Desperately Seeking Bookworm

Damn you YA and your life lessons! For a 28 year old to be able to 100% relate to the 15 year old in this book is kinda sad, but then again that's probably the point. I love me some good YA and this was decent, it had that inevitable life lesson in it, along with some pretty heavy issues. There are two sides to every story. It’s friends-at-first-sight for Jessie and Annie, proving the old adage that opposites attract. Shy, anxious Jessie would give anything to have Annie’s beauty and confidence. And Annie thinks Jessie has the perfect life, with her close-knit family and killer grades. They're BFFs…until suddenly they're not.  Told through alternating points of view, How It Ends is a wildly fast but deeply moving read about a friendship in crisis. Set against a tumultuous sophomore year of bullying, boys and backstabbing, the novel shows what can happen when friends choose assumptions and fear over each other. First off, let's look at that cover. Doesn't it...

I'm not gonna lie I'm super behind on posts. With that being said I'm not gonna lolly gag around with an opener. Is that how you spell lolly gag or is it lally? Who knows. All I can say is that October 2016 for Sephora Play was a hit. I think they may even survive cancellation. Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver's Seat (Full-size $24): I had actually just returned this product in a separate color because I wasn't happy with the formula. I either got a bad batch or I was using it wrong because this applies fantastically. I thought the color was going to pull fairly orange on me because it's such a warm pinky nude, but it looks really great on. As far as comfort goes liquid lipsticks are not the most comfortable things for me to wear, but I can work with this one because if how light it feels. Final Grade: A- Erborian Bamboo Creme Frappe Skin Reviving Fresh Gel (Full-size $43): This should've been in a summer box, it was so light and re...

Ahh fall, otherwise known as when company's actually out the good stuff in their boxes. That's right, you get the good stuff September-January. That's how they hook ya and then keep you wanting more. That's right I have been around the subscription box block and know the drill. With that being said, Allure did well this month. Not everything was a win, but I would say the box as a whole got a solid final grade! Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (Full-size $36): This was a product I had actually already owned and I'm not gonna lie I rather enjoy it. It's kind of a strange mask, at least to me. You leave it on anywhere from 5-10 minutes and it somehow soaks into your hair and doesn't take long to wash out. Leaving you with luxurious hair all in the time it takes you to soap up and nair your legs. I agree that it isn't thick, but the floral fragrance is nauseating to me. It doesn't even smell like flowers it more smells lik...

I enjoy you Lauren Weisberger, not as much as Jane Green, but you're up there. There's something just so effortless about reading chick lit. I especially enjoy an easy book that reads like a screenplay or a movie and this definitely did. Besides it's only a matter of time before this gets made into a movie,(because every book does nowadays). I think Olivia Munn would be perfect for this role, just putting that out there Hollywood. Overall this book hooked me at the first chapter and kept me interested to the end. Sometimes with books like this I get bored about halfway through, but not here. Charlotte “Charlie” Silver has always been a good girl. She excelled at tennis early, coached by her father, a former player himself, and soon became one of the top juniors in the world. When she leaves UCLA—and breaks her boyfriend’s heart—to turn pro, Charlie joins the world’s best athletes who travel eleven months a year, competing without mercy for Grand Slam titles and Page ...

I'm pretty sure this will be made into a movie soon, I can just feel it. I also have a feeling that it won't turn out too well. It’s been ten years since Nicolette Farrell left her rural hometown after her best friend, Corinne, disappeared from Cooley Ridge without a trace. Back again to tie up loose ends and care for her ailing father, Nic is soon plunged into a shocking drama that reawakens Corinne’s case and breaks open old wounds long since stitched. The decade-old investigation focused on Nic, her brother Daniel, boyfriend Tyler, and Corinne’s boyfriend Jackson. Since then, only Nic has left Cooley Ridge. Daniel and his wife, Laura, are expecting a baby; Jackson works at the town bar; and Tyler is dating Annaleise Carter, Nic’s younger neighbor and the group’s alibi the night Corinne disappeared. Then, within days of Nic’s return, Annaleise goes missing. Told backwards—Day 15 to Day 1—from the time Annaleise goes missing, Nic works to unravel the truth about her young...

