Well, August is almost over, and I’m now sharing last month’s post. I’ve really dropped the ball for this blog post. August has been really good, though!
Daily Life
July 3: I stopped by TJ Maxx to purchase some dog birthday treats. I tried Peak Coffee at the farmers’ market last month, and now they’re located near the TJ Maxx and car wash in Bellevue!
I ordered just an iced caramel latte, and honestly, I probably didn’t even need the caramel because the coffee itself had such a bold taste!
July 4: It was a pretty busy day for me! Darby and I met Louise and Luna at a park since they hadn’t seen each other for months. Afterward, Louise and I dropped of our dogs at our homes and then headed to get a coffee and snack from The Well.
I tried their avocado toast for the first time, and it was really good!
We chatted for about an hour, then I was home briefly before meeting up with Kylie at HoneyFire BBQ for lunch.
I got the lunch special of the brisket sandwich, and it was delicious! The brisket was peppery and flavorful. I also absolutely love the fries from here. The seasoning and fry thickness are perfect.
We then went to Homegoods for a quick browse, then I had to get back since Alexis and her dog, Nalah, were hanging out with us for the afternoon!
July 7: Corgi birthday pawty! Not my reel, but Dobby’s is here. The embed link takes forever on Instagram and I don’t know if I’m doing it correctly, but I’ll figure it out at some point. It hasn’t worked for me, so I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.
Maybe the QR code will work, though if you’re checking this on a phone I don’t think it’ll be helpful.
If anyone knows what I’m doing wrong and can help me figure this out, let me know!
July 14: Stephen and I went to Opry Mills Mall. Initially, I wanted to go to Tanger Outlets to check out the Fossil store specifically, but plans changed for the day and we ended up closer to Opry. I hadn’t planned to buy a purse, but we both felt like we were going to die from heat exhaustion and needed to make the trip worth it.
This is the purse I was looking at on the website. I wanted to see if it would be too big for me and if I needed to get the smaller version.
It’s perfect, and cheaper than what it was on the website!
I had purchased these rice balls from K&S Market but hadn’t made them till then, and they’re really good! They’re a bit pricier than what I would spend, but they’re delicious. I need to get more next time I go.
July 17: Stephen and I ate at Thai Samurai. Previously it was Lemongrass Sushi & Thai, and I think there was a brand name change. Although, the menu has slightly expanded. They have ramen now!
July 21: It was National Ice Cream Day! We took Darby to the library to walk around for a little bit since he hadn’t gotten much exercise.
I’m very proud of myself for getting this close to a bee.
To celebrate the day, we supported a small business (Sweet Sofia’s) for our ice cream adventure!
I got the coffee flavor, and it’s, as always, delicious. Stephen asked for three scoops and it came in a 16-ounce cup! It was a lot.
July 22: Stephen brought me an iced matcha from Humphreys Street Coffee! It had strawberry cold foam, and it was yummy.
This was the same day that my succulents arrived. While I was potting them, we hadn’t realized that our A/C unit stopped working. So, we endured that for two days until a new one was installed. Luckily, it was a cooler week and the temperature inside the apartment didn’t get higher than 77º.
July 24: Darby really enjoys these new donut treats.
July 27: This was a busy weekend for us!
We went to have dinner with Kylie and Zach at Tailgate Brewery. They changed their menu and no longer serve the waffle fries with chicken. Instead, they have this taco salad version. Good, but I wish they’d bring the other dish back.
Stephen thinks the pizza tasted different, too. Everything was still good! We all split the cheese knockers.
July 28: The A Day to Remember concert was on this day!
We went with Taylor and Jordan (people from our corgi group). We had dinner at Love Peace & Pho. We split the spring rolls as an appetizer. I ordered the Tofu Garden and Stephen ordered some Chicken Fried Rice. It had a basil taste. I liked it! Not sure if Stephen was that crazy about it.
I was super excited to see that The Story So Far was playing before ADTR! Both bands had a good mix of old and new music.
July 31: Darby was proud of me for catching the ice cream truck. I’d been wanting to get something from it, but I’ve always missed it because it always flies by!
Not much else really happened this month. We’re all burning up from the heat. Darby’s birthday is in August, so I’ll have his party to share!
Books
- The Trap by Melanie Raabe
- synopsis: In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister’s murderer — but is he really the killer?
For 11 years, the bestselling author Linda Conrads has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister—who she discovered in a pool of blood—and the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene, Linda’s hermit existence helps her cope with debilitating anxiety. But the sanctity of her oasis is shattered when she sees her sister’s murderer on television. Hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use the plot of her next novel to lay an irresistible trap for the man. As the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda’s memories — and her very sanity — are called into question. Is this man a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim? - genres: thriller, mystery, crime
- rating: 4
- I thought this was a pretty good debut novel! It kept me guessing about Linda’s state of mind and if she was indeed right about her sister’s murderer.
- Pace was good, and it was difficult to picture living like Linda.
- synopsis: In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister’s murderer — but is he really the killer?
- The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
- synopsis: A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this new New York Times bestselling romance by Helen Hoang.
When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better.
That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex—he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she herself has just started to understand. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves. - genres: romance, autism spectrum disorder, mental health, chick lit
- rating: 4
- The focus wasn’t necessarily on the love story, which I assumed it would be, but on Anna’s life. She’s a people pleaser, never says no, molds to become fit the role of daughter/sister/girlfriend for those in her life, but she doesn’t feel like her genuine, real self.
- Her family scenes were rough.
- Quan had his own insecurities, and I liked his character. He’s confident, maybe bordering cocky.
- synopsis: A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this new New York Times bestselling romance by Helen Hoang.
- The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
- synopsis: Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…
It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.
