Book Review: The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

As a nineteen year old female, I love me a vampire love story. But lately, I have been so tired of the Twilight Saga. I understand that it's popular, but after you have read the books and seen the movies, the whole idea is a bit tiresome. When I went to the library last week, in the youth section I found many more vampire stories. But what I wanted to read was a supernatural story, preferably without vampires or werewolves. The summoning has to do with a young girl who instead has to deal with ghosts. She has to go to a home for troubled youth and goes on to find much more than she bargained for. The beginning totally drew me in and despite the (mini spoiler) werewolf suprise in the end, it was pretty much just what I wanted to read. There are more books to follow making it a series and I may just pick up the next one. I don't really like reading series now a days, because they never end. I like to read a variety of things. I also picked up another supernatural book, by the name of Dark Visions. Three books in one, about a girl who is psychic, which particularly interests me, and a book that is...shocker...not a supernatural novel by the name of Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella. Not related to the Robert Pattinson movie, you Twihards! The first two books I mentioned, I finished in one day each, but I figure less avid readers would take a few days or weeks. About four hundred pages each. Thats all I have to say about those but I would recommend The Summoning for people who want the excitement of a supernatural novel without the sparkling vampires or ripped howling hotties.

Who Said Vanity is a Bad Thing???

So, as a makeup lover and a girl, I have been dying for a vanity. A nice organized place where I can do my hair and makeup and feel comfortable. Last week I decided I was tired of sitting on the floor in front of my closet door/mirror, and I made the trip up to IKEA for a vanity.

Now, when you see the picture of this vanity it doesn't look too pretty, right? Well looks can be deceiving. This wonderful Malm Dressing Table is nice and big and comes with a huge drawer that fits all of my stuff nicely. When I put my candles, brush jar, and a few nail polishes on it I was very happy with how it looked.

Those of us who are familiar with IKEA, know that their furniture comes disassembled. Well, I was determined to put it together myself, and I did. In one hour. It was pretty easy and I am so infatuated with sitting there in front of my mirror staring at myself. Well, it is called a "vanity" right? So I guess I'm allowed to be vain while sitting at it.

As far as mirrors go, I found a great big mirror for just twenty dollars at Marshall's, and I also found a stand up mirror that has a magnifying side there as well. All that there is left to do is badger my father into putting up shelves all over the place to hold more candles and flowers and other assorted pretties, and of course, to badger my mother into helping me paint cherry blossom branches coming out of the corners of the walls. Maybe I should post a "How to badger your parents into doing things for you" blog. Look out for that one ha ha.

EcoTools Brush Set

I purchased this brush set months ago at Walgreens and after extensive use, I believe I can fairly review it!

OVERVIEW:EcoTools makes Earth friendly cosmetic tools, using bamboo, because it grows fast and isn't in danger of becoming extinct like most trees in the world. This set comes with a face brush, an eyeshadow brush, an angled brush, a concealer brush, and a lashcomb/brow brush.

MY OPINION: I actually find a few of these brushes very useful! The concealer brush works well, although mine needs washed before I can use it again. The angled brush is perfect for lining upper lash lines when used with a shadow that is wet. (Which for me means licking the brush and dipping it into shadow. Yeah I know, gross). The sets are not very expensive and can be found at Walgreens and other drugstores.

DOWNFALLS: The face and shadow brush are very very soft. Usually this is a good thing, but these brushes will not pick up color. The face brush is good for cleaning up any fallout your shadow may have left under your eyes, but other than that, they arent good for anything!

RATING: 6 out of 10 stars

QUICK TIP: When you use a brush to apply your concealer, or foundation, make sure you wash it at least twice a month. If you don't, your makeup will be streaky and cakey! Yuck!!!

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows

I purchased this palette about two months ago, and now that I have had time to use it, I think it deserves an extensive review.


OVERVIEW: This palette was designed for the new Alice in Wonderland movie (Duh). Urban Decay took some of their best colors, gave them new Wonderland names, and tada! New Book of Shadows. It has sixteen colors, some with chunky glitter, some satin, and some shimmery. It has a wide variety of colors, with bright and vibrant hues, but also some neutral ones. It comes with a baby Primer Potion, and two 24/7 glide on eyeliners, one in black, and one in Flipside, a pretty turqouise.

MY OPINION: For about $50.00, I would say this palette is very worth the money. I find myself reaching for it everyday. Yes, it is more expensive than your drugstore makeup, but you get what you pay for. The pigmentation and color pay off is amazing, the variety is great, and the little pop up picture of Wonderland with the mirror, is well, Wonderful. Used wet, the color makes KILLER eyeliner, and you dont have to dig through your makeup kit looking for a color to go in your crease, its all right there! Highlight, crease and outercorner shades are all included.

DOWNFALLS: I really can't find anything wrong with this palette!

RATING: 8 out of 10 stars

QUICK TIP: Muchness on the lid, Mushroom in the crease, and Flipside eyeliner on the waterline and lashline! Simple and wearable, with a little pop!

Revlon Photo Ready Foundation

So, I just picked this up and tested it out. At $12 for a rather small bottle, I was flinching while I paid, but I decided with all the rave reviews I have heard about it, it was worth a shot. I am of course, the lightest shade they offer, Ivory, which I have to say, kind of surprised me, because usually I am the second or third color. But as my friend Julie reminded me, "Don't underestimate your pale skin!"
It dispenses through a pump, which I love because other foundations I have tried require shaking the bottle like it's ketchup at a diner. It looked pretty typical, and I used my fingers to apply it, since I currently lack a foundation brush or sponges. The coverage is really nice, however, I will start adding some moisturizer in with it, because what with it being winter, it accentuates the dry patches on my forehead. After wearing it for a while I looked at my hands and they were sparkling. I thought I had gotten my eyeshadow on them while putting on my foundation, but nope. The foundation has shimmer in it. I wasn't crazy about this at first, but after further assessment, I decided that I don't mind it. I remind myself of a Twilight vampire with my sparkly face. All in all, this is the best drugstore foundation I have come across, and would recommend it.

So...

My best friend is blogging now, and I need more purpose in life, so here I am. I'll just post whatever I happen to be into at the time of blogging, and share tidbits and fun facts. See ya!