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Book Postscript Tag 2022

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Adventures in Polishland

As 2022 comes to a close, I want to share about some of the books I read this year. I saw Vicky over at Vicky’s Book Nook on YouTube post the Book Postscript Tag. This tag was created by Mementomori, and it is a fun way to reflect on your reading. This year was quite interesting for me book wise. I began by reading a lot of books that I had accumulated from NetGalley over the years. Unfortunately for me, most of them were pretty bad! I also switched jobs a few months ago, so instead of reading during my long commutes, I’m only reading about 20 pages a day during lunch. Despite my weird reading year, I’m still happy with what I accomplished, and would like to share some of my reads with you!

I am using affiliate links from Bookshop.org in this post. While I try to buy all of my books locally and secondhand, whenever I do buy a new books I use this website because it donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores. With that being said, let’s jump into the questions!

1. The longest book you read this year and the book that took you the longest to finish.

The longest book I read this year is RINGER by Lauren Oliver at 528 pages. This is the second book in the Replica duology, which is a young adult sci-fi series. Lauren Oliver is one of my go-to authors, and this series was definitely thought-provoking and fast-paced. It follows two teenage girls, Gemma and Lyra, as they discover who they really are. If you have any interest in human cloning, I definitely think you would enjoy this series!

The book that took me the longest to read is NIGHT SHIFT by Stephen King. I started this book on November 19, 2021, and I didn’t finish it until June 30, 2022! This is one of King’s short story collections, and I guess you can tell I do not do well with short stories. Overall, these stories were quite good and very creepy. I just have a difficult time with short fiction, and kept putting this book down because it didn’t capture my attention. I was so glad when I finally finished it!

2. A book you read in 2022 that was outside of your comfort zone.

A book I read outside of my comfort zone this year is BEYOND BELIEF: MY SECRET LIFE INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY AND MY HARROWING ESCAPE by Jenna Miscavige Hill. This is the one and only book I listened to on audio this year. I know so many people love audiobooks, but I just can’t get into them. That being said, I did really enjoy this book, which is a memoir by a woman who grew up in the Church of Scientology. This book really opened my eyes about what goes on in this organization. I will never be watching another Tom Cruise movie!

3. How many books did you re-read in 2022?

4. Favorite re-read of 2022.

I am usually a big re-reader, but this year I only re-read one book, so by default it’s my favorite re-read of the year. That book is EASY by Tammara Webber. This is a new adult contemporary romance, which funnily enough it also not something I would normally read. That being said, I enjoy the characters, and I appreciate that there are important topics discussed in this book.

5. A book you read for the first time in 2022 that you look forward to re-reading in the future.

A surprise favorite for me this year is A SUDDEN LIGHT by Garth Stein. This novel follows a boy named Trevor as he spends the summer at the family estate where his father grew up. I absolutely loved how the house was one of the main characters. It is filled with secrets and ghosts. If you like multi-generational novels, I highly recommend this one. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.

6. Favorite single short story or novella that you read in 2022.

I mentioned earlier that I struggle with short fiction, but I did really enjoy some of the stories in NIGHT SHIFT by Stephen King. Some of my favorites in this collection are Jerusalem’s Lot, The Ledge, and Children of the Corn. One story that will haunt me forever is The Mangler. It’s the single scariest thing I’ve read by King thus far!

7. Mass Appeal: A book you liked and would recommend to a wide variety of readers.

This year I’ve really enjoyed the Dragon Masters series by Tracey West. This is a children’s book series that I started reading because my nephew is really into it. I love reading the same books as him! I have to say, I got really sucked into these magical fantasy books. They are really cute, and a great palette cleanser between longer adult books. I think this series can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike!

8. Specialized Appeal: A book you liked but would be hesitant to recommend to just anyone.

My favorite read this year is NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS by Patricia Lockwood. This is an autofictional novel, meaning that it’s a fiction book based on the author’s life. While I think that everyone should read this book, I fully understand that many people will not get it or enjoy it. The story is written in two parts. The first focuses on the protagonist’s career in social media, while the second follows her life once a tragic event strikes her family. While devastating, this book is incredibly written and very important. Lockwood is by far one of my favorite authors, as I also love her memoir PRIESTDADDY.

9. Reflect on your year as a bookish content creator (goals met, good/bad memories, favorite videos you made, etc).

This year I hoped to revamp my Bookstagram page @PolishlandReads. Unfortunately, I did not keep up with it very much at all. I struggle to post bookish photos when the majority of the books I read are now ebooks. I hope that next year I can get back into the groove over there!

