Real Outfit Roundup

I feel like I've really dropped the ball on these outfit roundup posts this summer, but it's just been such a crazy few months, y'all. Between moving, the magazine, and preparing for my first year teaching, I've been spread pretty thin over the past couple of months. And to be perfectly honest, I haven't been super focused on putting together photo-worthy outfits...especially since we've been having one of the hotter summers I can remember.

Anyway, these outfits date back to the first of July, but there are days-long gaps between some of them for various reasons. I also probably can't tell you what all I did on some of the days because, well, there's been a lot going on this month, and it's all a little jumbled. So bear with me while I try to get this straight!

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 145 lbs. I typically wear size 6 or s/m in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Shirt / Shorts (similar)

We're starting with the July 4th weekend, where I can assure you I was dressing for comfort over style. Still, I wanted to share this t-shirt with you because I've enjoyed wearing it this month. It's super soft and comfortable and perfect for anyone who likes to camp. My shorts are a couple years old, but they're the Universal Thread brand from Target, which I really like. My flip flops are so old that I don't remember where they came from, and they honestly probably only cost a few dollars.

Swimsuit

You might remember seeing this swimsuit in the Spring when I shared four different options that I liked from Amazon. Well, I finally got around to wearing this one, which was my favorite from the bunch. I was comfortable in this all day and didn't feel like I was fighting it in any way at all. It stayed where it was meant to stay, even when riding the tube.

Shirt (Wantable) / Shorts (similar) / Shoes

This is one of the shirts that came in my Wantable box. I've shown it dressed up a little bit by pairing it with a skirt, but this day I just felt like being comfortable and wore denim shorts and Converse.

Shirt (Wantable)

This is another of the shirts I kept from the Wantable box. It's a fun embroidered blouse that I'll be able to wear to work. I don't remember what bottoms I was wearing here, but I wanted to share the shirt regardless.

Shirt / Skirt (similar) / Shoes

I had some errands to run this day, so I felt like putting a little effort into my outfit. This polka dot skirt is one of my favorites to mix and match, especially with fun t-shirts like this one. My pink Converse kept everything nice and casual, and I'm happy to report that this color is back in season! So if you've been looking for a pair, now's the time to buy.

Raincoat

I have absolutely no idea what I was actually wearing underneath this rain jacket, but I absolutely love this rain jacket and wanted to share it with you!

Dress / Shoes / Necklace

Recognize this dress? It's from my teacher shopping post. I had a coffee meeting with one of the magazine's partners this particular morning, then spent some time in my classroom that afternoon getting desks arranged, etc. Anyway, I have this dress in four colors. That's how much I love it! It's a midi length on me, which is perfect for teaching, and because it's just a basic dress, it'll be easy to layer a jacket or sweater over it in the cooler months.

Shirt / Shorts / Shoes

I wore this to a chiropractor appointment, then we finished up some magazine distribution. The rain made it especially difficult this month! This t-shirt is one of my favorite new additions this summer. It comes in a bunch of colors, too. These shorts have been a staple of my summer wardrobe. They are a little bit more structured than denim shorts and come in a bunch of colors. I've got this pink pair, a pale blue, and the olive green.

Dress / Sandals (similar) / Earrings

This is one of my favorite dresses of all time. I have shared it so many times on this blog! I wore this to do some back-to-school shopping during my state's tax free weekend. I usually wear different shoes, but since we were going to be doing a lot of walking I wanted a pair of no-hassle sandals.

Dress / Shoes / Necklace / Earrings

This was the first day of teacher orientation, and I wanted to make a good impression, while being comfortable. This is another of those Time and Tru tank dresses. I love this neutral striped one! I feel like I can wear just about any third layer with it, from my white jean jacket to a blue denim jacket, my brown suede jacket, or even a black blazer. For this day, I chose to keep it all very simple and finished the look with my faux leather white tennis shoes.

Shirt / Jeans / Shoes

This was the final day of new teacher orientation, which was only half a day. I knew I would be spending the afternoon doing some stuff in my classroom so I wanted to be a bit more casual. I paired this new favorite giraffe t-shirt with my black skinnies and converse and called it a day. I left the shirt untucked because I liked the way that looked more than doing a half or full tuck. The giraffe necks go all the way to the hem, so it looked odd.

