June 2015 Favorites

Books

My Life Next Door By: Huntley Fitzpatrick (Review)

Life by Committee By: Corey Ann Haydu

P.S. I Still Love You By: Jenny Han

Happiness for Beginners By: Katherine Center

The Fill-In Boyfriend By: Kasie West

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (#1) By: Ann Brashares (Review)

The Night We Said Yes By: Lauren Gibaldi (Review)

Saint Anything By: Sarah Dessen

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (#2) By: Ann Brashares

The Isle of the Lost By: Melissa de la Cruz

What I Thought Was True By: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Favorite book I read this month: My Life Next Door. This was just such a feel good book and the perfect book to kick off my summer reading. I loved everything about the story and the characters and it got me out of a little reading rut. It also exposed me to a new author, which is always a fun thing. I’m looking forward to reading more by Fitzpatrick and for the companion novel coming out in August.
 

Beauty

I have been in such a beauty slump lately. I’ve been feeling really lazy with my makeup and haven’t felt like putting anything on in the morning. Because of this, I haven’t found any new products I’m crazy about. I’ve been sticking to my routine of concealer and mascara and that’s been about it. This is also why my beauty posts have been lacking. 

Buys

Bath and Body Works Love (Hearts & Flowers) Candle

I am obsessed with Bath and Bodyworks candles. I love their scents, I think they’re decently priced (if you get them on sale) and the burn wonderfully. The scent payoff is one of the best that I’ve found and they burn evenly and for a long period of time. I found this candle in their semi-annual sale and it smells just like summer to me. It’s described as pink peonies, sparkling orange, and sweet blueberries. There’s a bit of a sunscreen scent in it to me, which just makes it
perfect. 


Rebecca Minkoff Bangle


I have had my eye on the bangle for months. A few months back when I was at Nordstrom, an associate commented that she liked my Rebecca Minkoff handbag. She then asked me if I knew that they had started carrying her jewelry. Of course, I immediately ran over to check it out. The first thing I spotted was this bracelet and I fell in love. However, at $48 I wasn’t ready to commit. I knew I had a Nordstrom Note coming, so I decided to wait and use that to offset the cost. However, I just kept putting it off and putting it off. I went to check it out the other day (for no other reason that I was bored) and saw that it was on sale for $28! It went right into my bag and I am so excited to finally own this. I think it’s a great simple bracelet that can go with any outfit.

Miscellaneous

Women's World Cup

I am a soccer nut. I LOVE all things soccer. My favorite team is the Spain national team and I get overly excited every 2 years with the European Cup and World Cup. This is my first year watching the Women's World Cup, and I'm really enjoying it! It definitely helps that the US Women's team is so good, but  in general it's been fun to have some soccer to watch this summer.
 

January 2015 Favorites

Books

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) By: Deborah Harkness (Review)

The Book Thief By: Markus Zusak (Book Club Jan Review)

The Rosie Effect By: Graeme Simsion (Review)

The Phantom Tollbooth By: Norton Juster (Review)

Once Upon a Grind  (Coffee House Mystery) By: Cleo Coyle

The Conspiracy of Us By: Maggie Hall

The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories #1) By: Chris Colfer

Love Story By: Erich Segal (Book Club Feb)

The Winner’s Curse By: Marie Rutkoski

Ugly Love By: Colleen Hoover

Favorite book this month: Another last minute favorite! There was no stand out favorite this month until I read The Winner’s Curse. This book is really good. I’ll have a review up soon where I’ll rave all about it. It was different from a lot that I’ve read lately and also lived up to expectations.

                                                                      Beauty

Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Face Mask ($58)

I am obsessed with the Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa face masks. I received a sample of this mask in my Birchbox and immediately fell in love. It smells like tea and has a nice cooling sensation when you put it on. That sensation even lasts a little when you wash it off. The mask is exfoliating, so when you’re taking it off it gently exfoliates your skin. It’s one of few masks that I’ve seen instant reductions in redness. It is a little pricey, but I found some tubes for half off at Anthropologie! I only wish I had picked up a few more.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer ($24)
This isn’t necessarily a January only favorite, but I ran out at the beginning of the month and realized how much I need it. I love this concealer. It covers up spots really well and doesn’t cling to dry skin. It’s really really creamy. In my opinion, creamier than the NARS creamy concealer. Highly recommend this if you like creamy concealers.

                                                                          Buys

Rebecca Minkoff Handbag

I purchased a super cute handbag from Hautelook. While I have used it yet (it’s a spring color so I probably won’t break it out for a while), I love it! I can’t wait to use it. If you don’t know what Hautelook is, keep your eye out for a post next week where I explain it. It’s wonderful.

                                                                Miscellaneous

Newsies

Oh My Goodness. I can’t explain how good this show is. I saw it at the very beginning of January and immediately wanted to see it again. The dancing is worth the entire show. The guys are al beyond talented and so much fun to watch. The songs are fun and everyone’s voices were really strong. I can’t wait for it to come back to Chicago so that I can see it again!

Gilmore Guys Podcast

Gilmore girls has been a favorite of mine since it first aired. Since coming out on Netflix, it has become a favorite again as I’ve been slowly re-watching all of it. My friend Stephanie shared with all of us that there was a really funny podcast called Gilmore Guys. I was a little wary of it because I’ve never found myself to be a fan of podcasts. However, all of my friends started listening to it and talking about it and it sounded hilarious. Guys, this podcast is the best. It’s hosted by two guys, Kevin and Demi, and they watch the episodes and talk about them (sometimes with guests sometimes without). Kevin has been a fan of the show since it first came out, Demi has never seen the show before. It’s hilarious. I can’t recommend it enough.