Author: leanngardner

July Reading List 2023 + What I Actually Read in June!

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Hello Everyone! As it is the end of June, I thought I’d share what I managed to read this past month+, and what I’m hoping to read in the upcoming weeks!

From my Reading List from my previous post, I read/tackled 6 out of the 12 bullet points! Up first, I read almost all of the Shadowhunter’s expanded world books. That included:

  • The Dark Artifices Trilogy
  • The Infernal Devices Trilogy
  • The Last Hours Trilogy

I didn’t get a chance to read all the other books, so those are on my list (below) for July! Overall, each of the series was great, though I think The Last Hours Trilogy was my favorite of the three!

While I was reading those, I read a book that was not on my previously published list; After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid! It had been recommended to me, and I thought it was a very interesting subject that I haven’t encountered much in realistic fiction/romance!

Up next was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which had been on my list! I really enjoyed it, though I often forget just how dark The Hunger Games books are. And I found the ending very interesting, though it did leave me with a few questions. I hope the movie will answer them for me!

Then I read The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama, which had been on my list. While it was good, I liked Becoming better overall.

Next I read These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. I liked the premise, but I wish more had been explained about the antagonist’s origins. However, upon finishing it, I realized there’s a sequel, which will be on my soon to read list!

The next book series I read which I am actually still reading is called the Kingdom of the Wicked series. This was/is a book I consistently see on Social Media, and though it’s usually been presented as darker than other fictitious fantasy books, I didn’t find it scary at all! As I am currently 20% through the final book, I will reserve judgement on whether it wraps up well! However, I will say that in terms of world building, it’s left me a bit confused. Not too much, but in a way that makes me enjoy the story less. I would be more keen to excuse it if things made more sense by the middle of the second book, but there are additions in the third book that keep me confused. However, I think it’s a very fun concept, and I think the first book was especially well done, with a great hook!

As I mentioned previously, I was going to reread Call Me by Your Name, and read the sequel, Find Me. The former struck me once again with how good it was. I simply love it, and would urge everyone to read it for so many different reasons!

When starting Find Me, I didn’t look up the summary or anything because I was afraid of spoilers. I will not be spoiling it, however I will say that the book has a few parts within it, where the points of view completely change, and dump you in another person’s world which is related, though not strongly, to the previous plot. As such, its more a mini collection than a full novel, but I loved the stories, and I was excited about how the author tackled the first one. I unfortunately still have a few questions, but I was so pleased with the book, and am hoping there is potential for a continuation of the story on film!

Finally, I lastly read a book called Captive Prince, which I ran into at Barnes and Noble. The summary worried me a bit because there are heavy themes, but I trust the buyers for B&N, so I decided to read it! While there were a few uncomfortable and violent moments, I really like the slow-burn of the plot, and how we still don’t know much about one of the main characters even one novel into the series. There are two more books which I am waiting on at the library, so those two will be on my list for July!

Now, that was what I read in May and June, so here’s what I am planning on reading in July, in the order of how I plan to read it!

1. Kingdom of the Feared

I have to finish the series!

2. The Bane Chronicles

One of 3 books I have left in the Shadowhunters Universe!

3. Prince’s Gambit and Kings Rising

The two other books in The Captive Prince Trilogy.

4. To Be a Machine

Over a month later, but now I only have 38 pages left! Like I said before, I have to be in a particular realistic mood.

5. Our Violent Ends

Hopefully some of my questions will be answered!

6. Why Not Me? and Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

I love Mindy Kaling’s voice, and I find her story very inspiring, so I think these will be fabulous! I also hope there many be a few pieces of advice that I will find valuable, so I am really looking forward to these two!

7. The Red Scrolls of Magic and The Lost Book of the White

The final two books in the Shadowhunters world! I just read 15 of them in the last three months, so I’m excited to get back to two of my favorite characters to close out my experience with the world!

8. Ghosts of the Shadow Market

Just kidding, ANOTHER ONE in the Shadowhunters world. Jeepers.

9. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

Oops I guess there’s more!!! These seem fun and bite-sized like the Bane Chronicles, which is nice! However, none of my libraries seem to have a book copy, solely audiobooks. And audiobooks are really not my thing, so this one may take longer to read unless I buy it, which will all depend on whether or not it is available on Google Play, and if it costs less than what I have in my Google Play Account!

Now that’s probably all I’ll be able to get through in July, but just in case, my list also includes:

10. Normal People

This was on my previous list, but since then, one of my close friends has been reading it, so I should hop to it so we can chat about it!

