2) Summer Jean Jacket: Tina and I also went shopping over the weekend and I scooped up a new, cropped denim jean jacket for summer. I figure it will be the perfect accessory for all the maxi dresses I envision wearing in this pregnancy (two of which were purchased on the same shopping trip) To me, summer is all about Americana (baseball, apple pie, Fourth of July) and I feel like denim just slips right into that stereotype!

3) Salt and Vinegar Chips: Salt and vinegar chips have LONG been a weakness of mine but lately (and again, I’m chalking it up to my pregnancy) I can’t get enough of this salty snack! Definitely watching my intake of these (so I can watch my waistline…or, what’s left of it these days ) but give me a handful of these with a veggie sub from Jimmy John’s and you have my once-a-week lunch indulgence. What’s your favorite potato chip?

4) The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey: I’d been so eager for a good book and a dear friend knew I’d been wanting to get my hands on this one and sent a copy my way. Eowyn Ivey’s debut novel, about a couple in the 1920s who move to Alaska to escape their inability to have a family, did NOT disappoint. On a snowy evening, Jack and Mabel build themselves a snow child and the young girl who enters their lives shortly after keeps you wondering what is real and what is fairy tale. I finished this book DYING to talk to someone else about it as it’s one that begs for discussion. One that will leave you two parts enchanted and one part perplexed.

5) Alabama Shakes’ “Boys and Girls”: Ooooh this band! I know it’s only April, but I’m telling you what…I think it’s going to be hard to beat Alabama Shakes’ debut album for best of the year. You can scoop it up now for only $5 on Amazon. And come the Grammys next February, at which these boys (and lead girl) will NO doubt be performing at, you can say you were among the first to fall in love with their sultry retro sound. I’ll be seeing them with my man later this summer and already can’t wait. I promise you, it’ll be the best $5 you spend all year.

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2) 21 Jump Street: Speaking of fun at the cinema, I can’t remember the last movie Nick and I saw that we laughed so hard. This had us in tears-in-the-eyes mode. And what can I say, 2012 is apparently the year for me to develop a MASSIVE (like, rival-Ryan-Gosling-big) crush on Channing Tatum. Between last month’s “The Vow” and this flick, he’s going strong (and..ahem…hot!) in this year’s pop culture department. Great date night flick if you haven’t seen it yet.

3) Born Stowaway Flats: Ladies, I can’t tell you how many black flats I’ve tried in recent years that have KILLED my feet. They’re my go-to shoes for shooting weddings (I just can’t shoot a wedding in heels…I’m dealing with too many elements to worry about fancy feet!) and these, hands-down, are the best pair I’ve tried that don’t a) cut into my heels b) leave me with giant blisters on my toes and c) make my feet throb by night’s end. If you’re shopping around for shoes of your own to wear this shooting season, I HIGHLY recommend ‘em! (Great flats to wear if you’re tourist-ing it up in a city too!)

4) 11/23/63 by Stephen King: I’ve slowed down a bit with reading this month given how busy I’ve been, but I did finish King’s behemoth new novel a few weeks ago and, while parts of it could have used an edit, overall, this book really did fascinate me. King’s ability to pull you into a storyline so completely means you can somehow easily believe this plot where a 30-something high school English teacher can find a portal to travel back in time, save JFK’s life, and, in the course of things, totally change history (oh and fall in love too). This would be a great book to discuss at a book club–loved it. (Oh, and nowhere NEAR the fear factor of so much of King’s other works!)

5) St. Lucia EP: There were a couple new albums I could have plugged here (new Andrew Bird in particular) and yet, I kept coming back to wanting to introduce you to St. Lucia (Jean-Philip Grobler). Jean is from South Africa and I can’t quite put my finger on why his new EP has captured my heart so. But, I think this write up explains things best: “The listener is transfixed and transported into some collective memory of childhood summer.” It’s this notion, coupled with this song off the EP (my FAVORITE) that have played heavy on my mind this March (and simultaneously taken me back to my 1980s childhood bedroom).

6) And finally, speaking of, it’s March and it’s SPRING!
This spring has been the most GLORIOUS version of the season I’ve ever witnessed. For three weeks now, the Midwest has had temperatures that, if you blind-folded me and asked me where I was, I’d say San Diego. It’s been so amazing out and with all the trees and flowers in bloom for as long as they’ve been, I am head over heels in love with this month and this season. What’s your favorite spring blooms? Magnolias and forsythia for me!

