December Favorites

Before I begin, I feel I must warn you that this month's favorites post contains a lot of Lush products. Well, three, but I think that's quite a bit considering that the list is only 9 things long. Anyway, this month's favorites include a few things that I got for Christmas, but I thought I'd include them because I really, really love them and, even though I've only had a few days to use them, I know they're going to be favorites for a very long time.

1. LUSH's Sympathy for the Skin Hand & Body Cream I don't think I can even do this lotion justice, but I'll give it my best shot. I'd seen a lot about Lush products on YouTube and I really wanted to give it a try, but since it wasn't something I wanted to buy for myself, I put it on my Christmas list (I also included Ocean Salt and some other lotion that I can't remember the name of right now). Well, I suppose my parents thought I needed this because both my mom and dad each got me one. At first I thought I would return one of the pots and get something else, but I love this lotion so much that I knew I'd need the second pot soon enough. I love that it's all natural and made with real bananas, and I thought the banana smell would be overpowering, but it's not at all. It's absolutely perfect. It definitely has a hint of bananas, but not so much that you'd smell like crap if you lathered it on your skin and then added some perfume. The best part? It actually works! I've noticed a huge difference!

2. LUSH's Aqua Marina Cleanser I got this as a sample with one of my pots of Sympathy for the Skin and I LOVE it. When I saw that it had seaweed in it, I was definitely put off by it, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. I thought it'd have a very fishy smell to it, but it doesn't at all. It does have an ocean-y smell to it, but more like a nice breeze blowing on the beach as opposed to dead fish. It's absolutely perfect. It leaves my face feeling super clean and I can't get enough of the smell!

3. LUSH's Bohemian Soap This was another sample with one of my lotions and I love it! I've been wanting to try it because missglamorazzi talks about them a lot, but, again, it wasn't something I wanted to buy for myself. I'm a sucker for fresh, citrus, or lemon scents, and this scent is like you took a lemon and shaped it into a bar of soap. Super fresh and light.

5. Essential Elements Vanilla & Sandalwood candle Sandalwood is one of my favorite scents ever so I couldn't pass a candle like this buy. Not to mention it's super fragrant, lasts a long time, and is reasonably priced.

6. Ecotools finishing brush This is another one of my Christmas gifts, but I love it. It's super soft and works wonders. Plus, the bristles are cruelty free and good for the environment so it's completely guilt free.

7. Olîe Biologique Huile Moderne Oil I got this in my December Birchbox and I am obsessed. It took me awhile to get used to the smell (it's very earthy), but I love it now. I love putting it on my face once a week to help keep it moisturized. The best part is that it's totally versatile and you can use it on your body, your face, or your hair. Plus, it's all natural!

8. Maybelline New York Volum' Express Falsies Flared Mascara I've been using the regular Maybelline Falsies Mascara for years and it's my favorite by far, but I decided to try the Flare this time and I really, really like it. It definitely adds a little something extra that the regular Falsies Mascara didn't.

9. Jean Pierre Daily Cleansing Towelettes I had been thinking about trying out facial cleansing wipes for quite some time now, but they always seemed so expensive, but when I came across these at Ulta for Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off, I couldn't pass it up. They work really well, too! The leave my face feeling very clean and it makes taking my makeup off really easy.

December Birchbox

It's no secret that I love Birchbox, and I've been meaning to do box reviews on here for a couple months, but I'm always too excited about opening the box and digging into all the goodies to take the time to write a post about them or take pictures of the box. This month, though, I did take the extra time. 

Reviews of each product:

Benefit's POREfessional Primer

Birchbox's Description: Camouflage visible pores with this velvety face primer. The translucent works wonders beneath makeup.

My Thoughts: I actually haven't had the chance to try this out yet, despite having it for a couple weeks now. I'm just so obsessed with my Laura Geller Spackle Primer. I'll try it out eventually, but I'm not too interested in looking for another primer right now.

Harvey Prince Yogini Perfume

Birchbox's Description: Take a deep breath and relax with this calming scent. Notes of sandalwood, Egyptian myrrh, and grapefruit will help you feel as good as you smell.

