Book Reccomendation: And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Book: Hosseini is one of those authors where I will read anything and everything he writes. For anyone who has read his popular novel Kite Runner, you know how much of an incredible storyteller he is. And the Mountains Echoed is no exception. The book is set up as a series of short stories where the lives of the characters in each story are connected in some way. I think the back cover explains it best when it says all the stories center around the nature of family and how they impact an individual. 

As a fair warning, this book is extremely sad. Not like "everything starts off great and then slowly goes down hill" sad. Hosseini hits you in the heart within the first chapter and the punches just keep rolling from there. I did have to struggle not to cry in public including on the bus and at a nail salon while reading. Embarrassing, but it's easy to get sucked in and care about theses characters, especially if you have ever felt slightly out of place at any time in your life.

"Sad Boy Headphone Music" Playlist by Marute

Playlist: I recommend listening to the 8Tracks playlist "Sad Boy Headphone Music" by Maruteo. Beyond the hilarious title and cover, the playlist is actually one of my favorites. It's just sad enough to fit the mood, but not so sad that' it will make you cry or leave you feeling down all day (Hosseini will take care of that.) It has mostly ambiance and indie tracks, so if you're in to that give it a listen. 

Have you read And the Mountains Echoed or any of Hosseini's books? What did you think?

xx Jasmine 

70s Outfit, 90s Heels

I've been wanting to wear this outfit for what seems like eternity, except every time I tried the weather was either too cold or too hot (darn you mother nature.) I think the timing is rather apt though because I have recently fallen in to an obsession with Harry Belafonte. If you don't recognize the name you might know him from such jams as "Jump in the Line" or "Banana Boat Song" or my personal favorite "Zombie Jamboree" I think this outfit would be great for some calypso dancing (though to be fair his music was big in the '50s rather than the '70s.)

When you're short, as I am, flare jeans become much easier with just a bit of height. Though a stellar set of '70s inspired platforms would have also been great, these '90s sandals are perfect for a more casual outing and for my seriously tired feet. Thankfully, the trends have put both decades at the forefront recently, making it very easy to mix and match. 

Happy time traveling,

xx Jasmine 

Dressed In: TopShop off the shoulder top, Zara kick flares (similar here and here), ASOS heels

The Best Floral Print

This may be the best floral print that's trying not to be a floral print. I love it alone, but it really came together in this look. A dress and jacket is a great way to look grown up, but still modern as an older sister at her brother's graduation. The dress also has a great open back, but I had to fend off an unusually cold, summer night. I still love all of the small floral prints that are everywhere right not, but this is a great choice for anyone adverse to those dizzy prints but still likes flowers. 

How do you feel about floral prints?

xx Jasmine 

Dressed In: Zara dress (and similar), J. Crew Jacket (similar), Urban Outfitters heels (similar)