“What’s Up Wednesday” is a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you. If you’re participating, make sure to link your What’s Up Wednesday posts to the list on Jaime’s blog each week. That way, others can visit your post and check out what you’ve been up to.And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…
What I’m Reading: I finished Lauren Oliver’s Panic. While it’s not my very favorite of her novels, I did find it compelling. I’ll talk about it in more detail in tomorrow’s Bookanista recommendation. Over the weekend, I flew through The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines. Guys, this is by no means award-winning literature, but I kind of loved it. It’s a perfect read-in-the-sun, guilty-pleasure romance. Next time you’re in the mood for a book of that sort, definitely pick this one up. I also read Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon, which was packed with awesome reminders and inspiring quotes about creation of all kinds. It’s a great, quick read, perfect for when you’re in need of a creative boost. Now, I’m reading The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu, which is intriguing so far. I’m digging its unique storytelling method.
What I’m Writing: Blog posts! Catching up now that my agent is reading my WiP, Good Girls (which I talked about in a Next Big Thing post on Monday). Also, I’ve got a whole bunch of mini Shiny New Ideas floating around in my head, and I’ve been pinning up a storm (secret Pinterest boards FTW), looking for further inspiration and trying to make them all fit together. Exciting!
What Else I’ve Been Up To: Exercising with more regularity, watching some Gossip Girl, and hanging with my girl. It’s spring break, so we’ve been spending lots of quality time together. Movies, bike rides, frozen yogurt…
My productivity level has dropped quite a bit, but we’re having a blast. 🙂
I ordered my very first Stitch Fix box, AND crossed another item off my Thirty Before 35 List! In case you’ve never heard of Stitch Fix, it’s an online personal stylist service. Fill out a profile about the types of clothing you like to wear (including favorite colors and your size), schedule a shipment, and get five pieces to try on at home with the clothes you already own. Buy what you love, send back the rest in a pre-paid envelope. It’s easy, and really fun!
I really liked all five pieces of clothing I received (four tops and a maxi dress), but I think I’m only going to keep these two because, yanno… BUDGET. Looking forward to scheduling another shipment soon!
What’s Inspiring Me Now: In case you haven’t heard, my friend Jessica Love (co-author of up-and-coming Push Girl) has sold another book! This one’s all her, and it’s aMaZiNg! I read an early version last year, and I can hardly express how much I loved it. You all are going to adore Hannah and Nick and their crazy Vegas weekend! I can’t wait to have my very own copy of In Real Life so I can reread it, and then sit it on my bookshelf, right between my Stephanie Perkins and Sarah Ockler novels. Congratulations, Jess! I’m thrilled for you!
Tell me… What’s up with you today?
katyupperman.com 
I think it’s good for the productivity level to drop once in a while, especially if it means lots of reading and frozen yogurt. Your spring break sounds fun! So does the whole Stitch Fix concept. The shirt and the dress look great, by the way! Hope you and your daughter enjoy the rest of your break! 🙂
I agree, Erin. Sometimes productivity’s gotta go, and this is actually a pretty good time for me to take a bit of a break. So, yay! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
I read you Next Big Thing post. Loved it! I think it’s especially OK to take a productivity hit to spend time with your kid on Spring Break, plus, you just finished a revision, so a little celebrating is in order. I may have to try out Stitch Fix, um, because lazy shopper, yes, me. Saw the announcement of Jessica’s book. Very cool, very exciting, and it sounds like a blast! Have a wonderful week!
Thanks, Rebekah! You should definitely give Stitch Fix a try — I had so much fun trying on the clothing, and most of the pieces were different than the same stuff I see at the GAP and Old Navy all the time. If you end up wanting to try it, let me know and I’ll send you my referral link. 🙂 Have an awesome week!
Oooh….Stitch Fix sounds cool. For me, clothes shopping is right up there with dental surgery, not the most fun, so the idea of someone just sending me stuff sounds great 🙂
Enjoy your spring break!
I tried Stitch Fix because there is NO shopping in my dinky town. Seriously. Walmart, and that’s it. I had a blast trying on the clothes at home, and I was surprised when I actually liked every single thing they sent.If you end up wanting to try it, let me know and I’ll send you my referral link. Have a great week, lady!
I love those early brainstorming stages with a new WIP. Sounds like you deserve a break, anyway!
Have a great week!
I do too, Emma. 🙂 Have an awesome week!
I’ve never heard of stitch fix before and am totally intrigued. Of course i’ll be all “i wear sweatshirts and sweatpants” and they’ll just throw my application in the garbage.
Love the top you’re keeping, though! It’s super cute!
Thanks, Sarah! To be honest, I wear sweatshirts more often than not, but it’s nice to have something cute to throw on for those rare occasions I actually have to go out in public. 🙂
Love your Stitch Fix outfits! I got one last month and kept an adorable pair of pants (which I usually have an impossible time finding, so yay!).
Enjoy the rest of break and your SNI daydreaming!
Thanks, Rebecca! I asked the Stitch Fix folks to skip the pants for me. It’s so tough for me to find pants that fit perfectly. Lucky you getting just the right pair! Have a great rest of the week, lady!
Stitch Fix sounds a bit like Gwynnie Bee, a service that lends out sizes 10-32 and lets subscribers keep the clothes if they like them enough. At the moment, such a service isn’t really on budget for me. I’ve become a lower plus size, so I don’t know if Stitch Fix would have anything in my current pants, dress, or skirt size!
