Stuff and Things: Graduation and Moving

Hey lovelies! I have been a bit MIA for the last two weeks. Busy and exciting things going on! Saturday before last, I graduated from college, and it was amazing and so rewarding! For the last few months, even days before, it never really feel like I was about to graduate. Really it wasn't until I was actually there with my friends waiting for the grad ceremony that it hit me that this was the last time I would see a lot of these people. I was going to miss these intelligent, obnoxious sweethearts of English majors who talked through entire ceremony, decorate our caps with dozens of lit and movie references, sent screaming monkey toys into the air instead of caps, and who put middle names such as "danger" and "bonerjams" in their announcements. It was an amazing day, and I am going to miss those punks. But I am excited to move on to the next part of my life adventure.

In non-sentimental news, I have moved back home for the summer, and I have been going through all my stuff and spending time with my family. And I have been going through A LOT of stuff. I didn't realize home much stuff I accumulated over the years, and because I can't take it over to Scotland for grad school, I have been trying to get rid of everything that is unnecessary. And maybe some necessary things. It's been rough. Also how did I get so many more books?! I have had to pile books on the floor. So I either have to go through books or by yet another books shelf... I have 5. Oh boy.

Well that is all, folks! I will be posting again starting a little later today, and I have a lot of backlogged reviews to post. Whoops! So have a good day!

Stuff and Things: When It Rains, It Pours

“He had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once.”-Neil Gaiman

I didn't know that when I posted that quote a few weeks ago that it was going to come back to bite me. Because in these last few weeks a bunch of things have been hitting me all at once, just one after another.

So you may have noticed that I haven't posted in a while, and that is because I am super sick with the flu. Curled up on the couch, not moving out from under the blankets ever kind of sick. (Which is of course, when my landlord decided to install solar panels on my roof, so that there are loud guys with boots clomping around above my head. Such a soothing zen environment, right?) So while being sick is the worst, the thing that bugs me the most about being sick is that I can't really read. My brain is too fogged up, and I'm too tired to focus on anything. I read the same page for 15 minutes and then fall asleep or zone out. Spending all that time in bed would be perfect for working through my TBR pile, but I just can't do it. And writing? Yeah that's not going to happen. Forming coherent sentences is a little rough for me right now.

Then topping off all that, my computer decided to keel over. White screen of death. Which is bad because I have papers to do and my job is pretty much all computer. And I am pretty much live off my computer. Talk about a couple of bad days.

So in a nutshell: I haven't been posting because I have been sick and now I can't really post now because everything is on my computer. Hopefully it will be fixed soon, but until then I guess I will be on a bit of a break unless I can find a way to post and edit properly.

Hope you all have been having a better week!

Stuff and Things: Book Hangovers

I am in recovery mode. My head is a bit fuzzy, I don't want to do anything, and I feel like something's missing. All the signs are there. Yep, it's a book hangover.

Now ending a good book and a book hangover are two different things. With simply ending a book, you feel like you accomplished something, and while you liked the book and maybe wish there was more, you can go about your day and maybe even ride that reading high by picking up a new book later.

But with a book hangover, oh no, my friend, it is not that easy. You are unsure that you actually finished the book because it just keeps going in your cotton stuffed head. You feel the dull pain like someone punched you in the stomach a few hours ago. You have the same feeling like when you open the fridge and just stand there because you forgot what you came there to get. And these feelings last all day, sometimes more! Honestly, it is what I think a Dementor's Kiss probably feels like.

For me, I get typically get book hangovers in three scenarios: reading an amazing book too fast, reading a whole series too fast, or finishing the long awaited final book in a favorite series. Case in point: me right now. I chose to read an ARC of Ask the Dark which I was sort of iffy on but thought I would give it a shot, and then it just blew me away! I ended up reading it all in one night and couldn't sleep because I swore that every sound outside was a serial killer about to get me. And now I am a disaster!

And still after all of the book hangovers that I have faced, I still don't have any quick cures for it. Regular hangover I can do (sleep, water, spicy V8 juice, and lots of mindless tv), but I have discovered nothing for a book hangover. Do I jump right into another book? Do I take a three day breather? Do I have to drink some sacred tea while sitting in a bookstore? I have no idea. Eventually it will go away, but until then I am in recovery mode.

