(Since I’m not What’s-Up-Wednesday-ing anymore, I thought I might go back to an old favorite –> “Currently…” I originally got the idea from Kate Hart, who snagged the idea from Amy Lukavics, who picked it up here. I’m planning to post every other Tuesday, and I think y’all should join me!)
Loving
Jelly Bellies (duh). Quilting. Florida’s warm, sunny spring. My planner. Emails with writing buddies and book besties. This milk frothing gadget. Sirious XM Radio. Uppercase book subscriptions. My emerging tan. This homemade mac-n-cheese recipe. Those times a person contacts me to let me know they’ve just read a book they think I’ll love. Chai tea. Essie’s spring colors. Fresh donuts.
Reading
Yesterday I finished recently-released Vanishing Girls, and I liked it quite a lot. I consider Lauren Oliver an insta-buy author and, as usual, her prose is enviable. I figured out what was going on in the story fairly early on (I’ve read a few other books in the last couple of years that have a comparable premise), so I wasn’t exactly surprised by the last 100 pages. That said, I recommend this one for its gorgeous writing and super complex characters.
Watching
Gossip Girl. Still. It literally takes me three days to get through an episode because I pretty much only watch while I’m folding laundry, or on the rare occasions I put on makeup. I’m nearing the end of season 5, though, and it’s the best sort of bizarre. **Spoiler Alert** –> Dan and Blair together? No way! Chuck ♡ Blair forever!
Listening To
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill — totally random, I know. I bought the CD my senior year of high school and listened to it constantly for months. I’ve just now rediscovered it, and I’m falling in love all over again. (Favorite: Tell Him)
Thinking About
Our summer move, and hoping it will be easy, easy, easy. House-hunting from afar sucks. Packing sucks. Leaving a state you love sucks. Moving sucks. BUT. I am incredibly excited to live near some of my favorite writerly friends, and in a place with a thriving YA community. Plus, it’ll be nice to be in a city with plenty of educational and culturally diverse things to do and see.
Anticipating
Notes from my agent regarding my latest manuscript, Stars Like Dust. This project was such a stretch, guys. Writing it was a challenge and a joy and I love the (sort of) finished product deeply, but I’m nervous about what others will think. Some days this story makes me feel excited and confident; some days it makes me feel insecure, like a complete hack. Aah, writerly angst… Something else I’m anticipating? Rock the Drop!
Wishing
That I’d made Daphne a quilt earlier! She loves hers, and we had a blast putting it together. My daughter picked out all the fabrics, and I did the sewing. Now that it’s done, I’m checking off another of my Thirty Before 35 goals — yay!
Making Me Happy
Beach days with my favorite girl. There are few things better than sitting back, sinking my toes in the sand, and watching my kiddo play in the surf.
What’s currently making YOU happy?
katyupperman.com 
Seeing all those pictures makes me happy for you 🙂 (and can I just say you made me want to listen to Lauryn Hill again – so many memories with that album!). I can’t wait to know what Victoria thinks about STARS LIKE DUST (your gorgeous, heartbreaking, amazing story).
Another thing that makes me happy: the beautiful sunny day we had yesterday, spending time with my hubby, knowing you will be closer soon ❤
I love your happiness-making things, Elodie — especially that we’ll get to hang out again soon! Hope you have a most wonderful week, friend!
I’ll definitely try to join in on the “Currently” fun 🙂
I have that Lauryn Hill album, on cassette (hah, I’m old).
Love that pic of Daphne – adorable!
We briefly talked about juicing a few weeks ago in comments – I can report now I failed my attempt. I was SO hungry for protein, probably shouldn’t have worked out. I even added in actual food (salad stuff) but my brain wasn’t fooled. I didn’t have any of the cravings for salt/sugar/fat, etc. or the headaches some people mentioned…just protein. I guess I could have toughed it out, but didn’t really seem worth it since I wasn’t feeling any of those glowing benefits.
Okay, you’re making me dread the juice cleanse. Not that I wasn’t already (why do I set such weird goals for myself?), but yikes. I wonder if I’ll crave protein? More likely, I’ll crave jellybeans. 🙂
Ha, Daphne’s face! 😉 I would love to join this ‘Currently’ blog hop… I am failing on A to Z. Sigh. 😦 so I need a new blog hop. this one would be great and simple! I too had issues with VG but enjoyed the writing. (my CP is listening on audio and says it is SLOW which I can imagine) Nothing for me beats BIF from Lauren Oliver, though. Wowza!That book!
Yeah, I can imagine that VG is slow on audio. For me, it was a study in how to pull that sort of twist off. I think if I hadn’t read a few other novels that were similar in premise, I would have been shocked. Either way, the characters were fabulous. And BIF — love!
