More samples tried and tested

So I tried out the Shadow Duo concealer from my Influenster box and loved it. I got the medium shade which has two different colors you can blend together based on skin tone. 

I applied it with a concealer brush but got the best results after I used my finger to dab it in.  The color was perfect, light, and natural.

It's 3:23pm, I've worked out and still no creases...I believe it retails for 29.99.  And since you can mix the color yourself I'll have no trouble using it as the summer continues and I get slightly darker from all that running in the sun!!

I also tried the Le Palais Des Thes tea..you can get it at birchbox.com for 15 a box...and its so worth it. I had the Thé du Hammam and Thé des Alizés.  Both were smelled incredible - delicate and flowery.  They tasted even better than they smelled.  Very refreshing without any bitterness that you get with some green teas.  TRY IT, BUY IT...it's so good.

http://www.birchbox.com/shop/lifestyle?limit=all

Spring 2012 Goodies Box - Influenster

I got my first Influenster Box!!!  The products include: Soy Joy, Shadow Duo eye cream, Chapstick, Sally Hanson's Salon Effects, Dr. Scholl's Ball of foot, Aveeno body wash, and Bath n' Body works mist.

So far I've tried the Soy Joy - DELICIOUS.  I've never had one before but I always wanted to try it.  I was happy with the taste of the product.  It was a lot better tasting than I expected.  Will I buy the product in the future? Yes!  I sometimes see coupons for these tasty little treats and so I do plan on adding it to my repotoire of snacks....move over granolas and make some space for Soy Joy! 

I also tried teh new SPF chapstick. It was really nice to put on and not too heavy!!  I actually had a little bit of a chap lip from lickin' the lips from running.  It's a really nice chapstick - no color, no fragrance, no flavor.  I definitely like it better than some of the other chapsticks I've tried from ChapStick brand.  Not to mention its SPT 30 and way better than my current SPF chapstick.

Lastly - I've also tried the Moonlight Path Bathy and Body works body spray.  It has a very light floral fragrance.  There are subtle hints of vanilla and spice but the overtones of this are very floral - rose, lilies...its like spraying yourself with a bouquet.  It smelled great on my skin but of course seeing as its a body mist, it doesnt last all day so you definitely need to get a travel size and pack it for a midday spritz. 

I'll keep you posted about the other reviews....happy shopping.



Series - A Game of Thrones

I finished reading A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.  It took me a good part of the book to get into it but once I was - couldn't put it down!  The book is a bit science fiction based - covering various families in the Seven Kingdoms.  Every page there's a new scheme for love, war, power, and ultimately the throne.  The book is broken down by each main charater's storyline - the Starks: Sansa, Jon Snow, Eddard, Bran, Robb, and Arya....the Lannisters - Joffrey, Jamie, Cersei and King Robert.  You also read about the last of the Dragons...though that story line wasn't as interesting to me.  I could never tell what where the plot was gonig to lead...who would live or die.  Great book!  I'm not a sci-fi fan but I was REALLY happy that I checked this series out. 

So now I'm on the 2nd book A Clash of Kings....again this one started out a bit slow as it started with new characters but its picked up pretty quickly and I'm enjoying this one just as much. 

Since writing this I've read A Storm of Swords, a Feast for Crows and now I am on A Dance with Dragons.  I enjoyed A Clash of Kings and a Storm of Swords A LOT.....A Feast for Crows was slow. In the 2nd and 3rd books we move quickly through the story - favorite characters come and go....lives lost while small victories are gained.  I mourned the loss of a few characters that I really enjoyed watching.  But the stories...they're so dynamic and entertaining. 

Where does RR fall short? Well I could have done without a Feast for Crows.  In this book we stick mostly to Kings Landing....watch the power struggle for the Iron Throne continue but it's so focused on the Lannisters, Little Finger, a bit of Arya here and there..as well as Bri's quest for the Stark daughters.  I read page after page just wanting to finish.  I really did not enjoy the book but 1/4 ain't so bad right? Now I'm on a Dance with Dragons and the book runs at first parallel with the timeline from Feast for Crows...so all those characters that went MIA in Crows show back up here and we get to see what they're up to.  At some point in the book we return to a timeline for all characters and I can't wait.  The only problem is - there's no book to move onto after this one!!!  Hurry up Martin, I can't wait forever.

What's she reading now?!

It's been a little while....so what have I read since my last post? Hmmm.....I remember dropping something off to the library - BUT what was it? It can't have been that great if I can't even remember it but to my credit - I've had A LOT going on lately.  

As part of my recent visit to the library I did however notice a new book by George R. R. Martin.  It seemed to be "Dragon" related so I went back and got the first book in the series - "A Game of Thrones." 
It's about a mythical land where winters last for years and the supernatural exists.  I haven't gotten too far into the book yet but the plots thickening to include royalty, conflicts, and war.  I'm still up in the air about this one.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that at some point I'll find myself totally engrossed. So the jury is still out on this one.  Come back soon to see what I think.....

Another Trilogy down...

So I read the Hunger Games...and over the course of two days this Thanksgiving weekend I also finished Catching Fire and Mockingjay....good? YES!

So I previously blogged about the Hunger Games...and the next two books wrap it all up.  In Catching Fire we follow Katniss and Peeta as they tour the districts as victors of the reaping but also to help subdue an potential uprising.

Then in Mockingjay we continue with Katniss and Peeta as they prepare for the 75th Hunger Games knowing they will have to help mentor the next pair of kids for the annual reaping....or will they? In an odd twist (as punishment for Katniss' disobedience) the next hunger games will include a pair of victor's from each district...meaning that as the sole female for district 12 she will be in another game.  How will this one turn out and what is this we hear of a District 13?? 

I liked the books - loved the story.  Could Suzanne have done better in Mockinjay?? YES!!!  I wanted more Katniss, more Peeta.  The Epilogue leads us to the future...but alas it would have been nice to see it blossom a bit more.

Read them...the movies are coming out soon.  And if you were an Outlander fanatic....The Scottish Prisoner is coming out this November 29th!!  Jamie Fraser here I come......look out for my future post about "Inheritance" by Christopher Paolini.

Another book down...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.....

Needless to say I was enthralled.  I read this book before I went to sleep....thought about the story as I laid in bed and wanted to read it the second I woke up. 
I haven't been this passionate about reading a book since - maybe either the Outlander series or The Inheritance Cycle.  Side note - Inheritance is now out and my book will be arriving next week!!!

The story takes place in the future in a city called Panem that's made up of 12 different districts. Set in what used to be considered the Rockies of North America.  As punishment for the district's rebellion many years ago - each district must send one boy and one girl to a tournament to the death in which there is only one survivor. 

Unexpectedly the main character Katniss finds herself District 12's female contestant along with the District 12's male contestant Peeta.  So how will the two fair as they say goodbye to their families and try to survive the deadly games against the other district competitors.....

So if you haven't read the book - read it.  I give it two thumbs up and have ordered the next two books in this trilogy.  If you like action, adventure, romance and a lil sci-fi then this is your kinda story.....

Metal Lace Cuff

For my birthday my sister wore a very gorgeous cuff by Stella & Dot. The Chantilly Lace Cuff has a gorgeous and intricate vintage lace design. Its 3 inches in length and was featured in Fitness magazine. Though its a bit on the pricey side at 98.00 this cuff is a real must have for any outfit.

http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/shop.html