Monday, March 2, 2015

Music, Books, Miles and Looks of February

February was a great month between my birthday celebration, our trip to Santa Barbara and time spent with friends, but I'm happy to usher in a new month as I'm at the point where I'm over winter...  I don't expect spring-like weather in March as spring doesn't arrive until April or May in Minnesota usually, but I do hope the subzero days are behind us!

Music:

Hmm...  Not a lot of radio listening happening in my world these days as I tend to listen to podcasts when I am in the car.  Brandi Carlile's new CD comes out this month, though, so I'm sure I'll have a favorite song to share from that next month!

Books:

February was another strong reading month for me as I read 7 books, bringing my total for the year to 16!  I do not expect my reading to continue at the pace, though.  I think this is just a time of year that is conducive to sitting inside and reading for hours on end since it's so cold outside.  My favorite book that I read in February was The Girl on the Train - I think it definitely lived up to all of the hype around it.  Similar to last month, I starred the books that counted towards the read harder challenge.


The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion* - 4 stars
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson* - 4 stars
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins* - 5 stars
Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal - 4 stars
Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes - 3 stars
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - 4 stars
A Place to Stand by Jimmy Santiago Baca - 3 stars

Miles:

Eh, not my best month.  It's a short month and a cold month so it's not conducive to a lot of miles.  And then I got sick at the end of the month which sidelined me for a number of days.  My total mileage was 53 miles.  I'm calling that good enough.  I'll start running with my club during the week in March so my mileage should be higher in March!


Looks:

Oh, winter.  You make it really hard to get excited about outfits.  I'm thankful I can walk to work but it does REALLY impact my outfit choices as I have to stick with pants and sweaters so I don't freeze on the mile walk in.  The only outfit I was really excited about this month was the outfit I wore on my birthday.  I got the pants with a 50% off coupon at Banana and the top came from my final Stitch Fix (taking a break after getting a few not-so-great boxes).



17 comments:

Becky said...

Love when you do these posts! And I think seven books and 53 miles is pretty freakin' awesome for a month where you traveled, had a birthday, got sick all in a short month!

Here's hoping the subzero temps are behind you as well!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I notice that the less miles I have, the more books I read; it seems like you have a similar correlation! I don't know how you get any miles in at all with the weather that you are having!

I had a lower mileage month this month too due to sickness, which is especially hard for me, since I have a race at the end of March and so Feb was supposed to really be my ramping up/high mileage month! I just know that my race will not be as good as planned...but such is life!

Gracie said...

Loving the purple pants! I sewed a pair of purple ankle crops last summer, and I was surprised at how versatile they were - great with dark colors, unexpected with brights, anchoring with pastels.

Abby said...

That is a super cute outfit!! You still wear winter well ;)

I hope it warms up soon!! This is such a rough time of the year, because you're starting to feel ready for spring - but unfortunately the cold holds on...:(

Emilie said...

53 miles is really good for the shortest month of the year that happens to fall in the dead of winter. I wound up at 47.28 myself, and would have been at 53 if I did my long run on Saturday instead of Sunday last week. I'm slightly worried (ok, really worried) about my half next month considering 98% of my runs have been on the treadmill so far this year. I'm impressed with the number of books you read in February - I only hit 3, my favorite being Cancel the Wedding.

Stephany said...

Way to go on reading 7 books! That's such an impressive number with all you have going on! Crummy winter weather must help... here's hoping March brings some warmer temperatures for Minnesota!

Nora said...

I'm at 16 books for the year, too! What category did Girl on the Train count for? I read it as well so if I can count it (and haven't done something else for that category already, that would be awesome!).

It is SO hard to love outfits in winter. I love scarves and sweaters but man, am I over them. OVER THEM.

I didn't do any running in February but I did manage to get in 5 to 6 workouts a week which I feel really good about.

Carolina John said...

53 miles and 7 books isn't bad for a short month at all! I have to add up my mileage tonight.

J and A said...

I love your outfit!! I'm so jealous of all your reading! Good work on the miles too!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I read Girl on a train too and counted it for 2015 book! I liked it but it kind of freaked me out as well mainly bc I had a prediction about the end that ended up not being the case (thankfully haha). I could not put it down though which is always a sign of a good book! I really don't know how you read 7 books in a month, even on a good month I think 5 is the best I can do. Very impressive :)

Charis Faith said...

I love your birthday outfit! You look so pretty! I know you will be glad to get back out with your running club again!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

cute shirt! yeah.. my short month got me waaaay les smiles since um i had 53 in january hahaa.

Amber said...

Cute! I love that outfit on you! And 7 books is awesome! I read 4 books and listened to one audiobook in february!

Leigh said...

I read The Girl on the Train after hearing you talk about it - it was good! And love those pants!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I just got my Stitch Fix box and I'm not impressed. I'm keeping a scarf (because it's only $28 and that will balance out the $20 I'd be spending no matter what), but I'm definitely skipping next month and will reconsider this service going forward. I really do believe it's a product of them gaining in popularity (good for them), but not being able to keep up with the growth (sad for us).

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I hate trying to choose cute outfits in the winter ... I desperately want it to be warm here all. the. time.

Jeanie said...

Glad to hear you liked Girl on the Train -- that's on my list!

Good purple pants!