WEEKLY UPDATES: I SHOPPED ‘TIL I DROPPED…

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.

**Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

 

The past week has been full of sunshine…and the prediction for today is upper 70s.  Yay!  But I’m pretty sure that there will be more rain at some point.

My reading was slower this week, mostly bogged down by my first book…which was disappointing and a little tedious, but there were also good parts, so I kept reading.  I read two more books that were great…so my total of THREE isn’t that bad.  My total for the Read the Books You Buy Challenge:24! 

My week was spent doing some shopping, which distracted me from reading a little.  I found two dresses, one of which will be for the wedding…and the other for the reception the next day.  One is simple and elegant and the other is fun.

Shoe-shopping took a lot out of me…but I found them!  So now I’m all set.  Finding shoes that look good, but are also comfortable…well, it takes time and the willingness to hop from shop to shop.

Oh, and for those who are moving to Daylight Savings Time…don’t forget to set your clocks FORWARD.  I hate doing this, since I have LOTS of clocks.  The ones you see below are just the tip of the iceberg:

 

My craving for smoothies took me to the mall again, where I found a new blender.  There’s a whole (funny) story about my original blender, involving my daughter…and “borrowing.”  Here’s the little red one I bought…and have been enjoying.  Note:  the Mary Engelbreit calendar is one of my regular fixtures in the kitchen as her art makes me smile…and it’s so cheerful.  Plus, there are always cute cottages. (The text on the calendar:  Find Your Way Home).

 

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So…let’s now grab some coffee…and take a look at last week.

 

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LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri: A Flurry of Activities…

Monday Potpourri:  Hanging Out with a Favorite Author…

Tuesday Potpourri:  “It Happens All the Time”

Hump Day Sparks:  What Are You Reading?

My Journey with Hope…

Thursday Potpourri:  Spotlighting Home and Family…

Weekend Potpourri:  Kitchen Tidbits and Books…

Bookish Friday:  “Eeny Meeny”

Review:  The Good Daughter (e-book), by Alexandra BurtReview:  It Happens All the Time (e-book), by Amy Hatvany (NetGalley – 3/28)Review:  The Fifth Letter (e-book), by Nicola Moriarty***

INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

I received one review book in my mailbox from Vine; and downloaded a NetGalley review book.  I then proceeded to download 4 (purchased) books:

The Cutaway, by Christina Kovac (Vine)

 

 

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The Marriage Pact (e-book), by Michelle Richmond (NetGalley – (7/25/17)

 

 

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Downloads (Purchased)

Never Change (e-book), by Elizabeth Berg (an older book from the author that I somehow missed)

 

 

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The Widow’s House (e-book), by Carol Goodman

 

 

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The Roanoke Girls (e-book), by Amy Engel

 

 

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On Turpentine Lane (e-book), by Elinor Lipman

 

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Currently Reading:  The Mother’s Promise (e-book), by Sally Hepworth

 

 

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Then, perhaps one of these:

 

Idaho (e-book), by Emily Ruskovich

 

 

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One Perfect Lie (e-book), by Lisa Scottoline (NetGalley – 4/11)

 

 

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So…that was my week.  What did yours look like?  Check out last weekend’s lunch, my reward after hectic shopping:

 

 

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77 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: I SHOPPED ‘TIL I DROPPED…”

  1. Greg Hill

    Oh yeah daylight savings… sigh… I remembered yesterday, then I forgot until I saw your mention! Glad you had nice weather- it’s been cold here all week (grumbles about the start of March) and we had a windstorm on Wed which was lovely. Hopefully this week will better?

    I love smoothies! Smoothies and coffee… the stuff of life lol. We used to have a place in the mall here that made the best smoothies… then they went out. Go figure! Anyway The Widow’s House and One Perfect Lie look like good thrillers.

    Hope you have a great weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Greg, and I keep seeing cold weather everywhere I visit on the blogs…but I guess we’re right on track, warmer by the day until we have a very long hot summer. We could still have a little rain, though.

      I love how full I feel with a Smoothie…and it’s an easy meal.

      Looking forward to The Widow’s House and One Perfect Lie….both from authors I enjoy.

      Have a great week! Not looking forward to losing an hour of sleep, not to mention changing all the clocks. LOL

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Grace, and I don’t like the time changes, either. I don’t really like shopping for clothes or shoes, but I do enjoy buying stuff for the house.

      I look forward to all of my books. Enjoy yours, and have a great week.

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    1. Thanks, Kimberly, I have been loving my smoothies…and I’m glad to be done with the shopping…UGH. I know that I had fun with it once….maybe when I was a teenager?

      I am also looking forward to reading The Roanoke Girls. Enjoy your week!