11. Caraval

Caraval technically wasn’t on my last list, but I have been pushing off reading it for quite a few months. However, one of my close friends recently asked if I’d read it, and I told her no because I was afraid it would be too scary. She informed me that it wasn’t scary, so now I’m more excited to read it!

12. Mastery

Was on my previous list, but I’ll have to be in a particular mood to read it. However, I’m excited for when that time comes!

13. Fourth Wing

I saw so much hype about this online, so I put it on my list! However, it is scheduled to arrive on my library app in three weeks, so I don’t quite know when I’ll be able to start it!

That’s all for this post, but I hope it gave you some good book ideas, if you were looking! Let me know if you’ve read any of the novels I’m going to read, and whether or not you enjoyed them! Now, here’s my last reminder to go read Call Me by Your Name!!! Happy reading everybody!!!

Photo by Florencia Viadana on Unsplash

Summer Reading List 2023

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Hey y’all!!!! For those of you still in school, you’ve got this!!! And for those of you who, like me, are done, congrats!!! But now what to do with our time?!?!

READ!!!!!!!

I’m very excited to tackle some of the books I’ve been meaning to read, but need a few brain cells to get through!!! So, in no particular order, except this is mostly the order of how I’d read these:

  1. Shadowhunters extras

One of the series I’ve been in the middle of is The Dark Artifices series, which is a spin-off of The Mortal Instruments Series. I am currently on the second of the Dark Artifices, and have one more before I can read The Infernal Devices series, and the Magnus Bane Chronicles, and all the other spin-off series. So there’s at least 9 books right there to get to, as I know there is also Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy and The Last Hours Series’. It’s a great world so I’m excited!

2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

I’ve been meaning to read this since it came out, but still haven’t gotten around to it. Mostly because it seems rather dark, and I have to be in the right mindset for that!

3. These Violent Delights

I’ve started These Violent Delights, but given that it’s a version of Romeo and Juliet, I’ve found it a bit hard to get into. However, I am determines to give it a good go, though it too seems a bit dark, but not as much in the “death-games-of-children” way that the Hunger Games world sometimes evokes!

4. To Be a Machine

This was actually a reading assigned to my Happiness and Utopia Philosophy class, and I unfortunately didn’t finish it when it was assigned!!! I still have a few chapters left, and I find the Transhumanist movement fascinating, so I will 1000% be finishing this when I want something a touch more academic. It’s not a hard read at all, however it is about reality, so I’ll need to be in that mood.

5. A Sky Beyond the Storm

This I believe is the last in the series, however I am struggling to get into this one. The main characters are far apart from each other, and while I have a hope for reconciliation, it doesn’t exactly seem like it’s going to work out! This was a great series, very Hunger-Games-esque, especially in the first books, but that means another darker tone for me going back into this one.

6. Normal People

This has been so recommended, but as it is more of a realistic fiction I’ve been hesitant to read it. Especially because I think it’ll make me cry in a sad way.

7. The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

I started this a few weeks ago, but it was due at the library before I’d gotten to finish it, because schoolwork!! I’m excited to finish it, as I learned one thing already (on the topic of managing anxiety)! I loved Becoming, and so far this hasn’t been quite as good, but it’s more timely with Covid stuff!

8. Mastery by Robert Greene

This was recommended to me by a friend, and he said it was very motivational in a ‘be your best self’ way!!!! As I am always looking to be my best self, I’m hoping this is equivalent to Atomic Habits!!! Clearly, I have high hopes for it!

9. A Deadly Education

A dark academia fantasy book I’m excited about!

10. Find Me

The sequel to Call Me By Your Name, so I am so excited!!!! I’ve heard mixed reviews, but I can’t picture myself being unhappy with any ending, so I’m so so excited!!!!

11. Call Me By Your Name

Obviously I will reread Call Me By Your Name before I read Find Me, to get in the heads of the characters and get into André Aciman’s writing style!! So excited to reread this in the summer heat, especially because I will have apricot juice whilst I read it!!!!

12. Sapiens

Okay, I know I know, I still have to finish this one!!!! The beginning is so good and I read it more than a year ago, but once it got to the part about the institution of money, I got bored because I knew that stuff already. I’m sure there are more interesting nuggets left, but it’s gonna take some willpower to muscle through the boring parts!!!

And that concludes my Summer Reading List for now!!!!! I think this would take me through June, and I may do a part two if I’m feeling it!!! Happy reading to you!!!

