Oh hi there – I have a big mug of tea and a nice cold mango smoothie next to me and I’m feeling chatty. Care to sit a minute and catch up?
The first thing on my mind is that I have been doing some Spring Shopping. You know, because once again, I hate all my clothes and nothing fits or looks remotely cute. My first purchase arrived yesterday. I got some pants and a shirt from Quince. Have you tried Quince? One of my friends swears by them – and she is always beautifully dressed, so I have had Quince on my radar for awhile. I bought a pair of wide leg ponte pants, a pair of wide leg linen pants, and a plain white T-shirt. The shipping was remarkably fast and I was so excited to try everything on.
The T-shirt feels amazing. It is so soft, but also feels substantial, somehow? Not flimsy, like some of those tissue Ts, which I guess is the fault of the Me and not of the T when “tissue” is right there in the name. I got it in white, and it’s not see-through, which I appreciate. What I like most about it is that it’s fitted. Most T-shirts these days seem to be so boxy, and I really need all the help I can get when it comes to approximating a waistline, so I like a shirt that is more fitted. Also! It’s not SHORT. I am long-waisted as it is, but everything is both boxy and short, and I like to keep my midriff covered; yes I know midriffs are In again, but my midriff had plenty of exposure in the 90s thank you very much.
The linen pants were lovely, but I am not keeping them. The material is soft and hangs beautifully, and they fit just fine. However, they had what I can only describe as a little pouch that cupped my lower tummy like a precious jewel. I mean, it FELT very nice, very comforting. My lower tum was free to be itself. The thing is… when it comes to clothing, I want my lower abdomen to be smoothed and disguised, not cherished. I do not need a pooch pocket, is what I’m saying.
But the ponte pants. Oh my goodness. I may have ordered them in slightly the wrong size? Either that or they are designed for people who are more straight up and down than I am. But I love them so. They just FEEL so GOOD. The material is beautiful, they drape in such a lovely way, and they make my bottom half feel well-dressed. I don’t know that they are particularly flattering on my body shape, but they are so nice I am considering keeping them anyway.
Anyway, I don’t know that I found the right Quince clothing for me, but I plan to keep trying. (And if you decide to try it, let me know and I can send you a $20 off $100 coupon!)
This talk of clothing reminds me that I did end up buying the anti-cellulite cream. It’s still early days, so I don’t know if it’s magically transforming my cellulite yet. But it does produce quite a lot of heat on the areas of application. I would describe the sensation as similar to the feeling of sitting in direct sunlight for a long time. It feels deeply uncomfortable, but not unbearable. The worst part, for me, is that sometimes it moves past hot to itchy. If it does help with the cellulite, it will all have been worth it.
I am in a bit of book slump lately. Usually, I have an audiobook that I listen to while driving/walking/puttering around the house, and I also have a book I read in bed before I fall asleep. My last three audiobooks have been a big flop, though. One of the books (bookshop.org / amazon) just hasn’t captured my attention; I’m 35% in and I think I’m going to DNF. I just don’t care about any of the characters and I think there was a murder, but it happened so long ago I’ve lost any sense of urgency about it.
The other two books were DNFs because of the narrators. So maybe I will pick one or both of them up later, as physical books? The first is a book (bookshop.org / amazon) I really want to read, and I was enjoying it, but the narrator WHISPERS the entire time and at 54% in I cannot stand it anymore. I’m either missing crucial things or feeling irritated by the whispering and I just can’t do it. The next book (bookshop.org / amazon) was a new release that was on my holds list, either because someone recommended it, or it just sounded good – I’m not sure – but the narrator swallows audibly and I JUST CANNOT.
My husband is listening to Wellness (bookshop.org / amazon) right now, and loves it. So maybe I will listen to that one next?
I’m having similar issues with my physical books, though. I read through the prologue and first chapter of a book on my Kindle, and that was enough for me. It’s not like I have any sort of dearth of books on hand, but nothing is calling to me. What’s the last book you read or listened to that really gripped you from the beginning?
That’s what’s on my mind this morning. What are you in the mood to chat about?
I’m listening to the latest Hunger Games book (#5) – really good so far, and I didn’t care for the last one. I like the narrator too – he sounds like the actor who plays Hamish in the movie.