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  7. Shoe shopping… something I HATE these days, other than the casual, flat-heeled ones I generally stride about in – I don’t mind acquiring those. But something that looks elegant and smart almost invariably aren’t comfortable! You might want to walk around the house in them for a couple of days to ‘break them in’ as my Granny used to say. And congratulations on also getting your hair and nails organised in advance, too. We don’t change our clocks for another fortnight here, but it’s lovely seeing how quickly the days are drawing out even if the weather is still chancy. Have a great week, Laurel:). My Sunday Post – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/sunday-post-12th-march-2017/

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, and I completely agree about shoes. I have two basic “everyday” shoes: sandals and boots. And the boots are the kind that are comfy rather than fashionable. LOL.

      I did walk around a bit in the store, but good idea to walk around more here (on the carpet, of course).

      I hate the clock changing, and went around doing it this morning. Some devices are automatic, but the battery clocks all have to be changed.

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Thank you, Laurel. Yes… I do think shoe shopping is a chore! I hope changing the clocks isn’t too much of a chore, either. Like you, we do have a number to change – the cooker clock is a pain as is our chiming grandmother clock… But those delights await us in a fortnight’s time. Have a great week, Laurel:).

        Liked by 1 person

  8. You got some great books this week! I loved The Roanoke Girls so recommend that one, and I’m currently reading The Cutaway and that is really good so far too. I love the sound of Idaho so am thinking I might treat myself to that one soon.
    That’s great that you managed to find two dresses, and eventually the shoes to go with them.
    Hope you have a great week!
    Here’s my post: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2017/03/12/weekly-wrap-up-12-march/

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Hayley, and I’m pleased to have found dresses and shoes…no small feat for me, since I find the process tedious and annoying. LOL.

      I am looking forward to both The Roanoke Girls and The Cutaway. Thanks for visiting, and have a great week.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Oh, me too, Deb, although I think I have read most of them…except the one I bought this week. I like how she turns ordinary moments into magic with the details she spotlights.

      Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.

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  10. I just realized I need to change the time on my stove and on my microwave. I don’t mind this time change as much once I get used to it because it means it isn’t as dark at the end of my workday.

    Glad you were able to find what you needed for the wedding. I hate shoe shopping. I have taken to buying online now because I can’t find what I need in stores. I have small feet plus I need shoes now that can handle my orthotics. I am currently shopping for summer shoes so I don’t have to wear my ugly sneakers all summer or on my vacation. 🙂

    Several books on your list look good to me. I want to read the new Sally Hepworth and I just got the new Amy Hatvany book. The Marriage Pact also sounds kind of interesting.

    I hope you have a great week and enjoy the warmer weather. We have snow here though I hope it will warm up again soon.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Christina T….and I always forget to change the time on something. Last time, it was the clock in my car. Hmm, does my stove have a clock? I seldom cook on it, so I wouldn’t notice.

      My feet are hard to fit, so I wouldn’t be able to order shoes online. My left foot is slight wider than my right…ha. Funny, that.

      I loved the Hatvany book and I also enjoy Michelle Richmond, so The Marriage Pact is one I’m eagerly looking forward to reading. I usually get them so far ahead, though, that I find it hard to wait to start reading them.

      Have a great week!

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  11. Well you are knocking off those books on your shelf!! Glad you got the shoes as well as the dresses, they are the worst bit of any outfit to buy because they do need to be comfortable!
    I like the look of The Marriage Pact, looks like you have some good books in the pipeline.
    Thanks for the reminder about your clocks going forward, we don’t do this for another couple of weeks so I need to remember to do different maths when contacting my US colleagues until then 😉

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Cleo, and once I got past The Good Daughter, I sailed through the next two books. TGD was slow for me, for some reason.

      Time changes do mess up my routines a bit, because there are so many clocks, etc., that require manual resets. I usually forget something, too. lol

      I think the shoes will be comfortable, as I walked around in them for a while at the shop. They are sort of a sandal style, with a wedge heel, and shoe strings, the only part that bothers me. I picture the laces coming undone.

      Have a great week, and I am also looking forward to The Marriage Pact, but the July release date means I’ll be reading it later on…June, perhaps.

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  13. fuonlyknew

    The Marriage Pact and The Widow’s House look like good fits for Me. Just finished The Roanoke Girls and will be sure to check out your review for that! Sounds like you’re all set for the upcoming nuptials. I like to hop from shop to shop but usually have to do it alone. LOL The noodles and beverage sure look yummy:)

    My Sunday Post

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. I have to shop alone, too; my daughter is always very busy and unavailable, although I sent pictures of the dresses for her approval.