HOW BC IS PLANNING ON REOPENING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

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I’m guessing at this point in time, almost all of you have dealt with Covid-19 in regards to work or school, so I thought I’d offer what my school is doing to balance safety with college life.

After what I assume is much debate, Boston College is allowing in-person classes and is allowing students to live on campus. This is great news for me because I find online learning to be much more difficult, not to mention that without other students around I have less motivation to do work. With that said, I will have online classes in addition to in-person and hybrid classes, but because I will be surrounded by other students who also have online classes, I think I will find focusing much easier than I did at home. The basic understanding is that if a class can be in-person it will be, but if there are too many people or the professor or TA isn’t comfortable in-person, then a class will be online.

In addition to managing classes and fixing classrooms to be equipped for hybridization (when one group of students is online while another is in class simultaneously), the administration also has to set up move-in and dorm protocols. Not much changed in terms of dorms, aside from a few buildings being all freshmen, when before some sophomores lived there too. Forced triples however were suspended this year, which I think is so lucky for the incoming freshman, as the fear of a forced triple is THE WORST. For the Newton campus, there will be increased shuttles so students can get to class on time even though buses have to follow social distancing rules. One quick note on buses is that last I heard, the grocery shuttle will not be operating in the fall due to more buses being needed for the Newton route. The other two issues with dorms are reduced elevator capacity, and that some dorms have communal bathrooms. I won’t be living in one of those dorms so I don’t have any additional information, but I’m guessing people will be encouraged to wear masks when possible, and may not be able to leave their toiletries in the bathroom. That’s just my guess though!

In terms of moving in, BC has scheduled everyone for a move-in slot, which will follow a strictly regimented routine. First, if a student has a parent/guardian/sibling/friend helping them move-in, the student will be dropped off at Conte Forum for Covid testing, and once that is done, they will pick up a meal slip. From there they will walk to their dorms where their (let’s just say family member) family member has dropped off their stuff. The student will then pick up their bag of 4 meals from a location near them, which also has important residence hall info such as the dorm door codes. While this is happening, the family member will drive over to the residence hall and either unpack everything and go park, or unpack and wait for the student before moving everything in. It is a bit unclear whether or not the car stays outside the hall during the entire move-in process as there will be carts that people usually take straight to your dorm, but we will have to see what happens due to Covid restrictions. Once everything is moved in, students will unpack with their family member, and once that is done, the family member leaves, and the student quarantines until their test result returns negative. It it returns positive…well, you will probably be moved right into quarantine housing! If a student does not have someone helping them move in, they will just leave their stuff at a gate outside of Conte, and then move it over themselves/with a cart. Nota bene: BC has said a student is only allowed one person to help them move in.

Before I address the whole dining situation, I would like to report that my friend moved in early, and sent me a picture of what her meal bag contained: A couple sandwiches, grilled chicken with quinoa, a bagel, peanut butter, cream cheese, a cookie, a brownie, a salad and dressing, an orange, an apple, hummus, pretzels, baby carrots, a couple bars, a hard boiled egg, and chips. While that’s not the best thing ever, there are good, healthy options, so I think I will manage to survive. Plus BC brownies are to die for, so I am now much more excited at the prospect of my quarantine meals!

What BC is doing for food is organizing the dining halls with reduced seating and a one way line for buying items. What we know so far is that some of the dining spots will not be open because the new guidelines use more staff members, and each of the main dining halls (Lower/Corcoran, MacElroy (Mac), and Stuart) will have the same meals as each other. The menu will rotate on a three-week schedule, and the menu will be available to scan while you wait in line. The Rat will have to go items, Addie’s might be mobile order only (? unclear?) and Eagles will have the same daily menu as Mac, and it will be open for lunch and dinner. HOWEVER! The one thing that I think will keep me not eating chicken with two sides every day is that GET Mobile, i.e. mobile orders, will be offering more custom made menu items, which I hope will include bowls and salads from Eagles. The downsides of mobile ordering is that you have to go pick it up (no delivery), and you can only get a friend’s food if they send you their receipt for proof. It is also slightly frustrating that the GET Mobile orders will take about 30 minutes (on average) to get ready, so I will probably be ordering food during class so that I can grab it when I want it without anything getting cold! Lastly, it is important to note that BC will be trying to put out more outdoor seating, in order to make up for reduced indoor seating. This is great for the fall and spring, but I’m not sure if there are any plausible ways to increase communal eating spaces for the winter.

