I was going to write a serious post today. I started one about the controversy surrounding the Beauty and the Beast outrage. I thought about screaming ranting about the idiotic administration running our country. But I just can’t. If you’ve been around these parts long enough then you know that I have 0% issue with people’s sexual orientation or gender identity. You also know I loathe the people inhabiting the White House. So let’s talk about something that isn’t going to make me pull my hair out.
I’m going to link up with Kristen & Gretch for some “currently” updates and some favorite things that I want you to know about 🙂
Reading… The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier. Atonement (Ian McEwan) is also on the docket. Last two books for Erin’s Challenge!
Watching… the series finale for Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I tried to drag the series out as long as I could. I’m sad it’s over but pleased with how it ended. Now I’m trying to convince K to watch Firefly with me. (I’ve seen it, he hasn’t.)
Looking Forward To… my mom’s birthday celebration. Her b-day was Tuesday but I’m surprising her with an outing on Saturday. I can’t say much here because she reads this blog 😉
Planning… a fall vacation. We were going to go to Disney, but I couldn’t get K excited about it. He’s never been and wants to see it for the first time with a big family group or with a kid in the picture. Fine. Whatever. I was bitter about it at first, but now I’m looking forward to spending some time at Universal Studios (#DisneyForever) and on a cruise. We compromised.
Loving… my new job with K’s company. I feel so relaxed and fulfilled working for a company that I love and working alongside people that I really enjoy and working in an industry that’s had my heart for +8 years.
(Here’s what I was up to at this exact time last year!)
Now let’s talk about my recent favorites.
(I’m going to style this like Rebecca Jo’s Friday Favorites post.)
Favorite Reads
I’m going to recommend two authors instead of books.
I’ve gone on and on about The Lunar Chronicles, so it makes sense that I recommend Marissa Meyer to those who love a little fantasy and adventure and retelling. Her newest standalone novel, Heartless, quickly became a favorite for me, too. (I’ll talk about it on Tuesday!)
The second author that I’ve really enjoyed so far is Ashley Weaver. She writes a 1930s mystery series that centers around Amory Ames and her playboy husband Milo. They’re not thrillers, but they have an air of suspense and romance and betrayal. Plus they’re set in historical England- which is my fav.
Favorite Recent Purchases
Everyone has their favorite place to buy jeans. Mine is Old Navy. If you’re an ON gal check out these jeans! I have three of the same pair, all in different shades (medium wash, light wash and light pachuca). They are so comfy and flattering to my curvy hips!
Also on the recently purchased list: These pajamas from Marshalls (or TJ Maxx, I guess.) The same cross-cross shear pattern around the neck is also down the outside of each leg on the shorts. Perfect as the weather warms up!
Favorite Lip Stuff
I’m not a beauty blogger, but I have three lipsticks/stains/things that I’ve been loving lately. Two are Burt’s Bees products (Pink Lagoon gloss lip crayon & Ruby Ripple moisturizing lipstick) and one’s from Wet N Wild (Lady and the Vamp balm stain). Last weekend I got three compliments on the balm stain!
Favorite Funnies
Have you tried any of this stuff? What’s something you’re loving lately?
Life as Louise 
I keep hearing really good things about The Lunar Chronicles, so I think I may need to investigate. It’s been awhile since I read a good fantasy, YA series. I was so/so about the Divergent series and I hated The Maze Runner, so I’m long overdue!
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If you read fantasy and/or YA then you NEED to pick up these books! And they get better and better. Even if Cinder isn’t your fav PLEASE move on to Scarlet 😉
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I love Burt’s Bees lip products! They are the only thing I use. I’ve tried numerous other companies but none have looked as good or worked as well. My obsession with Lush bath bombs is growing stronger by the day!
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I always forget about bath bombs! Maybe I’ll have to whisper something about Lush in the Easter Bunny’s ear (a.k.a. my mom, lol).
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I want to love ON jeans, but I have same problem every time. They fit great when I put them on, but within a few hours they’re saggy and huge on me. It drives me crazy!
Those memes are hysterical! The texting double chin. So real.
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Hmmm… I s’pose I’d agree with that, actually. I think I usually end up washing/drying them because they’ve gotten baggy vs. gotten dirty. They tend to get baggy toward the end of the day when I’m ready for them to be baggy, though. Hahaha. So I guess I don’t mind.
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Tell K I vouch for Firefly. If he hates it, he can blame me. But when he loves it, I want a thank you note 😉
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RIGHT? I’ve been trying to get him to watch it for YEARS. I mean, we did SEVEN seasons of The West Wing but he won’t sit through ONE season (or episode?!) of Firefly? Ridic. We’re so watching it soon.
