The lip conditioner is enriched with Argan and Jojoba oil to leave lips
soft and hydrated. Truth be told, the only reason I bought this lip
conditioner is because of the cute old school packaging. However, that
leads me to my next comment -- the product was a bit difficult to come
out especially when the product was halfway used. They should have
included a “clip” that slides over the tube and lets you squeeze the
product out. I bought the fig scent, but it tasted and smelled nothing like fig but very horrible. It also did a poor job of keeping my lips hydrated and soft. Another failure I bought just because of packaging and marketing.
A review of consumer goods, make up, book reviews and sometimes a random review.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Julep Nail Polish - Dahlia
Julep listed this nail color as a "Goldenrod Micro Glitter", I called it liquid gold. The nail polish provided full coverage after one coat, but it could be a bit streaky. With two coats, it took a bit too dry and it still smudged easily after 30 minutes of dry time. A bit different from usual colors, but not my favorite.
Book Review - The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
Photo Credit - Amazon |
When a blizzards strands travelers in Salt Lake City, two strangers decide to charter a plane together hoping to return home to their loved ones. Ashley Knox is a magazine writer who is en route to her wedding. Ben
Payne is a talented surgeon on his way home from a conference. Unfortunately, life doesn't always go as we planned and the duo find themselves badly injured and stranded miles away from civilization. With their chances of survival looking dim, the two will have to rely on each other more than they have relied on anyone else. As resources wear thin, the duo find that they have a connection that might be able to evolve into something more. Will Ben and Ashley be able to survive? Will Ashley and Ben try to explore their bond if they make it out alive?
A gripping and suspenseful tale of two people who looking for happiness while being stranded. Throw away all preconceptions about this book. It's not your normal run of the mill "survival" novel or "two strangers fall in love while clinging to life". This novel will melt your soul and make you want the love that Ben has and Ashley craves. There were times, I did get annoyed at the book though. The author went into minute details and I felt like it detracted from the story. However, I am sure there will be other readers who think it adds to the story as it makes the reader feel like they were actually there. Overall, a beautifully done novel and I can't wait to see the film!
**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Diptyque Liquidambar Candle
I recently started dropping a pretty penny on fancy candles usually
around the holidays when I feel stressed out or want to treat myself.
The candle has scents of liquid amber, nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar. It
has a slightly
sweet and spicy scent without being overwhelming. The beautiful glass
container is decorated with abstract colors of red, gold and green which
represents the embrace of a "large autumnal tree". Not my favorite
scent from them, but a favorite of my SO and guests.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Book Review - The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff
Photo Credit - Amazon |
Noa was sixteen years old when she cast out in disgrace from her family's home after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier. With nowhere to go and barely any possessions, she heads to the city to a shelter where
her baby will be given to a family in need. After delivering her child,
she has to leave the shelter to locate a job to support herself. She
finds employment at a small rail station where she cleans and lives in a
small utility closet. However, one faithful night, Noa stumbles upon a
boxcar containing several Jewish infants who are bound for a concentration camp. She is unsure what to do, but
one infant catches her attention, he reminds me her of her own beloved
child she had to give up. She steals the child and seeks refugee, but fears the German soldiers would locate her and the child. Noa escapes into the forest under the protection of the snowy night, but
with her meager clothing and provisions; her journey ends abruptly.
When she recovers, she finds a safe haven among a traveling German
circus, where she must learn the flying trapeze act to blend in and to
earn her keep.
Astrid is the lead aerialist of the German circus and she doesn't believe Noa has the skills necessary to learn the act. Whether it is because of jealousy or Astrid's past, she has a hard time warming up to Noa even though she is Noa's only lifeline and flying trapeze instructor. However, slowly Astrid warms up to Noa but is unable to trust Noa. Will Noa's secret destroy their friendship? Will their friendship be able to help them survive?
When I first picked up this book, I thought it was going to be about an
abandoned child who conquers the world against all odds. Then I read the
summary, it seemed interesting as a beach read or maybe something to
read while commuting. However, I am ashamed of myself for putting down
one of the most heart warming and interesting books I read this season.
