Birthday Haul

My best friend in the whole world recently gave me my birthday present and I want to share what I got from her with all of you. She always knows just what to get me and it is so funny. She is the one person that I find hard to shop for. We are both into beauty and books and she has a ton of both. Most of the time, she already has what I am thinking of getting her. The past two years though, I had been giving her a book in a book series and she really loved that, but she bought the next book herself. lol. I always ask for hints every year, because I don’t want to be that person who gets them something they already have. Luckily for me, I have an idea of what to get her this year and she will be impressed. Impressed, I say!

Who doesn’t love some sheets masks? The best part? She got me a cruelty free brand. Yes, you heard that right! She has been listening to my recent beauty rants on my blog. I couldn’t be happier! The brand is The Sharing Co and they donate a small portion of their sales to animal shelters. The Hyaluronan Mask is to help Pit Bulls, which I would own one if I could. The Soothing Mask is to help out Dalmatians. The Elasticity Mask is designed to help the Tabby Cat. The Brightening Mask has no animal in mind, just that happy animals (like playing in the snow) give them a better chance of survival at a shelter. The backs of the packets are so educational and when I start to use these up, I will definitely share what they say in my reviews. I cannot wait to try these and I have been more into pampering myself lately. I have been masking a few times a week and try to do a sheet mask every two weeks or so.

And of course books! My two passions in life: books and skin care. LOL. All kidding aside, I am really excited to read all three of these. I have already cracked into the Sarah Dessen book, because I read an excerpt in the most recent one that I read Saint Anything and it made me hungry for another Sarah Dessen novel. I really like the more mature themes in her recent books. I have to say that she is back up there with my favorite authors. Dangerous Creatures is a spin off series to Beautiful Creatures. I am unsure if I should read it or read the other three books first in case this one contains spoilers for the other books in the other series. Since You’ve Been Gone seems like the perfect summer read to read by the pool, which I totally plan on reading it there.

Thank you so much D! I really love everything and it was so thoughtfully picked out. I am so grateful that God brought such a great friend into my life who has been my rock through all of my ups and downs. Living life with me is a roller coaster for me and I’m glad that you have my back and I get to spend my life growing up with you.

With Love,

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April Reads

I do not believe that I will be reading anymore books this month, so I am going to be posting this a little bit early. I will probably have three books read next month, because of this. The one book that I managed to read this month was very long and I read it for an hour most nights in April. It is the first book that I gave 5 out of 5 stars in a long time. This was a book off of my own bookshelf. I am one book behind so far on how many books that I want to read this year off of my actual bookshelf. That is why I already have my May book picked out: both of which are from my book shelf. I am hoping to squeeze in another ebook in May as well.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t know what to say. This has probably been the best book that I have read this year. I love the POV of a man. It is so original in a female dominating YA Romance voice. It is unique and I loved seeing the world in the eyes of a 16 or 17 year old boy. I love the pace of the book. It kept the plot moving forward at an even pace. At some points, we are picking daisies and I’m enjoying that pace. When the action starts, it really goes fast. This book hooked me in from the very first chapter. I am invested in the stories and the characters. I want to know what happens next. This author really knows how to build a world and give the reader something tangible to hold onto (the Civil War) while adding in mystical elements. I went into this book not really knowing what it was about. I never would have guessed witches! It was so unexpected to me as an unassuming reader who didn’t read any spoilers. There are so many surprises in this book to me. I highly enjoyed it and I recommend it. I might read the next book on Audible. I want to hear that Southern drawl.

View all my reviews

I am very happy to have read this book this month and I will be getting more books in this trilogy. I might “read” them on audible. Yes, I have decided to subscribe to Audible. I plan on signing up in May. $14.99 for an audio book isn’t that bad and I pay 10 to 12 on a paperback anyway. I figure that I deserve it, since I no longer subscribe to any beauty subscriptions. I am also hoping that it will motivate me to exercise for 15 minutes every night. I want to get fit and healthy again. I would only allow myself to “read” when I am exercising or doing laundry or cleaning or whatever. I want the book to last the whole month for that price.

With Love,