The last piece of adjusted college life will be participating in clubs and such. Unfortunately, we do not know too much about activities with regards to reserving rooms, but it has been encouraged to make everything virtual. My smaller clubs are hoping to do some outdoor meetings, although I think that everyone will try to do that, so I’m not sure how that will go. BC has announced that the activities fair will be virtual this year, but I think that will make joining clubs very difficult for freshman, as you wouldn’t get the same vibes online that a club has in person. Additionally, tryouts for improv clubs or dance teams will be very different as well…I can’t wait to see how that goes!

Some final notes are that the gym will be open, so I look forward to meeting with friends there to work out, but I’m not sure if classes will be run. Additionally, the libraries will be open both for studying and for those in zoom classes, but food and drink will not be allowed because they require you to take off your mask. As far as testing goes, BC will be conducting random testing after the initial test, and students will be required to self-monitor. If you end up testing positive, BC will move you to quarantine housing where you will be taken care of, unless you decide to go home, which is encouraged for those who live close enough to do so. I’m not sure how you are supposed to get your stuff if you do test positive, so, as my sister’s school recommended, I will probably pack a ‘quarantine bag’ with daily essentials, to make moving into quarantine housing easier in case it is needed – I hope it isn’t!

All in all, campus will be very different this year, but I hope that we will be able to make it work safely and successfully! Despite some of the adjustments being annoying or frustrating, I am so grateful to be going back, so each time I lament the dining hall options or am frustrated with online classes, I will try to remember that BC is trying it’s best to make the year as great as it can be!

Disclaimer: I don’t own the BC Logo

MY SEPTEMBER 2020 READING LIST

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It’s about that time when school starts up again, and summer reading is forgotten. At least for me, it’s a lot harder to find time to read during the school year, but good news: all my books that I wanted to read this summer just arrived! By this I mean either on a library app, or in hard-copy, so while I could put off reading the hard copy books, I only have a certain amount of time to get through the library books before they are unceremoniously returned. However, I thought I’d share what I am going to be reading these next few weeks, as I am really excited about these books!

There are three books on my reading list, and the first on is called In Praise of Difficult Women. I actually heard about this book on JEOPARDY!, as it was an answer, but it sounded like a really inspirational read! I don’t know if any of you ever read the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, but in one of the books a throne is mentioned which is made out of a (possibly fictional) book called 5 Habits of Highly Aggressive Women. Or something like that. Anyway, this book title gave me similar vibes, just in a less violent fashion, so I decided to look it up. In short, the book profiles 29 ‘difficult women’, ranging from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Amelia Earhart to Lena Dunham. The women described have all made waves in history, and the book chronicles what character traits have allowed them to make such an impact. I thought that I could probably learn something from these women, so after shaking down my family members for their library cards (my local library does not have an ebook version), I finally managed to loan the book. I have made it through two difficult women so far, and if the book continues being as insightful as it has been, I might have to purchase a copy for my future coffee table!

The next book that I plan on reading I have mentioned previously, which is called SuperLife, by Darin Olien. Mr. Olien is self-described as a ‘superfood hunter’, and after watching him on the TV show Down to Earth (read the article on that here) I decided to read the book. Unfortunately for me, the book was on a 14 week waiting list on my library app, so after reading the sample, I decided it would be a good purchase. You see, I’m not a big fan of buying books due to the fact that you can borrow them at the library for free. I also prefer to buy ebooks over hard copy books due to the environmental toll books have, but if I plan on rereading a book, I can justify purchasing it. I unfortunately didn’t consider buying it as an ebook because I had already found it on Amazon, but this is also a good book to lend to someone, which I find much easier with a paperback than an ebook, so I’m not too upset about my oversight.( Hmmm Sidebar: Someone should make loaning ebooks between friends easier! Chew on that Google, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.) Moving on, I did buy the hard-copy, and it arrived today! I will have to wait until I finish In Praise of Difficult Women first, because I only have it for 14 days – even though you usually get 21 days for an ebook – but I as soon as I am done I will start SuperLife. For me, the sample was a huge pull, because until reading it, I didn’t really understand the negatives of GMO foods, but now I understand, maybe even support the argument! As such, I am excited to learn more about health and the science behind it! One last note is that this book reminds me of The Sports Gene, which I read before sophomore year of high school, for AP Bio. If anyone else is a fan of biology novels, I would highly recommend that too!

