bareMinerals Pout Loud - Loud and Clear Lip Sheer in Berry Remix

The moisturizing gel lip balm is enriched with shea butter and jojoba seed oil. The sheer lip balm nourish and condition lips. The soft raspberry color is imparted on my lips upon application along with a soft glistening shine. It's a nice mix of a lip tint and a lip balm. I wish the containers though felt a bit more luxurious and not so plastic-y feeling.

Erno Laslo Firmarine Face Bar

I received this tiny bar of soap in one of my subscriptions. I love the brand so I was still excited but disappointed in the size. I packed this little bar for my roadtrip to NC. The soap had a fresh ocean breeze scent and had a good lather. The soap promised to firm, hydrate and leave skin feeling soft and smooth.I read online that you had to splash still and then running water on your face about 20 times a piece. Honestly, who has time for that? Perhaps, it was the reason why I didn’t notice any results from using this bar. It was quite the disappointment.

Philosophy Candy Cane Shower Gel, Shampoo and Bubble Bath

I know the holidays is far off away but I felt in a festive mood. I usually save these body washes for the holidays but I couldn’t resist! I mean they do make these scents available all year around, so I guess they want you to indulge year around...right?...Okay, it turns out I was completely wrong and they are only available during the holidays..well, even better of reason to use it now. What better time to do something than in the present? This creamy, vitamin E packed body wash gives a rich and luxurious lather. The sweet peppermint aroma filled the shower and left my skin softly scented and soft. The peppermint also left a tingly sensation on my skin or it could just be because I was excited for the holidays.

Book Review - Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes

Photo Credit - Random House

I was so excited to see this cookbook in my mailbox. I have heard of Lucky Peach but never read anything by the editors before.  I have always been a fan of Asian cooking but found a lot of the recipes to be very complex and complicated along with requiring many specialized ingredients. 

The cookbook starts off with an introduction along with basic information on equipment needed, types of noodles, rice, basic pantry items (such as soy sauce, peanut, fish sauce, rice vinegar, etc.), intermediate level pantry items (such as white pepper, nori, curry paste, shrimps chips, etc.), and expert level pantry items (such as maltose, takuan, dried lotus leaves, etc.) along with providing descriptions of each item. I love how they separated the types of pantry items by levels -- it seems a bit like video games.

The cookbook has 101 recipes all depicted in beautiful color photos.  The cookbook is organized by types of recipes for example, breakfast, chicken, super sauces, dessert, seafood, warm vegetables, meats, etc.  All the recipes are accompanied with a brief description about the recipe or history behind the recipe. The recipes are usually very clear and simple to follow. Granted I haven't made any of the recipes, yet but I probably have bookmarked at least 15 recipes ( Garlic Shrimp, Kung Pao Shrimp, Beef Satay, Pad See Ew, and a couple more). This is definitely one of new favorite cookbook addition for this year.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion, this had no affect on my review**

Yurrku Australia Utopia Night Cream

The creamy night cream is enriched with native nectars such as Banksia, Jacaranda,  and Wild Rosella from Australia. It is also packed with other ingredients like Vitamin A, E, Shea Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Manuka Honey, Kelp and Rosehip Oil. The night cream promises to hydrate, promote skin elasticity, nourish, soothe and repair skin. The soft scented night cream went on smoothly and absorbs quickly on the skin. My skin felt smooth and soft after waking up each morning. Actually, correction, it felt like butter. Once, I use up all my night cream from Sephora hauls and subscription services, this night cream is definitely going into rotation.

Lush Sakura Bath Bomb

I was super happy when I came across this Lush Blooming Beautiful set. I do like some of Lush products but some I feel are very overpriced or they over-promise and under-deliver.  This is particular bath bomb lands in between that spectrum. The sweet scented bath bomb has a feminine scent with notes of jasmine and mimosa. 

The scent had a strong  scent prior to adding it to the bath but once in the water the scent sorts of evaporate. The water turned a bit pink and then had a murky dirty look. It was still soft scented but barely there after 5 minutes. My skin was barely scented on some parts but my skin is soft. It's a bit pricey (some sets actually cost more than when you buy the items separately as they charge extra for the packaging) so, I don't know if I will indulge in this particular bath bomb again.

Book Review - The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

Photo Credit - Random House

**May contain spoilers**

A short story from the acclaimed Gone Girl writer, Gillian Flynn. Originally, written as a short story in anthology for George R.R. Martin’s Rogues. Clocking in 62 pages, the short story can be enjoyed under an hour.

The unnamed narrator goes through life as a con artist but always wanted to be something more. As a side-gig as a psychic that sees aura, she comes across a troubled woman who is having issues at home. Thinking it would be an easy meal ticket, she agrees to come to the woman's house to cleanse it. Although as both women are about to find out, things are not as always what they seem.

The book is a very quick read. It is thrilling and goes by fast. I did enjoy the book, but I felt the ending left me wanting more. As a talented writer, I believe Gillian could have definitely ended the book a bit better. A side qualm, I don't believe the book is worth the retail price of $10 as its only 62 pages and has huge font.  It seems like another way to get money out of her fans. Save money and get the cheapest version, if possible -- as it is definitely worth a read at least once.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**

Book Review - The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

Photo Source - Amazon

The heart warming tale of friendship, giving, hope, and the Christmas Spirit will not leave leave you with a dry eye. Joy, the 85 year old neighbor of Miranda decides to do an ultimate Christmas adventure on her bucket list. Miranda reluctantly joins in on the adventure as she has her own problems that she would like to run away from.  In the middle of a divorce and having her house foreclosed on, Miranda welcomes the chance to spread the cheer and escape.

As the trip continues on, it becomes evident that Joy is struggling to keep up. Before, Miranda was afraid of letting Joy drive the RV and terrified of being behind the wheel; she is now ecstatic and becomes a great driver. Along their trip on Route 66, Miranda and Joy meet families and friends who are in need of a little holiday cheer and hope. Little by little, Miranda starts looking forward to spreading the cheer among others. Although, on her last stop -- she notices that on her last stop her heart is filled with joy but a little tinge of loneliness. Can she figure out a way to cure it in time to have the Christmas she always wanted?

The book is filled with dynamic and relatable characters, along with being a very quick read. It is well written and makes you wonder what will happened at the end of trip and will get Christmas Joy get to spread her Joy around and how she would be there for Miranda in the midst of her troubles. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**

Votivo No. 55TR Rush of Rose Candle

I got this candle as a present. I never been much of a rose scented person as it usually reminds me of my grandma. This soft powdery scent smells like 30 dozen roses are filling the room. The scent is very light and feminine. The classic Damascus Rose scented candle was perfect scent for bath time or snuggling into a blanket and reading a book. The candle has an estimate burn time of 30-40 hours but I found it to be less than that. They recommend lighting the candle for 2 hours at a time then let it cool prior to re-lighting. The metal tin does hot so I use a plate as a coaster.  A nice scent as a present, but I prefer the Votivo Icy Blue Pine Candle  instead.