Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser Review

(photo credit to birchbox.com)

How to Use: Massage a dime-sized amount into skin until it forms a gentle lather..Rinse off and pat skin dry. Follow with moisturizer.

How It Works: Lycopene, a bright red carotene found in tomatoes, works its anti-oxidizing magic to neutralize damaging free radicals. Meanwhile, Evologie’s patent-pending YS3 COMPLEX™ seals in moisture and banishes blemishes. Willow bark extract is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces redness, while chamomile and honey extracts soothe and moisturize.

Initial Impressions: I received this in my second June 2014 birchbox (read all about that here). I wasn't super impressed with this on my first use- it didn't lather, it doesn't smell like anything, and, in general, it just felt pretty basic. 

Final Impressions: My final impressions are actually quite different than my initial impressions! As I kept using it, I loved the way it didn't irritate my skin, which was surprising to me because, usually, anything with willow bark tends to make my skin a little fussy, but maybe the chamomile and honey balanced that out. I liked that it didn't dry out my skin, and left it still feeling moisturized. And I never once broke out while using this product, at all. Not even my usual hormonal breakouts. I stuck to using this product in the morning, only, because I liked the way it made my skin look after rinsing- it made it look soft, and not at all greasy or oily, which some cleansers can do.
Overall, I really loved this and might look into a full-sized purchase when I get through the rest of my cleansers.

You can purchase this product from amazon here.
You can sign up for your own birchbox here.

FTC: This product was received in a subscription box that was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link and a birchbox affiiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Judging A Book By Its Cover: Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich

Hello, BATR Book Club!

Today I am starting Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich!
I previously reviewed Takedown Twenty.


I'm going into this book with extremely low expectations, as these books are pretty much all the same. Stephanie gets in trouble, her car gets blown up, etc. And there will still be no resolution on whether she's going to end up with Joe or Ranger.


Do any of you read the Stephanie Plum novels? What do you think of them?

Paula's Choice RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol Review

(photo credit to birchbox.com)

I received this in my second June 2014 Birchbox. 


How to Use: Gently massage moisturizer onto clean skin. If you apply in the morning, be sure to follow up with sunblock of SPF 15 or higher, since retinol can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun.

How It Works: This potent cream is loaded with antioxidants (which support collagen production) and retinol (a tried-and-true wrinkle reducer), plus shea butter and other moisturizers—leaving smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking . The lightweight formula soaks in quickly for a silky (never greasy) finish, and works well with dry, normal, or combination skin.

Initial Impression: A little of this goes a long way! It didn't have much of a smell, and I liked that it sank in quickly (but not too quickly.My skin felt moisturized, but not overly so. 

Final Impression: This was okay. I felt like it was a really good for night. It sunk in really quickly. I did notice a couple break outs, but I can't be 100% sure they were caused by this and not by hormones. I can't speak to wrinkles or firming, but my skin felt good and moisturized, and that helps skin appear smoother.
I won't be repurchasing this because it didn't WOW me, but I liked it enough to use the entire sample provided to me. Maybe if my skin was more mature, this would be a must have.



You can purchase this product from amazon here.


FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box that was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Emmy Red Carpet 2014

Oh yes, the Emmys were last night!
I have finished wiping my eyes free of the tears created by Billy Crystals touching speech about Robin Williams and am ready to show you my favorite and least favorite looks from last night's awards.

First, my favorites!


She looks AMAZING in this dress!


Mostly for her dress... not sure why, but I really love it! He looks nice, too.


There's just something about this that I really love. Plus, she looks absolutely beautiful, and is having a girl!
(Has anyone else noticed it seems like EVERYONE is having girls?!)


A dress I shouldn't love, but I really, really do.


Love this color for her, and the dress is such a great choice.


LOVE! She won already, and this dress is absolutely stunning.


I'm surprised I like this as much as I do, but it's just stunning.


I couldn't stop looking at the details of this dress when she was onstage. I also like that her makeup and hair is so natural. She's flawless.


She's usually a favorite. I love the detail of the belt, and that color is so pretty.


I really like the top of this. I wish the skirt was more fitted, but I like the jewelry and her hair so much, so I feel like this is still a win.


