2.28.2022

NOTD: Essie Nail Polish Collection in Wicked

One coat of Essie Nail Polish Collection in Wicked. Oxblood Creme.

Le sigh. Y'all, this color is so. good.

Wicked is a deep, dark, sinister oxblood creme that is legit mandatory for your winter polish rotation. Babes, this beauty is 100% opaque in one coat and lasts through everything! Craft projects, holiday decorating, cooking...you name it and it is a survivor. Bonus: I experienced zero staining upon removal, so this one is a winner for sure!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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2.24.2022

extreme

ASOS DESIGN Extreme Man Suit Blazer in BROWN MULTI.

Not usually a fan of menswear, but this look is serving. Obsessed!

xx
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2.21.2022

NOTD: NAILS INC. Sweet Nail Candy Scented Nail Polish in Peppermint Place

One coat of NAILS INC. Sweet Nail Candy Scented Nail Polish in Peppermint Place. Dark Red Creme.

Y'all know that red isn't my favorite nail color; but can we take a moment to talk about how ridiculously perfect this seductress is?

Peppermint Place is a ravishing dark red creme that works for V-Day, holiday soirees, or everyday wear. Babes, this one has a flawless formula that is long-wear, super shiny, quick-dry, and a one. coat. wonder. I'm over the moon for this one, and know that you will be too. Grab it girls!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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2.17.2022

BOOK REVIEW: Warcross by Marie Lu



"It is hard to describe loss to someone who has never experienced it, impossible to explain all the ways it changes you. But for those who have, not a single word is needed."

When I say that I began a long-term relationship with Marie Lu during the pandemic, it is #realtalk y'all. Not in the romantic sense obvi, but in the literary sense. It started with Legend in April 2020 and brings us to the present featuring Warcross. You guys, this book is so. good. It's dystopian science fiction with virtual reality and gaming all rolled into one; and it's done in such a perfect fashion that the entire concept feels 100% feasible. Like I can legit see this happening in the future, and that is equal parts exciting and terrifying. Just saying.

Emika "Emi" Chen is many things: liar, orphan, bounty hunter, college dropout, prodigy, rainbow-haired hacker with daddy issues. Like I said...a lot. The one thing she isn't is a quitter. Take her current sitch, for example. On the verge of being evicted from her home, Emika puts the pedal to the metal to take down an elusive criminal with a major bounty that would save her - at least for the month. And when it doesn't go her way? She decides to veg out on her couch and hack into the annual Warcross Championship event. A move seen around the world; and the very thing that pushes her into her current predicament.

For more than a decade Warcross has been a mainstay in the lives of millions upon millions of users. Though debuted as a virtual reality game, it has become more reality than reality itself, with users entering the world daily to escape their actual lives or turn a profit. For Emika, it's a bit of both, so when she sees an incredibly tempting power-up appear in the annual Warcross Championship, she does what any down-on-her-luck-eviction-facing hacker would do...she tries to anonymously steal it. Emika's plan backfires almost immediately when, instead of stealing the power-up, she hacks her way into the game, thereby exposing her identity to the world, putting herself on billionaire Hideo Tanaka's radar, and transforming her into an overnight celebrity. Random, right?

Though the Warcross Championship is shutdown immediately after Emika's stunt, she is 100% convinced that the next bounty will be for her; so when, instead of being arrested, she's offered something irresistible by Hideo, she is flabbergasted, to say the least. The creator of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka is a tech genius who is young, reserved, rich, and brilliant. He is now also Emika's boss {and love interest}. You see, Emika's hacking move was impressive, to say the least. So impressive, in fact, that Hideo hires her to go undercover as a Wild Card player in the Warcross Championship. Her reward? A possible ten. million. dollars. Oh, and new friendships, a little adventure, and insta-celebrity. Not to mention l-o-v-e. But when Emika's investigation uncovers a plot far more sinister than expected, with consequences that are major to humanity, she needs to rethink where her loyalties lie, and what she needs to do to protect the people.

