COME ALIVE by Karina Halle

Five hours and I'm done with Come Alive. I have been waiting for this book for MONTHS! I love Dex & Perry. I just cant help it. It is pretty obvious since I have written 8+ blog entries about this awesome series! I love this series so much that my bookclub is reading Dark House as June's selection. This will be spoiler free I promise! I totally fell in love with Dex again and boy did he piss me off at times. I was so mad! I keep getting more and more impressed with Perry. She is smart enough to see through some of the BS. And Maximus, wow, he really pisses me off too. "Cock blocking" doesn't even describe it. Even after the ending and we can understand him a bit better, I'm still angry with him lol. Sometimes, when I get an impression of certain characters, it just sticks with me. Like Marcus in Because of Low. Anywho, there are so many great quotes in this book that I can't even talk about all of them. Well, OK, maybe I can share some: Dex telling Jen: "And you're the shit this pig used to roll around in." Dex to Maximus: "Little lady? Who the fuck are you, John Wayne?" I have to admit I was thinking the same thing lol! The last quote I'll share is between Dex and Perry. "Baby, the first chance I get, I'm going to F&^% the shit out of you." Perry: "I think its called making love now." Dex: "Then I'm F&%^ing making love the shit out of you." HEHEHEHHEHE   ANNNDDD! I cant forget to mention our favorite book blogger being in the book!! How freakin awesome is that! Yay Maryse! The next book Ashes to Ashes will be out in the winter. I wonder if that one will be about vampires... :)

Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

What can I say? Abbi Glines should be a cardiologist! She breaks your heart and then she makes it all better with joy and love to the point that it might burst. I ALWAYS loved Rush, never a doubt. But, whoa! He stole my heart and ran away with it! Love Abbi's comments to us: "Grant (yes you read that correctly)" LOL or telling us Rush's wedding song is available for purchase on iTunes. You know as soon as I read that I stopped reading and bought the dang song! The wedding scenes! All of his gifts to her, so meaningful. UGH! (a good UGH) I think the tear shaped necklace was for all of us readers and the tears we shed as we read those words! Love this book and this series and pretty much every word Abbi writes! 

Entwined With You by Sylvia Day

WOW. I waited a while to read this book. I preordered it a long time ago. I forgot how spicy these books were. Gideon, oh, Gideon. I liked you from day 1. I was a little nervous to start this one because I heard it ended with a cliffhanger. I think it just ended with more to come. A healthy cliffhanger, no anger really. If possible, I fell in love with Gideon even more. Right now, if I had to choose between Christian and Gideon-I would so choose Gideon! That says a lot. I cant believe I just wrote that. I'm not going to write what the book is about. Too many of my friends have not read it yet. I devoured this book in 5.5 hours in 1 sitting.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sorry if this seems overkill. I always say go big or go home. Well I went Gatsby big. Saw the new movie, read the book, bought the soundtrack and saw the old movie. Here are my quick thoughts on the book. Let's start by saying this is the second actual, physical book I have read in 2 years. While it is only 189 pages, it is not a quick read. Let me rephrase that, it is a quick read, however, it is like you are reading a big poem. The way it is written is so deep that you cant just skim, or read this fast and not miss something. It is pretty funny that as I was reading the book the soundtrack of the new movie was playing in my head. The songs were very appropriate. Just for the record, Gatsby makes the book boyfriend list. This should go without saying. Whether it's the book, Redford or DiCaprio, all these men make the list!  Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Yet high over the city our line of yellow windows must have contributed their share of human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets, and I was him too, looking up and wondering. I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life."

"He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life...It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey."

"'You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.' Daisy put her arm through his abruptly but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said.  Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever... His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one."

"...I thought of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night."

