Hiatus

 

Hey guys! Sorry for the radio silence the past week. 

May was the busiest month of my life. Between three work events in three weeks, driving down to Virginia twice in two weeks, my mom getting hip surgery, and meeting an great guy I've been super happy but super exhausted and unmotivated. Today starts a week-long work event called Wine & Food Festival that goes from today until Sunday and my mom is recovering from her surgery, so I have too much to keep me occupied at the moment. 

But fear not! I'll be back on June 19th!
Until then, I hope you have a great start to June!

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Cute Commuter Essentials

There are two types of commuters: ones who like commuting and ones who wish they could Apparate home and not bother with traveling. I don't mind commuting if the journey is short and I have a good book. Now that I drive to work, I always listen to an audiobook in my car because it's an easy way to knock two books off my TBR list. I use either Overdrive (it's free because it connects to your local library) or Audible (if you have Amazon Prime there are a bunch of free audiobooks). So whether you take public transportation or drive, below are some cute items to help with your commute.

I asked my brother Leo, who takes a bus and subway to school, what his essentials are and, always the jokester, he replied, "A small vodka for when the day is going rough." Maybe some alcohol is the only essential we need, right? 😉

{Cute Commuter Essentials}

Are you a commuter?

What are your essentials?

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Cozy Essentials Wishlist

I keep hearing the Danish word hygge, which is "a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special," and it's officially the way I want to live my life. I mean, I'm already a lazy bum, who pretty much only lounges on my bed reading or watching Netflix, but hygge takes it to a whole other level of comfort by appreciating the coziness. The Danish clearly know what's important in life.

Hygge gained popularity because of The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, so if you want to embrace the homebody life then this seems like a great place to start. Below are some cute cozy essentials that everyone clearly needs.

Are you all about the cozy life?

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Books For Bad Ass Gamers

Between computers, video games, and robots, it seems like technology is going to be our downfall, so you should probably turn your computer off right now and go live in the forest. I mean c'mon, Siri and Cortana are a little too snarky sometimes. I wonder what they're planning. *stares at iPhone with distrust*

If you like not only playing video games, but reading about them too, then these books are for you. I've only read Ready Player One, Armada, and In Real Life, so let me know if you've enjoyed any of these books. I hear Ready Player One is being turned into a movie and I can't wait!

P.S. -- HAPPY GALENTINE'S DAY!

♥ Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (young adult, sci-fi. dystopia)
♥ Armada by Ernest Cline (young adult, sci-fi, aliens, romance)
♥ In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang (graphic novel, young adult)
♥ Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (young adult, sci-fi, aliens)
♥ Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (sci-fi, cyberpunk)
♥ Stuck in the Game by Christopher Keene (young adult, sci-fi, adventure)
♥ Erebos by Ursula Poznanski (young adult, sci-fi, thriller)
♥ Reamde by Neal Stephenson (sci-fi, thriller)
♥ Solarversia by Toby Downton (young adult, sci-fi)
♥ CTRL ALT Revolt! by Nick Cole (sci-fi, post-apocalyptic)
♥ Upload by Mark McClelland (sci-fi, romance)
♥ For The Win by Cory Doctorow (young adult, dystopia, sci-fi, romance)

Which of these have you read?

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Review: JimmyCASE iPhone Wallet

Like any girl, I like using a cute purse and cramming as much stuff into it as possible, but sometimes I want to go out with nothing but the essentials: phone, credit card, I.D., and cash. Before two weeks ago, I would put my cards and cash into my jeans pocket and hope they didn't fall out. But then I got to test out JimmyCASE iPhone wallet and now I'm hooked!

It's so simple but so effective! The JimmyCASE has a sleek bumper to protect your phone, genuine mahogany core which looks really fancy, and an elastic pocket that doesn't stretch out. It can hold six cards and cash and it's all made in Los Angeles.

Honestly, I thought it might be one of those crappy phone cases that only looks good online, but that is so not the case. This phone wallet is legit! It's very, very sturdy. Between the thick bumper and wood core, my phone has never been more secure. And the buttons on the side are still easy to press. I got the black because I like the simplicity, but it also comes in a variety of fun color combinations.

There really isn't anything I don't like about this phone case! The price is more than I would usually pay at $39, but I think it's worth it if you like a protective case and always want to keep the essentials on you. 

JimmyCASE | Facebook | Twitter

**I received this product for free. All opinions are my own.**

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2017 Resolutions Wishlist

My word for 2017 is progress. I want to make progress in many aspects of my life, most importantly my writing and my health. My goal is to have the second draft of my fairytale retelling done by March 1st. It's just a deadline I've given myself so I can push it back if I have to since I don't know how long it will take me to go through the first draft and make edits because I've never done it before. Wish me luck!