And my least favorites. There are only two.


I don't understand. She's a gorgeous girl, and it seems like she goes out of her way to just look awful at most Award shows.
I'm also not a fan of her hair that color or style. But that's a whole different thing.


I'm just not a fan of this. It's is Seahawks colors, but that doesn't take away fro the fact that I really don't like it.



What were your favorites?

Changing it Up- Book Review

I'm bored with book reviews.

And I told my husband this about 45 minutes ago. I was getting ready to write my review for Sisterhood Everlasting, and it was not going to be good. By that, I mean that I didn't know what to write. And I realized that I am bored. So I told him, "I'm bored with book reviews."
And he brought up that I love books, and I do. And that I want to keep this blog being about both beauty AND books. So he said I should come up with something else. He mentioned that I like to talk to people about books, so I should make the reviews more like conversations.

So, the BATR (batter) book club is born!
Basically, I'm going to make a post when I start a book- "Judging A Book By It's Cover", where I talk about what I think the book is going to be about, why I started reading it, etc.
And when I finish the book, I'll do a BATR book club post, which will be a lot more conversational. And if you see I'm reading a book and haven't done my book club post yet, leave a comment, and I'll answer it back in the book club post.

With my husband's help, I feel a lot better about book reviews now. And I hope you all will like them, too!


My first BATR Book Club post will be up on September 16th, and will be on Tuesdays, like the book review posts were before, at some point after I finish the book. All "Judging a Book" posts will be up before I start reading, which will vary in day, so be sure to follow me on FB, Twitter, or Bloglovin to make sure you see those posts! (All links are on the right side.)

ipsy August 2014

I was able to unlock the spoilers for my bag on the 6th, and I got SO excited! And it's filled with completely different brands than my first ipsy!




- The Bag: I really like this! I can't tell what kind of material it's made out of, but this might be one I hang on to!
- Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner: I've heard quite a bit about this product, and I'm excited to try it!
- Urban Decay Perversion Mascara: I knew from seeing the spoilers that every subscriber would receive either the mascara or a 24/7 liner in Plushie. I was secretly hoping for the mascara, and I'm pretty psyched that I got it!
- J. Cat Beauty Flying Solo Eye Shadow: It says I'll be receiving the shade Half Naked, which sounds like it will be a neutral shade. It also looks like it has a little mirror! Very Cute!
- Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Lip Conditioner: I can always use another lip balm, but I'm a little picky. Hopefully this will be one that I like!
- Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk: I've started showering at night, and dry shampoo has become a must for my oily hair!

Onto the unboxing!



Okay, I am not a fan of the bag. It both looks like and feels like a pool floaty. If this was fabric, I would have been all over it. But I'll definitely be putting this in my donation stuff once the month is over.


Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
This award-winning dry shampoo is the ultimate secret weapon to clean hair without water and to add amazing volume.
How To Use: Directions: Shake can well before use and in between sprays; Spray roots evenly holding can 10 inches from head. Do not spray on hair’s length–it’s meant for the scalp and roots; Leave product in for 2 minutes to allow it to soak up oil; Brush hair thoroughly to remove excess product and distribute evenly; and Style as desired!
How It Works: Klorane Dry shampoo with oat milk gently revives hair, ridding it of excess dirt, oil, build-up and odor while leaving hair soft, clean and full of volume. 
Will I Use It?: I tried it out and it's okay. It removed the oils from my hair, but my roots definitely showed a white-cast. I may have used too much, so I'll keep trying it out and do a full review later.





J. Cat Beauty Flying Solo Eye Shadow in Half Naked
Allow your eyes to soar with vivid pigments from an immense selection of Flying Solo eye shadows. The collection glides for every girl—from classic neutrals to the trendsetting shades in mattes and shimmers. The high-quality formula and texture can be worn wet or dry.
How To Use: Sweep over eyelid, wet or dry.
How It Works: Allow your eyes to soar with vivid pigments from an immense selection of Flying Solo eye shadows. The collection glides for every girl—from classic neutrals to the trendsetting shades in mattes and shimmers. The high-quality formula and texture can be worn wet or dry. Each shadow opens up to reveal a mini mirror and applicator, making this shadow perfect whether at home or on the go!
Will I Use It?: This is a really pretty neutral shade for my skin tone, and the texture of the shadow is wonderful. I really like that you open up the top and there's a teeny mirror and a sponge tip applicator, perfect for just tossing in your bag if you're in a bit of a hurry in the morning!



Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner
Dr. Brandt's quick fix for flawless, photo-ready skin fits seamlessly into any regimen--skincare or makeup--because of its incredible ability to hide the appearance of pores and mattify shine. Available in a tinted formula too.
How To Use: Use in the morning after cleansing with Pores No More Cleanser. Can be used on top of your moisturizer and foundation. Re-apply throughout the day as necessary. For best results, use with Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner and Pores No More Pore Thing.
How It Works: Hides and refines pores. Absorbs excess oil. Smooths and evens skin's appearance.
Will I Use It?: I did try this, and it's okay. It has a mousse-like texture like the COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face. I didn't notice a lot of extra-staying power for my makeup or that it helped mattify, but I'll keep trying it and see what happens.



Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Lip Conditioner
Jersey Shore Sun® Mongongo Nutrient Dense Lip Conditioners are 100% natural and USDA certified organic. Fresh organic flavors. No petrochemicals. Nothing artificial. No petroleum. 
How To Use: Slather on this balm for soft lips all year long.
How It Works: Mongongo oil has hydrating, regenerating and restructuring properties and offers a unique protection from UV and environmental pollutants in skin applications. Mongongo oil is rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, cooper and anti-oxidants. 
Will I Use It?: I've used this a few times before bed, and I LOVE how soft it leaves my lips feeling. And it doesn't leave any kind of waxy, weird film behind. I think I may have a new favorite lip balm!




 
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
An eye duo for stand-out lashes: a creamy, lash primer that conditions and preps lashes, and an ultrablack mascara that lengthens and volumizes. 
How To Use: Perversion has a creamy, full-bodied texture that’s not too dry, not too wet. This allows just the right amount of “pull” so it glides through lashes. The result: incredible control for insane lashes. Go ahead and pile on coat after coat. Want to apply more before you go out at night? No problem. Even if it’s been all day since you applied, more Perversion always means more beautiful lashes. Our formula NEVER gets brittle or clumpy. 
How It Works: Enhance lashes with Urban Decay’s combo of Perversion Mascara and Subversion Primer. The limited-edition Subversion Lash Primer coats lashes with protective panthenol and conditioning vitamin E, prepping them for high-volume mascara application. The Perversion Mascara provides creamy, full-bodied texture that’s not too dry and not too wet, allowing for just the right amount of pull as it glides through each lash, achieving clump-free application. It is formulated with a nourishing blend that stimulates lash growth, and the triple-black pigments leave lashes looking ultrablack. 
Will I Use It?: Are you nuts? Of COURSE I've used it, and I loved it! It really separated my lashes and coated them with one of the blackest mascaras I've ever encountered. This may end up being a must have! (And I did try recoating later in the day, and it completely worked. I'm so in love!)


Second bag, second win! I love everything in this bag, except the actual bag, but even that I consider a bonus. I've discovered two new favorite products this month, and I can't wait to see what next month brings!

If any of you are interested in signing up for ipsy, please click there and use my affiliate link! I receive points which I will exchange for products that I can review on this blog.


FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from ipsy, amazon.com, or the product page on the brand's website.
This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links and an ipsyaffiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
The individual product links to the ipsy product page are not affiliate links.

Birchbox August 2014

This month, I received an email asking if I wanted to customize, much like last month with the Relic nail polish.




This email came to me at 7:19am, but since I work at 7am, I didn't see it until my break time and the choices were already gone. (Ramblings of a Suburban Mom did a review of the Everygirl Box, if you're interested in seeing one.) I really wanted the Everygirl box, but since it wasn't an option, and I didn't like any of the Lighten Up sample choices (all of which are pictured above), I decided to go ahead and leave my complete box a surprise this month.

I received my shipping notification on the 9th, and my spoilers, as usual, were available to view on the 10th.