The dual narrated novel captivated my heart and I couldn't help rooting for Noa's and Astrid's friendship. I wish every single human on this planet had a person like Astrid and Noa in their lives.They truly define what it means for someone to be a friend.
There were times, that the two characters did act a bit petty and I found Noa's
secret to be an "insignificant" (for a lack of better words),
compared to Astrid's own life, but I can't judge because I don't know what it
feels like to live during that horrendous time. Perhaps, if I was in Astrid's
shoes and I found someone I liked during a time of uncertainty, but I felt they
weren't being completely honest, but I would also behave like a "high
school" girl. I think one of the reasons why, some readers might think it felt like a "high school" cliche is because maybe Noa and Astrid never really had strong female friendships. Noa seemed to be secluded in her small village and Astrid focused mostly on her career and none of the other performers in the circus seem to like her much either. Speaking from my own high school female friendship, I also had petty moments and moments of fiercely protecting my friend. Personally speaking apart from minor "She hates me!" moments, I found the book very enjoyable and I look forward to reading other works by the author.
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Book Review - The Pretender: A Blackguard in Disguise (The Caselli Family #1) byTa`Mara Hanscom
Photo Credit - Amazon |
On a snow day in 1975, Tillie Caselli was given the opportunity to show her artwork in a Junior Artist Competition. While visiting a new city, her fellow students sneak out to a bar. Worried that something happened to them, Tille and her friend, Ginger venture into the bar to bring them back to the hotel. Tillie crosses path with bad boy biker, Noah Hansen and their lives will never be the same. Is Noah the perfect knight for Tille or is he a blackguard in disguise?
When reading the description, the novel seemed very interesting.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get into the book. The conversations
between the characters didn't feel real
and the writing style was painful to read. The love story between Tille
and Noah also felt unrealistic. They fell in love in two days and
wanted to get married, but
then when something happens, instead of trusting each other and their
feelings, one of the characters just completely abandon the
relationship. How can someone go from being head over heels in love and then completely ignore their love interest? There was also too many random events and characters which were
very hard to keep track of along with the story just droning on and on.
The author lost credibility in my opinion when she used one of the
characters, Tara to call Tillie a "waif". Which means "neglected or
abandoned child", and from reading the novel, we all know Tillie is
anything but neglected. She has a family that loves and cares for her and she had several
suitable prospects. I also didn't like how the family was quick to judge
people and call them either blackguards or knights, when they
themselves didn't act respectable at times. The Casellis knew their
daughter wasn't interested in her prom date, but told her to go anyways, so she has someone to take her there and that Tillie can just be with her friends during the prom instead of her date. Well, the story finally picked up towards the end, I am very hesitant to pick up another book by the author because of the lack of story and poor editing.
**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Botanic Farm Black Soybean Milk Pudding Sleeping Pack
The
fermented soybean enriched sleeping mask promises to leave skin plump,
hydrated and moisturizer in the morning. The sleeping mask had a slight
bouncy texture almost like flan and while it absorbs quickly it left my
hands a bit sticky. My skin felt and looked dewy and hydrated in the
morning almost like I got a full 8 hours of sleep! While I did enjoy the
mask, it isn’t my favorite and I would only re-purchase it again if it
was on sale because I noticed if I used this mask two days in the row my
face didn’t look as hydrated and dewy on the second day. I felt like
this would be more special occasion mask.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel
The soothing aloe gel is packed fermented aloe vera leaf juice promising hydration without the sticky feeling. The product is formulated without paraben, benzophenone, propylene glycol, BHT, artificial coloring or mineral oil. The gel was absorbed quickly and left my skin hydrated with a sticky feeling.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Sphatika Rose Cleansing Foam
The vegetable based foam is enriched with Bulgarian Rose oil, plant extracts and other rich emollients. The product provided a generous lather for the first few uses, but towards the halfway point, when I depressed the lever, it wouldn’t come back up naturally. The foam was thin and filled more with air bubbles. While, I enjoyed using the cleansing foam, I can’t in good conscience buy a product that when it hits its halfway point it needs to be trashed.
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