Goodnight Nobody

Book 12 of 52

Goodnight Nobody, by Jennifer Weiner

I've been on a bit of a chick lit roll lately. Even though I have another Jennifer Weiner book on my dresser, I went for this one first. I almost didn't buy it, because it is a murder mystery and that's not my thing. But I loved this book! It was smart and funny and engaging, and true to the cover "begs to be read in one sitting." At the end the author mentions some other chick lit mystery authors, and I may check them out as well.

Everyone Worth Knowing

Book 11 of 52

Everyone Worth Knowing, by Lauren Weisberger

This little chick lit confection, by the author of The Devil Wears Prada, was fun to read. Although it seemed a bit improbable to have the main character be a closet romance novel enthusiast, and the ending was a bit of a let-down, it was fun and easy nonetheless, and I'm looking forward to checking out her latest book "Chasing Harry Winston."

This is what 43 looks like

Today is my birthday, and my sister is staging a Comeback Calendar for all of us ladies who have misplaced our best look. The first week is "The big picture" so I thought I would just post one of myself. You can call this the "before" shot. This is me, dressed for work, about two weeks ago. Looking at this picture I see a couple of things right off the bat: 1. my jackets need to be shorter, and 2. my hair is too square.

And for a close up of what I normally look like on my day off, one from today (and isn't that little fella cute?). It was a great day... slept in, had my very first mani-pedi, lunch with hubby, then a matinée showing of Vicki Cristina Barcelona. We topped off the evening with a lovely family dinner out, including cake and ice cream.

Staging your Comeback

Book 10 of 52

Staging your Comeback: a complete beauty revival for women over 45, by Christopher Hopkins

OK, I'm not yet 45. But this is my sister's new favorite so I had to check it out. What I learned:

1. Never wear dark top with light pants (for my body type)
2. I only need one or two colors of eyeshadow (which is good because I always come home with the same few shades anyway)
3. I should biff my turtlenecks.

My sister is on a campaign to get me to return to my (childhood) natural haircolor. She even roped in the author of this book to bolster her claim that losing the warmth of my current base color and ditching the highlights will make me look more dramatic and younger. I'm thinking about it.

For fun, here are two photos showing the difference:

My last known "natural hair color." I think the suggestion is to cover the grey with the dark.


My current hair color (warm brown with ash gold highlights).


Something in between...

Eat, Pray, Love

Book 9 of 52

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I was a bit skeptical, due to the hype, but my SIL insisted it was a 'must read.' I thoroughly enjoyed Liz's romp through the three I's (Italy, India, Indonesia) and I recognized the character even if I didn't identify with her all that much. We all have *that friend.* The story-book ending was a bit much, I thought, which perhaps is why the tale is so popular. Chicks love a happy ending.

Lord John and the Hand of Devils

Book 8 of 52

Lord John and the Hand of Devils, by Diana Gabaldan

I actually finished this trio of stories months ago. Another fine installment in the Lord John series. My favorite gay British soldier.