Dress / Shoes

This dress was also included in my teacher shopping post. We had a school registration appointment for Alexis to go to that morning, then I spent a little bit of time in my classroom, before coming home to do some magazine tasks and work on some pre-planning stuff. The first day of school is next week! Anyway, this dress is incredibly comfortable. I think it looks like a newspaper that got smudged by the printing press. I was undecided on the shoes I wanted to wear so just kept it simple with black Converse.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! I don’t have a ton to share with you this week, so this post will be brief.

I made it through new teacher orientation last week. It was a lot of information at one time, but a lot of it was common sense stuff do I feel pretty good about it. This week is going to be kind of crazy. We’ve got two full days of a district-wide training followed by pre-planning and a bunch of meetings peppered throughout. Thankfully I’ve gotten a lot done on my own time so it won’t be too much of a rush to get it all finished.

In terms of the magazine, I’ve only got one thing I’m waiting on to come in for the next issue. I’ll probably go ahead and get started on some of the stuff for September this week, though, so I’m ahead of the game.

I think that’s about it for me this week. Time is ticking down to the first day of school, so that’s where most of my focus is at right now. I hope everyone has a great week!

Back-to-School Shopping: Teacher Edition

The countdown to back-to-school is getting shorter. For me, my school year started this week with orientation. I've got pre-planning next week and then the kids start the week after. So for the past month or so, I've been working on adding teacher-appropriate items to my closet, specifically some easy-to-style pants and longer skirts and dresses. Everything I've bought can be mixed in with my existing wardrobe fairly easily and also works for casual out-of-school dressing, as well.

*This post does not contain the items I received in my first Wantable box that I kept with the intention of wearing them for school. You can check that post out here.

Take a look at the clothing items I bought specifically for school.

Let's start with the items I got from Amazon.

Black Floral & Yellow Floral Tiered Midi Skirt - These skirts are so good, y'all. They are fully lined, which is great, but the material is pretty delicate, so probably not appropriate for working with younger kids. The waistband is elastic, so it's got some give to it. It does not have pockets, which makes me kinda sad. The skirt is tiered, so it has a really pretty flow. They come in several other colors. (See how I styled the yellow skirt in this post.)

Green Floral Maxi Skirt & Blue Plaid/Gingham Maxi Skirt  - These are technically the same skirt, just in very different, seemingly unrelated patterns. What I like about these is how sturdy the material is. It's thick without being bulky and doesn't need a liner underneath. The waistband is elastic so not restrictive. (See how I styled it in this post.)

Colorful Tassel Earrings - Ok, so I didn't buy these specifically for teaching, but they're still a great find and an easy way to add a dash of fun to any outfit.

Blue & Yellow Striped Maxi Dress - I am so happy with this dress. The material is a polyester blend and is a little stretchy, but I don't think it's going to lose it's shape. It does have a side zipper, and the waist is not elastic, so be aware of that when ordering. Also, on me at least, it shows just a hint of cleavage, so I'll most likely add a camisole underneath for modesty when wearing at school. But for all you non-teachers out there, this would be a good casually dressy option for lots of occasions! Oh, and it has pockets!

Black & White Maxi Dress - I don't know what to call the pattern on this dress. Square polka dots maybe? Anyway, I am in love with it. It's very roomy, especially since I ordered up to a medium. I'm not sure I would like the chest area to be any tighter, and it might shrink in the wash. I feel like this one has good movement capabilities.

Let's talk about pants. I, personally, have a really hard time buying pants that aren't jeans. Petite sizes, while being perfect in the leg, are typically too short in the crotch area, but regular sizes almost never fit quite right unless I'm able to find cropped lengths, which fit me like ankle length. That said, I found some really good options at Old Navy that I wanted to share with you.

High-Waisted Chinos - I am not a fan of khaki pants at all, but I really do like these colored chinos. They're like wearing colored denim but in a material and fit that's more work-appropriate. I got these the in Panther (gray) and Dusty Cedar (pink) colors. Going into the fitting room, I was prepared to be disappointed because of the elastic back on the waistband. Obviously, I was not since I walked out of the store with two pair. On me, these are ankle length, and the fit is really good for my body shape. They've got them in several other colors, so if you're looking to add some color to your bottoms, definitely check these out.

