So every once in a while after I read a book I think, "I need to read every book by this author." It happened right away with Emily Giffin from the moment I finished Something Borrowed and I've loved reading all of her books and staying up to date as her new titles come out ever since (I look forward to her new book First Comes Love, out in June).

Well, I'm excited to report I have another official author girl crush: Liane Moriarty. This Australian writer was highly recommended to me, and as luck would have it my sister Becky bought me "The Husband's Secret" for Christmas, even though I hadn't mentioned the recommendations to her. Becky is an awesome gift giver!

Well, after flying through the Husband's Secret I knew I had to read them all :) My mom found The Hypnotist's Love Story for me half-priced, and I bought Big Little Lies used and read that in under a week, too! So I've read one Liane Moriarty book a month in 2016--not bad! She has 6 novels so these are the ones I've read:

And these are the ones I need to read:

She also writes children's books which I'm totally tempted to read as well.

But what are her books like?, you ask. Glad you asked! To keep the Emily Giffin comparison alive, I'd say she's a darker Emily Giffin. Similarly, her books center around women, but whereas most of Emily's center around, say the 25-30 year-old woman who's struggling to find love (speaking in generalities, of course), most of Moriarty's protagonists are slightly older than that, and most are moms. Or, should I say, since Moriarty is an Australian author, "mums." (Aside: I love the Australian elements thrown into these books. It's fun reading about people on the other side of the world! Who, of course, have a lot in common with us.)

I enjoy love stories, and there are certainly romantic elements weaved in throughout Moriarty's books, but it's not all love. In fact, two of the three books I've read of hers involve a murder--but don't think it's a murder mystery in the traditional sense of a crime-story genre. It's not!

In regards to the writing itself: All of her books (that I've read) are written in third person tight with alternating points of view. I do think a challenge here is, in each book, I did start to care about one point of view more than all of the rest. (I'd love to know, if you read them, which protagonists you preferred.) Regardless of POV, she's great at incorporating humor as she writes, and adept at drilling down to little insights about life that ring so true.

Overall, I find her writing incredible relatable, fun, and full of great tension. The girl will make you want to turn the page! I'd say The Hypnotist's Love Story was my least favorite of the three (not as complex/layered, felt a bit too simple), so I'd recommend starting with The Husband's Secret or Big Little Lies. If you check out the books (or have read them already) I'd love to know what you think! Next up on my Moriarty book list for April: What Alice Forgot which is apparently a tear-jerker. Happy Monday, friends! xx

(First two images of books from the author's website.)

Honeymoon Suggestions: What Should We Do in Oregon?

Of all the wedding decisions (venue! dress! flowers!), the honeymoon location was one of the most exciting for me. Stephen and I love traveling, but, since we dated for long distance for so long (when traveling = going to see the other person), we've only been on 2 big trips by ourselves during our 6+ years of dating.

Two years ago we went to the California coast and then, of course, Spain this past November! Both were wonderful and, well, kind of busy. In California we went from San Fran > Carmel > Yosemite > San Fran, and in Spain we did Madrid > Barcelona > Seville > Madrid.

So, for our honeymoon we had a new criteria: more relaxing. Less doing. This is hard for me as I am, at my core, a do-er. But, our first step of picking a place is complete! We picked a domestic place as I feel the pressures of "oh-my-gosh-we-have-to-do-everything-because-we-are-in-a-different-country-and-may-never-come-back" are relieved. Plus, less guilt for skipping art museums ;)

Image via here

We booked our tickets last night from Madison to Portland, Oregon. Our loose plan is to explore Portland some, eat delicious food, and then hit a small town on the Oregon Coast (Manzanita? Cannon Beach?) to relax. But I would LOVE to hear all of your Oregon recommendations! From restaurants to activities to just cool places to hang out!

Image via here

Also, would love your opinion on this burning philosophical question: Does honeymooning in Oregon make us the most hipster/granola couple ever?  I don't really identify as a hipster because I don't have hipster style (never wore chunky glasses in my life!). But, of course, I don't really have style per se all unless "I actually woke up like this" counts as a style. (Trust me, I'm not putting that sh*t on Instagram.) (Working from home most of the time does NOT improve my wardrobe, for the record).

And when a friend recently asked where we were honeymooning and I said "We're choosing between the Oregon Coast and Arcadia Park in Maine" I'm pretty sure she gave me a "OMG-you're-a-hipster" look So I'm dying to know how I should appropriately categorize myself here. :)

Thanks in advance for all your Portland and Oregon recommendations!! xx

Warby Parker Spring Collection

Can you believe that I'm writing the word "spring" in a post title? Me neither, but it feels great. Today I took a walk outside without a hat or gloves which feels like a massive accomplishment here in Wisconsin. Before we know it, it will be time for fresh flowers at the Madison farmer's market and the lakes will un-freeze.


