{books, lately}

Ever since I joined the library last month, I've had a book in my hand at all times. It helps pass the time on the bus & gets me away from my computer. Win, win.

Here's what I've read & enjoyed in the past 8 weeks...

The Matchmaker - Elin Hilderbrand 

&

Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty

ps. Big Little Lies is being made into a miniseries & already has an all-star cast.

Room - Emma Donoghue 

Still thinking about this book...I mean, wow.

&

The Sweet Life in Paris - David Lebovitz

Makes me want to move to Paris right now!!

Yes Please - Amy Poehler

Yes please, Amy.

&

Not That Kind of Girl - Lena Dunham

I didn't even mind that she didn't write about Girls. Lena is a fantastic writer.

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
This one tugs at the heartstrings.
&
Delicious - Ruth Reichl
I loved Ruth's memoir Tender at the Bone, so I was not surprised to
have loved her first venture into fiction.

 -

I'm currently giving my eyes a break & listening to Serial {can you say addicted??}, BUT...anyone have any book recommendations?  I need new ones!

{happy december}

Happy December everyone!

I took a month off from blogging. Sorry about that!

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I just got back from a quick trip back home. It was filled with snowy weather, good food, & lots of friends & family time.... just what I needed.

Lots of bloggers have been writing their December goals, so I'm going to follow suite:

- blog more? :)
- read four books
- plan a budget for holiday shopping & stick to it
- create a fun wrapping paper
- try 3 new recipes

Let's see how this goes!

{lively style: bedroom updates}

Today I thought I'd share some updated photos of my bedroom!  Lots has changed since you last saw it...

^^that beautiful blanket was hand-knit by my grandma!

I really love my room, although I wish it looked a little less cluttered! {I've been having a love/hate thing with my gallery wall.} I have a few more things to do -- namely, upholster the desk bench & add some art above the piano -- but other than that it's pretty much complete. It definitely feels like home. 

Resources:

EQ3 Yellow Mirror | Crate & Barrel Leaning Bookcase | West Elm Curtains (not available) | Crate & Barrel Table Cloth (Bedskirt) | West Elm Bedding | Anthropologie Hanging Mirror (not available) | IKEA Chair | IKEA Dresser | West Elm Rug | CB2 Coat Rack |

Desk was a Craigslist find. Bench was from a vintage flea market. Frames are IKEA & Goodwill (art here). Dresser knobs are from Anthropologie. 

ps. One last note...although it may not seem like it, I designed on a budget! Every single item was bought: 1) with the help of a gift card, 2) from the outlet/factory, 3) on sale, 4) via Craigslist/flea market, 5) a gift. I also DIYed some art & the lamp.

{happy friday}

Happy Halloween!

It seems the entire city of San Francisco is in orange & black. Not because of Halloween, but because of the GIANTS! Hooray Giants!

A few links...

The Giants win, via me.

The Today Show went SNL. So funny. {The Mom Jeans bit was my favorite!}

The Brain on 23. As a 23 year old, I found some of it rang true. A lot of it didn't though. The comments are all over the place, but it's still an interesting read.

"This Love" is my favorite song from 1989.

You can buy this Connecticut town for $800k! It looks adorable.


Have a great weekend!

{bits + pieces}

...from the weekend.

+ A friend introduced me to this song. Enjoy.

+ Birdman. Go see it. 

+ I chopped about 50 onions on Saturday morning & it was like Niagara Falls up in here. I was with a few others & two minutes in, I decided I couldn't even be embarrassed by it. My eyes were watering so much I was lightheaded. The upside is that it was all for a good cause & I'm stellar at chopping onions now.

+ I spent that afternoon/night down by the Marina & the GG Bridge. It was raining in other parts of the city, but at that spot it was all kinds of gorgeous. The fresh air was so needed.  

+ Within a month of moving to a new city, I always join the public library. {And by new city, I mean Boston & LA.} A year in, I finally joined one here! There's a small branch a few minutes from my house, & it is exactly what I need. I love libraries.

+ Fall temps are here!  The cashmere sweaters & tights have come out!

+ Gluten-free friends, this cookbook is so great. I got it on Saturday & have already successfully made two recipes.

+ I Swiffer WetJet-ed my entire staircase yesterday {it's like 30 stairs} & it made me sooooo happy.

+ I filmed this video two years ago today & I'm still very proud of it. Such a good cause. Check it out! {And check your frozen aisles for Blake's products.}

Happy Monday & go Giants!!