10. Tag some fellow bookish content creators.

I don’t have anyone specific to tag. If you’re interested in doing this tag, consider yourself tagged by me.

2022 Reading Reflections

While my reading this year went a bit differently than expected, I’m still very happy with what I accomplished. I ticked off many books from by TBR list, I caught up on a lot of NetGalley requests, and I discovered some new favorites. I hope that all of you also had a good reading year. Please share your thoughts on any of these questions in the comments!

All of Morgan Matson’s Books Ranked & Reviewed

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

During the pandemic, my reading took a huge nosedive. After struggling to get into a new reading routine, I decided to reread a favorite book of mine, Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson. I enjoyed my reread so much that I decided to continue with Matson’s books, and I ended up reading her entire bibliography back to back. This blog post will share mini reviews of all of Morgan Matson’s current books, as well as rank them from my least favorite to favorite. I’ll first begin with quick, non-spoiler summaries of each book, and then I’ll jump into the ranking!

All of Morgan Matson's Books Ranked & Reviewed

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Morgan Matson is a young adult, contemporary fiction author. She presently has six novels, with a seventh middle grade book slated for Spring of 2022. What’s unique about Maton’s books is that they are all connected to the fictional town of Stanwich, Connecticut. This allows Matson to drop Easter Eggs into her books, and update readers on characters from past books. Thus, while each of these novels is a stand alone, I highly recommend reading them in publication order.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

First up is Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, released in 2010. After Amy’s father dies in a car accident, Amy’s mother decides the family will move from California to Connecticut. In order to get her mom’s car across the country, family friend Roger is enlisted to drive Amy and the vehicle to the East Coast. While Amy and Roger are supposed to stick to her mom’s strict itinerary, the duo decides to take matters into their own hands. As the title suggests, they go on an epic detour across the United States. The book follows their adventures, and actually maps out a real-life road trip that Matson went on herself!

Next up is Second Chance Summer, released in 2012. This book follows Taylor and her family as they spend a summer at their lake house after her dad receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. Taylor hasn’t been to the lake in five years, and the last time she was there things ended badly with both her ex-boyfriend and ex-best-friend. This story is about Taylor mending broken fences, all while trying to make the most of her limited time with her father.

The Matson book that started it all for me is Since You’ve Been Gone, released in 2014. At the start of the summer, Emily goes looking for her best friend Sloane, only to find that Sloane has seemingly vanished. Emily soon gets a To Do list from Sloane in the mail, prompting Emily to spend her summer checking off tasks such as Dance Until Dawn, Kiss a Stranger, and even Steal Something. Emily hopes that by completing this checklist, she will find her way back to Sloane. The book chronicles Emily’s adventures throughout the summer as she makes new friends and steps outside of her comfort zone.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

The Unexpected Everything, released in 2016, is the last of Matson’s summer novels. Andie has plans to attend a summer internship, but when her Congressman father has a scandal in his office, her acceptance is revoked. Andie has to find a last-minute summer job, and the only thing available is a dog walker position. This book follows Andie’s summer with her group of friends, and the cute guy Clark she meets while walking his dog Bertie.

Next up is Save the Date, released in 2018. Charlie is excited for her sister’s wedding, which will bring together all of her siblings for the last time in the family home before they move. While the wedding was carefully planned, things start going wrong when the Grant family finds out that the wedding planner was a scam artist. Charlie steps in to help save the wedding when one disaster after another attempts to destroy it.

Last but not least is Matson’s 2021 release, Take Me Home Tonight. This book follows best friends Kat and Stevie, who sneak off to New York City. While the purpose of the trip is supposed to be Stevie’s birthday dinner, Kat has ulterior motives. The duo have an argument in the subway station that leads to them getting separated, and everything that could possibly go wrong absolutely does. The book follows their misadventures in the city as they attempt to find their way home with no cell phones and little money.

Ranking and Mini Reviews

Now that I’ve shared a bit about each book, let’s jump into my thoughts. I will start with my least favorite, and end with my favorite.

