lexington

REFORMATION Lexington Two-Piece Long Sleeve Midi Dress in BLACK

Absolutely living for this gorgeous frock! Essential for date night, amiright?!

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BOOK REVIEW: Wink by Rob Harrell

Not gonna lie here, what made me pick up Rob Harrell’s Wink is atypical, to say the least. As the pet parent of two cats who have one eye {one of whom, oddly enough, was almost named Wink}, I felt myself drawn to this tale, and I am so grateful for it as I was charmed. By the characters, by the relationships, and by the perspectives shared. In a world rife with hate, Wink is overflowing with compassion and truths - not to mention a healthy sprinkle of punk rock.

Twelve-year-old Ross Maloy is living the typical middle school life. He’s got two amazing best friends, Isaac and Abby; a crush on a classmate who doesn’t know he exists {obvi}; and his own semi-popular comic series…Batpig. Then an unexpected swelling of his eye pops up one morning during the summer between sixth and seventh grade, and everything changes.

Diagnosed as a rare and deadly eye cancer, Ross immediately enters a world of unwanted new in the form of vision loss in one eye and the need for 8 weeks of intensive radiation therapy. Not to mention being forced to wear a gigantic look-at-me cowboy hat at all times {yes, even in the classroom} for protection.

Though def not the way one expects their middle school years to play out, Ross has a phenomenal support team, leaving him convinced that he’ll beat the big bad C; but then one of his besties {Isaac} bails, and someone starts circulating gruesome memes about his condition around school, and suddenly Ross isn’t so sure. Until he meets a slew of newbies that give him a new reason for living.

Y’all the supporting cast of this book is fire. Yes, I love Ross; but you’ve also got the wise Jerry, a geriatric patient Ross meets in the waiting room at radiation therapy; Frank, a tech who moonlights as a musician {and ultimately brings out Ross’ punk rock persona}; Abby, who is one of those rare, unicorn-like friends {i.e. one who is ridiculously supportive but will tell you off from time to time}; and even Jimmy, a supposed bully with a bad rep, but a lovable spirit.

Is the content hard to swallow? Most def - especially when you see how Ross feels after those memes start circulating {I cried}; but it is so important to bring books that represent differently abled people, and those dealing with illness to the forefront – if only to show people to be grateful for what they have and show compassion without condescension to those who may be going through it. With Wink, Rob Harrell manages to do both; while also showing the seriousness of the situation presented in an oft-times humorous fashion. Wink stands in a class of its own – it is funny, it is original, and it will stay with you long after the last page is turned. Add this one to your TBR pile babes!


Star Rating: *****


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NOTD: essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow

Three coats of essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow. Sheer White Creme.

Ladies, you know how much I l-o-v-e a good white polish, and this bad boy is every bit as yummy as its name implies!

Marshmallow is a sheer white creme that can be used for a barely-there hint of color, or built up to brilliant opacity, as you see here. The color is quite similar to Chiffon the Move; however, while that one has a ballet slipper pink undertone, Marshmallow is white as snow goodness. Though this shade won't give you that stark White Out effect, it is positively breathtaking, and pure bliss to work with. Highly recommend!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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details

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essie Core Exclusive Mini Nail Polish Gift Set - 3PC Swatches + Review

Y'all, essie so rarely releases mini sets, so I'm gonna be honest with you...I bought all of the ones they released during the holidays. And guess what? #sorrynotsorry. One of the prettiest of the sets is the Core Exclusive Mini Nail Polish Gift Set - 3pc. New it is not, but if your nail polish collection isn't huge, this trio will help you build your collection with a few of essie's best and brightest!

Gadget Free is a Gunmetal Gray Metallic. It's not everyday that I go for a metallic; but something about a silver-esque shade for the first week of January felt ultra-apropos! Gadget Free is a stunning charcoal / gunmetal metallic gray that is smokier than your average silver and has a subtle lavender undertone when the light hits it juuust right. Formula here was incredible. You can get by with one coat, but I went for two to make the overall effect a little more plush. Def a fun metallic to keep your fingers festive even after the New Year! This is 2 coats.

Marshmallow is a Sheer White Creme. Ladies, you know how much I l-o-v-e a good white polish, and this bad boy is every bit as yummy as its name implies! Marshmallow is a sheer white creme that can be used for a barely-there hint of color, or built up to brilliant opacity, as you see here. The color is quite similar to Chiffon the Move; however, while that one has a ballet slipper pink undertone, Marshmallow is white as snow goodness. Though this shade won't give you that stark White Out effect, it is positively breathtaking, and pure bliss to work with. Highly recommend! This is 3 coats.

Bahama Mama is a Raisin Creme. Ooh babes, if vampy is your thang you need this beauty in your life! Bahama Mama is a rich, purple plum creme that is ultra-reminiscent of raisin and perfect for year-round wear. This one has a decadent formula that has OCW potential, and dries in minutes so you can be on your way! Though I tend to rock vampy hues during the fall and winter I can def see myself wearing this one throughout spring and summer {perhaps as a pedi color}. Highly recommend my loves! This is 2 coats.

AVAILABILITY: Target.

PRICE: $9.99 for the 3PC Mini Set; $8.69 for each full-size bottle.



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NOTD: China Glaze Trolls World Tour Collection in Chill in Symphonyville

Three coats of China Glaze Trolls World Tour Collection in Chill in Symphonyville. Light Blue Shimmer Matte.

Prefacing this with the warning that this is probably my most disliked nail polish of. all. time. #sorrynotsorry

Y’all know how much I l-o-v-e a good baby blue; but Chill in Symphonyville is just straight. up. weird. First, yes, it’s a matte {but I used top coat here to add shine because matte did not look good}; second, the formula recedes from the nail tip within minutes of application; third…it’s just not pretty. Formula was odd, color was strange…pass this one ladies.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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elegance

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BOOK REVIEW: Shiver {The Wolves of Mercy Falls, # 1} by Maggie Stiefvater

”Some days seem to fit together like a stained glass window. A hundred little pieces of different color and mood that, when combined, create a complete picture.”
Seventeen-year-old Grace Brisbane’s life has never been the same since the wolves. Though she has never taken a place that she feels she rightfully deserves alongside them, she has been unable to remove her focus from their presence. Especially one wolf, her wolf. A yellow-eyed creature who saved her during a backyard attack as a child, and who has remained a constant in her life ever since. From afar, at least.

Then there’s Sam Roth. A boy who has lived two lives for as long as he can remember: a winter life and a summer life. In the winter, he runs with the wolves, watching his girl from afar with his piercing yellow eyes. In the summer months he runs free as a human – writing his songs, working at a bookshop, and soaking up the warmth that keeps him on two legs.

This year, things are different. Grace meets a boy with yellow eyes, a boy she knows is her wolf in human form; and Sam, human Sam, allows himself to get close to the girl he has always thought of as his from afar. The two, it seems, are fated to be together; but winter is coming, the temperature is dropping steadily, and keeping Sam warm enough to maintain his human form is becoming increasingly more difficult. It will take a miracle to stop Sam from being taken by his wolf form; but Grace and Sam are counting on that very thing.

Just as the wolves call to Grace, this book calls to me every. single. winter. And for good reason. Shiver was made for more than one read. It is a book comprised of characters who feel like home - from the practical Grace to the mesmerizing Sam, and even the irritating meets irresistible Isabel Culpepper. These characters, and Mercy Falls as a whole, welcome you with open arms and wrap you in warmth as you reacquaint yourself with the people, the wolves, and the charm of it all.

Though Shiver is forever compared to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight {if you were Team Jacob}, Shiver, while harboring a love at first sight romance is, IMO, vastly different from Twilight, so don’t let the comparison chase you off. Each are very intriguing tales in their own right – as such they both deserve a chance. Shiver, however, stays more prevalent in my heart because…wolves, obviously. Pick this one up on a cold winter’s day - it will warm you up in minutes.


Star Rating: *****


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NOTD: essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Chiffon the Move

Three coats of essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Chiffon the Move. Ivory Shimmer.

Le sigh...can we all agree that this little beauty is the epitome of elegance?

Chiffon the Move, while described as an ivory shimmer, has a v strong pale pink undertone that gives it a ballet slipper feel. This one does apply sheer, so you can control the opacity of it. I used three coats here, but VNL is still visible, so, for my preference, I would likely add a fourth coat to increase the opacity. For those who fear shimmer, the shimmer here is not overwhelming, so it maintains a grown-up feel. A necessary entry into your elegant polish colors.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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braid

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metallic

Free People Metallic Miniskirt in SILVER

The perfect piece to pair with oversized knits this winter.

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NOTD: essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Gadget Free

Two coats of essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Gadget Free. Gunmetal gray metallic.

It's not everyday that I go for a metallic; but something about a silver-esque shade for the first week of January felt ultra-apropos!

Gadget Free is a stunning charcoal / gunmetal metallic gray that is smokier than your average silver and has a subtle lavender undertone when the light hits it juuust right. Formula here was incredible. You can get by with one coat, but I went for two to make the overall effect a little more plush. Def a fun metallic to keep your fingers festive even after the New Year!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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ruffles

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BOOK REVIEW: They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman

"They say only the good die young, but that's just a line in a stupid song we used to sing. It isn't real. It isn't true. I know that because Shaila Arnold was so many things --brilliant and funny, confident and wild. But honestly? She wasn't all that good."
I have had many disappointments in relation to book releases this year. Let me preface this review by stating that Jessica Goodman's They Wish They Were Us was not one of them. Rather, it exceeded my expectations, and left me eager for the coming TV adaptation, The Players' Table.

Jill Newman isn't like her classmates at Long Island's prestigious Gold Coast Prep. She doesn't come from money, or have the ability to hop to the Hamptons or hideaway in a luxe Manhattan penthouse when she needs a break from Gold Coast. What she does have, however, is The Players. Initiated into the not-so-secret secret society as a freshman after a year of {torturous} hazing playfully known as pops; Jill has finally made it to the Players top tier. As a senior, she'll have the chance to call the shots and right all of the wrongs that the Players have done over the years - including taking their group of eight down to a group of six. About that...

During Jill's year of initiation, she was surrounded by seven other classmates all vying for spots in the Players Club: Nikki, Shaila, Graham, Quentin, Henry, Marla, and Robert. Some were her nearest and dearest {Shaila}, and others she hardly knew. On the night of initiation, however, two were ruined: Shaila was found dead, and Graham, her devoted boyfriend, admitted guilt. In the blink of an eye, multiple lives changed forever. Outgoing Shaila was carted off in a bodybag, frozen at 15; Graham was shipped away to a {posh} juvenile detention center; and Jill was left, a shell of her former self - but a Player. On the night of Shaila's death, Jill and Nikki form an unbreakable bond that has followed the two over the years; but a blast from the past is about to change the Players forever as they know it.

Rachel Calloway was once queen of the Players. But then her brother, Graham, was charged with the murder of Shaila Arnold, and she disappeared from Gold Coast. Now she’s returned. Or, at least, her voice has. When Jill receives an unexpected text from Rachel, proclaiming that Graham is innocent, Jill is skeptical. But when she’s asked to partake in clearing his name, she’s in. Sick of seeing her baby brother, Jared, morph into a Player {and alternate version of himself} during his initiation year has pushed Jill over the edge – as has Nikki’s blatant abuse of power as this year’s Player Queen. So much so that Jill quits the illustrious club, and changes sides. Now she’s on a mission to capture Shaila’s real killer, before the killer catches her.

Cliched, predictable, a little farfetched…They Wish They Were Us is all of these things. But even for the person who grew up on the Upper East Side with Gossip Girl whispering in their ear; or the readers who pored over the pages of Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars tales, attempting to unmask A, They Wish They Were Us offers an escape – a chance to dive into a world full of beauty, privilege, and scandal.

While Jill Newman is a feisty, brainy, determined feminist her character oftentimes falls flat, and pales in comparison to her buried bestie, Shaila Arnold. Like Alison DiLaurentis before her, Shaila shines bright like a diamond within the pages – captivating the reader with each appearance, and leaving one longing to have seen her in life, not just immortalized in death. Though certainly not the kindest of characters, Shaila steals the show time and time again, in the same fashion as Shepard’s Ali.

Likely you will unravel the mystery before Jill; but that’s okay. Come for the glitz. Come for the glamour. Stay for justice to prevail.



Star Rating: ****


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NOTD: OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Naughty or Ice?

