1.30.2021

lexington

REFORMATION Lexington Two-Piece Long Sleeve Midi Dress in BLACK

Absolutely living for this gorgeous frock! Essential for date night, amiright?!


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1.28.2021

BOOK REVIEW: Wink by Rob Harrell



Not gonna lie here, what made me pick up Rob Harrell’s Wink is atypical, to say the least. As the pet parent of two cats who have one eye {one of whom, oddly enough, was almost named Wink}, I felt myself drawn to this tale, and I am so grateful for it as I was charmed. By the characters, by the relationships, and by the perspectives shared. In a world rife with hate, Wink is overflowing with compassion and truths - not to mention a healthy sprinkle of punk rock.

Twelve-year-old Ross Maloy is living the typical middle school life. He’s got two amazing best friends, Isaac and Abby; a crush on a classmate who doesn’t know he exists {obvi}; and his own semi-popular comic series…Batpig. Then an unexpected swelling of his eye pops up one morning during the summer between sixth and seventh grade, and everything changes.

Diagnosed as a rare and deadly eye cancer, Ross immediately enters a world of unwanted new in the form of vision loss in one eye and the need for 8 weeks of intensive radiation therapy. Not to mention being forced to wear a gigantic look-at-me cowboy hat at all times {yes, even in the classroom} for protection.

Though def not the way one expects their middle school years to play out, Ross has a phenomenal support team, leaving him convinced that he’ll beat the big bad C; but then one of his besties {Isaac} bails, and someone starts circulating gruesome memes about his condition around school, and suddenly Ross isn’t so sure. Until he meets a slew of newbies that give him a new reason for living.

Y’all the supporting cast of this book is fire. Yes, I love Ross; but you’ve also got the wise Jerry, a geriatric patient Ross meets in the waiting room at radiation therapy; Frank, a tech who moonlights as a musician {and ultimately brings out Ross’ punk rock persona}; Abby, who is one of those rare, unicorn-like friends {i.e. one who is ridiculously supportive but will tell you off from time to time}; and even Jimmy, a supposed bully with a bad rep, but a lovable spirit.

Is the content hard to swallow? Most def - especially when you see how Ross feels after those memes start circulating {I cried}; but it is so important to bring books that represent differently abled people, and those dealing with illness to the forefront – if only to show people to be grateful for what they have and show compassion without condescension to those who may be going through it. With Wink, Rob Harrell manages to do both; while also showing the seriousness of the situation presented in an oft-times humorous fashion. Wink stands in a class of its own – it is funny, it is original, and it will stay with you long after the last page is turned. Add this one to your TBR pile babes!


Star Rating: *****


xx
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1.25.2021

NOTD: essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow

Three coats of essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow. Sheer White Creme.

Ladies, you know how much I l-o-v-e a good white polish, and this bad boy is every bit as yummy as its name implies!

Marshmallow is a sheer white creme that can be used for a barely-there hint of color, or built up to brilliant opacity, as you see here. The color is quite similar to Chiffon the Move; however, while that one has a ballet slipper pink undertone, Marshmallow is white as snow goodness. Though this shade won't give you that stark White Out effect, it is positively breathtaking, and pure bliss to work with. Highly recommend!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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1.23.2021

1.21.2021

essie Core Exclusive Mini Nail Polish Gift Set - 3PC Swatches + Review

Y'all, essie so rarely releases mini sets, so I'm gonna be honest with you...I bought all of the ones they released during the holidays. And guess what? #sorrynotsorry. One of the prettiest of the sets is the Core Exclusive Mini Nail Polish Gift Set - 3pc. New it is not, but if your nail polish collection isn't huge, this trio will help you build your collection with a few of essie's best and brightest!
Gadget Free is a Gunmetal Gray Metallic. It's not everyday that I go for a metallic; but something about a silver-esque shade for the first week of January felt ultra-apropos! Gadget Free is a stunning charcoal / gunmetal metallic gray that is smokier than your average silver and has a subtle lavender undertone when the light hits it juuust right. Formula here was incredible. You can get by with one coat, but I went for two to make the overall effect a little more plush. Def a fun metallic to keep your fingers festive even after the New Year! This is 2 coats.
Marshmallow is a Sheer White Creme. Ladies, you know how much I l-o-v-e a good white polish, and this bad boy is every bit as yummy as its name implies! Marshmallow is a sheer white creme that can be used for a barely-there hint of color, or built up to brilliant opacity, as you see here. The color is quite similar to Chiffon the Move; however, while that one has a ballet slipper pink undertone, Marshmallow is white as snow goodness. Though this shade won't give you that stark White Out effect, it is positively breathtaking, and pure bliss to work with. Highly recommend! This is 3 coats.
Bahama Mama is a Raisin Creme. Ooh babes, if vampy is your thang you need this beauty in your life! Bahama Mama is a rich, purple plum creme that is ultra-reminiscent of raisin and perfect for year-round wear. This one has a decadent formula that has OCW potential, and dries in minutes so you can be on your way! Though I tend to rock vampy hues during the fall and winter I can def see myself wearing this one throughout spring and summer {perhaps as a pedi color}. Highly recommend my loves! This is 2 coats.


