Tag Archives: Rainboots

Book Review: Bitter River

This weeks book is Bitter River by Julia Keller. This book is about Bell Elkins and is the second in a series, but it’s thankfully one of those series where each book can stand on it’s own, and honestly I didn’t realize it was in a series until I was over halfway through the book and they mentioned something that seemed like they wouldn’t have said it unless it was in another book.

This book begins with the body of 16 year old Lucinda Trimble being found in her car in Bitter River. What starts out looking like an accident turns out to be murder and it’s up to Bell Elkins and Nick Fogelsong to find out who killed this young girl. But then a friend from Bell’s past shows up and terrible things start happening to her town. Is it her friends fault that these horrible things are happening in the small town of Acker’s Gap, or is it all just one big coincidence?

I absolutely adored this book. Honestly, I picked it up because of the cover. I walked past it twice, but it the cover kept catching my eye and I just had to pick it up and I’m so glad I did. I loved Bell, I loved the story and I adored the way it’s written. I’m definitely going to be picking up the first book A Killing In The Hills because I really ended up attached to the people in the town and I want to know more about them.

Final Verdict: if you like mystery novels and thrillers, then I fully recommend this book. Bitter River was absolutely one of my favorite books I’ve read this season.

I decided to base my outfit off the cover of this book. I don’t have a red coat, but I’ve been wanting one ever since I saw the one on the cover. So instead I wore:

Navy Blue Toggle Coat from Delias, Gap Legging Jeans, Hunter Huntress Boots in Green. My earrings are Kate Spade and my Hair tie is from Emi-Jay

This sunday’s outfit post will be what I was wearing underneath the coat.

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Another I Love Fall Post

Something happens to me come fall, I find myself every year wanting to completely overhaul my closet, and instead of the mish-mash that it is, just change it over to full on preppy. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, considering my favorite designer is Kate Spade, and I’m completely in love with Keil James Patrick’s Line as well. Plus how much I nerd out over bookshops, Library’s, old buildings and Coffee shops, and well I guess it’s only obvious.

This look is my absolute dream look for hanging around in an old library, learning strange things that no one ever really needs to know.

The basics of this outfit are the Madewell Penfield Stokes Checked Shirt, H&M Cable Knit Sweater and H&M Skinny Jeans. Of course it had to feature H&M they are my favorite place to shop. I’d wear this Kate Spade Apple Of My Eye Mini Pendent, because Apples have a two fold symbolism come fall. Then I’d add in this red and white striped Vickers Bow from Kiel James Patrick. I, like Becky, adore these bows. The story behind them is they’re based off of men’s bow ties, and turned into bracelets for women. I have had these on my wishlist for ever and can’t wait to own one someday, hopefully very soon. Then for shoes I chose these Kate Spade x Keds in Frame Dot Pink. They’re bright and colorful, and I adore the mix of red and pink together. I know some people think they clash, but I’ve always adored it. I adore the just in from the cold flushed look, and Exhibit A from Nars will give you exactly that. I know red blush looks scary, but it’s all in how you apply it. Then of course I had to chose a red polish, and this one from Illamasqua is just gorgeous.

Another one of my favorite fall activities is apple picking, and with just a few changes this outfit is still pretty perfect for that.

I’d change into some Hunter boots, to prevent the possibility of ruining those adorable Kate Spade x Keds, toss on this adorable Boat Jacket by Superdry, and I’m all set for the outside. This Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Shopper is perfect for carrying all the apples I pick, and this Loose Leaf Tumbler from Teavana is an absolute necessity for keeping warm in the cold

Fall Library by fashionandhappythings featuring a matte nail polish

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Takin’ on the Jellies or another Childhood obsession

Today’s post is another childhood obsession of mine. I’ve blogged before about how I desperately dreamed of having a pair of Red Rainboots just like Ramona Quimbly, which this past Valentines my lovely Husband made come true, and with Hunters at that. I know I’m a very lucky girl. But being that summer is coming up I’ve been thinking of proper wet shoes for the hot weather.

Last year I bought Sperrys just for that reason and honestly? That was flat out dumb. They are insanely comfortable, until you get them wet. Then they are just as uncomfortable as any other wet canvas shoe. For some reason I thought that them being a boat shoe meant they’d be just grande to walk in when wet. I was terribly mistaken. I wore them to Kings Island and regretted that descision as soon as I stepped off White Water Canyon. Which since its my favorite ride, I rode 5 times in a row. Yep, I’m extra stupid.

I know most people would just wear rubber flip flops, and I do. Sometimes, if I have too. But mostly? I hate them. A lot. I have weird feet people, flip flops or thongs, and I are not friends. Bonus issue, I cant drive in them, its like Cher Horowitz in Platforms. Plus, I see a lot of Moms in my town switch from crocs to flops when it gets really hot. Long story short (Too Late!), I don’t do flip flops, no matter how much they cost except to walk the dog at 3am, and if I weren’t allergic to bees, I’d skip the flip flops and go barefoot.

I told you that incredibly long story to tell you this incredibly long story. I’ve always wanted Jellies shoes. I was never allowed to have them, even as summer running in the mud shoes because my mother thought they were impractical, no matter how cheap they were then. However, as an adult I’m not subject to my mother’s fashion opinions and can buy all the stupid shoes I want to. For evidence see my shoe collection.