With a new season comes new styles, and Warby Parker's spring collection has a flashy array of new glasses styles I wanted to share with you. :)

Aren't the colors fun? I love companies like Warby Parker, because of their strong moral conscience. For each pair or glasses you buy, they distribute a pair to someone in need. Because--get this--almost one billion people worldwide lack access to glasses. This (obviously) hinders their ability to learn and work.


So, if you're on the lookout for a new pair of eyewear, swing over to their site and check out their collection.


I'm working on some book review blog posts to bring to you soon, but in the mean time, enjoy the beginning of March and congrats for making it through February! xx

An Ode to Coffee Table Books

Even posing the question: What's on your coffee table? seems like a weirdly in-authentic thing for me to do. As the honest answer (for years) would probably be: I don't know, mail I got 3 months ago I can't bring myself to open?

However, I am trying to turn over this new leaf in life where I stop random papers from conquering my apartment. I know! What a novel idea! Between this post and color-coding my bookshelf I'm on pace to turn this blog into a full-blown interior design resource. Move over, Emily Henderson.

Hahaha. Haha. Ha.

Anyway, I've been thinking lately that I do appreciate my current stack of coffee table books, for a multitude of previously unrealized reasons:

a.) They are fun to open when you have a few quick minutes to read, but don't have the time to get absorbed in a novel, and are sick of looking at screens.

b.) They are perfect to flip through during commercials or particularly boring sporting events. (I know, I can be such a bad former athlete. The truth is after playing sports competitively for years they lose some of their luster. Like how I once heard Lauren Graham never watches herself on T.V. she acts, and that's that. (I like this incredibly flawed analogy because I'm Lauren Graham in it.))

c.) The perfect stack makes me feel organized. (This is a lie, but I can ignore the heap of unfolded laundry on the couch, and focus on the perfectly constructed book stack.)

Here's my current stack! As you can see, I go for more word-driven versus picture-driven books, though obviously picture-focused coffee table books are pretty too.

1. WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. A TED talk in a book form? Sign me up! This insightful essay inspired by her TEDx talk is worth reading all the way through, but makes for a pretty coffee table book due it's lovely cover and small size. The perfect stack-topper!

2. BRAVE ENOUGH by Cheryl Strayed. This (signed!) book is full of quotes from Tiny, Beautiful Things. I really do love it (and it's gorgeous green cover), but it's hard for me to tell if I'd appreciate it as much if I hadn't read Tiny Beautiful Things. Either way, I do think books of quotes make for great coffee table books!

3. THE LIFE CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo. So I've read this book cover to cover (and recommend it!) but the fun part about the format of this book to make it a good coffee table number is the way she bolds/italicizes key phrases.

4. OLD POSSUM'S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS by T.S. Eliot. Much like #2, this is representative of a successful type of book that excel on the any given coffee table: poetry! I've been reading these fun, whimsical cat poems (on which the CATS musical was based) since childhood, and they never get old. Obviously, you might not want to put a thick tome of poems on your coffee table, but shorter, quick reads with mixed in illustrations are perfect, like this one by Amber Tamblyn or this one by Brian Andreas.

At the risk of sounding like Jennifer Garner in a Capitol One commercial: What's on your coffee table? :)

5 Favorite Books I Read in 2015

It's a new year! A perfect time to reflect on all the ups and downs and trials and tribulations of the past year, and reset my focus for the forthcoming year. But that sounds simultaneously exhausting and boring—let's talk about books instead. ;)

2015 was a good reading year for me, so I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorites. And to keep things quick and easy (it is Wednesday and nearly February, after all) I'm doing three-sentence reviews.

1. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

You don't have to like baseball to love this emotional journey of a star shortstop and his friends. Just be forewarned: if you're like me, you might cry in a coffee shop while reading it. As a bonus, it takes place in Wisconsin, a truly wonderful place.

2. Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill

I flew through this book, full of very quick scenes and intriguing facts. Ultimately, it painted a beautiful, poignant picture of a family at their near-breaking point. When I finished the last page, I wanted to experience it all over again.

3. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

An autobiographical graphic novel that's as surprising as it is powerful. I am now dying to see the Tony-award winning musical! If you've never read a graphic novel before, start with this one!

4. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

This one is a must-read for aspiring authors, but her metaphors are inspirational for anyone. I felt significantly better about my writing--and my life--by reading this. My only regret is I didn't read it sooner.

5.Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

One of my favorite memoirs of all time (and I am a serial memoir-reader). Cheryl Strayed's powerful personal journey feels not only incredible, but also incredibly relatable. I now also obsessively listen to her podcast, Dear Sugar Radio.