They might, Carrie-Anne! What I like about Stitch Fix is that you’re not committed to keep anything you don’t love or that doesn’t fit just right. Hope you have a wonderful week!
SO EXCITED about Jessica’s news! And I can’t wait to read this one. Sounds awesome! And I want to hear all about these mini-SNIs, woman!
Also, loved your stitch fix pics! And C is adorable as always! Have a great week!
I will definitely email you once I’ve figured out what the heck I’m doing as far as this next project. I’m super excited about what I’ve got so far, though! Looking forward to starting something new so we can write together again. 🙂
I bought a copy of that STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST book for my Kindle. I could use some great writerly (and otherwise) inspiration. As for Stitch Fix, I seriously wish they would ship to Canada. There are similar things in Canada, but they don’t seem quite as good. I love the stuff you picked out, especially the cinched waist top! That’s so great that you have some time to spend with your girlie and get caught up on some other things too. I hope Victoria loves your story to death! Have a wonderful week, Katy!
P. S. Can you send some of that gorgeous whether our way? I’ll trade some warm temps and sunshine for boot cuffs! 😉
Ugh… I hope Victoria loves my story too! I’m back to obsessive email checking! I do wish I could share some sunshine, and that you could get in on Stitch Fix. Maybe they’ll expand to Canada soon? Hope you have an awesome week, lady!
So, I typed up a long comment on my phone this am when I read this post, and then my phone immediately ate it. UGH. It’s one of those days.
Anyway…thank you so much for your constant love and support, Katy! It truly means so much to me! Your feedback on this book was invaluable, and so was all of your cheerleading. I can’t wait to be posting this same news for you. I know it’s coming soon! (Fingers crossed that your agent loves your new ms!)
And I’m so glad you had fun with StitchFix! It’s seriously the best. my box is the highlight of my month, I’m not even kidding.
I am so sincerely proud of you, Jess, and excited about IRL. I just knew this story was going to find a home, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! And thanks for putting Stitch Fix on my radar. I’ve already scheduled my next box. ❤
Sounds like you’ve had a fun week! I loved seeing all of your StitchFix picks. Maybe one of these days I’ll sign up for a box.
I hope you hear some happy “I love your MS” news from your agent very soon!
I hope so too, Ghenet! And I definitely encourage you to give Stitch Fix a try. I had so much fun with it, and I’ve already scheduled a second box. 🙂 Have a great week!
Your Spring Break sounds so much fun. It is the Easter Holidays a week on Friday and we are counting down!
Stitch Fit sounds brilliant, I wonder if the UK have an equivalent. I don;t like clothes shopping at all. I tend to do click and collect and then try it on at home.
Enjoy playing with your SNI and Pinterest. Happy Wednesday!
I do like shopping for clothes, but there’s just no where to shop in my dinky town. Stitch Fix is such a fun surprise on my front doorstep! Hopefully you can find something similar in the UK. Have a wonderful week, Alexa!
You already know I loved your Next Big Thing post. 😉 Can’t wait to see what you cook up next. (And fingers crossed your agent likes Good Girls!)
I’m so tempted to try Stitch Fix and I would if I didn’t already own WAY TOO MUCH clothes. Maybe it’ll be my reward for finally cleaning out my closet… Also, I was so thrilled to hear Jessica’s news. Great things are happening! 🙂
Ooh, Stitch Fix is great motivation for closet cleaning! You could donate what you already own but don’t wear, and then get some new things. I’m such an enabler. 😉 Have a great week, Alice!
Enjoy the rest of your spring break! It looks like you’re having fun with your kiddos!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Thanks, Laura! We’re definitely having a great week. Hope you are too!
Having downtime and spending it with your kiddo is a great way to stir up inspirations. So don’t feel guilty because we need a live too otherwise we wouldn’t have any inspiration – which to be honest happens at the unexpected moments of our lives.
Oh i love your Next Big Thing Post. Do you mind if i do something similar on my website. I would refer back to you 🙂
Have a great week.
Oh, yes, Angel, feel free to post about your Next Big Thing! It’s not my concept (I don’t even know where it originated!), and I would love to hear more about your latest project. Have an awesome week, lady!
I read your Next Big Thing post. I find it so interesting where writers get their ideas. I hope your agent likes Good Girls! Have a great weekend!
I like to hear where writers get their ideas too, Amy. 🙂 Have a fantastic week!
StitchFix?!! That’s pretty dang amazing. I love that idea. Don’t know if I’m brave enough, but its fun. And yay for Jessica. I adore that girl.
It is fun, Jessie! You don’t even have to be brave, because you can just send back what you don’t love. 🙂 And yes! I am so very excited for Jess!
Oh, The Vincent Boys! I read that a while back, and it’s definitely not literary, but it was a quick and addictive read. Pretty sure there was another book that she wrote in the same world and I ate that one up, too, haha…
Yes, THE VINCENT BROTHERS! I’m going to read that one soon. 🙂
I’ve been so very intrigued by Stitch Fix. I love those two tops (or is one the maxi dress? at any rate, I love it) so I’m going to have to think a little more seriously about it. Which will be SO HARD because clothes are so awful and unbearable. 😉
Argh! I keep forgetting to buy Steal Like An Artist! Thanks for the reminder! You’re like the zillionth person who has read it and loved it. Can’t wait to get my own copy this week!
Yes, those are both tops, the two I kept. Love them both, and already looking forward to my next shipment in May. Hope you find STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST as inspirational as I did, Kris. Have a great week!