The last book on my reading list for the end of August/September is called The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. This was actually recommended to my by my friend Hannah, who told me that it gave an interesting perspective on life. As someone who enjoys contemplating life – if only I could be an ancient Greek philosopher – I thought this could provide some good brain fodder! The premise of this book is that one should reject the idea that looking on the bright side is the best way to live. Instead, the author Mark Manson offers the idea that we should instead accept that some things suck, and that we should instead care about the things that are worth caring about. Instead of avoiding painful truths, we should accept them, in order to live a better life. I’m very interested in reading this book because it preaches something not my outlook on life. I am very much a positive outlook person, so it’ll be interesting to see what I take away from this book. Even if I don’t end up agreeing, it is always good to challenge your perceptions, so I think this book will certainly do that for me!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the aforementioned books, series, or TV shows.

MY OPINION ON: THERAPY

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In short, my opinion on therapy is thus: everyone should go to therapy. In reality, I know that some people do not have the time or money to go, but I think that everyone would benefit from it.

Many people think that they shouldn’t go to therapy unless they have a severe reason to. While some people do have an intense need to go to therapy due to trauma or grief, people that don’t face such circumstances will most likely find that therapy is good for them too. Even if something isn’t necessarily wrong in their lives, it can still be valuable to walk through one’s emotions and situations.

People may also say that they don’t need therapy because they can talk to their friends about their problems, but the truth is, a therapist is the type of friend that everyone wants but few people have. For example, a therapist is actually trained to talk to you and work through things, which unfortunately most friends are not. Additionally, while friends do have the best intentions, it may be hard to have a therapeutic conversation without feeling judged, without your friend changing the subject, or without a friend brushing off your feelings. For me, I can safely say that I can think of only 3 people who I can trust not to judge me, but that doesn’t mean that I should expect them to ‘therapize’ me. Sure, I can also have deep conversations with my friends and family, but there is a lot of prefacing that may occur. An example of this would be saying “it’s so fine if you don’t want to answer, but what happened when…” This may establish trust and caring, but it also creates an awkward moment if someone doesn’t want to talk, and relationships may become strained if it feels like someone is withdrawn, or if asking questions feels like someone is prying. Additionally, sometimes friends aren’t the best listeners, so going to someone who is paid to listen and trained to help you may make difficult conversations easier.

With a therapist, there are fewer uncomfortable moments than with a friend because you’re in the office knowing that you may get into the nitty-gritty. Even crying is less awkward with a therapist because you may not feel obligated to act like everything is fine. Of course, I think your true friends wouldn’t expect you to always be fine, and they would want to be there for you, but it may be harder to bring up problems with a friend than a therapist, and they won’t necessarily be able to help you as effectively.

A final reason therapists and friends are different is that a therapist has more of an obligation to call you out on bad behavioral patterns. Friends may also have this obligation, but many people would rather encourage you to ‘do you’, than say that what you’re doing is a bad idea. I don’t think this makes someone a bad friend, but it would make them a bad therapist.

Trust is also a huge part of what a therapist does. Because a therapist is legally obligated to keep everything you say a secret unless you are a danger to yourself or others, it makes it very easy to trust a therapist to keep your feelings private. This trust also works in regards to advice. Because a therapist is there solely to help you, their advice will always be honest and unbiased.

The last reason I believe everyone should go to therapy is because it is cathartic. Some people like to write or paint or run to relax, help shake off the day, or to work through their feelings. While these are always great options, they may fall to the side when things get busy, which is not how one should treat their mental health. Mental health is incredibly important, so just like we pay doctors every year to check in on our physical health, mental health should be prioritized just the same. Funnily enough, mental health appointments are often better (at least for me) than regular doctors appointments. As such, it is easy to prioritize my mental health because I actually enjoy therapy and look forward to it. Even if there is nothing particularly bothering me, therapy always leaves me feeling lighter, as if I did a mental reset. Although not always happy in nature, I often feel happier, more grounded, more motivated and more like myself after an appointment, which I think everyone should experience. There is nothing bad about feeling happier, and I think the world would benefit if everyone had help processing events and emotions.

So, if you are looking for a new form of catharsis, or have been considering therapy, I would say go for it! There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, and it is even easier to respect someone who does take care of their mental health. Therapy can be great at some times, and not so great at others, but I think that the majority of people who go to therapy find it a good experience, and certainly worth it. You are worth it, so take the time to take care of yourself, and remember that therapists are only there to help you, which is something that should be appreciated and even encouraged among peers.