OH, and one more thing I’m lovin’ this month — after 18 months off the air, my beloved Mad Men is back on TV!! Whew…it’s been a month of great stuff for sure!

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2) The Fault in our Stars by John Green and 3) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand: What a month for great reads for me. First off was Indianapolis author John Green’s newest, “The Fault in our Stars.” In my opinion, Green is one of the best writers in the biz today and while he writes young adult (YA), every adult should be picking up a book with heart like “Fault.” Augustus and Hazel are two teens trying to navigate cancer as they’re falling in love—you’ll be a weepy mess by the end but better for having picked it up, I promise. As for “Unbroken,” this was a book club pick and while I’d had lots of folks tell me to read it over the past year, I just don’t read much non-fiction and never gave it a chance. SO glad I did this month, as I couldn’t put the book down once I started. The amazing life of a World War II soldier who first gets lost at sea before becoming a Japanese prisoner of war … so much life to Louis Zamperini and I was truly humbled by his story. For more extensive reviews of both these books, check out my GoodReads profile.

4) Bringing in the Darlings EP—Josh Ritter: Josh Ritter is hands-down my FAVORITE singer-songwriter in the music industry today. I wish more people knew of him and his beautiful lyrics and voice, so any chance I can to trumpet his talent, I do. His new EP came out the day after my birthday and I had to indulge in a belated gift kind of way For a taste of his soothing sound, check out this GORGEOUS music video made from 12,000 pieces of construction paper!

5) Kiwi: And finally, the fruit I CANNOT get enough of this month! Ever go through phases with food? I’m sure in a few more weeks, I won’t be able to look at a kiwi, but right now, they (and grapefruit) have been my go-to fruits for the month of February. After the gluttony that was all that cake for my birthday, it’s probably a good thing I’m getting my sweet fix this way now!

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I’ve been on the eco-bandwagon at the grocery for some time, abandoning those ubiquitous plastic bags in favor of amazing, heavy-duty IKEA bags. But I’ve always hated using plastic produce bags for the mound of fruit and veggies I’d haul home each week (which, is it just me or are those produce bags always the biggest pain to get open?)

Cue one of my dear friends from my newspaper days, Joy. A few months ago, Joy posted a note on Facebook about a friend of hers, Erica, raising money for an adoption by selling homemade, reusable produce bags through her Adopting Green Produce Bags project.

It was JUST what I was looking for! I emailed Erica ASAP, snapped up two sets of five bags and squealed when I opened them (yes, I’m a dork and actually squealed). And here’s the reason I’m writing about them now:

1) They are AWESOME. Incredible quality, machine washable and so easy to use. EVERY time I’ve been to the grocery since their arrival (at least a dozen times), I’ve had people ask where I bought them or tell me how unique they are. Cashiers, people in line behind me, you name it. One woman even pulled out her phone, started taking pictures and finally I said, “Give me your email and I’ll send you Erica’s contact info!” People LOVE these bags.

2) I don’t personally know Erica (and she doesn’t know I’m blogging about her) but I love that she’s raising money for her adoption this way. That this project is a true labor of love and, at the same time, good for our environment. And then there is this: I believe in the power of the Internet and the power of small artists and creative types who can help spread the word for others.

So Erica, if one person places an order for some of your bags off this blog post, well, that’s awesome. But if not, I just want you to know, every week, I appreciate them so much. And I have a line of shoppers behind me whose compliments echo that sentiment

If you’re interested in going green with your produce bags, please consider contacting Erica at ericavoell[at]gmail.com. The sets are $12, plus $5 shipping (I paid for mine through PayPal).

PS – Sorry postings have been light this week — have a lot going on with Valentine’s, birthday parties and placing orders and finishing tax prep! I’ll be back next week with some new posts — including (gulp) some thoughts on turning the big 3-0!!!!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

1) The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson: Whew…this book is a hard one to read. And yet, I still want to tell everyone I know to pick it up. It shares the story of a North Korean man and the trials he faces as he attempts to fight for his independence and that of the woman he loves. It’s such a complex story but a fascinating look into what life is like in North Korea, a country shrouded in secrecy. The author spent years working on it, and managed to make his own trip there for research. A book like this is the kind that makes you so grateful for the life you were born into. No matter what you or I are going through, we don’t live in a dictator state. Be thankful for that.