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I haven’t heard about any of the Beauty and the Beast thing, but I just looked it up (for what it’s worth, I also haven’t seen the movie only because I rarely go see movies in theaters). I know we differ in our thoughts on some issues, which is totally fine and I respect your right to have a different opinion! 🙂 I will just say, however, that I don’t think it’s fair for you to say it’s stupid for someone to be upset about a scene in a movie that they personally have a moral issue with just because you yourself don’t see it as a problem.
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I usually reply to comments in order but I’ll reply to you right away because I don’t want to stew about it 🙂 Lol.
I don’t think it’s stupid for people to take moral issue with something- I can definitely respect that the world is made up of different opinions and beliefs. It just irritated me that people were up in arms over a flamboyant character and a comical second-long scene so much that they wanted to boycott the movie for immorality… but didn’t take issue with the killing or mob mentality or elderly abuse that goes on in the film.
Long and short of it- nothing in the film bothered me. That said, my mom wasn’t pleased with the slight character change. I’m definitely ok with differing opinions. I’m sorry my wording was unfair.
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I didn’t want to start anything, so I hope you aren’t stewing anymore! I haven’t seen the movie, like I said, so I really can’t comment on any of the specifics. But I agree with you that in general people do seem to take up a fight about one particular issue and overlook other things that they probably should also spend time on if they are going to be an equal-opportunity complainer 😉
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Yay for being happy about work!!! That is awesome!!! I want to go to Disney!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been and I want to go so so so bad. I guess now we will wait until Zoe is old enough to go. Ugh. lol. I love the Burt Bees lip stuff too. It is seriously awesome.
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I was so -bleh- about my last job and now it just feels good to actually care about something every day 🙂
I’m super bummed that I couldn’t get K on board. Someday… someday…
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For us, getting married wasn’t about the government; we just wanted to express our commitment to each other. Of course, we can express it in other ways, every day. We’ve had a lot of great times together in seven years. The wedding day was just one of them. I think that a strong couple won’t feel obligated to get married, but they can *want* to do it.
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I agree 🙂 I just thought the meme was giggle-worthy. We’re married and quite happy with our decision. In the same breath, I know plenty of couples that are super in love but don’t feel the need/a rush to get married.
I just found the image comical 🙂
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Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries – is that only on Netflix? Or is it on Prime too? I want to watch it because it sounds like my kind of show. I sadly did not like Heartless, although I loved The Lunar Chronicles, but I’m glad that you enjoyed it. I felt terrible that I actually didn’t like it, like I was being disloyal somehow. LOL! Those pjs are fantastic and cute. I was planning on a TJ Maxx run today so I will have to check them out. Love the funnies. Hehe. I probably deserve the coloring book page!
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Hmmm… I’ve only watched it on Netflix so I’m not sure if it’s on Prime… It’s a great show, though!
Heartless was definitely not as great as TLC, but I enjoyed it for what it was nonetheless. I was honestly so in love with Jest by the end.
Did you find the pjs?!
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I still need to get some of that lip stain. That is so up my ally.
I laughed at the marriage thing – it is kinda weird if you think about it.
OHHHH – K needs to MAN UP & go to Disney. I just had this conversation with someone this morning about this topic. They were saying that Disney is for going with kids. I told them I think every couple needs to do it without kids first. ENJOY IT without the need to stop for naps, treats, potty breaks – its so much fun – there are lots of adult things to do – nice restaurants – drinks – fun stuff for grown ups. & it al lmakes you feel like a kid. UGHHHH. I’ll back you up on that argument.
Though – Universal is AWESOME too. HARRY POTTER WORLD!!!!!
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I am in love with all three lip products 🙂
Sometimes marriage is SO odd to me! I mean, I did it and I like it… but it’s still a little funny 🙂
I was SO pumped to go to Disney, but K really isn’t a good vacation-er so I know we have to compromise. We’ll get there someday. Just not this year *sigh*
HP World is going to be epic, though 😀
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Oh my gosh, you’re going on a cruise?! AWESOME! My favorite way to travel. I’m so excited to hear the details.
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We did a cruise for our honeymoon (almost 4 years ago) so I’m excited to do it again! We’re going with Royal Caribbean this time! (Last time we did Carnival.)
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Ahhhh a fall cruise sounds incredible. K is a noodle–I’d rather do Disney without kids so I get to fully enjoy it (#selfish) haha. And you’ll have to post about whether those books are any good! I just put 3 serious ones (aka not beach reads) on hold at the library because my grandmother told me I should get outside my comfort zone aka stop reading fluffy liane moriarty stuff. (What can I say? I like my books like I like my movies–happy and funny and light.)
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That’s what I said! With kids you have miniature-humans dictating your every move. UGH. OH well. Marriage is compromise, I guess. Ha.
Hey man, read whatever you want 😉 I always have to separate serious reads from one another with a million fluffy reads. It just affects me too much!