6. Take Me Home Tonight | ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | Matson’s newest release is, unfortunately, my least favorite of her books. Although it’s quite entertaining, it is also a bit too ridiculous for me. You really need to suspend disbelief when reading this book. Moreover, I find Kat and Stevie to be quite unlikeable characters. They are both self-centered and lie a lot, so it’s difficult to root for them. That being said, I like how the story wrapped up, and both characters were developed well despite the story taking place in a short timespan. [BUY]

5. Save the Date | ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | Coming in fifth place is Save the Date. This book is just shy of a 4-star rating for me, mainly due to the bonus chapter at the end of the book that furthers negative vegan stereotypes. Otherwise, I really enjoy the large cast of characters in this story. It was really fun to read about a family with a lot of siblings. While this book is also a bit unrealistic for me, I like that Matson did something new with this book, and stepped outside her summer setting. [BUY]

4. The Unexpected Everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Next we have the books that all take place in the summer, and The Unexpected Everything is at the bottom of that bunch. This is the longest of Matson’s books at over 500 pages, and it does feel slightly too long. Similarly, the dialogue in this book is a bit uncomfortable. There are times where the conversations between characters will be broken up with paragraphs of text, and that can make the conversations difficult to follow and disjointed. Nonetheless, I loved following Andie’s friend group in this novel, and I enjoyed seeing her relationship with her dad grow. [BUY]

3. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | You know a road trip book is good when you read it and immediately want to take the same road trip as the characters! I love the travel element of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, and it’s fun that there are some mixed media elements thrown in, such as photographs and receipts, that make the story feel more real. The only reason I don’t give this book a full 5-star rating is due to the lack of depth in the characters. For instance, we know Amy is dealing with the grief of her father’s death, but it’s difficult to feel that in the writing. However, this may simply be because it is Maton’s debut. [BUY]

2. Since You’ve Been Gone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | Coming in at my second favorite is Since You’ve Been Gone. Honestly, the only reason this isn’t a 5-star read is because the phrase “I let out a breath” is repeated endlessly throughout the book. Otherwise, I absolutely love this story. Not only is the concept of the list fun, but I love Emily’s new friend group, and absolutely adore Frank. This book is the epitome of a fun, summer read! [BUY]

1. Second Chance Summer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Without further ado, my favorite Morgan Matson book is Second Chance Summer. While I expected this book to be sad, I did not plan to outright sob for the last 100 pages of the book like I did. This book deals with real issues, and while the story is absolutely heartbreaking, it’s also hopeful. I appreciated the careful balance Taylor must have with dealing with her own friendship issues, all while her dad is dealing with his illness. If you read just one book from Morgan Matson, I highly recommend Second Chance Summer. [BUY]

As you can see, Morgan Matson has become one of my favorite authors! Even my least favorite books from her are over a 3-star rating, and my critiques are typically nit-picky. I do hope that Matson will return to her summer settings soon, but I look forward to seeing what she releases next. I would also love to see Matson write more diversely, as the main characters in her current books are white, cishet young women who usually come from affluent families.

Have you read any of Morgan Maton’s books?

Share your favorite in the comments!

Book Review | The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

I received a free eBook copy of The Mall by Megan McCafferty for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links.

The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Published by W Wednesday Books

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Format: eARC

Pages: 320

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★

The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after.
But you know what they say about the best laid plans…
Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.

REVIEW

The Mall by Megan McCafferty is a young adult contemporary novel that takes place in the summer of 1991. I was excited to read this book because of it’s unique setting – a shopping mall! Our protagonist is Cassie Worthy. She has finally recovered from mono and is excited to spend her last summer before college working with her boyfriend at the mall. Unfortunately, when she shows up to work, “The Plan” that she and her boyfriend have carefully crafted quickly falls apart. Cassie must team up with her estranged best friend Drea Bellarosa in order to salvage her summer.

As someone who has spent summers working at the mall in college, I really enjoyed the mall culture aspect of this book. While my local mall did not have any secret underground parties, it’s true that the mall had its own unique community. McCafferty does a great job of demonstrating the fun relationships between the stores and their employees, and I could relate to the funny, and sometimes quite dramatic, interactions that Cassie has with the other characters in the book.

Moreover, I absolutely love it when a book includes a treasure hunt element. Drea explains to Cassie that, according to mall legend, there is a secret treasure hidden in the mall somewhere. This mystery kept me turning pages quickly, because I couldn’t wait for Cassie and Drea to find the next clue. I wish this treasure hunt played a bigger role in the story. Similarly I also enjoyed that Cassie is a vegetarian! It’s always great to read a book where vegetarianism is portrayed positively.

Unfortunately, I did feel like The Mall tried to do too much. This book touches on a lot of topics, but it does not have the time or pages to flush out each topic well. For instance, Cassie is portrayed as a feminist, but she backstabs Drea and makes a lot of derogatory comments towards the other female characters in the book. For instance, I really did not like how Cassie repeatedly calls her ex-boyfriend’s new flame ugly. Thus, I felt like some of the hot topics mentioned in this book were thrown in for brownie points.

