Gift Guide for the Young {Animal-Adoring} Reader {Dogs & Books Review}

While I haven't put together a holiday gift guide in a few years now; there was a time when I would work tirelessly to assemble holiday shopping guides for everyone in your family {and then some}. So why am I returning to the gift guide game? Dogs & Books.

When Barbara of Dogs & Books reached out to me regarding their holiday release Santa's Dog, I could not resist accepting the advanced copy. As a huge proponent of animal rescue, as well as children's literacy, this opportunity felt like the best of both worlds...and it was!

Along with Santa's Dog; Barbara included Carol's Quest for Courage, and Second-Chance Sam, King of the Junkyard. All three are written by author JoAnn Sky; with the first two titles falling into the Santa's Dog series. Tales told through rhyming words; this trio is perfect for teaching phonological awareness to your emergent reader, while allowing them to learn a life lesson in each tome. I personally fell in love with the lyrical prose and charming illustrations; and have no doubt that your young reader will too. Should we showcase the books now?

Santa's Dog; $15.90 via Amazon
Love is a beautiful gift!

Follow the adventures of Santa’s best dog in a rhyming story that shows us how love is a beautiful gift and a powerful force, even when our loved ones are far away.

​​Lance rides along with his best friend Santa each Christmas Eve, but one year he falls from the sleigh. He's taken in by the animal shelter and then brought home by a military family who needs help as Dad is called to serve his country. When Christmas Eve comes around the next year, what's a dog to do? Will Lance return to the North Pole with Santa or stay with his new family?

Carol's Quest for Courage; $14.95 via Amazon
A fun, rhyming story about conquering your fears and finding your voice. Root for Santa’s singing dog as she proves that courage grows inside each of us.

Santa's singing dog is too afraid to sing! Carol leaves the North Pole in search of her voice but instead finds a girl in need of help. Can Carol overcome her own fears to help the girl?

Second-Chance Sam, King of the Junkyard; $14.95 via Amazon
A fun, rhyming story about acceptance and looking beyond outward appearances.

Follow the adventures of Sam, an older dog adopted from an animal shelter whose new family lives next door to an old car junkyard. Confused at first by all the junk, Sam quickly adapts and helps visitors find special parts and "treasures" and also becomes friends with a host of animals who've made the junkyard their forever home. See, treasures don't have to be snazzy and new. This scruffy, old second-chance dog proves it's true!


Will you be snagging one of these gems for your bookworm this holiday season?


xx

NOTD: China Glaze Online Only To Catch A Color Halloween 2019 Collection in Pathological Liar Liar

Three coats of China Glaze's Online Only To Catch A Color Halloween 2019 Collection in Pathological Liar Liar. Orange Mica.

Okay ladies, so this bad boy may have been created for Halloween, but it is simply magical for Thanksgiving week, amiright?!

Pathological Liar Liar is a sparkling orange with a formula that I judged harshly prematurely. You see, it's super thin + sheer, so you def need three coats for full-coverage. And those three coats? They require at least five minutes between each to ensure that you don't wind up with a gloppy mess. Initially, this bugged me; but...this mani lasted for 7 days with no chips or tipwear. For that reason alone, it's a winner in my book. Get it girls!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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velvet

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sparkle

Leith Sparkle Blazer in METALLIC SILVER.

Feeling this bad boy for the holidays!

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NOTD: Morgan Taylor Champagne & Moonbeams Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in A Starry Sight

Two coats of Morgan Taylor Champagne & Moonbeams Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in A Starry Sight. Indigo Pearl.

Le sigh...babes, this is legit one of my favorite shades of 2019 because it is so different from what you typically see in polish collections!

A Starry Sight is a brilliant indigo meets blurple pearl that is loaded with shine {even before top coat}; and literally glows on your fingertips. The formula is flawless - it's fluid without being runny; while dense enough to give full coverage with minimal effort. This one would be stunning for New Year's Eve!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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space buns

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wild cats

RAILS Rebel Print Blouse in BLACK WILD CATS.

Getting all of the Spencer Hastings vibes from this cutie!

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NOTD: Ciaté London Mini Paint Pot in Cyclone

Three coats of Ciaté London's Mini Paint Pot in Cyclone. Turquoise to Bronze Duochrome.

If there is one thing my polish collection is lacking in, it's duochromes; so I was so excited to find this bad boy when I shopped my stash!

Cyclone is, in the words of Ciaté, the perfect storm. Depending on how you move your hand, the color shifts, morphing from rose gold to bronze to turquoise and back again. It's the perfect shift for fall! Formula is good. Not gonna lie, it's v thin; but it builds fast and easily, so you wind up with density like this after just three swipes. Loving this one for autumn!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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lace

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chambray

BP. Washed Chambray Shirt in GREEN LICHEN.

LOVE the utilitarian feel of this fall staple!

