Book Review - The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. 

It was okay. 

And that's not meant to be an in-joke from the book (cause the word okay is kind of a code word from the book). That's my opinion. It was okay. 

I guess I expected brilliance because of all the hype surrounding this book, but I should learn not to trust that (hello, Twilight). I did like it, but that's a lowercase L, liked not loved. Maybe because I don't know any teenagers with cancer? Maybe because I roll my eyes at teenagers who believe they're in love? (Then again, I guess when you don't have all the time in the world, you're bound to move quick.) I don't know. 

Some parts I did love. Isaac was by far my favorite character. He was real. Hazel's dad too. Maybe I just love side characters. Hazel's mom bothered me a little only because who keeps the fact that they're in college from their daughter?

Unfortunately, a lot of parts made me cringe. Every scene involving Lidewig and Peter Van Houten made me want to stop reading. I read their voices in my head as these high and low pitched fake voices because I could not picture actual people as these characters. They just screamed FAKE to me. And yes, I know it's a fictional book, but I like a realism when the story is set in a non-fantasy modern day. 

I am not saying it's a horrible book that no one should pick up. I'm actually glad I did because I did like it. 

And yeah, I cried. There is a funeral scene and anyone's who's lost someone they cared about can relate to the feeling of final goodbyes.

And yeah, life is finite. You feel sympathy for characters that have to live (even briefly) with the fact that their finite is not as long as everyone else's.

I'll see the movie. I'll probably cringe a little and cry a lot. And I'm sure I'll like it at least as much as I liked the book. 

Book Review - Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood.

One thing I'll say first off is that I usually do not like overly descriptive books. I like dialogue. I like everything and everyone moving around and talking to each other. When I first read a Margaret Atwood book, I thought I'd hate it. Because flipping through the book, you don't find too many quotation marks. The Handmaid's Tale ended up becoming one of my all time favorite books. The descriptions aren't forced and they are important. (Don't describe the tree to me if I don't need to know about the tree.)

Oryx and Crake is a post-apolcalyptic story told in present time and flashbacks. We never do find out exactly how far in our future "the flood" (as called in the next book) takes place, but there are hints here and there. References to historical events or items.

We follow Snowman aka Jimmy as he remembers his family, friend(s), and his own role in the events that caused him to be (1) alone and (2) the somewhat-leader of a group of man-made humans he calls "Crakers". 

That sentence makes it sound like this could be a humorous novel but it's not. Society builds itself up throughout the book only to be brought down in mere moments. Cures for diseases and aging galore, animal splices that can be downright silly (rakunks, pigoons), but once the world ends it doesn't matter. Don't let the silliness of the names fool you.

I won't spoil how the apocalypse actually happens as it includes a great build up throughout the book. You'll look back and wonder how you and Jimmy didn't notice. 

And just like The Handmaid's Tale, I look back and go, "yeah, society could really end this fucked up."

Ipsy April 2014 Unbagging! "Beauty Rocks!"

April 2014 Ipsy bag.

What is Ipsy?

Ipsy is a beauty subscription service. For $10 per month, subscribers receive a makeup bag filled with 4-5 beauty items each month. Some sample sizes, some full sizes. The item's values always add up to more than $10 so that you always get you're money's worth. You can subscribe on a month to month basis for $10 each month or subscribe for a full year for $110 (meaning one month for free).

If you want to check out Ipsy and sign up, just click HERE. (That is my referral link.)

With that said, here's what I got in my April Ipsy bag!

 First up! 

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush, Full sized, Value $2.49

Ipsy Deal: 25% off any purchase

The brush is soft, no strays that I can see. I have a few shadow brushes, but it's always nice to have an extra one for when I'm lazy and don't want to clean them.

Turns out that some people received this exact same brush in a previous Ipsy bag. Those that did got an email from Ipsy telling them to let Ipsy know if they'd rather have 500 points or an extra item in their May bag.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil Swatch

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil, Black Velvet, Travel Sized .03oz, Value $15

Ipsy Deal: Free deluxe sample of B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray with $35 purchase.

I'm not impressed. Now, I'm sure that I'll use this. But it feels harder than usual for an Urban Decay liner. It took a few swipes to get a decent line. I have Urban Decay's liner in Perversion as well, and that one is incredibly smooth and takes one swipe to get a clear, black line.

dr. brandt microdermabrasion

dr. brandt microdermabrasion, Travel Sized 7.5g, Value $9.75

Ipsy Deal: 20% off the full sized microdermabrasion and free gift for first 10k purchasers

I'm sure that this will work just fine. It actually feels nicer than the exfoliant I'm using at the moment. But the full sized is $78. No. No no no.

No.

