"Small Admissions" by Amy Poeppel in Bookstores and Online Now! A Laugh Riot

The debut novel by Amy Poeppel is one of the funniest books I've read this year.

If you're a fan of chick-lit, this has got to be on your reading list for 2017.

It was hard to feel sorry for the book's main character,  Kate, who endured many pitfalls throughout the novel, when she kept me in stitches.  I want to be Kate's new best friend.

There's something here for everyone.  There's the college roommates meet adult life scenario.  There's the "my boyfriend dumped me," scenario.  There's the dysfunctional family scenario.  There's the "mom and dad like you best" sibling rivalry scenario.  There's the helicopter and over-ambitious, private school parent scenario (translated "I'll do anything to get my kid into this elite school).

And, last, but not least, there's the "nothing is ever as it seems" scenario. 

A thoroughly enjoyable read.  You'll devour it.  I promise.



When ambitious grad student Kate Pearson’s handsome French “almost fiancé” ditches her, she definitely does not roll with the punches, despite the best efforts of family and friends. It seems that nothing will get Kate out of pajamas and back into the world.

Miraculously, one cringe-worthy job interview leads to a position in the admissions department at the revered Hudson Day School. Kate’s instantly thrown into a highly competitive and occasionally absurd culture, where she interviews all types of children: suitable, wildly unsuitable, charming, loathsome, ingratiating, or spoiled beyond all measure. And then there are the Park Avenue parents who refuse to take no for an answer.

As Kate begins to learn there’s no room for self-pity or nonsense during the height of admissions season or life itself, her sister and friends find themselves keeping secrets, dropping bombshells, and arguing with each other about how to keep Kate on her feet. Meanwhile, Kate seems to be doing very nicely, thank you, and is even beginning to find out that her broken heart is very much on the mend. Welcome to the world of Small Admissions.  (from Aria Books).

Don't Be Tardy to the Holiday Party

I hope I'm not too late for my annual list of "Do's and Don'ts" for the Holiday Party.

For those of you, who haven't already had your celebrations here are some of what I like to call "helpful hints."

• Arrive "on time."  Meaning don't be the first one there.  But don't be obviously late.
• Don't be the last one to leave.  Because if you are, that means that you didn't follow the below
• Don't over-imbibe.  Everyone loves holiday cheer but no one wants to be the stuff that office party folklore is made of
• Don't wear anything too revealing.  While you might be super proud of your yoga body this year, resist the temptation to let it all hang out - less is not always more

'Tis the season to be jolly - in moderation.

"The Girl on the Train" movie - A Thriller to Wind Down the Week

If you liked the book, "The Girl on the Train," you're going to love the movie.

Often movie adaptions don't go so well, but this film from Dreamworks and Universal Pictures makes the transition seamlessly.

Superb action, directing, lighting and suspense.

You'll never look at your morning commute quite the same.


"The Girl on the Train" in theaters now.

Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux.  Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins.

Watch the official trailer below:

Recommended Read: "The Last Good Girl" by Allison Leotta

I have yet to read an Anna Curtis mystery that I didn't enjoy.

And once again, Allison Leotta came through for me with "The Last Good Girl."

Her books are so detailed and accurate.  It's clear that she was a prosecutor in her former life.  And luckily for mystery lovers she's now parlayed that skill into one of the best contemporary crime novelists of the day.

Ms. Leotta writes about what's happening now and stories to which we can all relate.  I'd liken her to the literary "Law and Order:  SVU."

I'm especially loving her new locale (Detroit).  Nothing against the previous backdrops of the nation's capitol but I'm all about gentrification.

Highly recommended for lovers of the law and legal thrillers.


Emily Shapiro has gone missing. A freshman at a Michigan university, Emily was last seen leaving a bar near Beta Psi, a prestigious and secretive fraternity. The main suspect is Dylan Highsmith, the son of one of the most powerful politicians in the state. At first, the only clue is pieced-together surveil­lance footage of Emily leaving the bar that night...and Dylan running down the street after her.

When prosecutor Anna Curtis discovers a video diary Emily kept during her first few months at college, it exposes the history Emily had with Dylan: she accused him of rape before disappearing. Anna is horrified to discover that Dylan’s frat is known on campus as the “rape factory.”

