OPI Big Zodiac Energy Fall '23 Nail Lacquer 4-Piece Swatches + Review

NGL, this OPI set was from Fall 2023, but I saw it at Ulta last month, so I grabbed it because the shades looked pretty, and I kinda loved the name Big Zodiac Energy. Yes, I'm a sucker for a good gimmick. Aaaaanyway...I liked this quartet. A couple of the colors weren't really my thing; but I feel like they captured the essence of the Zodiac - and honestly, that was the point of the collection. I'll let you make up your own mind regarding shades. Swatch time!

Scorpio Seduction is a Cobalt Blue Pearl. It's giving Frozen ice queen vibes. Scorpio Seduction is a stunning cobalt blue pearl that reads blurple in certain lighting, and is just decadent to look at. This one definitely gives off a winter, New Year's feel; but, if you dig darks, you'll probably love this year-round. Formula is slightly thin; however, it builds to opacity quickly, and dries in a flash. This is 2 coats.

Virgoals is a Bronze Pearl. I'm not sure what I was expecting from this shade; but ngl I'm kinda digging the whole bronzey, peachy, gold hybrid glow. Virgoals is a brilliant bronze pearl that is one of those year round wear shades that looks equally as gorgeous in the winter as it does in the spring. For me, I especially love it for autumn and summer because those rich bronze tones give me that glowing goddess meets fall foliage vibe. Yes, this did take 4 coats for opacity; but, in its defense, this mani stayed intact for an entire week, and was rapid dry. Literal love at first sight shade right here. This is 4 coats.

Feelin' Libra-ted is a Violet Pearl Shimmer. So...I legit thought that this was a deep plum from looking at the bottle, but look how wrong I was. Feelin' Libra-ted is a beautiful violet pearl shimmer that is one of those purples that will work year-round {as opposed to being a fall or spring-specific purple}. This shade was super sheer - we're talking completely translucent until coat 3, which I was 100% not expecting. That said, it is a pretty little color that has a certain charm to it that is v appealing. Not sure if I'll repeat-wear, but it definitely makes the cutie mark. This is 3 coats.

Big Sagittarius Energy is a Burgundy Pearl. Y'all, this is a top tier color for fall; but yeah, I'm trying it for the first time at the start of spring. Go figure. Big Sagittarius Energy is a gorgeous burgundy pearl that is a quintessential bridge between maroon and plum. This shade is simply decadent, and would look so beautiful coupled with cognacs and slouchy knits in the throes of autumn; but for now it's just divine for adding a kiss of vamp to your florals and pastels. Formula was fantastic here! Yes, you can get full opacity in just one coat; but I opted for two to really get that richness. I absolutely adore this one! This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: Ulta

NOTD: Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in Nailor's Knot

Two coats of Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in Nailor's Knot. Ocean Blue Creme.

Y'all, this color reinforced my love of brights. I mean, just look at how pretty it is. I'm literally crying!

Nailor's Knot is an ocean blue creme that is making me crave warmer temps! This one is so bright and beautiful {without being neon or requiring underwear}. Formula was supercalifragifab - we're talking perfect leveling, opacity...all of the things. I wore this shade for a full 7 days with no chips or tipwear; so if you're craving blue...you know you need this one!

xx

BOOK REVIEW: Once Upon A Broken Heart {Once Upon A Broken Heart, Book 1} by Stephanie Garber

"She knew there were downsides to feeling deeply; it could get in the way of logic and reason. But shutting off emotions was just as treacherous."
I am so grateful that I did not realize that Once Upon a Broken Heart was written by Stephanie Garber when I first picked it up, because I could not get into her Caraval series, so if I realized that she had written this beforehand, I may have passed it up, and missed out on all of the magic found between the pages, and that would have broken my heart {no pun intended}. But I digress...

While some grow up in grocers or bakeries, seventeen-year-old Evangeline Fox had a far more interesting environment during her younger years: that of her father's curiosity shop, Maximilian's Curiosities, Whimsies & Other Oddities. It was there that her ears and mind were filled with accounts of the 16 legendary immortal Fates - including the terribly tragic tales surrounding the charming Prince of Hearts. According to lore, the Prince of Hearts has mythic powers; a kiss that makes one weak in the knees then kills them; and a habit of making bargains with unsuspecting mortals that rarely, if ever, end well.

