What's in my makeup bag?

I'm not big on wearing makeup and usually go for the bare minimum. I love any kind of "natural" look. Now that I'm working with kids again, I feel less inclined to "spruce" my face up, so the heavy eyeshadow and lipstick wear is saved for the occasional night out or any other type of dress up event. I wanted to share with you guys what's inside my makeup bag (well, the main one...) These are the items I use most frequently, but I do have two other bags full of goodies! Ironic for someone who doesn't wear makeup that much, haha.

Add this to your summer reading list

It's officially summer, hell yeah! One of my favorite parts of summer is getting to sit outside, enjoying the summer breeze, and reading a good book. If you haven't started a summer reading list I advise you do so pronto! Better yet, I have the first book you can add to your list.

Home is Where Your Boots Are by Kalan Chapman Lloyd (2011)

I’ll be honest, I was hesitant when I started this book because I’m not a big fan of the typical “chick-lit” genre. However, I was pleasantly surprised that not only was it far from one of those types of novels, but the writing itself didn’t reflect on that genre either. The narrative style comes across naturally and also humorous at times, which is just the kind of book you’d want to read during care-free summer days. 

Home is Where Your Boots Are is part mystery with some romance involved, but it’s also a story about dealing with big changes in your life, making the best with what we have and, of course, having the help of your family and friends throughout it all (something I can very much relate to right now!) One of my favorite aspects of the book is that it’s set in a small town in the South. I love reading books set in the South because I love reading about small town charm. 

While yes, this book appears to be the typical “girl moves back home and re-visits her past, including past lovers” type of scenario, there is so much more to that. The mystery in the book is enough to keep you on your toes and it’s one of those books that you won’t want to put down. It’s also an easy read, which I find perfect for summer reading lists. 

Kalan has turned this into a series, so Home is Where Your Boots Are is only the first in more to come. In fact, the second installment of the series, These Boots Are Made for Butt-Kickin', just came out this month! To get yourself a copy of either novel click here or here. To check out more information about the author or the books themselves, head over to Kalan's website.

To read more of my book reviews click here!

Jamberry Nail Review: Marsala Chevron

I've been wanting to try out Jamberry nails for awhile now since I've been seeing them everywhere! Thanks to Kim who sent me a free sample to test out, I finally got to see what all the hype was about :) Here's my review on Jamberry nail wraps!

First of all, I love that there are so many design choices. You can play mix and match with different nail wraps or even do just one nail and paint the rest a regular nail polish color. I think these are particularly fun to do in the Spring or Summer with a cute floral design pattern or something funky to match the season. I also immediately thought of all the girls I've babysat before and how much they would love this.

The application itself is rather easy. All you need are your wraps, a file, pair of scissors and a blow dryer (or some other kind of heating device). The wraps come in various widths to accommodate for different nail sizes (and also maybe if you screw up one nail you still have other options, haha). For each nail wrap, I heated it up with my blow dryer for no more than 5 seconds (basically until it got flexible). Then I carefully pressed it onto my nail. It'll look something like this: 

Obviously at this point you'll need your scissors! I recommend cutting as far down as you can, because the rest you will have to file down. Once you've cut and filed, you apply some more heat to your nail (again, just a few seconds should suffice) and press down again to secure the wrap.

I think in total, it took me about 10-15 minutes to do the whole set. After your first couple you get the hang of it and it goes by quickly. The best part about it was not having to worry about touching stuff once I was done, because I'm notorious for always ruining my manicures within five minutes.

Check out all the different designs they have and if you're interested in watching how the whole process is done check out this video.

P.S. I love that on their site they show real photos of people who have posted their nails on Instagram for each design so you can check out what it looks like once it's on someone's hand! 

Have you ever gotten Jamberry nails? Send me links so I can see!

Book Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (2012)

It's not often that I find a book I can read within just a couple of days, so when I do, I absolutely must share it with the world! By now you might have already heard about Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. It came out almost three years ago and I've been wanting to read it for almost as long, but always had a hard time finding a copy at the library. I had always heard great things about this book, but was also a little skeptical as I usually am when book's are given such raving reviews.

Basically, the reviews were right. I wouldn't give the book a 10 out of 10, but it's definitely one of those novels you can't seem to put down (and that's usually a very good thing). The story telling aspect is very unique and well-done. Maria Semple is able to tell a funny and captivating story that has a much darker root to it, in a way that gives you more than one side of the story. You're left wondering "Who's crazy? Who's not? Is anyone sane?!" But, alas, that is up to you to decide.

The only downside of Where'd You Go, Bernadette is that I wish it had gone a little more in depth with the character's stories and inner demons, so to speak. The book is meant to be funny, though, so we don't really get too into the backgrounds and feelings of each character and what has led them to be who they are at the present day. We get just enough information that it is up to the reader to form their opinions and thoughts on each character's background.

If you're looking for a book that you won't be able to stop reading until you've gotten to the end and find out what actually ends up happening, Where'd You Go, Bernadette is certainly the next book you should read! I also loved that the story gives us plenty of twists and surprises. More than one character ends up changing. 

Two of my favorite quotes from Where'd You Go, Bernadette:

"People like you must create. If you don't create, Bernadette, you will become a menace to society."

"My heart started racing, not the bad kind of heart racing, like, I'm going to die. But the good kind of heart racing, like, Hello, can I help you with something? If not, please step aside because I'm about to kick the shit out of life."

Have you read Where'd You Go, Bernadette? What did you think of it?

P.S. Check out all my other book reviews!

Book Review: The Light Between Oceans

The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman (2012)

I'd seen this book on a few reading lists the past few months but I never really got around to reading it. Based on the book's description, I really didn't think it'd be my cup of tea. However, on my latest library trip I saw it on a bin with all the other books for their "reading club" so I decided to check it out and give it a chance.

I'll be honest, it's not my favorite book. It didn't leave me crying at the end, as some people claim, and I wasn't really left with that "after-book high" (is there a proper name for this feeling?) However, the story itself is unique and heart-warming at times. At first you only really get a glimpse of two main characters, but as the story line progresses you get a chance to experience other characters' perspectives. It's one of those books that has you rooting for everyone, even when they are on conflicting sides. The author did a good job of leaving you sympathizing with everyone involved in the story. 

There's never a dull moment in the book but it's also not one of those books where you simply cannot put it down. It's rather in between the two. The author throws in a couple metaphors that go along with the plot, but nothing too fancy. The ending felt a little short for me and I definitely wanted more closure then what the author gave.

Despite it not being the best book I've ever read, or even close to that, I'd still recommend it. Some people may find they like it much more than me. As with music taste, people's taste in books are different, too. If I had to compare it to a song on the radio, I'd say it's one of those songs where I won't find myself jamming out to, but I'd still leave it on and casually listen to it as I drive along.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Some scary movies to get your spook on

There's two weeks left until Halloween and you know what that means... scary movies galore!!! This is one of my favorite times of the year because there are so many great scary movie marathons on t.v.   I'm quite the movie buff, especially when it comes to horror movies, so I've pretty much seen them all. I wanted to compile a "short" list of some of my favorite movies to watch during the Halloween season. I broke them down into categories and also put (KF) next to the movies I consider kid friendly. Each is linked to their IMDB profile so you can read a brief summary of the movie and check out the ratings it got. Enjoy!

To get you in the Halloween Spirit
These movies either have a halloween theme going on throughout the movie or are the typical movies you find on t.v. during this time so they're sure to get you nostalgic!

Trick r’ Treat

Hocus Pocus (KF)

Halloween (original)

Halloween H20

Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask

Practical Magic (KF)

Casper (KF)

Ghostbusters (KF)

E.T. (KF)

The Classics
Ahh, classic scary movies. It's hard to beat some of these. There are plenty of "classic" horror movies out there, but these are a good selection! I included remakes of some of the originals because in my opinion they are more entertaining to watch.

The Shining

A Nightmare on Elm Street

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the remake)

The Hills Have Eyes (the remake)

The Amityville Horror

The Exorcist

28 Days Later
Poltergeist

Recent Scary Movies Worth Watching
These may not be considered "classics" just yet but I definitely feel some will make the list some day. A lot of scary movies that come out lately are pretty lame, but these recent ones are worth your time if you haven't seen them yet!

The Conjuring

Insidious

You’re Next

The Haunting in Connecticut (1 or 2)
Carrie (remake)

“Campy”/Ridiculous Movies
Who doesn't love a good campy scary movie? Some of these are almost so bad they make you want to laugh. But jokes aside, these movies have their moments! 

Freddy v. Jason

Satan’s Little Helper

The Cabin in the Woods

Sleepaway Camp II

Any of the Scream movies

Any of the Paranormal Activity movies

Halloween mixed with Christmas
For some reason there are movies out there that actually manage to mix the wonderful Christmas spirit with the creepy Halloween spirit. I guess it's the best of both worlds!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (KF)

Black Christmas

Gremlins (KF)

Feel free to share your favorite scary movies or the Halloween movies you have a tradition of watching every October!

Lipstick Review: Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede

Lately, I've been wanting to get more in touch with my feminine side. Since I work as a nanny, I typically don't "dress up" for work. Also, since it's summer I tend to dress more casual and don't wear make-up (because let's be real, it would melt off my face by the end of the day). I'm usually not big on make-up, especially lipstick. I rarely wear lipstick. But for whatever reason, I want to start feeling more like a "lady" thus I went ahead and bought myself two new lipsticks on my last Target trip. I liked them so much that I now want to share my review with you guys.

First off, don't get me wrong here. I do own lipstick. Quite a few actually. I own a significant amount of make-up for a girl who doesn't really wear any! I may not be a make-up "expert" but I've tried enough brands, colors, etc. to know what's good and what's not. So with that being said, this isn't some kind of newbie review ;)

The Lipstick: Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede

in "Finale" and "Muse" Shades

I picked out these two colors because they're some of the shades that I'm missing from my current collection. I usually stick to more neutral or subtle colors, but I really wanted to find some colors that "popped." I chose this brand simply because it advertised the fact that it "stays" on longer than your average lipstick. That's always an issue with me! I don't know what on earth I'm doing with my lips but when I wear lipstick it pretty much comes off within the hour.

"Finale"

"Muse"

Reasons I love this lipstick:

• Although I bought two vibrant shades, the color is subtle enough for my liking. The more you apply, the darker it gets. I like that I can choose how bright my lipstick is. Although that does mean you usually have to apply a couple times over to get it all evened out.
• It feels "soft" on your lips. Sometimes lipsticks just feel weird on my lips. That's one of the reasons I usually stay away. But with this brand, I could barely tell I'm even wearing lipstick. I guess that's the "ultimate suede" part of it.
• I didn't break the bank purchasing these. I'm not a fan on spending big bucks on make-up (although I have... many times). These were less than $9 each and can be found at pretty much any drugstore. 

Hope you enjoyed my first lipstick review! (am I doing this right?) :)

My favorite "summertime" movies as a kid

When I was a kid, I watched these movies even when it wasn't the summer and I instantly felt nostalgic for the summertime. A lot of these movies are coming of age stories (my favorite kind!) and I still enjoy watching them today. I wanted to share these and see if anyone else found themselves watching these movies as a kid (or even today!) I'm sure I have many more, but unfortunately as we grow older we tend to start forgetting things from our childhood... but maybe some of you can help me remember some other great summertime movies from when we were younger :)

Now & Then

Now and Then just might be my favorite. I think I even still have it on VHS (GASP.) This movie is a combination of all things I love: friendship, the 60s/70s, summertime, adventures, bike rides, great music, etc. I always wished I had a group of friends like this when I was younger or that I had gotten the chance to live in a town where it was safe to bike ride such a long distance and have awesome adventures with friends. The movie itself is a wonderful coming of age story that highlights the importance of friendship and growing up. 

The Goonies

"Hey, you guys!!!" Oh, Chunk. I'll admit, when I first saw this movie I was 100% creeped out by it. Mostly because of the disfigured dude who ended up being totally nice. I was still scared of him, though. I saw the movie a few more times and it started to grow on me. It's another one of those movies that represent friendship, growing up, standing up for what you believe in, etc. And most importantly... adventure! Kids + adventures = great, fun, dangerous times. Also, the 80s-ness is just oozing out of this movie - Cyndi Lauper's song for this movie, anyone?!

My Girl

Is it possible to watch this movie without crying? I don't think so. This might have been one of the first movies to make me cry so much, but I still loved it with all my heart. I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the era it was set in (can you tell I'm a fan of the 60s and 70s?) It's another coming of age story, but a really sad one. Despite the sadness, it will still always be one of my favorite "summertime" movies. 

Dirty Dancing

Okay, so maaaybe this wasn't the most appropriate movie for a kid to be watching, but whatever, I was a mature kid. And this was my favorite movie for a long, long time. I think it even beat out Titanic for awhile (GASP #2.) I was utterly in love with Johnny Castle and wanted to be Mrs. Castle. That's kind of embarrassing to admit... but oh well. This movie was also set in the 60s (I just realized I may potentially have a problem) and had that awesome summer feel to it, sweatiness and all ;). It's fun and romantic. A classic. And remember, nobody puts baby in the corner.

What are some of your favorite movies as a kid or teen that remind you of summertime?

Book Review: She's Come Undone

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb (1992)

Just like I believe some people come into our lives at certain times for important reasons, I also believe that some books come into our lives in that same manner. For me, She's Come Undone was one of those books. So just from that, it should be no surprise that I really enjoyed this book and it left me with that "after feeling" that great books so often do.

To start, this book took me weeks to really get into it. I don't even remember what month I checked it out. It had always been on my to-read list on GoodReads, but when I finally got my hands on it and started reading, for whatever reason I just couldn't delve into the characters and the world the book was creating for me. Now I think the reason for that was because I was meant to finish it this weekend, after a couple weeks of hard times. Or maybe it just really does have a hard to get into beginning. You be the judge of that. Regardless, if you start reading it, please make sure you finish it. It's totally worth it, I promise.

I think part of the reason I had such a hard time getting into it was because I couldn't sympathize with the main character, Dolores. She was always so negative and mopey, also kind of just a bitch. Bad things happened to her, sure, but her attitude was a huge turn off for me and it made it hard for me to read, maybe because at the time I just couldn't relate. I tend to be one of those people who likes to relate to book characters, so sometimes that's a deal breaker for me.

I kept reading, though. Slowly, very slowly. Which is so rare for me. Usually I get into a book and finish it within just a few days. This book took me weeks to finish. Whenever I find myself attempting to read a book for over a week, I usually just give up on it. For whatever reason, I did not give up on this book and I'm so glad I didn't.

To sum it up without giving anything away (which will be hard to do) She's Come Undone follows Dolores throughout her life. From her childhood all the way to her mid-30s. The book, essentially, is a story about a transformation. A wonderful, not always pleasant, transformation. One that takes almost an entire lifetime to make. In that sense I think it's more realistic than other books that are also transformation stories. Realistically, we are transforming ourselves our entire lives and we don't always get things right the first time around. To me this book was a more realistic capture of what it's like to face your battles and constantly be changing, taking the long and hard journey life offers us in order to have that so called "happy" ending. The last third of the book you start to see how Dolores' life comes complete circle, and she is back where she began, but now in a different sense, with a different perspective. It's a story about growing up. It's a story about realizing how different people have different meaning in your life, but how each one plays an important role. It's a story about how life is always surprising you, sometimes in a bad way and sometimes in a good way.

One of my favorite quotes from the book, that won't give anything away, is this one found towards the very end:

"I thought about how love was always the thing that did that—smashed into you, left you raw. The deeper you loved, the deeper it hurt." 

This book has so many themes, that I'm sure everyone will find something they can relate to. I have a lot of feelings towards this book, but I can't really express them here without giving any spoilers away. It's definitely a book I would recommend.

If you've read it before, please share in the comments what you loved most about it (or didn't love!) because I love discussing these kinds of things with people!

Top 5 Favorite 90s Shows

Most of us twenty-somethings grew up in the 90s. It was a wonderful decade, really. The economy wasn't as crummy as it is today and the majority of people could actually find jobs right out of college (that were worth their degree.) We were just kids though, unaware of what awaited us and the real struggles we would eventually face. Technology wasn't "all the rage" so lots of time was spent actually playing outside and we weren't glued to iPads and smart phones. Parents weren't as strict about how much t.v. kids watch (well, at least mine weren't.)

So with that being said, I did watch quite a bit of t.v. back in the day. Most of the time it was actually just on in the background as I dawdled around playing weird only child games with myself. There were a lot of great t.v. shows back in the 90s, which I certainly appreciate more now than when I was a kid. I wanted to share with you what my top 5 favorite 90s shows are.

Guest Post: Movies about big changes/graduating

Guest Poster: Sarah from Shades of Sarah. 

Sarah and I are both members of Her Campus Blogger Network, which is how we met, and found we have a few things in common! For one, we are both recent grads who are trying our best to navigate the real world. Secondly, we both have a special love for movies. She posts a lot about movies on her blog and I asked her to write a guest post for me about some movies she recommends for you guys.

Hi, I'm Sarah and I'm excited to be guest posting for Val today! I blog over at Shades of Sarah about all my favorite things, mainly fashion and pop culture. Like Val, I'm also a recent college graduate trying to sort out the real world (while watching too much Netflix.)

One thing I love about movies is that there's always a character or situation to relate with—that's something we all need now and then, especially when a big change (like graduation!) is around the corner. These three flicks will entertain and remind you that you're definitely not alone:

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

First, let's just take a moment to appreciate the '80s glory in that trailer. If you haven't seen Ferris Bueller, a) reevaluate your life, and b) rest assured the movie isn't as dated as the trailer suggests. Despite Ferris' shenanigans, the high school senior really can be a voice of reason. He says it best: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

The Graduate

"What are you going to do now?"

"I was going to go upstairs for a minute."

"I meant with your future, your life."

"Well that's a little hard to say."

BEEN THERE. Also, Mr. Feeny is in this and it has pretty much one of the best scripts ever so you should watch it (and I couldn't find a trailer that didn't give away the whole thing so you really should just watch the movie.)

Orange County

Some high school angst + road trip + Tom Hanks' son + young Jack Black = this endearing comedy. It also serves as a good reminder that while some things are in our control, a good amount aren't and sometimes we just have to be ok with that.

Any movies you'd like to add to the list? And don't forget to stop by Shades of Sarah and say hi — thanks again to Val for having me!

Why you should shop at Plato's Closet instead of the mall

I am and forever will be a bargain shopper. I don't believe in spending $40 on just one shirt (unless it's like, super cute and I absolutely must have it.) When I was younger, I gave in to all that pressure that I must have the latest brand or else I'd be a total loser. I followed the crowd, the latest trends, and didn't really care what it cost because I was your typical selfish and clueless teenager who didn't know the true value of money. Now, I am the complete opposite. 75% of my closet comes from thrift stores, consignment shops or the sale racks. And I love it. For one, you tend to have a more unique wardrobe this way. Secondly, you're saving a BUTT LOAD of money. Believe me. It's a beautiful thing. You just have to know where to go, how to look and most importantly, not be skeeved out by the fact that someone else you don't know has worn the clothes before (come on now, people.) We live in a tough economy. Most of us are broke as hell (or at least trying to start saving up your hard earned cash) but you still want to look cute and stylish. That's where Plato's Closet comes in.

If you haven't already heard about it, Plato's Closet is a type of consignment store that can be found in various locations throughout the country (and appears to be a growing chain.) They carry a variety of items from handbags, jewelry, woman's clothing and shoes as well as some men's clothing. Everything is "gently used" and it is not like your typical thrift store. Items you find here are the latest trend and practically new. They tend to carry a lot of name brand items and at seriously awesome prices compared to what you would pay at full retail price. You can also SELL your stuff! Don't expect to make a bajillion dollars out of it, though. I've tried selling some of my clothes a few times and have only gotten money for things once. I brought in three bags worth of clothing and they only bought one bag's worth- but I still made a $40 profit. You also get a 10% off coupon if you sell anything and then decide to buy items from them that same day. They also have one of those "punch cards" in which you get a stamp every $10 you spend, and once you get 20 stamps you get a 15% off coupon for your next purchase. As a bargain shopper, I couldn't be happier.

Although I consider myself a "bargain shopper," I tend to go overboard when I realize I'm getting so many things at reduced prices. While yes, it's great that I'm saving money and getting so much for what I'm paying - I still need to take it down a notch when I visit Plato's Closet. During my most recent visit I ended up spending around $75 for 9 items. I would have bought more but they don't have shopping carts so my arms could only carry so much...

I want to share with you guys what I bought so you see the type of items this chain carries. They really have something for everyone and I've seen all age groups shopping there (from teenagers to moms.) Below are pictures of each item I purchased, along with the name brand and the price I paid. Check out the deals!

The Benefits of Classical Music

I love music. I love the effect it has on me, on people. I love how there are millions of different kinds of music. I love that you can almost always find a song that will fit perfectly with the mood you are in. Or a song that just speaks to you, in a way no one else really can.

I listen to just about all genres, but my latest kick has been classical music. I've never really been into classical music - definitely not one of those people that played it in the background as they did their work, etc. For some reason I decided to give it a go on Pandora, and not to be super dramatic but, my life has been changed.

I have faced issues such as insomnia, anxiety, stress, the whole works, for just about as long as I can remember. Obviously, college only escalated those issues. I have tried various ways of coping with these problems. Listening to classical music has become a blessing in disguise. I started playing it before bed at night because I found it relaxing and stress relieving. I leave it playing while I sleep (with the t.v. timer set so I don't waste any unnecessary electricity, blah blah blah.) My sleep has really improved. I don't think I've ever found anything (natural) that works this well.

Since I was having such success with classical music for sleep-related purposes, I decided to also play it while I did things that might cause some stress (such as painting my new office) and found that it really helped my levels of stress from rising. It's also been great as background music while I do work for this blog.

I'm sure you've heard it before, that classical music is very beneficial for your brain and health. I did a little bit of research and discovered that some benefits of listening to this type of music include: increased learning capabilities, lower blood pressure, stress reduction, reduced muscle tension, improved sleep quality, etc. Apparently because of its melody and rhythm, classical music affects our brain organization and abilities. More specifically, its rhythm can raise the level of serotonin produced in your brain (which in turn helps with certain mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.)

You might have also heard of the "Mozart Effect" which is a term that originated in the early 90s. According to this claim, Mozart's music (and other similar music) enhances deep rest and rejuvenation as well as creativity and imagination. If you want to learn more about these types of studies, I recommend reading Dan Campbell's book "The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit."

I don't know to what extent all these studies hold truth, but what I do know is that I gave classical music a chance and it helped me tremendously. That's why I want to share with you the benefits it gave me in particular, not just some article you happen to come across claiming all the crazy good benefits you get from listening to Mozart and Beethoven. If anything, just try it for a night or two, or when you're feeling particularly stressed out, and see for yourself what kind of effect this beautiful music may have on you.

   

For more information check out these articles: one & two

Five Friday: Best Online Shopping Sites

Let me start off by saying that online shopping, or even shopping at a regular store, is a rare occurrence for me (okay, not that rare but I swear I try to stay away as much as possible.) As I've grown older (and learned the true value of money) I have turned to department stores that always have sale racks, or go nuts searching for clothes that's on sale at the mall. But even that has started to become too expensive.

I love clothes, I have a ton of them. And yet I only use a third of my closet (ha ha.) In the past year or so, thrift stores have become my ultimate source of clothing. I've become an expert thrift shopper and plan to write a post about my experiences with that in the near future. Until then, I wanted to share some of my favorite online shopping sites (in no particular order!)

1. SHOPRUCHE.COM

My style tends to be very bohemian, rustic, vintage and classy (a mix of all the good stuff, just like my brain.) I stumbled upon this site a couple weeks ago and spent hours browsing through, ready to purchase just about everything. My favorite part was the dresses. They have so many styles, but they all stay true to that vintage-y flare. They are lady-like but still cute, sexy but still modest enough to wear for a day out on the town. Most average out to be about $40, which I think is reasonable for a nice dress you can wear on more than one occasion.  Their jewelery also has a vintage flare and they have many styles that are in right now.

2. 6PM.COM

First of all, it's free shipping on all orders. Brownie points for you, 6PM. They have a huge variety of clothing (men's as well) and SHOES. I spent way too long looking through all their shoes. They have great discounts on their shoes. They cater to a lot of different styles and carry a huge variety of designer brands (at discounted prices.) It's one of those sites you probably have to really look through to find that special something you absolutely must have, but it's worth checking out. I'm actually in the process of purchasing a new pair of booties as I write this post.

3. EBAY.COM

Yup, your eyes are not deceiving you, Ebay is on my list. Why, you might ask? Because it's awesome. I've found so many cheap (by cheap I mean inexpensive, not cheap material) items that it's become dangerous for me to go on the site. I've never really purchased clothing on Ebay, but they have just about anything your heart desires. My most recent e-bay purchases included a butt ton of jewelry and I swear I spent less than $20 for a good amount of pieces. You just have to be willing to search for what you want. Always check the user's ratings for credibility. Do not go crazy with the bidding if your item is one you have to bid on (I get super competitive with this part...)

4. SHOPMIEUX.COM

The cool thing about this site is that they have this feature where you can get paid for any clothes of yours that you no longer want (kind of like how Plato's Closet works.) This online shopping site is basically like an online consignment shop. Which is a really cool concept, the only problem is you might find something that you like but they won't carry your size, or even worse - someone beat you to it. Browsing through this site kind of gave me anxiety. I felt like I had to rush through everything before someone bought what I had my eye on. They also have these annoying pop ups that let you know whenever someone bought something, and it happens A LOT. Thanks for adding to my anxiety. Besides these cons, I still wanted to add the site to my list because I like the idea behind it and if you're lucky you really can find some fairly new/gently used designer brand item at an inexpensive price. It's also good for you if you're into adventurous, nerve wrecking shopping.

5. AE.COM

American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie are pretty awesome stores. Their jeans rock, they have simple tanks and t-shirts, Aerie has a great collection of bras and panties, and the best part is they almost always have some type of sale going on (have you caught on that I'm 100% a bargain shopper yet?) They have tremendous deals around holidays. They always have some type of free shipping deal and you can combine orders from both of their stores (American Eagle and Aerie.) I actually prefer shopping online for this store rather than going to the mall, because A. you don't have to deal with people and B. you're more likely to find your size and you have more options to choose from.

Book Reviews: The Kitchen House & The Night Circus

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

I started reading this book because of the high ratings it got on goodreads and because as a history major I really enjoy reading historical fiction. For the most part, the depictions of the relationships between the slaves and the main household were accurate. Although considered unequal and separate, the lives of slaves and white families on Southern plantations were always heavily intertwined and spun many complicated webs. This book does a great job of showing just how complicated things can get. In a fictitious way, of course.

I had a hard time getting into the book; I felt it had a slow start. I had to give it a couple reads before I really got into it. Once I did, however, I couldn't put it down because I wanted to find out how the story unfolded and what would happen to the main characters. The story telling switches between Lavinia, the Irish indentured servant who comes to the plantation at a very young age and ends up being raised by the slaves, and Belle, the daughter of the plantation owner who is half black but always considered a slave. The two main protagonists lead very different lives but end up facing many similar hardships and struggles, mostly because of their complicated placement in society.

I think I would have liked this book a lot more if the ending hadn't fallen so short. I was expecting a bit more character development, but felt that the ending was rushed and we didn't get the closure we needed. Maybe some people liked how the book ended, but I was left thinking "that's it?" I was left a bit disappointed.

The writing, however, was well done and the way the story is told keeps you on your toes. There are a few times where we have those "years later" moments, which I personally don't like- but to each their own. If you're into historical pieces, family dramas, or stories that follow characters through the years, then I'd definitely give this book a try.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

If I had to pick just one word to describe this book, I'd choose enchanting. From the very start, you are pulled into this world in which you're not quite sure what's going on, but as you continue reading this magnificent story unfolds. I read this book in such a short period of time because I couldn't put it down. I had to keep reading to see what would happen next.

I noticed a lot of people criticized the book because it had too many lengthy descriptions of scenery, but that's what made the book so enchanting. The descriptions were written in such a way that you can visualize the circus scenes in your mind and you become just as fascinated by it as the circus-goers in the book.

There's a lot of mystery to the story and the way some chapters are broken up keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what happened to the characters from the last chapter. At times this annoyed me because I'm a rather impatient person, but I believe it's part of what kept the mystery and illusion so alive.

If you are a fan of magic or fantasy worlds, I would highly recommend this book. If you enjoy beautiful and well thought out descriptions, you will be a fan of this author's work. Even if you are looking for a new type of novel to read, put this book on your reading list, because it is certainly one of a kind.

My Top 5 Favorite Netflix Movies (and a short rant about why I loveNetflix)

I resisted Netflix for a long time. I was a hardcore Blockbuster fan, and I stuck with them until the very end. There was nothing like taking a trip to the local Blockbuster, browsing through the endless aisles of movies and trying to pick what you'd bring home (if you only left with one movie, I judge you.) Even when Blockbuster started dwindling out, I found other ways to watch movies (a secret I am not willing to share with the internet world.) But, my main thing was t.v. shows. I binge watch them. I pick a show that sparks my interest, or that I happened to catch a re-run of while casually watching t.v. one day, and then I watch season after season. I watched the first 5 seasons of Lost in two weeks (in high school nonetheless, so eight hours of my day were wasted at school.) When I got mono over winter break my freshman year of college (lol @ college germ spreading…) I got into Supernatural and watched four or five seasons of that in less than a month.

Eventually, I realized that Netflix could be really beneficial for me. It had endless amounts of t.v. shows to watch, and all the seasons RIGHT THERE! I didn't even have to press the next button! Even better, I didn't have to find the next episode in my *secret* ways. So, I gave in and I subscribed, mostly because I was dying to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer again (I was a weird child who was into all those kinds of shows even though I was like 8.) Apparently I had forgotten all of it though so it was like watching Buffy for the first time (hell yeah.) Anyway, Buffy was my first Netflix binge watch and it was absolutely worth giving into this lazy-man's (and so much cheaper) version of Blockbuster. I went on to binge watch a couple more shows (Dawson's Creek, Pretty Little Liars, I hate myself…) Eventually I will make a top 5 list of my all-time favorite t.v. shows, but this post is about movies. I'm getting way off topic.

The point is, I mostly use Netflix for watching shows, but occasionally I do find movies that are worth watching. We all know how easy it is to get lost scrolling through the endless supply of crappy movies. I can't even tell you how many times I have sat for HOURS trying to find the movie I actually want to watch, and then I end up not watching anything. It has even caused semi-arguments between me and a friend (hi, Kylie.)

I decided to make a list of my top 5 favorite movies I've watched on Netflix (and why I enjoyed them) so that maybe you won't have to sit staring at your computer screen for the duration of an entire movie, trying to decide what on earth you should try watching (only to finally pick something and exit out after 15 minutes cause it sucks.)

(Disclaimer: There are a lot of great movies on Netflix, but a lot that people have already seen. These are movies that I first got to watch through Netflix and that might not be as "popular.")

1. Footloose (2011)

Before you say to yourself "There's no way I'm watching some cheesy ass romantic movie about dancing, blah blah blah" - stop. This movie is so feel-good and uplifting, I had to download the soundtrack and put it on a bajillion of my playlists. It's one of those movies that, yeah, it's cheesy and you kind of hate yourself for loving it, but who cares?! It's fun to watch people dancing and wishing you had those kinds of moves. Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough have amazing chemistry and they're both hot, so that alone is worth watching for. If you're ever in a mopey mood or just feeling blah, try watching this remake of Footloose and I promise you will feel at least 25% chipper once it's over. Maybe you'll even get up and wiggle your butt a little bit, too.