The case soon gets media attention and support from Title IX activists across the country, but Anna’s investigation hits a wall. Anna has to find something, anything she can use to discover Emily alive. But without a body or any physical evidence, she’s under threat from people who tell her to stop before she ruins the name of an innocent young man.

Inspired by real-life stories, The Last Good Girl shines a light on campus rape and the powerful emotional dynamics that affect the families of the men and women on both sides. ("The Last Good Girl" by Allison Leotta)

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes (Work-Related Beauty)

This post falls into the category of "I can't believe I had such a horrible commute both morning and evening, I am going to fall into bed the minute I get home."

Not so fast.  Remember to do what?  Wash your face before bedtime.

But, if you're like I am three out of five days of the work-week, I'm too exhausted to do a full-on or shall I say "full-off," makeup remover regime.  On those days, I rely on Neutrogena makeup remover wipes.  These things really work.  And there's a formula for every skin type.

Slightly more costly than doing it the "old-fashioned way," but they're a working woman's dream come true.

Available online or in drugstores everywhere.  

You're welcome.

The Organized Workplace - is that an Oxymoron?

I've purchased paper planners, to-do pads, downloaded digital apps, read numerous articles and tried every tip I know and I still struggle to stay organized at work. 

Part of the problem is that I'm always afraid that the minute I toss something, my bosses will want a copy.  It's happened to me.  It could happen to you.

I find myself picking up the same pieces of paper over and over.  

I have a long way to go, but there are a few things that I'm trying very hard to implement that seem to be taking away just a bit of my clutter chaos.

1.  Continue to maintain and update your "to-do" list daily.

2.  Make best use of what you have.  That means you probably don't need five cute little notepads.  Pick one you like and toss the rest. 

3.  Allow yourself ten minutes before my actual day starts to check my emails for the most important ones.

4.  If your computer hard drive sits on your desk, try moving it to the floor.  More attractive and gives you a larger workspace. 

5.  Don't hoard supplies.  It's easy to get in the habit of keeping a supply of labels at your desk, but one or two sheets is all you need at a time.  Otherwise, you won't remember where you hid them when you need them.

6.  If you're like me and need to see things in actual print, then by all means, print the email instructions for your ease of comprehension.  After the task is complete, recycle it.

And last but not least, one task at a time.  We all multitask to a degree.  However, not as well as we might think.

Moving to a New Neighborhood (aka Cubicle) - Space Makeover - What's Appropriate/What's Not?

I've been sitting in my new 'hood (workspace) for three weeks now.  So far, I've decorated nothing.

I'm sort of afraid to over-personalize.  On the other hand, it feels like it's not really my place.

That said, how much is too much and how little is too little?

I thought about getting a new stapler.  I mean my red one has been to a couple of firms now and could probably be replaced.  I mean it works fine, but red is so 2010.  Gold staplers are really hot right now but my neighbor has one.  I can't just "steal her vibe."  Or, can I?

I have a poster from my last "work home" but it doesn't have a frame.  I could bring art from home, but I don't really have a "wall."

My chair is unique but worn.  Thinking maybe it's time to "retire" that.  And the tape on the arm doesn't exactly say "shabby chic."  More like, "it's over."

I decided not to bring my candy dish.  Mainly because candy is so "out."  Is tea better?

I could bring in a personal sized Keurig, except that's not really 'eco-friendly.'

Plants?  Real or artificial?

So, as I ponder and ponder and do nothing, I'm becoming increasingly frustrated and "out-decorated" by my colleagues.

Decisions.  Decisions.  What would Martha do?

Beauty Tip for Busy Ladies - 'GIMME BROW' by Benefit

 
Okay, so it seems that brows are the new black.  And with that said, I'd like to deviate from my usual post themes, which is super funny coming from someone who truly does "beauty on the go."

That's why I'm so excited about the "Gimme Brow" from Benefit Cosmetics that I received in my Birchbox this month.

It's a "volumizing fiber gel" that makes your brows instantly fuller!  It works.  It really does.

I'm always doing my makeup in the car on the way to work (I carpool, not drive) and I'm always looking for an easy beauty fix.

This little guy is amazing.