Amazon.com Kindle Monthly Book Deals, $3.99 or less for February 2014

Some of you may or may not have a Kindle. I apologize if you don't, but these posts are for anyone with either access to a Kindle or a way to get the app downloaded.


Every month, Amazon sells books for $3.99 or less that typically cost more. I have been able to purchase some really great books from these sales, and always check on the first of the month. I also check their daily deals as often as I can remember.



Uglies by Scott Westerfeld  ($1.99 - 80% off print list price)
Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that? 

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license - for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. 

The choice Tally makes changes her world forever...

Why I'm Recommending It
I've heard so many good things about this series of books, and people recommend them to me all the time. So I think I'm going to go ahead and get it now- what do I have to lose besides $1.99?




The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares ($2.99 - 70% off print list price)
Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn't look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they're great. She'd love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they're fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants and the most memorable summer of their lives begins.

Why I'm Recommending It
Again, a series of books I am long overdue to read. I have both of the movies and absolutely adore them. Time to pick this up as well!


There are 111 other books available, and all of them will be available at the above reduced prices until the end of February.

FTC: All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com. You can read more about the amazon affiliate program in my disclosure policy. 

Books I'm Excited For: February 2014

There are a lot of books that are coming out in February that I want to read. It started to seem like every time I found an interesting book, it was coming out in February. So I'm going to just jump right in!

I'm also trying a new format for this feature- If you want to know more about a book, click on the book itself and it will take you to its Goodreads page. This way, you can add it to your own shelf, read the descriptions and other's reviews. I will list below if I have received any from NetGalley, or if I have reviewed them.



                              

I received the following books from NetGalley to review: When Audrey Met Alice, Sitcom, Runner, Better Off Friends, and The Troop.
I've already read The Troop and my review was posted here.

Hopefully you guys like this format, because I really think I do!
There are so many awesome books coming out next month! I'd love to see your reviews if you do one on one of these books, so be sure and link me below! And feel free to add me on Goodreads!



FTC: Some of the books mentioned above have been provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I am not in any way affiliated with any of the authors mentioned.

Pinspiration: Superbowl Nail Ideas

I am a huge football fan. So it should come as no surprise that I love the Superbowl. Not just because the commercials are great (though they are), and not just because Bruno Mars is performing this year (though I do love him!), but because I love the game. I grew up watching football with my grandmother, and it's a tradition I still enjoy with her today. From September to February, we are together almost every single weekend.

One of my favorite things about the Superbowl is how into it everyone I know gets. It's exciting, especially when you are invested in a team. And I'm the kind of girl that tends to go all out- team colors from my eyelids down to my fingertips. And this year is especially exciting, because my favorite team, the Seattle Seahawks, are going to the Superbowl!!!

Here are some fun nail ideas I found on Pinterest for both the Seahawks and the Denver Broncos.
(As always with these Pinspiration posts, if you click on the picture, it will take you directly to the pin to repin. These photos are not mine, and I do not claim to have credit over them. Please visit the blogs that are pinned directly!)





Holy Wow! I really wish I could do this. Maybe with enough patience I could do something similar on my left hand, but there is no way I could do it on my right!




This is a really cute and simple idea for Broncos nails. You could also swap out the blue and orange for a different blue and green and have really simple Seahawks nails!




This is another one that you could definitely swap out the colors on. I love the simplicity, and the little football. So cute!


I have quite a few more ideas posted on my Beauty Pinterest board. I usually post these on there while I'm working on the post, so be sure to check out that board to see things first!

Have a good Superbowl Sunday everyone! Go Seahawks!!!

Book Review: Candlelight Christmas (Lakeshore Chronicles #10) by Susan Wiggs

Description from Goodreads
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN WIGGS INVITES YOU TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS IN THE CATSKILLS

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake— Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime.


My Review
I started reading the Lakeshore Chronicle books in 2012, and, so far, I've enjoyed all of them. Something about the community of characters, and that a lot of them reappear time and again. 

Logan is a character that, I have to admit, I wasn't super excited to read about. But I've read all the other Lakeshore books, so I felt like I needed to read this one, too! (Bookworm justification at it's finest.)
And I'm glad I did, because it is now one of my favorites of the whole series!


