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Blurred, Not Bold
This beauty trend has been trying to gain traction for almost a year but I think I’m finally ready to hop on this train. It is the blurred, blotted, soft matte, stain effect lip. Could I have possibly used any more adjectives? The first of which I saw was from my fave – ColourPop with their Ultra Blotted Lip US$6 followed by the Blur Lux Lipstick US$7. Although I am partial to ColourPop because of their affordable prices and amazing shade ranges, many other brands have released products which will give you a similar effect on the lips at a variety of price points: NYX Powder Puff Lippie Powder Lip…
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Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff is the first book in an adult fantasy series. I’m going to keep this short and sweet because it’s all it took for me to run to my library, and I think it will do the same for you. We’re following Mia Corvere who seeks revenge for the murder of her father and ruin of he family name. She attends an assassin school. There is magic involved. Need I say more? The ONE major critique I have of this book is the dang footnotes. Some are telling you more about the setting, or history of the world, while some are just snarky remarks that you may…
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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is the first in a young adult fantasy series loosely a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Originally a trilogy, now being expanded into 6 core novels and 2 novellas. Feyre is responsible for keeping her family fed since her mother’s death, and father’s injury. She’s become an excellent hunter out of necessity, while her sister’s play the damsel’s in distress. On a hunt, in the desperate months on winter, Feyre finally spots a deer, an animal that could feed her family for weeks, or trade for other necessities. She then notices a large wolf stalking the prey as well. It’s…
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The Diviners by Libba Bray
The Diviners by Libba Bray is a young adult paranormal novel. Set in 1926 New York, we’re following Evie O’Neill who’s recently been sent off to live with her strange Uncle after misbehaving. Uncle Will is a professor, who runs a creepy museum, and is obsessed with the occult. Evie has been hiding an enormous secret, her supernatural abilities that only ever get her into more trouble. However, after strange crimes begin occurring across New York, Evie uses her powers to help solve them. This book is very character driven (aka slow paced…) with a super interesting underlying plot involving supernatural powers, ghosts, and crime which made me keep reading,…
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Planning a Low-Key, At-Home Birthday Party
I still cannot wrap my head around Maxwell turning 8 years old this week! For his birthday party this year, we’re throwing him a low-key, at-home party with his closest friends and family in an effort to save money. Jeremy is scheduled for surgery Monday morning for his knee, which could mean anywhere from 1 to 8 weeks off of work. This being right after Christmas, and Max’s birthday was a bit of a shock. But, when they call with an opening – you take it! Growing up, also having a January birthday, I remember having a lot of parties at home. We did sledding parties, dance parties, sleepover parties,…
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Why You Shouldn’t Make New Year’s Resolutions
Year after year, we find ourselves persuaded into making New Year’s Resolutions. That January 1st means a clean slate; new year, new you. Year after year, we forget about them by the end of January, if not sooner. We’ve been doing it wrong! In my opinion, resolutions are too general, and not easily measurable. In 2019, I am making GOALS! Smart goals are well thought out, easily measurable, and have a specific end result. By making goals instead of resolutions, you’ll be able to set a clear path to success, and be able to track your progress throughout the year. I’d now like to share a few of my goals…
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The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson is a psychological thriller with so many twists and turns. Ted Severson meets a mysterious woman at the airport bar named Lily. He tells her about how he’s just caught his wife, Miranda, cheating on him with their contractor, and how much he wishes she were dead. He was obviously speaking under the influence but Lily takes his wishes to heart and devises a plan. This was the premise given to me, that pushed me to pick up this book. With thrillers, I like to go in knowing as little as possible. However, Goodreads has a much more detailed explanation if you needed…
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Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is the second book in the Illuminae Files series. I have done a post about the first in the series, Illuminae, and recommend reading that post first so you are not spoiled in anyway for the series if you haven’t read the first book yet. This fast-paced, science fiction (with a hint of horror vibes if you’re a scared-y cat like me) series that began with Illuminae, now continues aboard the Heimdall, where our two new main characters prepare for BeiTech’s next attack. Hanna is the spoiled daughter of the station’s captain, with a surprising amount of war and combat training. Nik is…
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Recharging Before the New Year
The week after Christmas and before you start working on all those New Year Resolutions, is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and reflect. I think this is the only week in the year when it’s not only perfectly acceptable, but encouraged to do nothing. Leading up to Christmas is a time of year filled with not only joy and family, but a lot of stress. Many feeling stressed financially, or through expectations, or maybe just the sheer busy-ness of the holiday season. Catch those elusive Zzz’sNot only are you not able to sleep as much as you’d like because, well, adulting. Whether you’re working full time or have kiddos…
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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor is a whimsical young adult fantasy, the first in a duology. You’re following Lazlo Strange, an orphan raised by monks, now a junior librarian, with an obsession with the lost city of Weep. Weep is not the real name of the city, but a word which replaced the name in everyone’s minds when Lazlo was a child. It’s Lazlo’s life mission to rediscover this lost city; he learns all there is to know. One day, a caravan arrives from across the desert, recruiting experts in their field, such as alchemists and engineers, to help the citizens of Weep “solve a problem.” Lazlo, being the…
