My makeup subscriptions & April 2016 Ipsy bag

      I got my April Ipsy bag in the mail today. Yay *\(^o^)/* I'm always happy to get my makeup subscriptions especially because I never try and find out what is in there beforehand so it's always a surprise. Although sometimes its a bit anticlimactic and I kinda don't like those days (T ^ T). Anyway I have this blog and I never update it so I thought I would take it from a book blog and instead just start posting whatever I want and hopefully I'll start posting more. *fingers crossed*  

      Anyway I have been a subscriber of Ipsy for like a year and a half and overall I've been pretty happy. Yes I understand the people who have canceled subscriptions saying they would prefer to just buy the full size products they want instead of spending the $10 a month for a bag of samples they don't ever use-but; I think the subscription bags are ideal for beginners or people who want to branch out to different products without committing to the full size products. Also for cheapos like me; it's not that I won't spend 20+ dollars on a product but before I do I want to know that I will love it. Buyers regret is a horrible feeling especially when your dealing with something that cost more than you would have liked. Anyway back to Ipsy I learned about Ipsy on YouTube and it was my first makeup subscription ever. I got birchbox at about the same time  and ended up cancelling that super fast because I just didn't like the sizes of the samples. Honestly I felt like I was paying for things that people usually get for free and I wasn't getting enough product to form any decisions as to if I liked the product so I canceled that and when I wanted to step up my makeup subscription game I added Boxycharm to my list of monthly bills. It's definitely not something I've regretted. m(._.)m I bow to the people of Boxycharm; the people who provided me with my first really decent eye shadow palette and really good clay mask the ones who give me good makeup brushes for me to experiment with. I am getting my next box in a day or two and I can't wait. Anyway back to the point once again I got my Ipsy bag today and it cheered me up in the middle of a cold and some other health issues and I'm really thankful for the pick me up. 

Now for the reveal: 

      Sorry about the not so great photo. I'll get better I swear. σ(^_^;) 

      Back to the bag this months bag is a bright tie-dye cloth bag that really goes with the month of April or more like the start of summer I photographed the side I liked the best but the other side is cute too with a yellow and orange pattern that just kinda makes me wanna go swimming. The card is... the card...honestly I think these are cute but I could take or leave them. 

      Now let's get to the products! (￣Д￣)ﾉ from what I liked least to the best. On the left side of the photo you can see this tiny tube of Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Gel to Oil Overnight Treatment. Honestly I'm gonna try this but I don't think I'll  get even one full use from it. The amount is just too small for a product I'm supposed to put throughout my hair with my long hair...it's just not gonna happen. Which kinda sucks because I love my hair and would love to try and maybe buy more products that would treat and pamper it. There is .33 ounces of product in this sample and the full size is 8oz and costs $36. See this is a product I would want to know a bit about before I bought and with barely enough to work into 1/3 of my hair I'm just not gonna find out much. 

      Moving on again; next to the hair treatment you will see the box for, and next to it a tube of Trust Fund Beauty's That Glo Tho Highlighter. I'm a little more excited about this because I don't have a faveorite highlighter at the moment and I'm definitely in the market for one. With .15 oz of this product I will definitely have enough to use quite a bit before deciding if I want to rebuy it. It is the full product and the value is $20. Trust Fund Beauty seems to be a great company; they are vegan and don't test on animals according to the web and I hope I get more of their products to try so that I can fall in love and start buying more from them.
 

      Next in my bag that I wanna talk about is actually the nail polish it's in this bright lilac color that just seems like a good fit for spring. Probelle is the company and I've never actually heard of it the shade is In Or Out and it's a full size that retails for 6 dollars. I will be trying this out in the near future. But here is a pic to show you the color

      Next product is the golden tube of Star looks cream eye shadow in the color Rose Gold I'm not sure of the retail value or if it's a full sized product but I am excited to try this lately I've been into putting gold on my eyes so this came at the perfect time. 

      And finally the item I am happiest about is without a doubt the Tarte LipSurgence lip crème in the shade Wonder (Poppy) this is a half size of a product that retails at $24 and I'm super happy to have it. I've seen these lip crayons at the store and have always wanted to buy one (the Tarte ones specifically) but they are $24 and there always seems to be something I need more so I've never been able to justify the splurge; but, now I have a half size that I can use and if I fall in love I know where I can buy a full one. 

