6.30.2022

BOOK REVIEW: My Otter Half by Michelle Schusterman



In the name of being honest, let me tell you that I totally judged this book by its cover, and I am so glad that I did because I absolutely adored it! Michelle Schusterman's My Otter Half possesses the type of charm reserved for Disney movies {of which I hope it someday becomes}; while, at the same time, bringing the very real issue of oil spills and ocean pollution to the forefront in a way that educates without being overtly graphic or preachy. It's a tale of family {human, canine, and otter}, friendship, and finding your way home in the vein of both The Incredible Journey and Finding Nemo - and I, for one, feel that no heart would be untouched by the story found within these pages.

Oliver is a young sea otter faced with a difficult problem: proving to his pals that he is not a momma otter's boy, like they all believe. You see, the other young sea otters have already experienced land adventures; while Oliver has been told time and time again by his overprotective mother that the time will come for him to explore the land - for now he must remain where she can keep him safe. Tired of hearing no, Oliver takes it upon himself to create his own adventure to prove his bravery by swimming into Puget Sound alone, where humans and ships can be found by the dozens. Within a short time of arriving, however, an oil spill threatening local wildlife takes place, trapping Oliver in the harbor, and separating him from his friends and beloved momma.

Like Oliver, Franklin is lost from his family. The big diff? Franklin is a dachshund puppy with a penchant for chasing squirrels at inappropriate times - not a sea otter. Those squirrels I mentioned? Yep, the very reason why Franklin was separated from his owner, Lucy, in the first place. Franklin has absolutely no idea how to reunite with the doting Lucy; but when he meets Oliver, he's convinced that the two can help each other in finding their families as long as they work together. And so the two four-legged fellas embark on a quest through the Pacific Northwest wildnerness to do precisely that.

Told in alternating chapters from the POV of Franklin, Oliver, and Lucy, My Otter Half is a story that really puts you in your feels. Though the adventures of the incredibly mischevious Oliver and Franklin are oftentimes humorous, there are moments where your heart breaks for these two sweet creatures and their plight. Chapters told in Lucy's perspective are slightly different from those shared by Franklin and Oliver. Through Lucy, we see quite a bit of time searching for Franklin, but also struggling with family issues involving a rift between her mother and older brother, Zach. Most interesting about Lucy's chapters, however, are the details regarding the oil spill itself, and the animal rescues and clean-ups completed by her mother, who appears to be a marine biologist {though it is never specified} - this alone will intrigue young animal lovers and aspiring veterinarians, while aiding in a classroom study about oil spills.

As a new teacher and animal lover, who gravitates frequently to oil spill studies and the ramifications on wildlife, this is a tale that I would love to incorporate into my future classroom, tying it into science, ELA, and even social studies {using Google Maps to track the adventures of Franklin and Oliver}. Highly recommended!


Star Rating: *****


xx
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6.27.2022

NOTD: OPI Power of Hue Nail Lacquer Collection in Make Rainbows

Two coats of OPI Power of Hue Nail Lacquer Collection in Make Rainbows. Matte Green Shimmer.

Babes, I wore this bad boy for World Turtle Day {May 23rd}, and it 100% lived up to the occasion!

Make Rainbows is a lemming-esque matte green shimmer with lime tones that makes it feel fresh, fun, and unique on your tips. This one really surprised me, as I thought it would lean brighter; but instead it read a little darker than expected - and that was totally fine by me! This one showed signs of tipwear after about 5 days of application; but sparkled beautifully up until that point. Highly recommend this one if you love a good green!

xx
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6.23.2022

OPI Power of Hue Summer 2022 Collection Nail Lacquer Mini 6-Pack Swatches + Review

Let's be honest here, when it comes to nail colors I rarely grab for brights; instead favoring pastels, vampy shades, or my ultimate fave, white creme. That said, I immediately snatched up OPI's Power of Hue Summer 2022 Collection Nail Lacquer Mini 6-Pack when I spotted it in an effort to break me out of my comfort zone, and force me to take a walk on the bright side. Truth be told, I wasn't wild over the matte finishes, and the shorter-than-I-like wear time that tends to accompany said finishes; but I did adore how playful, flirty, and fun each of the six shades turned out to be - not to mention how apropos they would be for your summer getaways. Take a peek at all of the pretty below!

