Shannon Hale

I just read the most wonderful book. It was wholesome, fun, thought provoking, and not what you think of when you hear princess. It was "The Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale.

She is my new favorite author. I am currently reading another of her books "The Goose Girl" it is one of four in the Books of Bayern series. I am hooked. She is clean, modest, wholesome, everything I would want my daughter to be reading if she were older and could read.

"The Princess Academy" is about a low class town Mt. Eskel. the people are told the prince will find his wife there. They have to hold a princess academy for the girls to learn how to read, write, be poised, dance, etc. It is about a girls journey to find herself. As well as the background story of quarry speech. It is a mining town where they mine rock and Miri, the main character is forbidden to work in the mine. All the other girls work there so she really wants to. In the mine the have a quarry speech that is used. It is fascinating. The book has also received a Newbery Honor.

I highly recommend her books. I have only read the one, by the end of the day it will be two and I have 3 more I just checked out from the library. One is an Adult novel called "Austenland," one is a Graphic Novel called "Rapunzel's Revenge, written with her husband, and the last one is "Book of a Thousand Days." I also have the sequel to "The Goose Girl," "Enna Burning" on hold since they were all checked out. Yeah, I am obsessed.

Here is her official website. http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

Here is the first chapter of "The Princess Academy." http://www.squeetus.com/stage/princess_chapter.html

And here is a link to her blog about when she received the Newbery Honor. It is pretty funny. http://www.squeetus.com/stage/princess_phonecall.html

Oh, by the way, my husband is a fan too.

Hi, I'm New Here.

I was raised in the Navy. By the time I left home for college, I had lived with my family in 12 different cities and attended 11 different schools. Being the new girl is so familiar to me that I sometimes have a hard time knowing what to do with myself around people I've known for longer than about 2 years. Growing up, by the time I'd known anyone for that long, not only did it feel like an eternity but it was time to say "goodbye".

Being the new girl is familiar to me, yes, but I'm here to tell you it never ever gets easier. Not without a healthy dose of self-confidence and some sound advice on how to navigate unfamiliar territory. And while I'm hardly a social butterfly (that self-confidence stuff can get tricky, you know?!) there are a few things I've learned about dealing with new situations that maybe you can use, too.

Take a deep breath and smile.
This one never gets old, and it always always helps. I'm not a naturally smiley person, but when a good friend told me that when we first met she thought I was a snob, I was shocked. And then I realized that I'd been so nervous about being new, it came across in my face as, well, snobbish. An honest smile will help ease your tension in a new situation and it will lead people to believe you're comfortable, even if you're not.

Stop, look, and listen.
In a new environment, take a minute to look around yourself and get your bearings. Know where the center of attention is (so that you can choose to be a part of it or try and avoid it), and be aware of your nearest exit (just in case!). And listen, listen, listen. Definitely, you want to open your mouth and say "hello" to people - you don't want to seem aloof - but always keep your ears open, too. The quicker you can get familiar with your surroundings, the quicker you'll feel comfortable in them.

Ask, don't tell. And listen some more.
This is probably one of my biggest social hurdles. When I'm nervous, I will either clam up completely or my mouth will run off with the conversation. The worst part about it is that I know when it's happening but I will either simply fail to come up with something to say, or I will find myself unable to just. stop. talking. Still, these things take practice. The point is, people like to talk about themselves, and they like people who ask them to. So be an asker. If you come up with a question that seems to nosy, try prefacing it with an apology or a way out ("You don't have to answer this if it's too personal, but I was wondering ...") and ask it anyway. Then listen, listen, listen, to at least enough so that you can follow up with another question. At the very least, people will know you're interested in them, and that's always good for a new girl.

It doesn't take a big impression to leave a lasting impression.
This is sort of another way of saying: be yourself. If I learned anything at all from all that bouncing around I did as a child, this is it: know who you are and then don't try to be anything else for the sake of making an impressive impression. There are so many ways that can backfire, it's always best to be true to yourself. And remember what Lena Horne sang to Grover, because it's really that simple: "People know you by the little things you do. Show someone you care; watch them care for you."