I went into this book with zero expectations because: 1) the reviews were all over the place {either strongly adored or hard pass}; and 2) I legit loathed the last Lu book I read, The Young Elites. That said, I am so glad I read this one because, le sigh, it was amazing! NGL, I knew the true identity of Zero immediately; but that did not detract my love of the characters and storyline. I will say that I am thrilled that the romance between Hideo and Emika took a backseat to everything else going on because, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I didn't come for a romance. #sorrynotsorry. I did, however, come for incredible characters {Asher and Roshan were personal faves of mine}, bomb world-building, and a virtual thrill ride...the very things I left with. Bravo Lu - bring on Wildcard!


Star Rating: ****1/2


xx
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2.14.2022

NOTD: OPI Holiday 2021 Celebration Nail Lacquer Collection in Big Bow Energy

Two coats of OPI Holiday 2021 Celebration Nail Lacquer Collection in Big Bow Energy. Classic Pink Creme.

'Tis the season for pinks to dominate, amiright?!

Big Bow Energy is a bold classic pink creme that gives off all of the Barbie vibes. This one leans a little bit deeper {almost fuschia-esque} than your bubblegum pink, making it a good choice if you're torn between pink and red for V-day. Formula here was fab - depending on how heavy-handed you are during application, you may even be able to make this beauty a OCW.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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2.12.2022

get together

Free People Get Together Long Sleeve Top in DANCING QUEEN.

Never met an off the shoulder top I didn't love. Obsessed with the lipstick pink shade of this cutie!

xx
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2.10.2022

NAILS INC. Sweet Nail Candy 4-Piece Scented Nail Polish Set Swatches + Review

NGL the Sweet Nail Candy 4-Piece Scented Nail Polish Set from NAILS INC. is something I've been hoarding since the Christmas holidays {hence the December-y names}; but I thought now would be the perfect time to share it with you lovelies because 1} The shades are perfect for Valentine's Day; and 2} This full-size quartet is currently on sale for under $20! Natch!
Sugar House Lane is a Pale Pink. Hello surprise superstar! Y'all, I didn't think I would love this shade as much as I did, but it. was. fab! Sugar House Lane is a pretty pale pink creme that is perfect if you want a shade more colorful than white without entering bright pink territory. I am amazed at the quality of this polish! This one held up for more than a week with zero chips or tipwear, and looked just as stunning on day 8 as it did on day 1. Bonus: I subbed for a fifth grade class, and a few of the students told me how much they liked it. #winning! This is 2 coats.
Treat Street is a Bright Pink Creme. Barbie called, she wants her color back. Corny, I know, but I had to do it. #sorrynotsorry. For reals though, Treat Street is a Barbie-esque bright pink creme that is sending me! It's described as a neon pink by Nails Inc., but I def don't get that vibe from it. This color works for all of the lovey-dovey holidays, spring, or everyday wear. Color aside, the formula is top tier. This one can be a OCW if you apply with a slightly heavy hand; and the staying power is out of this world. No chips, no tipwear, even after seven days of wear - in a classroom full of third graders, mind you. Highly recommend if you dig a good girly shade! This is 2 coats.
Noel Street is a Candy Apple Red Creme. Hey girl, hey. Babes, can we puh-lease take a moment to swoon over this bad boy? Noel Street is a ravishing candy apple red creme that would seamlessly make a splash for all seasons - but feels most apropos for Christmastime or the fast-approaching Valentine's Day. The formula here is absolutely brilliant! Super fast dry, easy to apply, and absolutely stunning to look at. Tipwear was minimal, and there were no chipping issues. Absolutely adore this one and cannot wait to add it to my rotation for the holidays this year! This is 2 coats.
Peppermint Place is a Dark Red Creme. Y'all know that red isn't my favorite nail color; but can we take a moment to talk about how ridiculously perfect this seductress is? Peppermint Place is a ravishing dark red creme that works for V-Day, holiday soirees, or everyday wear. Babes, this one has a flawless formula that is long-wear, super shiny, quick-dry, and a one. coat. wonder. I'm over the moon for this one, and know that you will be too. Grab it girls! This is 1 coat.