Do you get book hangovers? How do you cure them? Tell me you secrets!

Monthly Rewind: February

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that looks back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, and my five monthly favorites.

February was chaos. It just seemed like everything that could possibly happen this month did, and it all went by so fast. Like the Flash fast. Birthday fun, massive group project, getting into grad schools, car breaking down, work camping retreat: blinked and they disappeared. Probably just because things were sooooo busy but it seemed like february barely happened. But things look to be settling down. Well for a millisecond because I am off to look at grad schools in the UK next week (Yes!)

As for books this month, my enthusiasm for reading with all of the stuff I had to do we just: "eh." So I read a bit, but mostly enjoyed turning my brain off at the end of the day with tv.

Books read this month: 3
Silverwood, The Raven Cycle, Emissary

Book reviews: 1 (ha yeah)
Favorite book of the month: The Raven Cycle
Read and Run Challenge: Ha! I honestly forgot I was doing this, but I will try to make progress this month.

TV: Parks and Recreation
It's over! How? WHY? And that last season with everything between Ron and Leslie, I sobbed like no tomorrow. Actually the entire season tugged at my heartstrings in the best and worst way. Parks and Rec was such an amazing show, and I am going to miss it. I would totally recommend giving it a go if you haven't. The first season is a bit rough to get used to, but stick with it. The characters are amazing. It's so fun but heartwarming. Leslie Knope will become your hero. Then soon you will be an emotional post Park and Rec trash like me.

Food: Sparkling Water
I know, I know. As pretentious as that sounds as my favorite of the month, it's true! I tend to just drink water, coffee, smoothies for breakfast, and that's it! I don't like sodas because they taste so sweet and the whole being awful for you thing. So I never get that fizz. Well, until I started getting sparkling water as a treat. Do I sometimes feel silly buying water? Yep. Do I really love it. Hell yes!

Beauty/ Fashion: Essie Matte Nail Polish
I don't think I have ever painted my nails so much in one month. I love the way this matte top coat makes my nails look, especially over navy blue and army green.

Music: Soundtracks

Soundtracks are my go-to concentration music, and because of how this month went, they were my go-to staple music of the month. For me, I can't read with normal music because the words distract me. So exciting movie soundtracks keep me awake and focused without distracting me. My main soundtracks have been: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Attack the Block, The Dark Knight, and Pacific Rim.

Person/Thing: Check, Please!
So when I said I was a bit lacks on reading this month that didn't include web comics. Really, I had never actually read web comics until this month, but I stumbled upon this one and loved it! Check, Please! is the story of Eric Bittle (or Bitty) and his adventures in college and on the school hockey team. You will love Bitty. He is amazing and he might have a pie baking addiction.  The rest of the characters are just too hilarious for words too. Plus I learned quite a few things about hockey that I never knew! Give the comic a shot!


How was February for you all? Any favorite you want to share?

Monthly Rewind: January

Monthly Rewind is a monthly blog feature that will look back on each month, including a bit about each month from me, blog posts, books I've read over the month, and my five monthly favorites.

I love January. Everyone is always so positive about New Year's resolutions and new starts, and the sense of possibility just gets sort of contagious. So while there were some bumpy parts to the month, it still was great! I went back for my final semester of university, I finished my grad school apps (finally), and my friend got the news that her and her husband are having a baby. All very exciting things. I was also really glad that I finally started to work on this blog. It's been in my mind forever, but it just kept getting put off. While it's not perfect, I am working on it little by little. But I'm proud of myself that I started doing it! Great start to a year.

Books read this month: 7
Dove Arising, Veronica Mars #1 and #2, Red Rising (re-read), Seeker, Half Bad, and The Raven Boys

Book reviews: 4
Favorite book of the month: Half Bad (review coming soon!!!)
Read and Run Challenge: Several hours left to go in Yes Please by Amy Poehler, but that's more motive to keep going!

