Happy Friday, my darlings!

I hope you’re all having a great December so far. I can’t believe that Hanukkah is already over and Christmas is around the corner…my family is interfaith, so we celebrate both holidays. It makes this time of year a little crazy but extremely fun.

Keeping it short today because I’ve got cookies to bake and trees to decorate!

xoxo,
Becky

What I’m reading:

The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman. This whole series is SO weird. Sometimes I don’t know if I like even one of the characters…but I definitely enjoy reading about them. The world is so vivid and creative and surprising and the twisty, meandering plot is amazing to read. Apparently there’s a tv show (or miniseries) too, and I’ll probably check that out.

A Bride for the Season by Jennifer Delamere. This is a Christian romance novel that I picked up by accident. Have you ever read a Christian romance novel? Some of them are very well written (they just have extra Bible verses and less sex, compared to most romances) but some of them are extremely preachy and moralistic, with a heavy dose of slut shaming. I have no problem with the Bible verses and less sex, I have a big problem with the slut shaming. I didn’t read more than a chapter of this book and I don’t recommend it. The religious elements felt forced into the story and very judgey, like the book was written just to serve as an envelope for the moral points the author wanted to make.

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli. I thought this was the first book in this series, but I was wrong! I read and enjoyed it anyway. Colorful characters, genuine, sweet first love, diverse characters that feel like real people. Great YA. I’m going to read the other books.

Internets:

Did anyone else follow the story of the Times Square proposal?? The excited groom to be popped the question and then lost the ring down a sewer grate. The NYPD found the ring and, using Twitter, reunited it with the couple!

Book Riot’s Best Books of 2018!!! You’re going to want to read all of these.

16th Century Gothic Boxwood Miniatures With Extremely Detailed Carvings.

Michelle Obama On Lean In: ‘That Shit Doesn’t Work All the Time.’ Preach and also I need to read her book immediately.

Dichroic Installations Reflect Dazzling Rainbows When Light Hits Them. The more rainbows, the better.

Margaret Atwood is writing a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. This BLOWS MY MIND.

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Hello my darlings,

I have baking to do and family heading to town, so I’m taking a few days off to focus on that!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate. I’ll be back soon…and I have some really exciting things to share with you after the holiday!

xoxo,
Becky

What I’m reading:

The Magicians by Lev Grossman. I’ve heard such good things about this series but hadn’t ever gotten around to reading it until now! I’m excited to dive in.

From Duke ’till Dawn by Eva Leigh. Because I’m never not reading a romance novel. I love this author.

Internets:

This post from The Court Jeweller on The Swedish Malachite Parure is definitely worth a look.

This Fairytale Cottage Is Made Entirely of Chocolate and You Can Spend the Night.

Giant Wooden Trolls Make Mischief in an Enchanting Outdoor Museum.

A Fantastic Recreation of a Renaissance Cabinet of Curiosities.

GEMFIELDS introduces ‘Inkalamu’, the 5,655 carat Lion Emerald.

15 Important Women in History You May Not Have Heard of.

The Enchanting History of Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Famous Gargoyles. I have a thing for gargoyles.

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Good morning, my darlings!

My goodness – autumn is really here, isn’t it? In Maryland we’ve got full on falling leaves, crisp breezes, and gourds on our stoops. I love this time of year, although it often feels all too brief. Soon I’ll be whining about the cold, but right now I’m super excited about scarves and cardigans.

Talking about fall weather was a silly way to start this post, actually, because I’m about leave it! I’m heading South to Miami today, to bring you live coverage of the illustrious Italian Pavilion at the JIS Miami trade show!

I’m super excited about this project. I’m going to be partnering with the Italian Trade Agency (like I did in Vegas!) to bring you an exclusive look at some of the best extraordinary Italian jewelry for sale on American soil.

Follow me on Instagram to see the action as it’s happening, or stand by for a full recap here on the blog when I get home!

xoxo,
Becky

What I’m reading:

The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox:  I tried to read this book late last night…but there was a creepy part about a possible ghost and it was too scary to read alone while hopped up on cold meds at 2 am so I had to put it down!! A promising start besides my wimpiness, though. I look forward to reading this some more during daylight hours.

Thief of Cahraman: A Retelling of Aladdin by Lucy Tempest: I didn’t particularly like the beginning of this book, but I was on a bus so I kept reading and it really picked up. It’s not the most original plot ever created, but it has enough twists to it that it’s interesting and the main character is feisty in a way that makes the story feel fresh. Silly but quite enjoyable, with powerful female friendships at the forefront.

Thief of Cahraman is being billed as “for fans of The Selection” but I like this book MUCH more than I liked any of The Selection series (read my review of The Selection here). The primary difference – #spoileralert – is that the heroine of The Selection is an irritating idiot and while the Thief of Cahraman has a bold and resourceful young woman at its center.

Internets:

From Liz Taylor to Joan Crawford, the secret history of celebs’ diamonds.

HAPPY 35TH ANNIVERSARY, ALANNA THE LIONESS.

Fantastic Animals – The surreal creations of Julien Tabet. These are extremely cool.

Oldest bones ever found belonged to Neanderthal child whose fingers were ‘chewed by a giant bird.’

Author of first English novel kept it hidden for ten years – here’s why. 

10+ Illustrations Of Hilda: The Forgotten Plus-Size Pin-Up Girl From The 1950s.

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