January & February Reads

Last year I had a goal to read 50 books. I read 38, but considering that I finished my fourth year of medical school, applied to residency, taught my own Neuropsychiatry course at my undergrad university and completed my first semester of a Masters of Public Health, I'm pretty excited with how many I got through! 

My 2020 goal is to read 40 books, so far this year I read eight:

Lilac Girls, 

Essentialism, 

The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus, 

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Such a Fun Age, 

The Book of Stories, 

The Most Fun We Ever Had 

Followers

List I Loved: 

- Lilac Girls: This is a MUST read, based on a true story and is the most amazing intertwined story of women in different countries during World War II and the miraculous way they come together. 

- Essentialism: I love to learn about ways of doing things better, being more efficient and living a happier life. This book has a takeaway for everyone. 

List I Liked A Lot: 

- The Book of Stories: This book is heartbreaking but so incredible, I never expected the story that unfolded but I couldn't put this book down. 

- The Most Fun We Ever Had: This one is a long one, took me most of February to get through! I loved the mother daughter dynamic that unfolds and how raw each of the girls and mom are about all the ups and downs of life. 

- Followers: This book shares a possible projection of the future of technology through the stories of Orla and Floss in the early 2000s and a daughter Marlow in 2051, the story lines were great. 

Here is my book pile from a few weeks ago. Typically I go to the library every week or every other week and pick a stack of books to take home. I don't always get through them all before they are due but I try my best to get through as many as time permits. Sometimes I pick up a book and don't love it and it goes back too, its nice to always have options! My town library has a selection of librarian suggestions and I am two for two on incredible books! Check out your library for something like this, or ask the librarian if your library doesn't have a dedicated section. 

I'm off to the library to pick up my next grouping and can share pictures of what is to come. 

Do you have reading goals? Any good books that you've loved? 

Have a great day! 

This Week's Memories & Welcome Back

I guess I should begin by saying welcome back, or rather I'm back! 

I've always loved having a creative outlet to share words or wisdom, fun memories and inspiration and in the time that I've been gone I've finished medical school, applied to residency (more to come in March on this), am halfway through a Masters of Public Health degree, taught a Neuropsychiatry class at my undergraduate university, and much more. In addition I have spent way more time with family now that I'm back in Connecticut until the next steps of working as a doctor! 

I read 38 books last year, and already read five in January, am trying to learn embroidery, am obsessed with educating myself about sustainability, and wellness and just got back from an awesome few day trip with my sister in Florida. I thought the best way to start back up is to give a little recap of some special memories from this week, some things I loved and the books I read this past week. 

My sister and I left Sunday for a quick four day trip to Fort Lauderdale. It was such a great trip, we spent hours by the pool and the beach soaking up the beautiful sun. It was so warm, we both loved escaping the cold for 75 degree days. Only one day was cloudy but the others were amazing! 

Lunch with a view. 

Fort Lauderdale was so fun, loved the creative bike racks. 

Missing the warm weather already but I'm happy to be back home celebrating my mom's birthday today. 

Books from the week: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes and Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid. I will be compiling a list of all my January reads this week and will include reviews then. 

Loving: I've always been a huge fan of Tory Sport and came across these Love Slides and got them for Christmas. They were my go to shoes over my FL trip and have a few other adorable colors too!

Also, when In Southampton this summer we stopped in to Tenet and I found the softest t-shirt ever. It's by The Great, called The Boxy Crew with hearts and I'm obsessed, it also got a lot of use over vacation. 

Healthy Living: I know the health craze last year was all about juicing but I've stuck with it this year too. I have been juicing, usually celery, carrot and apple or orange in the mornings before breakfast and its a great way to start the day. 

Happiness: Practicing gratitude has been a new part of my morning routine and it just starts the day with a reminder of all the blessings and good in life. Before getting out of bed I think about all that I am grateful for, whether they are little or big it's a great way to start the day. 

Girl Power: I am so proud of all that my mom does. She is now selling her incredible one of a kind art pieces in the Lillian August Flagship store in Norwalk, CT. We went yesterday to shop for her client's and I snapped a few pictures of her pieces on display. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

xo