When I signed up for Sephora Play! I expected this to be my bae, but it really hasn't turned out that way. This box is more like a friend's with benefits, I like it when we're together, but it's not really what I need long-term.  I feel like this box is becoming rather disappointing. There was a repeat item (KVD liner) and even though I didn't receive this previously in a box I can understand how that is frustrating for some long-term customers. In other words Sephora needs to start rethinking how they're going to play this out because I can see us heading down a bad path. Just saying. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel (Full-size $22): I own and currently use this. In fairness I bought a full-size last year during Ulta's Steals & Deals, at half price which is the only price I suggest buying it at. Brow gel does not need to be that expensive, especially a clear one. While it's a nice product, it isn't worth the price. Invest in something else...

After last month's box I had higher hopes for September's Allure. Unfortunately when spoilers came out I was #notimpressed. There is so much repetition in subscription boxes and I would like to see that change. That might be my fault though since I subscribe to 2 currently and some have repeat products. I appreciate getting new brands and Allure doesn't really send out new brands. Let's just say if I get another Pur-lisse item in my box next month I won't be surprised. Would it kill you to send something else out Allure?? Pur- lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Cleansing Milk (Full-size $38): Please Allure, no more of this! This is my fourth Blue Lotus line item in the 4 months I've been subscribed to this box. While I'm happy to be able to get to try something that is on the more expensive side/something I don't have immediate access too, but I'm over it. I've used cleansing milks/balms in the past, so I know the drill. These are good to remove mak...

This is my second time writing this post and I'm not happy about it. I had originally written it on my phone and then Blogger froze and deleted EVERYTHING! I was finished with the post (sans pictures) and that damn app upset me, grrr. So now here I am again writing this post, which is hopefully as fabulous as the first post that I had written. Makeup Forever Artist Eyeshadow & Powder Blush I544 Pink Granite (Full-size $21):  You can use this as a blush? Hmm I'm not sure I would want this color on my cheeks, but that's good to know for future purchases. I'm very impressed by this shadow. Again, I've never used MUFE shadows before and this was just perfect. It doesn't swatch particularly well, its a glittery taupe that leans pink, but you really do need to build it up. I haven't tried it layered over a cream shadow, but I think it will be perfect for that. I'm also happy that we are able to depot this and stick it in a palette. Much appreciation Seph...

Back when I was still participating in the Popsugar Reading Challenge I was tasked with reading a graphic novel. I had such a great experience reading Maus that I thought another historical account would be equally as good, but I was wrong. Photo Credit: Goodreads Persepolis  is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up. While I did enjoy learning about the Iranian Revolution, I just...

Is this my last month? Just wait and see for that update. I'm not going to lie I was highly disappointed in this month. July kept me around (along with samples choice for August), but this month was a disaster. I think my add-on for the month really made up for the box's lackluster performance. Out of my 3 beauty boxes Birchbox came in dead last for the month, let's find out why shall we? Manna Kadar Cosmetics The Day Dream Palette (Full-size $25):  When spoilers came out I already knew I would hate this. "Palettes" from BB usually means 1 shadow that may or may not be in said palette or a piece of cardboard that mimics the palette with pigment on them. This particular sample came as a full-size eyeshadow that was completely smashed. I'm currently waiting for a replacement. I don't have hopes that will get here intake either. At this point I don't really want it or care. I think it's also worth noting that almost everyone's sample of thi...

I feel like my Allure box got here really quickly this month. Although they ship out in the first week of the month, this has been my first experience with that. I was terribly excited when the spoilers got released because there was one item I was dying to try and the rest was just great extras. Unfortunately they came out later and said that the one item I wanted wasn't going to be in every box, but some people would be getting it. I wasn't one of those people, naturally. We did get extra products though, so I guess that is a win? Probably not, but I guess you can judge that along with me. Freeze 24-7 Anti-Aging Eye Serum (Full-size $115): Holy bejeezus this is expensive. I'm not sure why I keep getting unbelievably expensive items in my boxes, but it seems to be a theme. If this stuff performs miracles for my ever aging under eyes I would consider buying it, but I still probably wouldn't. I won't be trying this for awhile anyways since I have too many eye cr...