Overall, I think The Mall is a quick and summery read that would make for a fun movie. If you also enjoy the nostalgic setting of a 1990s shopping mall, this might be a good pick for you. Plus, it’s fun to go back in time to when cell phones didn’t dictate teen communication! The Mall is available for pre-order now, and releases on July 28, 2020.

BUY THE BOOK

Wednesday Books | Amazon | Target

March Reading Wrap Up | Rereading My Mary-Kate and Ashley Collection

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

March started out as a great reading month for me, but as things changed rapidly in the world, my reading routine got off track as well. If you’ve followed my reading updates for a while, you’ll know that I usually read pretty heavy books. My favorite genre, for example, is dystopian, and I certainly don’t feel like reading a dystopian book right now when the current state of life feels much like one. Thus, I decided to start a fun and light-hearted project. Like many people my age, I grew up a huge Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen fan. I watched the movies and the television shows, I sang the songs, I had the dolls and merchandise, and, of course, I read the books. My Mary-Kate and Ashley book collection brings me so much joy that it always survived rounds of KonMari decluttering. I knew one day I would finally reread them, and now is the perfect time. Today I’ll be sharing with you my March reading wrap up, and the start of rereading my Mary-Kate and Ashley collection.

This post includes affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. Thank you!

I began the month really excited to finally begin reading the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. I’ve wanted to read this series for years, and March was going to be the month for it! I picked up The Knife of Never Letting Go, and really enjoyed it. This is a science fiction and dystopian novel that follows a boy named Todd. He lives in a society where only men have survived, and they can hear each other’s thoughts. It took me about 50 pages to become accustomed to the writing style, but I soon got sucked into the story. This book is very adventurous, and quite violent for a young adult novel. I also read the majority of the second book in this trilogy, The Ask and the Answer, but I put it down when everything got serious. I look forward to finishing this trilogy at some point, but I’m not sure when that will be.

I then spent the rest of the month working through all of the books I own in The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley series. There are ten books in this series, but I own four of them: The Case of the Mystery Cruise, The Case of the U.S. Space Camp Mission, The Case of the U.S. Navy Adventure, and The Case of Thorn Mansion. I’ve written more thoughts on each of these books on Goodreads, but overall I think these mysteries are a little ridiculous, but a lot of fun. I am constantly amazed at how nine-year-old kids are allowed to wander around by themselves to solve crimes. I am also bewildered that the Trenchcoat Twins are able to get involved with governmental investigations!

Overall, March was not the reading month I hoped it would be, but I’m taking advantage of this time to reread childhood books that I’ve always wanted to revisit. Now that I’m working from home, I’ve found it very difficult to find reading time. I’ve become accustomed to reading only during my long commutes to and from work, and now my commute is nonexistent. With at least another month of work-from-home life ahead of me, I hope to make more time for reading. Next up on my agenda, The New Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley!

What are you currently reading?

5 Ways I’m Practicing Self Care

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

With everything going on in the world right now, I know many of us are more stressed and scared than we usually are. There is so much uncertainty, and and if you’re in the United States like I am, perhaps you feel like we are playing the waiting game to see what is going to come of the current pandemic. While it’s been really difficult to stay calm and de-stress, I thought I would share some of the things I’m doing to practice self care while staying at home and social distancing. These five tips are certainly not a cure for worry, but they do help me feel somewhat better.

1. Limiting News Intake

Being aware of what is going on in the world and in our local communities is very important, but watching the news regularly, or even going on Facebook or Twitter, can be very overwhelming. Not only is there a great deal of misinformation on the internet, but with so much bad news, it can really affect my mood and ability to function. Since I began working from home last week, I have made an effort to limit my news intake. I try to check in with a few trusted news sources 1-2 times per day, just so I can know important updates. Otherwise, I distance myself from reading such heartbreaking and horrific news throughout the day. If the news also stresses you out, it’s okay to take a step back. You can even ask someone you trust to provide you with important updates when necessary.

2. Giving My Hair and Skin a Break

Since I’m staying at home with the exception of necessary errands, I’ve decided now is the perfect time to let my hair and skin go au naturel. I typically flat iron my hair a few times during the week, so I’m giving my hair a break from heat. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, since I noticed my hair getting wavier over the past several months. Similarly, I typically wear makeup at least five days a week. Now is the perfect time to let my skin breathe. It feels good to just be myself, and not do any extra primping in the mornings.

