Currently…

(I plan to do a “Currently…” post every other Tuesday. You should join me! Find the origins of the idea HERE.)

Currently

Loving

Two skin care discoveries… My complexion has been not so great lately, and I’m always on the hunt for products that make my face feel healthy and look luminous. First, Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream, which I’ve been using as an eye cream and, oh my gosh, I love it. It’s super hydrating and really gentle, and it makes the skin beneath my eyes look smoother and more supple. Also, it’s something like $7 — total steal. Second, Tony Moly Sheet Masks. You can order eleven different masks via Amazon for less than $11, and after wearing one for a half-hour, my skin feels smooth and full of moisture and like I’ve enjoyed a trip to the spa (I wish!).

Reading

First & Then by Emma Mills, which was everything I wanted it to be. Devon is a most excellent narrator (she’s got voice for days!) and the complications of friendship and first love play out so deliciously. I also read Jessica Love‘s second novel, In Real Life, and even though I beta-ed an early version of this story a few years ago, the finished copy still gave me all the feels. Hannah and Nick are just too cute, and so easy to root for. Adored both of these contemps!

Watching

 The Fosters, a show about a foster family whose last name is — wait for it — Foster. Oddly enough, in the novel First & Then [above] the boy who is essentially Devon’s foster brother is also named Foster. Clever. 😉 Anyway, for an ABC Family (apparently now “Freeform”) show, The Fosters is quite good. I love Maia Mitchelle (she’s how I picture Kissing Max Holden‘s Jillian), and so far I’m impressed with the diversity of the cast and the quality of the writing.

Listening To

Last week I listened to James Alexander Thom’s Follow the River, which is based on true events and is apparently something of an American classic, though I hadn’t heard of it until my mom started reading it. If you like history and/or survival stories, this is the book for you. I enjoyed it very much, though the audiobook is narrated by a man — an odd choice, as this is a woman’s story. He used weird (distracting) falsettos every time Mary, her sister-in-law, and her female companion spoke. Still, the story and author’s note are fascinating.

Thinking About

The NoVaTEEN Book Festival, which was packed with talented authors including Jennifer Donnelly, Kelly Fiore, and Julie Murphey, as well as Natalie C. Parker, Lisa Maxwell, and Holly Black, who are pictured below. As an added  bonus, I got to meet two Swoon Reads authors, Sandy Hall and Kelly Zekas, who are predictably delightful, and I got to hang with some cool volunteers, including fellow Swanky 17 authors Christina June and Sarah Nicole Lemon.

17fc5-12826198_868513766591232_1691782327_nAnticipating

Drafting. Guys, I haven’t drafted anything new since before I submitted Kissing Max Holden to Swoon Reads back in October. I’ve got two messy partial manuscripts sitting at about 30K words each, and I started reading one over the weekend. It’s actually… better than I recall. (Isn’t it awesome when that happens?) As soon as I finish my refresher read-thru, I’m going to get serious about plotting and drafting its second half. It’s fun to feel inspired!

Wishing

You’ll check out the debut group I belong to, The Swanky Seventeens. We’re growing every day, our members’ books sound fantastic. We’re currently featuring interviews with 2016 debut authors on our blog. You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook, too.

Making Me Happy

Yesterday, in honor of Pi Day, I baked a blueberry pie. It turned out so pretty and it tasted delicious. I love making homemade pie crust — you can find my favorite, no-fail recipe is HERE. Also! My friend Elodie Nowodazkij’s NA romance, Love in B Minor is out today. Friends, you will LOVE its twisty plot, its sexy characters, and its beautiful Parisian setting!

Did you post a “Currently…” this week?
Let me know in the comments, and I’ll be sure to visit! 

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18 thoughts on “Currently…”

  1. Melissa says:

    Thanks for the book recommendations. Will be buying all three 🙂 Also, Aveeno Baby Soothing Cream. Brilliant!

  2. Erin Funk says:

    I’ve been using the same Aveeno baby lotion on my face for years now, because it’s the only cream I’ve found that hydrates and doesn’t make my horribly dry skin break out. It feels watery instead of oily, which I love. I had to laugh when I saw you’ve been using it too. Makes me wonder what other awesome baby products I should be trying out.

    Also, I’m right there with you in the plotting stage. It’s been almost a year since I last drafted anything, so the thought of that blank screen staring back at me is torture. I’ve been sorting through reams of notes and trying to narrow down what project to tackle. Sounds like you know what you’ll be focusing on next, so that’s awesome!

    Just posted my review of IN REAL LIFE last night. Not surprisingly, I loved it! 🙂

    • Katy Upperman says:

      I love that you use the Aveeno lotion on your face, too, Erin! I wondered if it was weird to use a baby product, but then I don’t even care because it works so great! Best of luck on whatever new project you decide to tackle, and here’s to tons of inspiration!

  4. mandie Baxter says:

    Your pie looked so good! I wanted pie so bad…but very had to find a slice of vegan friendly and I’m the only pie eater in the family. No way I was making one for just me!

    Drafting….ugh. I’ve got to do that too and I don’t wanna! :-/ Well, I do, but I don’t.

    Going to have to look into those face masks!!

    And I remembered to do a currently post! 😀

    • Katy Upperman says:

      Can’t wait to check out your Currently post, lady! And I wish we were still close, because I’d totally share pie with you. Though, I’d have to figure out a way to make flaky, buttery-tasting vegan crust. 😉

  5. Tracey Neithercott (@T_Neithercott) says:

    Glad you tweeted about this yesterday—I actually posted a Currently today! Miracle. I am so happy you shared your sheet mask secret. Your skin looked radiant in that photo. I might have to buy the pack.

    And high-five for feeling inspired to draft some more *and* loving what you wrote before. That’s the best realization! 🙂

  6. Jennifer Pickrell says:

    This moisture cream sounds fantastic – I have super sensitive skin so baby products are right up my alley 🙂

    I watched the first few seasons of THE FOSTERS and mostly enjoyed it, but finally gave up halfway through the third season because of one redundant storyline that drove me crazy.

  7. literallyalice says:

    Yay for being inspired to write and for those face masks! I haven’t tried the Tony Moly ones but I do enjoy the convenience of sheet masks. So easy, so refreshing. 🙂

    As usual, your baking photos always make me wish I could teleport food over here, and I’m so happy to hear how wonderful IN REAL LIFE is. I’m so happy for Jess and totally need to read the book soon.

  8. Rachel says:

    I’m glad you’re enjoying The Fosters, Katy. That’s one of my favorite shows (next to Switched at Birth and now…Parenthood which I’m devouring on Netflix). I absolutely hate hate Brendan though and really wish he’d be sent away, or something. He is just bratty and annoying. Lol But I love everyone else. (even Jesus who doesn’t do much). Thanks for the face cream tip and good luck drafting. If you need new eyes *waves* I”m here 🙂

    • Katy Upperman says:

      Thanks for the offer, lady! I’m so far away from needing readers, it’s not even funny… *sobs* Oh, and Parenthood — I’ve heard it’s so good! Must watch soon. 🙂

    • Katy Upperman says:

      Drafting is a nice change from revising, though I’m finding it challenging to get back into the groove of writing new words. The grass is always greener, I guess. 🙂 I hope you love IN REAL LIFE as much as I do, Kaitlin!

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