Never, in all of her wildest dreams, did Evangeline believe that she would call on the Prince of Hearts for assistance; but, as they say, all's fair in love and war. When Evangeline learns that Luc, the love of her life, is about to marry another {I won't spoil things by telling you who; but I will say that it will make your blood boil}, Evangeline deems that desperate times call for desperate measures, so she offers the Prince of Hearts the unthinkable: absolutely anything in exchange to stop the wedding. Obviously, the Prince would be ridiculous to refuse an offer like that, so he accepts, and with quite the simple stipulation {or so it seems} in return: three kisses. Evangeline is under the impression that she got off easy; and thinks that, perhaps, maybe, the stories surrounding the Prince of Hearts are just that...stories. That is, until the first kiss.

A kiss seems incredibly harmless; but kisses directed by the Prince of Hearts are anything but. Just ask Evangeline. Following that first kiss, she realizes that the kisses in question are ill-intentioned, with the recipients being selected for the Prince's own personal gain. But it's too little, too late. The deal has been made, and there is no going back. The question is, will it lead Evangeline to the ultimate happily ever after, or the greatest tragedy the Magnificent North has ever seen? Evangeline is just as eager as you are to learn the answer to that question.

You guys! My actual heart. I love this book in the vein that Chuck Bass loves Blair Waldorf - and that is saying so, so much! Once Upon A Broken Heart is one of those once in a lifetime books that puts you in an instant chokehold that you're not released from until the last page is turned. The characters, the scenarios, the storyline, the constant twists...each and every bit of this tale is a literal chef's kiss.

Jacks captured my heart in a way that few male literary characters have managed in years. He's mischievous, and manic, and magical, and magnetic, and you can't help but to find yourself falling for him the more you learn. His relationship with Evangeline, though complicated, to be sure, is one that is incredibly intriguing as you watch their lives intertwine. And Evangeline? As far as female mc's go, I adored her! She has a naivete to her personality that is endearing; and she truly has such a beautiful heart. She brings so much out in Jacks that you can't help but ot love their scenes together {and hope that something more comes of their friendship, relationship...what have you}. I already have the sequel, The Ballad of Never After, cued up on my Kindle; and I'm contemplating giving Caraval another shot once I finish this series. Who knows...maybe I'll have a change of heart.



Star Rating: ****


xx

NOTD: ELLE Nail Lacquer in Light Pink

Two coats of ELLE Nail Lacquer in Light Pink. Baby Pink Creme.

Sorry for the lack of link with this one babes, but it was included in a set that is no longer available {and was gifted to me by a student from last year}.

Light Pink {I dubbed it that btw, though I think Baby's Breath would be a pretty name} is a baby pink creme that was made for the month of l-o, l-o, l-o, l-o-v-e. Y'all this color is so good. It has a peachy undertone that gives it a flirty, ultra-girly vibe that I'm obsessed with! Formula was phenomenal! This one lasted for a full week without so much as a chip or crack. Will be repeat-wearing!

xx

prioritize yourself

if you’re struggling, you deserve to make self-care a priority. maybe that looks like lying in bed all day, crying, finding an escape through a book, sleeping, rescheduling plans, binging a tv show, going for a long walk, or doing nothing at all. give yourself permission to put your healing first. to prioritize yourself. quiet the voice telling you to do more, and be more; and today, whatever you do, let it be enough. feel your feelings, breathe, and be gentle with yourself. acknowledge that you’re doing the best you can to cope and survive. ilysm.🫶🏻
xx

NOTD: ZOYA February 2024 Color of the Month Nail Lacquer in Love

Two coats of ZOYA Nail Polish in Love. Deep Red w/ Micro and Macroglitter.

Le sigh. This shade literally made my heart skip a beat!