3. Consuming Lighthearted Media

In my last blog post, I touched on how I am listening to a lot of podcasts while I’m working from home. I am also switching up the other media I consume as well. For example, I usually read a lot of intense books, with my favorite genre being dystopian. Those books really do not sound appealing right now, so I’ve started a new project that fits into the #MyYearofRereading Project. I’m of the generation that grew up with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and I have a large stack of their books. I’ve decided to read at least one of these books a day, and it’s already proving to be a lot of fun. You can follow my Goodreads and Bookstagram for updates. In the same way, I’m watching nostalgic movies on Disney+. This past weekend I watched Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and it was awesome!

4. Using Fun Phone Apps

Since I’m trying to avoid the usual social media sites I browse, I’m spending more time on some fun apps on my phone. Of course, I’m still using Poshmark, and I’ve tried to be more active in the Poshmark Parties and in sharing other people’s closets. In addition, I have two games that I like to play to pass the time. The first is Disney Emoji Blitz, and the second is TwoDots. Both are cute games that take a lot of concentration, so it’s a great way to distract myself. I’ve played both of these games for years, but I’m definitely using the apps more now than I typically would, and that’s okay.

5. “Spending Time” with Family

One thing that’s been good for me is FaceTiming with my niece and nephew. I used to talk to my nephew on FaceTime almost every day, but once he started school and I began working full time, I was lucky if I got to talk to him once a week. Since we’re both home now, we are able to talk much more often. It is wonderful to spend time with him virtually even if we cannot be together. I get to see my baby niece when she is awake, too! If you’re feeling alone, I highly recommend reaching out to friends or family on video chat, on the phone, or by texting. I’ve made it a point to call my grandma more often to check on her as well.

Overall, while I’m still feeling quite stressed, practicing some different kinds of self care has been helping to keep me as grounded as possible. I would love to hear from you in the comments – how are you staying calm in this challenging time? Let’s share our self care practices with one another! I hope you and your loved ones are staying as healthy as possible.

Podcasts I’m Listening to Right Now

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

I will admit that I am usually not a podcast listener. I much prefer to watch a YouTube video or read a book, but with everything that’s going on in the world right now, I’m changing up what media I consume. While I do check in with the news a couple times a day so I can be aware of what’s going on, I’ve started avoiding social media as much as possible. Podcasts have been a great way for me to relax and take my mind off of things. I’ve also been listening to podcasts while I work from home since I’m not answering the phone or moving about the office like I normally would. I thought it would be helpful to share what podcasts I’m listening to right now during this time of social distancing.

Ear Biscuits with Rhett and Link

I’m a huge fan of Rhett and Link. I watch their show Good Mythical Morning almost daily, and I really enjoy listening to their podcast Ear Biscuits. They recently posted a series called Our Lost Years, which I’ve linked above for you. In this series they talk about their spiritual deconstruction, but they discuss many other topics as well if you are not interested in their religious journeys. This is one of the few podcasts I consume somewhat regularly, but I typically watch the video version they post on their YouTube channel.

Coffee and Tea with Justin and Tashina

A new podcast I’ve started listening to is Coffee and Tea with Justin and Tashina. If you are in the vegan and cruelty free community, you probably recognize these names because Justin and Tashina run the website and YouTube Channel Logical Harmony. They recently started a podcast to have a morning chat together, and I’ve been listening along while doing computer work. I linked the second episode above for you, as the first one does discuss the current pandemic a bit more. I find I really enjoy podcasts where two people are just sitting down and chatting about life, and this one is no exception!

Mystery Show

I recently asked my Facebook friends for podcast recommendations, and my friend Hannah shared Mystery Show with me. This is an older podcast that is only six episodes long, but I’ve already listened to (and loved!) the entire series. Starlee Kine hosts this podcast in which someone will call in with a mystery that cannot be solved on the internet. She then goes out into the world to see if she can find the answer. I love how each mystery is lighthearted and entertaining. In this first episode, which I linked above, Starlee aims to find out what happened to a video store in New York that seemingly disappeared overnight. I wish there were more episodes of Mystery Show, but it’s highly worth a listen nonetheless!

Popcorn Culture

Finally, my friend Brianna recommended Popcorn Culture to me. This is another podcast that is two guys chatting about random topics. I linked the most recent episode above, which is the only one I’ve listened to thus far, but really enjoyed! I have to admit, I did tune them out a bit, but I especially liked when they talked about Power Rangers. If you like to have background noise on while you’re working, this is a great podcast. It’s easy to dip in and out of what the guys are chatting about without missing too much!

