12.31.2020

BOOK REVIEW: They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman


"They say only the good die young, but that's just a line in a stupid song we used to sing. It isn't real. It isn't true. I know that because Shaila Arnold was so many things --brilliant and funny, confident and wild. But honestly? She wasn't all that good."

I have had many disappointments in relation to book releases this year. Let me preface this review by stating that Jessica Goodman's They Wish They Were Us was not one of them. Rather, it exceeded my expectations, and left me eager for the coming TV adaptation, The Players' Table.

Jill Newman isn't like her classmates at Long Island's prestigious Gold Coast Prep. She doesn't come from money, or have the ability to hop to the Hamptons or hideaway in a luxe Manhattan penthouse when she needs a break from Gold Coast. What she does have, however, is The Players. Initiated into the not-so-secret secret society as a freshman after a year of {torturous} hazing playfully known as pops; Jill has finally made it to the Players top tier. As a senior, she'll have the chance to call the shots and right all of the wrongs that the Players have done over the years - including taking their group of eight down to a group of six. About that...

During Jill's year of initiation, she was surrounded by seven other classmates all vying for spots in the Players Club: Nikki, Shaila, Graham, Quentin, Henry, Marla, and Robert. Some were her nearest and dearest {Shaila}, and others she hardly knew. On the night of initiation, however, two were ruined: Shaila was found dead, and Graham, her devoted boyfriend, admitted guilt. In the blink of an eye, multiple lives changed forever. Outgoing Shaila was carted off in a bodybag, frozen at 15; Graham was shipped away to a {posh} juvenile detention center; and Jill was left, a shell of her former self - but a Player. On the night of Shaila's death, Jill and Nikki form an unbreakable bond that has followed the two over the years; but a blast from the past is about to change the Players forever as they know it.

Rachel Calloway was once queen of the Players. But then her brother, Graham, was charged with the murder of Shaila Arnold, and she disappeared from Gold Coast. Now she’s returned. Or, at least, her voice has. When Jill receives an unexpected text from Rachel, proclaiming that Graham is innocent, Jill is skeptical. But when she’s asked to partake in clearing his name, she’s in. Sick of seeing her baby brother, Jared, morph into a Player {and alternate version of himself} during his initiation year has pushed Jill over the edge – as has Nikki’s blatant abuse of power as this year’s Player Queen. So much so that Jill quits the illustrious club, and changes sides. Now she’s on a mission to capture Shaila’s real killer, before the killer catches her.

Cliched, predictable, a little farfetched…They Wish They Were Us is all of these things. But even for the person who grew up on the Upper East Side with Gossip Girl whispering in their ear; or the readers who pored over the pages of Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars tales, attempting to unmask A, They Wish They Were Us offers an escape – a chance to dive into a world full of beauty, privilege, and scandal.

While Jill Newman is a feisty, brainy, determined feminist her character oftentimes falls flat, and pales in comparison to her buried bestie, Shaila Arnold. Like Alison DiLaurentis before her, Shaila shines bright like a diamond within the pages – captivating the reader with each appearance, and leaving one longing to have seen her in life, not just immortalized in death. Though certainly not the kindest of characters, Shaila steals the show time and time again, in the same fashion as Shepard’s Ali.

Likely you will unravel the mystery before Jill; but that’s okay. Come for the glitz. Come for the glamour. Stay for justice to prevail.



Star Rating: ****


xx
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12.28.2020

NOTD: OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Naughty or Ice?



Three coats of OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Naughty or Ice? Shimmery Champagne.

Yoooo this. color. is. lit. Like obsession level is through the roof.

Naughty or Ice? is frosty perfection. I really thought I wouldn't dig this color, but it is divine. One coat acts as a shimmery top coat; but if you layer it on, like I did here, this is the opacity you reach. Though this is gorgeous for the holidays, it would easily work as an amped up neutral due to the sophisticated champagne tone. This one was a dream to work with. Quick-dry, easy to build, and so. insanely. beautiful. I can't recommend this more!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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12.26.2020

hey girl

Free People Hey Girl Tie Shoulder Sequin Camisole in NIGHT

Quintessential NYE look, amiright?


xx
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12.24.2020

OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack Swatches + Review


Happy Christmas Eve babes! I know y'all are probably counting down the seconds until Santa's arrival; so let me take your mind off the tick tock of the clock with swatches of OPI's Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack! This quartet is everything for the holiday season, and features my new favorite red {I know!}, as well as a couple cuties for ringing in the New Year. I hope you love these pretties as much as I do. Happy Christmas!

Let's Take An Elfie is a Purple Shimmer. I've come to expect shades like this from OPI for the holidays. They're unexpected yet somehow fit for festivities, and this beauty is no different. Bonus: that name slays me. See what I did there?Let's Take An Elfie is a delish purple shimmer that feels fresh for the holidays due to its red undertones. For those of you who fear glitter, no need to worry about finding it here, as the shimmer in this bad boy is more along the lines of a gorgeous inner glow that is glass-like and ethereal. Oftentimes with shades like this you have cuticle flood, but this formula did not fall into that trap; rather, it builds beautifully and is ultra-unique for the season. Loves it! This is 2 coats.


Red-y For the Holidays is a Red Creme. Y'all I don't usually get all swoon-y over reds, but this one slaaaaays. Red-y For the Holidays is a stunning red creme that deserves all of the acclaim because it's a OCW. You read that right, this bad boy is a one coat wonder that has no VNL, just a rich red hue that deserves to be wined and dined. Planning on wearing this one year-round when I'm in the mood for red. This is 1 coat.
Heart and Coal is a Black Glitter. So...while I am so here for the name of this shade, I can't say that I love the color itself. Womp womp. Heart and Coal is a glamorous black glitter that is so perf for NYE; but the formula just got to me, and not in a good way. Though it builds beautifully, the first coat was thin, and a little too attracted to my cuticles. That said, it is a pretty color {especially if you're looking for a starry night sky vibe}; just make sure you OD on top coat because this bad boy needs tons to truly bring it to life. This is 2 coats.