Feel Bluetiful is a Matte Turquoise Blue Shimmer. Mermaid nails don't care! Feel Bluetiful is a unicorn-like matte turquoise blue shimmer that legit makes you feel like a mermaid every single time you glance at your fingertips. Formula here was so amazingly simple to work with - applying quickly, and drying even faster. Yes, it has a matte finish; but I'm not a fan, so I added top coat to bring out the shine and shimmer. Y'all, this one earned me multiple comments from 5th graders {the harshest critics}, so you know it's amazing. Great staying power, great color...you need this one in your collection babes! This is 2 coats.

Bee Unapologetic is a Matte Yellow Shimmer. Alert: summer essential shade right here babes! Bee Unapologetic is a bright matte yellow shimmer that is basically sunshine in a bottle. True story. This one is sunny and brilliant and feels so sassy on the nails. The formula here wasn't perfection - while it dries fast, it does require three coats to achieve full, even opacity. Not a dealbreaker; but definitely worth mentioning. Other than that, it's kind of amazing - and absolutely essential for your beachy getaways this summer! This is 3 coats.

Mango For It is a Matte Orange Shimmer. Yo, girlies, this color is giving. it. to. me. Mango For It is a fresh, flirty, fruity vibrant matte orange shimmer that feels positively made for the tropics! NGL here, if you opt for the matte look, this one is far lighter {think tangerine}; but when you add that top coat, the gloss brings out allll of those glorious, vibrant orange vibes. Though all of the shades in the Power of Hue collection have featured shimmer throughout; Mango For It is one of the only colors where that shimmer is discernible and adds a juicy dimension to the overall look. Loving it! This is 2 coats.

Make Rainbows is a Matte Green Shimmer. Babes, I wore this bad boy for World Turtle Day {May 23rd}, and it 100% lived up to the occasion! Make Rainbows is a lemming-esque matte green shimmer with lime tones that makes it feel fresh, fun, and unique on your tips. This one really surprised me, as I thought it would lean brighter; but instead it read a little darker than expected - and that was totally fine by me! This one showed signs of tipwear after about 5 days of application; but sparkled beautifully up until that point. Highly recommend this one if you love a good green! This is 2 coats.

Pink Big is a Matte Bright Pink Shimmer. Babes this shade is seriously slaying. Pink Big is a groovy matte bright pink shimmer that is a total essential for all of you ladies who love a little girly glam. This cutie is an absolute must for summer mani/pedi season, what with it's Barbie girl feel and subtle shimmer. I do recommend applying two layers of top coat to amp up the shine, as this one dries down to a matte finish. This is 2 coats.

Go to Grape Lengths is a Matte Violet Shimmer. Y'all, I wish I could have gotten a direct sunlight pic of this bad boy because it is a sparkly paradise; but the weather wasn't cooperating, so this will have to do. Go to Grape Lengths is a magical matte violet shimmer that is guaranteed to >step up your summer shimmer game; while seamlessly transitioning for fall wear come August/September. Yes, this one is a matte finish; but y'all know how much I love my shine when it comes to polish, so I applied top coat. #sorrynotsorry. Even with top coat, however, this one was not as long-lasting as I would have hoped, which seems to be commonplace when it comes to mattes. I experienced chipping near the nail bed within a couple of days of application. Still a gorgeous color to add to your collection; but more of a short-term relationship shade. This is 2 coats.


AVAILABILITY: Ulta.

PRICE: $23.90 for the 6PC Mini Set; $10.79 for each full-size bottle
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xx
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6.20.2022

NOTD: OPI Power of Hue Nail Lacquer Collection in Bee Unapologetic

Three coats of OPI Power of Hue Nail Lacquer Collection in Bee Unapologetic. Matte Yellow Shimmer.

Alert: summer essential shade right here babes!

Bee Unapologetic is a bright matte yellow shimmer that is basically sunshine in a bottle. True story. This one is sunny and brilliant and feels so sassy on the nails. The formula here wasn't perfection - while it dries fast, it does require three coats to achieve full, even opacity. Not a dealbreaker; but definitely worth mentioning. Other than that, it's kind of amazing - and absolutely essential for your beachy getaways this summer!

xx
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6.16.2022

BOOK REVIEW: Six of Crows {Six of Crows, # 1} by Leigh Bardugo



“A gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse.”

Last May, having binged the Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, I reviewed the book of the same title, only to find that the characters I truly adored from the TV series {Inej, Kaz, and Jesper}, were nowhere to be seen. Fast forward to April 2022, I elected to forgo the rest of the Shadow and Bone series {for the time being} and merely skip to the Six of Crows Duology in order to meet my favorite heist trio in novel form. Though intriguing and adventure-laden at times, I can't say that this introduction lived up to my expectations. In fact, I found myself slogging through repetitive dialogue, lackluster characters, and a premise that I was unable to ever become fully vested in - leading me to believe that I will not be reading part two. Womp womp.