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NOTD: OPI Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Nail Lacquer Collection in Ginger's Revenge

Two coats of OPI Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Nail Lacquer Collection in Ginger's Revenge. Brick Red Creme.

I know, I know, red cremes are a dime a dozen during the holiday season; but this bad boy is different. Trust.

Ginger's Revenge is a gorgeous brick red creme with brown undertones which gives it a one of a kind feel while being 100% apropos for the month of Thanksgiving. The formula here is beautiful. Though dark, it does require two coats for complete coverage. Formula, however, is flaw. less. Thankful for this beauty right here!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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NOTD: OPI Nail Lacquer in Bogota Blackberry

Two coats of OPI's Nail Lacquer in Bogota Blackberry. Deep Berry Wine Shimmer.

Can we just take a moment to swoon over that lit from within glow? Le sigh.

Not gonna lie, I was expecting more of a black leaning purple hue when I saw the name of this one; but Bogota Blackberry is most def a part of the red family and I am totes okay with that!

The formula here is amazing - you could easily pull off one coat if you use a heavier hand when applying; I used two here. Staying power is fab. And the fact that there are no pesky streaks? I'm feeling it! Grab this bad boy for the holidays and beyond if you love crimsons!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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fresh

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easy street

Free People Easy Street Tunic in WINE.

Basically want to hibernate in this cutie for all of autumn.

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NOTD: OPI Love OPI, XOXO Holiday 2017 Collection in Sending You Holiday Hugs

Two coats of OPI's Love OPI, XOXO Holiday 2017 Collection in Sending You Holiday Hugs. Red Shimmer.

Soooo... I have an insane stash of untrieds in my nail polish collection, which is how I wound up wearing this pretty on my tips!

Sending You Holiday Hugs is brilliant if you love a romantic red with kick. The shimmer {a tdf blue-leaning shift} adds a lemming-like quality to the color; while the formula itself is ridiculously easy peasy to work with. It may be a holiday hue, but I'm digging it for year-round wear!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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queens

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westend

Free People Westend Thermal Top in SKY.

Not sure which I'm digging more: the color or that flowy fit.

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NOTD: China Glaze Body & Sol Summer Nail Lacquer Collection in Send Hues

Two coats of China Glaze Body & Sol Summer Nail Lacquer Collection in Send Hues. Dark Brown w/ Gold Shimmer.

Babes, I know this one was technically made for a summer collection, but I am seriously swooning over it for spooky season!

Send Hues is an autumn-apropos cocoa brown with gold-meets-orange flecks throughout that make it feel slightly spooky yet ultra chic for my favorite time of year! The formula here is super easy to work with. I found it to be v thin {almost sheer} on coat one; but that second coat brings out the richness and depth, and makes it 100% opaque. Long story short: you can't miss this bad boy!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

NOTD: OPI Scotland Infinite Shine Collection in Suzi Needs A Loch-Smith

Two coats of OPI's Scotland Infinite Shine Collection in Suzi Needs A Loch-Smith. Burnt Orange Creme.

O.M.G. babes this shade right here has fully convinced me that pumpkin spice season is 100% in full swing!

Suzi Needs A Loch-Smith is a gorgeous burnt orange creme that invokes visions of campfires and fallen leaves and scents of cinnamon and pumpkin. The formula here is positively brilliant! One coat with a heavy hand will give you full coverage; but if you, like me, use thinner coats, you'll want two strokes to bring out the vibrancy. This is one shade that I will be repeat-wearing for the entire season!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

easy tiger

WAYF Vincent Tiger Print Mock Neck Sweater in BLK-CAM TIGER.

Feeling that mock neck and tiger print for fall!

xx

NOTD: China Glaze Body & Sol Summer Nail Lacquer Collection in Copper-Tunist

Two coats of China Glaze Body & Sol Summer Nail Lacquer Collection in Copper-Tunist. Copper Shimmer.

Y'all, this one right here is giving me all of the feels for fall!

Copper-Tunist is a copper brown shimmer with the glow appeal for those dog days of summer coupled with that cinnamon spice flair that invokes thoughts of sweater weather + crisp autumn leaves. This one is a cinch to work with, reaching opacity in just one coat {I used two to darken the hue}, and drying at the speed of light. This one is highly recommended as we enter pumpkin spice season.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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wink

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bronze

ASTR The Label Alia Plissé Satin Bodysuit in BRONZE.

That color slays for the season.

xx

NOTD: OPI Scotland Infinite Shine Collection in A Little Guilt Under the Kilt

Two coats of OPI's Scotland Infinite Shine Collection in A Little Guilt Under the Kilt. Ruby Red Shimmer.

Le sigh...this shade right here is pure heart eyes.