High-Waisted Black & White Striped Linen Pants - I had been looking at these online for a really long time but never committed. I have a hard time with linen pants. I always feel like they look kind of sloppy on me, but these made me feel like I was dressed for success while feeling like I was wearing pajamas. I can't wait to style them.

High-Waisted Wide-Leg Linen Pants in Miner's Gold - These fit pretty much the same as the other pair of linen pants, but they're different styles. I really love this color, and it's almost a perfect match to my school colors so that's a win-win!

The Sonoma Goods for Life brand at Kohl's is one of my favorites for comfortable pieces that still look polished and professional. Right now, they have a ton of great work-ready dresses.

Button-Front Midi Shirt Dress - I love a good shirt dress, especially one that buttons all the way up. They just feel effortless. I like the curved hem on this one a lot and that the collar isn't super big. It does have a tie waist, but you can easily remove it and use a regular belt instead. It comes in this blue indigo quit print and a few others. (See how I styled it in this post.)

Ruffle Midi Dress in Multi Floral - If you've been a reader for any amount of time, you're well acquainted with my love of floral print and already know that I couldn't pass by this dress without at least trying it on. This is one of those dresses that's flattering for most body shapes. My mom bought the exact same dress in a different color, and it looks just as nice on her as it does on me.

The Time & Tru brand at Walmart has become one of my go-to's for pretty much everything in the last few years but especially basics, or the building blocks of my closet.

Time & True Tank Dresses - These tank dresses are one of those things that you can build so many different outfits around. That's probably why I own four of this year's versions: shazam blue, beige stripe, soft celadon, orange mango. These are super soft, easy to move in, and have pockets. You can wear them on their own or layer a jacket or shirt over them in cooler weather, and you can wear almost any type of shoe with them. Sizing note: On me, these dresses are past my knee, which is a pretty big difference from these models. 

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! Tomorrow is officially my first day as a teacher. I've got orientation for three days, where I'll get all the technology I'll have access to set up, learn some of the do's and don't's of the district, and meet a bunch of people. Then the next week is pre-planning and the week after that school starts. Summer is speeding to its end, it feels like.

This past week was busy busy busy, so much so that we completely lost track of time and missed gymnastics! We finished up magazine distribution, dodging thunderstorms as usual. Alexis tagged along for both excursions and was a good helper, even for the trip that involved a lot of walking in the heat. I also got the two things I write knocked out, put together our upcoming after school activities guide, and finalized the calendar. All I've got to do this week is finalize the guide, get school news put together, and send out a few reminder emails. And surprisingly, despite having my part basically cut in half, I feel very accomplished for this next issue.

Also last week, I spent three afternoons working in my classroom. The first was spent swapping out all the math stuff for English stuff from a neighboring room. The second was spent getting my area set up - desk arranged, mini-fridge and microwave installed, etc. The third was spent getting my bulletin board started, some posters hung up, and my student desks arranged. I've still got to finish my bulletin board and put up some more posters, but for the most part my classroom is ready.

I spent a lot of time last week working on lesson plans for the first nine weeks and a curriculum for the full year based on the one provided by the state. I think I've got a good plan, and I made sure to do everything in pencil so I can adjust as needed. I also bought a big pink eraser just for making changes.  Speaking of shopping, my mom and I took advantage of this past weekend's tax free weekend for school supplies to stock up on stuff for our classrooms. Alexis's school is providing most supplies for students so we won't know until school starts what else she needs, if anything.

I'm excited for the school year to start, but I'm also really nervous. When it comes to reading, writing, and grammar, I'm a pretty big nerd, and I have a lot of real-world experience when it comes to all three. I hope all of that translates into my classroom in a good way (I do know a lot of locally-famous people). Of course, they may all end up thinking I'm a geek, but I'm kind of used to that. My goal is to keep my students busy but not bored while covering the required standards and hopefully convincing them that literally everyone is a storyteller in some way.

That's going to do it for me today. I hope you all have a really great week!

What's New on My TBR List

I was looking back through my TBR posts and realized I haven't done an updated list for you guys since April! The summer book lists I published in May and June don't count as true TBRs.

