March Check-In

Happy April! I don't know about you, but March felt like the shortest month ever. I'm sure a lot of that had to do with having my last month of work and wrapping everything up there, and also preparing for vacation! I just got back from an amazing trip that I'll share all about soon, but until I get readjusted to the jetlag I have a quick post today. Here are some highlights from the month:

- I'm still going strong with the 100 Day Project- be sure to follow along on my craft instagram- @gretchcrafts. In March I worked on two commissions, did a bunch of granny squares, worked on the Sophie's Universe piece, and painted out of my favorite watercolor artist's book.

- I dyed my hair! This was my first time getting it dyed and I decided to jump right in and get what's called "oil slick hair". You know when there's oil on the ground and you see all of the rainbow colors swirled with the dark oil? That's the look we were going for and I really love it! The only problem now is that I might be addicted to fun hair and want to go even bolder next time.

- I started working with a career coach which has been really helpful! Even though the job market is looking grim right now I know something will come along and I'm getting set up for success. I can't wait to dive into this when I'm back from my trip.

- I checked off one more item from my 2025 goals- tarot reading. It wasn't what I expected at all, so I might try another place, but it was a really fun experience. I also found a metaphysical shop in Cary where I had the reading and absolutely love it will definitely be back- it's called Kuantum Life and is right in the main drag of town! Highly recommend stopping by.

And now let's talk about the books I read this month-

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - 1/5 stars - I think I just have to accept that Annabel is not for me- I loved her first book but since then have hated everything else.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - 4/5 stars - Really enjoyed this book club pick. It was a long book and took me a while to get through. Although I loved the perspectives and hearing about life in Nigeria and an African woman coming to live in America and her experience, it dragged a lot of the time and changed timelines a few too many times for me. Still loved this and highly recommend though!

The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore - 5/5 - Another book club pick and another heavy, lengthy book. This takes place in 1860 and follows a woman who fights back against the system and her husband after being committed to an insane asylum. Her crime? Being intelligent and speaking up for herself. This was a tough read at times to hear about the treatment in the facility and everything that Elizabeth went through. But wow- what an incredible story of perseverance and the hope we will never go back to those times.

The Inmate by Freida McFadden - 3/5 stars - I needed a fluffy thriller after those two books and this delivered. Groundbreaking? No, but it was an easy and quick read and gives you just what you'd expect from a Freida McFadden book.

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - 4/5 stars - This has to be one of the most unique concepts and stories that I've ever read. Margo, like the title suggests, is having money troubles. She's a young, single mom after her professor gets her pregnant and gets fired since she can't afford childcare. After her ex-pro wrestler dad moves in with her, she decides to start an Only Fans and gets business advice from her dad. So quirky, so hilarious, and shockingly heartwarming. This is being turned into a show and I can't WAIT to see it.

The Crash by Freida McFadden - 2/5 stars - Another quick McFadden thriller was the perfect audiobook for my first plane ride of my trip. While it kept my attention just enough to stay awake until we got our meal on board, it was not great. Not my favorite of her books (she releases so many a year and I feel like the quality is going down!) but was still a quick and easy read like I'd expect.