A Little Guilt Under the Kilt, aside from having one of the best names in polish history, is a decadent red that gives Dorothy's slippers a run for their money. The shade, though dripping with fall feels, would easily work for the coming holiday soiree season; while seamlessly fitting in to your year-round polish lineup.

If you love the vamp you see here, two coats is necessary; but if you're craving something a little brighter, a solo swipe will give you full-coverage.

Side note: does the name of this one make you think of the book Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, or is that just me?
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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off duty

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OPI Scotland Good Girls Gone Plaid Infinite Shine 5pc Mini Pack Swatches + Review

Ladies, y'all know that I live for fall polish collections, so I snatched OPI's Scotland Good Girls Gone Plaid Infinite Shine 5pc Mini Pack without hesitation. Though dubbed a 5 piece, two of the pieces are a Primer {base coat} and Gloss {top coat}, so you're only getting 3 colors; but the top coat + base coat are my personal ride or dies, so I'm not complaining. This right here is my first fall collection of the season, but definitely not the last. Check the polish perfection in 3, 2, 1...

Suzi Needs A Loch-Smith is a Burnt Orange Creme. O.M.G. babes this shade right here has fully convinced me that pumpkin spice season is 100% in full swing! Suzi Needs A Loch-Smith is a gorgeous burnt orange creme that invokes visions of campfires and fallen leaves and scents of cinnamon and pumpkin. The formula here is positively brilliant! One coat with a heavy hand will give you full coverage; but if you, like me, use thinner coats, you'll want two strokes to bring out the vibrancy. This is one shade that I will be repeat-wearing for the entire season! This is 2 coats.

Good Girls Gone Plaid is an Alluring Amethyst Creme. Good girls gone plaid...I make them good girls go, good girls go plaid... Sorry babes, I was listening to Cobra Starship's Good Girls Go Bad yesterday and had to sing the name of this polish to the tune of that track. #sorrynotsorry Good Girls Gone Plaid though billed as an alluring amethyst reads more black than purple; but that is fine with me because I'm feeling vampy shades rn. Formula here is brilliant! One swipe gets you good coverage, two scares vnl away. Bonus: chip free for 5+ days. Natch! This bad boy comes highly recommended! This is 2 coats.

A Little Guilt Under the Kilt is a Ruby Red Shimmer. Le sigh...this shade right here is pure heart eyes. A Little Guilt Under the Kilt, aside from having one of the best names in polish history, is a decadent red that gives Dorothy's slippers a run for their money. The shade, though dripping with fall feels, would easily work for the coming holiday soiree season; while seamlessly fitting in to your year-round polish lineup. If you love the vamp you see here, two coats is necessary; but if you're craving something a little brighter, a solo swipe will give you full-coverage. Side note: does the name of this one make you think of the book Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, or is that just me? This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: Ulta.

PRICE: $24.95 for the 5PC Mini Set; $13.00 for each full-size bottle.


SHOP THE POST

xx

NOTD: Morgan Taylor Rocketman Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in Tickle My Keys

Two coats of Morgan Taylor Rocketman Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in Tickle My Keys. Barbie Pink Creme.

Y'all, this shade right here is what Barbie dreams are made of!

Tickle My Keys is a gorgeous bright pink with subtle lavender undertones that enhance the Barbie girl feels! The formula here is flawless - two simple swipes and you are good. to. go. This one does dry down to a semi-matte finish; so if you prefer a glossy mani, def add top coat {like I did here} for shine.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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autumn

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marigold

BLANKNYC Marigold Plaid Jacket in MARIGOLD.

The fall feels are real with the colors of this jacket. Also pertinent: getting a bit of a Blair Waldorf vibe off of this aesthetic!

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NOTD: OPI Scotland Infinite Shine Collection in Good Girls Gone Plaid

Two coats of OPI's Scotland Infinite Shine Collection in Good Girls Gone Plaid. Alluring Amethyst Creme.

Good girls gone plaid...I make them good girls go, good girls go plaid... Sorry babes, I was listening to Cobra Starship's Good Girls Go Bad yesterday and had to sing the name of this polish to the tune of that track. #sorrynotsorry

Good Girls Gone Plaid though billed as an alluring amethyst reads more black than purple; but that is fine with me because I'm feeling vampy shades rn. Formula here is brilliant! One swipe gets you good coverage, two scares vnl away. Bonus: chip free for 5+ days. Natch! This bad boy comes highly recommended!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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a little bit country...

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hi mom

BP x Claudia Sulewski Ripped Mom Jeans in LIGHT WASH.

Ideal for transitioning from summer to fall.

xx

NOTD: Morgan Taylor Rocketman Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in Sir Teal To You

Two coats of Morgan Taylor Rocketman Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in Sir Teal To You. Teal Shimmer.

How fun is this shade for September?!