We all know I haven't stopped adding titles to my Kindle library, although I do have to say that it's been a little bit slower the last few months just because of current life circumstances. Anyway, I've got 15 new samples and full downloads that I'm excited to read...at some point in my life. Three are books I'm researching for my seventh grade students, one is a Peter Pan retelling, and a few are historical fiction. I make no promises on how long it'll take me to get to them.

Academy Obscura by Cassia Briar - After a life in foster care, Caprice has found her birth family and learns that magic exists. After breaking one of the rules, she's forced to enroll at Academy Obscura where the penalty for messing up is death.

The Brighter the Light by Mary Ellen Taylor - Ivy Neale returns to her hometown when she inherits her grandmother's beachfront cottage. A winter gale uncovers the shipwreck of local legend, and Ivy finds more skeletons in the closet than just her own.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt - This is one I'm researching for my classroom. Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader who's certain his new teacher hates him. His father, meanwhile, is obsessed with his business image and disregards his family. All the while, the Vietnam War is turning lives upside down, and Holling is learning Shakespeare and his teacher have more to offer him than he imagined, discovering his loyalty to his sister and his ability to stand up to his father when it matters most.

Unplugged by Gordon Korman - Jett's father is the world's most famous tech billionaire. He's used to getting what he wants, so when his father's private jet drops him in the middle of the Arkansas wilderness at a place called the Oasis, Jett can't believe it. Worse - he has to turn in his cell phone. As the weeks go on, Jett adapts to his tech-free life and bonds with the other kids, but he can't help but notice that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate - Red is not just an old oak tree but the neighborhood "wishtree." People write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to the tree's branches. Red and a crow named Bongo watch over the neighborhood. When a new family moves in, not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experience as a wishtree becomes more important than ever.

Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers - It's the summer of 1968, and Jack Elliott has a plan to keep his oldest brother, Pete, from being drafted. He figures if famous boys don't get sent to war, he'll make Pete their town's biggest celebrity. Together with his cousin, Frankie, Jack convinces his brothers to lead an expedition to find a fighter jet that crashes years ago. It's the perfect adventure to make Pete a hero, but turns out Pete isn't the only one who needs saving.

Set (Gods of the Duat) by Alessa Thorn - This is set in the same world as the Court of the Underworld series, so I'm excited to read it. Set was the Egyptian god of protection and war, but it's been centuries since the god inside of him has awoken. That all changes when he's asked to protect his boss's secret daughter, Dr. Ayla Neilos.

The Passage by Irina Shapiro - In 1685, Lord Hugo Everly vanished without a trace just before the Monmouth Rebellion. In 2013, Neve Ashley stumbles onto a secret passage in Everly Manor. That passage leads her into the 17th century and the path of Lord Everly. Neve returns safely to her time but decides to go back to warn Lord Everly of impending danger, walking into danger herself.

Flirt by Adriana Locke - Brooke doesn't want to be in a relationship. She just wants someone who can act as her date when needed. That's where Moss comes in, but the couple's history with each other could prove tricky for this situation-ship.

The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe - For 200 years, all of the Darling women have disappeared on their 18th birthday. The amount of time they're gone varies, but they all return broken. It's no different for Winnie, except this time the Never King and the Lost Boys aren't willing to let her go.

Tortured Heart by Anne Hall - Willow was stolen from her home as a child and has spent her life in a prison of sorts. Until one day when her jailers are forced to send her to high school where she meets five people who actually treat her with kindness. Just when she thinks life is getting better, new information comes to life and her entire life is turned upside down.

Sixth of a Soul by Viyana Morrigan - Amethyst somehow travels back in time and lands right in the middle of two kingdoms whose rulers are at odds with each other. The only thing that they seem to have in common...is her.

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo - Ji Lin is an apprentice dressmaker who moonlights as a dancehall girl to pay off her mother's Mahjong debts. When one of her dance partners accidentally leaves behind a gruesome souvenir, she may get the adventure she's hoped for. Meanwhile, 11-year-old Ren is on a mission to find his master's lost finger so it can be buried with his body. Ji Lin and Ren's paths crisscross, as the district is plagued by unexplained deaths and rumors of men who turn into tigers.

The High Mountain Court by AK Mulford

Wild Knight by Annabel Chase - London is a knight in the city formerly known as London, but she's got a dangerous secret. When one of the royal vampires who rule over everyone orders her on a quest, she can't refuse, but the truth might kill her.