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That body conversation is me and myself every weekend. I’m good during the week, the weekend not so much.
MFD was eh about Disney until he got there. Now he absolutely loves it. I want to try to go back in the fall.
I could write a post about this administration’s antics daily. But I’m not doing that to myself. I feel you!
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I’m the opposite. I eat ok on weekends and live on coffee throughout the week. Ha.
I know if I could get him there he’d be 100% on board, but K doesn’t like to travel/vacation so we tend to take baby steps. Someday… someday…
Every damn day there’s something new to hate this administration for. UGH.
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Yes! Haha, We are on the same page today. Firefly (Oh lucky K, I wish I could watch them all again for the first time) and extreme dislike of certain political people. J and I went to Disney together years ago just the two of us and it was so much fun! K doesn’t know what he’s missing. But I would really like to go to HP land at Universal so that is fun too!
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I’ve been to Disney six times (I think) and he’s never been, so our excitement levels/expectations are very different. I’ll get him there eventually 😉
K loves Nathan Fillion so I don’t know WHY it’s so dang hard to get him to watch FIrefly! I’m going to have to lay down the law in our house soon… Ha.
Certain political people are turning my hair grey(-er) and giving me high blood pressure. GRR.
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First of all – OMG, Miss Fisher!! I seriously love that show. I love it so much, I’ve actually watched the whole series twice. It was as good the second time around, I promise. Even Reg got into it with me.
Second of all, you joined K’s company?! Jeeze, apparently I do have some blog posts to catch up on! Congratulations!
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It’s SO good. I could never get K on board, though. Ha.
Yep! I wrote about it in this post 🙂 https://audielou.com/2016/12/30/a-new-chapter/
It’s been a recent change. I started at the beginning of the year.
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I had never heard of the show Firefly before yesterday when Kelly mentioned it as one of her favorite shows, and now I’m even more intrigued to see what it’s about. Burt’s Bees lip products are my favorite- I’m always on the hunt for the lipstick in a new shade.
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It’s been a long time since I’ve watched the show, but it’s great! A little weird, very funny, and filled with action. Plus the cast is top-notch!
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Disney as an adult is so different from Disney with kids but I can totally see why K wants to wait. I liked Universal Studios but mainly because of Harry Potter. I think we stayed in that section like 90% of the time because I could not stop walking around and looking at all of the decorations. I can’t wait to read about the outing you’re surprising your mom with because my mom’s birthday is on April 18 and I’m going to be with her in NY for it! We’re planning a family dinner but I want to do something special for her just the two of us!
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I last went to Disney my senior year of hs. I’d REALLY like to go back, but I suppose I can wait a little longer. *sigh* Haha. I went to HP World in 2011 but they didn’t have the new park yet, so that will be fun 🙂
I’m excited for Saturday. We’re getting dressed up and I just got some new make-up so I’m excited to use it. Hahahaha! (That sounded so girly, lol!)
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I loved Firefly! My husband and I try to go to Disneyland as often as possible, usually once a year and we don’t have any kids. LOL
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Someday I’ll get him to Disney. And get him to watch FIrefly, too. Ha!
I make him sound like such a stick in the mud in this post. Oops. Haha!
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When I was working on my post for tomorrow earlier today, I had to actively restrain myself from going ballistic about the current administration.
So sad that there’s no Disney this fall! We went both with and without the kid and had fun each time.
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I’m pretty bummed about Disney, but K is a terrible vacation-er so sometimes we have to take things one step at a time. *sigh* We’ll eventually get there 😉
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I wish I had enjoyed Heartless more! My review of it is going up next Friday, but overall I expected more than I got. 😦
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I felt a little cheated since Cinder/Scarlet/Cress/Winter got four books to tell their stories, but Heartless still (mostly) exceeded my expectations. Or maybe I was just so enamored with Jest…. ha.
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bahahha this is great. Oh my gosh, we watched Miss Fisher at about the same pace. We finally finished last night, I was also putting it off. I can’t handle how much I love it. I REALLY hope they get it together this fall to make movies, mini series, or whatever. Because I’d be ALL about that. Jack and Phryne foreverrrr. But Hugh is kind of my fave. He’s adorable. 🙂 Good to know that you liked Heartless, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Totally looking into Ashley Weaver. That sounds right up my alley. I should really read more mysteries! We want to watch Firefly… but it’s hard because I know everyone is so mad that it got cancelled. ha. ALSO, BOOOO ON THE ADMINISTRATION AND B&TB CONTROVERSY. 1) almost nothing happened, 2) who cares?!?!? let people be themselves *screams and sobs* – I can relate lady.. Glad you are loving your new job! 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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I would really really really love a Miss Fisher’s mini-series. And can we just briefly talk about how suddenly HOT Hugh is in that boxing episode?! Like… where did THAT guy come from?? Ha. Dot’s progression through the series was one of my favorites 🙂 And Bert and Cec were so lovable! And Mac!!