But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.
THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP
It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast. - genres: murder mystery, thriller, suspense
- rating: 3
- This was uber slow and boring to read. Francesca was a narcissist and it wasn’t fun getting her POV. Eddie’s chapters weren’t bad and I liked his innocense.
- The thing with this book is it misled you to believe this one character was dead when really it was a different one. I’m not sure if I liked that twist in this scenario.
- Biggest question: why the heck was a 30-year-old(?) hanging out with teenagers? I could not figure out Cora’s age or why on earth she’d be hanging around Frankie and the female MC. I think Cora’s son was just a few years younger than the girls, so I’m not sure if she’d be older or she had the kid at like 16 or something. It was confusing.
- Also, what was the age gap between Frankie and her husband? Frankie was clearly older, but it was all a mess to me.
- synopsis: Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…
- Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim
- synopsis: A new heartfelt novel about the power of loneliness and the strength of love that overcomes it by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.
Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud—she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast.
In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life. - genres: magical realism, romance, chick lit
- rating: 3
- This book is heavier than it appeared to be. The relationship between Sophie and her mom ruined this book for me. Also, a main character death put the nail in the coffin for this to be 3 stars.
- It wasn’t a bad book, but I expected it to be lighter and not make me angry/frustrated. Also expected more of a love storyline for Sophie. There was a hint of it, but main focus was her navigating her family matters and matchmaking business.
- Loved that Sophie considered the seven septuagenarians her found family. It was super sweet how she confided in one especially.
- synopsis: A new heartfelt novel about the power of loneliness and the strength of love that overcomes it by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.
- You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard
- synopsis: Summer and Leo would do anything for each other. Inspired by the way each has had to carve her place in a hostile and unforgiving world, and united by the call of the open road, they travel around sunny California in Summer’s tricked-out Land Cruiser. It’s not a glamorous life, but it gives them the freedom they crave from the painful pasts they’ve left behind. But even free spirits have bills to pay. Luckily, Summer is a skilled pickpocket, a small-time thief, and a con artist–and Leo, determined to pay her own way, has learned a trick or two.
Eager for a big score, Leo catches in her crosshairs Michael Forrester, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist. When her charm wins him over, Leo is rewarded with an invitation to his private island off the California coastline for a night of fabulous excess. She eagerly anticipates returning with photos that can be sold to the paparazzi, jewelry that can be liquidated, and endless stories to share with Summer.
Instead, Leo disappears.
On her own for the first time in years, Summer decides to infiltrate Michael’s island and find out what really happened. But when she arrives, no one has seen Leo–she’s not on the island as far as they know. Plus, there was only one way on the island–and no way off–for the coming days. Trapped in a scheme she helped initiate, could Summer have met her match? - genres: suspense, mystery, thriller
- rating: 4
- This was a fun read! I was curious as how the cold case was relevant to the current story, and what a crazy, absurd twist!
- Summer’s life was… something. Her mom was not a good mom at all, but at least Summer turned out decently well.
- This story had too big of a coincidence, but it was a fun read!
- I am impressed by Summer and Leo’s teamwork and skills. I enjoyed their friendship that was as close as sisterhood.
- synopsis: Summer and Leo would do anything for each other. Inspired by the way each has had to carve her place in a hostile and unforgiving world, and united by the call of the open road, they travel around sunny California in Summer’s tricked-out Land Cruiser. It’s not a glamorous life, but it gives them the freedom they crave from the painful pasts they’ve left behind. But even free spirits have bills to pay. Luckily, Summer is a skilled pickpocket, a small-time thief, and a con artist–and Leo, determined to pay her own way, has learned a trick or two.
TV Shows/Movies
Reply 1997 (2012)
synopsis:
Set in 1997, the series follows female high school student Sung Shi-won (Jung Eun-ji), who idolizes boyband H.O.T, and the lives of her five high school friends. As a teen, Shi-won was obsessed with a boy band. Now 33 years old, Shi-won and her friends are reliving their memories at their high school reunion.
Boy band fans were crazy. It’s a little more difficult to connect with this series, but I’m enjoying it! Well, I was until the creepy age gap relationship became a side story.
I’ll keep watching, but barf. At least I know she ends up with someone else, but it’s inappropriate and strange that they went this route.
Since I took a million years to share this post, I’ll say that I did finish it. I don’t know why they kept entertaining the thought of who the husband was up until nearly the end of the show.
Don’t think I’d rewatch it, but it was okay.
Music
Threw it back and I have been listening to A Day to Remember and The Story So Far. Oh, my young, angsty heart!
Orders
July 2: My ring and bracelet from Soirée arrived!
I ordered the Lexine bracelet and Hasna ring. I’m discovering that the rings with thicker bands complement my fingers better.
Don’t forget, you can use my code “stephying20” to receive 20% off your order!
July 22: My succulents arrived!
- Echeveria Dark Opal
- Variegated Graptopetalum Purple Delight
- Echeveria Blue Bird Monstrose
- Echeveria Variegated Blue Bird (rip already)
- Echeveria White Peach
- Echeveria Purple Ice (gifted!)
The Purple Delight, Blue Bird Monstrose, and Variegated Blue Bird look rough, but I’m hoping they’ll bounce back.
Update: The Variegated Blue Bird may not be bouncing back. As you can see from the photo, the tip of some leaves is looking translucent and kind of mushy. I don’t know if it’s due to the humidity or the stress, but the mother plant lost a lot of leaves, and the stem also started to rot.
I tried beheading it and now only the very tip of the succulent is hanging out. We’ll see if it makes a miraculous recovery.
I kept a few leaves in hopes that they would grow some babies, and a couple have! Hopefully they survive.
That’s all for July!