      I am excited about The Widow’s House, The Roanoke Girls…and The Marriage Pact.

      Thanks for stopping by, Laura, and have a great week.

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  14. So great that you have your dresses & shoes for the wedding; wow terrific getting that done! That’s a load off the mind eh? You have a lot of good reads ahead and I particularly like the looks of On Turpentine Lane. It looks fun and not depressing, which we all could use in these days of Trump. I will look for it at the library, thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. I pushed myself to go to the shops…and now I’m done! Just the manicure left to do, just before leaving for the beach.

      Enjoy your week, Susan, and the only thing that gets me through the Trump-isms…is seeing friends on FB and the blogs who share my thoughts on him and his antics.

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  15. I don’t ever care to have an analog clock in my house again. The one in our kitchen growing up kept me awake countless nights while trying to get to sleep. Now there are just the stove and microwave to reset every fall and spring.

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    1. I am thinking of taking the batteries out of some of my analog clocks, especially the ones that hang over the mantle…they are purely decorative. I already took a couple of the batteries out when they started ticking loudly.

      Thanks for stopping by, Charlie, and enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Jen, and I’ve been thinking Mother Nature is definitely having some mood swings. So far, this past week’s temperature here hasn’t fluctuated much.

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by.

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    1. Ha- he definitely wanted to put the clock thing behind him. I thought I would wake up in the middle of the night and do it, but I woke up early this morning instead.

      I do like to reward myself when a task is unpleasant, and shopping can be that way. Thanks for stopping by, Nise, and enjoy your week.

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  19. Looks like you’ve got some good new books.
    Congrats on finding your two new dresses. My mom and I are going shopping for her dress for my wedding soon. I’m curious to what she will find.
    Have a great week and happy reading!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Maureen, as much as I don’t like shopping, I was pleased to find the two dresses. I don’t wear a lot of dresses, mostly pants. So it’s fun to have them.

      Enjoy your shopping with your mom, and thanks for visiting. I am excited about my books, too.

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  20. Wow – looks like you have been busy, lots of posts and you have been fortunate on the weather front too.

    I always enjoy browsing through your book haul for the week. I spy The Roanoke Girls, The Marriage pact and Idaho all going on my wishlist. I puchased myself a copy of Sally Hepworth’s latest last week, I couldn’t resist.

    Have a lovely week and happy reading!

    Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Amanda, I am loving The Mother’s Promise…almost finished. I enjoyed her previous book, too, so she is now on my “must read” list.

      I hope you are enjoying your week…and your books. Off to check them out!

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  21. I admire you for sticking to the shopping until you found what you liked. Well done. I am searching my wardrobe to see what I can use because so far see nothing I like in the shops. I am not a clothes shopper! And shoes are even worse. Have heard so many good things about The Mother’s Promise so do want to read it too!

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    1. As you know, Kathryn, I was moaning about the shopping, as I don’t like it either. I went to two shops for the dresses…and three for the shoes! Apparently the shoe shopping is even more challenging for me.

      Now I am hoping that my purchases will suffice for lots of other occasions in the near future, too, as I don’t want to go again any time soon! lol.

      Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting…and hosting. I am loving The Mother’s Promise.

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    1. Oh, counting the books on my TBR always makes me cringe…but I think the task is getting better, since the challenge is helping me to clear them off.

      Thanks for stopping by, Sam, and the shopping is something I’m glad is behind me. Enjoy your week!

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  24. I have a narrow foot and am hard to fit and our one local shoe store that specializes in narrow shoes is closing because the owner is retiring. I hope to get down there this week to see what’s left in my size.

    It’s turned cold here and I am not happy about it.

    Enjoy your new books!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Oh, wow, I hate when favorite shops close! I hope you do find something this week.

      Cold weather again? I’ve been seeing that report all over the blogosphere, some even having snow again. Weird weather.

      Enjoy your week, Kathy, and thanks for stopping by.

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  25. I’m still reading the same book as last week – but I’m enjoying it. Just not a lot of time to sit and read. Hoping to do that today and tomorrow. We’re in the middle of a snow storm right now – 8 inches so far with a few more expected! I’ve heard good things about The Cutaway so I hope it’s a winner for you 🙂

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Mary, and what’s with all these snow storms with spring just around the corner? I hope the weather turns pleasant for you soon.

      I am eager to read The Cutaway. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.

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  26. LOL on how many clocks you have. We have about 8 and that is plenty. 🙂

    My sister has one that is pretty high on the wall, and she says oh we know it is wrong but a few months out of the year it is correct. LOL!!

    Great you found dresses AND shoes. I hate buying dress shoes…they are never comfortable. Glad you found some.