- Harvey Prince Ageless - Pink Grapefruit: The notes in this seem to be ones I might like, so we'll see!
- Number 4 Hair Care Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect: As I've said about a thousand times now, I'm always willing to try a new hair protector.
- theBalm cosmetics Stainiac: This is one of the items that I could have chosen if I had wanted to choose an item. Don't get me wrong- I'm okay with receiving this still, but I specifically didn't choose an item because I wasn't excited about any of them, and it seemed like, if you didn't chose, you wouldn't receive one of the items. I guess I can just be glad it wasn't the eyeliner.
- Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream: I'm probably least excited about this, especially since I see that a full size is $20.00.
- Paula's Choice RESIST Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum: At first I was a little put off- I'm only 29 and I definitely don't have wrinkles! But it has Retinol, and says it's also good for spots and acne scaring, so I'm a little less put off and a little more looking forward to seeing how it works.








Harvey Prince Ageless
This grapefruit-sandalwood blend leaves skin smelling youthful.
How To Use: Apply to pulse points for instant freshness (and a spring in your step.)
How It Works: Olfactory studies have shown that when the fatty acids in our skin begin to breakdown, they emit a particular odor. Fascinating, no? Even more fascinating: pink grapefruit and mango counteract that smell, which is why they’re called the ‘olfactory antidote to aging.’ Beyond the science, this lovely scent has layers of fresh citrus, pomegranate, and mango as well as jasmine, ylang-ylang, and sandalwood. It’s guaranteed to make you feel good.
Will I Use It?: This is a really nice, light scent. I really liked it, and could definitely see buying a smaller size of it some day soon. (I already put it on my amazon wishlist for future reference.)



Number 4 Hair Super Comb Prep & Protect
A sulfate-free conditioning spray that safeguards color and protects against UV rays.
How To Use: Mist evenly onto damp hair and style as usual.
How It Works: Natural conditioners—including black currant, soy yogurt, algae, and yerba mate—combine to restore hydration to dry hair, while the unique UV/Color Polar Shield protects dyed or sun-exposed locks. Soy and vegetable proteins repair damage caused by heat and chemical styling. And don’t forget about the defrizzing factor—anti-static technology tames flyaways, making hair more manageable and easy to style.
Will I Use It?: I've used it a couple of times, and I liked it. It smelled like chocolate cake when I sprayed it, but that scent didn't linger at all. (I think I'm the first person that has said that's what it smells like, but to me, it does!) It detangled my hair really well, and didn't weigh my hair down. I'll do a more complete review once I have a chance to fully use the bottle, but so far, it's really great!



Paula's Choice RESIST Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
Retinol-powered antiaging treatment that fades dark spots and smooths away wrinkles.
How To Use: Before bed, gently smooth a few drops into clean, dry skin. Safe for the eye area too.
How It Works: This fragrance-free serum starts working immediately to clear up and smooth out skin. It releases a patented blend of retinol (stabilized for high performance), wrinkle-resisting antioxidants, and proven skin-soothers to help erase the effects of sun damage, poor lifestyle choices (ahem—tanning beds), and of course, Father Time.
Will I Use It?: I will use it, but there are some samples I'm trying to get through first. I'll review one I've had the chance to use it and form an opinion.





theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen
Best-selling stain that gives cheeks and lips a sheer, rosy tint.
How To Use: Dot onto cheeks and blend quickly. Sweep over lips to give them a wash of color.
How It Works: The tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. Since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. Use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue.
Will I Use It?: I used it on my lips, and I liked the subtle color it left behind. I haven't tried it on my cheeks yet, but I will keep it in my makeup bag to try. I still kind of wish I would have been sent something besides this, but it is something I didn't have, and I enjoy the color.



Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream - Acai Grapefruit
A shea-butter packed, silky cream in a fresh-for-summer scent.
How To Use: Apply to legs, armpits, or bikini line before you shave.
How It Works: A moisturizing base of omega-rich squalene, organic shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil protects against the redness and irritation associated with shaving, while organic green tea extracts infuse skin with antioxidants.
Will I Use It?: I will definitely give it a shot, and do a review on it further at a later date. I'm still not super excited about it.


