Smells of Summer

I was at the Shadyside Sephora two weeks ago and got caught up trying new perfumes.  I’m usually pretty picky…flowery scents make me sneeze and give me a headache.  Usually I stick with fruitier ones.  And, once I find one I like, it takes me awhile to switch.  (I’ve been wearing Angel since college!)

But, I am in love.  I tested Very Irresistible Givenchy Summer Sorbet and immediately ran to the cashier.  When I got home and tried it on for real, I even loved it more…which surprised me a little because usually the opposite happens.

Two weeks later, it’s my favorite smell of the summer!  It smells fruity, but is described as floral, so what do I know?!  It’s fun…it makes me smile when I put it on and it lasts all day.

The little things…gotta appreciate them!

What’s your favorite Pittsburgh restaurant?

I love going out to eat.  And, I love trying new restaurants….and returning to old favorites.  Some of my favorite Pittsburgh restaurants are Soba (for the ambiance and pad thai…best pad thai in the ‘burgh!), Mallorca (for the service and the amazing food), 17th Street Cafe (good food, great neighborhood charm)and UUBU 6 (best duck I’ve ever had).

What are your favorites?

Have you read Friday Night Knitting Club? Don’t waste your time.

I love a good book.  When I get into a book, I read non stop until I finish.  May’s book club book is Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.  I had heard of the book and even thought about buying it a few times, but my “want to read” reading list expands much faster than I can keep up with!

I started reading it and immediately was drawn into the story; Kate did a great job creating the characters and making you feel like you were right there in the Walker Daughter knitting shop.  You felt their pain and struggles and rooted for them.  I was on team Georgia and wanted her to be happy…finally…because she deserved it.

And then I got to the end.  What I thought was one of the best books I’d read in awhile turned out to be one of the worst.  (Spoiler alert…if you haven’t read it and for some reason want to waste a bunch of time, stop reading now.)  Now, I understand that every story can’t – and shouldn’t – have a happy ending, but dear God, why on earth would someone want to read about a senseless tragedy?  Just as poor Georgia Walker is finding true happiness and having things fall into place, she not only gets cancer but she dies.  And she dies so unexpectedly…I thought she was getting better!!!!

Ok, so yes, this kind of sad, devastating chain of events happens all of the time…but I don’t need to depress myself through a book.  I read to escape and get lost in other people’s worlds.  There are sad endings to stories that are good and make sense, and this one just completely pissed me off.  Kate Jacobs you are an idiot.

I’m serious.  I’m the kind of reader that once I get sucked into a good – or even decent – story or character, if there’s a sequel or other related books, I RACE to the bookstore to buy them and start reading right away.  I saw that there was a sequel to this book at the end, and I have no desire to even read the preview to find out what it’s about.

Thanks Kate Jacobs….for taking a really great story and wonderful characters and totally ruining it.  You could have created a sad tragedy-type ending without killing Georgia.

I can’t wait for book club