My thoughts: Not a fan. I originally thought I would be when I read the description and then tested it out the first time, but after wearing it a couple times, I decided I definitely wasn't a fan of the scent. I'm sure it will work for some people, but it's just not the type of scent I'm typically attracted to (although the description makes it sound like it would be). 

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink 

Birchbox's Description: We teamed up with one of our favorite brands to create this custom fuchsia shade. Apply one coat for semi-sheer pigment, or build it for a hot pink pout.

My thoughts: Jouer is one of my favorites when it comes to lip products. I use their Lip Enhancer obsessively. This lip gloss is wonderful and has just the perfect amount of pink tint to it. Super moisturizing, too!

Olîe Biologique 004 Huile Moderne Oil

Birchbox's Description: Five organic essential oils - including argan, rosehip, and bergamot - team up to moisturize face, body, and hair. A true superhero product for the winter months. 

My thoughts: I LOVE this! I love oil in general when it comes to beauty products. I have damaged hair, dry skin, and a dry face so oil is my lifesaver sometimes. This oil smells very earthy and, although it took some getting used to, I love it! I love putting this on my face about once a week to replenish it. 

ShowStoppers Fashion Tape

Birchbox's Description: Celeb stylists swear by these double-sided tape strips, which will ensure that your party dress stays perfectly in place.

My thoughts: I haven't used these yet just because I haven't had any use for them, but I'm sure they'll come in handy someday.

EBoost Orange Natural Energy Booster

Birchbox's Description: Bounce back post-party with this tangy citrus energy booster, packed with a mega-dose of nutrients.

My thoughts: I really liked this. Pretty similar to Emergen-C, which I also really like. The difference, I think, is that EBoost offers the energy boost, which I really liked. 

Easy, Last-Minute Holiday Truffles

I have been craving truffles like nobody's business lately, so when I had to make a treat for work (unfortunately, I had to work Christmas Eve), I made these little guys. They're super easy and only take 4 ingredients!

Ingredients: 
1 package (8 oz) of cream cheese (softened)
3 cups of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1.5 bags)
3 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Beat cream until smooth. Slowly beat in powdered sugar. Once the powdered sugar and cream cheese are combined completely and smooth, add the melted chocolate and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Refrigerate for an hour or so. Roll into 1-inch balls (bigger or smaller, depending on your preference). Once you've rolled them into balls, you are pretty free as to wear you'd like to go with them. For mine, I did a mixture of truffles rolled in cocoa, powdered sugar, melted peanut butter chips, sprinkles, and crushed almonds. I also added in a few with dyed white chocolate. Get creative!

Review of Crossed by Ally Condie

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

In my words: Crossed picks up where Matched left off - Ky has been taken to the Outer Provinces to his death and Cassia has vowed to find him. The book follows Cassia on this journey to find Ky. She journeys around the Society, first from her home province, to the Farmlands, to work camps near the Outer Provinces, to the Outer Provinces, all the way out past the edge of Society. She journeys past the edge of Society to find Ky, but ends up finding new friends, a strength within her she didn't know she had, and possibly a way to change the world around her, but will she lose Ky? And what secret does Xander have? And why does Ky keeping it?

My rating: 5/5

My thoughts: Before I even finished reading Matched, I ordered Crossed. And, let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was proven wrong. The scenery stays relatively the same throughout the whole book, but, it's interesting and beautiful scenery, so it makes it okay. Like I said in my Matched review, I'm a sucker for mysterious characters, especially attractive ones that you also pity a bit, and there were quite a few in Crossed! If there's one thing Ally Condie can do, she can write a hell of a mysterious character! The only downfall that I can see? I have to wait a whole freaking year for the next one!

