Imperfect Series Book One

Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame

  What is it about? (good reads description)

   Lucy London puts the word genius to shame. Having obtained her PhD in microbiology by the age of twenty, she's amassed a wealth of knowledge, but one subject still eludes her-people. The pendulum of passions experienced by those around her both confuses and intrigues her, so when she's offered a grant to study emotion as a pathogen, she jumps on the opportunity. When her attempts to come up with an actual experiment quickly drop from lackluster to nonexistent, she's given a choice: figure out how to conduct a groundbreaking study on passion, or lose both the grant and her position at the university. Put on leave until she can crack the perfect proposal, she finds there's only one way she can study emotions-by experiencing them herself. Enter Jensen Walker, Lucy's neighbor and the one person on the planet she finds strangely and maddeningly appealing. Jensen's life is the stuff of campus legend, messy, emotional, complicated-in short, the perfect starting point for Lucy's study. When her tenaciousness wears him down and he consents to help her, sparks fly. To her surprise, Lucy finds herself battling with her own emotions, as foreign as they are intense. With the clock ticking on her deadline, Lucy must decide what's more important: analyzing her passions...or giving in to them?

What did I think?

This book is so refreshing, quirky and fun! I have been reading a bunch of romance novels recently, but this is such a different spin and I really enjoyed it. The writing was great and the quotes are funny! There was this one scene where Lucy has developed feelings and is experiencing "heart break"and just breaks down quoting Taylor Swift lines while laying on the floor eating ice cream. I want a friend like her, struggling to understand human emotion, genuine and adorable. This book is just cute and fun to read! I definitely recommend it!

-D

Roomies

Roomies by Lindy Zart

What is it about? (good reads description)

   Graham Malone is my roommate, my personal eye candy, the reason I get up in the morning smiling (that could be from the illicit dreams I have about him too, I suppose. Let's move on.). He's also beautiful to look at, but his heart is where his true beauty lies. Take away the exterior and the interior still shines.

I love him. I mean, I'm pretty sure I do, having never been in love before. Anyway, it seems legit.

And now his brother Blake is here, and, well, he's the complete opposite of Graham. Sarcastic, brooding, and totally available. But he's leaving soon, and Graham's the one I want. I shouldn't have to remind myself of this, right? I wouldn't have to if Blake would quit looking at me like I'm something yummy and he's starving.

Here's a toast to roomies; the ones you should never fall in love with. Or something.

What did I think? (spoilers)

It was a cute story! AND it was a good break away from all of the paranormal books I have been reading lately.

Parts of it kinda annoyed me. Both main characters are blissfully ignorant when it comes to how one another act around each other. I mean.. its beyond obvious they both like each other and yet they act stupid. Maybe that's how it is sometimes though. You really can't tell when someone is that into you.

After I got passed the idea that these characters just had no clue it was a very cute and quirky story. I really did enjoy it. It was a quick and easy read and it was just what I needed. I think I am going to look for another book similar to this before I switch back to my paranormal books.

Thats all for now
-D

Face Sculpting

How to contour your makeup

If you can correctly contour and highlight your makeup, it will not make your face look skinnier but it will highlight some of you key attributes and give your face more dimensions.

I use seven different Mary Kay products to give different products to apply the look I am going for. I don't go extreme with the deep bronzers and white highlighters, just enough to get to add different tones. I know it sounds like a lot but when its all together if you do it right it makes your skin look flawless!

Here's what I use and how to do it:

1. First the Base. MK CC Cream- entire face to achieve a natural looking glow.
2. MK Concealer- just under the eyes (#1) and any pimples that need to be covered
3. MK Mineral Powder Foundation- entire face to create a flawless base
4. Next, the Highlight and Contouring. MK Facial Highlighting Pen- under eyes, high cheek bones (#2 and #4) However, instead of doing a moon shape as pictured, create Triangles. Picture the clown look and recreate that with a lighter shade. Also use a highlighter pen on the middle of the forehead, under eyebrows, top of nose,and middle of the chin. 
5. MK Bronzing Powder- under cheek bones, the edges of the top of the face, and bottom of chin (#3)
6. MK Mineral Cheek Color- Make a smile and apply along the cheek bones in an upwards diagnal stroke (#5) . I personally like the colors "shy blush" and "sparkling cider", they are less red and more of a natural blush. 
7. Last but not least. MK Translucent Loose Powder- entire face. Set's your makeup and reduces shine.

