1.30.2023

NOTD: ZOYA Classic Leathers Fall 2022 Nail Lacquer Collection in Sylva

Two coats of ZOYA Nail Polish in Sylva. Dark Teal Creme.

A problematic polish fact? There is simply not enough teal in lacquer collections. #isaidwhatisaid

Sylva is a bold dark teal creme that brings Fair Isle knitwear, marshmallow-topped hot cocoa, and skiing in the Swiss Alps to mind. This one could easily have been a OCW, but I added a second layer to bolden up the color, and it built beautifully! Loving this beauty paired with, perhaps, a silver accent nail. If you want to add a unique touch to your vampy varnish collection, do not sleep on this bad boy!

xx

Disclaimer: Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans occasionally receives vendor/ brand sponsorships for mentioning their products and services.
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1.26.2023

christa

Free People Christa Sequin Long Sleeve Romper in PINK.

Definitely not ready to say goodbye to sequin season just yet...

xx
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1.23.2023

NOTD: ZOYA Hypnotic Holiday 2022 Nail Lacquer Collection in Rosalind

Two coats of ZOYA Nail Polish in Rosalind. Sugarplum Purple Duochrome.

This color though!

Rosalind is a sugarplum purple duochrome that looks nothing like I expected! For some reason, I was 100% under the impression that this was like a metallic navy when I saw it in the bottle; but when you apply it to the nail...girrrrrllll! This beauty is straight up magical. The purple shifts from a shimmering sugarplum to a Frozen-esque metallic blue and back when placed in direct sunlight, and is just beautiful to look at. Perfect for winter and beyond!

xx

Disclaimer: Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans occasionally receives vendor/ brand sponsorships for mentioning their products and services.
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1.19.2023

BOOK REVIEW: Frozen: Conceal, Don't Feel {A Twisted Tale} by Jen Calonita


"You two will find your way back to each other, I’m sure of it. You are, and always have been, each other’s light in the darkness."

I am, admittedly, late to the Frozen party. So late, in fact, that my first viewing of the film took place during Thanksgiving Week 2022, a full nine years after its release. I know, I know...for shame. Regardless of my late introduction to the phenomena, my love for the film {and the title track Let It Go} was instantaneous {my mom even used Frozen decorations for my birthday in December!}, so I immediately began seeking out a literary offering that would place the tale in my fingertips - precisely how I discovered Jen Calonita's Frozen: Conceal Don't Feel {A Twisted Tale}. There was a time when fractured fairytales were a favorite of mine; but the recent additions to the Disney Princess world have left much to be desired, so I have overall turned my back on them - until now. Though I can't say this tome changed much from the original Frozen; it did keep my interest from start to finish, and gave me something new to ponder in the Frozen-verse...what would things have been like had Anna ceased to exist?

As Arendelle's future Queen, much of eighteen-year-old Princess Elsa's life seems already written - mapped, so to speak, with the one variable being her. At what point in time will she be required to select a suitor to stand by her as she rules? And, for that matter, what type of ruler will she be? But there is one other thing that has plagued Elsa for what feels like eons...why does she feel that a core part of her is missing? The former, only time will tell; the latter, on the other hand, seems open-ended, and something she will need to identify for herself in time. But time is cut short with the unexpected death of her beloved parents. Kept within the palatial palace since her youth; Elsa has had only her parents to keep her from going mad from loneliness, but with the both of them gone, Elsa begins to question how she'll be able to survive.

Locking herself away until she comes of age to undergo the coronation ceremony that will name her the sole ruler of Arendelle, loneliness sets in strongly - only dissipating slightly when she is visited by the charming Prince Hans {oh yeah, he's courting Elsa in this version of the story, and let me tell you, he is every bit as loathsome on the page as he is on the big screen}. But the longer Elsa stays behind closed doors the more strange occurrences begin to take place - incidents that begin to reveal long dormant mysterious powers involving ice and frost that give way to fragments of Elsa's childhood. Memories that have been forgotten, starring her, a familiar-looking girl in braids, and an enchanting snowman brought to life known as Olaf {who, it just so happens, she was able to bring to life with said powers}.

Knowing that the end of her loneliness is dependent upon reaching deeper into her memories, and uncovering who this mysterious girl is, Elsa sets her mind on accomplishing just this prior to her coronation. But when the big day comes, and she is still no closer to unlocking her past and memories, she accidentally unleashes a blizzard that halts life for Arendelle as citizens know it. Now, with Olaf by her side, Elsa escapes the palace and heads to the North Mountain, hoping to uncover the truth about her past in order to move forward with leading her Kingdom to happiness in the future - undoing a terrible curse, and locating the missing Princess of Arendelle.

Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Harmon, a fifteen-year-old girl named Anna, the adopted daughter of the village baker, lives a restless existence. Energetic, talkative, and determined to someday open up a bakeshop of her own in the heart of Arendelle where she will whip up daily batches of her specialty: snowman cookies! Anna lives for the occasional visit from Freya, a friend of her adoptive mother, who loves to share tales of life in Arendelle. When Freya's life is cut short {coincidentally right as the King and Queen are announced dead}, Anna knows that the pull she has always felt towards Arendelle must finally be fulfilled. Enlisting the help of her crush, Kristoff, and his carrot-loving reindeer, Sven, Anna abandons her bakery duties and sets off to Arendelle. But the closer she gets to the palace, the more she is tormented by nonsensical memories starring her as a child, Princess Elsa, and a talking snowman - echoes of a past long-forgotten that require a key to restore them once and for all.

As you've probably surmised, the storyline within Frozen: Conceal Don't Feel {A Twisted Tale} is nearly identical to the one seen in the film itself. That said, it provides enough twists to keep you on your toes. After all, how many of us expected to see Prince Hans courting Elsa as opposed to Anna? Twists aside, true Frozen fans will be quite tickled merely to see a few of their favorite characters highlighted in a like-new tale. The way that the romance builds between Kristoff and Anna, though similar to the one from the film, is quite sweet; while the strong bond between Elsa and Olaf is something that, quite literally, made me feel whole, because I adore the both of them! Fans young and old will find something special between these pages - even if it's simply an urge to rewatch the film that became a phenomenon!


Star Rating: ****


xx
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1.16.2023

NOTD: ZOYA y2k Holiday 2022 Nail Lacquer Collection in Sparrow

Three coats of ZOYA Nail Polish in Sparrow. Bright Ice Blue Holo Jelly.

Not to be critical when I say this, but ZOYA totally missed the opportunity to name this beauty Elsa because, let me tell you, I was convinced that frost would fly from my fingertips while I was wearing this bad boy. True story.

Sparrow is a bright ice blue holo jelly that is simply masterful. NGL, I was not prepared for how sheer this one was during application; however, you can still get full coverage with 0 VNL with two coats {I did 3, but the diff was v. slight}. I know we basically just entered 2023, but I am convinced that this will be one of my top 10 favorite nail colors of. the. year. Essential!

xx

Disclaimer: Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans occasionally receives vendor/ brand sponsorships for mentioning their products and services.
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1.12.2023

ZOYA y2K Holiday 2022 Nail Lacquer Swatches + Review

A friend of mine in the pet industry told me that cosmic, space-inspired vibes {think Ariana's Break Free era} were trending for 2023, and I didn't necessarily believe it until ZOYA's y2K Holiday 2022 Trio appeared at my door. Y'all, these shades feel kissed by stardust and are masterful for making this intergalactic trend a part of your world. Brace yourselves for sparkly prettiness ahead.

Sparrow is a Bright Ice Blue Holo Jelly. Not to be critical when I say this, but ZOYA totally missed the opportunity to name this beauty Elsa because, let me tell you, I was convinced that frost would fly from my fingertips while I was wearing this bad boy. True story. Sparrow is a bright ice blue holo jelly that is simply masterful. NGL, I was not prepared for how sheer this one was during application; however, you can still get full coverage with 0 VNL with two coats {I did 3, but the diff was v. slight}. I know we basically just entered 2023, but I am convinced that this will be one of my top 10 favorite nail colors of. the. year. Essential! This is 3 coats.

Malana is a Bubblegum Pink Holo Jelly. Holy holo Batman! Malana is a bubblegum pink holo jelly that is giving me all of the love day vibes. Though def pink in coloring, there is a subtle lavender shift that presents itself in direct sunlight that it spectacular, and seriously places this beauty in a league of her own. Formula is thin, but fast dry; and stays sprakly from first day of wear to last. Ya girl is obsessed! This is 3 coats.

Tamiah is a Grape Holo Jelly. Weird but true: grape nail colors always give me spring picnic vibes! So random...I know, I know. Tamiah is a grape holo jelly that is one of those wear whenever shades that just works regardless of season or occasion. As compared to the other two shades in this trio, Sparrow and Malana, I found that the color of Tamiah was more saturated, so it only required two coats as opposed to three; NBD tbh, but it seemed worth mentioning. Definitely a shade that fits with the intergalactic vibes that seem to be trending for 2023. This is 2 coats.


AVAILABILITY: ZOYA.

PRICE: $12.00 for each full-size bottle



xx

Disclaimer: Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans occasionally receives vendor/ brand sponsorships for mentioning their products and services.
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1.09.2023

NOTD: ZOYA Cafe Creams Fall 2022 Nail Lacquer Collection in Bonnie

Three coats of ZOYA Nail Polish in Bonnie. Sheer Rose Gold Topper.

Can we just take a moment to swoon over how majestic this beauty is?!