I wasn't sure about Logan because of who he was in Daisy's story- her ex husband/baby daddy, not really a "good" guy but getting better. He owns his own insurance agency, and is now steady. He splits custody of Charlie  with Daisy, and sees him on holidays and in the summer. 
Then he meets Darcy at Camp Tioga, and his whole outlook changes. It's almost love at first sight for both of them, but Darcy is still reeling from a terrible divorce and the loss of her stepchildren, so she is not really wanting to be into Logan because of Charlie.

Through the book, which moves very quickly, Logan and Darcy are thrown together for family holidays because Darcy is Logan's sister India's best friend. She goes to their Thanksgiving, to escape her ex-husband (her family and his family are old friends, and spend holiday's together), and they experience things together and eventually fall in love. And, Darcy and Logan may just discover they can leave their past behind them and move forward together.

This was a great Christmas book. I read this at the beginning of January, but there was still some of that Christmas magic in the air. And this book helped me hold onto that magic just a little bit longer. I definitely could see myself re-reading this next Christmas. It was just a sweet Christmas romance that made me really happy.

I gave this book four stars on Goodreads, and I believe it definitely deserved that. It was sweet and a nice read. I highly recommend checking out the series as a whole, if you like romance novels.

You can purchase a Hardcover copy of this book here, or a copy for Kindle here.


FTC: I borrowed this book from my local library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains amazon affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

The Sally Hansen Total Knockout Vox Box

I was lucky enough to qualify for and receive the Sally Hansen Total Knockout Vox Box from Influenster! (For more information on what Influenster is, see my first post here.)

I was really excited because it's NAIL POLISH! And although I only had two of the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes, I have wanted to get more because I really like the finish and the colors. I also like that you don't have to use a base coat or a top coat. (Although, I do because it's my routine and my nails stain really easy. And I like a top coat to smooth things out. But you really don't need to with these.)

I received THREE (yes, three) of the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes in my Total Knockout Vox Box. I thought I was only getting one, so that was an awesome surprise! The colors I received are Jaded, Pat on the Black, and Red My Lips.

I forgot to get a picture of the box, but what you're really here for is the nail pictures, right???




I wanted to use ALL THE COLORS so I did. Because I wanted to try them all. The first one is Jaded. It took about three coats to get the look of what I have on, and it's still not completely opaque. I like my polish opaque, so this is a little frustrating for me. But it is a lovely color that I can definitely see loving on my toes in the springtime.
To me, it is extremely close to a For Audrey dupe. Not quite blue enough, but pretty damn close.



The second color is Pat on the Black. It is a deep wine color, but definitely just looks black. This got a little patchy on me, but that could be because I failed and didn't let the first coat dry completely. As far as dark nail colors go, this is a good one. In person, it doesn't lean as black as it does in photos, but it is very dark. If you're into dark polish, I recommend trying this!



And the third color is Red My Lips. I think this is my new favorite red nail polish. The formula is amazing, and the color reminds me of this red shirt that I lived in during high school. The perfect red. Opaque in one coat, but I used two for good measure. And because it was so beautiful, I just wanted to keep applying it. I might actually take off all my other polishes and use this one. Or, wear it for Valentine's Day. Either way, if you're a red polish fan, run out to get this right now. I'll be here waiting.



You can see I also have a blue. See, I didn't want to just add another one of my three, so I grabbed the other solid polish I have from this line in Please Sea Me. (The other polish I have is a glitter called Mermaid's Tale, which you can see here.) I received this in my Allure Fall Beauty Box, and I just love it. It can run a little thick, so I would advise to get as much off the brush as possible before applying to your nails.


Overall, I'm really happy with these polishes. For the price, and if you count the fact that you really should be getting a complete manicure from these, you can't beat it! Most of my polishes run from $3.99 up to $10.00, plus base and top coat and you're looking at $20.00 for a complete nail look. This way you can save a little money, and get a great quality product.

Thank you so much to Sally Hansen and Influenster for the products!


FTC: I received the first three nail polishes from Influenster for review purposes. The last polish was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains amazon affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

New Beauty Test Tube January 2014

I'll have to be honest up front- I'm not super thrilled about everything in this box. But, the things I'm happy with, I'm SUPER excited about, so I still feel like this box was a worthwhile purchase.






The New Beauty Test Tube is available 6 times a year for $29.95 each (plus shipping and handling).




Votivo Red Currant (1 candle tin - Full Size!)
The perfect fusion of sweet and tart scents in this candle take your senses on a refreshingly fun aromatic journey.
How To Use: Place candle lid underneath before burning to prevent damage to your furniture.
Benefits Include: Fragrant and Fruity: From the brand's Aromatic collection, the distinct blend of fragrances comprising the Red Currant scent reads like a recipe card for a true culinary delight- tart red currants, golden fruit glaze, vanilla bean, raspberry and sugar cookies- promising a deliciously sweet scent; and Attention to Detail: In addition to using the finest wax, for longer-lasting candles, each Votivo candle is hand-wrapped and each seal is hand-pressed, ensuring uniqueness and a commitment to quality.
Will I Use It?: This is the second time in two boxes I've received this brand's candles, and they are 0/2 in me wanting to use them. Again, the description of the scent is right on- it's just not really for me. It's very, very sweet smelling, and my husband and I both don't like when a scent is straight up sugar. So I will definitely be passing this along to someone who will enjoy and use it.





Biosilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder (0.5 fl oz - Full Size!)
Is your hair looking a little deflated by midday? This unique powder formula can give strands a much-needed boost any time of day to keep your style from falling flat.
How To Use: Sprinkle small amount of powder to the roots where additional texture and lift is needed. Use your fingertips to massage the powder into the roots, lifting the hair as you go.
Benefits Include: Style Lifter: Oils that build up and weigh hair down throughout the day are no match for this silk and rice protein formula that absorbs excess oil and lifts hair at the roots for a dose of midday volume; and Protective Formula: The paraben-free formula also protects strands from damaging UV rays.
Will I Use It?: This is the product in the box I'm super excited about. I've been using it almost every day since receiving the box, and it is amazing. It gives my hair a bit of volume, and also helps with some excess oils. I've been using this in conjunction with my dry shampoo, and getting amazing results! My hair looks like first day hair, only with more volume. I will definitely keep using this!





Pantene Expert Collection Pro-V Advanced+ Keratin Repair (Shampoo - 3.9 fl oz; Conditioner (2.5 fl oz)
The Pantene Expert Collection uses Pantene's triple-blend formula to repair two years worth of damage in just two minutes.
How To Use: Shampoo: Massage into hair and work into a rich lather, Rinse thoroughly; and Conditioner: Massage into wet hair after shampooing, Comb through with your fingers along the length of your hair, paying particular attention to the ends, Rinse thoroughly.
Benefits Include: Multitasking Cleanser: This shampoo goes beyond conventional cleansing duties to fight many facets of damage, including split ends, frizz, dullness, and dryness; and Powerful Protector: Pro-V Advanced+ Keratin Repair Conditioner, with its triple blend complex, wraps hair, which is made of keratin, with a protective layer to help restore the surface to a healthy looking smooth condition- without weighing your style down.
Will I Use It?: I do plan on using this, but I haven't yet. I currently have three different shampoo/conditioners in my shower, and I need to use those before I start using this. I've never used a keratin shampoo or conditioner before, so I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I will definitely post a review after I have the chance to use it!






Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in Sailor (Full Size!)
An eye essential, Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner is the perfect choice for a bulletproof liner that will make you look like you've just been done up by your own personal makeup artist.
How To Use: Always start with a clean lid that has a layer of Mally's Eye Shadow Base or a light dusting of eye shadow for a long-wearing foundation.
Benefits Include: High Performance: This professional quality, waterproof, long-wear eyeliner will not come off until you take it off; and Easy to Apply: Versatile and easy enough for anyone to get red-carpet results, the formula glides on smoothly, then sets to a beautiful finish. Plus it can be mixed and matched, applied in a fine or thick line, or smudged for a sultry look.
Will I Use it?: I have used this, but I'm still forming my opinions. My first opinion was negative, because it's not a twist up- you have to sharpen it. When will companies realize we do not like having to sharpen pencils anymore?? It is a total waste of product. My second opinion was also negative because this did smudge a bit when my eyes watered. I'll keep testing it out and getting back to you all.





Moroccanoil Body Butter (1.7 fl oz - Full Size is 6.4oz)
Get softer, silkier skin from head to toe with a luxuriously rich body butter that melts on contact.
How To Use: After cleansing, massage the butter into damp skin. Concentrate on dry, rough areas that need extra moisture.
Benefits Include: Skin-Soothing: Drawing on the ultrahydrating properties of shea, cocoa, and mango butters, this velvety moisturizer soothes and softens while locking in moisture for long-lasting nourishment; and Powerful Ingredients: Infused with a healing blend of antioxidants, proteins, and vitamin-rich argan oil, this deeply nourishing body lotion helps improve elasticity and radiance.
Will I Use It?: I am actually really excited to use this, I just haven't yet! I have about 4 different things of lotion open right now and I need to use up at least 1 of those before I open this. I've heard only good things about it, so I have high expectations!





Revlon Age Defying Wrinkle Remedy Line Filler (0.4 fl oz - Full Size!)
This lightweight, colorless formula with hyaluronic acid instantly fills fine lines, wrinkles and creases, visibly smoothing skin and readying it for a flawless makeup application.
How To Use: Use alone or under makeup. Pat into fine lines and wrinkles before applying makeup.
Benefits Include: Precise Results: A needle-nose applicator helps deliver products directly to wrinkles around the eye area, forehead, and mouth, and even targets marionette lines for instant results; Women Agree: According to the brand, 90 percent of women in one study said skin looked fuller and plumper when used under makeup.
Will I Use It?: No, this isn't really a product I am in need of at this time, so I'm going to pass it off to my mom and see what kind of results she gets!





This June Jacobs Skincare Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque (1.6 fl oz) was also in my tube, but wasn't part of the Beauty-To-Go, or a part of the tube itself. I'm not really sure why I got this, but after reading some reviews, I'm excited to use it! It seems like it works great for dry skin, and my skin has been a little on the dry side lately. After I get a chance to use it a few times, I will do a follow up review!





And this is what was included in my Beauty To Go Bag- The Philosophy Inner Grace Shampoo, Bath, and Shower Gel (2 fl oz), the Lumene Time Freeze Firming Day Cream (0.5 fl oz), the DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew (1.5 g), and the Perlier Grapefruit Foam Bath (2.5 fl oz). 
I'm not a big "bath" person so I'm not sure when I'll get around to using the Perlier, but I might pass it off to a friend. I've used the Philosophy shower gel a couple of times, and I honestly just don't get the hype- it's not better than my cheap body wash. I haven't used the other two, and the DDF packet really isn't enough to get an idea as to how I would like it, but I'll definitely do an update on the Lumene. 


Overall, I believe even though I won't use a few things in this tube, it was still worth the price. I'll at least be keeping my subscription through the next one!





FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from the New Beauty Test Tube catalog included with the box.)
This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Not Your Mother's Way to Grow Long & Strong Shampoo Review

Today I'm reviewing the Not Your Mother's Way To Grow Long & Strong Shampoo.

I love the way this stuff smells. It's pink, and it smells delicious. Like a handful of fruity candy. And overall, it has performed pretty well. However, sometimes I feel like it gets my hair too clean. Like, squeaky clean. So clean I expect to hear that squeaky noise that windshield wipers make.

That's not a bad thing- having really clean hair is what a shampoo is supposed to do. But it makes my hair so clean, it feels dry, and looks dry after I use this. I have very long hair, and I always have to use a conditioner, but if I'm using this, I have to use a deep conditioner to get any type of moisture back into my hair. For me, this could easily take the place of a clarifying shampoo, because it gets everything out of my hair, including my natural oils.


I have used this once or twice a week for a few months now, and overall, I'm really happy. I time it so I use it when I'm ready to use a deep conditioner- I learned this after I tried to use it with a standard conditioner and could not get my hair to come untangled after my shower. So I was ripping out a ton of hair. But when I used my deep conditioner, it definitely solved that problem.
I haven't tried its Conditioner equivalent, so I can't speak to whether that would replenish what this product seems to strip out of my hair. But when I repurchase this product, I will also be purchasing the conditioner to see how they perform together, and provide a complete review of both at that time.


This product isn't marketed as a clarifying shampoo, but for oily-haired girls that color their hair like me that are looking for a clarifying shampoo, this is an unexpected one that isn't going to completely remove your color or make it look dull. But it is going to remove all the buildup caused by various products. At least it did for me.
But as far as making my hair stronger, I think this product failed on it's own.


FTC: This product was purchased with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post contains an amazon.com affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.