I'm not as excited for this box as I have been in past months, but I appreciated that all the sample sizes are actually what I would consider deluxe samples- even the perfume is good enough to get an idea of whether or not I will actually like it. I still wish I had received a completely surprise box, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I like that all the sizes of samples were decent, and that I still really am loving my Birchbox subscription.

I also cashed in my points this month (I had $50.00 worth!), so I'll have a #BirchboxBrag post as soon as I get the items so you all can see what I got!


If any of you are interested in signing up for Birchbox, please click there and use my affiliate link! I receive points which I will exchange for products that I can review on this blog.


FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from the Birchbox card included in the box.
This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links and a birchbox affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
The individual product links to the birchbox product page are not affiliate links.

Book Review: Forever In Blue (Sisterhood #4) by Ann Brashares

Description from Goodreads
As their lives take them in different directions, Lena, Tibby, Carmen, and Bridget discover many more things about themselves and the importance of their relationship with each other. The fourth book in the bestselling young-adult series, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, finds the girls finished with their freshman year of college and experiencing a bevy of quandaries involving sex, relationships, self-esteem, and growing up. Lena is finally getting over Kostos when she meets the wildly talented Leo in her painting class, while Bee's archeological dig in Turkey involves a very appealing professor, who also happens to be married. Carmen's depression isn't helped by her new friend, Julia, and Tibby's decision to sleep with Brian brings on consequences she never dreamed of. Though the magical pants take a backseat in this stirring drama, they ultimately bring the girls together.


My Review
I'm not sure how it happened, but this is both my favorite and least favorite. 

Maybe because I know where one of the girls stories is going in the last book. Maybe because I really, really didn't want Bridget to kiss that professor. Maybe because, in spite of everything, I'm not a Kostos fan, but then again, I really do like them together. Or maybe because Carmen is a huge idiot. 

Either way, it was entertaining, and even though I didn't like those other things, I laughed and cried while reading this book. 

This book takes place the summer after their first year of college.
Carmen is doing theater camp with probably one of the worst young women characters I've read in YA in a long time. (As in, she had no redeeming qualities, at all.)
Lena is in a summer art program and meets Leo, and essentially becomes his muse and he hers. 
Bridget is off on a dig.
And Tibby spends the summer thinking she's pregnant, not being pregnant, and ending her relationship with Brian. 


Of all the parts of this book, I liked the growth Carmen had, but I hated that she was so oblivious. I get not seeing what was right in front of you, but how many times did her instructors and fellow actors have to give her the hint that this girl was a horrible person? 



I'm trying hard not to give too much away regarding the other girls, but even though I love/hated this book, I still gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.

You can purchase a copy of this book for Kindle here, or a physical copy here. Or, pick up a copy from your local library, like I did!

FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Macadamia Natural Oil Flawless Cleansing Conditioner Review

I received this in my May 2014 New Beauty Test Tube.

How To Use: Use in place of your shampoo and conditioner. Lightly emulsify one to two pumps between hands. Apply to the scalp area and gently massage through to the ends, spreading throughout hair. Leave in wet hair for up to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

How It Works: Experience Perfection: This cleansing conditioner reinvents the art of shampooing and creates the perfect salon blow-dry at home; and Versatile Formula: In one product, this conditioner cleanses, conditions, reduces blow-drying time, detangles, enhances volume, and eliminates frizz. 

Initial Impressions: Using this product was an interesting experience. It's very similar to mousse, in the way it comes out, and in texture. And it doesn't lather, so that was a little odd for me, because I'm a lather-loving girl. But I massaged it in, spread it through my hair, shaved my legs, and then rinsed it out. My hair felt very easy to brush through after my shower- not as bad as after a normal shampoo/conditioner routine. I decided to let my hair air-dry the first time I used it because I figured this would give the best indication as to how my hair behaves normally with this product. And it dried beautifully! My hair was left looking and feeling soft. And it was so full- I have very fine hair, and this definitely gave me a boost in volume!
The next time I used it, I blow-dried my hair. My hair was super voluminous! However, my hair did tangle up a lot throughout the day, and fell flat by the afternoon.