That said I have recently discovered that Kate Spade makes Jelly shoes, and that they aren’t terribly priced and I need a pair for this summer.

The problem is I can’t decide which ones, and on a couple of the pairs, I can’t decide which colors. While I like the Jennie Flat in Cobalt/Turquoise I think I prefer them in Pink/Orange. However I feel the opposite way about the Farren Sandals, I think they look so much sweeter in Cobalt/Turquoise, but not so much in the Pink/Orange. The other two pairs I really like are the Jane Flats in Pink which have a completely adorable bow on the toe and the Fiala Flats in Orange Rubber which have a hot pink flower on the front. I’m kinda in love with all of them!

I could see my self having many “Summer Adventures” in these shoes, and for the flats I could easily see them paired up with Skinny Jeans and a Tee/Jacket combo. The Flats are probably more practical, since I would wear them into the fall time and probably stupidly into the winter. However the sandals just scream summer, and even though I’m not much of a sandal wearer I’m completely in love with the Farren sandals because of the bow on the front. What do you think guys, which pair should I choose?

Bonus note: Takin’ on the Jellies is from Finding Nemo which is one of my all time favorite Pixar movies, and is fittingly a children’s movie.

By The Way: There is only 1 day left on my Oasap.com Giveaway, and if there isn’t 50 entries there will be no giveaway thanks to Oasap’s terms for the giveaway as noted in that post, so hurry up and enter and tell your friends to enter too!

Kate Spade by fashionandhappythings featuring ankle wrap sandals

Snowed in

Today is the perfect day, it’s blustery and snowy outside and I’m all bundled up inside with a backlog of YouTube videos to watch on my iPad and the snuggliest snowman blanket ever made. I had planned to go out, but due to the weather, I’m going to stay home and build a snowman with my munchkin when there’s enough snow.

I’m definitely an indoor kind of person, but a storm of any type gets me excited. Mostly i like to stay inside and watch out my window, but I’m game for a romantic walk through the snow or a busy fun day sledging and snowman building. So even though we’re sort of snowed in today, I don’t mind it at all. I didn’t have anywhere important to be so I think it’s a perfect way to spend the day. As I’m sure you know because I’ve mentioned it before I love bundling up and being cozy and snug in a sweater and boots. And since its the perfect sort of blustery day, I was thinking if the Internet were my closet what would I wear today?

I would definitely start with this sweater and these jeans from Topshop, then I’m still completely obsessed with the frequency flecked cowl from Anthropologie. Of course I’d need this coat from Superdry and I’m really in love with these gloves from Kate Spade. For boots it’s obviously these red hunter boots with cream wellie socks, did you expect anything else? To top it all of I’d have to go with a hat from Superdry (you see what I did there don’t ya), really Superdry do the best hats.

Actually I’m so in love with that coat that I plan on buying it this spring. I always do my big winter purchases in spring and summer. It gives me time to get it fitted if it needs it, and keeps me from shopping out of desperation. Desperation shopping is the worst because you usually end up spending way to much on something you don’t love.

If the Internet were your closet what would you wear today? I know this post is super short but I’m still technically on my mini break. I told you I couldn’t stay away. Next post will be my what I got for Christmas post, I plan on taking the pictures tomorrow.

Blogmas Day 7: Since we’ve no place to go

It’s so not Christmas weather where I live right now. This actually makes me super sad because I love snow and ice. I love how fresh and new everything looks and how soft everything is when the snow is falling. I love the hush that just seems to fall over everything when snow falls in the middle of the night. I love great big gusty storms that when you’re driving make you feel like the snow looks like hyper drive.

Instead of being blustery and snowy, it’s in the 60′s and Rainy. I love rain don’t get me wrong, but it just doesn’t feel right to me. I want to be bundling up in scarves and gloves and hats. I want to have to drag out my giant puffer coat and boot socks for under my Hunters, and sweaters and leggings under my jeans for warmth. I want to look out my window and see a glistening wonderland of snow and ice. I want to go outside and build a snow man and have enough snow for a fort. I want to come inside all rosy cheeked and curl up under a blanket with something hot to drink while I warm up to watch Christmas movies. Rain is fine for the other 3 seasons, and normally I’m staring out my window just hoping for rain, but come December 1st all I care about is snow, snow, snow.

I couldn’t ever live in one of those places that doesn’t have inclement weather, I’d be heartbroken everyday. I love the way the world changes when the weather changes. Without the frosty snow, the blooms of spring don’t seem as triumphant, with out the drizzly, sloshy, muddiness of spring, summer’s heat doesn’t seem as welcome, if it’s always summer then the leaves just seem out of place when they fall, and without the chill of autumns falling leaves, the snow just doesn’t seem as pristine.

I’ve been spoiled by where I live. Up until last winter we’ve always had 4 perfect seasons. It’s been idyllic. Last winter we only really had one good snow, we basically skipped spring, and summer was blindingly hot. I don’t know what’s in store for this winter, but so far it looks like spring. I can only hope their will be snow.

My family hates snowy weather because it’s dangerous to drive in, and people freak out and drive stupid when the roads are slick, and I agree, but they live in a different state from me, so I can have my snow and they can have their no snow. I never really have anywhere to be so I hold the opinion of “Since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”