TV: Agent Carter and Sirens
Other than just having Friends on in the background this month (thank you Netflix), I really haven't watched a lot of TV this month. However, when I did, it was good. Oh so good. I'm a huge Marvel fan, and I was psyched for Agent Carter! I loved her in the first Captain America and to have her as the lead made me sooooo happy. Plus the first in MCU to have a female focused plot! I am loving the post-WWII setting, and the critics of attitudes toward women, especially working women, during the time. Not only is the plot exciting and fun, but it is powerful look at women in history. My other favorite show this month is Sirens, and I have cried-laughed watching this show. So funny! The characters are so dynamic, and they deal with different issues that shows don't normally cover. If you need a good laugh, watch this show.

Food: Smoothies
Since I have been trying to live a healthier and more active life, I've been having a smoothie almost every morning. It gives me so much energy to start the day and makes me full all morning. Plus they are so easy to make, and you can make tons of different flavors combinations. My favorite this month has been strawberry, kiwi, banana, kale, and coconut water. Yum!

Beauty/ Fashion: Old Navy Compression Leggings
Again, trying to be active, folks! These leggings have become my favorite workout outfit. I love sweats for running and weight training, but I feel a lot more comfortable wearing leggings in Zumba and circuit training classes. I've noticed a big part about getting the confidence to go to the gym is feeling that you look good.

Music: Bear Hands

I've been obsessed and I'm cool with that. The lead singer's voice is just awkward enough without being weird, and the music is a strange mix of both relaxing and energetic. Does that make sense? Listen to Bone Digger and Moment of Silence and you will understand.

Person: Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter
Stop what you're doing and go watch her seasonal outfit videos, especially the last two. They will just make you smile. I love watching her videos. Her personality is just so honest and fun that the videos just lift up my spirits.


How was January for you all? Any favorite you want to share?

Stuff and Things: A Week of Unfortunate Events

This week has been...rough? Not exactly bad, but just sort of annoying. It started off with me getting second degree burns from spilling soup all down my lap. I definitely would call that not the best start to a week. Then the week just continued on like that: cutting my finger pretty bad while chopping vegetables, plugs in the living room stop working, gas heater started to smell funny and I called the fire department to come check it out at one in the morning... By Thursday, I was convinced I had wronged some fairytale witch who decided to curse me.

But today as I was hiking with some friends, I couldn't help but notice that there was so much more good in my week than the little bad things. Hanging out with my friends, meeting new friends, reading books I love, starting to go to Zumba classes. Though it felt like little disasters just kept happening one after during the week, I was having too much fun with the things that made me feel good to remember!

Unfortunate things happen, and sometimes they happen one right after another. But they go away eventually, and good things take their place.

Blog Resolutions 2015

1. Book goal

Read 40 books? While I have plenty of time this semester with my light class load to read a bunch, I am starting grad school in the fall and I want to keep my goals realistic. So this number may be higher or lower in the end. However, I do have smaller goals within this larger goal.

- Read 2 nonfiction. I'm not really much of a nonfiction reader. Just generally not interested in real things and real people. Fictional people are so much cooler, right? Well, this year I decided to push myself a bit by reading just two nonfiction books. Just a little taste of something out of my comfort zone.

- Read 3 recommendations. I am the person who recommends but never reads what others recommend to me. It's not a great habit because once someone recommends a book to me it immediately becomes unappealing, even though I know it is a good book. I have a nice stack of recs from my sister that has only increased, and I should probably do something about it.

- Read one classic that I haven't read before. No Pride and Prejudice or Frankenstein rereads. Sorry self.

- Read 6 comics series and 2 graphic novels. I've become a pretty big comics fan in the past year, and this seems like it would be fun to share my thoughts on some series.

2. Participate in blog challenges

I plan on participating in a few reading challenges, but I will be putting up a post detailing them all.

3. Top Ten Tuesday

I love reading Top Ten Tuesday posts (a book meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) but have never had the planning to do them ahead of time. This year I plan to do every one. Starting tomorrow! 

4. 365 Photo Challenge

I always want to take more pictures and challenging myself to take one each day for a year seems like a rough but fun effort. I will be posting these updates every Friday.