What I Watched the Week of August 9th, 2020

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During the last few weeks of July and the beginning of August, my Mom and I have started watching the show Down to Earth together! Due to our schedules, we have only watched three episodes, but we have been recommending the show left and right, so I thought I would write about it!

For those of you that have never heard of Down to Earth, it is a show on Netflix starring Zac Efron and health guru Darin Olien, as they travel the world learning about eco-friendly initiatives. This show is especially good because while it teaches you, it isn’t a boring documentary. Instead, each episode features a new country, and around three innovations are discussed each episode, so we see how that country, or people in that country are handling each issue facing our planet.

This show is great for anyone who likes learning, and anyone who cares about innovation, health, and/or the planet. Darin Olien brings a cool perspective to the show as he is a health guru, and makes a point to educate the viewers on how clean water is different from purified water, or just how good organic vegetables are for you. I personally was interested in more of what Darin had to say, so I bought his book on Amazon, called Superlife, and once I read it I will post a review of it! So far, I have read the sample version on a library app, and I can finally say I understand, dare I say support, the argument against GMO foods. As such, I think the book will bring an interesting perspective on health to my life, and I look forward to reading it as well as continuing with the show!

I cannot wait to see more of what Zac and Darin discover around the world, and the unique ideas that they are finding make me all the more interested in International Studies (which is good because I am majoring in it!) If my professors haven’t seen or heard of the show, I will be sure to recommend it because it is fascinating to see how other countries are tackling the world’s issues. As a United States citizen, I would love to see our country implement some of the same environmental policies, and I think every country should learn from each other to promote healthy lifestyles for people and the planet!

If this sounds like a show you may be interested, please give it a watch, as even if you end up not enjoying it as much as I have, odds are you’ll learn something cool!

Disclaimer: I do not own Down to Earth.

THE EYELASH CURLER: MY ULTIMATE WEAPON

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’nuff said!

Just kidding, but I do mean it when I say that an eyelash curler has a lot of power to it! I started curling my eyelashes in 9th grade, and I immediately got compliments, which have not stopped coming! For one, curled eyelashes make you look more awake, which is always useful. I also love that they make your eyes look so much bigger, and because I think I look nice with curled eyelashes, it helps me radiate more positive energy! When you feel good about yourself, other people can tell, and curled eyelashes do that for me which is why curled eyelashes are my biggest beauty hack.

People also will often ask what mascara I use, and it feels superficially good to say that I’m not wearing any. While makeup is meant to make you feel better/prettier, I especially like curled eyelashes because it is a very natural sort of makeup. There is nothing wrong with fake lashes or mascara, however, I personally like the simplicity of curled lashes, as I prefer the natural look on a day to day basis. Additionally, not that I make it a point to cry in public, but if I do, it is nice to know that once I stop, I will not have mascara on my cheeks. It is also easy to touch up curled lashes, and I carry around an eyelash curler just in case mine deflate.

The addition of masks to our daily wardrobes has unfortunately made eyelash curling a little more tricky, as masks direct air in such a way that curled eyelashes tend to deflate quickly. As a result, I will either have to try mascara or accept the uncurled look, but either way, my eyelash curler is still my favorite piece of makeup!

Just a piece of advice – if your eyelashes have a hard time holding a curl, it may be beneficial to hold the curler for a longer time, so the crimp actually stays!

MY CONSIGNMENT SHOP INTERNSHIP

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Hey everyone! As I mentioned in a What I Listened To the other week, I recently got an internship at a pop-up consignment shop near me. You see, I really like thrifting and consignment shopping, so my Mom knew to send me an article about the pop-up shop (called Ari’s Closet) coming to us. That day I was feeling very inspired by my Hamilton music, so I actually decided to email the women who owned the business and ask her if she had any job openings or would like an intern.

Before sending my email, I googled the woman (which is a good business practice), I tweaked my resume to keep it updated, and I created a business email address, because my usual personal email was getting a bit crowded. I then ran everything over with my Mom, and made sure that I would be able to work, and that my email and resume were acceptable. I have attached the email I sent (with a few fill in the blanks), just in case you ever do something similar!

The woman responded to me that day saying that she was interested in talking to me on the phone either that day or the next day. Of course I immediately freaked out and did some more googling, as well as brainstorming what she could possibly ask me. She ended up not calling until the day after, so I had a little more time to prepare myself. The conversation was pretty simple, and while she told me her insurance only covered her working in the store, she would check about an intern. As I was over the age of 18, the insurance was fine, so I sent her my availability before the store opened and told her that I was available every day except for one once the store was up and running.