Ketterdam {aka the Barrel}, a locale for sinners not saints, bustles day and night with international trade. Pickpockets prowl the streets; gangs take over entire territories; and, for the right price, anything can be had. No one knows this better than seventeen-year-old Kaz Brekker {aka Dirtyhands} - a criminal mastermind with fast hands and a crew of unlawful, fearless friends with the courage to take on any crime, known as The Dregs. Though Brekker is the brains behind each malfeasance; he himself knows that he would be unable to pull anything off without his crew of outcasts. And so, when he accepts the job of a lifetime, one that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams {if he survives}, he knows exactly who to enlist to get the job done.

The Dregs are quite the motley crew of criminals, with assorted pasts and personalities that oftentimes clash with one another; but they are a family of sorts - and families, regardless of how dysfunctional they may be, stick together. Inej {aka the Wraith}, a contortionist/spy with deadly dagger aim and a conscience; Jesper, a sharpshooter {and former farm boy} with a bad gambling habit; Nina, a hilarious Heartrender surviving the slums with the use of her magic; newcomers Wylan and Matthias; and Kaz himself - a convict hungry for revenge. Together, Kaz is convinced that he will be able to execute the heist of the century: penetrating an inaccessible prison facility known as The Ice Court and extracting Bo Yul-Bayur, the chemist behind the accidentally-created drug jurda parem, a product that, in the wrong hands, could spell disaster for Grisha. To the average criminal, it sounds like an impossible feat; to Kaz and his crew, it's a ticket to incredible riches.

This book y'all...I struggled - like, struggled-so-much-I-had-to-take-a-break-at-the-halfway-point. Don't get me wrong, I found the characters of Inej, Kaz, and Jesper to be entertaining at times, and seeing their backstory was intriguing; but the persistent shifts between character POV and present/past scenarios was enough to make my head spin. On top of that, I truly felt that, after the first 25% of the book, the rest of the story just kept going in circles. My main goal for continuing on was simply to finish it, so that I could begin the next book in my TBR pile - never a good sign. Part of my...disinterest in this story could be blamed on the romantic situations involving all of the characters, which I find incredibly boring; or, perhaps, I just wasn't sold on the characters willingness to attempt such an insane heist. Regardless of the reason, I feel that this will be my last foray into the Grishaverse and Bardugo's work as a whole.


Star Rating: ***


xx
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6.13.2022

NOTD: OPI Peru Fall 2018 Nail Lacquer Collection in I Love You Just Be-Cusco

Two coats of OPI Peru Fall 2018 Nail Lacquer Collection in I Love You Just Be-Cusco. Classic Red Creme.

I know, I know...this doesn't feel like the time of year for red, but I couldn't help myself because the name totally makes me think of The Emperor's New Groove. #sorrynotsorry.

I Love You Just Be-Cusco is a chic classic red creme that will make your summer s-i-z-z-l-e. This one is a breeze to work with; and, with a heavier hand during application, could def qualify as a OCW. Also pertinent: I received loads of compliments on this shade from my TK cuties, so you know it's a winner for sure!

xx
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6.09.2022

violet

Free People Violet Minidress in CARROTT GINGER.

Y'all, this aesthetic is legit sending me. So cute for summer!

xx
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6.06.2022

NOTD: OPI Power of Hue Nail Lacquer Collection in Go to Grape Lengths

Two coats of OPI Power of Hue Nail Lacquer Collection in Go to Grape Lengths. Matte Violet Shimmer.

Y'all, I wish I could have gotten a direct sunlight pic of this bad boy because it is a sparkly paradise; but the weather wasn't cooperating, so this will have to do.

Go to Grape Lengths is a magical matte violet shimmer that is guaranteed to >step up your summer shimmer game; while seamlessly transitioning for fall wear come August/September. Yes, this one is a matte finish; but y'all know how much I love my shine when it comes to polish, so I applied top coat. #sorrynotsorry.

Even with top coat, however, this one was not as long-lasting as I would have hoped, which seems to be commonplace when it comes to mattes. I experienced chipping near the nail bed within a couple of days of application. Still a gorgeous color to add to your collection; but more of a short-term relationship shade.

xx
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6.02.2022

early night

Free People Early Night Cotton Blend Pajama Romper in WASHED ARMY.

The sassiest little sleep number I ever did see.

xx
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