5. Read and Run Challenge

It seems cliché to do the whole "New Year, New You" workout resolution. Things like that never last, and we all know it! But I thought of a way that I could make it more manageable (and fun) for me! I created my own Read and Run Challenge: read 6 audiobooks but only while working out. The only while working out part is going to be the real challenge because I usually want to keep listening to an audiobook once I start. So using my audiobook love as encouragement to go to the gym might be a good motivation tool. I will be keeping up to date with how this goes and be reviewing the books that I listing to. If you try this, tell me how it goes!

Geek Drink: Kitsune Eyes

When I visited Rome with my sister, she spent two days convincing my to try a Campari spritzer, but she made the severe mistake of trying to describe the taste as "like medicine" which did not sound appealing at all to me.  (I mean how would that sound good?) However, on our second day after walking around the Vatican Museum for hours, we made took a nice break at a little cafe and got one. Thank goodness, it did not taste like medicine to me! It was refreshing and fruity (and not in the gross Jolly Rancher fruity way some liquors can go) and I was hooked!

So when I got back to California and my little seaside town, I was craving to make the drink at home. I have to admit Campari is a bit pricy for me ($26 for a bottle yikes!), but I use it so sparingly that I feel like I can make it last. The drink that I have ended up making is a mix of the Campari Orange and the Campari and Tonic into something I like to call: Kitsune Eyes.

I decided to call this drink Kitsune Eyes after one of my favorite characters from Teen Wolf, Kira Yukimura, who is a kitsune on the show. A kitsune is a supernatural fox and trickster spirit that comes from Japanese folklore. On the show, kitsunes have these golden-orange glowing eyes that reminded me of the color of this drink! Just so happens that I was watching Kira owning all of the boys on the lacrosse field yesterday, and so I thought why not name a drink after this awesome  and sometimes socially awkward kitsune who kicks butt!

Kitsune Eyes (serves one)
Campari
Orange Juice
Tonic Water
Ice
Half a lime

Fill a glass two-thirds of the way up with ice. Add two shots of Campari to the bottom of the glass. Pour in the orange just until the glass is about two-thirds of the way full and then top off with some tonic water. Stir the drink enough to mix the flavors but still leave the beautiful gradient effect.  Now for the lime, I sliced a wheel for a little garnish and squeezed the remainder into the glass to add a bit of sourness. If you are not a fan of sour, add an orange slice or even some strawberries. Finally pop a straw in, prop your feet up, and rewatch Kira's new skills on the lacrosse field!

I've Been Scarlet Nerded By You

Who are you?
Hey there, future readers. I'm Steph! Living a life as an avid reader and TV and movie fan, my time gets taken up by minor freak outs via plot twists and favorite characters being killed off way before their time. But in those other rare moments, I am a college student studying Literary Studies, an major book enthusiast, a very amateur photographer (how does a camera work again?), and a general nerd over anything that interests me. I enjoy adventuring to hidden gem places, making a good old-fashioned mess of my kitchen, and trying to see a little extraordinary in the ordinary.
What does "Scarlet Nerded" even mean?
It is actually a quote from on of my favorite shows, MTV's Teen Wolf.  "I'm a nerd by association. I've been scarlet nerded by you."-Stiles Stilinski, Teen Wolf. Not only is Stiles one of my favorite characters ever, but I just fell in love with that phrase: "scarlet nerded." On the surface, it seems awful, like the word "nerd" is Hester Pryne's vicious A. And sometimes, it can be taken like that. However for me, I enjoy my nerdiness. So if I am to be scarlet nerded, well then I am going to rock that it! What a better way to do that then name my blog after it!
Currently obsessed with:
Patterned shorts, In The Flesh, rose gold, The Front Bottoms, floral prints, Niel Gaiman, Hawkeye comic series
Forever obsessed with:
The Goonies, any supernatural themed books, tv shows, or movies, cozy sweaters, 90s alternative, Teen Wolf, sushi, novelty coffee cups, Remus Lupin
What is this blog going to be like?
In all honestly, I'm not too sure yet. I plan on posting things on Monday and Thursday just to start out. I would like it to be a mix to everything that I like: a little book reviewing, a little fashion, a little cooking,  a little diy, and a little nerdy goodness. I have been reading blogs for a while, and they never really come out like they started. They evolve into something that both the readers and the writer likes. So I guess we both will just have to see.

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