Book Review: Luckiest Girl Alive

I recently re-read this book for the second time and it's so good that I knew I had to write a review on it. If you're a fan of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, this book is for you. It has humor, suspense, and the biggest story climax I think I've ever read. I read mine on Google Play, but you can certainly find it on Amazon or at your local library. Madames et monsieurs, I present to you: The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll.

Book Review: The Luckiest Girl Alive

One of the reasons I connect so well with this story is that the main character, Ani, and I grew up in kind of the same area (both suburbs of Philadelphia, mine was just in Jersey not PA). The way she describes her town growing up is exactly how mine was; new money that had to spend it all to show they were worth something. Ani, of course, gets out of this lifestyle and reinvents herself in New York City.

We are introduced to her just as she is planning her wedding to the handsome and rich Luke Harrison, all while maintaining a successful job as an editor for The Women's Magazine. She is the epitome of a "rich white bitch," but for some reason it works for her. She's worked very hard to be where she is and she's the type of girl who won't let anything get in her way of her dream lifestyle. And once you learn about her past, it's very clear why she's trying to leave her old life behind. Ani is also preparing for a big event before her wedding, the taping of a documentary about an event at her former high school. She can't wait to get in front of the cameras as her new self, but soon she learns it's hard to leave the past behind.

The book flips back and forth between past and present, the past being Ani's experience at the prestigious Bradley School, but back then she was known as TifAni. TifAni was a typical teen trying desperately to fit in at a new school, and the sharks of Bradley were happy to let her swim in the deep end. Some of the things that happened to TifAni are awful and heartbreaking, and you begin to understand her constant want to crush the image of TifAni and reinvent herself into Ani. But once we learn why the documentary starring Ani is happening, well, let's just say you won't be able to put the book down.

I found the ending very satisfying, and I admire Ani's tenacity and willpower. While there were a few parts of the story that didn't sit well with me, all in all I enjoyed the development of characters and the shocking truth that was revealed.



Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

Ipsy Bag Review: September

Sorry for the lack of posts! I have been super busy with school, work, and a bunch of other adventures and have been completely neglecting my blog! To make up for it I promise I will go on a posting spree! Don't give up on me! ;)

It's time for another Ipsy bag review! This month's bag is a "Street Style" theme with different samples to help you prepare for Fall! If you don't know what Ipsy is, it's a website where for a monthly subscription of $10 you receive 5 deluxe samples of all the latest and hottest products tied into a specific theme for each month. It's a really good deal, especially when you get full-size products that are worth more than the bag itself! I have been a subscriber since September 2013 and must say, this is a great subscription for all you beauty lovers out there! If you're interested in subscribing to your own Ipsy bag, please click here!

September Glam Bag

Bag: I'm digging this bag.  The gunmetal color is so in for Fall, and I'm a real sucker for studs! It's very punk glam and chic. Perfect for traveling!

Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser: This product is okay. It doesn't really smell like anything, kind of just like clay.  I've been using it in the morning to wash my face after I wake up, and it hasn't done anything special.  It's definitely not the best face cleanser I've used, but it's also not the worst.

Crown Infinity Shadow/Crease Brush: I was so excited when I realized this was a duet brush! The top of the brush is for applying shadow, and the bottom brush is slimmer and perfect for when you don't want to over-color some areas.  I'm a firm believer that you can never have too many makeup brushes, and I'm happy to add this to my collection!

Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss: I hate this gloss.  It's a sin because the color is so pretty (it's a dark wine red), but the gloss itself applies thin and blotchy. If the product was slightly thicker I think I would love it because it's the perfect color for Fall, Such a shame it's a crappy product!

Pacifica Natural Water-proof Eye Pencil: I'm not a fan of waterproof eye products. It may just be me, but I can never get the damn product off my eyes without irritation! I much prefer products that will wipe off with ease when I'm done for the day.  That being said, I do enjoy the color of this eye pencil.  The silver is a great color to combine with purple eye shadow and I'm looking forward to playing around with it, though it may not be all that often.

Mitchell and Peach Luxury Hand Cream: This smells like the fragrance section of home good stores.  You know what I'm talking about? That one aisle that has so many bars of soap and candles and lotions that it smells like a flower garden threw up in it? Yeah, so each time I use this lotion I get a headache.  It's way too strong for everyday use, but maybe that's why it's "luxury." I don't know, I'm just going to stick to my pumpkin lotions this Fall (can you say Bath and Bodyworks sales?!).

Glam Bag Rating:

6/10 Why am I continuously disappointed with my bags? The only products I'm really going to use here are the brush and the eye pencil. What has happened to Ipsy? I used to get so excited whenever I got that pink packaging in the mail, and now I dread it. I just wish I was receiving products that I could not only use, but like to use!

Now, I have some sad news. I unsubscribed from my monthly Ipsy glam bag. I was just getting so disappointed and felt like what I was receiving was not worth $10. Now, that is not to say that I won't subscribe again in the future!  In fact, expect an upcoming review of a great steal I bought through Ipsy! I'm just going to sit back and take a break (but watch next month they'll give away Chanel or something). I'm considering subscribing to other monthly boxes, so please leave a comment below if you have any favorites! 

Until next time my loves x.

Ipsy Bag Review: August

It's time for another Ipsy bag review! This month's bag is a "Beauty Schooled" theme with perfect size samples that you can throw in your backpack on your way to class! If you don't know what Ipsy is, it's a website where for a monthly subscription of $10 you receive 5 deluxe samples of all the latest and hottest products tied into a specific theme for each month. It's a really good deal, especially when you get full-size products that are worth more than the bag itself! I have been a subscriber since September 2013 and must say, this is a great subscription for all you beauty lovers out there! If you're interested in subscribing to your own Ipsy bag, please click here!

August Glam Bag

Bag: I think this bag is adorable! I love the orange polka dots. It screams "back to school" to me and I think it looks just like a pencil case! If I don't use this bag to keep my makeup in, I will definitely use it for pens!

Pores No More Pore Refiner: I'm a huge fan of Dr. Brandt products. I have a microdermabrasion exfoliant from them and I love how it leaves my skin feeling soft.  That being said, I was excited to try this primer. I've used primers before, but the only one I've ever really liked was the Primed and Poreless by Too Faced. Bias aside, I do like this product. It leaves my skin feeling soft and my makeup does seem to stay on for longer. I'm debating on whether or not it's better than Too Faced, but my heart is telling me no.

Absolute Lip Balm: I want to marry this product. I received the green apple flavor and I want to bathe in it. It smells SO good! Imagine walking through an apple orchard -- that's what this product smells like. Plus the color is a gorgeous cherry red so it looks fabulous while hydrating my lips. Now I may be partial to EOS, but I think this lip balm is perfect when I want to add color to my lips as well as keep them from chapping. Rumor is it comes in bubblegum flavor...~swoon~

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara: Okay can I just say that the packaging for this mascara was ridiculous? It came in what looked like a perfume sample package and had all this hype about the product itself. Give me a break.  I think a brand like Urban Decay doesn't need to market themselves in a way so tacky...you're Urban Decay.. we know you're good. Anyway, this mascara seems average to me. My lashes looked a little clumpy after application, but other than that it didn't really stand out in a good or bad way.

Coastal Scents Forever Blush Sample Duo: This was bullshit. Pardon my French, but the sample was so small and stupid that I couldn't even apply it to my cheeks, only use my finger to see the color on the back of my hand. How am I expected to try a sample when my brush won't even fit in the packaging? This product was a joke and honestly I threw it out due to my frustration (oops).

Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil: I dig this eyeliner.  My old Urban Decay liner that I kept in my travel make-up bag actually just broke in half (heartbreaking) so this is the perfect replacement! It goes on smooth and is the perfect travel size. I've never heard of this brand, but I can already tell they will soon be a favorite.

Glam Bag Rating.... 

7/10 I'm not as pleased with this bag as I've been in the past, but I did get a few great products that I know I'll be using for as long as they last. I just wish that the blush sample was bigger and had one color instead of two, that way it would have been MUCH easier for me to use my brush to apply it. Overall, the bag is adorable, the lip balm smells like heaven, and the eyeliner is a great replacement from my old one. I'm crossing my fingers that next month's bag is better!

Do you subscribe to Ipsy? What did you get in your glam bag this month? Leave a comment below and let's talk beauty products! And again, if you would like to look into subscribing to Ipsy, please click here!

Until next time my loves x.