      Overall this month is a perfect example of why I love my Ipsy and will keep it up. While there are some thing that I am not that happy to get there are often treasure that I wouldn't get on my own or goodies that I really love trying out. And with that I'm done sharing and if anyone reads this please tell me what you think. Do you get subscriptions? Are there makeup products your dying to try out? Do you have any of these? Feel free to share.

(^_−)−☆

Review - Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine

Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Morganville Vampires
Release Date: January 01, 2007
Pages: 384
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars Crave & Covet
Similar Books: Vampire Academy, Chicagoland Vampires


    






    When Claire Danvers learned that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving freshman would do: She applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy.
    Claire’s college town may be run by vampires but a truce between the living and the dead made things relatively safe. For a while. Now people are turning up dead, a psycho is stalking her, and an ancient bloodsucker has proposed private mentoring. To what end, Claire will find out. And it's giving night school a whole new meaning. (summary taken from Goodreads & Amazon)

    Now everybody in town has realized that Claire is a big player despite her small stature thing have only gotten more complicated for her. She has to be prepared for just about anything and take private lessons with an insane vampire, Myrnin. Oh Myrnin is my new favorite character without a doubt-to bad there is also no doubt that I am no where near smart enough to receive lessons from him. (yep, thats the problem,not that he’s fictional) Yet again the story is getting more developed and another problem has been tackled and solved. I love how you can read just about any of these earlier books and understand it pretty much each book is a separate story but they are all adding up to something much more.
    Yet again 4 stars. This is without a doubt a series I wish I could talk about to people and I do plan on rereading it several more times  so there is no doubt about its rating. I do genuinely hope to be able to by the UK versions of this series one day and just have them stay on my bookshelves until I die. Maybe I’ll go put that on my bucket list and then read the next book. But before that I need to think about Myrnin some more.

    Oh and while I was searching for fan art of Myrnin I cam across this which I thought was kinda awesome. The artist is a called NekoMelchiah on DeviantArt and can be found here : http://nekomelchiah.deviantart.com/ I really like this pic although it doesn't completely match up with the Myrnin in my mind I loved seeing hers.

Review - Dead Girls Dance by Rachel Caine

Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Morganville Vampires
Release Date: January 01, 2007
Pages: 380
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars Crave & Covet
Similar Books: Vampire Academy, Chicagoland Vampires

    








    Claire Danvers has had her share of challenges - like being a genius in a school that favours beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm and, above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with blood-sucking fiends. On the plus side, so far Claire and her friends have managed to survive getting on the wrong side of some Morganville VIPs . . . Vampire Important Persons. But their temporary peace is in danger of collapsing, thanks to the arrival of her new boyfriend's scary father and his vampire-fighting supporters. (Summary Taken from Goodreads)

    I am pretty much going to bounce this off of my feelings from the first book. I am still loving the characters, Claire and Eve and is it just me or has Michael gotten sexier? I am so looking forward to that boys future. As for Shane, I kinda wanna smack that boy on the head then give him a hug.
    The story is progressing nicely as is the romance. >,< I am liking the new characters and how the author is really fleshing out the town in the books and my mind. Also Sam Glass <3 I really cant wait to read more about him. I like the drama and how everything is happening so quickly. I’m liking the new Ideas being introduced as well as the new so called villain. The only thing i don’t like is Monica; how odd that I am hating her more than all the vampires.
    Overall another 4 star Crave & Covet rating for this book to match the first. Now I'm going to go read the next one.

Review - Glass Houses by Rachel Cain

Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Morganville Vampires
Released: October 03, 2006 
Pages: 348 pages
Genre: YA Paranormal, Fantasy Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars Crave & Covet
Similar Books: Vampire Academy, Chicagoland Vampires















    From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.

    College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Will she be able to face the town's terror or will she drown like everyone else? (Summary taken from Goodreads)