Please share your podcast recommendations with me in the comments! You may have noticed that I do not like true crime podcasts, which I know are really popular. Right now, I’m concentrating on happier topics that can keep me entertained or lighten the mood. I also don’t like overly produced podcasts, with Mystery Show being the exception! I hope you are doing well and staying healthy. I hope to share a few more blog posts with you as I will be home more in the near future.

My First Month on Poshmark | Sales, Stats, & More!

Posted on March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

This past month, I embarked on a new adventure by joining Poshmark. While I was aware of this website for a long time, I was inspired to finally sign up for my own account thanks to YouTubers Lisa Stevens and The Deal Queen. These two women got me so excited about the idea of selling on Poshmark that I had to try it for myself! I joined on February 2, 2020, and listed a bunch of my old clothing that I had recently decluttered from my wardrobe. I was amazed at how quickly the notifications came pouring in, and I became sucked into the app right away. Today I want to share with you how my first month on Poshmark went in terms of sales, stats, and what I’ve learned so far.

I first want to mention why I joined Poshmark in the first place. For the past year, I’ve been looking for a side hustle that I can keep up with despite having a full time job that keeps me away from home over 60 hours a week. I do have an Etsy shop, but I haven’t had much luck with sales, and handmade items take a long time to produce. I’ve also dabbled in flipping used books for profit, but I’ve found the profit margin to be quite low. When I began learning about how profitable selling on Poshmark can be, I figured I would give it a try. My goal with Poshmark is to earn a respectable side income by selling pre-owned fashion. Not only is it a great way to keep clothing from ending up in a landfill, but it’s a lot of fun as well!

My First Sales

The majority of the items I had for sale in my Poshmark Closet in my first month were items that I was decluttering. My parents also gave me some items they decluttered as well. I was extremely excited to make seven sales in my first month! After Poshmark fees, I made a total of $71.41. While that may not sound like a lot, that is pure profit since these were items I already had lying around the house. I’ve also learned that a sale on Poshmark is considered quick when it is made in the first week or two. Thus, to move seven items in my first month is pretty good!

Additionally, I have started going to the thrift store on the weekends to purchase items to resell. So far, I’ve found some pieces I really like, but I haven’t made any sales of thrifted items yet. I’m hopeful that I can continue to reinvest the money I make on Poshmark into sourcing great fashion items. That way, I can build my inventory and reach more buyers. I typically spend 2-3 hours thrifting on the weekend, and I take all of my product photos on the weekend as well.

My Posh Stats

One of the most surprising aspects of Poshmark has been the amount of followers one gets on the platform. I have averaged 1,000 followers per week, and ended my first month at over 4,300 followers. I wish Instagram worked like this! It’s my understanding that more followers doesn’t necessarily equate more sales. However, I find that following people is a great way to make connections on the app. There are some people I interact with regularly in my feed, and it’s nice to follow them and share their items daily. Having all of these followers is pretty exciting, and I’m interested to see if this growth continues.

Moreover, one of my goals for the near future is to reach Posh Ambassador status. Apparently, the Posh Ambassador program gives you a boost in the algorithm of some sort. I actually am very close to becoming a Posh Ambassador! I think being active on the app really helps not only with sales, but with learning the ins and outs of the Poshmark community as well. It’s important to engage with the community, and not just list your items and hope they sell.

Things I’m Learning

While I’m very happy with my progress so far, I do have a lot to learn about the Poshmark and reselling world. First and foremost, I need to learn more about fashion. I’ll be the first to admit I am not a fashionista. I do not know many trends or hot brands, so I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos to try and learn more. Right now I’m loving Empty Hanger!

Similarly, I am learning more about how to price items, when to make offers to those who Like my items, and when to accept or reject an offer. Since Poshmark does have a system based on negotiating, it can be difficult to know how to price things. I’ve been trying to give myself a bit of wiggle room, but at the same time list things at what I believe is a good price. In the same way, I’ve found that low-ball offers are to be expected on Poshmark, and you need to be prepared for them. My biggest surprise was someone who made me an offer that was 55% off my asking price! I politely submitted a counteroffer. I absolutely love negotiating (it’s my favorite part of my day job!), so I am always excited to get an offer in my Closet.