2. Remember the Daze (2007)

I loved this movie because it reminded me so much of my high school days. For all of us twenty-somthings, this movie perfectly portrays our "youth." Our recklessness, our naivety, our innocence, our sense of adventure, etc. But it also portrays how things don't really change. I can't really put the movie into words that will do it justice. The acting is sub-par but I think it's kind of supposed to be like that, since it gives it a more realistic vibe. It was filmed during a time when most of us were in high school and for some of you it might seem like a blast to the past. I think you'll be able to relate to a lot of the characters as well.

3. Grave Encounters (2011)

I got claustrophobic watching this movie. It kind of gave me that feeling of impending doom.  Also, it made me jump a few times. It's hard to find that in a scary movie for someone who is so used to the typical horror plots and tricks. It has a few cheesy moments, but it's fast-paced so it doesn't take long for the scary moments to start happening. Good scary movie to watch, especially if you're running out of options.

4. Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011)

I'm gonna be honest, I don't remember much about this movie. BUT, what I do remember is that the ending left me and my friends pretty speechless. The majority of the movie has this weird, sad vibe to it and you even question why you're watching this movie in the first place. Stick with it till the end. It has a really nice message.

5. Elizabethtown (2005)

If you liked Garden State (one of my favorite movies) then you'll probably like this movie, too. It has a lot of similarities but much more upbeat. Also, Orlando Bloom is a cutie, and I'm a girl so I'm allowed to take that into consideration when rating movies. It's a feel-good movie and it might be too cheesy for your taste, but like I said before - who cares. It has a great message about family and love and just life in general.

Bonus Five!

The Cabin in the Woods (2011): A must-see for horror genre fans. It's similar to Scream in the sense that it's a social commentary about the horror genre in general. It's original and one of a kind. Joss Whedon rarely disappoints.

Session 9 (2001): It's slow paced, so prepare. It has that creepy abandoned asylum setting and it has a "twist" ending, if you're into that sort of thing. I'd say it's a psychological thriller worth watching.

The Last Exorcism (2010): Can you tell I like scary movies? It's hard to find good ones, though. This one is pretty creepy and one of the few on Netflix that I actually watched the whole way through.

Mona Lisa Smile (2003): At this point, I'd assume most people have watched this. As a history buff, I love watching movies set in past eras, especially one that focuses on feminist ideas (what more could a history major and gender studies minor want?) Just remember it's not meant to be a social commentary on the fifties and all that, it's really meant for entertainment purposes.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008): This movie left me heart-broken. It was a bit too slow-paced for me at times, but by the end I was just like WHAT THE HELL. It's ironic, it's sad, it leaves you thinking once it's over- and that's something I want a movie to do.



Picking my favorite Netflix movies was a lot harder than I imagined it would be. As I sorted through them all I realized there's actually a lot. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of weeding through the bad ones to find the good ones. But, that's life. Thanks, Netflix.

Edit: Apparently these movies (Remember the Daze, Elizabethtown, Session 9 and the Last Exorcism) are no longer available to stream. Thanks, Netflix.

Valentine's Day Snapshots

Since I've been single for the majority of Valentine's Days throughout my life, I really don't find it a big deal anymore. Sometimes I do get annoyed with all the hype this made up holiday gets, but it gives me an excuse to stuff my face with chocolate and sweets, so whatever! This V day I made plans with a close friend to get dinner and catch a movie.

We headed over to Don Jose, a favorite Mexican restaurant of ours. The food is great and reasonably priced, and it's BYOB - which is great for poor post-grads like ourselves.

Usually I get the cheese enchiladas, which I LOVE. Their cheese and special sauce is to die for. This time I opted to try something a bit different, so I got their vegetable burritos. I liked the dish as well but felt it was lacking something. The vegetables were a mix of broccoli and cauliflower, but I would have preferred something more like roasted peppers and onions. Most of their dishes come with their homemade beans which are also delicious.

My friend got their plate of nachos, which I believe are listed under their appetizer menu. This dish is great as an appetizer, but I'd definitely get something with more flavor and pizazz as your main dish.

After dinner we headed over to the movie theater to see Endless Love. If you love cheesy romantic movies, you will love this. I am a hopeless romantic so of course I very much enjoyed this movie. The acting was good enough for the type of movie it is and there were some subplots that focused on more than just the love between the two main characters. The soundtrack was also great (I'm a firm believer that the music used in a movie can make or break it.)

After the movie we visited some friends who have two adorable pitbull mixes and I got PLENTY of doggie loving and kisses and even a few ear nibbles. So I got some action on Valentine's Day.

Overall, it was a good Valentine's Day. I woke up this morning to my baby girl Leyla snuggling on top of me. Sometimes nothing beats animal love.