Three coats of OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Collection in Naughty or Ice? Shimmery Champagne.

Yoooo this. color. is. lit. Like obsession level is through the roof.

Naughty or Ice? is frosty perfection. I really thought I wouldn't dig this color, but it is divine. One coat acts as a shimmery top coat; but if you layer it on, like I did here, this is the opacity you reach. Though this is gorgeous for the holidays, it would easily work as an amped up neutral due to the sophisticated champagne tone. This one was a dream to work with. Quick-dry, easy to build, and so. insanely. beautiful. I can't recommend this more!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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hey girl

Free People Hey Girl Tie Shoulder Sequin Camisole in NIGHT

Quintessential NYE look, amiright?

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OPI Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack Swatches + Review

Happy Christmas Eve babes! I know y'all are probably counting down the seconds until Santa's arrival; so let me take your mind off the tick tock of the clock with swatches of OPI's Shine Bright Nail Lacquer Mini 4-Pack! This quartet is everything for the holiday season, and features my new favorite red {I know!}, as well as a couple cuties for ringing in the New Year. I hope you love these pretties as much as I do. Happy Christmas!

Let's Take An Elfie is a Purple Shimmer. I've come to expect shades like this from OPI for the holidays. They're unexpected yet somehow fit for festivities, and this beauty is no different. Bonus: that name slays me. See what I did there?Let's Take An Elfie is a delish purple shimmer that feels fresh for the holidays due to its red undertones. For those of you who fear glitter, no need to worry about finding it here, as the shimmer in this bad boy is more along the lines of a gorgeous inner glow that is glass-like and ethereal. Oftentimes with shades like this you have cuticle flood, but this formula did not fall into that trap; rather, it builds beautifully and is ultra-unique for the season. Loves it! This is 2 coats.

Red-y For the Holidays is a Red Creme. Y'all I don't usually get all swoon-y over reds, but this one slaaaaays. Red-y For the Holidays is a stunning red creme that deserves all of the acclaim because it's a OCW. You read that right, this bad boy is a one coat wonder that has no VNL, just a rich red hue that deserves to be wined and dined. Planning on wearing this one year-round when I'm in the mood for red. This is 1 coat.

Heart and Coal is a Black Glitter. So...while I am so here for the name of this shade, I can't say that I love the color itself. Womp womp. Heart and Coal is a glamorous black glitter that is so perf for NYE; but the formula just got to me, and not in a good way. Though it builds beautifully, the first coat was thin, and a little too attracted to my cuticles. That said, it is a pretty color {especially if you're looking for a starry night sky vibe}; just make sure you OD on top coat because this bad boy needs tons to truly bring it to life. This is 2 coats.

Naughty or Ice? is a Shimmery Champagne. Yoooo this. color. is. lit. Like obsession level is through the roof. Naughty or Ice? is frosty perfection. I really thought I wouldn't dig this color, but it is divine. One coat acts as a shimmery top coat; but if you layer it on, like I did here, this is the opacity you reach. Though this is gorgeous for the holidays, it would easily work as an amped up neutral due to the sophisticated champagne tone. This one was a dream to work with. Quick-dry, easy to build, and so. insanely. beautiful. I can't recommend this more! This is 3 coats. 

  AVAILABILITY: Ulta. 

  PRICE: $17.00 for the 4PC Mini Set; $10.50 for each full-size bottle.


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NOTD: OPI Muse of Milan Nail Lacquer Collection in Leonardo's Model Color

Two coats of OPI Muse of Milan Nail Lacquer Collection in Leonardo's Model Color. Navy Blue / Purple Metallic with Iridescent Microglitter.

Y'all if we're talking about lemmings, this color takes. the. cake.

Leonardo's Model Color is in a class of its own. Though dubbed purple; this bad boy is uber chameleon-esque taking on a wide variety of looks depending on your current lighting sitch. The navy blue/purple shift makes it glorious for starry winter nights; but it's the unexpected gold and red iridescent microglitter that make it ideal for harvest. If rare is what you crave when it comes to polish, you need to grab this one stat!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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goth

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virgo moon

Free People Virgo Moon Velvet Minidress in SILVER COMBO

Feeling this look for the holiday party circuit and beyond.

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