We didn't get spoilers for this month's box until right before it shipped out. I'm not 100℅ sure of that reason, other than to torture us. The only clue we did have is possible spoilers and word that they were splitting up the boxes according to skin type (combo/oily, normal/dry). Knowing that I filled out my profile for oily skin and that even on my beauty insider profile (Sephora's rewards program) I'm listed as oily I didnt worry about which box I'd get. Until I checked my Play subscription and I got the normal/dry box. So yeah, here it goes... First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser (Full-size $20): This is something I've used before and currently own a full size of. This is a nice face wash. I like it during the winter to use after a workout. It removes my surface oils and dirt, but doesn't strip your skin. It's a bit like soap, so if you're not into facial soaps I would skip. I passed this sample along because I honestly didn't need it. ...

On my year end list I had regrets about not getting to certain reads, Troublemaker by Leah Remini was one of those books. I love a good celebrity memoir and the tales of a celebrity who so publicly and recently left the "Church of Scientology" had to be salacious, right? I was so right! Like other recent memoir posts I'll keep this short and sweet, plus I don't want to give it all away. You really have to read this for yourself. Leah Remini has never been the type to hold her tongue. That willingness to speak her mind, stand her ground, and rattle the occasional cage has enabled this tough-talking girl from Brooklyn to forge an enduring and successful career in Hollywood. But being a troublemaker has come at a cost. That was never more evident than in 2013, when Remini loudly and publicly broke with the Church of Scientology. Now, in this frank, funny, poignant memoir, the former  King of Queens  star opens up about that experience for the first time, revealing ...

Another Allure box! I actually really liked my first month with then. They are $15 a month instead of $10 (like Birchbox & Sephora Play), which I don't honesty mind because I'm getting to try different brands than I have before. When the spoilers came out I was thrilled at what I would be getting. La Mer?! Uh yes please! I think this box got the most love out of the 3 last month. One product is currently in my nightly beauty routine and everything will get used up by the end of the year. Probably...who knows I've got a lot of stuff okay? No judging.  Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry (FS $17):  Another product I've tried before, there's a theme here. The color I originally had was Curviest Caramel and its a very nice brown pink, extremely wearable. While this is a nice color in the tube, it has to be very heavily applied to get any color payoff. For me it's too sheer. My $8 moisture sticks from Neutrogena work mu...

Is this my last month of Birchbox?? You'll have to keep reading for that, but I feel like I lucked out this month. There were quite a few unhappy people on Reddit, so I'm glad I'm not one of them. I also decided to switch it up a bit and get an add-on to my box. I chose the Acne Fix-it Kit which came with 6 samples specifically designed and highly rated for acne-prone skin. I've tested all, but one of the products and I've very much enjoyed it. I think add-ons are the way to go now because you can still get points from them because it's a purchase in the shop. July really brought it and impressed me. Which is hard to do given our history, so I appreciate the effort Birchbox. We're no longer in fight, so here we go... Dr. Jart+ Water Drop Hydrating Moisturizer (Full-size $36):   I have too many moisturizers, but I'm always willing to try a new one. Especially if it doesn't have SPF in it. This is also an extremely cool concept. You can actuall...

Some people do empty videos on YouTube and G does it on her beauty blog Nouveau Cheap, so maybe I'll try it. You never know how much stuff you use up, until you save your beauty trash for a month and it's a lot! Currently July is going the same way, but hopefully August won't? Who knows. Enjoy short mini reviews of my beautiful trash... Hair Batiste Floral & Flirty Dry Shampoo: I'm going to be honest there is nothing that works better, smells better, or is cheaper than this dry shampoo! This is the exact same scent of Drybar's dry shampoo, but it works better. I will never stop using this brand. I buy it in bulk and am currently working on the tropical scent. Not Your Mother's Deja Vu Do Sytle Extender (VoxBox): If you  have oilier hair and are looking for something to help with second day hair get this! This will help keep you a bit cleaner and if you use this with a bit of dry shampoo at night. Or at least a cleaner looking ponytail. Marula ...