Crown of Secrets by Melanie Cellier - The first royal born without power, Verene is sent to the Academy in Kallorway. Her goal is to forge ties with her country's traditional enemies, including Prince Darius, the strongest mage in his family. Except the prince has no interest in connecting with Verene. And there are some at the Academy that want her gone by any means necessary. If Verene wants to survive, she must uncover her hidden powers.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! I don't know about you, but I really don't like short weeks, especially the ones that start on Tuesday. It just throws everything off!

We have a lot to talk about this morning, starting with what's going on with the magazine. I told y'all a few weeks ago that I've accepted a job teaching 7th grade English Language Arts. I have orientation next week, then pre-planning, and the first day of school is August 2nd. Obviously that means changes for me with the magazine, specifically in that I'll be scaling back my duties to a part-time role. I'll still handle all of the editorial content for the magazine, but I'll no longer be over advertising, the website, or social media. I also will not be writing a monthly editorial column, but I will continue to do page layout for some of the local content. In other words, I'm getting to keep the things I wanted...plus distribution.

Speaking of distribution, I spent a good chunk of the weekend on that. I'm finishing up today, then have a few things to do to finalize getting Alexis registered for school. I'm also going to try to get a few things done in my classroom so that I'm not rushed getting everything set up the way I want it. I'll probably give you guys a sneak peek on my Instagram/Facebook stories while I'm there.

As for the rest of this week, I'm working on the next guide/directory for the magazine and have a couple of things to edit/write. I'll also probably start working on the stuff I'm in charge of designing, but it's still fairly early in the month so there's plenty of time to get it all done.

I'm also still putting together an outline for what I hope to do with my students for the entire year. I'm a big planner, but this is on a scope that goes beyond how far in advance I typically plan things. I also am lining up the resources I want to use outside of the novels we've chosen. I am excited about both of those, though!

Well, I think that about sums up life for the moment. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

My Favorite Things June 2022

Happy Sunday, friends. I hope you all enjoyed the first week of July. I wanted to take some time to reflect on June. It was a whirlwind of a month for me, filled with a lot of changes and a lot of bumps. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm here to share with you some of the things that made the month a little bit better.

9 Things I Loved in June

Kitchen Organization - It's no secret that when we moved, we downsized. It was the right decision for our family, but it's also been a bit of a challenge when it comes to storage and deciding what to keep and what to toss. This is by far my favorite kitchen that I've had as an adult. However, there is no full-size pantry so I'm using a section of cabinets for food storage. The problem is that some food items, like cereal, simply do not fit nicely, and Alexis is not tall enough to reach snack items if they're stored in there. I absolutely HATE having my counters cluttered up, so I've invested in some storage solutions. I love these cereal containers, this bread box, and this tiered wire basket set for storing snacks.

Cat Door - The way our new house is set up, the master bedroom is off the kitchen. We wanted to be able to keep that door shut at night, but our cat needed to be able to still get through. Hence, the cat door. And if I had to get one, it was going to be a cute one. On one side it's got ears, and on the other it's got a tail.

Monat Hydrate and Refresh Mist - I know this made my summer favorites list from last month, but it's been my most-used facial product this past month. Not only do I use this as a makeup setting spray, but I also use it to rehydrate during the day. It was a life-saver during our camping trip, too, where we were outside all day long in the ridiculous heat.

Tassel Earrings - I'm not a big jewelry wearer. I've never really mastered the art of mixing and matching different pieces to create a cohesive look. I prefer to keep my creativity limited to my earrings, and these tassel earrings are the perfect accessory.

Crystal Necklaces - I've had my eye on these for awhile and finally caved and bought the set. I'm not really big into crystals, but I do like the idea behind them. Plus, they're really pretty in a simple way.

Knotted Slide Sandals - I bought these to replace a pair of slides that I completely wore out, and they've quickly become my go-to sandals the last several weeks. They go with almost everything and are very comfortable.

Distressed Black Shorts - These have been a staple in my summer wardrobe. I saw them on a list and decided to give them a try. They're very stretchy, but they were pretty stiff when they first came in. A run through the wash fixed that though. They come in a bunch of different washes and you can change up the button/zipper combo as well.

An Honest Review of Wantable

I am once again in the process of updating my wardrobe to fit a new season of my life. For you newcomers, I recently accepted a teaching position and quickly realized that some sections of my closet aren't classroom-ready.

