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.

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

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.

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”

Well apparently a company made a solution for that. They’re called Bootights. The concept is that Boots+Tights=Bootights. I discovered them because they followed me on twitter and I looked at their page, and that’s it. I haven’t tried their product yet, but the idea was so ingenious I had to blog about it. I hope to place an order with them soon, because seriously this is amazing. They’re tights, and instead of normal tight feet, they have socks attached to the end. Somehow that seems both simple and earth shattering at the same time.

I’m sure any other girl who wears dresses in the winter, or lives in a cold area can agree with me how many winter problems these solve. Boots and dresses are a very common fashion choice, and tights are usually thrown in once the weather starts getting colder. The problem with that is the foot area of tights are usually thinner once you put them on, so not only are your feet colder, but they don’t offer much in the way of comfort or padding. If you add in a pair of socks either over or under the tights, you end up with bunching and possibly sweaty uncomfortable feet. But bootights foot area is more like a sock, so it’s thicker for warmth and wicks away moisture like a sock would and padded similar to a sock. Plus most of my tights get ruined at the feet first, so I think these would last so much longer?

My favorite tights on the site are the Draper Herringbone and the Clark Cable. Aside from really liking the tights themselves I really like the retro names as well. How cute are the word play names there? Don Draper and Clark Gable, adorable. The prices aren’t bad, they seem to range from $30 to $40 usd. Which when you factor in how much longer they’ll last you and how much warmer you’ll be really seems worth it to me.

Have you heard of this brand before? Are you going to try them out?

And they are outrageously expensive, but I really want another pair. I know I’m certifiable, but it’s an obsession I tell you. I should be asleep right now, but instead I’m watching youtube videos about Hunter’s. There’s a bit of a following behind them, and if you live in a rainy/snowy climate like I do, then you’d understand why. They are very classy, and very quintessentially English, or New English depending on which country you live in. I don’t really think my obsession with these boots is really any different than someone else obsessing over makeup or cat related things. Everyone has something they really love, my thing just happens to be rain boots. I do have an obsession with Rainy weather, and Rain gear, as I’ve blogged about in the past. I’m pretty sure I’ve also written about why it’s Hunter boots that I’m so obsessed with, but if I haven’t before here it is now, and if I have well bear with me.

I love Hunter boots because of their history, they’re a very old company, and for a company to have lasted that long means that they are a quality product. The older a company is, the more I tend to love it, Macy’s has been around since 1858, Tiffany’s since 1837, Nordstrom since 1901. All three of those places are my favorite shops. (disclaimer I’ve never actually shopped at Tiffany’s but I do stare at the website for hours). Hunter Boots was started by Henry Lee Norris in 1856 and the boots were made for Scotland’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. While the materials they use to make the boots has changed as they’ve found better materials, the dedication to quality has not changed at all. A lot of people say the average life of the boots is 5 to 10 years which is amazing for rain boots, as most of them don’t make it through spring. I have also seen reviews where people have said they’ve had their boots for 20 years and they’re still in amazing condition. I think it all depends on how much you wear them, but the minimum I’ve read about is 5 years.

Another Secret: I have this image of myself in the snow on Christmas morning, wearing my Hunters with black trousers and a cream coloured cable knit jumper. And if you can’t tell by my use of Jumper instead of Sweater and the u in Colour, that I also wish I were in England but that’s another post. I need to get some of the Wellie socks Hunter sells for them, to make them extra warm for the winter. I’m actually really hoping for a cold snowy winter this year, just so I’ll get some good use out of my boots.

I can’t decide if I want a red pair, or a yellow pair, or a black pair. Actually I want them all, but that would be insane. If I bought either the Red or Yellow I’d buy them in the Glossy style, and the black I’m undecided between the matte and the glossy.  I think the Red ones would be great they make me think of Ramona Quimby who happens to be my favorite girl ever. I don’t care if she’s just a storybook character, she was my first icon. I wanted to be exactly like her when I was little right down to her Red Wellies, and I never did get my Red wellies, so I could be just like her. I think I like them best in the short style, with a pair of the wellie socks they sell, they would be perfect for stomping around in the snow.

I probably won’t be able to get them until early next year, because they are something I have to save up for, but they are definitely on my wishlist. I know, I know I don’t need them, and while I can come up with a bazillion reason why I need them, such as having another pair would greatly save on wear and tear on my other boots, but the reality is I just really really really want them, and they would make me smile every time I saw them, I get incredibly happy just looking at the pictures on them online. And really I think that’s more than enough reason to start saving for them. I’m really hoping they’ll be included in a Christmas sale at one of the retail locations that sells them. But even if I have to wait, it’ll be more than worth it.

Disclaimer, there are affiliate Ads in this post, they were the easiest way for me to add pictures of the boots all I had to do was search them in the side of blogger and click add.