My other goal is to be healthier. I did really well the first half of last year -- I went to the gym with my friend Avra two or three times a week and I drank at least one bottle of water each day, usually two. But then in July things went downhill. I went gluten-free in September and it's made all the difference. I feel lighter and healthier and I'm more aware of what I eat, but there are still plenty of bad foods out there that are gluten-free (I'm looking at you, french fries!). So I'm going back to the gym and making a conscious effort to eat better.

A few smaller goals I have:

• Take 20 minutes to read before bed
• Make better choices with my money 
• Actually use my planner
• Use the makeup I already own before buying more

{2017 Life Resolutions}

What life goals do you have?

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How Harry Potter Has Positively Affected My Life (AKA Why I Love It)

What with everyone diving back into the Wizarding World lately, it's only made my love for Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's immense and incredible world stronger. From the Cursed Child book to the play to Fantastic Beasts movie to exciting news about castings and set pictures and whatnot, there's so much going on and it's made me so incredibly happy to be a Harry Potter fan! 

But let's backtrack and go down memory lane: I can hardly belive it now, but my first enounter with Harry Potter was when my aunt got me the first four books in 2000. But since I wasn't much of a reader then, I just shrugged them off and let them sit on my shelf untouched. BUT THEN my dad somehow got early tickets to the movie and I remember seeing it with him and my two younger brothers in either late August or early September of 2001, I can't remember which now. I watched the movie in awe and came out a changed person. Honestly! It was like a switch had been flipped and I needed more of this wondrous magic in my life. I immediately read all of the books and then desperately waited for the 5th book to come out. 

In 2005, again my life changed because of a friend and because of Harry Potter. In my junior year of high school, while standing around bored in gym a friend said she wrote fanfiction for The X-Files. It made me realize there might be Harry Potter fanfiction and boy was there ever. I dove deep into the world of fanfiction. Here were other people like me who longed for more of the Wizarding World. But the real change happened when I decided to write one of my own. I came up with a fun idea (Harry doesn't ask to be put in Gryffindor and ends up in Slytherin) and started writing and I haven't stopped since. I wrote Harry Potter fanfiction into my second year of college, but stopped when I decided to focus on my own stories. (This is one of the reasons I love Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl because it sounds just like my own life minus the cute romance!) 

By the way, you can read my cringe-worthy fanfiction here haha!

I honestly don't know where I would be if it wasn't for Harry Potter. If I hadn't seen the first movie, read the books, gotten into fanfiction, and then started writing my own novels my life would look very, very different. When I think about it, I have no clue what my life would be like right now. I think it's also partly because of Harry Potter that I even started a blog because someone told me "a writer should have a blog." I never would've been called a writer if I hadn't gotten into fanfiction in the first place. It's so strange to think about!

Not only have these books encouraged my path in life, but they've also been there for me during difficult times. My paperback copy of Prisoner of Azkaban is falling apart because I've read it so much when I was stressed or angry or sad or just being a moody teenager. And I'll always turn to Harry Potter to get me through life's hard knocks because it's the best kind of escapism, because it makes you realize their there's always a way through your problems, and because J.K. Rowling has an encouraging quote for every situation. 

One of the best things about Harry Potter though is its fans! Connecting with other Potterheads in person with my best friends while at movie premieres or through fanfiction forums or now through social media helps to relive the magic every day. Us Harry Potter nerds are an awesome, welcoming, and fun bunch. It's fantastic that whenever you want to talk about the movies or a theory or just rave about how much you love the series there will ALWAYS be others there to encourage you. 

Also, they're just wonderful books and I wish I could live in the Wizarding World and do magic. Is that too much to ask for?!

How has Harry Potter changed your life?

If not HP, what books have impacted your life?

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6 Women That Inspire Me {Women's Month}

Common Room is celebrating International Women's Month all month long to highlight awesome ladies with women-centric prompts. This week's prompt is all about creative international women, so I wanted to take a look at creative women that have inspired me. 

ONE | Taylor Swift

I've been a T-Swift fan since high school. It all began with her catchy romantic songs and then I realized what an awesome goofball she is and wished we could be BFFs. So not only is Taylor Swift goofy, quirky, not afraid to be herself, not afraid to make fun of herself (ie. Shake It Off), and genuine, but she's created a fan base of young women who build each other up instead of tearing each other down. 

TWO | J.K. Rowling

Who didn't see this coming? Rowling is the woman who made me want to be a writer. It's not an exaggeration to say that the Harry Potter books changed my life (as it did for so many others) and I hope one day to create books that entertain and inspire like her books do for me. Plus she's so eloquent, she tweets encouraging responses to people, and tweets tidbits about the world of Harry Potter. What's not to love? (And she visited a library on a whim and made everyone's day!)

