Mimi Takes Five - #288

ONE // Book Series

This book series had been on my to-read list for a few years now and I had actually gotten the first book to bring on my trip last summer. However, I never ended up reading it as our schedule was relentless. When I got home, I just set it aside while I finished my Outlander series. Well, I finally got around to reading American Royals. I have to admit, it took me a while to get into. I just couldn't get past the very obvious parallels and info tidbits that were pulled from the current British Royal Family. I'm an avid royal watcher and know a lot of these details, so they really stood out to me. To be honest, this put me off. After the first half or so of the book, I started getting into the characters and story more and it picked up. I ended up enjoying it and subsequently bought the rest of the series (Majesty, Rivals, Reign) to read. I don't do things by half!

TWO // Heart Sweater

I know Valentine's Day has come and gone, but I wanted to give you all a closer look at this sweater. I randomly found it at Winners last weekend and just had to get it. I mean, it's the most darling Valentine's sweater in shades of pink, red, blush, white and with little bows and hearts. While I did not need any more heart-adorned clothing, I just couldn't let this one pass me by. My husband also knew better than to try and convince me otherwise. I was so giddy when I found it! I wasn't even looking or shopping for myself, but just happened to spot it on the rack from a distance. I was meant to find it and am more than happy to give it a loving home, ha ha! 

THREE // Purse Organizer

I've been cycling through three different colours of my small Longchamp bags as my everyday purse, switching it out with the seasons. It's a perfect size for all my workday essentials and I find it to be a roomy bag without being too bulky. However, I found myself reorganizing its contents on the daily. It became a bit of an annoyance and I knew I had to do something about it. I searched high and low for the perfect bag organizer. I knew these existed and I scoured Etsy until I found one that was the perfect size for my bag and that had the right configuration of pockets. I landed on this one and it is perfection! It fits perfectly in the base of the bag, so the dimensions are right on. It fits all of my contents and then some. The ease with which it has become to just reach in and get the exact item I want without the rest of the items moving around is refreshing! The best part is that I can just take out the entire organizer and plop it in the other bag when I want to switch purses. No more purse puzzling!

FOUR // Sweater Dress

I had been eyeing with Hill House sweater dress ever since in launched in the fall drop. I'm happy I waited because I was able to get it during the holiday sales. I love a boat neck and bubble sleeves, as well as a midi skirt length, so this dress really had it all! I also like the grey colour as it's a perfect neutral base to work with. It can be styled so many different ways. I'd say the knit is light but the dress still has a nice weight to it, allowing it to keep its shape. I've been meaning to wear it since it arrived, but was waiting for a colder winter day. This season has been unusually mild. Then I realized I should just wear it and not wait for the perfect day. I'm still working on that concept and tend to hand onto items for the perfect occasion. I'm going to make a point of wearing it soon, it's just too good to leave on the hanger!

FIVE // The Worst Witch

This show has been on my Netflix list for years. I never looked into it or read anything about it, it just looked interesting. I was looking for a new show to watch the other day and was going through my list. I landed on this one, even if it's clearly more of a kid's show. I had no idea what to expect, but I was hooked right away, ha ha! It's not an unfamiliar premise : Mildred, a seemingly normal girl finds out she has powers and ends up attending Cackle's Academy, a boarding school for witches. Yes, this sounds a lot like another wizarding boy's story. However, The Worst Witch, as I came to find out, was based on a series of books, of which the first was published in 1974. While there are parallels, the stories and characters are very different. Mildred's story is less dark. She's just a simple witch, trying her best to get things right while somehow always getting them a bit wrong. He heart is in the right place and she has great friends that help her along the way. It's an easy watch and I'm quite enjoying it. Turns out there have been previous movies and television series and I had never heard about The Worst Witch! I might just have to read the books now, too!