Bonnie is a luminous sheer rose gold topper that will make you sparkle with each flick of your fingertips. This beauty can be worn alone {a la moi}, or as a topper {how stunning would she look over a mauve or nude for fall?!}. Regardless of how you wear her, she is a standout that will gain you compliments galore with her sparkling persona and long-lasting wear time {5 days for me with 0 chips or tipwear}. If you find sparkle simply irresistible, you need this babe in your life!

xx

Disclaimer: Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans occasionally receives vendor/ brand sponsorships for mentioning their products and services.
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1.05.2023

BOOK REVIEW: The Subtle Knife {His Dark Materials Book 2} by Philip Pullman


"What were these mysteries? Was there only one world after all, which spent its time dreaming of others?"

A lot has happened since I turned the last page of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Most notably, I became hooked on HBO Max's His Dark Materials, which made delving into The Subtle Knife sooner, rather than later, an absolute necessity. After all, how could I best prepare for the third and final season of the show without at least cracking the spine of book two? Though I, admittedly, had moments of struggle while reading book one; I found no evidence of a second book slump here. Quite the contrary, in fact. I flew through this installment, growing more fond of both Pan and Lyra with each passing page; while adoring the consistent worldbuilding and introduction of newbies. Needless to say, book three, The Amber Spyglass, has already been downloaded, and is waiting for me to begin reading.

Lyra Belacqua and her Daemon, Pan, are no longer in the Oxford they once knew. And perhaps that is for the better. Roger, Lyra's best friend, is dead - sacrificed for the sake of science by the devious Lord Asriel {aka Lyra's father}; while the cunning Mrs. Marisa Coulter's {aka Lyra's mother} whereabouts are unknown for the time being. Though grieving the loss of their friend, Lyra and Pan know that they must forge forward in order to uncover the meaning of Dark Matter and protect others from the actions of Lyra's parents; which is how they find themselves in a New Oxford. Discovered accidentally, New Oxford is like Lyra's Oxford, yet different...and it connects Lyra and Pan to other worlds, such as Cittigazze, where the two meet Will Parry, an individual on the run who is destined to become their ally.

At twelve-years-old, Will Parry has seen more bad than good in humanity; and has shouldered the brunt of duties typically expected of an adult. The child of a mentally ill mother, and an explorer father who mysteriously disappeared years ago during an expedition, Will has quite a bit on his plate - especially when one takes into consideration that he is the primary caregiver for said mother. Though Will has no memory of his father, he is convinced that he is still living, and is on a quest to find him and bring him home. It is in Will's Oxford, that he passes through to the world of Cittigazze and begins his journey. Though Lyra and Will are both seeking something different, what they find, aside from friendship, is something far more sinister.

Upon stepping through to the world of Cittigazze, Lyra and Pan notice two things: 1} the city is overrun with children, with no adults in sight; 2} soul-eating Specters plague the streets {think Harry Potter Dementors}. In a very short time, Lyra and Pan stumble upon Will, whom they feel is a part of their future, so they consult the Alethiometer...

"What is he? A friend, or an enemy?”

“He is a murderer.”


Despite the Alethiometer's ominous response, Lyra and Pan forge a strong friendship with Will, soon discovering that a powerful weapon known as the subtle knife exists within Cittigazze. The subtle knife has the ability to cut between worlds...but only for the hand chosen to wield it.

If I'm being honest, my greatest disappointment in The Subtle Knife was not with the book itself; rather, it had to do with a character - or lack thereof. Iorek Byrnison {yes, the polar bear} was one of my favorite characters in The Golden Compass, so not having him present in the pages of The Subtle Knife gutted me. That said, I was quite happy with the return of both Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkala. The way their stories intertwined with Will and Lyra's was quite seamless; as was the worldbuilding between worlds. At times, I did find the Cittigazze setting and characters found within to be somewhat lackluster; however, I understand the role they played in forming The Subtle Knife and paving a path for The Amber Spyglass - the concluding tale in this trilogy that I cannot wait to dig into!


Star Rating: ****


xx
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1.02.2023

NOTD: OPI Jewel Be Bold Nail Lacquer Collection in Go Big Or Go Chrome

Three coats of OPI Jewel Be Bold Nail Lacquer Collection in Go Big Or Go Chrome. Metallic Silver.

Admittedly, y'all know that I'm typically not a fan of metallics, but this beauty is sending me.

Go Big Or Go Chrome is a wintry metallic silver that makes me want to watch Frozen for the 3,627,946 time - that sparkle and frosty tone gives me all of the Queen Elsa and Olaf vibes!

This is an interesting one because, at coat one, the opacity, while stronger than a topper, mimics a sprinkling of fairy dust, so would look amazing over a white creme; whereas coats two and three really strengthen the opacity and bring us to the icy finish you see here. Positively obsessed with this beauty for the entire winter season!

xx
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