THREE | Lauren Conrad

It's crazy to think that she started out on a reality TV show, but Lauren Conrad used that fame to become a businesswoman and build an empire. Her name is now synonymous with pretty clothing and a lifestyle website by women that encourages other women to become better versions of themselves every day. She's a great role model, I love how into Halloween she is (she creates intricate costumes every year), and all of the clothes she makes are so beautiful. 

FOUR | Emma Watson (and Hermione Granger)

Like the rest of the world, I first saw Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, a witch who is highly intelligent, clever, emotional, loyal, and an ambassador for those who don't have a voice of their own (hello house elves). Turns out Emma Watson and Hermione Granger have a lot in common because Watson is an advocate for women's rights and a bad-ass human being. And obviously an amazing actress. 

FIVE | Alexis Lampley (@dropandgivemenerdy)

Alexis is a bookstagrammer whose lovely bookish and geektastic pictures inspire me to let my geek flag fly and to practice my photography. She is a super nice and super cool human being and she also recently published her first book called The Onyx Vial, which I can't wait to read, so the fact that she can write and care for her adorable baby gives me hope that I can get my act together to write my own novels. 

SIX | Veronica Mars

Okay, I know she's not real and not all that creative (unless how you count how she tracks down bad guys), but I love that show and the movie and the novels. Veronica doesn't let anyone or anything get in the way of her pursuit of the truth, she's confident, she's intelligent, she's not afraid to be emotional and scared, she cares about all people, and she has the best witty comebacks. Can I just be her?

What creative women have inspired you?

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Dear Reader, Who Are You? Pt. 5

Well, I haven't done one of these in a while. I figured with the holidays here and that warm, fuzzy feeling taking over that it was the perfect time to get to know everyone a little bit more. 

I would love to know:

• what you're currently reading
• a book you recommend
• a present you want for the holidays
• your favorite holiday movie
• a 2016 goal

I'll go first:

• Welcome to Night Vale
• here's two: Winter & Lois Lane: Fallout
• a Mulan Funko Pop
• Home Alone
• complete the second draft of my current novel

What about you?

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Why You Should Fund Kickstarter Projects

You come up with an amazing idea. You work on it non-stop. You get other people involved. You work harder. Your idea starts to take form and then it's almost ready to be out there in the world. The only problem? You need money. So what do you do? You turn to Kickstarter. 

Throwing a few dollars at a project might not seem like a big deal, but that money helps to make someone's idea a reality, and there's nothing better than helping someone's dreams come true. If you agree with me, then you've probably funded a project or two as well. So far I've funded 6 projects (5 of which are books of some sort). 

I'll be honest, the first time I heard about Kickstarter, I didn't think I would ever fund someone's project. Why would I want to give someone my money, even if I did get something in return? How could I be sure I would get what it stated? But then I realized that I would want someone to throw a few dollars my way if I came up with a cool idea and put it on Kickstarter. 

So why fund a Kickstarter project?

First, because it means that YOU helped make that project, whether it's a graphic novel, backpack, film, or mug, a success. By giving just a little bit of money (or a lot, depending on what it is you're funding) you can help someone's idea become a real thing and it's always cool seeing your name as a backer. It makes me happy and proud to know I helped someone. 

Second, you get something awesome in return! And obviously, that's a big perk. You're funding a project not just because you like the idea but because you want it. I totally see a Kickstarter project and think gimmegimmegimme. It's wonderful when you open your mailbox and see the fruition of the project in your hands. 

Third, you're supporting artists, designers, writers, musicians, photographers, gamers, and cool, creative people. You get a behind the scenes look at the creative process while the project is going on. And the people behind successful projects sometimes create more projects that you can also back. 

Projects I backed: Uncustomary Love, OneBarCo., The Secret Loves of Geek Girls, 

Hate Mail: The Definitive Collection, You Got This: A Mantra Coloring Book, 

and Terminal Protocol (this one's still going!). 

Have you ever funded a Kickstarter project?

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Hogwarts Story Tag

Kayly of My Open Sketchbook tagged me to do the My Hogwarts Story Tag and I absolutely had to do it because hello it's a Harry Potter tag!

Are you Pureblood, Half Blood, or Muggle Born?

Defintely Half Blood. My dad is not the magical sort, but my mom has magic (ie. artistic abilities). 

Which wand chose you (and what is it made of)?

According to Pottermore, my wand is made of Dogwood with a Pheonix Feather core and it's 11 inches. It's also "suprisingly swishy." 

Did you take an Owl, Cat, Toad, or Rat with you?
Definitely an owl. How else would I stay in touch my friends over the summer months?

Where did the Sorting Hat place you?
Hufflepuff!