Heartless is no Lunar Chronicles, but I enjoyed it for what it was 🙂 Probably the best pre-Queen of Hearts story I’ve read/seen. Ashley Weaver’s books are so fun and light-yet-mysterious. I really liked the first two. I’m going to borrow the third one from the library soon!
OH EM GEE, go watch Firefly! You guys will LOVE it! And it sucks that it got canceled, but they at least made a movie to mostly sum it all up. (It’s called Serenity.)
AMEN to your BOOOOO on the psychotic behavior in D.C. Lord, help us all…. UGH.
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OMG the turtle sign!! hahahahaha!
YES to universal and a cruise! cruises are such easy, great vacations…you pay and then don’t have to worry about anything.
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The only thing I’m nervous about with the cruise is the zika b.s. Then again, I survived India without getting malaria so I’m feeling pretty confident 😉 Ha. Maybe by Oct. they’ll have a handle on it? Ha.
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man, sometimes i am so out of it – what beauty and the beast outrage? are you kidding me? seriously people. it’s a freaking movie. why don’t you look around at, i don’t know, the original, or any other movie/tv show these days? bloody hell. seriously?
K hasn’t seen firefly?! WHAT! what about the movie? i love that show + movie. So good. sigh. wish they never cancelled it. RIP miss fishers also. hope it comes back. sobbing quietly in corner.
oh man, bummer about Disney. KC really didn’t want to go, I didn’t really give him a choice. hahaha. we had a great time and he loved it (we also LOVED universal!) but he’s 100% not going back until we have kids. womp womp. we have friends that go 10+ times a year and so they kind of taint it for us. hahaha.
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Folks didn’t like the slight character change in LeFou. I kind of thought it was appropriate… I mean, he fawns all over Gaston in the animated version sooooooo… total plausible that he might be into men, lol!
I will never get K to watch Miss Fisher’s, but we are 100% starting Firefly soon. He has no idea what he’s missing!
I think if I forced K to go we’d have a good time, but I’m already tired of the argument so I can’t stand going back and forth about it for the next six months. Lol. I’ll get him there eventually!!
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Cruises are the best, you will never ever regret it! Even if you never get off the boat it will be the funnest vacation ever. I’m really hoping to do a cruise in the next few years.
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We went on a cruise for our honeymoon. K likes cruises and all-inclusive resorts. When he’s being a pain-in-the-butt about going on vacation I know I can always win him over with a cruise or a.i.r. suggestion. Ha.
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I thought Atonement was beautiful, and I’ve been wanting to read Heartless!
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I’ve tried to get through Atonement twice, but this time I’m am DETERMINED. (I’ve avoided the movie because I didn’t want to spoil the book… but I STILL haven’t read it! Lol)
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In my new job, I wear jeans to work everyday. It’s a requirement (one that I am happy with.) I will DEFINITELY be checking out those Old Navy jeans when I am home in May.
Just quietly, I’ve noticed how far you’ve gotten this challenge 🙂 The most books you’ve read yet!
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Yes to jeans!! I love wearing whatever I want (except for leggings [K’s rule] and flip-flops [warehouse logic], lol)! Today I have a Harry Potter shirt on and yesterday I wore an animal rescue shirt. It just feels good to be comfortable and express your personality throughout the day at work 🙂
I knooooooooooooooooooow. Even if I get lazy and fall behind I swear I will pull all-nighters to get these dang books done! Haha!
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That’s so awesome that you love your job!! Have a fun outing with your mom!
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Thank you! And thank you! It was a fun Saturday!
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1) “Guess we’ll never know” made me laugh so hard because SO TRUE.
2) OF ALL THE FREAKING THINGS GOING ON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE UPSET ABOUT A FICTIONAL CHARACTER?! I truly thought this was a joke when people first started talking about. I’m in awe over this. It’s a fairy tale about a woman IN LOVE WITH BASICALLY AN ANIMAL?!? But yes by all means, let’s get upset and use our time and energy to protest that gay dude. Really.
UGH. I have a lot of feelings about this.
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That coffee meme is my entire life. Ha.
It is TOTALLY a fairy tale about a woman in love with an animal. Hahahahaha. And, in my opinion, LeFou was ALLLL about Gaston in the animated version. This live-action film was SO over the top and whimsical and exaggerated- so it makes sense to me that they’d take LeFou’s personality and make it over the top and *more*. I thought it made sense.
PLUS- he was the first towns-person to grow a conscious and question Gaston. And yet people are turned off by his character. Ridiculous! I loved him in the movie 🙂
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