January 2021 Haul Part 2!

 

 

Ahhh, January is almost done and gone! I can't believe how fast the days go but, when I am working the hours and minutes move by so slowly. I been trying to keep my makeup spending to a minimum but, honestly, I have no self control. I have no idea why I buy so many palettes and use the same one over and over. I really can't refuse a good sale. I am trying not to buy everything on sale but, limiting myself to only a few sale items so that I can have more in my spending account for the "good" end of the year sales.

I bought a boatload of new facial masks. I got this oatmeal mask from Purenskin that I am really excited to try. I have tried a basic oatmeal mask and it really soothe my skin. I hoping this one has similar or even better results. I got a few Facetory branded masks from their new lines and I am really excited to try them. I got the chamomile and artemisia ones that look pretty awesome.

I got two new bar soaps that I found from TJ Maxx. I got one Peony scent and another Bourbon and Pine scent that has a nice winter-y scent. I love trying new bar soaps because it can make an ordinary moment more special.

I got a few more lip products that I am excited to try them...at home. I got the beloved Ruby Woo MAC lipstick that heard has a cult following. I love lip products and the color red. I got a new Juice Beauty lip product in Gwyneth and NYX lip oil in Sheer Blush. I heard of people liking both of these products and I can't wait  to try them.

I got a few new Korean facial care products that I am excited to try. I got this clay ampoule cleasner by Lala Chuu that looks interesting.  The cream version of the Facetory's Artemisia line and a few facial oils from Keep Cool, Pixi beauty and Akar Skin.

Did you get anything new that you are excited to try?

Book Review - Soul's Prisoner (Portraits of Grace #2) by Cara Luecht + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1891, Rachel is trying to survive the cruel winter in Chicago. She left her simple, quiet farm life to become a teacher in Chicago, but when things don't go as she planned. She ends up taking a job as a laundress at a local asylum. As the asylum's laundress, Rachel is able to access the deepest and darkest crevices of the asylum such as the labyrinthine like basement. During a particularly bad winter day, Rachel is unable to return to the boarding home that night and spends a night in the employee area of the asylum. However, Rachel witnesses a devastating secret that might put her very life in grave danger.

Jeremy, Rachel's brother is busy trying to get settled down that he barely has time for anything. But when he receives a letter from their mother desperately asking Jeremy to check on Rachel since no one has heard from her since she left the farm. Jeremy will stop at nothing to find his little sister since he feels responsible that he didn't check in on her sooner. Will Jeremy be able to find Rachel? What is the secret that Rachel stumbled into?

The novel gives readers a glimpse of the dark nature of asylums during the 19th century. It depicts the condition and hardships some of humanity's most vulnerable must have faced on a daily basis. The book was a captivating read and it kept me on the edge of my seat. It was filled with a strong cast of characters who are willing to do what is right regardless of their station in life. The novel is the second book in the series and can be read as a stand alone.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Book Title: Soul’s Prisoner

Author: Cara Luecht

Genre: Historical fiction with some suspense and romance

Release Date: December 15, 2015

Chicago, Winter, 1891

Rachel is in danger. She’s seen too much.

She creeps along the cement walls through the dank underbelly of the asylum. She’d never planned to leave her quiet farm life, never thought she’d find a place in the city, never imagined she’d be in the kind of danger that would have her cowering in Dunning’s cold, labyrinthine basement.

Jenny has finally found her place. After a childhood of abuse, she has friends, a real job, and her only wish is to give her adopted son the kind of life she never had.

A life of stability, without the risk and uncertainty of a father.

But when Jeremy, Rachel’s brother, stumbles into their warehouse, asking for help to find his missing sister, Jenny’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble.

About the Author

Award winning author, Cara Luecht, lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her husband, David, and their children. Cara graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, Cara is studying for a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Soul’s Prisoner and sketching art supplies!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb74

Book Review - A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

Photo Credit - Amazon

Matt Wainwright has the best laid intentions, but is constantly sabotaged by the thoughts in his head. Matt is in love with his best friend, Tabby but he has a hard time articulating his feelings into words and actions.  He feels only comfortable  in Mr. Ellis's English class where he can write to express his inner thoughts and feelings.

If everything worked the way that Matt planned that he would be dating Tabby. Except, life doesn't work like that for Matt. Instead, Tabby falls in love with Liam Branson. An unfortunate accident causes Matt to be sidelined and without the ability to express his feelings even in his English class. Will Matt be able to get out of his head and work through his feelings?

I thought this was going to be a romantic comedy where the best friends either fall in love or they let each other be with other people. However, I was drawn how this wasn't like many other YA romance novels I have read. It had a touch of humor while being realistic enough that you can feel each the character's pain. My only qualm is that Tabby's two love interests both never stuck up for her when she was being made teased. We have read in the backstory that Tabby usually sticks up for Matt, but it seems that her love interest, Liam would be the one to defend her. 

It was a very interesting read and I can't wait to read other works by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Greenleaf Silver Spruce Candle Cubes Votive Candles

The wintery scented candle has scents of Siberian Fir, cedarwood and sandalwood. The candle has a 15 hour burn time. It was very heavily scented even when it wasn't lite. It is the perfect scent for the winter and the holidays. While, the candle promised a 15 hour burn time -- I noticed more like a 10 hour burn time. It was a fairly cheap candle under $3 on their website. Might get the bigger version next time.