2) Sonicare Toothbrush: Nick’s mom gifted each couple one of these toothbrushes for Christmas after she fell in love with her own at her dentist’s recommendation. Not gonna lie…we both were skeptical. Like, could you REALLY tell that much difference? Well, after the first few uses, we were SOLD. I swear my teeth look whiter. My breath’s fresher. Orrrrr maybe my subconscious now just wants to be in a Sonicare commercial

3) Of Monsters and Men and Among Savages: 2012 has kicked off with some amazing new music and though it’s early, these acts have put out two of what I know will be my favorite albums of the year. I have a feeling you’ll be hearing more about both of them before too much longer. Discovering Of Monsters and Men filled me with that same sense of “Who are these guys?” that I felt when I first heard Mumford and Sons. And we all know what happened to them, right?

4) The Artist: When we went to see this, Nick had no clue the movie I was taking him to. As it started, I leaned in and whispered, “By the way, this is a silent movie!” He gave me this look like, “Are you kidding me?” And yet, we both walked out of “The Artist” feeling like we’d seen the best film we’d been to in years. Such a great story with a wonderful surprise ending. I highly recommend seeing it in the theater—it’s a movie that’s an experience, and I couldn’t imagine that feeling transitioning as well on TV.

5) New pillows: And finally, the purchase of a set of new down pillows for our bedroom in January has rocked my world. I mean, how often do you buy pillows? Uhhh…if you’re like us, not very often. I’m embarrassed to say, but we’ve had our same set since we got married. Meaning that going from those flat-as-a-pancake numbers to these? Like sleeping on a cloud.

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2) Pistachios: I know, I know…why am I putting nuts on my lovin’ list? Because these are my FAVORITE kind. And for some reason (I don’t know, are pistachios somehow seasonal?) they tend to resurface by the gross ton every holiday season. Whatever the reason, they’re one of my No. 1 snacks for December (along with my beloved pomegranates).

3) Black Keys’ El Camino: On any given day, you’d be more likely to hear Bon Iver playing from my laptop’s speakers, but there is something about these boys that just makes me want to put on a leather jacket (that I don’t own), head to some dive bar (that I never go to), grab a bottle of brew and hope they show up live to rock out in the flesh. Would love to see them in concert in 2012 and have had their latest, El Camino, playing non-stop this month. The video for “Lonely Boy” makes me want to dance just as much as this guy (or blare it on my Shuffle while I run) but my fave track off the album is Nova Baby. SO GOOD.

4) The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan: I’ve been telling everybody I know to read this book (by the genius who’s also behind the great Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist). A collection of short entries about love and the ups and downs of a relationship. I pulled a few of my favorites and included ‘em on my review over on Good Reads. Great book to grab on to if you’re still trying to get something read in 2011!

5) Cuisinart Greenware: Nick and I were in such need of new pots and pans, as our college-era mish-mashed collection had run its course. I bookmarked this set of pans ages ago (after first seeing them on Young House Love) and my in-laws gifted me the set this year for Christmas. You know you’re getting old when a new set of kitchenware gets you THIS excited. Now who wants some eggs?

6 ) PBS Masterpiece’s “Downton Abbey”: I’ve had friends and people I follow online praise this show for months now and during my leisurely month of December, I was able to get caught up with the first season on Netflix Instant. And OH MY STARS I AM NOW OBSESSED. From the clothes to the posh British accents to the overall look and feel of the Edwardian era this is one period piece that’s to die for. The second season starts up in January on PBS and I am giddy to find out the plotlines next in store for these new favorite characters of mine. Do yourself a favor and check it out — some seriously good TV, right there!

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2) Like Crazy: Oooh, I have SUCH a love-hate relationship with this film. I love it because these characters are SO believably in love. Which means, I hate it for the way it paints an all-too-real picture of the toll a long distance relationship can take on a couple. Not to mention an ending that felt like an abrupt slap in the face — and yet, still one of the better films I’ve seen this year. I also saw Breaking Dawn this month and well, you know, it was cheesy in the way ALL those films are and yet the ending scenes had a ring of believability to them that I was impressed by. Also, I would have shared a poster for that with you above but all I could find in a Google search was a plethora of creepy fan fiction versions …along with a lot of other weird Twilight stuff… I mean, just look at this — SOMEBODY ACTUALLY TOOK THE TIME TO MAKE THAT IN PHOTOSHOP!

