Audiobook Week: Day 1 (Favorites & Future Reads)

As I mentioned in my last post, June 6-10 is Audiobook Week and I picked up Isabel Allende's memoir called The Sum of Our Days so I can particpate.

The blog Devourer of Books will have posts all week with topics to blog, audiobook reviews, giveaways, etc. so check it out!

Here's today's topic:
Monday: 2010-2011, Your Audiobook Year
Are you new to audiobooks in the last year? Have you been listening to them forever but discovered something new this year? Favorite titles? New times/places to listen? This is your chance to introduce yourself and your general listening experience.

I've only been listening to audiobooks for a little over two years and it started out as a fun way to pass the time in the car during my long commute on the days I taught a night class. I also try to listen to a little bit while I'm out running errands.

These are some of my favorites from the last two years. As you can see I mostly enjoy non-fiction, especially when it involves history, travel, and humor. It's kind of a nice change of pace since I mostly read fiction on my Kindle and when I check out regular books from the library.

1. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell



2. Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor



3. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson



4. When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris



5. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson




Besides the Allende memoir that I've already started, these are the audiobooks I want to check out soon:

1. The Idea of America by Gordon S. Wood



2. The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough



3. 1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart



4. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Calling All Bookworms: Audiobook Week June 6-10

I hope everyone is having a good week! I still haven't had time to edit my vacation pictures, so that post will have to wait until next week, but today I wanted to give my fellow bookworms a heads up about Audiobook Week which is starting June 6. For more details, check out this blog post on Devourer of Books.

I'm planning on picking up this memoir by Isabel Allende or this collection of sketches by travel writer Bill Bryson from the library today so I can participate next week. I started getting into audiobooks a few years ago and really enjoy listening to them in the car. I usually stick to non-fiction though since I find it easier to follow.





If you'd like to participate in Audiobook Week or would just like to try out a good audiobook, I highly recommend Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story, read by the authors Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor. It was fantastic and I think I actually liked listening to it even better than I would have liked it if I had just read the book. I did a little review on it back in February here.



So, what's everyone been reading lately? Do you prefer regular books, e-books, or audiobooks? I like a mixture of all three. :-)

I recently finished:
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (good but not as fun as her previous three books that contained more magic)

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (amazing -- highly recommend!!)

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (the first book in what I can tell will be a fantastic trilogy)

One Year Blog Anniversary!

I had to take a little blog break recently since we went on vacation (pictures coming next week) and I had lots to do at the end of the spring semester. I'm back now just in time for my one year blog Anniversary!! To celebrate, I dressed up today in some of my favorite Anthropologie accessories and a new dress that I bought from Roxy's Trade Market (thanks Brandie!!). I was inspired by Sara's pairing of the Crop Patterns Dress with a red cardigan (see here).





Showing off the "tail" on the back of the dress:



Caught mid-twirl. I look huge here! haha! :-)



I've really enjoyed doing this blog over the last year and it has been so much fun getting to know others through their blogs too. I'm looking forward to another year! Here are some highlights from this year and my goals for future blogging:

A Few of my Favorite Posts from the Year:

1. Baby Announcement post -- I just wanted to thank everyone again for all the well wishes and support I've received! About 9 more weeks and she'll be here!!

2. Anthro + Glee: Back to School Edition (combining my favorite show, my favorite store, and a fun time with one of my oldest & dearest friends)

3. My Anthro Review of my beloved Berry-Stitched Boots

4. Meeting Carol from In Pursuit of Pretty Things

5. Trip Planning (Packing): Anthro Style (for my trip to San Diego last summer)

6. Doing Kendi's 30 for 30 Challenge last summer

7. List of my favorite things that I kicked off my blog with a year ago!

8. Year in Review post on New Years Eve with my top 5 outfits

Goals for this year:
1. Post regular baby updates and pictures ;-)
2. Do more book reviews
3. Continue my Travel Tuesday series (starting again on Tuesday with our recent vacation pictures)
4. Do more Anthro reviews

Thanks for reading! I hope you'll all stick with me for another year as I undergo some big changes (motherhood, hopefully graduating & getting a new job) and continue to blog about my outfits and my love of Anthropologie. :-)

Blog Sale #2: Shop My Closet!

I've been cleaning out my closet and I have a few more items for sale today! I'm trying to raise a little extra money to pay for all of the baby stuff that we need. Please email me at drlgz5@gmail.com if you are interested in anything. All prices INCLUDE shipping within the US.

Anthropologie "Bits of Pearl Blouse" by Odille, New without tags, Size 10, $40 shipped
See reviews here.


Talbots Floral Dress with sash, worn once, excellent (like new) condition, Size 12, $25 shipped


LOFT black suede blazer jacket, worn once, excellent (like new) condition, Size 12P, $25 shipped


Ruche Grey floral skirt with pockets, worn once, excellent (like new) condition, Size Large, $15 shipped
See it on me here.