Finally, I think the key to success in the Poshmark app is being an active member. I aim to share my entire closet three times per day. I also participate in Posh Parties whenever I can. While a party has never lead to a direct sale for me, it’s a great way to meet other active users in the app. I also try to list items as frequently as possible, even if that means only one item per day. I don’t spend my entire day glued to the app, but I definitely check in when I can. I also utilize my social media like Facebook and Instagram to promote my Closet. You never know who will click through to your Closet and purchase something!

In the end, I am so excited that I finally joined Poshmark, and I look forward to seeing my growth. If you’ve been considering it for a long time as well, I highly recommend joining the app. Perhaps start just as I did by decluttering your own closet! You can use my referral code ADVINPOLISHLAND when you sign up to get a $10.00 credit towards your first purchase. Please let me know in the comments your thoughts on Poshmark. Do you sell or buy on Poshmark? Do you want me to share an update on my progress? Please let me know!

Visit my Poshmark Closet HERE

Everything I Bought in February | #LivingWithLess

Posted on March 1, 2020February 29, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

February has come to a close, and it’s time to share with you every non-consumable item that I purchased during the month. If you missed my first post in this series, I highly recommend reading that to learn more about why I am sharing all of my purchases this year. Overall, I hope that by sharing what I buy it will help me to see how much I’m spending, what I’m buying, and if I can look back and think every purchase was a good one for me. My goal is to buy only what I truly want and need, and not excess items that will just add clutter to my life. I am amazed with myself this month, because I only purchased two non-consumable items in all of February!

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I am slowly building up the reusable items in my home, and I finally purchased some cloth napkins. I found this pack of Mill Valley Bistro 100% Cotton Napkins at Homesense on clearance for $10.00. I chose this brand simply because it wasn’t packaged in a plastic bag like the others they had for sale! I’m excited to use these napkins and make the transition from paper to cloth. I am not able to find this exact brand of napkins online, but there are many similar items on Amazon.

The other item I purchased in February was the book Auntie Loves You! written by Helen Foster James and illustrated by Petra Brown. I sent this book to my niece and nephew for Valentine’s Day. This book is absolutely adorable, and I think it’s worth the $12.50 I spent on it. I live far away from my niece and nephew, so I think it’s nice for them to have this book to look at even when we cannot spend time together in person.

What’s funny about February is that I did have a few more items on my list of things to buy, but I just didn’t get to them! I was getting over a bad respiratory virus at the beginning of the month, and I never made it out to the store. Hopefully in March I will grab the things I need so I can share them with you!

February Reading Wrap Up | Short Books #FTW

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

After a dreadful reading month in January, I was happy to pick up the pace in February. I wrapped up the month completing five books, which is where I would like to be every month. Once I got over my illness that really cramped my reading style, I finally got back into reading daily during my commute. Something that really helped me was reading short books. If you are ever struggling with your reading, I highly recommend picking up some shorter books. You will feel very accomplished when you complete that book quickly! I’m also really excited that I was able to read three books off my TBR shelf, and I reread two books for the #MyYearofRereading Project as well.

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I began the month by finishing Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. This is a nonfiction book that discusses why our society does not value introverts enough, but why we should listen more to those who may be labeled “quiet.” As an introvert myself, I really enjoyed a lot of the information in this book. Not only did I find it relatable, but it helped me to find more value in who I am as a person even though I do not conform to the Extrovert Ideal. I did find this book to be a bit dry, but I was very sick when trying to get through it. I will be keeping this book in my collection to reference in the future.

Next up, I read The Girls by Emma Cline. This novel is loosely based on the Manson murders, which I did not know much about prior to reading this story. I picked this up at a book sale a few years ago, and I am so glad I finally got to it. The book follows a teenage girl named Evie during the summer she spends with a group of girls living at a ranch on the outskirts of town. The ranch is run by a man named Russell, who will do anything to become a famous musician. I found The Girls to be a fast-paced read with a creepy and fascinating tone. I highly recommend this book, and hope to reread it at some point.

I then decided to reread both Stargirl and Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. These are some of my favorite books of all time, and they did not disappoint. Stargirl is a five-star book for me, and is a book I think everyone should read. Our narrator is a teenage boy named Leo, who finds himself slowly falling for the new girl at school. Stargirl was homeschooled all her life until she shows up at the public high school. It is clear to her new classmates that she is different than everyone else. She has a pet rat named Cinnamon, she sings Happy Birthday songs at lunch on her ukulele, and she cheers for both teams at sporting events. This story is about being true to yourself, even if that means you are not well-liked by others. I love this book and its sequel, and will treasure these stories throughout my life. I also happily discovered that a Stargirl movie releases March 13th on Disney+!