I ended up going in Friday, the day before the store was set to open, and I met my new boss at the store space where I put tags on almost every item that was to be put out initially. We also dressed the mannequins which was a lot of fun, and I hung everything up and started to write prices on the tags before going home. That day I worked for five and a half hours, and my boss and I chatted and got to know each other.

The next day I went in an hour before the store opened and stayed for five hours. I continued to tag, price, and hang pieces, with some added steaming and spraying thrown in there too. When business was slow in the beginning, I suggesting having someone model, so they could post on their Instagram and attract business. Because we had wanted someone to model right then, my boss suggested I do it, and she then put the photos on her Instagram for people to see and purchase from there! The day was a lot of fun, and I was really enjoying watching the brand unfold.

I ended up not working on Sunday because the store wasn’t busy and I was going to go in later, but I went in Monday, which was more of the same, except this time my boss bought me cookies when she went to get her lunch, which was super nice. I also dropped off packages at the post office on my way home, as the store was in person and on Poshmark.

I wasn’t available Tuesday, so the next day I went in was Wednesday, where I did a Staples run before work for the store. I also went to Barnes and Nobles (which was very close to the store) to buy a notepad for my boss, and did some more package drop off after work. My boss bought me lunch that day which was so nice as well, although it was interesting to get everything into the car upon leaving – the packages were very big and I had my leftover avocado toast and cherry steamer to worry about too! Thursday was a bit more exciting because I had asked my friend who was interested in becoming a model if she wanted to come model for the store, so she came in which made work extra fun. Lastly, that day I built accessory stands, so I can now say I am proficient at IKEA furniture building!

Friday I did another Staples run, and my model friend came to the store again. Before she came I made another accessories rack and sorted a lot of clothing in the back, which hopefully made things easier for my boss once I was no longer there. You see, the store had extended for an extra week, and I was going to be away that week, so my boss wouldn’t have an extra set of hands. I had actually tried to get a replacement, but eventually my boss said she didn’t want anyone but me which was very sweet. My friend came later in the day and did some more modeling, and I did a little too! We then left together as we were having a night out on the town, which was related to the store because my friend had actually bought two dresses from Ari’s Closet, and she wore one that night!

The following day was my last day, so I did some more back-room organizing, and some final tagging before saying goodbye. It was sad to go, but it was a great experience, and I learned a lot about running a business! I learned about renting a space, modern cash registers, how to do payouts, and how to control inventory and buy supplies while staying in the green.

You may ask, Leann, how on earth did you fare inside a consignment shop without buying everything? Well, I will say that my boss gave me one item for free, so long as it wasn’t crazy expensive, and I bought two other items with a 20% discount. There were a bunch of really nice things that I liked like an adorable Les Copains sweater with tennis players on it, but I didn’t want to pay over $200 for it, so I decided to not buy it. I hope it finds a good home though! If not, maybe I will splurge…

Anyway, while I was away the next week, my boss texted me and asked if I would be willing to tag some more items from my house or hers when I got back. I gladly accepted and tagged two giant bags full of clothes, however this time, I got to decide on the prices myself, which was interesting. My boss had said everything in the bags would be between five and twenty dollars, so that was a good guideline, but there were a lot of factors to consider, like brand, condition, fabric, attractiveness, and what I would pay for it. I texted my boss for a few items, including a Michael Kors wallet that was clearly in the wrong bag, but overall I think that went well. I dropped the clothes back off, and that has been the end of my internship! A few days after that, my boss did text me again and asked if I could do some Poshmark uploads, but I wasn’t going to be around, so I politely declined.

In all, it was a great experience, and it is nice to know that if I ever need a good recommendation letter, that my boss would be willing to write one. Additionally, my boss ended up paying me a stipend which was very nice given that I worked about 30 hours for her! Lastly, I have worn the dress I bought no less than three times in the last month, so I am especially grateful for that outcome of the internship! I give my thanks to my boss for being willing to ‘hire’ a random college student, and for being a great boss, and I think my interning worked out well for both of us! The whole experience showed me what you can achieve with a little bravery, as putting yourself out there isn’t always the easiest, but I am so very glad that I did!

If you are interested in following or shopping at the store, the Instagram is @arielle.hallersilverstone, and my boss gives updates on items and location from there.

Here is the email I sent too: Internship Email – good luck if you decide to reach out to someone in a similar fashion!