Final Impressions: I'm almost done with this, and I really enjoyed it. It gave my hair good volume, and it didn't get as greasy as I thought it would. I think this is a great once a week treat for my hair, because it makes my hair soft for a couple of days after- very similar to what a deep conditioner might do. I can't see myself become a full-fledge convert to this stuff, but I can definitely see myself picking up the small sized bottle and keep it handy for when I'm in the mood to have a good hair day- especially air-dried. I really feel like that's where it shined for me- when I didn't touch my hair and just let it do its own thing. 


You can purchase this product here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription service which was purchased with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lorac Pro 2 Pinspiration

I've had my Lorac Pro 2 Palette a little over a month now, and obviously I turned to pinterest to get ideas on how to utilize this palettes full potential!

(As always, clicking on the photo will take you directly to the pin so that you can pin it to your own boards! All credit of photos is to the blog owner- please visit their pages!)




This is a really gorgeous look, definitely more natural and office appropriate.




I love how it's all laid out for you! I would probably tone this down a little and blend it up a bit (since I have hooded eyelids), but I love the colors that are put together here.



And finally, THAT BLUE. It's a huge reason why I got this palette, and this tutorial shows the proper way to utilize it for a smokey eye.

Book Review: Girls In Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood #3) by Ann Brashares

Description from Goodreads
The Pants first came to us at the perfect moment. That is, when we were splitting up for the first time. It was two summers ago when they first worked their magic, and last summer when they shook up our lives once again. You see, we don’t wear the Pants year-round. We let them rest so they are extra powerful when summer comes. (There was the time this spring when Carmen wore them to her mom’s wedding, but that was a special case.) 
Now we’re facing our last summer together. In September we go to college. And it’s not like one of those TV shows where all of us magically turn up at the same college. We’re going to four different colleges in four different cities (but all within four hours of one another—that was our one rule). We’re headed off to start our real lives. 
Tomorrow night at Gilda’s we’ll launch the Pants on their third summer voyage. Tomorrow begins the time of our lives. It’s when we’ll need our Pants the most.


My Review
These books really do keep getting better!
Book three follows the girls on that summer before college- that summer where you really see your friends drifting apart even though you're longing to hold on, when you're preparing to become who you will be, and when you're basically figuring out who you are as a person separate from school, friends, and family.
Tibby spends the summer finally coming around to her true feelings for Brian... thank God! 
Carmen takes care of Lena's grandmother, who is recovering from the loss of both husband and country.
Lena is trying to go to art school even though her parents don't approve.
And Bridget is at soccer camp where she coaches with Eric, the boy she lost her virginity to, and who basically broke her in the first novel. 

For once, I wasn't super annoyed by Carmen throughout this whole book. She was pretty much the only one that figured out Lena's grandmother and why she was so unhappy. 
But now Tibby is starting to annoy me slightly. They really are like real friends at this point. 
I really, really enjoyed reading the descriptions of Lena's portraits. I could practically see them right before my eyes.
I think Bridget's story was probably my least favorite- she did have growth, but I just wasn't as into reading her pining but not pining over Eric. 

I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads. Overall, I did really enjoy this book, and want to continue and finish the series.


You can purchase a copy of this book for Kindle here, or a physical copy here. Or, pick up a copy from your local library, like I did!

FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

What's In My Makeup Bag? (As of August 7th, 2014)

My primers and liners for the month. That Coola Tinted Matte moisturizer is almost completely gone, so I just shoved it in there to make sure I finish using it. And I would like to keep trying to use that bareMinerals 5-in-1 that I received in my ipsy bag last month.



All new mascaras! And I have to say, I have used that CKone mascara so much since receiving it from Ulta as a birthday gift! It is quickly becoming one of my favorites!



I decided I wanted to keep playing with my Lorac Pro 2 palette. And I figured I'd play some more with Naked 2 as well. The Glamour To Go palette is more out for the blush and bronzer, and I'm still really, really loving the Jouer palette, and wanted to keep that handy.



While in San Diego, my sister-in-law gifted me that Tarte Exposed blush, which I believe she received in a Pop Sugar box. I've used it a couple of times and I like it! It's a really pretty color! The blush is an old favorite, and the bronzer, which I really like, is also from last month's ipsy bag.



