9, Number 9

Kimberli Simon2 Comments
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Summer 9

 

I keep a pile of books next to my bed so regardless of my reading mood I always have a book – or three – to choose from.  I received a trove of books for Christmas (detailed here) and have made numerous trips to the library to supplement my stash since then, but the truth is I am ready for some new books – and LOTS of them. This weekend will be the second in a row where I help a family member move from one state to another and chances are my reading time will be minimal.  However, upon my return I hope to find the ‘Summer 9’ which I ordered today waiting for me (and my reading stockpile).

  Lab Girl   |   The Nest   |  Alice + Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis  |    City on Fire: A novel
The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey  |    The One in a Million Boy   |   American Housewife Stories
Negroland A Memoir   |   Fates and Furies

Hot stuff, can’t get enough…

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This weekend begins a 12-week schedule of travel (details here) and I am looking to pack as light as possible for each trip. My summer clothing leans heavily towards inexpensive pieces that I only need/want to last a season (although many items last a lot longer). Regardless of temperature, my wardrobe always consists of lots of black and blue basics mixed with pops of color.  As I rack up the miles I’ll be packing an interchangeable wardrobe that can see me from work to play and day to night. I like to think of it as Garanimals for adults.

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The black…
Coldwater Creek Sleeveless Shell   |   Gilmour Academy T-shirt   |   81 Times Keith Richards tank top   |   Pashima Wrap   |   Fiorelli Blakely Foldover Backpack   |   Bandana   |   Vince Camuto Linen Drawstring Trousers   |  H&M Skinny Jeans   |   Classic Keds   |   Celina Floral  Ballet Flats

 

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…and the Blue
Umgee Boho Mini Bell A-Line Dress   |   Breton Classic Striped T   |   Modcloth Ruffled Tunic   |   Becksondergaard Tasseled Backpack   |   Asos Jacquard Scarf   |   Caslon Stretch White Jeans   |   Paige Denim ‘Regina’ Maxi  Dress   |   Dr. Scholl’s Sandals   |   Celine Ballet Flats

 

 

The expressway to your heart…

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TheHeartGoesLast copyI keep a pile of ‘must read’ choices next to my bed for my daily nighttime reading ritual and when the pile starts to dwindle down I head to the library and stock up on whatever captures my interest.  It could be the cover, the author, or a review that draws me to a book and I’ll happily browse the stacks until I have four or five additions to add to my stack.  One recent library find, which I just finished reading, was the ‘The Heart Goes Last’ by Margaret Atwood.  I chose the book because I was intrigued by the cover and because Margaret Atwood was the author.  Can I just say the book did not disappoint.  If you are looking for darkly comic take on what living – and love – might be like in the not-too-distant future then this is the book for you.  Do you have any ‘must read’ books?  I’d love to know…

I’ve got a feeling…

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Graudation
Celebrating life’s moments

I’ve got a busy few months of travel coming up (written about here) and an opportunity to celebrate some of life’s BIG moments with those I love most.  I won’t have much time to shop once May arrives and so I used yesterday’s haircut appointment to stop by the mall, hit some sales, and assemble an outfit that can take me from graduation to wedding festivities and everything in between.

Vince Camuto Print Pleat Split Neck Blouse  |  T Tahari ‘Ryan’ Suit Pencil Skirt   |  ‘Flora by Gucci – Glamorous Magnolia’ Parfum  |   Nine West ‘Collection Clutch’   |   Nine West ‘Tarragon’ Pointy Toe Pumps   |   YSL ‘Rogue Pur Couture’ Lipstick   |  Minted ‘Ice Cream Palour’ Pastels Graduation Announcement   |   Tiffany Present  (who knows what’s inside?)

My bags are packed…

Kimberli Simon1 Comment
whereimgoing
It’s all about the roadside attractions

I’ll be doing a lot of travel this summer to help parents and children get resettled.  While these trips are primarily for business involving the ones I love, I plan on making time for a few fun side trips too.  These places are high on my ‘must see’ list:

How about you? Are you planning any fun travel this summer?  Any tourist attractions or restaurants/bars you can recommend in Indy, Dauphin Island, Atlantic City, or Stone Mountain?  Let me know…

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Fantasy…

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fantasy1springinbloom

Every spring I get inspired by the first vibrant colors of the season.  If I could design and fabricate my own textiles, and had the time to draft a pattern to make a sexy feminine frock from said fabric, accompanied by an unlimited pocketbook to supplement the dress with eye-catching and unique accessories…well, then ‘Fashion Fantasy  #1 – Spring in Bloom’ would become my reality.

The Grey Goddess Fabric and Dress  |  Charlotte Olympia ‘First Class’ Clutch  |  Sam Edelman ‘Dayna’ Suede Lace-up Pumps  |   Ippolita ‘Wonderland’ Teardrop Doublet Earrings

 

 

So I’m watchin’ and I’m waitin’, hoping for the best…

Kimberli Simon3 Comments
josephanton
A Memoir: Joseph Anton

You might recall that I received a lovely selection of books this past Christmas.  After reading The Good Lord Bird (which I previously recommended) and Tales from the Back Row (which after reading I do not) I chose Joseph Anton next.

This is not light reading by any stretch. I’ve been reading the book every night since February began and I won’t lie, I was happy to finally finish this tale.  And yet.

What Joe endured for more than a decade because of his art is almost incomprehensible.  I rarely mark up books, but one small piece that I read resonated so deeply I turned down the page to mark the spot AND highlighted the text…

“Compromise destroyed the compromiser and did not placate the uncompromising foe.  You do not become a blackbird by painting your wings black, but like an oil-slicked gull you lost the power of flight.  The greatest danger of the growing menace was that good men would commit intellectual suicide and call it peace.  Good men would give in to fear and call it respect.”   Salman Rushdie – A Memoir: Joseph Anton