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter-tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out or arms farther....And one fine morning---

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Let's talk movies: Django Unchained

A few days ago I saw this movie with my mom. Sometimes, when things are really popular I'm not in a rush to see it, do it or read it. I have to want to do it not just because it is popular at the moment. I read Twilight after the first 3 books were out. I watched the Sex & the City series way after it was popular, same for Desperate Housewives and a few other shows. Same with Django. I was not super motivated to watch it at the theater. I would have went just to go out with my friends but it never worked out. First off, let me tell you that this movie is 2 hours and 45 minutes long! So, don't drink too much while watching it, there will be no bathroom breaks hehehhe.  I love Quentin Tarantino movies. I can't think of one I don't like. Yes, they are a little off beat sometimes and super gory, but they are good. This movie is about a slave, Django Jaime Fox, who was separated from his wife (Kerry Washington). He is bought by a bounty hunter, Dr. Shultz played by Christoph Waltz, to find his previous owners. They become friends and Dr. Shultz and Django head out bounty hunting and ultimately try to buy Django's wife. The big deal is that this is during slavery. It is rather frustrating to sit through an almost 3 hour movie and hear the N word like a gillion times. I really don't like that word. But, hey, this happened. People were slaves and it breaks my heart to think about it. How can people be so naive. Back, to the movie. Dr. Shultz speaks so funny in this movie. He is a German and I don't know if it is his accent and the deliberate way he speaks, it is so entertaining. I love that.There is tons of dramatic choral music. We hear funny words like "shitfire." We don't meet Leonardo DiCaprio for quite a while in this movie. Just as I was thinking this he pops up. I also was thinking how I can't really recall a movie where he played a bad guy. This pops up here too. He is Calvin Candie and owns Candyland plantation. I normally DO NOT like movies set back in the day or historical romance novels BUT one think that I do love  about time period movies is the dress. I think I should have been born in the 1920's. Anywho, of course Candie aka DiCaprio owns Django's wife. Samuel L. Jackson is in this movie too and he plays the role of a reverse Oreo. He thinks he is white pretty much! He does make me mad in this movie. What I also find interesting is "Southern Hospitality." Supposedly southern hospitality is like the warmest, friendliest, and sweetest kind of hospitality. BUT, they were the confederates, they wanted slavery, they beat their slaves, they probably even started the KKK...I just Googled it...they did dang a holes! UGH! OK, refocus on the movie. Django pretty much takes down Candyland, kills all the white folk and gets his lady back. YEAH! One of my favorite quotes of the movie, is of course from dang Leonardo DiCaprio when he tells Shultz and Django "You had my curiosity, now you have my attention." This was a great movie. I totally recommend this one.

Let's talk movies: The Great Gatsby 1974

After falling in love all over again with The Great Gatsby, the new movie with Leonardo DiCarpio I wanted to see the original one with Robert Redford. Last night I did just that. Normally, I am not a fan of watching old movies. What I must say is that both movies stuck to the book 90% of the time. Actually, the 1974 Redford version stuck to the book about 97%! That was pretty impressive. Again, I have said before, I normally do not like to read the book after I watch the movie. It normally throws off my initial reaction to reading and the characters that may spring up in my head are now being measured against the actors in the movie. I did read the Great Gatsby in high school, and loved it, and reread it before watching this movie. I love the new movie hands down. The original was great for its time. I did not really like Mia Farrow. No real reason why. I did not like the actor that played Tom in this version either. He did not seem manly and strong like he is described in the book. I'm not a fan of Tom in general but I do like the actor in the new movie better. As for Gatsby, well, I can't deny that Robert Redford was not a great choice for that role. He is handsome and suave. However, I'm all for Leonardo DiCaprio. He just did a great job even with the few moments of cheesiness. So, you see old sport, I'm all for the new movie. Screw the critics. It is just a revamped version of the 1974 version. Like, imagine mild salsa then imagine habanero salsa. The new Gatsby is habanero salsa. :) Don't know why I just made that reference!

Let's talk movies: The Great Gatsby...old sport ;)

Let's discuss this movie shall we? I have seen it 3 times. I even saw it in 3-D. It was awesome! I LOVED this movie. I don't care what the critics say. I don't care if people get their panties in a bunch that Jay Z and Beyonce were the primary music in the movie. So what? We all know they weren't around in the 20's BUT  we live in 2013 and it was rather cool in my opinion. I will admit there are some cheesy moments, like when we first meet Mr. Gatsby:

Even though it is cheesy, it works. You get the shivers with the dramatic music and his charming smile. Darn Leonardo Di Caprio! We all know the story, we probably read it sometime during our school years. It's a love story gone wrong. Nonetheless, it is mesmerizing. I was not expecting Peter Parker aka Tobey McGuire to play Nick Calloway. What I love about the movie is that no matter how much glitz and glam and money are shown at the heart of Gatsby, and most people, is just love and hope. We see this time and time again throughout the movie. Gatsby is so humbled when Nick says he will arrange the meeting with him and Daisy just as a favor and didn't need anything in return. Yes, Gatsby goes overboard romancing Daisy, with a gazillion flowers, but just as the song in the background suggests, crazy in love. It is sweet. What else do I love? I love how Gatsby is always shooting Tom down. He is practically stealing (actually borrowing) his wife in front of his very eyes. I love that he is willing to fight and work for what he wants. He is not scared of Tom and he is honest (well-that's relative). Also, I love this song by Lana Del Rey-Young and Beautiful. How fitting for this movie! "Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful" That is deep! Unfortunately, that kind of love is only felt by Gatsby, not Daisy.  What else do I love about this movie? I love how they are all discussing, yes just discussing, about Gatsby and Daisy's affair like they are talking about the weather. REALLY? OH, and when finally, someone, Gatsby, has emotion, anger, passion about the situation, Daisy wimps out on him? Tom uses that against him? Do these people have no feelings! I do not like Tom obviously. I didn't bother to look up the actor who played him, I can't stand his dang voice. Also, they hypocrisy! He can cheat many, many times and the first(?) time Daisy does he goes on and on how they are a family and she is (well, Gatsby is) ruining their family? Denying his mistress even at her death! Setting up the death of Gatsby! UGH! He makes me mad! (LOL)  Overall, I loved this movie. I'm currently reading the book so expect a post on that soon! :) Better yet, read the book with me old sport. It's a short one. But, before I go, here is Leonardo in his Gatsby greatness. :) 

Please excuse the humongous pictures for this post. I needed them to be super big for this! :)

Makeup chit chat Part 1

This post will be about makeup so if you're a boy or don't like make up you may want to skip this post. :) Also, it might be a bit on the long side. Sorry! Over the past 2 months I have been on a YouTube rampage watching make up videos. I always have had a great love affair with makeup. Watching these videos may not have been the best idea...but oh well, what can we do? We can talk about the makeup I have bought and tried and hopefully it will help you out when you get tempted to buy something. I tried making more videos to share but I do not have the proper equipment yet. My iphone is full, literally, I can't even take one more picture without deleting one first. I used my tablet and filmed 3 more videos but YouTube formatted them funny and I got mad and deleted them. Em's ipad is not running on the updated version so I cant use imovie on the ipad. See, its frustrating just to read this. So, I will make videos when I have a proper video camera. Because. let's face it, it is super fun to talk to yourself about fun things like playing makeup and sharing it with your friends and family. OK, I'm rambling, let's get started before this becomes a dissertation.

FOUNDATIONS

 In order from left to right:

1. L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream: about $15 bucks at most drugstores. I do like this product. It does not give much coverage. It is pretty much a tinted moisturizer with SPF and claims to help your skin. It is very moisturizing so I do not use it everyday. Only when my skin is dry and I don't feel like putting on a full face of makeup.I will probably use it more in the winter or if I'm going to the beach. Not good for oily skin. It leaves your skin looking fresh and moist.(which  mine can be, especially in summer) Overall, thumbs up! 

2. Wet n Wild Coverall: about $5 or less at Walgreen's. I got it on sale for 40% off! They don't have many dark colors but if you are fair skin go out and get this! For $5 bucks it's great to have in your collection. It leaves your skin matte, works great on oily skin, covers pretty dang decent. Cons, the hole in the bottle is pretty big and you can squirt too much out. Also, you have to apply it quick because it dries quickly on your face.

3. Maybeline Dream Mouse Liquid Foundation: Got this on sale for $9 bucks at Walgreen's. I thought it was ok when I first used it but I really don't like it. The color is a little too pink for me. I don't think it makes my skin look any better. It leaves a natural finish. I don't hate it but I don't love it either and I rarely use it now. I wont recommend this either. 

4. Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation: about $14 bucks at most drugstores. Many YouTube people rave about this. I can't rave about it. It is pricey, you cant really see the color in the jar before you buy it. It applies nicely to the skin and leaves a satin finish. I feel like it dries to a powder almost. It is not my favorite and I will not buy it again. Revlon face products don't seem to agree with my big pores. I will say this did last all day and even though I was not a huge fan about the product I will keep using it until it runs out. You feel like you have makeup on when you wear this...which I wouldn't mind if I really loved the product. 

5. Revlon Photoready HD Foundation (not pictured above): about $14 at most drugstores. I HATED, HATED, HATED this product! I bought it in error. I really wanted to try the Revlon colorstay makeup that everyone on YouTube swears by. Makeup artists use that makeup on brides! I bought the wrong one. One, the color was way too dark,. Two, it AMPLIFIED my pores, like major. It made me feel old and cakey. I gave it to my grandma. (She likes Revlon products, not trying to make her look bad ) UGH, I just really dislike this product. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone in the entire world. Maybe one day I will try the Revlon colorstay but honestly I don't have much hope for it since I'm usually not happy with Revlon's foundations. 

L'Oreal Foundation

 LEFT: L'Oreal Visible Lift: I will talk about this below. I will say I LOVE THIS! Go buy this!

RIGHT: L'Oreal True Match Lumi: about $12 bucks at drugstores. This is a good, light foundation. It is moisturizing and really makes you luminous. They have a billion colors. It is better for people who have dry skin because this bad boy is moisturizing. It is not my favorite, but I will use it on dry days and in winter. 

MY CURRENT FAVORITES!!!!!!

 LEFT: L'Oreal Visible Lift: This stuff is AMAZING! The coverage is superb. It makes you look radiant. Does not make your pores look worse than they are. This is currently 50% off at all drugstores, so it is currently $8. I think its on sale because people didn't like that it came with a brush attached. They have one now that I haven't tried yet that does not have the brush. I don't mind the brush, its just while clicking to get the product up, you (I ) get impatient and do too many clicks because nothing is visible then BAM too much product. But its all good, just use it on your face! HEHE. OK, I loved this so much I bought one for my mom and bought another as a back up for me. ALSO, if you Google L'Oreal coupons you can print a coupon for $2 off face products. So I got this for $6!!! AMAZING! It is very similar to the MAC one beside it. I will be repurchasing this when it runs out!

RIGHT: MAC Pro Long Wear Foundation: This is also my favorite. It is $30 dollars BUT it is worth it. It is full coverage, does not make you look cakey. You do feel like you have makeup but it looks good and natural. You don't need a primer, the makeup is so good that everything else you put on (blush, etc) looks more vivid. It will last all day, like 12-16 hours! You're face will look fresh. If you touch your face or use the phone the makeup stays on your face and will not be all over your fingers like regular makeup. So, if I love it this much why do I need others you may be thinking...Well, I may not want my face on for that amount of time. Also, I want to look nice everyday but I don't want to look super flawless everyday because then Rey is going to be like who the heck are you when I don't wear makeup. (which is quite often) :) And, I like to match the makeup to the occasion. If I'm going to work sometimes I glam it up but it just has to be fresh looking. If I'm going to be spending time outdoors then I want something light that wont melt off my face. 

Darkness Before Dawn by Claire Contreras

Darkness Before Dawn is the next book after There is no Light in Darkness by Claire Contreras. This book had no spaceissues like the last book. Blake and Cole's story continues in this book. We finally learn what the big secret surrounding the two is. As much as I enjoyed this book, during some parts, I felt it was a little much. I was getting tired of all of the drama. It could just be I was in a weird mood. That happens sometimes and if I'm in a cynical mood it can alter my reading experience. (Sounds professional, right? "reading experience" LOL) I couldn't help but think of Sonny Corinthos from General Hospital. You know, he is like the major, humongous mob boss, who after being on the soap opera for what seems like 40 years is still bad-ass. OK, back to the book. There were some pretty shocking moments, and Cole just continued to be amazing. Heck yeah, he makes the book boyfriend list. I think even Dean can make the book boyfriend list!! Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend this series without hesitation.