Bobby Berk makes a statement along the lines of no matter the color or our sexuality we're people and we all just want to be accepted and loved. And it's true!

Despite being uncomfortable and awkward the guys have no problem opening up on screen with the men they are making over. One of my favorite parts of each episode is the cultural component. Discussing potentially awkward conversations like the current political climate, accepting homosexuality, police brutality, black lives matter, religion and homosexuality, it brings it home and starts an important conversation more people need to have. Is this show going to change the American culture, no! But it's a start. This show encompasses everything I love - home renovations, fashion, grooming tips (um, Jonathan, I would love women's hair care recommendations!!) and easy food recipes. Have you watched Queer Eye? What are you thoughts? Is there a member of the Fab 5 that's your favorite or do you love them all equally! It's hard to pick only one guy because they're all great but Jonathan's pazazz is so elating, right?! When is Season 2 set to premiere?! I need more!

(1,2,3,4,5)

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Spring Intentions

Last April/May I started writing about quarterly intentions, personally accomplishing smaller projects is much easier to start than a bigger more intimidating goal. The first three, I'm proud that almost a year later I'm still sticking too. I memorized a poem, my answer to questions like 'how are you?' no longer include the word busy but with responses like I'm loving the silent reading club I'm in (which of course always includes weird reactions) and I watch way less television at night. When October hit, I had the same intention and while I only completed one of three goals, I was happy with the small changes I have made over the last year. To keep at it, I'd like to continue this series every season. Over the last few years my schedule has gotten a little chaotic, I keep adding projects and programs to my work day so breakfast has been on the go and I hate it! Planning breakfasts and giving myself that extra fifteen minutes to actually sit down and enjoy a little bit of silence would make my day infinitely better. What are you working towards this spring? 


Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Top Five

I'm a newsletter fiend. You know the opening scene in You've Got Mail, when Meg Ryan waits for Greg Kinnear to leave and she runs to her computer anticipating the sound of an email from Joe? And then the Cranberries come on and it's a wonderful, beautiful day?! That's the level of excitement I have for Newsletter Friday. That is because I typically wait until Friday morning when my inbox is full of newsletters. I head into work early, post work related content to social media, make myself another cup of tea, sit back and relax and open one or two newsletters. After a busy Friday, I can't wait to get home, take a bubble bath and slip into fresh bed sheets and continue reading. Are you into newsletters? I'm so curious, what are you reading? 





  

Friday, March 16, 2018

Friday Morning

Six months ago I started a collaboration with a community organization. And while I was looking forward to the end result, I've sort of been a mess since then. I wanted to execute this program perfectly, I was worried it would not end up how the other party wanted it to be. So for the last several months I have been anxiously awaiting this week. It was a great success but I'm exhausted from the anxiety of it all, I'm just glad I will be able to go to sleep a little more soundly tonight. There is still quite a bit of programming to plan out for the summer and a few other big projects happening next month, but the weight of this week's events has been so heavy and now that it's finally lifted I already feel better. So cheers to a relaxing weekend and enjoying what's left of the spring season. As you know Palm Springs is already starting to get warm and I'm not into it. What are your plans for the weekend? See you Monday:)




Thursday, March 15, 2018

Why My Brain is Always Tired



Being a millennial and librarian is kind of a problem. I have never been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but if you were to guess that I have these tendencies and behaviors, then you guessed correctly. I once spent my spring vacation in college at the university library reading (and researching) everything I could find about the execution of The Romanov Family and Rasputin (it wasn't an assignment, it was for pure pleasure). By the time school was back in session, I was checked out. My brain never got the break it needed. And this is a daily habit, I'm not even kidding. Living in the rabbit hole and researching for hours on end (on any given subject) is second nature to me, I never stop to consider that it is a habit I need to learn to control. But I'm addicted, the need to know is just part of me (and most millennials). This perpetual state of curiosity is at the core of my foundation. So the fact that information is so easily accessible and that I have this degree (in library and information science) doesn't exactly help; it means I just know how to search information better and faster. We live in a world of information overload. Part of it is pressure because of the job. The other part, I just love learning. I'm a reading fiend, an information hoarder, hoping to one day be a walking encyclopedia. 