Talbots Skirt (fully lined, zips up back), worn once, excellent (Like new) condition, Size 10, $15 shipped -- see matching brown shirt below


Talbots Brown Button-down Blouse (matches skirt above), worn once, excellent (like new condition), Size 10, $10 shipped


Target Merona Skirt, worn once, excellent (like new condition), Size 10, $10 shipped


Black Wool Skirt from Steinmart, worn once, excellent (like new condition), Size Large (has zipper), $10 shipped


Please let me know if you have questions about any of these items or if you'd like additional pictures or measurements. You can reach me by email at drlgz5@gmail.com.

OOTD: Breaking Out & Cardigan Review #2

This is one of my favorite outfits that I've put together in a long time. I desperately needed to break out of my jersey dress rut so I decided to build my outfit around a skirt instead. The grey ruffle blouse happened to be hanging next to the skirt in the closet so I gave it a try and surprisingly it buttoned up over the baby bump (thanks to generously stretchy smocking on the back of the blouse). I knew I wanted to wear another new short-sleeve cardigan and I really like the color combination of the plum with the gold-yellow of the skirt. The grey & black oxfords and purple belt tied the whole outfit together. Not bad for my first attempt at breaking out of my boring rut, right?

Purple Cardigan (Limited -- buy here)
Yellow Field Skirt (Anthropologie)
Purple Belt (Anthropologie)
Grey Ruffle Blouse (TJ Maxx)
Hallowed Halls Oxfords (Anthropologie)

This is another of the short-sleeve cardigans that I promised to review. I got this one on sale a few weeks ago at the Limited (though it appears to be back to full price online now). I love the ruched sleeves, which make it a bit more dressy and different from my other purple cardigans. It's a lovely plum shade, but online it also comes in blue, white, black, and deep purple. I'd say it runs true to size but is a bit longer (at least on me, since I'm so short) than some of my other cardigans. I really have to thank Jacquelyn for posting about this cardigan because I haven't shopped at the Limited in years and didn't realize what cute things I was missing! See her in the black version of the cardigan here.

OOTD & Cardigan Review #1

I can't believe it's already Wednesday! As usual, I'm behind on my blogging and this outfit is actually from a few days ago. It's kind of a boring outfit (although I do love pairing purple and chocolate brown together) but I wanted to use this as an opportunity to do the first of several reviews of some short-sleeve cardigans that I've gotten recently. Living in Florida, short-sleeve cardigans are a great wardrobe staple, but they are surprisingly hard to find! Over the last two years I haven't found many, but this spring they seem to be everywhere. I promise to review the rest of my finds this week, but let's start with this cute purple one from Kohls. Pictures first, then my review at the bottom:



These pictures were taken a few days ago during a walk in the park along the river just a few blocks from our house.





I got this purple cardigan on sale at Kohls a few weeks ago. It looks like the only color still available online is peachy-orange but check your stores for purple and black (and possibly other colors) since I saw all three at mine the other day. I of course chose this lovely violet purple shade since it's my favorite color. ;-) I'd say this cardigan runs pretty true to size. It's a nice light weight without being see-through or cheap looking. It didn't seem to wrinkle too easily which is always a plus and it's machine washable. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something to wear over sleeveless summer dresses.

Blog Sale: Shop My Closet!

I've got a few items for sale today from my closet! Please email me at drlgz5@gmail.com if you are interested. All prices INCLUDE shipping within the US.

Anthropologie item:
SOLD! Weave-the-Ring skirt by Odille -- NEW with tags (size 8): $50 shipped



adorable petticoat underneath:


tag and extra button in pouch still attached:


Non-Anthro items:

LOFT wool-blend skirt: This is a lovely black/grey color with pretty sequin trim and black tulle along the bottom hem. This skirt was only worn once and is in excellent, like new condition. Size 10 -- $15 shipped



Here's a detail shot of the hem:



Forever 21 grey Blazer with cute short-sleeves that button. There are belt loops and three buttons in the front. This was only worn once and is in excellent, like new condition. Size Large. $10 shipped



SOLD! Beautiful Tall Black Boots by Michelle D bought at Dillards. These have a stylish square toe, moderate-height heel that still makes them comfortable to walk in, zip up the inside, and have a cute little buckle on the outer side. They run a bit narrow and would be great for girls with skinnier calves. I only wore these a few times so they are still in great condition. Size 7. $10 shipped.



This picture shows off the cute square toe:



SOLD! These next boots are exactly the same style as the tall black boots above, but they are in a rich, chocolate brown color. Also by Michelle D, bought at Dillards. These have a stylish square toe, moderate-height heel that still makes them comfortable to walk in, zip up the inside, and have a cute little buckle on the outer side. They run a bit narrow and would be great for girls with skinnier calves. I only wore these a few times so they are still in great condition. Size 7. $10 shipped.



This picture captures the beautiful chocolate brown color more clearly:


Please let me know if you have questions about any of these items or if you'd like additional pictures or measurements. You can reach me by email at drlgz5@gmail.com.