    Nice reading week for you. I just finished The Widow’s House….good reading. A little slow at first, but wow as you continue. Great ending.

    Have you brought out the tissue box for The Mother’s Promise?

    ENJOY this reading week…lots of good titles here.

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth, and I am tempted to remove all the batteries from the clocks above the mantle…LOL. I bought them for their decorative appeal. Two of them already have batteries removed because they ticked too loudly.

      The hardest clock is the Coca Cola one in the kitchen. I love it, but taking it down and putting it back up is a challenge!

      Finding shoes was so difficult. I went to three shops…and finally found one with a helpful assistant. I hope the shoes will be comfortable enough…that is always the test of whether or not I ever wear the shoes again. For everyday life, I wear either sandals or my comfy boots.

      I am definitely tearing up with The Mother’s Promise. I love how the author alternates between the characters, too, and feel so sorry for all of them!

      Enjoy your week, and may we always walk in comfortable shoes!

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      1. I wish you the same about walking in comfy shoes. 🙂

        Good idea on taking out the batteries.

        Oh we have one above the sink that is awful to get to. I tell my husband we need to move it to a more easily accessible place. No luck with that. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I love Scottoline’s books…so excited to read this one.

      Comfortable shoes are the real challenge for me…I have so many shoes that I have put aside because they are not.

      I didn’t expect to find two dresses. The first one was fun and I loved the style…but then realized that the dress I saw at another shop, with a simpler design, would be my daughter’s choice, so I got that one, too. I was right! That’s the one she approved.

      I’ll wear the other one at the reception back in the city, the next day.

      Thanks for stopping by, Kristyn, and enjoy your week.

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  28. Could you please send some of that sunshine and warm weather up here. We did have two nice days over the weekend, but it’s Monday and raining again. Argh. I will be curious to see what you think of Roanoake Girls and Marriage Pact. I didn’t know that Carol Goodman had a new book out. I will have to check it out. Hope you have a fantastic week!

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  29. I only like Daylight Savings time in the fall when I gain an hour. I have two teen kids and it’s hard enough to get them up most mornings but yikes this morning it was hard! I need to go shopping too. My wardrobe is sad these days. I love the books in this post. You’re reading some great ones.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Laura, and I have the same problems with my wardrobe. I am in a rut! Same outfits over and over.

      When there is an event, I find myself scrambling to find something at the mall.

      Mornings are definitely hard with the time change. Hope you manage to get through it all, and thanks for visiting.

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      1. Vintage is good. I love a nice grandfather clock. Do you have one of those? I think when I buy a house, that is one thing I would like to add to my decor.
        Speaking of grandfather, I have a poem on my blog today inspired by my grandpa if you’d like to check it out. (I hope you smile at the segue)
        http://runwright.net

        Liked by 1 person

  32. Susan @ The Book Bag

    What a great post! I love all your pictures and what a great selection of books! So many of them I want to read too. I love Elizabeth Berg and was lucky enough to meet her in person at our book festival several years ago. She is such a wonderful person and my daughter and I have a great conversation with her. She is such a genuine people person. And so funny. It was awesome. Have a great week.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Oh, I am green with envy that you got to meet Elizabeth Berg. I can sense how genuine she is from her writing…and from her author photo.

      Thanks for stopping by, Susan, and I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures and books. Have a great week!

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      1. Susan @ The Book Bag

        It was so amazing! As it was our turn to speak to her and get our books signed, she was called away to meet and greet the sponsors ($$) of the event. She told us to hang tight. When she came back, she spent quite a bit of time with us, saying the sponsor ($$) thing was something she had to do, talking with her readers is what she loved to do. I just love her.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for visiting, Sarah…I started Idaho last night and then, rather quickly, set it aside. It was a bit confusing, going back and forth, and not in a smooth fashion. I will probably try again. But for now, I turned to The Futures, which was quick to grab my interest.

      I am hoping to like The Roanoke Girls…I’ve heard good things.

      Enjoy your week.

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  35. Glad you found your dresses and shoes for the upcoming event. (I have to be in the mood to really shop for clothes.)
    My husband starts changing all the clocks early on Saturday. It works for him… and as long as my phone changes I’m good to not be late for Sunday.
    I hope you didn’t get caught by the big snow storm – or at least stayed warm and safe.
    Glad you enjoyed two books after the not so great one.
    You got lots of new titles that look good. I hope you enjoy them.
    Happy Reading!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks, Martha, and I forced myself into the mood, since I was running out of time. And it’s good that I went when I did, on a sunshine-y day, as it rained the next two days.

      No snow storms here; just the occasional rain, although today was almost hot.

      Enjoy your week!

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