3) The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach I wrote an extensive review of this over on my GoodReads profile, but to paraphrase…. This is one of those novels where the characters don’t just live on the page. They live WITH you. Here I was, book nowhere in sight, and yet I still found myself at points of my day, wondering what Henry and Schwartz and Pella were doing at that very moment. The hype for this one? TOTALLY WORTH IT.

4) UO Beanie: I picked this hat up before we left for our trip earlier this month and here’s why it quickly worked its way up to the favorite hat in a pile of ‘em I have at home—it’s got a cotton lining. Translation: NO MORE ITCHY HEAD. Worth the money for that alone but I also love the way it fits and how it’s got the perfect amount of slouch.

5) Sea salt chocolate: Oh Lord, I should not have “discovered” this in a month where the holidays are impending because I don’t think I can’t stop the addiction! I’d had (and loved) sea salt caramels before, but combining sea salt with one of my favorite loves (dark chocolate) ..well, that’s just a match made in heaven! I’ve gone through two bars of these in November alone…so I think I need to get my addiction under control before my waistline tells me otherwise!

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2) Moneyball: Between loving this film as much as I did and my growing obsession with “Friday Night Lights,” it’s become apparent to me that I’m happy to watch well-made shows or films about sports. I just, you know, don’t really watch much actual sports. “Moneyball” is based on the book by Michael Lewis (who is a journalistic genius) and details how the Oakland A’s turned a losing franchise into a winning franchise in the early 2000s not with the help of money but with the use of a complicated statistical formula that leveled the playing field. Brad is great in it, especially. Like, Oscar nomination great, for sure.

3) My Camelback steel canteen—BOTH of them: I am ADDICTED to water. Which, for health purposes, is a pretty nice addiction to have. But it also means I feel lost like a baby without a pacifier if I don’t have one of my Camelbak water bottles with me. These have been my go-to water bottles for three years’ running now and I fully realized the height of my obsession when, earlier this month, I thought I’d lost one of ‘em (one stays at home, the other follows me at all times, from the office to the car and even out while I’m running errands). These water bottles are the BEST at keeping water at a perfect temperature. Who cares they’re like adult sippy cups? I say, use whatever helps you drink the most H20 and these are my FAVE!

4) Pinterest: OK, so, I’ve been on Pinterest for a while now. But I couldn’t really say I was a huge fan of the site…or, actually, it was just I didn’t make time to hang out there. Cue the month of October and a few brides who’ve ignited the love affair. Because man oh man…I am ADDICTED now! If you’re hooked too, friend me and we’ll keep the madness of sharing all that good stuff going, eh?

5) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This book brought with it a LOT of buzz in the publishing industry. And I was eager to dig in based on all the wonderful reviews I read about it. Truth be told, this wasn’t the kind of read that kept me up all night. Or, when I wasn’t reading it, made me feel remorse for not having it in hand. BUT, it was a fun read, one that takes you into the magical world of two illusionists who, in a battle of wits with one another, end up falling in love. You can read a full review over on my GoodReads profile. Would make a great pick if you’re traveling during the upcoming holiday season. (And full disclosure: The author creates one of my favorite romantic gestures ever and it involves a boat made of books…I’ll leave it at that!)

I FORGOT TO MENTION ALL THE AMAZING NEW MUSIC I’VE BEEN LOVING IN OCTOBER!!! New Ryan Adams, Coldplay and Florence and the Machine have kept my ears VERY happy this month too!

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2) “Friday Night Lights”, the TV series: Wayyyy back when, in a land we shall call 2006, I started to watch this new show on NBC called “Friday Night Lights”. Then NBC moved it. Then it went off NBC. And that’s about when I lost touch with ‘ol FNL. Cue this year, the end of its final season, everybody and their brother’s tweets about how great a series it was and then, seeing the fella who plays Landry (Jesse Plemons) playing in a band when I was out in LA last month, and I knew I needed to get Nick and I back on the band wagon. We’ve spent so many nights this month curled under a blanket with the laptop after dinner, catching up on this show. Never mind the fact my husband has taken to ending his emails, “Clear minds, full hearts, can’t lose!” If you’re a FNL fan, you get it. And if you’re not, well, trust me, you should be already.