Visit my MK Website to find the products I use!
 Thats all for now
-D

Book Four of the Premonition Series

Incendiary by Amy A Bartol

What is it about? (good reads description)

   Cold, fine drops of rain fall softly on my cheeks as I emerge from the darkness of the ship's interior to the gray, overcast sky of the main deck. Pulling my dark pea coat tighter to my body, the wind lifts red tendrils of my hair. I walk slowly to the railing overlooking the water.

I catch my first sight of the Irish coastline; its craggy landscape makes me shiver in dread. I find it difficult to imagine now how the Gancanagh had made this their home for so long without anyone realizing it. The cold, moss-covered edifices practically scream their presence. As I study the shadows between the falling-down stone, I imagine creeping shapes of undead Faeries grasping the rock, waiting for our ship to draw nearer to their position.

Tipping my face up, I let the rain wash over me. It bathes away the frigid sweat of fear that has broken on my brow. "You don't know how fiercely beautiful you are, do you?" A quiet voice behind me asks, causing me to stiffen and fix my eyes on the rocks along the shoreline.

What did I think? (spoilers)

An aspire, a soul mate, an undead stalker, a forgotten lover, and a long lost father. Things are getting quite complicated.

There are so many new characters and side plots being introduced into this story it is crazy! But I think its a good kind of crazy! Where should I even begin. Reed is well Reed. Powerful and breathtaking. Russel is just as loveable as before but now hes stronger and more attractive. Brennus is still crazy and evil but I still have hope he will turn it around because I love the clan! And now as if those all weren't enough now there is a forgotten lover as well. Xavier was to be Evie's Aspire after she returned from this mission. She remembers nothing of him but he knows everything about her. I feel bad for him honestly. Of coarse I am rooting for reed, but that's because he has been here the whole time. Lastly, we have Evie's dad. He is beyond powerful and in charge of a majority of the angels. The one he cant control is of coarse Evie, she has her own plans and if you haven't figured it out yet by book four. She does what she wants.

 I can't wait for book five to be out. From what I have read on a bunch of different blogs I could be waiting a long time. Book four was published November 28th, 2012. But I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it will be out soon. I know Bartol doesn't want to rush the fifth book and all butttt come on. I'm dying here.

Oh we had another Angel thrown into the Mix. Russel has an Aspire he forgot about as well. Shes not just any Angel, no Anya is a Thrown (karma). Go figure!
Thats all for now
-D

Book Three of the Premonition Series

Indebted by Amy A Bartol

What is it about? (good reads description)

   I hang my head in sorrow for just a moment when I know I am truly alone. I feel like I’m going to my execution, just as he had said. Then I move forward again. I hop a fence of fieldstone and cross a field dotted with Queen Anne’s lace. Goose bumps rise on my arms as I pass the cluster of windmills that I have seen in a dream. The scent is sweet in the field though, not the scent of heat, like it had been when it was forced upon me in visions. I gaze down the hill, beyond the small, whitewashed house that I knew would be there. The church looms dark and grim with its rough-hewn, timber façade, capped by tall, oblong spires reaching to the sky. Black, ominous clouds have collected above the roofline, as if Heaven is showing me the way.

What did I think?

I've said it before, I will say it again... I LOVE THIS SERIES! Seriously I do. I know there is a lot of hate on it on good reads. but hey, like my mommy said, "you can't please everyone just focus on making yourself happy" and this book definitely did! Here's the problem I have with this series. Amy makes you like the villains! Freddie from the first book, I loved him. Then he turned out to be this giant turd. Yea that's right.. I called him a turd. It's my blog, get over it.

