The first weekend of summer vacation has been great so far. Annie’s social calendar is filling up fast. It’s kind of ridiculous, but fun for her. Still, I’m making sure to plan in lots of down time. The best part of summer is lazy days of blowing bubbles, or sitting in the shade, or napping under the A/C vent.
Good Reads
~This is more looking at photos than reading, but I was still blown away by these before and afters. Such artistry. I also couldn’t help but think how beautiful all these women were before all the makeup.
~Ugh. I hate cancer. Hate. It. This got me right in the gut. I’m moved by how Oren is more worried about his family than himself. It’s so unfair.
Summer Necessities
~Annie needed summer sandals, so I took her to the mall last week to find some. We walked by a display of these cute slip-ons and she said, “Mom, these are so adorable.” Apparently she’s 14. She eventually picked out these sandals, and the saleswoman said, “These are perfect for summer, you can get them wet!” Now Annie wants to wear them into the pool. Great.
~This hair detangler is THE BEST I’ve tried on Annie in ages. It works great on both dry hair and straight out of the pool hair. AND it smells like an orange creamsicle.
~I have a very similar bathing suit cover-up from Old Navy and it’s just so pretty that I would wear it all the time…you know, if it were socially acceptable to walk around wearing bathing suit cover-ups in every day life.
~I need one of these for when I get hot watching Annie run around at the park…or the pool…or in the backyard…basically everywhere.
Online Utilities
~I use this site all the time to resize photos for free.
~This list is invaluable for eliminating the word “very” from your writing.
A Stitch In Time
~I mentioned Stitch Fix a few months ago and a lot of you emailed and commented with questions. I’ve been getting monthly boxes since November and I’ve been really happy with the service. This month’s box was awesome, I kept everything. I think the key is being honest and detailed with your feedback and what you want in a box. At this point the number one reason I send an item back is fit. That’s not the stylist’s fault, just my body bugaboos. This is the style card from this month’s fix (I love that they send style suggestions with every piece).

This month’s Stitch Fix, clockwise from top left: Joe 3/4 tab sleeve shirt dress, Naara cuffed denim short (NEVER would have picked these but they are so flattering), Connie stud button racerback tank, Macklin abstract print cut-out back tank, and a wrap bracelet (not pictured).
~Related: I have a few friends who only have good things to say about Gwynniebee for sizes 10-32. Has anyone here tried it who can comment on if it’s good/bad/worth a try?
I Feel The Need…The Need To Read
~I need some books to read this summer. Like most of you, I don’t have a ton of time to read, so I want books that are quick and easy but won’t make me want to throw things across the room (AHEM Gone Girl STILL MAD ATCHU). I’m not opposed to Young Adult, either. They’re almost always exactly what I’m looking for (you know, some fluff. Lovely fluff.). Suggestions, please!!!
Mike, Stop Reading Here
~Besides shoe shopping, the kids and I also have been shopping for Father’s Day. Annie and I spent hours going through photos for this circle photo collage from Minted. She even helped me decide where to place the photos! I LOVE how it turned out.
Happy Sunday, friends!
Jordan says:
Have you read The Fault In Our Stars? I know, it’s all abuzz right now cause of the movie, but beyond the hype, it’s genuinely one of the best well-written stories I’ve ever read. Hilarious and endearing. John Green has a way with words. I’ve read ALL of his books, but TFIOS and Looking for Alaska are my favorites. My Mom’s currently reading TFIOS, so we can go see the movie together. I’m quite excited about this.
Heather says:
I haven’t read it…I have a feeling I’m going to “have” to. Is it going to emotionally destroy me??
Jordan says:
yes. yes it will.
It IS a sad story, but John Green has a way of making it not a sad book. You’ll be laughing on one page and sobbing the next. BUT IT’S WORTH IT. I read it before the hype of the movie– shortly after it came out, my freshmen year of college. I’d never read a John Green book, but I couldn’t put it down. I finished it within at least 3 days (and I am a slow SLOW reader!) I’ve re-read it 3 or 4 times since, and it gets better every time.
Yes, you’ll cry, but you’ll laugh too. It’s worth the heartache!
Jordan says:
Oh, I should mention I love these sunday posts. Thanks for all the interesting/useful links!!
I forgot to add:
I’ve never read Oren’s blog, but that post just knocked me through a loop. Dammit cancer.
I’ve heard of stich fix, but until they come around with some plus-size options, it’s a no go for moi. I know there’s a similar service for plus sizes, but I wasn’t a fan of it.
I’m a HUGE reader, but a YA reader in particular. I’m an English major for a reason!
I was surprised by how many of my fellow English major friends aren’t fans of it. Some of it isn’t well written and is “fluff”, but lots of it isn’t.
