my travel essentials: carry-on version.

powermate for j.crew charger // longchamp le pliage large tote // soap & glory hand food // asprin // camelbak eddy water bottle // urbanears plattan headphones // breath mints // ponds clean sweep make up wipes // j.crew women's camp socks // pb teen fauz fur neck roll // fresh sugar lip treatment // kate spade davie large cosmetic // apple ipad

I am a pretty big traveler, mostly because R lives all the way in England, but also because I love taking trips no matter how far away or how long the trip will be. Read about two of my latest trips here + here. My next trip, no surprise here, is a trip to England to spend Christmas and New Years with R and some of our friends and his family. I am really excited for this trip (even though it means Christmas away from my family and home friends) because I love any chance that R and I get to have some alone time to just be us. When he comes to visit me, because I live with my parents (whomp), they're always around and we don't get a lot of time to ourselves. Since he lives alone we actually get to feel like a couple, and it's really nice.

But anyway, to get to him is a long day of checking in, checking bags, flying for seven hours, then waiting on a looooooong line to get through customs. On these especially long trips, I need to have all of my essentials in my carry-on bag for my sanity.

To be honest, I carry most of these things with me in my bag every day, but on a long flight, a neck pillow, comfy socks, headphones, and make up wipes are essentials that I don't normally have on me. Though I do bring my iPad to work for when Max is asleep and I have nothing to do, I wouldn't call it an essential item until I'm thousands of miles in the air and need a good book to snuggle into my airplane seat with, or a great playlist to keep me busy while I doodle on a cocktail napkin or try to rest my eyes. I am excited to go on this trip because even though planes scare me, I like the quiet, alone time. I just want the flight to go smoothly and get there in good time so I can jump into Rich's arms in the arrivals gate and make him carry my bag.

november book report.

I'm totally in a state of mind right now where I need a book to devour every week. The past few weeks have consisted of these three, and one of these has bumped it's way into my top five for sure.

Ender's Game // this book is kind of different from anything I've ever read - from the type of narrator to the concept entirely. I blew through this book, and I really liked it, but to be honest I have no motivation to read the other books in the series. I think this one kind of stands alone and the story ends in a place that I am happy with. I am kind of excited that they've made a movie from this one because there are so many complicated technological elements that I would love to see come to life. I recommend this book if you like science fiction, but even if you don't (I'm not a huge fan), you'll probably still enjoy it, and it's quick.

The Night Circus // wow. That's all I can think to open with. This book was so magical, and has made be want to believe in the impossible. I read this in two days, which probably would have been a matter of hours if I didn't have a full time job to attend to. This story - of a circus that is only open at night, which elicits all of the emotions that make attendees feel like magic is everywhere - was so wonderfully written and beautifully constructed. The circus is the venue for a duel between two magicians, which is only known about by few characters, and all that revolves within and around this circus are (usually unknowingly) part of the game. The narrator is fairly omnipresent, which gives you insight into things that a lot of the characters are unaware of, and watching all of the events unfold is amazing. I loved this book so, so much, and I think most other readers will as well.

Catching Fire // this is the second time I read this book, and man, am I glad that I did. Not only am I glad that I cleared up some fuzzy details before seeing this in theaters later this week (which should be phenomenal if the reviews are even half accurate), but also because it reminded me why this second installment of the series is my favorite. You see so much more from the characters, you feel so much more of Katniss' struggle, and you really start to get a feel of what this world is like as a whole, not just within the games, in district 12, and in the Capitol, which is really all you are introduced to in the first book. If you've never read this, or any of the books in the series, I can't speak highly enough of all of them. And if you have already read them, I definitely recommend reading this second one again before the film if you're like me and enjoy having the details in the surface of your memory before seeing a screen rendition.

I crossed off most of my 'want-to reads' from this post, but am always looking for more recommendations if you've got 'em.

gold, glitz, & shimmer.

ban.do heart hair clip // rebecca minkoff cory pouch // sincerely jules celfie tee // deux lux luka weekender // lulu guinness glitter lipstick pouch // gold lipstick mug // threshold for target cheers tumbler

So apparently there's a theme with the things that I am coveting right now. (I should be super easy to buy Christmas gifts for). I love small pouches for make-up and traveling, or even just as an evening clutch. I am dying over that celfie tee, which could be dressed down with leggings or dressed up with a blazer. The sequined heart clip would look darling secured to a top knot, and the mug and tumbler, no matter what's inside of them (spiked coffee, anyone?) are chic as anything. I would pack everything shown in that adorable weekender bag, and that's a wrap, folks. See other products I love and lust after here.

november playlist.

I'm super obsessive with music. Once I like a song I love it and if you could be a fly on the windshield of my car you'd probably wish I'd crack a window and let you out. I play the same songs on repeat, a lot of the time one song on repeat for a whole drive somewhere. It's sick, I know, I just love when I love a song. These songs are a few of those 'on repeat' songs and some are 'to be on repeat soon' songs that I've just gotten into because of a tv show, spotify or pandora, or when I'm lucky (and get to drive the boss' car), pulse radio on xm. Whenver I can get my hands on new music I hoard it until it's unhealthy and obsessive. I've even got Max giving me playlist requests in the car when I pick him up from school ("Best Song Ever and Best I Ever Had [a million times] please?" Yes Max, yes we can do that. As your nanny I take full responsibility and am proud of your choices). Listen to this playlist over and over and over on spotify.

*disclaimer: I am not a Miley fan. For those of you Miley lovers out there, I'm sorry, I can't stand her. But Wrecking Ball is suuuuch a guilty pleasure. Sometimes you just gotta give in.