I've been adding teacher-appropriate pieces here and there from various places all summer long, but I realized this was the perfect opportunity to give Wantable a try.

Wantable is an online styling program that's very comparable to StitchFix, which I've used several times over the years. But this is not a comparison post.

Today I'm going to break down my first experience with Wantable and what I think about the service.

I really like that there are three different edits to choose from - Style, Active, or Sleep & Body. I went with style, but I'm intrigued by the other two. There's also an option for a themed box and one for men.

Okay, so the first thing you do is take a style quiz. This is where you put in all your measurements and set some preferences for your style and price range. This is broken down into pretty much every clothing category you can think of plus accessories. The quiz is like every other style quiz I've taken, but maybe a touch more involved.

Once you've done all that, you have the option of scrolling through a seemingly-unending stream of clothing options. You can request or deny as many items as you want. They recommend doing that for at least 20 items. You aren't guaranteed to receive all of the things you request, but it does help your stylist pick things for your box.

Speaking of your box. Each box contains seven items. When you receive them, you have five days to decide what you want to keep, exchange, or return. If you need longer than five days, there's an option to extend the try-on period. They provide a prepaid envelope for sending back unwanted items, and your $20 styling fee is applied to your total at checkout.

I really like the option of being able to exchange an item for a different size.

Of the seven items I received, I kept five (pictured above). I originally didn't like two of the five I kept, but once I tried them on I fell in love. So major props to my stylist for hitting that nail on the head. I also received a paperclip necklace that I requested from the stream (top left).

Everything I received was good quality. I've already worn the blue striped t-shirt several times, and I can't wait to style the olive green pants for school. Price-wise, I can admit that I probably would not spend this much in a physical store or online shopping. At the same time, these are all items I would probably not find in my local stores.

Overall, this was a pleasant experience and I'll most likely do it again. Right now, I'm signed up for seasonal edits, but there are different levels of automatic shipments, or you can choose not to automate the service at all. The great part is that this isn't a subscription so there are no recurring fees, and you won't be penalized for not ordering.

Want to give Wantable a try for yourself? Click this link to get started!

What I Read June 2022

Summers are such a great time for reading. Not that the rest of the year isn't as well, but summers just feel slower. More laid back. More like you can spend a couple hours with a book without consequences. I've been trying to mark stuff off my TBR list, and several series I've been reading are dropping their final books, so that's exciting.

What's not exciting is how not into The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu I am. I've been trying to read this book for over a month, y'all, and I'm just not going to finish it. The premise is interesting, but I just can't connect with the main character, and I'm not really digging this weird version of the world it's set in.

Anyway, onto the books that I did finish last month.

Safe Haven (Gilded Knights book 6)

Author: Emilia Finn

What an ending to a series. I wasn't really expecting to connect with this book since it focused on one character who's been mostly just a mention in the other books of this series and then introduced an entirely new character as the second lead. But this book had a lot going on in it. It brought a lot of things full circle and featured a lot of the characters from the Checkmate series, which I appreciated since that one is my favorite in this collection.

Anyway, this is the story of Tyler and Arlo. We met Arlo earlier in the Gilded Knights series. She's the caretaker of one of the Rosa brothers' kids. Tyler and his two young siblings have been squatting in Arlo's cousin's empty house. Everyone is aware of their situation and secretly does little things to try to take care of them, but Tyler is terrified of discovery. He's not his siblings' legal guardian and doesn't want them to wind up in the system and possibly separated from each other. Arlo makes it her mission to help the little family out...whether Tyler wants her to or not.

Celtic Empire

Author: Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler

Non-stop action. Seriously, strap in because this book is going to take you on a ride starting with the very first chapter. There is a lot going on in this book, and it's seemingly all unconnected.

Dirk Pitt is the director of NUMA. He and his trusty sidekick, Al, are in El Salvador testing a new piece of equipment when the dam of the lake they're on bursts. They end up rescuing a UN scientist from the lake, then again when they drop her back with her team who is in the middle of a deadly attack. Then, NUMA gets called in to handle the cleanup of a boat collision in Detroit where Pitt teams up with a company that has a lot of dirty secrets. Meanwhile, Pitt's children are involved in a tomb raider incident in Egypt. All roads eventually lead to Ireland and a fight to save millions.