But having access to so much information can also be a bad thing. I wake up to the sound of my alarm which is a curated playlist and then will usually switch to the latest episode of a favorite podcast while I'm getting ready and on my commute I revert back to listening to music. The work day is a combination of researching and reading, with a lunch break spent listening to more podcasts. Winding down at night is catching up with social media and reading newsletters or a book. My ears and eyes never get a break and it's important, you know, to chill out from time to time! For someone extremely introverted and who prefers to be alone to recharge, there is little silence in my day. And, that's part of the problem. My parents always ask how can I be so exhausted, I'm just a librarian?! Even if I'm not physically exerting myself, my brain is constantly working in overdrive. So learning to balance the amount of information I consume should be more of a priority. Here's a few really intriguing articles about information overload and how it's affecting us!




Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Lately


Every girl needs this strapless bra

In my last book club meeting, everyone loved hating on Sex and Rage. I loved it but also strongly dislike it. Needless to say, I ordered a few other Eve Babitz books


This face mask leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.

Only my favorite creole restaurant

Good night stories for rebel girls. 



Addicted to this fruit pops

Monday, March 12, 2018

Weekend Wrap Up...

 apartment and bedroom sneak peak.
 a piece of heaven. 
walking into my week on a high note.

(images via instagram)

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Quote of the Day

"What is success? It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace." 
-Paulo Coelho

Friday, March 9, 2018

Friday Morning...



We made it to Friday! Over the last few months I have come to really cherish weekends with no plans. Work has been hectic, I barely have enough time to sit down for ten minutes without interruptions and with the several side projects I have going on, I really look forward to that glass of wine and skin care routine each night. What does self care look like to you? How do you relax after a long day of work? How are you by the way and what have you been? I feel like it's been a bit since we've gotten personal! I promise I'll work on that! What are you up too this weekend? As far as my plans, I have a girls night planned and maybe heading out of town for a short weekend trip. Cheers to your weekend and see you next week!







Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Spring Ahead






Ready to show a little skin? Me too, looking forward to warmer weather and airy dresses. 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Things I'm Into This Week





Rue Rodier: A guide for better (and healthier) living - follow this blog (and subscribe to the newsletter) to swoon over Marissa's street style, her gorgeous home and follow along on her travels and adventures. I found her a few years ago through Traveler and started following her on social media.   

Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls Podcast: Being a children's librarian, I was on board with the Kickstarter campaign to get Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls published. I own both the books and highly recommend them to every parents asking for something inspirational for their little girls. They podcast launched today and it was oh so good. 

French Girl OrganicsIf you've noticed my addiction to skin care products on my social media, it's really nothing new (especially since bath-leisure is the newest trend). Given that I have ultra dry (and somewhat problematic) skin, it's important to stay on top of my nightly skincare routine, so investing in good products is a necessity for me. I've used a few products from French Girl Organics, but I absolutely love Rose Dorée Body Oil.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Leading Ladies

It's Women's History Month, check this out!

Five Things to know about Elsa Schiaparelli: 

1. Elsa studied Philosophy at the University of Rome.

2. Schiaparelli fled to London to avoid the marriage to a persistent suitor, a wealthy Russian whom her parents favored and for whom she herself felt no attraction.  

3. She collaborated with other artists like Salvador Dali, Alberto Giacometti, and Cecil Beaton among many other artists of her day. 

4. Her clothes were worn and celebrated by some of history's most adventurous and creative women, including Amelia Earhart, Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. 

5.  She invented and/or redefined the jumpsuit, the wraparound dress, see through raincoats and colored tights. 

(image) 

Leading Ladies

Five Things to Know About Bernadette Marie: 1. Trained and completed two degrees, an AAS in Communication Design and BFA in Textile S...