And finally... face! I am almost done with that lumene time freeze, so I decided to try and finish it off this month. And I really need to use that concealer more!


I'm pretty excited about my choices this month! I've used the Lorac Pro 2 and the Naked 2 together, and some of the colors just look so pretty blended together!

This Month in Nails - July 2014

So, my nails are not in good shape. But I figured the only way to get them back into shape is to stop messing around and just paint them. So that's what I decided to do.


RUFFIAN in Relic



This color is described as a silvery-taupe, but to me, it comes off more silver than taupe. At least on my skin tone, and at least the time that I applied it. The formula is nice, but given the fact that this polish retails at $11.00, I definitely expected it to be a little better. I don't see myself buying anymore RUFFIAN polishes, because I wasn't all that impressed with it, but for a sample in a birchbox, it was okay, and I'll definitely keep it around. It might be really pretty option around Christmastime.


Sally Hansen in Red My Lips



I've worn this before, but I wanted something for my vacation to San Diego that would stay put. I received this in my Total Knockout Vox Box from Influenster, but I haven't worn it since. At the time, I said it was probably my favorite red ever, and I still believe this to be true, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to put it back on my nails. I think, when I redo my pedicure, this is going on my toes. 


My nails are starting to come back! I'm trying really hard to keep fresh polish on them, so hopefully next month I'll have more than two on my post!



FTC: Please see above for how polishes were received. Unless stated otherwise, they were purchased by me with my own money. 

My Life, July 2014

July 1st - July 5th
More unpacking fun! Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be unpacking for the rest of my life! We still have a few boxes in our spare room that need to be sorted through, but for the most part, we're all done!
This weekend was the 4th of July, and I had the day off. My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and nephew came up to visit from San Diego, so we all went over to my husband's Aunt and Uncle's house to celebrate the 4th with good food, beer, and fireworks. But OMG it was so hot! I think it got up to 106 that day. It was miserable, and we spent a fairly good portion of it either inside or in the shade. We also had a get together in my new house with my husband's dad's family (including Joe's stepsister and her family), where we ate pizza, vaped (Yep, vaping is a thing we do over here! Though I'm really not one to do it much at all, probably because I was never a smoker, but I'd rather be around that than cigarettes any day!), and just hung out together. Oh, and drank more beer (or wine, in my sister-in-law's case). We really enjoyed spending time with them, and we're planning on taking a weekend trip down to San Diego at the beginning of August. 
I finished My Real Children this week.



July 6th - July 12th
This was the week I realized I liked vacuuming... seriously! We had to buy a new vacuum, and went with the Shark Rotator Pro Complete Lift-Away Upright Vac (and yes, we did buy from Fingerhut!). It really got my really dirty floors totally clean, and sucked up everything! Our floors hadn't been vacuumed since we moved in on the 20th of June, so it was way overdue! 
I worked a lot of overtime this week at work, which is always good for the paycheck, but bad for the sleep schedule. I felt exhausted all week. 
My mom had been wanting to take me shopping to buy some kitchen essentials (like kitchen towels), so I drove down to Porterville, where she lives, after work on the 11th, and then on the 12th we drove up to the Tulare Outlet Center.  I ended up spending a lot of money at the Gap outlet shopping, because I realized I was going sailing at the beginning of August and really didn't own anything appropriate (I didn't even own a single pair of non-exercise shorts. Seriously.), but, luckily, my sis-in-law is a veteran, and helped me pick out some stuff via text pictures. I always send her pics when I'm shopping, especially if I'm alone. Even my husband helps me when we shop (and he really picks good things, too!). I also get really frustrated when trying on clothes, so it helps to have someone else that even is talking with me at the same time. It's not that I have a complicated figure to shop for, but I'm usually in between sizes and it's just a pain in the ass.
(If I remember, I'll take a picture to add to the blog. I realized that's what these posts are missing.)