* This section contains Harry Potter spoilers*

Last but not least, I read Harry Potter Should Have Died by Emerson Spartz and Ben Schoen. I am so proud of myself for finally reading this book! Thanks to Amazon, I know that I purchased it shortly after its release on July 17, 2009. That’s right – I’ve had this book on my TBR list for almost 11 years! This book looks at the Harry Potter series and poses a variety of questions, such as which character death is the saddest, and whether we should pity Severus Snape. Each question is answered in the affirmative or negative with the arguments laid out, and then ends with a verdict made by the authors. I think this book is a fun read for big Harry fans, but it leaves a lot on the table. For instance, how can Hedwig and Fred not be mentioned in the saddest character deaths section?! That being said, I think this book is a great conversation starter, and it got me thinking a lot about one of my favorite series.

That wraps up everything I read in February! I’m glad I am back into the swing of reading. While I am still behind on my Goodreads challenge, I hope to catch up in the next month or so. Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more reading updates throughout the month!

Why I Love Bringing My Lunch to Work

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

When I lived in New York City, lunch was a big social event. Almost everyone went out to eat, and the restaurants would be filled to the brim with corporate Americans indulging in delicious gourmet foods before returning to their desks. At the end of my first internship in law school, I found myself wishing I had brought my lunch to work from the start. While I enjoyed going out with my fellow interns, I regretted the money I spent on all of those lunches. From that point on, I made a switch. Instead of going out regularly, I brought my lunch to work almost every day. While I do miss how fun eating out can be, I have come to enjoy this practice. Today I want to share why I love bringing my lunch to work, and why I think you should, too!

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It Saves a Lot of Money

Of course, I think the biggest benefit to bringing your own lunch to work is that it saves a lot of money. While some restaurants do offer lunch specials, and you can get discounted meals through apps like MealPal and Ritual, lunch prices around where I work in Boston typically average around $10.00 per meal. If you eat out daily, that’s $50.00 per week spent on just lunch! To put that in perspective, I don’t even spend $50.00 on my entire grocery bill for the week. On average, I spend under $10.00 on the groceries I need to make four lunches. I do often buy lunch on Fridays, so my total lunch cost for the week is around $20.00. Thus, I am saving $30.00 per week just by bringing my own lunch to work!

It’s Better for the Environment

Bringing your own lunch to work can also be extremely beneficial for the environment. It makes me so sad to think of all the disposable plastic containers, utensils, bottles, and bags that are thrown away every single day when people buy their lunch and take it to go. When I bring my lunch to work, I am enjoying a zero waste meal every time! I purchased a set of reusable containers from the grocery store a few years ago that are freezer safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe. It makes meal prep extremely easy as well! The set I have was $2.00 for a pack of five containers. I found something similar on Amazon from the brand Ziploc, but definitely check out your local store. While I do use plastic containers (mainly so I don’t break anything), I’ve used the same set literally hundreds of times now! I also bring regular silverware to work and just pop it in the dishwasher when I get home.

My Meals Are Healthier

Another great benefit to bringing your own lunch is that you control what is on your plate. I know when I go out to eat, I am more apt to grab a veggie burger and fries, greasy Chinese food, or any number of dessert treats. However, when I make my own lunch, I often put together healthy meals such as salads, whole grain pasta dishes with veggies, burrito bowls, and more. Since I eat a vegan diet, I can also make sure my meals will have enough protein and other nutrients to get me through the day. Plus, eating healthier at lunch means I can enjoy a yummy dessert later that day!

It Saves Time

While preparing my own lunches does take some time on the weekend, my meal prep also saves me time and aggravation during the work week. If I go to any restaurant nearby my office, I am sure to wait in a long line and burn 10-20 minutes just waiting for my food. I would much rather spend an hour or so on Sundays making my own food than deal with the lunchtime crowd regularly. Of course, there are some apps that allow you to order your food in advance to avoid the lines, but that still requires you to leave the office to pick it up. I love to opt for a working lunch, as that allows me to use my allotted lunch break to go for a walk, run an errand, or even leave work early if needed. I also find that I am more productive when I don’t leave the office in the middle of the day to grab food.

As you can see, I am a big proponent of bringing your own lunch to work. If you usually buy your lunch, I highly recommend trying to bring lunch more often, even if it’s 2-3 days a week. You will probably be surprised at how much money you save! I really enjoy trying new recipes for lunch, and it means a lot to me that bringing my own lunch also reduces my impact on the environment. Please share your favorite lunch recipes in the comments!