Naughty or Ice? is a Shimmery Champagne. Yoooo this. color. is. lit. Like obsession level is through the roof. Naughty or Ice? is frosty perfection. I really thought I wouldn't dig this color, but it is divine. One coat acts as a shimmery top coat; but if you layer it on, like I did here, this is the opacity you reach. Though this is gorgeous for the holidays, it would easily work as an amped up neutral due to the sophisticated champagne tone. This one was a dream to work with. Quick-dry, easy to build, and so. insanely. beautiful. I can't recommend this more! This is 3 coats. 


  AVAILABILITY: Ulta

  PRICE: $17.00 for the 4PC Mini Set; $10.50 for each full-size bottle.



SHOP THE POST



xx
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12.21.2020

NOTD: OPI Muse of Milan Nail Lacquer Collection in Leonardo's Model Color


Two coats of OPI Muse of Milan Nail Lacquer Collection in Leonardo's Model Color. Navy Blue / Purple Metallic with Iridescent Microglitter.

Y'all if we're talking about lemmings, this color takes. the. cake.

Leonardo's Model Color is in a class of its own. Though dubbed purple; this bad boy is uber chameleon-esque taking on a wide variety of looks depending on your current lighting sitch. The navy blue/purple shift makes it glorious for starry winter nights; but it's the unexpected gold and red iridescent microglitter
that make it ideal for harvest. If rare is what you crave when it comes to polish, you need to grab this one stat!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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12.19.2020

12.17.2020

virgo moon

Free People Virgo Moon Velvet Minidress in SILVER COMBO

Feeling this look for the holiday party circuit and beyond.


xx
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12.14.2020

NOTD: OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Let's Take An Elfie


Two coats of OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Let's Take An Elfie. Purple Shimmer.

I've come to expect shades like this from OPI for the holidays. They're unexpected yet somehow fit for festivities, and this beauty is no different. Bonus: that name slays me. See what I did there?

Let's Take An Elfie is a delish purple shimmer that feels fresh for the holidays due to its red undertones. For those of you who fear glitter, no need to worry about finding it here, as the shimmer in this bad boy is more along the lines of a gorgeous inner glow that is glass-like and ethereal. Oftentimes with shades like this you have cuticle flood, but this formula did not fall into that trap; rather, it builds beautifully and is ultra-unique for the season. Loves it!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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12.12.2020

Ottoman

Free People Ottoman Slouchy Tunic in DARK PETALS

Serious fall staple over here, amiright?!


xx
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12.10.2020

BOOK REVIEW: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan


If I’m being honest I must tell you… I’ve read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares every single Thanksgiving since its publication in 2010 to prep for the holidays; so this year, when I decided to upgrade to a Kindle copy and spotted the new cover proclaiming NETFLIX I just about had heart failure. You. Guys! This book has been such a huge part of my life for a decade now, so seeing it come to the small screen? Dying! But I digress…

It’s Christmastime in Manhattan. Sixteen-year-old Lily {aka Shrilly} is gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year; while Dash and his holiday-loathing heart is merely trying to make it to the new year without his divorced parents realizing that he’s pulled the wool over their eyes and spending the holidays a-l-o-n-e. But let’s backtrack a bit.

When Lily’s parents decide to take the honeymoon they could never afford during the winter holidays, and her grandfather beats a hasty retreat to sunny Florida to woo his girlfriend, Lily is disgruntled and a little depressed. Her older brother, Langston, however, is here. for. it. Langston knows that this is his chance to take over their gorgeous NYC apartment {his boyfriend Benny by his side}. The only thing left to do is to snap Lily out of her funk {and out of his perfectly mussed hair}; thus, Langston and Benny craft a brilliant idea involving a red Moleskine and the highly-frequented independent bookstore, the Strand.

Sixteen-year-old Dash is determined to make it through the holidays undetected. You see, as the child of divorced parents whom refuse to engage in conversation with one another, Dash has successfully managed to convince both of his parents that he’s spending the holidays with the other. Reality? He’s spending the holidays all by his lonesome - aside from the occasional pop-in from his excessively exuberant bestie Boomer; and his quiet interludes spent browsing his favorite haunt, the Strand. Which is precisely how he becomes embroiled in the great Moleskine adventure, and finds himself falling for the person found within its pages.

At its heart, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares {told in alternating chapters btw} is a scavenger hunt - one that takes the reader on an adventure through the five boroughs, and into the brains of two bibliophiles whose banter is endearing and connection is undeniable. Lighthearted and quirky, this isn’t your average Christmas book; but that’s okay. This is one that will make your heart grow three sizes by book end; and leave Dash & Lily {along with a huge range of humorous secondary characters} ingrained in your brain forevermore. This is a new classic that you absolutely cannot miss! NOTE: read it while sipping hot chocolate by the Christmas tree for the full holiday reading experience!



Star Rating: *****


xx
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12.07.2020

NOTD: OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Red-y For the Holidays



One coat of OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Red-y For the Holidays. Red Creme.

Y'all I don't usually get all swoon-y over reds, but this one slaaaaays.

Red-y For the Holidays is a stunning red creme that deserves all of the acclaim because it's a OCW. You read that right, this bad boy is a one coat wonder that has no VNL, just a rich red hue that deserves to be wined and dined. Planning on wearing this one year-round when I'm in the mood for red.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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12.05.2020

12.03.2020

black widow

BLANKNYC Faux Leather Joggers in BLACK WIDOW

Obsessed does not even begin to descibe my level of love for these bad boys!


xx
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