And why oh why do clothes shrink in the closet?!?! I have the same problem every Spring/Summer.
Hahaha – they DO shrink in the closet, don’t they?
I’m so glad to hear the latest Hunger Games is good! I am reading the previous one to my kid at night and I find it SO TEDIOUS. Looking forward to getting through it so we can start on the newer one!
I have finally gotten to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and The Book Woman’s Daughter, and both were captivating, I thought. I read the Kindle books. I have never gotten into audiobooks; well, never tried, really. We used to listen to them as kids, on road trips (cassettes we borrowed from the library, how quaint!), but never in my adult life. I love podcasts, though, so I wonder if I would like it?
Ha – we used to listen to books on tape in the car, too! Louis L’Amour mystery/westerns, if I recall correctly.
I am not a big podcast person for some reason, but I do love audiobooks. I’m not sure why/how they are different?
In the last two weeks I have read only ONE book. I just keep running into books that I think are good, but don’t work for me. It really is making me start to think maybe I am not really a reader. Maybe I don’t like reading. Maybe I’m the problem. That’s where I am right now.
While I feel this intensely, and go through my own “I’m not a real reader” crises often, I want to assure you and myself that WE are not the problem. Neither are the books. It is the moment we are in right now. Sometimes reading is simple, and good books are abundant. Other times, our brains/hearts are yearning for something very specific that takes a while to find. We will find books we love again, Engie! We WILL.
Our tastes in books are quite different so I am probably not a great recommendation source for you! But the last book that really gripped me was Broken Country (although this morning in Sarah’s reading recap she mentioned not loving it so YMMV).
I’m just so glad today is May so that is all that is on my mind. I know there is nothing magical about turning the calendar page, but April was so rough that I needed a new month. I’m also thinking about the belated bday party was are having for Paul on Saturday afternoon. It’s basically a park playdate with donuts and treats. I’m wondering if people will drop their kids off or if the parents will stay and want to talk to me? Gah.
I will look into Broken Country, Lisa!
The park playdate sounds very fun, and I hope ALL the parents drop off because that sounds preferable to chatting with a bunch of parents. Ugh.
I have been wanting to try Quince– the anthro knock off dress, specifically. But! I need separates and not more dresses.
I think I have too much cellulite for a cream to help me, but I would love to hear the results of this stuff.
Who doesn’t need more dresses???? (I just ordered three more so, you know, I need a partner in dress buying crime.)
I will keep you posted. Cellulite is a scourge.
I’ve never ordered from Quince, but I always love the items people share! I might need to finally browse their website.
I’ve been having a similar issue with books lately. I decided to start reading from the bottom of my TBR list—some of those books have been sitting there for years because I always pull from the top. It’s my toxic trait. 🤣
But honestly, I haven’t been loving anything lately either!
Ha – well my toxic TBR trait is to add and add and add while rarely subtracting. Bummer that books aren’t hitting for you lately, either. Maybe it’s an April issue?
I loved Wellness! But just so you know, it did not grip me from the get-go. I just read and enjoyed the new Jennifer Weiner. I am currently reading and mostly liking Proust and the Squid, but it’s more of a kale book than a chocolate chip cookie book, if you know what I mean.
Oh! I have a can’t-put-it-down recommendation: I’m Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom! Totally riveting, a memorable mix of fun and thought-provoking.
None of these are on my radar – thank you for recommending!
I’m in something of a book slump, but I’ve been hearing about a lot of things that sound good so my hold list on Libby is full. Now I just need to wait six months for things to start coming in.
Your whispering narrator reminds me of the Call the Midwife books. I saw the TV show first, and the narrator’s voice was (1) very different from the actor’s and (2) had a very light/whispery quality that really had me cranking up the volume in places. The books were good enough that I hung in there are got through all 3 of them, but I think that was mostly because it was back in the days when I worked in an office and had hours of listening time each week with the commute.
I think if I could listen ONLY on my airpods while, like, doing housework, it might be okay? But I spend so much time listening in the car, and even when I cranked up the volume anytime a big truck went past I got lost. So frustrating.
I hope your holds come through quickly!
I really enjoyed Go Like A River this month; probably my favourite.
I think I am going to see if I can convince my daughter to go thrifting with me tonight. I’m itching for a few fresh-to-me dresses!
Ooooh a mother/daughter shopping spree sounds fun!
I read Wellness and my biggest complaint is that it was too damn long. At least a third could have been cut out of it without any loss of the story.
Right now I’m reading a book of short stories called Death By A Thousand Cuts – omg Suzanne. It’s so good. After every story, I’m like “okay, just one more.” I started it yesterday and I am almost done, that’s how good/ quick of a read it is.
I hear about Quince on the daily as they seem to sponsor every podcast I listen to. I am Quince curious! They do seem to have some great prices. Other than the weird pants, how does the quality feel to you? I’ve heard a lot about their dresses and sweaters.
The quality is excellent, Nicole. It definitely feels like luxurious fabrics, well made and well cut.
Maybe a book of really good short stories is just what I need!
I’ve been meaning to order from Quince – once I got a real person’s recommendation. Alas, I will have to wait until that mythical creature (a job) shows up.
I just finished The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick. It was a light easy read that I enjoyed.
But if you want something a little darker, you would probably like You Were Gone by Tim Weaver.
Those clothes do look chic yet casual but I’ve been burned so much buying stuff on line. (paper thin t-shirts and poorly fitting pants or tops) Plus, they tend to put the clothes on 90 pound models which doesn’t help!
Suzanne, I’ve not heard of Quince before but ARE YOU IN MY HEAD because I was looking for some linen pants this morning. My last pair finally gave out and I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to replace them. (Macy’s INC International–not made currently)
Wait, are you the one who turned me onto Boden? I’m obsessed with their dresses.
I recently listened to and enjoyed The Life We Bury, Remarkably Bright Creatures & The Nightingale. I would recommend all three.
I know of Quince but haven’t purchased anything there. In truth, if you say quince I think of jelly not an online store.
I recently finished reading Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. It was entertaining, both seeing how the premise played out and understanding the whole mystery underneath it.
My BFF loves Quince for their cashmere sweaters. She loves the comfort and warmth of cashmere, but not the price. Since these are less expensive, she feels better if they pill quickly.
Oh, cellulite cream. I am far beyond hope, and nothing I have ever tried has worked, but yours sounds like maybe it’s doing something? Please keep us posted.
I really liked “Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance” and “The Hearts Invisible Furies”.
I’m laughing at Engie saying that she feels like she is not a reader. HA! I’ve definitely gone through periods like that, though, when I just can’t be bothered, and it always makes me low grade depressed. Or perhaps the depressed is the issue and the not reading is the symptom.
I’m in the mood to talk about audiobook narrators! A narrator can make or break a book, right? I dislike volume changes so much, whether it’s whispering so you can’t hear what they’re saying, or sudden shouting that hurts your ears. Right now, I detest vocal fry, which seems to be a common thing lately. The low-pitched creaky, raspy sounds grate on my nerves. I’m 100% in favor of DNFing an audiobook because of the narrator.
I just scrolled through my Goodreads list to find the last book I rated 5 out of 5 and putting aside books that are part of series or books that have niche appeal (do you like 19th century horror?– in that case I recommend Dracula) the last one was The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. It’s about a group of teens who meet at an artsy summer camp and follows their lives through their 50s.
Alas, I have read both already, Steph! But I appreciate your looking for me. 🙂
I’m laughing at the thought of the narrator whispering- yes, I guess that would be annoying! I’m just finishing Pillars of the Earth, and I’m glad to be done with it- next up is the new Anne Tyler book.
I’ve never tried anything from Quince, but that T shirt sounds like it would be a great fit for me. I’ll check it out!
I am going to look into Quince. A part of me wants to try Stitch Fix again, only because I love a curated box and doing a fashion show at home. But ugh, $$$.
I’m currently about halfway through Look Closer by David Ellis and cannot get enough of it! I don’t know how it’s going to turn out, but at least none of the narrators bug me. That’s the WORST when it comes to audiobooks.
I’m not going to comment on the books, since (I think, I hope?) you have moved past the book desert, at least temporarily. I am going to comment on the cream, though – specifically, how is the tingling after you used it for a while? Does it get better? Inquiring minds want to know. 😉