Entre Nous.

Blogger's Book Club - Book Four, Behind the Scenes at the Museum

I recently completed book four of the Blogger's Book Club, Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson.  "This is the story of Ruby Lennox told in her own voice from the moment of her conception.  Ruby and her family live above their pet shop in the shadow of York Minster. Theirs is a story of humdrum family life in the 1950s - endless housework, minor peccadilloes on the part of Ruby's father, homework, weddings and funerals. Interwoven with Ruby's story is that of her great-grandmother, her grandmother, uncles, aunts and cousins as they struggle through two World Wars. But there are small gaps in the narrative, hints of something amiss. Family secrets, long hidden, begin to surface - one so devastating that it overwhelms Ruby even as it explains so much that has been puzzling in her life."  The novels complicated structure requires one to read with close attention.  Ruby's narrative is accompanied by a series of what the author refers to as "footnotes" (chapters) that delve into the history of previous generations of the family.  At times I found the jumping back and forth between generations and family members quite tiresome.  If you haven't yet read this book and decide to pick up a copy might I suggest sketching a pedigree chart to keep track of who's who and their relationships to everyone else.  Although BTSATM is touted as a darkly comic novel, I must admit I found it more dark than comic.  This is not the novel to turn to when you are in search of a story to lift your spirits.  In fact, much of the story was downright depressing.  On a positive note I will admit that the book is amazingly well written in parts and I just adored Ruby's asides where insider information is shared with the reader.  And perhaps it was just the mood I was in while reading the novel that made me focus on the darkness rather than the humor.

Style scoop

Kim (of the blog Kim Said) is launching a series of interviews on the blog she does for work, FIDM Style Scoop, and asked me to participate.  Here's a preview of the interview:  Who is your style icon and why? Diana Vreeland, she was fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar, became editor in chief at Vogue in 1963, and completed her career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Vreeland was not classically beautiful but was always fashionable and extremely creative. She knew what suited her, and she knew what she suited. She was slightly eccentric and demanding but when it came to fashion she was always right. She is also known for her proclamations like, "Pink is the navy blue of India!"  Check out the rest of Kim's brilliant questions and my long-winded responses.

Chasing Amy

I just picked up my copy of Amy Sedaris' latest, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence.  I've only had a moment to browse through it but so far I'm deeming it brilliant.  In other Amy news, she is set to guest star on the October 12th episode of My Name is Earl.  "Randy pursues a romantic relationship with a cat lover named Judy (Amy Sedaris) even though he’s very allergic to kitties, and Earl prepares to pick up the pieces of his little brother’s broken heart once Judy learns how Randy really feels about felines."  Should be very.  As well, she'll be on The Daily Show on October 17th and the Today Show on October 19th.  But most importantly she'll be putting in an appearance on The Martha Stewart Show on October 23rd.

Picture this

   

Saturday I took a 5 hour (yes, F-I-V-E hour) long knitting class at NW Handspun Yarns.  I know that 5 hours sounds like such a long time but it really went by so quickly.  After taking a year or two off from regular knitting I needed a refresher course to get me back to my peak knitting potential.  Before the class I found the cutest knit bag, similar to the one used by Lisa Loeb on her show #1 Single.  It turned out to be the perfect bag to keep all my knitting supplies in.  Besides me, there were eight other women at various knitting levels taking the class.  The teacher, Maureen, also teaches yoga and is a talented painter as well.  Maureen even offers a "Restoring Balance Through Yoga and Knitting" class, which sounds intriguing.  We were given an hour break for lunch and one of the other girls, Ann, and I decided to head over to Avenue Bread and Deli on Railroad Ave for sandwiches.  After the class finished Ann and I thought we might start attending "Knit Night" on Tuesdays at the shop.  I just feel like knitting is great relaxing hobby to have once I get all caught up with the stress of graduate school.

Sunday was rather uneventful aside from my friend Eric (he'll be 29 in mere weeks) informing me that he just got engaged to his 20 year old girlfriend whom he has been dating for six months at the most.  But then on Monday it was Spa day for my friend Sara and I at the The Chrysalis Inn & Spa.  Before our Pedicures commenced we sat and chatted over tea in the spas "relaxation" room.  With it being the beginning of fall (which means gray days and rain are on their way) I decided that rather than getting a plain French Tip pedicure I'd add a bit of color.  So I requested a light pink nail with a darker pink tip.  The woman, Jessica, doing my pedicure was such a perfectionist.  Which I greatly appreciated.  The color turned out just how I envisioned.  After our pedicures we ordered a Spa lunch from the Inn's Fino Wine Bar.  I had scallops, which were exceptional, and Sara had the crab cakes.  After lunch Sara headed home while I stayed for a Facial.  This was definitely one of the best facials I've ever received.  Now I know that most people prefer silence when getting any spa treatments but I actually find it more relaxing when I'm able to converse with the person giving the treatment.  The woman giving my facial, Diane, had just returned from a 3 week vacation in Italy so it was great fun to hear all about her trip.  I was also able to get some tips worth mentioning.  Now I don't know about anyone else but I've been using apricot scrub to exfoliate my face for years.  I was informed by Diane that the apricot scrubs actually create little scratches on your face.  Another thing I've been doing wrong is washing my face with only my hands and cleanser.  Diane claims it's best to use a baby washcloth while washing ones face.  I always assumed washcloths were too rough on the face.  And one last thing, when applying moisturizer or other creams to the face apply in an upwards motion.  Unfortunately after leaving the spa it was right back to work.

Finally Fall

Amy Ruppel is the midst of another of her online art sales.  I was lucky to get my hands on this little number called "Custom Lighting".  I think it's adorable and can't wait to hang it in my new home in Savannah.