December 2020 Empties!

 

 

Happy Holidays, dear Reader! I can't believe the year is almost over...I really hope next year brings better tidings for us. Usually for the holidays, I am in a festive mood...this year I just feel off and don't really want to do anything. How about you? Are you looking forward to next year? Are you celebrating this year?

Once again, I finished quite a few face masks and treatment masks. I been taking a lot more baths lately and trying to clear up my bathroom shelves for the after the holiday sales. I don't think there was anything that I would try again or go out of my way to buy. Most of the facial sheet masks were okay, I didn't really notice anything noteworthy. I did try a new lip mask and it was disappointing. My lips didn't stay hydrated and was still dry after application.

Overall, most of the empties were meh products. I did like the IT Cosmetics night cream but, I had already owned the full size when I got this sample. I hope next month, I finish some more interesting products.

Here is everything I finished -

Jigott Pearl Real Ampoule Mask

Feelxo Pore Care Lotus Mask Black Charcoal Sheet

HaruHaruHoney Green Repairative Sheet

BlingPop Cucumber Face Mask

23 Years Old Hyaltox Petit Mask

Sur.Medic Bright Glutathione Mask

Masqueology Pucker Up! Lip Plumping Kit

Simply When Present Perfect Firm Up

ElishaCoy Lift-Up Mushroom Mask Sheet

Facetory Save Our Skin Restoring Mask with Royal Jelly

Starskin 3-Steps Cleansing Strips

Pura d'Or Scalp Therapy Shampoo

Inoface Cosmetics Body Jelly Wash in Cooling Mint

Belief The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

L'Oreal OleoTherapy Oil Infused Shampoo

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

ElisaCoy Moisture Up Super Hyalurone Ampoule Serum

IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep

Evio Skin Rejuvenating Mask

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

Avene Eau Thermale Soothing Moisture Mask

Papa Recipe Eggplant Mud Cream Mask

Hey Honey Show Your Glow Collodial Gold and Honey Beauty Mask

Tocca Simone Crema Da Mano

Book Review - Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

 

 

 In 1853, nineteen-year-old Abigail Scott is a school teacher in the Oregon Territory.  She marries Ben Duniway due to situations out of her control. Abigail knew she would need to give up her teacher job when she got married but, she felt she was destined to be more than a good wife and mother. When Ben makes a few financial mistakes and suffers an injury, Abigail becomes the primary earner for their growing family. As a working woman, she is appalled by the conditions and the rights of women. She decides to devote her life fighting for the rights of women, including their right to vote.

Abigail is the mother to six children, own and operates a millinery and a private school, helps Ben with the farm, writes novels, and a column in the newspaper. However, her dream is to give speeches and run a newspaper dedicated to the issues and concern of women. Abigail tries to navigate the pulls of her dreams and taking care of her family.

I was excited to read this book because it's always interesting to learn more about the people fighting for equal rights. However, I had a hard time getting into this novel. The book is piece of a fiction but, it felt dry and boring like I was reading a textbook. I had a hard time bonding with the main character and found her off-putting at times. I stopped reading the book halfway through.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce

 

Cassandra Tipp is an infamous and eccentric bestselling novelist. She is known for her vivid imagination.  She is a famous recluse and one day she is gone but, leaves behind a final manuscript.

Everyone in town remembers the events that lead to her infamous trial. She has been acquitted with the insanity defense. Her husband died mysteriously and has never been solved. A few years later, her brother and father died in a murder-suicide.  

In her final manuscript, Cassandra details her life history. She details what happened in the happens and what she believes happened to her husband. However, her story comes with a price.

This novel is an epic waste of time. It took forever to get anywhere and the author filled the book with useless details. I read more than half of the novel but, just lost interest in it. I feel like there was nothing really keeping me tethered to the book and to read more. I tossed this book to the side and started reading something that I actually cared to read.

  **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates

 

The Carrow House is the most haunted in the state and Remy is the tour guide for it. People are superstitious about the house but, Remy hasn't seen any proof of paranormal activity. A guest from her tour offers to host her and six other people in a two-week-long stay to document and research the paranormal activity at the house. Remy is excited about the opportunity because she always wanted to experience the sightings first hand.

