Cowgirl?

Gray tshirt-Gap

Button down blouse-The Limited

Skirt-to the max!

Tights-Apt 9

Shoes-Lower East Side

Necklace-vintage

Totally not my intention when I put together this outfit, but after I looked at this picture I decided it looks like I was trying to put together a cowgirl costume. All I need is a pair of boots.

Review: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis

Anyone who enjoyed the movie will enjoy reading The Blind Side. I decided to read the book after seeing the movie. I was surprised by how closely the movie followed the book. There were aspects of the story that were understandably condensed for the screenplay, but the story of Michael Oher and the Touhys shown in the movie stayed relatively close to the one presented by Michael Lewis. Lewis did write several chapters that talked about changes in the game of football, hence the subtitle Evolution of a Game. These chapters were really the only noticeable part of the book not included in the film version.

I found Lewis to be a very compelling writer. He’s written close to a dozen books, but this was the first I ever read. I found myself drawn into even the parts of the book that went into detail about football strategy and other aspects of the game, even when I had no idea what any of it meant. I know nothing about football and have no desire to learn more, but Lewis made his topic so interesting that I couldn’t help but be drawn in.

Of course most people will probably read this book for Michael Oher’s story. Certainly that is why I did. I enjoyed getting a more complete picture of the story I found so inspiring in the movie.

Check It Out!

Today is the second of my two busiest days this week, but I wanted to make sure I still had a post for you today. It is a short one though.

If you aren’t already, you should be reading Hey, It’s Free! everyday. They post links for all kinds of free things you can get, ranging from food samples to codes for free Amazon downloads and everything in between. Definitely worth subscribing to–you never know when something you’re interested in might pop up.

Busy Days

Sorry for the lack of a new post yesterday. In all of the excitement about Lost I forgot about blogging until right when I went to bed Tuesday night.

Shirt&Sweater-The Limited, Skirt-Banana Republic, Belt-Icing, Tights-Apt 9, Bracelets-vintage, Shoes-Lower East Side

This is the outfit I wore for an event at work last week. I wanted to look dressed up without being overdressed and this outfit turned out to be just the thing.

I also got to try out my new shoes! Last week I paid a visit to the Payless BOGO event and got two new pairs of shoes. I really wanted to get something different and colorful, but sadly the selection was not too good. So I wound up just getting two pairs of black flats that will be comfy for work.

Today and tomorrow are going to be pretty busy. I work at both of my jobs today. I have 6 tv shows on tonight, but I will only be watching one of them (The Mentalist). Then I open at work Friday morning, so that means I’ll only have time for Bones before work. Friday afternoon/evening I spend with my grandma so it will be well into Saturday before I’m caught up on tv, not to mention I will be extremely behind on blog reading. Such a hard life I lead . . .

Eat Right, Look Better (Oh, and Lost is Back)

Shirt & Dress-Gap, Tights-Vera Wang, Oxford Booties-Predictions, Necklace-Nine West

One thing I really love about this outfit is you can see how much better the dress fits compared to when I wore it in September. Eating right and exercise really do make a difference, folks!

In other news, Lost is back tonight! And I am thrilled I have the night off from work so I can enjoy it “live.” It’s a busy night with NCIS and two hours of Lost. (White Collar will have to wait until Wednesday morning if I can get myself up early before work.)

Book Review: American Heroes by Edmund S. Morgan

I was first introduced to Edmund S. Morgan, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, by reading his short biography The Puritan Dilemma: The Story of John Winthrop last year as an assignment for class. I enjoyed his writing style so when I spotted American Heroes: Profiles of Men and Women Who Shaped Early America on the shelf of new books at my local library, I had a feeling it would be right up my alley.

The book consists of a collection of essays, many previously published, but a few new ones as well.  Morgan’s goal in putting together this book was to focus on more ordinary people, so while there are chapters discussing Ben Franklin and George Washington, the majority of chapters focus on people who are probably less well known to the population at large.

Though there were times throughout the book that I was not sure I completely agreed with what was written, getting into that is not the purpose of this review. In most cases, I feel I would need to do further research before I was even sure I disagreed.

So the purpose of this review is to tell you that I highly recommend it. If you enjoy reading about the early history of our country then you will probably enjoy this book. It is relatively short and a fairly easy and quick read. If you want to read an interesting history book without feeling like you are giving up the next month or two of your life, then this book is for you.

While I enjoyed the whole book, chapter 2, “Dangerous Books,” and chapter 13, “The Power of Negative Thinking: Benjamin Franklin and George Washington,” were my favorites.

Chapter 2 discusses the impact reading various sources had on the Puritans and how reading them caused some people to question or alter their religious beliefs. Within the chapter, Morgan also discusses the larger impact reading can have, even in today’s world. He points out, rightly, that too often people believe that if others would just read this or that, then they will automatically be in agreement with whatever the first party wants everyone else to believe. He makes the point that as long as people have access to libraries and primary sources, however, they will be able to read not only the “good” but also the “bad.” Morgan says that “libraries will remain the nurseries of heresy,” but by doing so “they will, in fact, preserve that freedom which is a far more important part of our life than any ideology or orthodoxy . . .”

In order to preserve freedom, we must take the risk that a reader somewhere might become unduly influenced by a book espousing beliefs contrary to all we hold dear. In chapter 13, George Washington is quoted as writing, “I am persuaded the great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions.” I am with G.W. on this one. Knowledge is power, and also dangerous, but we just have to trust in people to discern for themselves what is right.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Last weekend we got our customary January thaw. Temperatures reached the mid 40s. Now it is back to being cold. Colder, in fact, than it’s been in a long while. Right now we have wind chills below zero and the highs have been in the low teens.

Shirt-Gap, Sweater-August Silk, Jeans-Ann Taylor Loft, Belt-Worthington, Earrings-Carson’s, Oxford Booties-Predictions

Out to Dinner

Shirt & Sweater-The Limited, Skirt-Banana Republic, Tights-Apt 9, Belt-Worthington, Shoes-Predictions, Earrings-Carsons, Bracelets-vintage

This is what I wore out to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes recently. Oddly enough, I wore this sweater the last time I went there as well. I also gave that post the same title. I never claimed to be original, people!

Today, as a special treat, you are also getting detail photos. I think I was ready for dinner early and took pictures to pass the time.

Fans of Delicious Flavor: Rejoice!

One of my very favorite shows is returning tonight, after what feels like a very long wait. That’s right, Psych is back will all new episodes on its new night. Here’s what USA has to say about tonight’s mid-season premiere:

Shawn tangles with the Army when he claims that a Private’s suicide was actually murder, and suspects that Juliet’s former military/current mercenary brother is involved. John Cena and Rachael Leigh Cook guest-star in “You Can’t Handle This Episode“, premiering on Psych’s new night — this Wednesday — at 10/9C.

I have no doubt in my mind that this episode will live up to my high expectations. If you’re already a fan, do you have any special plans to celebrate the new episode? I will be enjoying a pineapple (and strawberry, peach, and banana) smoothie. If you’re not already a fan, than what are you waiting for? Tonight is as good of a time as any to immerse yourself in obscure ’80s references, crazy antics, and hidden pineapples.

Mini Skirt

Sweater-The Limited, Skirt-Cache, Tights-Vera Wang, Oxford Booties-Predictions, Necklace-vintage

It’s been a few years since I was slender enough to pull off a mini skirt. I am glad I can try this look again, though I would never do it without tights so I don’t think I will be wearing this skirt in the summer.

The day I wore this it was colder than I realized so I wound up changing to jeans later in the day.