Now lets go to Brennus. I know he's evil and blah blah blah. I don't care. Brennus and Finn and the rest of the undead clan are amazing. They love Evie like she is their family, like she is their Queen. With all the time she spends with them in this book getting to know the characters besides the nasty sweet smell and the whole evil part she starts to love them and in turn, we the readers start to love them too. If you watch Vampire Diaries, Brennus and Finn remind me of Claus and Elijah at least their personalities and how the act together.

I'm not going to give too much away if you haven't read it, but I will say this. A part of me wants Brennus to give up on his obsession of Evie and for Evie's clan family and her family with Reed, Russell, Zee, Buns and Brownie to join up in the fight. Here's to hoping that will happen at some point. Geeze Amy stop making the characters so good!

That's all for now!
-D

My Life With The Walter Boys

 My Life With The Walter Boys by Ali Novak

Clearly I needed a break from all of the paranormal romance books I've been reading lately, so I decided to search through my contemporary YA list until something caught my eye. That landed me on the Walter Boys.

 Here's what it is about: (goodreads description)

 My Life with the Walter Boys centers on the prim, proper, and always perfect Jackie Howard. When her world is turned upside down by tragedy, Jackie must learn to cut loose and be part of a family again.

Jackie does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy! The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades-the perfect daughter. And then...

Surprise #1: Jackie's family dies in a freak car accident.
Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters-her new guardians.
Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway)

Now Jackie must trade in her Type A personality and New York City apartment for a Colorado ranch and all the wild Walter boys who come with it. Jackie is surrounded by the enemy-loud, dirty, annoying boys who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She's not stuck-up or boring-no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents' memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?

 What I thought:

It was good! It was an easy read that caught you in quickly and kept you reading.There are a lot of funny moment's that you would expect to read about when a girl moves in with a family of 11 boys and 1 tom boy.

Jackie, like any high school girl stuck in a house of beautiful boys ranging from the ages 5-21 she falls hard fast. Dealing with her families accident and now being thrown into a completely foreign situation she has to figure out things fast. Out of all the 11 boys 6 of them are all in high school with Jackie and her friends. Out of those 6 boys, 2 of them are trying desperately to get her attention. Now she has to choose, does she follow her gut and steer clear of the Walter boys until she moves back to NY, does she date Alex who makes her feel safe, or does she date Cole the boy who makes her feel like living on the edge.

• Here is Heather's (Jackie's friends) description of the boys in school with them: "all are god like just with different personalities"

• Danny- Mysterious Brooding 
•  Isaac- Classic Sexy Bad Boy
•  Alex- Typical Geeky Shy Guy 
•  Nathan- Laid Back Musician
•  Lee- Edgy Skater
•  Cole- Golden Boy

How is a girl to choose?? It's hard, there are times you love all the boys and there are times you hate them.  Read the book to find which way Jackie goes!
That's all for now.
-D

Two Weeks Down!

I am still sticking with the 21 Day Fix Extreme and I love it!!! I mean come on, a week and a half in I had already lost 6 pounds. As of today, I am down another 4 putting me at total 10 pounds lost!!!

 

 

 I couldn't be happier. It a lot of work but I'm enjoying it. I will say I am not doing it 100% how I should but it still seems to be working. Heres how I am using the program:

• Workout each morning before work. (30 minute workout is sooo much easier to fit in than a 60 minute workout)
• Make a breakfast smoothie with 1 scoop protein powder. (mine normally include frozen strawberries, banana, almond milk, chocolate protein powder and occasionally cinnamon and/or flax seeds)
• 5-6 small meals a day (one is my smoothie) 
• I'm eating healthier. Less bread, pasta and cheese and a lot more salads. (not cutting out anything completely! I still need my chocolate fixes, just more controlled)
• I'm using my containers on weekends and dumping it out onto a plate. By doing that I have a better understanding of portion control. Which helps to carry over onto weekdays when I cant lug around all the containers.
• Instead of driving to restaurants close by (within 2 miles) my husband and I will walk to them!

That's all for now. I will let you know how it goes after this week! 
-D