On the first day there, the guests experience their first ghost encounter.  They are excited and can't wait to see more. However, a storm moves in and cuts off all contact with the outside world. Things quickly turn sinister when doors are opening on their own, ghostly apparitions are making more frequent appearances, and their seances go wrong. The spirit medium that is hired to assist with the seances, keeps night walking in a trance. When one of the guests dies under strange circumstances, they fear that the ghost of the original homeowner might be among them. However, the homeowner was a renowned serial killer. Will they be able to escape before it's too late?

I have read quite a few books by the author and I really enjoyed this novel. I thought it was equal amounts of spooky and creepy. I believe she borrowed elements from H.H. Holmes's story.  There were a few predictable moments as this book follows the same structure as her other haunted story novels. However, I still enjoyed reading the book and look forward to reading her other books.

  **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

December 2020 Haul!

 

 

Where did the month go?! It feels like it was just December 1st only yesterday!  However, I should actually know better because I bought so much stuff during the holidays and used my credit card with wild abandon.

I bought a few more bath bombs from Lush that I am looking forward to using. I been trying to indulge in a bath more often. I got a few more sheet masks from Facetory. I got another Factr mask that I am excited to try. I got a new lip mask to try but, I am on the fence. They are relaxing but, I don't know if they actually do work. Sometimes, my lip gets dry even after putting on balm.

This is our crunch time at work and I haven't been sleeping that well lately. I bought these new Dream patches that you apply to your wrist and it delivers an even dosage of melatonin. I am looking forward to how these work compared to the pill version. 

No shopping haul could be complete without me buying a few lip products. I am loving the Too Faced Drunk Dial lipstick. That purple! Swoon! I bought another Huda lip strobe in Snobby (even though I didn't even use the first one yet). I wish dining was opened again because I can't wait to wear the Scarlet Empress by Nars and Bite Beauty in  Marsala and Cognac. The Marc Jacobs in snap shut looks nice and different from anything I own. The Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Do Me Baby isn't as nice as I thought it would be.

I have bought a few things from Facetory's brand but, they are usually their face mask. I decided to try their cloud pouf cleanser to see how it compares to my normal one. I have used the Go-To Skincare facial oil and liked it. I decided to get their exfoliating pads to see how they work.

Lastly, I got a really expensive treat item the Chantecaille facial cream. I can't wait to use this but, I am also afraid of the results. What happens if they are so great, that I NEED this cream in my life? I dunno about anyone else but I love a good head massage. I bought this new head oil that you warm and pour all over your hair and give yourself a head massage and then wash out your hair. I can literally do not even care about the benefits to my hair, I just want a head massage.

Book Review - Search for the Scepter by Julie Dinges + Giveaway

 

 Princess Rosalie and Scarlet went to bed during a breezy night. They didn't expect to be awaken to chaos. Their father's scepter was taken by thief during the night. The entire palace is in chaos and disbelief. The princesses sneak out of bed and try to find clues to the robbery. They realize if they want the thief to be caught, they will need to do it themselves. Will the princesses be able to find the thief?

The book is beautifully illustrated. I love trying to find out what was going to happen next. I like that they display many different characters. However, I didn't like the lack of diversity. There were zero people of color or with disabilities. I feel like books geared to children should show diversity to allow every child to have included.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About The Book:

Title: THE SEARCH FOR THE SCEPTER

Author: Julie Dinges & Nazar Horokhivskyi (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: December 1, 2020

Publisher: Mascot Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 38

Find it:  Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org, Signed copy

 

When Princesses Rosalie and Scarlet went to bed on a breezy summer night, they didn’t expect to awake to such a fright. Their father, the King’s, scepter was taken by a thief.

 

The royal family was in utter disbelief. The princesses sneak out of bed and find a small clue. There mission is clear, they know what they must do. Along their journey, they meet friends who help them track the thief down. Will they find him and return the scepter to their father who wears the crown?

 

Print a coloring page of Princess Rosalie, Princess Scarlet and the Thief!

 

Official Book Trailer:

 

Link:

https://youtu.be/OpfXba5Py20

 

 

About Julie: 

Julie Dinges lives in Ohio with her husband, two daughters, one dog, and several fish. She loves being outside, cooking, traveling, watching science fiction movies, and reading fantasy books to her girls.