Have any other tips for grace in a new - or awkward - social situation? Please enlighten the rest of us with a comment!

New to the World of Style

I have discovered a new sort of passion welling up inside of me and it has caught me quite by surprise--I am seriously falling in love with fashion! No, not fashion actually; it's style--really great style.

photo taken from Creole Collection found at CreoleCollection.etsy.com

Part of my new style sense has somehow taken on a sort of fascination with ruffles, and sometimes lace. I am drawn to them, they seem to call to me!

I think the most important part of this awakening for me can be understood in part of what Nina Garcia writes in her book "The Little Black Book of Style":

"Confidence is captivating, it is powerful, and it does not fade--and that is endlessly more interesting than beauty.
The first and most important step to developing style is to project this kind of confidence. The kind of confidence that tells others that you respect yourself, love yourself, and dress up for yourself and nobody else. You are your own muse. Style comes from knowing who you are and who you want to be in this world: it does not come from wanting to be somebody else, or wanting to be thinner, shorter, taller, prettier."

She goes on to talk about the really honest value of dressing well, and I, as our dear Rachel explained, "gobbled it up."

(photo taken from Stephmcg's photostream on flickr)

I have discovered in the past week, with my new-found shopping inspiration, how many wonderful pairs of ballet flats are out there, and how hard it can be to choose just one! But that is just how it goes with shoes. I love them.

I have always been the simple and clueless girl who tries to look good but without really knowing how. I never spent too much time or money on my wardrobe because I thought it was vain and superficial. However, I have always recognized the importance of being presentable, clean and cute, appropriate and modest, fashionable and confident in what you wear.

I think my ideas about clothes and fashion started to change a couple years ago when I started having babies. As my body changed so rapidly, my wardrobe had to change too, and deciding what to wear every day was as challenging as the sickness and swelling. Maybe even more challenging at times.

But now something has changed, it's like a switch got flipped inside of me and suddenly I am not only interested in being comfortable or practical, but I am interested in looking good! And when I see something that is really beautiful or unique or just simply classy, I get that excited and giddy kind of feeling inside of me that just wants to shout "Yes! I love it!"

(photo taken from Alabama Chanin website)

A few months ago I discovered Alabama Chanin. I just loved the unique style and the idea that she started it all from stitching traditions and used t-shirts. It wasn't too long ago that I started to do a little embroidery, and I can really appreciate the kind of workmanship that created these beautiful clothes. So of course, I immediately wanted to not only dress in them, but make them too! So I bought the book--the first of several I have found on my new fashion quest.

 (photo taken from the Shabby Apple website, Sophisticated Collection)

Then I discovered Shabby Apple. I will never be the same (smile, deep sigh). Now every time I shop for dresses, these images appear in my head and nothing I have found on the rack can compare...yet. Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic. But some--not all, but some--of those dresses just sing my name!

I also found this fun blog called Have a Cute Day. Check it out, it's fun.
Actually, I have discovered many great blogs and etsy shops (maybe I'll share more in another post sometime down the road) that my eyes have been opened! It's a new world for me.

Book #2 in my new quest for style is Nina Garcia's Little Black Book of Style. It is a entertaining and easy read, and so full of great advise and explanations. I feel as though I have gone from completely clueless to moderately capable of becoming an intelligent shopper and well-dressed woman.

Photo taken from The Vintage Pearl

One thing I am learning to appreciate more are accessories!

Book #3 is going to be Design it Yourself Clothes. I think my great grandmother's spirit is pulling on my heartstrings--she was a great seamstress and as of late, I am aching to try my hand at this! Maybe someday I can make her proud...

So, I am starting new this year, with a much smaller wardrobe due to a recent weeding and discarding of anything unsuited for the new,  more confident and more stylish me.

I don't really know how much my budget can afford this new passion and desire to shop. And I'm not sure how much time my schedule can afford toward the endeavor. But I am patient. I am confident. And with a little time, I will be stylish too.

Do you have a favorite fashion tip for a girl like me?