Votivo Icy Blue Pine Candle

I had gotten this around the holiday time. I can see why they made this especially for the holiday season. One whiff is the sweet scented candle, you are immediately transported to Winterland surrounded by pine that is slightly giving in the weight of soft white snow. I usually like sweet fruity scents or occasionally mint or relaxing scents. At first, I thought I would hate this scent and now I find myself in the middle of October feverishly looking where I can purchase another can while holding the remnants of what is left.  The small tin has a surprisingly 30 to 40 hours burn time and is hand made with soy wax in the US. While I count down the days for my next fix [and huge stock up], I will have to settle to sniffing the empty tin.

New Beauty Winter - Spring 2013 Northeast Volume 9 Issue 1

I first saw this magazine on display in one of those newsstands in the subway. I started a subscription shortly after because the articles are in-depth and it read a bit like a manual. My only qualm is the yearly subscription is a bit expensive. But I consider it an investment...or atleast thats what I like to tell myself. A word of note, the last couple of end pages are extensive profiles of various doctors.

Here is the rundown -

The magazine had a taste of luxury piece. I had skim through this as I can’t really afford most of it. But I like to daydream the day I can. Some of the product highlights -

Glassbaby’s Evelyn Candle Holder - in tribute  to Evelyn Lauder.  Ten percent of purchases will be donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. [$44]

Creed debuted a monogrammed hand blown Pochet glass bottle accented with the precious metal. Sounds amazing if you have $1,995 to plunk down.

Photo Credit - Creed Boutique

They had a segment on long lasting makeup for eyes, cheeks, lips and face. For eyes,  Smashbox 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow, Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long - Wear Mascara and Nars Larger Than Life Long - Wear Eyeliner. Reading the blurb for Smashbox shadow it look like a normal cream shadow which usually creases and fade easy. I did hear  a lot of good things about the Nars eyeliner and can’t wait to try it.  

Photo Credit - Nars Cosmetics

For the cheeks, Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, Lorac Pro Powder Cheek Stain and  Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color. I actually have the Laura blush but to be quite honest I am not really good at applying blush. Even though, I do have like 10 different blushes. I am surprised though Tarte’s Amazonian Blush didn’t make it on the list [I have that one as well :)] 

Photo Credit - Sephora

For the lips, Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12 - Hour Lipstick, Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick [ I have this maybe I should give a try ], Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick  [ I have this but it didn’t last me all day! I feel jipped!] and Covergirl Outlast.

Photo Credit  - Sephora

For face, Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer,  Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation and DiorSkin Forever Wear - Extending Invisible Retouch  Powder. Another thing I can’t do properly. I recently bought some new foundation and powder but after experimenting  with it for awhile I still haven’t gotten any better.

Photo Credit - Lancome

 I love  how in-depth beauty awards section was. Instead of having just a category for “lipstick”, they take it one step farther and have a category “The Best Moisturizing Lip Gloss” and “The Best Mineral Lip Gloss”. It was quite an extensive list and I saw a lot of new products I can’t wait to try. Like the Dior DiorShow Extase, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment and a bunch of other products. I feel real sorry for my bank account right now.

Photo Credit - Sephora

I love the bit on mineral water. While I love New York City’s tap water, I am not going to lie I love bottle water too *cover eyes*. I never realized there was an actual difference between still, mineral,  artesian, and thermal water. This article explains the difference and gave recommendation which brands of  bottled water is good to try and products infused with “specialty” water . Mineral water for example helps alleviate skin issues, helps refresh skin [so, can taking a bath/shower], can be used as post treatment care from a chemical peel, and takes down redness. Mineral also helps balance the electrolytes, replenish minerals that is lost naturally.  Some of recommendations -- Fiji water [love this brand!] which is packed with silica, Smart Water which is vapor distilled and enhanced with electrolytes.  Is anyone else thirsty or is just me?

The article about age fighting antioxidants was pretty informing.  “Antioxidants offer up numerous health benefits but are best - known for their ability to nurture cells and fight against potentially harmful diseases”. Berries, beans, dark greens, teas, fruits and nuts are packed with antioxidants. Berries are good for “repairing free- radical damage” and nuts are “good source for omega-3s”. Some good products to try ilike Botanical AHA peel, Aveda Green Science Perfecting Cleanser  and Perricone Face Finishing Moisturizer. 

Photo Credit - Perricone

Pick up the issue to read --  tips on makeup application, more winners of the beauty awards, new hairstyles, organic skin care, new innovated products  and exercises.

Please leave any comments and thoughts.

BBW Winter Candy Apple Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Lotion

When I first came across this lotion I was intoxicated by the sweet allure of it. After I bought this I couldn’t wait to try it out. I instantly became disheartened when I noticed that it was an antibacterial lotion with Triclosan. As I am a germ freak, I carry and have tried tons of hand sanitizers.  Most of them dry out my hand or leave my hands sticky.  I assumed that this lotion would either leave my hand sticky or dry it out because of the triclosan.  But this lotion did not disappoint. It left my hand soft, sweetly scented and clean from germs [or so I assume and will continue to believe]. The lotion is enriched with vitamin B and E and wheat germ oil which gave its moisturizing properties.