Sir Teal To You is a bright yet muted color that feels fresh for fall yet maintains an effervescence that works for summa-summa-summatime. The so-called shimmer in this bad boy is barely visible; however, the hue itself is so pretty that it's no big. Highly recomend this beauty if you're looking for a color that's a bit off the beaten path.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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unbridled

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grunge

BP x Claudia Sulewski Floral Print Button Front Midi Dress in BLACK ROSE FLORAL.

Love that 90s grunge feel of this piece.

xx

Morgan Taylor Rocketman Nail Laquer Mini 4 Pack Swatches + Review

Did I see the movie Rocketman? No; but I could not resist picking up the inspired-by Morgan Taylor Rocketman Nail Laquer Mini 4 Pack! Y'all, this is an online only Ulta exclusive, and I cannot rave about it more. Peep all of the prettiness below!

Bedazzle Me is a Silver, Teal, and Pink Microglitter in a Clear Base. Le sigh...I am so loving how smoky yet sparkly this bad boy is - it gives it a hint of edginess. Bedazzle Me is a glamorous hue that can be layered over a bold shade as a top coat, or worn on its own {as I have here}. The formula is v simple to work with, and builds fast. My only qualm: I don't love the hexagonal glitter. I definitely would have preferred the microglitter on its own; but I'm still a fan. Necessary if you dig sparkle. This is 3 coats.

It's the Shades is a Hot Pink Matte. Anotha one! Soooo...I thought that I was done with pink for a few months; but here we are and I ain't mad about it. It's the Shades is a gorgeous hot pink hue that, surprisingly, dries matte. Does it look matte here? No, because I added top coat, which makes this color so. much. better. This is a borderline neon shade that is stunning for those last days of summer, yet seamlessly transitions for those first days of fall. Formula is amazing. It's quick-dry, and builds beautifully; but...there are some chipping issues. Not a deal-breaker, but worth mentioning. This is 2 coats.

Tickle My Keys is a Barbie Pink Creme. Y'all, this shade right here is what Barbie dreams are made of! Tickle My Keys is a gorgeous bright pink with subtle lavender undertones that enhance the Barbie girl feels! The formula here is flawless - two simple swipes and you are good. to. go. This one does dry down to a semi-matte finish; so if you prefer a glossy mani, def add top coat {like I did here} for shine. This is 2 coats.

Sir Teal To You is a Teal Shimmer. How fun is this shade for September?! Sir Teal To You is a bright yet muted color that feels fresh for fall yet maintains an effervescence that works for summa-summa-summatime. The so-called shimmer in this bad boy is barely visible; however, the hue itself is so pretty that it's no big. Highly recomend this beauty if you're looking for a color that's a bit off the beaten path. This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: Ulta.

PRICE: $14.95 for the 4PC Mini Set; $6.65 for each full-size bottle.


SHOP THE POST

xx

NOTD: Morgan Taylor Rocketman Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in It's the Shades

Two coats of Morgan Taylor Rocketman Professional Nail Lacquer Collection in It's the Shades. Hot Pink Matte.

Anotha one! Soooo...I thought that I was done with pink for a few months; but here we are and I ain't mad about it.

It's the Shades is a gorgeous hot pink hue that, surprisingly, dries matte. Does it look matte here? No, because I added top coat, which makes this color so. much. better. This is a borderline neon shade that is stunning for those last days of summer, yet seamlessly transitions for those first days of fall.

Formula is amazing. It's quick-dry, and builds beautifully; but...there are some chipping issues. Not a deal-breaker, but worth mentioning.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

NOTD: OPI Tokyo Nail Lacquer Collection in Rice Rice Baby

Two coats of OPI Tokyo Nail Lacquer Collection in Rice Rice Baby. Mauve Pink Creme.

Sooooo... typically I reach for mauve shades during the chilly fall, sweater weather months; but I'm actually liking this one as a break between brights for summer.

Rice Rice Baby is a muted mauve pink that seamlessly falls into the neutral, your-nails-but-better category. It's feminine and playful; yet ultra sophisticated with a touch of sass. The formula is absolutely brilliant - smooth and sumptuous, with the ability to be a OCW if you apply with a heavier hand. Highly recommend!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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glow

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baja

Billabong Baja Beach Stripe Hoodie in STONE ROSE.

Digging this for chilly beach nights.

xx

NOTD: China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners in Lemon Fizz

Three coats of China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners in Lemon Fizz. Pale Yellow Creme.

Y'all know I've been feeling yellow for the past few months, so adding this beauty to cart was 100% a no brainer.

Lemon Fizz is a fresh, effervescent shade for spring through summer. It has that elusive pastel-meets-bright feel that is, IMO, simply irresistible. Formula was a breeze to work with. It is fairly self-leveling; however, you do need a trio of coats for complete opacity. Application tip: wipe the brush on the lip of the bottle a few times to avoid pooling in cuticles. Trust.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

breezy

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