Hope you enjoyed my recommendations!! Would love to hear your fave 2015 reads! xx

Simple Green Smoothies Recipes

I have never been on a diet. This is solely because I am self-aware enough to realize that I do not possess the necessary willpower to diet successfully. I do not possess a quarter of the necessary willpower. Any time someone says they're gluten free or vegan or, say, don't eat cheese every single meal I don't ask why? I ask HOW?


I should mention that once I did decide to give up meat for lent. I was really, really focused on this. But then, on the bus ride after our basketball game, I accidentally ate a piece of pepperoni pizza ...on Ash Wednesday. (Sorry, God.) (Thankfully, as a Presbyterian, I always considered lent deprivations as bonus points, so to speak.)


Anyway, all that to say-- I started making Simple Green Smoothies in honor of the New Year! If you haven't heard of Simple Green Smoothies, check out their website and gorgeous Instagram account. You'll see (right away) that (thankfully) it's not a diet. Simply put, it's just a fun way to eat more dark, leafy greens, something I never seem to get enough of!

I've tried 3 recipes so far as part of their 30 day challenge and wanted to share them with you!  (All recipes from my Simple Green Smoothies Book)


Very Berry Citrus
2 cups spinach
2 oranges, peeled
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup strawberries (I used frozen)
3/4 cup blueberries (I used frozen)
1 banana


1. Blend spinach, oranges + water until smooth
2. Add strawberries, blueberries + banana and blend again!


Banana Berry Blast
2 cups spinach
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup berries (I used frozen blueberries and a few frozen blackberries)
2 bananas


1. Blend spinach + milk until smooth
2. Add berries + banana, blend again!


Simple Monkey
2 cups spinach
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
3 bananas
4 tablespoons cacao powder & 2 tbsps. almond butter {I replaced both of these things with 2 spoons peanut butter because that's what I had!}


1. Blend spinach + almond milk until smooth
2. Add bananas + Peanut butter and blend again!


I have enjoyed each recipe, but I loved the Simple Monkey (I admit probably because I added PB, but as I said, not a diet :). They also have many recipes that start with kale instead of spinach...that I'm working toward trying. What do you think? Do you drink green smoothies? Would you give it a try? If you have any great green smoothie recipes...send them my way!

Hell is Other Tourists: The One Problem with Seeing The World's Wonders

There are many times that I'm thankful I read Jean-Paul Sartre's play "No Exit" in college. Haven't read it? Here's the theme: Hell is other people.

I know, I know, 'tis the season for more cheery sentiments about mankind, but...once you embrace this theme it is so utterly flexible and applicable that I promise you, too, will come to love it. Take, for example, Cheryl Strayed's spectacular advice column entitled "Hell is other people's boyfriends." And, on our wonderful trip through Spain, I drew the profound conclusion: Hell is other tourists.

Spain is a fabulous country—we went to Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. While in those cities, in addition to eating todos las tapas, we wanted to see the sites. But here's the thing about seeing the wonders of the world—spoiler alert!—you won't be the only one there. Actually, there will inevitably be so many people there.

Also? Selfie sticks. So. Many. Selfie sticks.

I highly advocate going to the Sagrada Familia, the massive church in Barcelona which was Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece. It's beautiful. It's moving. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before.

But, while you're walking beneath the church toward Gaudi's grave, brace yourself for someone's cell phone ring tone to loudly echo through the chambers.

"Thank God we have service down here," I whispered to Stephen.

Another place with superb service? The top of the Giralda, the tower connected to the Cathedral in Seville. After climbing the 34 ramps and few steps to the top, you could take in the panoramic views of the city, or you could block those views from other people and angrily yap into your cell phone. The choice is yours.

I should note that these tourists were not exclusively American. Although it's tempting to deem those we live nearest as the most exasperating of all people, my trip to Europe proves annoying tendencies know no geographical boundaries.

And of course, pictures. So. Many. Pictures. Pictures will be taken at all costs. Even, let's say, if you're sitting in a dark Flamenco theater in Seville and they explicitly said 900 times not to take pictures. The tourist in front of you will not listen.

The issue, of course, is that while you're witnessing all these irritating tourists you are hit with the cringe-worthy realization: You, too, are a tourist. You are forever bonded to these people by this unshakeable commonality. And to some say, the locals, you are these people. It's like the conundrum with catching someone kissing with their eyes open—the only way you can catch them is by opening your eyes. Thus, you are the victim and the culprit. You become the very thing that annoys you.

But, I digress. Thankfully, I am not a philosopher.

I write this not to deter you from witnessing popular sites, but to appropriately readjust your expectations. You likely won't have a Sleepless in Seattle moment at any of these places. But they are still, undoubtedly, worth going to. So, please, go to Barcelona. Walk through the Sagrada Familia and bask in the glory of Gaudi's creation. See a Flamenco show in Seville. Go to the top of the Giralda. But, for the love of the holy family, silence your cell phone.