AVAILABILITY: Target.

PRICE: $9.99 for the 3PC Mini Set; $8.69 for each full-size bottle.



SHOP THE POST



xx
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1.18.2021

NOTD: China Glaze Trolls World Tour Collection in Chill in Symphonyville

Three coats of China Glaze Trolls World Tour Collection in Chill in Symphonyville. Light Blue Shimmer Matte.

Prefacing this with the warning that this is probably my most disliked nail polish of. all. time. #sorrynotsorry

Y’all know how much I l-o-v-e a good baby blue; but Chill in Symphonyville is just straight. up. weird. First, yes, it’s a matte {but I used top coat here to add shine because matte did not look good}; second, the formula recedes from the nail tip within minutes of application; third…it’s just not pretty. Formula was odd, color was strange…pass this one ladies.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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1.16.2021

1.14.2021

BOOK REVIEW: Shiver {The Wolves of Mercy Falls, # 1} by Maggie Stiefvater


”Some days seem to fit together like a stained glass window. A hundred little pieces of different color and mood that, when combined, create a complete picture.”

Seventeen-year-old Grace Brisbane’s life has never been the same since the wolves. Though she has never taken a place that she feels she rightfully deserves alongside them, she has been unable to remove her focus from their presence. Especially one wolf, her wolf. A yellow-eyed creature who saved her during a backyard attack as a child, and who has remained a constant in her life ever since. From afar, at least.

Then there’s Sam Roth. A boy who has lived two lives for as long as he can remember: a winter life and a summer life. In the winter, he runs with the wolves, watching his girl from afar with his piercing yellow eyes. In the summer months he runs free as a human – writing his songs, working at a bookshop, and soaking up the warmth that keeps him on two legs.

This year, things are different. Grace meets a boy with yellow eyes, a boy she knows is her wolf in human form; and Sam, human Sam, allows himself to get close to the girl he has always thought of as his from afar. The two, it seems, are fated to be together; but winter is coming, the temperature is dropping steadily, and keeping Sam warm enough to maintain his human form is becoming increasingly more difficult. It will take a miracle to stop Sam from being taken by his wolf form; but Grace and Sam are counting on that very thing.

Just as the wolves call to Grace, this book calls to me every. single. winter. And for good reason. Shiver was made for more than one read. It is a book comprised of characters who feel like home - from the practical Grace to the mesmerizing Sam, and even the irritating meets irresistible Isabel Culpepper. These characters, and Mercy Falls as a whole, welcome you with open arms and wrap you in warmth as you reacquaint yourself with the people, the wolves, and the charm of it all.

Though Shiver is forever compared to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight {if you were Team Jacob}, Shiver, while harboring a love at first sight romance is, IMO, vastly different from Twilight, so don’t let the comparison chase you off. Each are very intriguing tales in their own right – as such they both deserve a chance. Shiver, however, stays more prevalent in my heart because…wolves, obviously. Pick this one up on a cold winter’s day - it will warm you up in minutes.


Star Rating: *****


xx
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1.11.2021

NOTD: essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Chiffon the Move


Three coats of essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Chiffon the Move. Ivory Shimmer.

Le sigh...can we all agree that this little beauty is the epitome of elegance?

Chiffon the Move, while described as an ivory shimmer, has a v strong pale pink undertone that gives it a ballet slipper feel. This one does apply sheer, so you can control the opacity of it. I used three coats here, but VNL is still visible, so, for my preference, I would likely add a fourth coat to increase the opacity. For those who fear shimmer, the shimmer here is not overwhelming, so it maintains a grown-up feel. A necessary entry into your elegant polish colors.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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1.09.2021

1.07.2021

metallic

Free People Metallic Miniskirt in SILVER

The perfect piece to pair with oversized knits this winter.


xx
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1.04.2021

NOTD: essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Gadget Free

Two coats of essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Gadget Free. Gunmetal gray metallic.

It's not everyday that I go for a metallic; but something about a silver-esque shade for the first week of January felt ultra-apropos!

Gadget Free is a stunning charcoal / gunmetal metallic gray that is smokier than your average silver and has a subtle lavender undertone when the light hits it juuust right. Formula here was incredible. You can get by with one coat, but I went for two to make the overall effect a little more plush. Def a fun metallic to keep your fingers festive even after the New Year!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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1.02.2021

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