 

Julie spent many years as a technical writer before shifting focus to website design.

 

One of Julie’s greatest ambitions was to write a book. She is excited to share her first published creation, and hopes it sparks imagination and inspiration for all who read of the princesses’ quest.

Website | Facebbok | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon

Find out about Nazar Horokhivskyi (Illustrator) Here!

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a signed copies of the THE SEARCH FOR THE SCEPTER, US Only.

 

 Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21193/?

 

Tour Schedule:

Week Three:

12/13/2020	@Fictitious.fox	Review
12/14/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
12/15/2020	Jrsbookreviews	Review
12/15/2020	two points of interest	Review

 

 

Book Review - Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker

 

 Molly Clarke disappeared during a storm.  Her car was found abandoned and out of gas near the highway. They found a note at a nearby hotel saying she is "walking away". Her family is shattered that Molly has abandoned them.

When Molly ran out of gas, a man and a young girl offered her a ride to safety. However, when the door automatically locked behind her, Molly has a feeling she made a terrible mistake.

 A woman comes forward with a new lead on Molly's disappearance. Nicole, Molly's daughter returns to the small, desolate town where her mother was last seen. Everyone is eager to help and have bits of information to share. Except it seems that everyone has their own motivates and secrets that they are keeping. Will Molly be able to find her mother?

The the book was a quick and interesting read. I was able to predict who the kidnapper was but, the ending was unexpected. I am not really sure I was a fan of the ending. It felt a little unbelievable. However, I am still open to reading other books by the author.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

December 2020 Empties!

 

I can't believe the year is almost gone! Where did the year go? Speaking of which I did finish a few things things month. Although it was mostly face masks.

I didn't try any new masks that was noteworthy. Most of the "new" masks I tried was from Facetory and they were decent. I didn't notice any of them being good enough to purchase again. Although, they recently had a sale for Black Friday so, I did get a few more goodies. I do like their skincare items.

I bought a few things from Lush from their Holiday collection. The Snow Fairy smells like cotton candy. It has soft and sweet scent. I did like the Nuori face mask. I usually applied this after using a sheet mask to leave my skin extra soft. I didn't like Tula's Detox in Jar. It made skin feel very uncomfortable. One thing I did like was the Lime Crime Wet Cherry gloss. It smells so amazing and it made my lips shinny without tacky.

Here is the list of everything I finished -

Meg Two Step Jelly Mask Firming and Radiance

Elvis + Elvin New York Grape Stem Cell Treatment Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Collage + Olive

Que Bella Professional Radiance Boost Shimmering Cream Mask

23 Years Cocoon Gold Silky Mask

Hanalei Papaya Face Mask

Orjena Nutrition Essential Vita Mask Skin Refreshing

Biobelle Facial Mask #InstantDetox

ElishaCoy Lift-Up Mushroom Mask Sheet

BetterSkin Detoxing Sheet Mask

HaruHaru Soothing Mask Cool Down Drop Kick Maqui Berry

Elensilia - Intracell Escargot + Caviar Repairing Sheet Mask

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

Nuori Supreme Moisture Mask

Olie Biologique 004 Hydrating Oil

Tula Skincare Detox in a Jar

Comfort Zone HydraMemory Cream

Lime Crime Wet Cherry Gloss

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser

Book Review - House on Endless Waters by Emuna Elon

 

 

Photo Credit - Amazon

Yoel Blum is a well-known author. He makes a trip to Amsterdam to promote his book, even though he made a promise to his late mother to never return to his birthplace. During his book tour, Yoel decides to visit the Jewish Historical Museum with his wife. Together they find an old film portraying a younger version of his beloved mother along with his father, his older sister, and an infant he doesn't recognize.

 Yoel is unsettled by this discovery and decides to search for the truth. He discovers some of Amsterdam's dark wartime history. He learns about the underground networks that hid Jewish children along with the people who betrayed their own for survival. As he digs deeper in the past, he realizes the reason for his mother's silence but, he starts to question his own existence.

I thought the book had an interesting premise and I also liked the book cover. I found the writing hard to follow at times and I had to reread the same paragraphs over and over. The book progresses slowly and I found it to be quite boring. I lost interest in the book during the halfway mark.

 

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**