WHAT’S IN MY WALLET

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For anyone that knows me, they know that I always carry around a small pouch in addition to my phone, just in case. That just in case is for small issues, like needing an allergy pill, a USB cord, or a pair of scissors, as it is always good to be prepared. It is important to note however, that my wallet is more of a zippered pouch or large coin purse, with dimensions of about 3″ tall by 4″ long x 2″ wide/deep. There is a lot of room for bills, cards and small items like chapstick, which is perfect for me!

Before I get into what’s in my wallet, I want to address what’s attached to my wallet. Clipped to the zipper is a wristlet extension, my quick-scan library card, my gym membership card, my keys, and a metal straw. Now, what I have inside:

1.) Credit card and debit card

2.) Student ID

3.) Driver’s licence

4.) $47 dollars in cash

5.) A mini book of matches

6.) 2 bandaids

7.) 2 chaptsticks (Lipsmackers strawberry banana and Blistex with sunscreen)

8.) 2 tampons

9.) A small container for pills (ibuprofen, benadryl and allergy pills)

10.) A small container for tic-tacs (a full tic-tac container is too large and is unnecessary so I use a contact case for the left contact)

11.) A USB-C cord (without the outlet box)

12.) 2 mini perfumes (Michael Kors White and Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue)

13.) A lighter (I don’t smoke but it has come in handy for birthday candles!)

14.) A mini swiss army knife

15.) Foldable scissors

16.) A small binder clip

17.) 2 paper clips

18.) A safety pin

19.) A metal thing you use to take out your SIM card

20.) Spare change

30.) A mini sewing kit

31.) One of my high school ID’s

32.) A medical info card (for emergencies)

33.) A copy of my health insurance card

34.) A punch card from a consignment shop

35.) My Student Advantage card

36.) My AAA card

37.) A business card from a potential employer

38.) My library card

39.) My Charlie card

40.) An alcohol poisoning awareness card

41.) 2 hair ties

While that sounds like a lot of stuff to carry around, and while some things I rarely use, I love knowing that I’m well equipped to handle small annoyances. Now wait until you hear what’s in my purse…

WHAT’S IN MY BEACH BAG + WHAT I BRING TO THE BEACH

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Aloha! Or as the Massachusetts folk say, hi! Currently, I am on vacation with my family at the beach in Massachusetts, and I wanted to write something! I had planned on doing a what’s in my wallet piece, but it’s a bit windy on the beach, so I figured that wasn’t the best idea. But… going through my beach bag and what I have at the beach probably wouldn’t end disastrously!

So, to start off with what’s in my beach bag, my beach bag itself is one of those giant tote bags that you get when you spend a certain amount of money at Victoria’s Secret. Inside one of those I have:

1.) A towel

2.) Sunscreen

3.) My phone

4.) My wallet

5.) A mask

6.) A water bottle

7.) A tee-shirt (as a cover-up)

8 .) Two pairs of sunglasses in a case (I was trying not to wear them so I wouldn’t get more of a sunglasses tan line!)

The above items are pretty understandable, and since I am with my family and we have food in a separate bag, the only other things in my beach bag are entertainment related. I have:

9.) My Nook (first edition, has a bunch of middle school aged books on it)

10.) The first two Harry Potter books (I have the 3rd on my phone from the library)

11.) A journal (and a pen, obviously)

12.) Wireless earbuds

13.) A laptop

Personally, I’m a bit nervous about having a laptop at the beach, but it isn’t that hot out, so I don’t think I’ll accidentally fry it. Hopefully! Edit from home – the laptop is fine!

Other than that and food, the only other items I have that are not in my beach bag are my smartwatch – a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, – a beach chair, and a sort of beach bedroll with a pillow attachment.

To discuss food, my family has a fabric cooler that we keep lunch and snacks in, so in there I have a bottle of water, a bottle of vitamin water, raspberries, a baggie of white cheddar popcorners, a baggie of wheat thins (original flavor), a container of baby spinach leaves (uncooked), and a lemon slice (to put on the spinach leaves). My mom also put a granola bar in there for me, but I told her beforehand that I wasn’t going to eat it, yet she insisted on keeping it in there! Oh well, joke’s on me because I had to carry it to the beach! But my sister had to carry it back so really, the granola bar should be taken out, as it is making life difficult for everyone except my mom. The irony.

Anyway, that’s what I brought to the beach, including flip flops and a bathing suit of course!

On that note, happy 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote, and Ciao! Or a the Massachusetts folk say, bye!