English Education majors are required to take a YA Lit class (which I took this past semester- ALL-TIME FAVORITE COLLEGE CLASS!), and it really opened my eyes to the spectrum of YA Literature. It’s fun, but can be thought provoking as well- quite like TFIOS.
Heather says:
A YA Lit class sounds like it would be really interesting! My favorite college classes were always the ones that seemed a little “odd” on the surface.
I’m glad you like these posts! I really have fun with them!
kathi g says:
I’m on a summer reading marathon! Have really enjoyed The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, Delicious! by Ruth Reichl, and City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte.
Heather says:
Thanks for these recs! I just requested them all from my library!
Sandra says:
Hi Heather!
I’m not a regular commenter, but I love all of your posts! Your writing is so wonderful, genuine, and so, so funny. Have you read Where’d you go, Bernadette by Marie Semple? I recommend it. It’s a great read.
Heather says:
Oh, thank you! I have NOT read that! I will download it right now! Thank you, Sandra!
Molly says:
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon!
Heather says:
Thanks! Will find at the library!
cynthia says:
Outlander is not a quick read, but it does suck you in! The 8th book was just released (yesterday!) and they are pretty large. But I love them!
RzDrms says:
I’m loving “The Lost Symbol;” it’s so intriguing!
Can you please fix the link for the free photo resizer? I really need one!
Heather says:
AH! It’s fixed!
Angela says:
I just started Divergent and the Dexter book series.I have read a few by Jonathan Trooper that are good. Chelsea Cain has a great series about a female serial killer but they are pretty graphic.
Heather says:
A few people have told me to read Divergent so I think I’ll have to check it out!
Jordan says:
Another fan of Divergent. GREAT series. The third one makes you want to throw it against the wall, however. Veronica Roth wrote them when she was my age (21/22) in college. She’s awesome.
Jen says:
YA: My 3rd grader and I LOVED the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio. The author once saw a child with severe facial deformities in a store, and fearing her two children would say something inappropriate, she shooed them away. She was filled with self-recrimination about that, and the incident stayed with her until she created this beautiful book.
ella says:
I loved Wonder. Amazing message!
Heather says:
I’ll check this out at the library! Thank you!
Laura says:
I teach 6th grade and this the overwhelming favorite for ALL of our students this year! SUCH a good book and led to some amazing conversations in class. Made me so proud of my students.
Jenn says:
I rarely comment but I second The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer and also add We Were Liars by E Lockhart. Great reads!
Heather says:
Thanks for these suggestions, I added both to my list!!
Shea says:
I’m always looking for books so I love seeing other people’s suggestions! I’m reading Crazy Rich Asians right now, which is funny and very entertaining so far. I recently read Shotgun Lovesongs, which was very good. I also recommend Where’d You Go, Bernadette? (I see someone else suggested that one and I second it!) and The Rosie Project.
Heather says:
I added these to my list, I put Where’d You Go, Bernadette at the top since several people suggested it! Thank you!
steph says:
where’d ya go as someone mentioned earlier is fab! what size picture did you order? i want to get that!
Heather says:
I got the 16×16! It’s gorgeous, you’ll love it!
Kay says:
Oh, those sandals remind me of a pair I had when I was little. If they’re anything like mine, she’ll regret wearing them while wet (or even while slightly sweaty). I had the first, and worst, blisters of my life. They really are adorable, but hopefully not painful.
Heather says:
Oh gosh, good to know!! I really would prefer she NOT wear them in the water. I bought her water shoes so she can just use those!
Lisa says:
One of my ALL TIME favorite book series is Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling books. The first one is called Sloppy Firsts. It’s a book ABOUT a teenager BY an adult FOR adults. SCORE!!! This Twihard prefers YA so here’s a list of fab reads:
1) If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Becoming a (fabulous-looking) movie later this year, I laughed , cried and read it in one sitting.
2) The Celestra Series by Addison Moore – this might be Kindle-only I’m not sure. It’s supernatural and awesome and while this series is YA she’s currently writing an adult follow up series.
3) Sweet Valley Confidential – you’re a child of the 80s, enough said
4) The Soloman Sisters Wise Up – Melissa Senate this is her best book and so so good
5) ANYTHING by Caprice Crane – you will laugh your butt off whenever she puts pen to paper her stuff is amazing
6) As Seen On Tv – Sarah Mlynowski (though ALL her books are good even the kids ones)
7) Sisterhood Everlasting – Ann Brashares – I sob like a baby at all the Traveling Pants books but this conclusion is perfection on a page
Heather says:
This is AWESOME! Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. The fact that you included Sweet Valley Confidential gives you insane points. I totally read that book when it came out and it was my secret shame, LOL!
