that time I made a dress

Last week, I made a dress and I was pretty excited about it…mainly because it has POCKETS….but it was still a little too big, so this week my cousin Jessica helped me take it in a couple of inches. This dress took me all day because I didn’t want to mess up. Thank goodness for seam rippers! Super excited about this dress though and for trying new things!  If you wanna make your own, I purchased the pattern here! Check out other fun staple dresses here. Happy sewing! 
Also thanks to dear friends for styling suggestions such as that rad yellow belt and chunky teal necklace.  Friends are the best!

BOOKS! (i may just read all summer)

You know when you haven't done something in a long time and then once you pick it back up, you remember all the reasons you loved it and you become slightly obsessive...no?  Well, that's where I'm at right now.  I discovered I could become a member of a library in the city next door = endless access to books.  Our town library just doesn't have a good selection (no offense). I stumbled upon blogs with book recommendations, I scoured amazon and added to the wish list, I checked the online card catalog and SCORE!--they were all available.  I stocked up and so far I've read 2 and a half books.  I can't stop.  They're so good and I want to read MORE!!!

photo via janabananard

I started with Still Alice by Lisa Genova and it broke my heart.  It pulled me in and I felt like I was Alice.  Alice is 50 and has early on-set alzheimer's.  She is a psychology professor and eventually has to resign due to her memory.  It's devastating and beatuiful all the same time.  I loved it through and through.

photo via amazon

Next, we went to the beach and I read The Husband's Secret by Liane Moritary. Gosh, I'm loving her writing!  What if your husband wrote a letter you were only supposed to read if he died and you find it before he passes away? This book had me on pins and needles because I was wanting to know more.  Loved how she intertwines everyone's stories!

photo via hungryhealthygirl.com

Now, I'm reading What Alice Forgot by Liane Moritary.  At first, I kept saying, "This just isn't as good as The Husband's Secret, but I'm realizing it really is in a different way. You find yourself rooting for the main character Alice as she wakes up in a gym after a nasty fall and has forgotten the last 10 years of her life. The whole book is like a puzzle, putting the pieces back to her life. When I finished it, I realized I liked it better and it reminded me that marriage takes work, just like most good things do.  If we don't invest in our marriages, they tend to fall apart.


Next on my list:
Orphan Train
The Rosie Project
The Girls of Atomic City

What are you reading this summer?


Side note: I'm really loving this photo from our vacation 2 weeks ago. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!