Love is a deep red w/ micro and macroshimmer that is basically Dorothy's ruby red slippers come to life. Truth. This is everything a true Valentine's Day color should be! Dry time was so fantastic - I literally feel like it dried in seconds; and application was legit the most flawless thing ever! Whether you're grabbing this one for VDay or year-round wear, you will not be disappointed. Fingers crossed that ZOYA makes a similar formula in hot pink - that is what I need in my life!

xx

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

BOOK REVIEW: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

"My favorite thing about music—when you played it loud enough through good headphones (and I had the best) — was that it softened the edges of the world."
Ever since I joined the world of Bookstagram, I've been introduced to titles that are out of my genre comfort zone; but since I was in a bit of a reading slump for 2023, I figure...why not? Which is precisely how Lynn Painter's Better Than the Movies entered my orbit. You guys, after reading this cutie I think I'm officially a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope!

Seventeen-year-old Liz 'Libby' Buxbaum has been a daydreaming lovergirl since the ripe old age of seven, when her mother introduced her to Bridget Jones's Diary. On that day, after falling for the charming playboy, she was also taught a ginormous lesson: never choose the bad boy. Though her rom-com loving mother has since passed, Libby has never forgotten that very, very important bit of advice - and is always on the lookout for Mr. Right. The sweet, nice, dependable Mr. Right, that is. All of the things that Liz's neighbor, Wes 'Wessy' Bennet is most certainly not.

Frenemies since childhood, Liz and Wes have never been in each other's Top 5. Though infantile pranks {read: decapitated lawn gnomes} are no longer part of the equation; Wes still manages to be a huge pain in Liz's butt - mainly due to the continual battle for The Spot. Prime parking situated right in front of both of their houses - but only enough room for one vehicle. Liz, unfortunately, rarely wins {though she has figured out ways to execute revenge}; and Wes manages to almost always come out victorious given his penchant for depositing strange objects as a space saver {iron picnic tables, monster truck wheels...the usual}. Now that Michael is back in town, however, Wes may just become Liz's knight in shining armor.

Enter Michael Young - Liz's childhood crush and all-around good boy. Michael moved away years ago, but he's back...and hotter. than. ever. Liz knows that Michael is undoubtedly the guy who will fulfill all of her romantic comedy fantasies - if only they would make it to their first date. Sure, they've chatted about the past, but Liz wants Michael to ask her to prom; which is where Wes comes in to, admittedly, save the day. Wes and Michael have quickly reignited their childhood bromance, so Liz enlists Wes to help her get the guy by pretending they're a thing to nudge Michael into her arms. But the more time Liz spends with Wes, the more she realizes that she underestimated his potential. He's actually a really good guy; and, dare she say it, she likes spending time with him. A lot. Now she's forced to question everything she has ever learned about love in order to find her happily ever after.

Can someone please tell me where to find Wes IRL because I'm literally in love with him, and I want him to be more than my book boyfriend. I'm being totally serious right now btw. Lynn Painter did such a phenomenal job with Better Than the Movies. This is not the typical book that I go for; but the combination of playlists and movie quotes and song lyrics and brilliant characters was a literal chef's kiss. Never in my life did I think I would fall in love with a romantic comedy-esque frenemies-to-lovers tale; yet here we are. Ngl, it was glaringly obvious how this was going to end; but the best part of the ride was watching the love story develop, and being there for all of the sweet moments that we wish we could experience ourselves (you know it’s true, so don’t even!). If you're searching for a sweet love story sans smut, you absolutely must take this one home - and read it while listening to the official playlist of Wessy and Libby. Obsessed! And on my way to check out more by Ms. Painter.



Star Rating: ****1/2


xx

NOTD: ZOYA Magical Collection 2023 Nail Lacquer Collection in Inez

Two coats of ZOYA Nail Polish in Inez. Magenta Creme w/ Rose Gold Microflakes.

Never have I ever fallen in love with a magenta polish; but I guess there's a first time for everything.

Inez is a magenta creme with rose gold microflakes, and let me tell you right now...those rose gold microflakes make all the difference. Y'all, this color is stunning - it's rich and lush, but girly at the same time. For me this is a total lemming, and I am obsessed. NGL, I did have a bit of flaking while wearing {towards the end of the 6 days}, but a quick touch-up fixed it immediately, so not a dealbreaker. Highly recommended!

xx

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