July 13th - July 19th
More work, and overtime. I spent the beginning of the week combating some major cramps! I never got them as a teenager, so it really sucks. And the rest of the workweek was pretty boring-other than blogging and putting some books away, I really did nothing of interest until the weekend.
The morning of the 19th I went on a nice walk with my cousin, Michelle, and her daughter, Scarlet. And then that evening, my husband and I played Cards Against Humanity with my cousin, Jonalyn, and her fiance, Adam. We own all of the expansions, including the Bigger Blacker Box. We have quite a few games, but this one definitely has gotten the most use. My husband prefers to play with a smaller group of people, though. (You have to read cards, and he feels that after a certain number of people. the enthusiasm of reading the cards is lost.)


(Our downstairs coat closet pretty much just has games in it.)
I finished reading The Second Summer of the Sisterhood this week.

July 20th - July 26th
My husband went to The Yardhouse for the first time this week! I have been several times, meeting up with friends for happy hour or dinner, and I'm glad he finally got to go. It's a really good restaurant, but their claim to fame is that they have over 100 beers on tap. And during happy hour, it's really reasonable to get a shorty or two to try a couple of different ones. 
I also got to meet up with a really good friend of mine for about an hour at Starbucks, which was great because I hadn't seen her since her wedding in March!
Over the weekend, I had some plans that got cancelled last minute, so my husband and I ended up going to dinner with our roommate at a restaurant called The Silver Dollar Hofbrau. Their pretty much known around town for their french dip sandwiches, but I'm not a big "dip" person, so I usually just get ham, but OMG it is tasty. And then our friend came over and hung out and we watched The Lego Movie.


July 27th - July 31st
On the 27th, my family had a birthday get together for my Grandpa, two of my aunts, and one of my cousins birthdays. It was outside, and it was hot. (Over 100 degrees). So the next day, I was in migraine city! It made work a whole lot of fun. I also worked more overtime this week- I am taking full advantage while I can, that is for sure! I also went through the last of my boxes that were left to organize and decide what to donate and what to keep, and all I have to say is this- parents keep stuff that their kids do not care about as adults. I threw away so many papers from my classes. I did get a really good laugh reading through mine and my husband's yearbooks, though.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent doing laundry and packing for our trip to San Diego! We are going over the 1st to the 4th.
This week I read Girls In Pants (the third Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book).



In retrospect, July was a pretty busy month filled with fun family times! Hopefully August will be as much fun, starting with San Diego and our sailing trip!

Sally Beauty Supply Haul #1

I renewed my Sally Beauty Club Card last month, and with my renewal, I received $5.00 off a $5.00 purchase, which is the price of the card, so it's like the renewal was free. So I went in to Sally's at the end of July to check things out, and I'm so glad that I did!

I have been needing a new flat iron for quite some time. I have one, but it's not that great, and hasn't been heating up properly for at least 6 months now. And I know the CHI is a great flat iron, but there's no way I could afford to spend that much money on a hair straightener when my hair is straight. I use a flat iron to make my hair sleeker, not straighter. But I had seen the GVP straighteners that are suppose to be the same thing as the CHI at Sallys. I have used a couple of their GVP products before (like shampoos and stuff), so I knew they were good stuff.

But they're also $59.99, or $54.99 with the club card. Which is still more than I was willing to spend. So I just figured it would be something I might find on sale at Christmastime, or I would just make due.


Then, at the end of July, I went to Sally's to spend my $5.00. I was just going to see if they had an OPI polish (they didn't), but noticed they had a bunch of straighteners and curling irons on a table. So I picked up this one, and it said reduced to $34.99. And in my head, I was subtracting $5.00 and figured that was about as much as I would spend on basically one similar what what I already have that I bought at Target, and then I noticed the sign. The sign that said everything on this table is an additional 50% off!
So, including my discount, I spent $12.99 on this straightener! Score!



And that's all I got- so my haul is only one item this time. But I definitely wanted to share! It seems like my Sally's does a lot of deals like this (it's right by the grocery store my husband and I frequent, and I'm always seeing deals written on signs posted on the door) that I don't also see online or in their catalogs, so it's definitely a good idea if you're really eyeballing an item there to check out your local Sally's to see if they're running a special. Because if I had not stopped in when I did, I would not have known they were on sale!

I will definitely do a review of this once I figure out the best way to go about doing that, and have a chance to use it for awhile. I'm excited to plus it in and see how it works!


FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. I am in no way affiliated with Sally Beauty Supply. All thoughts and opinions are my own.