What House did you want to be in?

Gryffindor sounds great (who doesn't want to be called brave, right?), but Hufflepuff is definitely where I'm supposed to be. 

What lessons are your favorite and least favorite?

My favorite would be Charms and Transfiguration because I want to learn about all the different spells and be able to use them. My least favorite would be History of Magic (boring) followed by Potions (cooking and baking are not my forte). 

The form your Patronus takes is...

An owl! I love owls so much! They're definitely my spirit animal. They're symbolic of intuition, intelligence, emotion, and the ability to see beyond illusion. Cool, right?

When confronted with a Boggart, what does it look like to you?

That's a tough one. Most of my fears aren't things that can be personified (ie. clowns or spiders), but if I had to chose one I would say snakes since I had a bad run in with one last summer and I've since had nightmares about snakes. 

Do you partake in any school sports or magical hobbies?

I'm not the sporty type, so I would on the sidelines cheering on the Quidditch players. If there's a wizard magazine that comes out every month that I can contribute stories to that would be great. Also, the Novel Tea Book Club would totally meet in the Room of Requirement and we'd all talk about the latest book to hit the wizard bookshelves. 

If you have free time, where would you be found hanging out?

Either curled up with a book in the Hufflepuff common room, or outside on the grounds with friends. 

You are most likely to get detention for what?

Um...I probably wouldn't. I've never gotten detention and I don't plan to start now. But if I did it might be for reading a novel in class. Oops. 

What career do you want after leaving Hogwarts?

I would love to be a writer for The Daily Prophet, thought not when Rita Skeeter is around, or maybe even The Quibbler. Or it might be fun to be a librarian at the Hogwarts libary or at a big public wizarding library. 

I tag Jackie at Claws Up, Llinos at The Lilac Linnet, and Jessica at Pyreflies and Geeks in Dresses.

What Hogwarts House are you in?

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Blog Break

Hello, wonderful blog friends!

I've been blogging on Sincerely, Sara for almost four years and haven't taken much of a break. A day here, two days there, but not a real break. I did take a week off in May (with amazing bloggers to guest post), but it's been a busy summer, so I feel like I need a small break. 

I'm taking this week off (without guest posts) to recharge. I'll be back on August 31st. 

But don't worry, I won't be entirely missing from social media: 

You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter!

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Life Lately {Summertime}

Whoa, can you believe summer is almost over?! These few months have gone by so fast. Has it been the same for you? I feel like I haven't even gotten a chance to fully enjoy summer yet! Although to be honest I am excited for fall. 

Good things about this summer: lots of relaxing, hanging out with my friends, getting tons of reading done, having fun at work events, going to a blogger preview for the Container Store, and getting a new car, despite the circumstances. 

Meh things about this summer: getting into a minor car accident, not going into NYC as often as I wanted, and sweating like a pig because my brother's car doesn't have air conditioning. 

What have you been up to this summer?

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Four Podcasts To Listen To

We all know about Serial, but there are so many other fantastic podcasts out there in every genre you can imagine (crime, self-help, lifestyle, and more) that I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface of what's out there. Lately, I've been tired of listening to the radio and hearing the same three songs over and over, so I started listening to podcasts and it's made the short journey to work so much better. 

Mystery Show

On Mystery Show Starlee Kine solves eccentric and unique mini mysteries, such as if a video rent really existed or who previously owned a belt buckle or how tall Jake Gyllenhaal really is. Starlee solves these mysteries with one rule: The mystery can't be solved by going on the internet. She has to talk to people and use her "unorthodox methods."  This podcast is just too fun for words. 

Welcome to Night Vale

A small dessert town called Night Vale is not your ordinary town. Strange things happen there, strange people and things call it home, the interns always die, and no two days are ever the same. Welcome to Night Vale is community updates told by radio host Cecil. If you like the unusual (and if you liked the show Eureka) and the strangely supernatural, then this is the podcast for you. 

Breakfast for Dinner

Two cool people (Nicole and Dago) talk about culture, TV, fashion, politics, breakfast, sports and more on Breakfast for Dinner. These two crazy kids in Austin, TX are hilarious and just so fun to listen to and you automatically feel like you're friends with them. And it makes me happy that I got to meet Nicole back in January. 

Criminal

Criminal is a podcast about crime, but in every facet of it from people who've done wrong to people who've been wronged to people who help solve crimes, and much more. If you miss Serial, then give this podcast a listen. It's dark, creepy, but absolutely fascinating. 

Podcasts I want to start listening to: Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Invisibilia, Boss Girl Creative, Call Your Girlfriend, WTF, The Allusionist, and The Truth. (Thanks to Megan for some of these recommendations!)

What are your favorite podcasts?

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