    Okay, since i have already read this book at least 4 times and still like it and plan on keeping it around I am more than comfortable giving it a 4 star Crave & Covet rating. I I really love this book its definitely one of my favorite series to just kick back with. Ive always loved Claire; she just feels so natural to me and I feel close to her. Even when she irritates me-she is like family to me. Next is Eve; oh dear Eve, how I wish i had a friend like you. If you ever leave Morganville in your rearview mirror look me up and we can go shopping together.Shane…seems fun. I feel like he's the friend of a friend who i like but could live without. Or back to the family notion, I thought he was somewhat cool and he sparked my interest until he started getting far to close to my little sister. Now its on! [Fight!] Now Michael Glass  <3 <3 <3  Though I really like Eve I would try to fight her for him. I would like to just chill out and watch him writing songs or playing on that guitar…*goes into dreamland for a bit then comes back* Eve don't hate me because I wanna steal your man.
    So if I were to tell you that one of the things I love about this book/series was the characters would you be surprised? Well if so - Surprise! because I love the characters even the so called villains have a piece of my heart. From the inhabitants of the Glass house to the vampires Amalie and Oliver the characters are all interesting and complex.
    Then theres the background, the established society in the town, the possible reasons for it even the delicate balance between humans and vampires. All of it is just so interesting and  really gets me curious. I love enjoy the way its written and find everything very interesting throughout the book.
    In conclusion I loved it. I will probably keep rereading this series when the details start to fade for years to come. If you love vampires for more than the main reason (they are totally hot) this is for you. However beware- as it is with potato chips just one probably wont be enough.

Morganville Vampire Series

I've read up until the 11th book in this series before but never completed it. Now that all the books are out I am going to read and review the whole series starting by rereading the ones I've already read and then doing a total series review. (Is it obvious I have no real weekend plans?)  Just as an intro though let me say that I have always been a fan of the books. That's why even though over the past five years or so I can say I have read the first books in this series a few times and don't mind doing it again to really get the full impact of the series. Although a fan of the covers on my books not so much. >,< Meh 
I have a pic of the covers above the ones on top are the US covers that I wasn't a fan of until book 11 the covers on the second row are the UK ones which I have always thought were loads better. 
What do you think?

Reviw; Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Author: Elizabeth Richards
Series Black City
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Pages: 385
Genre: YA Paranormal
Personal Rating; 4 Stars/ Crave and Covet



A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.


     Well, to be quite honest I had no knowledge of this book.  I knew nothing about it until I got a ARC of Phoenix in the mail. Being a person who incapable of just diving into a sequel book; I shelled out the cash to buy Black City. Then I waited a week for it to arrive in the mail; every day I would look at the ARC copy of Phoenix and sigh. Finally I came home one day to the amazon box. It’s funny how sometimes a box that you get in the mail can glow and make music like a holy relic in an old movie. Any way I tore into that box and started reading Black City as I was walking the box to the trash. I finished reading the book with in a day.
    Did I like the book? Well it is a dystopian with vampires...what do you think? If you think the answer is yes than you would be correct. I loved the fact that it’s somewhat of a Hunger Games/Twilight mash up. President Snow? Anyone? Also, though there is some almost insta-love it’s not too bad, it works.
    I really enjoyed the writing style and the the pacing; but, what really made the book for me was the alternating perspectives which added a lot to the book. The switches were pulled off well without feeling too choppy or confusing; which, is no easy feat. I enjoyed watching/reading as Ash and Natalie grew as people and learned to see more than just their own perspectives. The story itself is interesting and while it is not at all simple it isn’t a maze of confusion either. I can’t wait to read the next installment to see how the story progresses. My only issues would be how some parts can seem somewhat predicable. Also I would have liked to see the character Sebastian fleshed out a little more. I really wanna know why he is suck a...jerk.
    I decided to give this book a lower 4 Stars/ Crave and Covet rating. I really love the covers and I can’t wait for the third book. However, after the third book comes out I think I may lose some interest in this series. So all in all I suggest you read this if you like dystopian and vampires. It’s worth it without a doubt.

You Are My Only By Beth Kephart

Author : Beth Kephart
Release Date :October 25, 2011
Pages : 240
Genre : 
Personal Rating : 1 Star/ Burn
 
Similar Books :




Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.


     To be honest I really had to force myself to finish reading this. I kept on going only because I really wanted to read about the reunion…there was no such reunion.[Image of unhappiness]  Being unable to read  through the whole happy ending really did me in with this book. At the end of the day I gave this book 1 star. Mostly because I wish that I could bear to burn it; instead I'm gonna give it to a used bookstore. This book gets 1 star from me because I gritted my teeth to get through it, only to regret the effort. In honesty I feel like it was a great waste of time I could have used to read a better book.  In addition I feel like it is a great story that I could have enjoyed if only it had been written differently. The language and writing style really didn’t appeal to me all that much which as any reader knows can really take away from a story. Reading this was like brushing away sand looking for hermit crabs but less fun. I can’t really pinpoint a reason however I was really unable to connect to or really enjoy any of the characters. Overall, I will never read this book again and I don’t even like talking about it...so no more. I am done with this