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow swatch

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow, Champagne, Full sized .07oz, Value $12.99

Ipsy Deal: 50% of any purchase

I love champagne-y colors! It is the most loved color in my Lorac Pro. This is probably what I was most excited to get in my bag. It is a little powdery, but I didn't see much fall out while doing the swatch. Then again, I do my eyes first so that I don't have to worry about fall out.

Starlooks Lucious Longwear Lip Pencil

Starlooks Lucious Longwear Lip Pencil swatch

Starlooks Lucious Longwear Lip Pencil, Naked, Full sized .2oz, Value $14

Ipsy Deal: 20% off any purchase

I know it says that you can wear this by itself, but I don't think so. Putting it on my lips, it felt very drying, which is fine for a pencil. But I'd basically use this as a lip liner and put a lipstick or gloss over it.

The value of all the items in my bag is $52.23. Seriously, worth $10, don't you think?

Items in other bags:

• benefit lollitint .8fl oz
• Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm .14 oz in either Apple Pink or Acid Pink
• Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment .5oz
• Rainbow Honey nail polish 5mL in Midnight Fountain
• City Color White Gold Shadow & Highlight Mousse .092oz
• Demeter Jasmine Perfume Oil Roll On .29fl oz
• KISS Looks So Natural Lashes in Shy, Pretty, Flirty, Sultry, or Vamp
• Mary Kay At Play Jelly lip Gloss .32fl oz in Teddy Bare or Berry Me
• Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse 1.6oz
• St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Aging Multi-Action Face .5fl oz
• Such A Tease So Seductive Lashes

Nails of the Week ft. Essie, Sally Hansen, Revlon

 Quickie post!

Color: Essie's 'Hide & Go Chic'
Top coat: Sally Hansen's Big Matte Top Coat
Tips: Revlon's Base+Top Coat

Ulta 20% Off Haul!

Yes, I am still on a no buy, but every time I start a no buy, I'm still waiting on orders! After this, I'm just waiting on a NYX order from Hautelook, but they take forever to ship. So, we'll see when I get that.

Anyway! Here's what I got with my 20% off coupon at Ulta:

benefit's B. Right Radiant Skincare 6pc Intro Kit. Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup.

Both came out to $54.75 (including tax) after the 20% off coupon. Plus I got their 3 piece sampler and a free set of perfume samples with a $25 purchase.

 benefit's B. Right Radiant Skincare 6 pc Intro Kit, $24.

From left to right: Total Moisture Facial Cream (.1oz),  Moisture Prep Toning Lotion (.3 fl oz), Foamingly Clean Facial Wash (.3oz), Refined Finish Facial Polish (.3oz), Triple Performing Facial Emulsion (.3 US fl oz), and It's Potent! Eye Cream (.1oz)

Now, I got this partly because I needed another $24 added to my cart to get free shipping. I hate paying for shipping. But does anyone else notice how cute these freaking bottles are! They are literally just a mini version of their full sized. The full sized bottles are nice, but these just make me go "aww" for some reason. I just love their packaging. Actually, I go on a packaging love affair with this haul.

For the past couple days, I've used the facial cream and the eye cream. I love the facial cream. Feels moisturizing, but not heavy. The eye cream, I haven't noticed a difference in my under eye area, but here's hoping.

Funny thing about the eye cream. I open everything and smell it (because who wants to put something that smells like poop on their face?). When I opened the eye cream, my first thought was "this smells like beer". And that first thought has not changed. Every time I open it, I just want to go out for wings while drinking the It's Potent! Eye Cream.

 Urban Decay's Naked Skin, $39

My love for Urban Decay continues. First, the packaging. Very sturdy and sleek. And a pump! Foundations need to all come with a pump, in my opinion.

I have trouble matching myself to foundations. I'm extremely pale with a cool undertone. Majority of the foundations I've tried, have warm undertones and make me look yellow. Guys, I don't want to look yellow.

So, I've wanted to try this since I found out that they specifically have cool and warm shades and actually differentiate between them. If you look at the numbers, the warm shades all end in 0 while the cool shades end in 5.

I waffled between the shades .5 and 3.5, but ended up getting the .5. Nothing like standing in Ulta, making my boyfriend look at the swatches on each wrist to help me choose. He's such a good sport.

 I said I was pale. Left is a swatch, right is blended in.

I wouldn't say this is a full coverage foundation right off the bat. But! I do believe you can build it up. So far I've only tried one layer on my face, but I'm loving it. It's a very lightweight foundation. No one wants to leave the house feeling like they're wearing a weight on their face.

 Free samples! (Free with $25 purchase) The site actually said 8pcs, but I guess they weren't counting the two "For Men" samples.

Guys, I'm no perfume expert. I like scents, but if you ask me to describe them, you're in a world of trouble. I smelled all of these and none of them made me want to throw up (or throw them out). I gave the two "For Men" ones to my mom's boyfriend. The rest went into my shot glasses with my other makeup (perfect perfume sample storage!).

More free samples! These are the samples I got when I chose Ulta's "variety sampler" pack. Guess they had some Matrix left over cause I got those same samples last time I ordered. Eh, it's shampoo and conditioner. I have straight hair, so I'm probably going to give the DevaCurl to my mother who has really curly hair.

All in all, I'm excited to try everything including the perfume samples.  I'm hoping that at some point I can start doing an "Empties!" post of things that I loved and ran out of. Pretty sure a lot of this will be in that post as well.

Mini Unexpected Target Haul!

Unexpected because my no-buy was supposed to begin, but I had a "have to have" moment. I'm waiting an Ulta order to arrive and then my friend and I are on a makeup no buy until June 21st.

But anyway, here's my mini haul.

elf Golden Bronzer and Pixi endless silky eye pen kit

The elf Golden Bronzer was just a random pickup (I have one bronzer that's years old). It was really the Pixi eye pen kit that had me in a frenzy. I bought one of their silky eye pens a while ago when some of them were on clearance and *loved* it. They aren't kidding with the word silky.

We'll start with elf.

elf Golden Bronzer, .44oz, $3

Before I even get to the bronzer, let me tell you how much I love this packaging. I wish my eyeshadows were packaged like this. This is travel proof packaging done right! It's a hard, plastic case that clicks shut with a decent sized mirror on the inside. You don't even know the love I have for this mirror. I am going to have no doubts putting this baby in my overnight bag.

Anyway, the bronzer.

Golden Bronzer swatches. No flash.

Golden Bronzer swatches. With flash.

These are one of the least powdery products I've seen from elf. Now, it's still powder. But I didn't feel like the entire bronzer was going to fall apart when I tried to do swatches. I wish I'd done a swatch of all four colors mixed together, but I didn't - sorry.

I do not like blushes or bronzers that are incredibly pigmented. I am pale. Even the tiniest smidge of color looks like I'm overdoing it sometimes, so these are pretty freaking perfect for me. They are pretty, but not overly... there. I don't know. Excuse my brain farts please.

And now to the eye pens.

Pixi endless silky eye pen kit, 5 x .03oz and sharpener, $25 regularly, $18 at Target

The link above is directly to pixi's website, which has this kit at $25 (like it says right on the box). But when I was browsing Target, I saw the price tag for this kit said $18. It was my "have to have" moment.

Here's some swatches:

Pixi endless silky eye pen kit swatches. With flash.

Pixi endless silky eye pen kit swatches. No flash.

Pixi endless silky eye pen kit swatches. Natural light.

The colors are:

Black Noir - a basic black eyeliner. Took one swipe for a clean, fully black line.
Black Cocoa - a dark brown.
Sage Gold - a sage color with gold shimmer.
Deep Plum - a deep purple. Did take two swipes for a thick line.
Oyster Glow - a frosty cream/nude shade.

I am most excited for Oyster Glow. That is going on my bottom waterline tomorrow.

These were insanely smudge proof. When I do swatches, I tend to rub my arm on my pants to get any color off. So, like I usually do, I rubbed my arm on my pants and went about my business not realizing that these hadn't come off AT ALL. We'll see how it goes getting the liner off tomorrow after work.

And that is my haul. I'm extremely excited. And I think I'm going to have fun while on my no buy.

BONUS

Got this baby at artscow.com for 99cents. I had to google the picture and fit it on the bag, but I am in <3.

Quickie Post - LORAC Pro Palette Swatches

The LORAC Pro Palette contains 16 (.02oz each) shadows and comes with a 'Mini Behind The Scenes Eye Primer" (not pictured) for $42. It's available for purchase at Ulta, but was available at Kohls. I can't find it on their website anymore, but that's where I purchased mine (and was able to use Kohls cash on it).

The top row is all matte shades while the bottom is all shimmer.

Top Row: White, Cream, Taupe, Light Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black
Bottom Row: Nude, Champagne, Gold, Light Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate

White, Cream, Taupe, Light Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black

Palettes that have half matte, half shimmer are quite possibly my favorite palettes. I want a palette that I can use to create a full look. Without matte shades, I can't do that. As you can see, Cream and Light Pink blend into my skin far too well, but these were also taken without a primer or a base underneath.

Nude, Champagne, Gold, Light Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate

To me, these are the creamiest shadows I've owned. This is one of my first non-drug store palettes and it's totally worth the higher price. You can probably tell in the second photo that I've used this palette quite a lot. Mauve and Sable, I mix those together to use for my eyebrows. But Champagne is my favorite shade in this palette. It's a very "me" color whether I'm going to work or out that night.

In a nutshell: Worth it.