Published: November 1, 2011

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile 

Pages: 367

November Favorites

My November favorites are pretty limited because I wasted all of my money on stupid things instead of worthwhile things, but here they are:

• Revlon Copper Penny Nail Enamel
• I first saw this on MissGlamorazzi's blog and immediately fell in love. I've never been much for metallic nail polishes, but this one caught my eye. After buying it and putting it on my nails, I was definitely not disappointed. It really was like pouring liquid copper on your nails! In MissGlamorazzi's review, she said it chipped easily, but I didn't have that issue. I didn't even put a top coat on mine and they stayed almost perfect for 2 weeks, which is just unheard of in my opinion. Especially when you consider that I'm one of those people who washes their hands obsessively. Revlon is definitely one of the best drugstore nail polishes and Copper Penny just further proves that.
• Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue
• I am obsessed with this fragrance. I received it in my November Birchbox and fell in love. I was disappointed to find out that it's about $170 for a 200 ml (6.8 oz) bottle of it, but I also understood it, because this fragrance is magical. It's sweet, but it's musky. It's warm, but it's floral. It's so hard to explain. I think Birchbox does it well. "Unlike most vanilla scents, this highly concentrated blend of jasmine, vanilla, and lime is fresh, not sweet . . . Top notes of bright lime and coriander mingle with middle notes of jasmine and oak moss. Madagascar vanilla and amber notes anchor the scent." It is the perfect scent for late fall/winter. Since I only have the sample sized bottle I've been trying to use it very sparingly, but sometimes I just can't resist. It also helps that a little bit goes a long way! If I had $170 to spare, I would definitely use it on this. 
• Bath & Body Works Paris Amour Body Spray
• If you're looking for a much cheaper fragrance, I've been using Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Body Spray. I got it as a free gift with coupon, and I'm so glad I did! Bath and Body Works describes it as "a dreamy blend of French tulips, apple blossoms, and sparkling pink champagne, inspired by a romantic stroll through the streets of paris". The only problem I have with this description is that it leaves out a huge chunk of the scent, which is the warm vanilla and amber notes. That's one of my favorite things about this scent, it's floral, but it's also very warm and perfect for the winter. 
• Matched by Aly Condie
• You can check out my review of this book here. 
• e.l.f. 100 Piece Eyeshadow Palette
• I refuse to believe that you have to spend a lot of money to have a high quality product and e.l.f.'s eyeshadow palettes are some of my favorite examples of that. This palette has every color you could ever want or need to make whatever look you'd like. It's a nice mix of different kinds too and they're all very pigmented. All for only $10. You can't go wrong.
• Turkey!
• Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love cooking, I love eating, I love having days off of work, and I love family and I get all of those things on Thanksgiving. I especially enjoyed the little turkey cupcakes I made, and you can click here to see my post about them as soon as I put it up :) 

Review of Matched by Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. 

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking abut Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

In my words: Matched is narrated by seventeen year old Cassia, who lives in a future society where everything is decided for her and life is very planned out, exact, expected, and safe. The book begins the night of her Matching ceremony and follows her through the summer afterwards. During her Matching ceremony she is Matched with her best friend, Xander. What could be more perfect, right? She doesn't have to go through the trouble that the other girls have to go through, she knows her match and he's right there for her to see and be with every day. Cassia has never doubted the Society before or their choices for her, but once Xander's face disappears and Ky Markham's face appears for just a brief moment, Cassia is faced with a choice - something she's never had to deal with before. Is she meant to be with Xander, her best friend who she knows so well, or Ky, the mysterious boy who teaches and challenges her? 

My Rating: 4/5

My thoughts: I received Matched last year for Christmas and, as sad as it is, I just now read it. I really, really wish I hadn't waited until now to read it because it really was very good. I read the majority of the book within one sitting, which is very unusual for me. I can never sit still for that long! There were things I didn't like about the book, like the incredible amount of scene cuts to the point where it felt like each chapter was 10 small chapters put into one and the sometimes lackluster descriptions, but those were so minor in comparison to everything else that I eventually got over it. On the positive side, though, I was intrigued by the characters, particularly Ky Markham. I'm such a sucker for mysterious characters, especially attractive ones that you also pity a bit. There were times when I was angry at him, times when my heart ached for him, times when I cried for him, times when I was attracted to him, and that's what I like in a character. I like to be able to feel for the characters and I thought Ally Condie made that possible in all sorts of brilliant ways. I would definitely recommend this book.



Published: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 384



NEXT REVIEW (coming soon): The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan