After I was heavily influenced on social media to buy a small raffia bag for summer, I found this cutie at a boutique in Michigan called A.K. Rikk’s. It arrived in the most beautiful felt box with a handwritten thank you note. If you are like me and get tired of seeing the same items/brands on social media, it might be worth checking out a smaller boutique. They often have a special, curated selection and include brands that you may never heard of, such as the French company that made this bag. Plus the purchasing experience is much more special.

Flora Lee – engaging story, good writing. Puzzlemakers – it was fine. It was on display at my library so I grabbed it while waiting to get off hold lists for other books. Book of Love – it wasn’t for me. Has a magical element which was interesting, and was well-written. Giraffes – a fun read. Not too sad, strong writing, and based in part on a true story. Cleopatra – this is why you shouldn’t get book recs from Instagram. This book was slog about two people’s doomed relationship, and you could see the issues immediately. Writing was fine, nothing special.

Some products that I recently used up, and my honest (and unsponsored thoughts below).

Elf makeup remover – would not repurchase. The flip top is annoying and the Sephora kind I am currently using is much more effective. Defenage BioSerum – already have a second one that I am using. Feels nice on but not sure if it is doing anything. Bioeffect eye serum – found it in the clearance bin at Anthropologie for $20. The roller is cooling and pleasant to apply, but would not repurchase for the price. Honest Beauty primer and mascara – used for years. Nice to have a primer and mascara in one tube. Am currently trying other brands to see if I like them more. Hotel Lobby Aspen candle – LOVE this candle for winter. Would definitely repurchase next year.

I’m going to start doing short reviews on the books so you can see what I liked and didn’t. This was a good batch.

Alperton Angels – liked it. Not too sad or scary. Would recommend. Trust – really liked it. I know I’m probably the last to read it because there has been so much press. Interesting to think about history and who tells the stories. Starling House – not my type of book (fantasy and a bit of horror) but definitely well written. Could have been about 100 pages shorter because there is a lot of detail that is unnecessary to the story. Lady Tan – liked it. Interesting story that takes place at a time in history I didn’t know much about. Homecoming – also liked it, but could have been shorter. Good twists and turns in the story and well written.

I decided that my nest cake from last Easter was a bit dry, so I made a cake this year using this excellent recipe. It didn’t end up looking much like a nest, but it was absolutely delicious. I have some ideas for a better “nest” next year.

Baby cake

It hasn’t been long since my last post on bedding, but in that time, both of my Parachute linen fitted sheets ripped, my flannel sheets pilled like crazy, and my Snowe home percale sheets were constantly out of stock. I decided to redo our sheet wardrobe this last year, and here is what we are currently using and loving.

Flannel set from LLBean. Winter use only but they blow my previous flannel sheets away. The flannel is sooooo soft, and no pilling after (almost) 2 years.

Printed cotton set from Biscuit Home. These are not quite cool but not quite warm, so they are perfect for using all year between the flannel and linen.

Linen set from Cultiver. We have only had these for 1 summer so it is too soon to opine on longevity. They are much softer than the Parachute linen, though, and they wash very well.