AVAILABILITY: Nails Inc.

PRICE: $17.60 for the 4PC Full-Size Set.

SHOP THE POST

xx
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2.07.2022

NOTD: OPI XBox Nail Lacquer Collection in Pixel Dust

Two coats of OPI XBox Nail Lacquer Collection in Pixel Dust. Light Pink w/ Pearlescent Shimmer.

NGL here y'all...I legit gasped when I saw this one on the nail. It is absolutely mesmerizing!

Pixel Dust is a sparkling light pink loaded with pearlescent shimmer that is truly out of this world! Tbh, I don't think I have ever seen a pink as unique as this one! Formula is super simple to work with; and opacity is easy to achieve in just two coats. What really clinched this one for me was how fast the dry time was. Highly recommend if you're looking for a playful new shade for your collection!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx
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2.05.2022

parka

Sam Edelman Water Repellent Parka with Removable Faux Fur Trim in WHITE.

The faux fur trim hood and snow white shade have me craving a snow day!

xx
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2.03.2022

BOOK REVIEW: Good Girl, Bad Blood: The Sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson



Besties, I was obsessed with Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder when I first read it a couple of years ago, so I knew I needed to get my hands on Good Girl, Bad Blood: The Sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and you know what? It let me down. The Pippa Fitz-Amobi I loved in book one seemed different; and the mystery, though intriguing in its own right, felt far too simple to unravel, not to mention a bit overreaching and, dare I say, unfeeling. Nevertheless, I did stick it out to the end; but I'm fairly certain I won't be visiting Pip's world again. Womp womp.

One month has passed since Pippa Fitz-Amobi {aka Pip} released her podcast, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, divulging all of the secrets she unearthed while investigating Andie Bell's murder, to the world. Sal Singh, though deceased, has been exonerated on all charges; his brother, Ravi, who acted as Pip's partner in crime during the investigation, has been upgraded to Pip's boyfriend; and Pip? Well, she's no longer a detective. Yep, you read that right...Pip has hung up her sleuthing hat and bid adieu to solving crimes. Primarily due to the amount of enemies she has made in town due to her snooping and subsequent release of the viral A Good Girl's Guide to Murder; but slightly caused by the sudden onset of PTSD. So when Pip's friend, Connor Reynolds, approaches her to look into the sudden disappearance of his older brother, Jamie, during the town's Singh-Ball Memorial, she finds herself conflicted.

Twenty-four-year-old Jamie Reynolds has a history of disappearing acts; and with a father who refuses to see his latest retreat as anything to take seriously, the police are reluctant to treat Jamie's vanishing as anything sinister. Connor and his mother, however, 100% feel that foul play is a factor; and when the police refuse to investigate, Pip makes the executive decision to put her fears aside, and take on the case to help Connor - and begin A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Season Two. But as she begins investigating, Pip comes to the realization that Jamie is not what he seems. In fact, while combing through his online activity, she finds that Jamie has all the makings of someone leading a double life - the question is, did that double life get him killed, or is he responsible for his own disappearance due to fear?

Pip has changed since book one - and for good reason. She has experienced a lot. That said, the Pip I loved in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is not the same Pip I encountered within these pages. She is hardened, somber, slightly depressed, and not as lovable as her former self. Was it organic growth due to everything that happened with the Andie Bell/Sal Singh investigation coupled with the Max Hastings trial? Most likely yes; but it was a growth that made it feel like I didn't know her anymore - and didn't love her the same way. On top of that, I found myself uninterested in the characters within; and disengaged with the mystery itself, which felt a bit all over the place. I did adore the case notes and Podcast transcripts; but found it very hard to muddle through everything else. It took me over a month to finish this book because I kept needing breaks from it; leading me to the conclusion that my interest in Pip ends here.


Star Rating: ***


xx
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