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.

Book Review - 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino

Photo Credit - Random House

**May Contain Spoilers**

The witty "jerk" named Madeleine Altimari is a rebellious nine year old who is aspiring to be a jazz singer like her mother.  While still mourning the recent death of her mother, she encounters a strange cast of mishaps and characters on her way to let the world hear her singing. The little smart-mouth girl has to fend for herself in the world of unfairness and cockroaches. She is surrounded by mean classmates, rejection at school, taking care of her grief-stricken father all the while trying to find her spot in the world.

Lorca is the owner of The Cat's Pajama who recently hit a string of bad luck and needs $30,000 to save his jazz club. Sarina Greene is Madeleine's teacher who is also going through a divorce and recently started to rekindle a friendship with a high school sweetheart, Ben. Together with Madeleine, they string together a tale of events that leads them all to The Cat's Pajama at 2 A.M.

The story reads like a prose from a poem. It is written in a span of roughly 24 hours, three characters search for love, music, hope, being lost, a sense of belonging and a connection. The book is a quick read as it is separate in time increments and it is told through  point of views of each of the "main characters". Majority of the time, the book lapses time normally but on page 127-128, time went backwards which was a bit weird and made no sense. The story seems a bit weird and hard to imagine the story ever happening and the characters are not very relatable, at times. The story is filled with profanity and violence while making a nine year smoke cigs and aggressive father hard to love and root for. The story is filled with lapses and the end makes very little sense at all. The entire book Madeleine struggles to have her voice heard but when she does, she causes "incidents"? How this ties into the flashback with her mother and father and the ending is very ambiguous at best.  The story reminds me a bit of Matilda but sadly doesn't compare to the greatness of Roald Dahl's masterpiece. Although, the title is quite cute.

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

Book Review - Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea

Photo Credit - Amazon.com

**May Contain Spoilers**

In a coming of age story, Mercy Millar the daughter of an affluent farmer falls in love with a childhood playmate and has her faith tested in God, her father and being in love. The story begins with the grandmother (Mercy) anxiously waiting for her granddaughter to visit her. Her granddaughter became interested in the Maliseet culture and wanted to know more about her grandfather.  Excitedly, Mercy begins her story in 1954 where racial tensions were high and faith/tolerance among each other was low. Mercy being the "son" her father had, was used to the farm work and driving to the "dump" where the Maliseet tribe lived to pick up men for work. One can say, the reason why she eagerly makes the drive is so she can see her beau, Mick.

She was used to being seen in her father's eyes as a son. Until the "incident" happens and causes the some of townspeople to turn against the Maliseet tribe. Looking for a scapegoat,  people starting blaming the Maliseet tribe for all sort of problems. Which is how, Mick gets thrown into jail and the world Mercy knew and hoped for comes crashing down on her. Will Mercy be able to keep her hope in everything she believes?

The romantic coming of age story is imbued with elements of faith, hope, family, love, tolerance and mostly forgiveness.  The story does this nicely but it does move on a slower pace. My biggest disappointment on this book is that there wasn't enough dialogue between the grandmother and granddaughter. I wish it tied in with Mercy's story, more even though it's supposed to be a love story about Mercy and Mick.

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

Book Review - Deadlock by DiAnn Mills

Photo Source - Amazon

A recent string of murders have left the city of Houston wondering if its the work of a serial killer or copycats. The unlikely FBI agents Thatcher Graves and Bethany Sanchez team up to help solve the mystery. Thatcher being the more "trust my gut" agent while Bethany is more rules and analytical type. Can the two work together especially since Thatcher has put Bethany's brother in prison?

The fast pace thriller leaves readers wondering, can the two put their differences aside to figure out the murders as they two clearly are not the most suited of partners.  As they continue working together, one thing they cannot deny is the fact that they are attracted to each other. Would their feelings and different styles of investigating make them stronger? 

The tale that has a colorful cast of characters, it leaves the readers wondering who would be the next victim or if they are the mastermind behind the killings. My only qualm is that with Thatcher, Bethany seems a bit weak with her emotions and unable to control them. She comes off as the ice queen but with others she drips emotion as a needy child. However, Thatcher has no real character growth other than falling in love with Bethany.

The book is high on drama and adrenaline with interwoven elements of romance and faith. An interesting tale on how they are all interwoven together. A must read for any DiAnn Mills fan with a highly unexpected ending. 


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

Sumbody BathMelt - Milky Rich

The cute bath melt comes in 4 sections which allows you to use as little or much as your heart desires. Personally, I didn’t find this bath bomb intoxicating (promised scents of vanilla and fresh citrus, I sniffed neither) and it was rather meh sniffing to me. The silky bath melt is packed with Pacific sea salt, cocoa butter, goat milk, and  sodium bicarbonate. The bath was a bit slippery because of the oil blends, so please be careful. My skin was silky smooth (I used all four squares) but I noticed the bath melt didn’t melt completely and kind of morphed into a little ball and stayed in the bath with me. It was kind of weird looking. Overall, for around $6 I am in no rush to try this again.