Despair (Deadly Seven book 8)

Author: Lana Pecherczyk

I'm actually kind of sad to see this series end. Daisy, a.k.a. Despair, is back with her siblings, but after a lifetime of being brainwashed by the psychotic leader of the Syndicate she doesn't quite fit in with her crime-fighting family. Daisy is determined to prove herself and earn redemption from her many sins, and her soulmate, Axel, is just as determined not to be left behind. As a former member of the Syndicate's Faithful, Axel has a lot to make up for himself, even though every act he committed was for a higher purpose: curing his little sister of a mysterious disease.

The Westing Game

Author: Ellen Raskin

Full disclosure, I've been reading a lot of books intended for younger readers the past few weeks in a search for the perfect novel(s) to assign to my 7th graders. That said, I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it for any reader. It had an Agatha Christie vibe but on a muted level. It reminded me a bit of the recent movie Knives Out, as well.

Basically, 16 people are tapped as potential heirs to Sam Westing's fortune, but only one of them will win it by solving the mystery of who killed him. There are a few other little mysteries woven throughout, and the POV switches quite frequently, but it wasn't hard to follow.

The Half Life of Ruby Fielding

Author: Lydia Kang

Let's start with a synopsis of this one before my thoughts. This book is set in NYC during WWII, specifically around the Manhattan Project. Will works as a scout for the project, while his sister, Maggie, has just gotten a job at the Navy Yard where she writes letters to her dead mother between shifts. Their lives are turned upside down when they find Ruby hiding underneath their porch one evening. The more they learn about who Ruby really is, the more they're left wondering what exactly has her on the run and considering the possibility that she could be a spy.

I have mixed feelings on this one. I read it because I wanted to know who the spy was, but at the same time I didn't think it was as good as A Beautiful Poison or Opium and Absinthe. There was a lot of over-the-top vagueness, which I 100% understand the reason for with this book, but at the same time it felt overdone. With this author, I always expect the unveiling of the bad guy to be a true revelation that will have me reflecting on all the breadcrumbs placed throughout the book, but that didn't happen with this one. I also felt like the 'villain' in this one would not have been capable of pulling off the level of subterfuge they did, but that could just be me.

Restart

Author: Gordon Korman

This is another book I was 'researching' for use in my classroom, and I've gotta say that I truly loved this one. I think it has a great message and a really good cast of characters. Chase falls off his roof and gets amnesia, giving him a chance at a different life. The thing is, though, Chase wasn't just a bully; he was the ringleader of the bullies. But without his memories, he's a completely different guy and working his way to redemption without even knowing it.

The Hero I Need

Author: Nicole Snow

I think this one might be my favorite of the Knights of Dallas series. Willow is the daughter of a famous zoologist trying to make her own mark at an animal sanctuary, but when things stop adding up she loads up Bruce the tiger and sets out on a journey to get him to safety. Except the truck she commandeered breaks down in the parking lot of Grady McKnight's bar. A single dad of twin girls, this is the last thing Grady needs, but he steps up to become Willow's much-needed hero. Soon, the couple finds themselves embroiled in a dangerous illegal animal smuggling operation that could threaten everything.

The Worst Best Friend

Author: Nicole Snow

This is the fourth and final book of the Knights of Dallas series. At least for now. Rachel is back in Dallas for a few months to run her grandmother's bed and breakfast while she recuperates from hip replacement surgery. Of course she can't avoid West, the man who broke her heart as a teenager. When he joined the military, he promised to write but never did, and Rachel kept her promise to get out of town and chase her dreams. Except neither one got over the other. There's more than just their relationship history happening in this book, though. An antiques collector who's made the bed and breakfast his temporary home is looking to score big before leaving town, at the expense of Rachel's grandmother.

Wrong

Author: Jana Aston

Okay, so this book is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. I was expecting a rom-com and got a bit more than I bargained for. Don't get me wrong, it's got plenty of funny moments, but the large age gap between the two main characters was a little off-putting for me. There was also very little character depth, which I guess is to be expected in this kind of read.