This is a cute idea. You did make me hungry with that picture of fresh doughnuts and mac and cheese though. I just got my copy of Vanishing Girls and look forward to picking it up to start soon. Good luck with the move!
I hope you enjoy VANISHING GIRLS, Eve. Lauren Oliver’s writing never fails to impress me. Have a great week, lady!
Reading Vanishing Girls right now and have about 100 pages left. Perfect timing. 🙂 Those donuts look delicious. I also love Essie’s new spring colors. I wanted almost all of them but only bought one (so far) – Flowerista. Can’t wait to find out where you’re moving to next – moving SUCKS but you’ve lived in some great places. Daphne is adorable as always and I love the quilt. I would love a beach day! Question for you – do you think you’ll continue with the planner next year? Because I want to get one next year and I hope everyone will still be really into them!
As of now, yes — I think I’ll be getting a 2016 Erin Condren planner. My husband thinks I’m silly, but it has truly increased my productivity ten-fold. Plus, the decorating is fun and relaxing and a boost of creativity. Love it! Also, I totally want Flowerista! Every time I go to the drugstore I look at it, but I’m trying to gear-down on the polish purchasing. 🙂 Have a great week, Zanne!
Oh man, those donuts are calling to me. I’ve heard mixed things about Vanishing Girls, but Lauren Oliver really is a talented lady. Love Lauryn Hill, I listened to that CD all the time way back in the day. I hope finding a place and moving go as smoothly as possible
I can totally tell who’s a part of my generation by their enthusiasm (or lack-thereof) for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. 🙂 Have a wonderful week, Prerna!
Can you please teach me time management skills? Okaythanksbye.
Jk. (about the bye, not the lesson) I love that you’re loving your planner so much. Your layouts = so awesome. And I am anxiously waiting to hear about how much your agent loves SLD. You are truly so, so gifted. ❤ And not at all a hack, though feeling like one is part of the game. It probably just proves that you wrote something spectacular but your mind is too nervous to let you believe it.
My time management skills are terrible lately! I’m seriously buckling down next week. Time to start something new. 🙂 And THANK YOU for your kind words about STARS. I’m nervous, so it’s very, very encouraging to have your support! ❤
I’m thinking about continuing with life-blog updates with the currently titles too! So glad you’re doing this because it’ll keep me motivated to do it too.
That said, STARS LIKE DUST! *I* am anticipating what your agent is going to say. The reactions I’ve seen from your crit partners on Twitter have got me all bouncy happy for you! 😀
Essie spring colors, I want them!
Yay! Let’s “Currently…” together in two Tuesdays. 🙂 And thanks so much for your STARS enthusiasm, Alice… I *hope* it gets a big thumbs up!
Yes! I will post with you on April 21! 🙂
Aw, Daphne looks so darned happy on her quilt! That is so cute. 🙂 Sorry about the move. They do suck. I have told my kids over and over that we are never moving again until their father and I are so old that they have to do all the work for us. Ha! But it sounds like wonderful opportunities await you in your new location!
Daph does enjoy her quilt. Spoiled kitty! Hopefully she’s just as happy at her new home. The quilt will (of course) be coming along, so hopefully the move won’t be too traumatic. 🙂
This is all so awesome, Katy! I’m glad you’ve decided to do your Currently posts again, now that WUW is done. I sympathize about the move, and I really hope yours goes smoothly. I also hope you get incredible feedback on STARS LIKE DUST, and judging by any snippets of writing you’ve posted before, you most certainly aren’t a hack! Not even close! Be confident because you’re an inspiring and talented lady! 🙂
Erin, we’ll have to commiserate over our moves together. Here’s hoping yours is effortless — or, as torture-free as possible, anyway. 🙂 And hopefully you’ll do some Currently… posts too. I’ll miss your updates if not!
Oh, I will totally have to do this with you next time! And so jealous of your emerging tan. It seems like any day it’s sunny, I either have to work or we have a million and two things to do. Trying to be patient. 🙂
And yay for all the things! I just hope V loves STARS LIKE DUST as much as I did! Hope you have a great week, Katy!
Yes, join me for Currently… in two Tuesdays. I’ll remind you. 🙂 I hope you get your day in the sunshine soon, lady!
Moving really is so tiresome, but you are going to LOVE D.C. We had the best time there.
I’ve got Vanishing Girls on hold at the library, looking forward to it.
I’m glad you’re still blogging, I was sorry to hear that there’s no more WUW. When we finally get our new computer insight joining with currently 😄
I’ll be interested to hear what you think of VG, Alexa — you’ll have to let me know once you’re done reading. I adore Lauren Oliver’s writing, so I was definitely entertained. And you’ll have to join me for some Currently… posts this spring and summer. 🙂