Stacey says:
Did you see the Traveling Pants movies? Terrible – or at least the 2nd. It smashed books 2-4 all in one! Hog wash.
I didn’t know about the Sisterhood Everlasting – Can’t wait to read it!
Damita says:
I’ve been reading and enjoying the Mercy Watts series by A.W. Hartoin. The first in the series “A Good Man Gone” is free on Kindle (why it was picked by someone in my bookclub for June) and I liked it so much, I’ve purchased the next two in the series.
I also read “Sleep Tight” by Rachel Abbott and liked it a lot. The author is British so I had to get used to some of the terms that were used. Its a thriller so doesn’t quite fit the light theme you’re wanting, but it was an easy and quick read. I couldn’t put it down.
Heather says:
Hey, easy and quick thrillers are great, too! Thanks for these suggestions, I put them on my list!
Anna says:
I have two dresses that I bought in the bathing suit section! They are a little longer than that one, but cover-ups can totally pull double duty sometimes!
I will be interested to check out some of these book recommendations. I started reading the first Game of Thrones book and it’s taking me FOREVER because it’s so long and I haven’t had tons of time for reading lately. I’m really enjoying it, but I’ll be glad to put that series aside for a while and read some other stuff.
Heather says:
HA that’s awesome about the dresses! My only problem with my coverup is it’s see-through. Perfect for the beach…not so much for the grocery store. LOL
Anna says:
Ha! Yes, you’d make quite an impression doing your grocery shopping in a see-through dress. Especially with your two small children in tow!
Janice says:
I also am a little obsessed with YA fiction (even though I am 34). I also loved The Fault in Our Stars (beware, emotional roller coaster.) I also recommend Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, and Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. I’m currently rereading The Fault in Our Stars, it was that good.
Jordan says:
I just got Eleanor & Park yesterday! I read the first couple chapters last night and was laughing at loud at some parts. Have a feeling I’m gonna love it!!
Jordan says:
had to come back to this post, because I just finished Eleanor & Park this past weekend. (I binge read the last 70 pages or so!) I ended up loving it, but was SO MAD AT THE ENDING! I know it was realistic (which I’m usually a fan of), but man was I rooting for something else to happen! UGH!
Mandy says:
I’ll read just about anything so I love this post. I really enjoyed This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. Funny, quirky, easy to read. I also really enjoyied The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell. I want everyone I know to read it so we can talk about it…
REK981 says:
I loved the following books by John Green: Looking for Alaska; WIll Grayson, Will Grayson; and The Fault in Our Stars. So good! I am finishing The Mortal Instruments series and LOVE it! Outlander series is great but LONG. The 8th book in the series was just published and they are big books. But super good. I added Dark Places and If I stay to my summer reading list just yesterday. Anything by Rainbow Rowell is good too.
Alice says:
If you’re looking for great YA you should DEFINITELY check out Patrick Ness – the Chaos Walking trilogy is some of the best YA writing I’ve ever read (and I work in publishing so have to read A LOT). Also I read Half Bad the other day and loved it, would totally recommend.
Karen says:
I will tellmy husband that it is all your (link’s) fault that I went to the Old Navy website and spent $143! :^)
Dude, they have cute and simple mix and match Petites- right up my alley!
Anne Taylor/Loft is the only other brand I’ve found that sells non-Sag Harbor, non-tweenager petites and girlfriend, I can only afford Anne second-hand on Ebay.
By theway, why is a brand of clothing for older women named SAG Harbr? That’s not nice!
Heather says:
I love Old Navy for their petite section!!! So I feel you…I always go there for just one thing and end up spending waaaaay more than that!
Christa says:
Oren’s post, a gut wrenches!
As for books, I’ve got a few that I’d recommend.
1) the Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield – it’s a little deeper than some of my other suggestions, but it is definitely a page turner!
2) anything by Sarah Dessen – she’s a YA writer and somehow I always associate summer with her books.
3) Airborn by Kenneth Oppel – another YA book, set in an alternate universe where a teen boy is a deck hand on an airship who, with help, discovers a new creature.
4) if you like traditional fairy tales retold, anything by Shannon Hale is worth reading. My favorite by far is Goose Girl, a grimms take that I had never heard of before reading her book.
Jordan says:
Sarah Dessen’s my all-time favorite! All of her books are good, Along for the Ride, The Truth About Forever, and The Moon and More are my faves
Kirsten says:
You should really read the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich! The first one is called One For The Money.
I realize this is an older post but they are super funny and well worth the read.
Heather says:
Thank you for the tip! I will download the first one!