Anyway, Sophie has been crushing on Luke from afar for awhile. He's a doctor who stops in the coffee shop where she works once a week. She absolutely does not expect him to be the doctor when she goes to the college clinic for birth control. Nor does she expect him to swoop in and save her from her jerk of a boyfriend. Eventually they start dating and things escalate from there. There's not a ton of conflict in this book. Parts of it gave me 50 Shades of Grey vibes (don't judge me). Definitely don't read this if sex scenes bother you because there are a lot and they're definitely not PG.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you're all enjoying the July 4th holiday weekend. Alexis and I have spent the past few days at the lake camping with family. Believe it or not, I’ve spent two nights in a tent!

The fireworks were Saturday night, which was kind of weird, but we watched them from the boat out on the lake which is always a fun experience. Yesterday we spent the afternoon on a sandbar, and Alexis and I rode the tube.

It’s been a nice little break, even though Alexis had a major bike wreck yesterday and looks like she’s gone a few rounds in a boxing ring. I was so scared we were going to end up in the emergency room, but thankfully she seems to only have scrapes and bruises. It was a pretty traumatic experience for her. I will definitely be keeping a close eye on everything for the next few days, just in case.

There’s obviously other things happening in life, but I don’t really want to go into any of it today. I would rather hop off here and get ready for another day of fun in the sun.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July and rest of the week! Don't forget your sunscreen!

5 Summer OOTD's

Despite my best efforts, I only took five outfit pictures over the last two weeks, but I feel like I have a good excuse this time. It's been so hot, y'all, that I really have just been wearing shorts and t-shirts most days in an effort to stay as cool as possible. I can't remember the last time it's been this hot for this long. I mean, don't get me wrong, summers in the south can be brutal, but it's usually because of the humidity, not the actual temperatures. Truly, there's not been much worth sharing in the way of outfits during this heat wave.

The key to dressing in the summer, for me at least, is keeping things simple, and I have five really simple but cute outfits that should help you feel put together this summer without overheating.

Sizing: I'm 5'2" and weigh around 145 lbs. I typically wear size 6 or small/medium in clothing and size 7 in shoes.

Dress

This is one of my favorite purchases from last year. I love the bright colors, and the fit is spectacular. I especially like the way the bodice is made with the gathering down the middle. It helps smooth everything out for a really flattering fit. The straps are adjustable, it has pockets, and there's a side zipper (which I literally always forget about until I've already pulled it on). It comes in a ton of patterns. This is the Purple Mix Flo. I also have Black Floral 01. I'm wearing the medium. My sandals are really old, and I got them on clearance at that. Sadly, they're starting to wear out and I have not found a good replacement, so that's why they're not linked.

Tank / Shorts / Sandals (similar)

This is the flag tank I shared in my 4th of July Outfit Inspiration post last week. I really like that it's not a crisp, clean print like the Old Navy ones. I got the medium because I wanted a looser fit, although I will say that the length is a little awkward on me, hence why I knotted the hem.

I paired the tank with these distressed black denim shorts. I'd been wanting a pair and these have good reviews on Amazon. They come in dark and light blue and white denim, as well, and you can get different button-zipper combos. These are the A1 Iconic Black. I'm wearing the medium.

T-shirt (Wantable) / Skirt (similar) / Sandals

This is actually one of my favorite outfits from recent weeks. This t-shirt came in my first Wantable box, and I love it. It's such good quality and will mix into my existing wardrobe nicely. This skirt is from last year. It's got a built-in tie belt, which adds a nice little waist-defining detail. It also has embroidered flowers woven into it, which you can't really see unless you're seeing it in person.

T-shirt / Skirt (similar) / Sandals

This is the outfit that I'm probably most on the fence about in terms of how much I really like it. The color of the shirt is a perfect match to some of the flowers in the skirt's pattern, but I'm unsure if this particular pairing actually works or not. My skirt is a few years old but one of my favorites. I'm linking to a really similar one, except it's lined and a bit more delicate. I've got it in the yellow but love pretty much all of the options.

T-shirt / Skirt / Sandals / Earrings

This skirt was also part of my 4th of July Outfit Inspiration. It's so good, y'all. It's not lined but the material is thick enough to not need it. It's got three tiers and pockets. The waist is elastic. I decided to keep this outfit pretty simple so that the skirt would be the star. I love this scoop neck tee by A New Day. I needed to update my white t-shirt this summer, and this is a good one.