3) Green smoothies: I’ve been a pretty big fan of Melissa Jill’s green smoothie for some time now. But lately, my new favorite green concoction is a recipe I snagged off Jules of Pancakes and French Fries (which happens to be one of my favorite non-photographer blogs—check her out…she’s funny and smart and about as down-to-earth as you can get). I know, I know..these drinks are GREEN. Ewwww….except, I’m all about being green. It’s like, I feel healthier just taking a whiff of this stuff. The fact I like the taste too? Even better!

4) “Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles and “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh: I’ve had a good run in recent weeks of digging in to some wonderful books and these two quickly rise to the top for some of my favorite books in 2011. What “Rules” has going for it is an incredible time period (1930s NYC…in the words of Liz Lemon, ‘I want to go to there’) and a spunky female protagonist, Katy Kontent, whose wit keeps the pages turning. A full review for “Rules” is up on my GoodReads page. As for “Language,” I loved the uniqueness of this story—a down-and-out foster kid, Victoria has a way with flowers, understanding how they “speak” to people through the lost art of deciphering the Victorian message of flowers. The author is a foster mom herself, so I loved seeing how her life influenced her to pen this amazing debut novel. A full review for “Language” is up on my GoodReads page.

5) Wilco’s “The Whole Love”: I’ll be honest and say that “The Whole Love” is not my FAVORITE Wilco album, even if it is their newest release. No, for that, I turn to “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” which, truly is in, like, my Top 10 Favorite Albums of All Time. Like, my college experience set to an album. So if you’ve never heard of Wilco, start there. Specifically, with this song. But, any Wilco album is heads above what passes for music in a lot of genres out there today, so I’ll take “The Whole Love” and I’ll keep letting it grow on me. The stand-out track for me on this newest from Mr. Tweedy and his bandmates is “Open Mind.” The lyrics to that song? SO SO SOOOOOO SWOONWORTHY. Take 3 minutes and fall in love with me:

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2) Bombay Bicycle Club’s “A Different Kind of Fix”: I first heard of this band when one of their songs appeared on the Twilight Eclipse soundtrack (which, side tangent, aren’t those the BEST soundtracks?!). Ever since, I’ve become a big fan of these baby-faced boys and I was giddy waiting on this new album of theirs to drop this week after having sampled a few of the tracks. “A Different Kind of Fix” happens to feature what—for me—has been the song of the summer. Listen to “Shuffle” and then see if YOU can get that piano loop out of your head—it’s so infectious!

3) Beirut’s “The Rip Tide”: Ahh…this band!! I cannot say in enough words how much I love it, but when I hear their frontman, Zach Condon, sing, it’s like a little part of me melts inside. His voice is SO distinct! Add those horns and accordions this band is known for, and you have a sound that just mesmerizes me. So many songs I love on this latest effort of theirs, but give “Santa Fe” and “East Harlem” a whirl and then see if you’re not convinced to buy the whole album.

4) My new Fossil watch: One look at the Bridgette in the Fossil catalog that landed in my mailbox in August and I was a smitten kitten. Somehow, this year, I became a watch person again, after not having worn one for years. Which meant, for a while there, I was pilfing my husband’s watch to keep time at weddings. This style has the perfect blend of modern and masculine that I tend to lean toward for accessories and I’ve already gotten so many compliments (Bonus? The dials glow-in-the-dark!)

5) Crazy, Stupid, Love: OK, so this film came out at the tail end of July. Which means I didn’t have time to squeeze it in last month’s “What I’m Lovin’” installment. But that’s OK, because, basically, I’ve been loving this movie since I first saw stills of Ryan Gosling in a suit filming it over a year ago Oh man…how good was this movie?! You know if you saw it. And if you didn’t, well, it involves a sweet storyline between Steve Carrell and Julianne Moore. And lots of Ryan Gosling. His abs in particular. WHY HAVEN’T YOU SEEN IT ALREADY?!!!

6) The Help: Is it or is it not the Summer of Emma Stone? You can’t escape that girl at the cinema, but if she keeps turning in performances like she did in “The Help,” I’ll be OK with that! I was torn going into this film because I’d loved the book SO much when I read it a few years ago for a book club pick and the trailer? Well, it totally made it look like a chick flick (I was left thinking, “Where’s the meat of this story?”) But then, the film itself did NOT disappoint. Matter of fact, I was left teary-eyed in more than one spot! Wonderful performances from an all-star cast — I wouldn’t be surprised if Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer get Oscar nods for their portrayals of Aibileen and Minny. Great pick to take your mom or grandma to!

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