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Friday, August 28, 2015

Weekend Reads: Game of Th

Friday my Friends!!! Yes it is...what are you guys up to this weekend?  I? I will be running around like a chicken with a head cut off, I have so much work to do this weekend and it's my little one's birthday too, so...lot's of work and try to squeeze in fun too.  I won't be doing much reading this weekend, but here is the book that I'm currently reading and that if I have any time at all I will be reading:

Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin




I know, right? It's about time that I continue to read this book, I started a couple months ago so...

Have a great weekend!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Book Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

OH YES!!!  It's another book review time, but I'm some excited about this one for multiple reasons and I'm actually not going to explain anything upfront...I'm going to just jump right in and do the review; I know, I know...SURPRISE, it's a first for me.  Let's do this:

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins



Harper Price is our main character, she a Southern Belle and a proud one too.  The book starts off at Homecoming and with Harper going in with her friends and boyfriend to the school; where the Homecoming was taking place and she just goes to the bathroom for a minute to reapply lipgloss before accepting her tiara, because she was born to take that tiara and becoming Homecoming Queen.  But while she's in the bathroom she has a strange run in with one of the teachers and the school janitor, she doesn't only become the Homecoming Queen, but her destiny takes a turn and she becomes a Paladin.  What's a Paladin?  A Paladin is one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.  So, to sump up Harper is pretty much a super hero now, she has some incredible abilities.

At first she has no clue who she is suppose to protect, but then when she finds out and she almost has a heart attack.  Her life couldn't get crazier even if she asked for it, she has to protect: David Stark.  Who is David Stark?  Let me tell you; he is the school reporter for starters and her least favorite person too.  They have been enemies all their lives and competing against each other on school activities all their lives too.  And now she has to protect him?  What?  And the worst part of it all?  She has no choice, for some reason, this Paladin thing, once you become one you automatic protect that person, even against your own wishes, even if you don't like it.

The more Harper finds out about this Paladin and David, things start to not sound so bad, at least on her own feelings part, because things are bad.  First of all, she learns that David is part of this mysterious prophecy and that his own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.  At first she doesn't think she could work with David at all, but she soon realizes that he isn't as bad as she thought he was, or could it be that she is falling for him?

This book is full of action, my favorite of course, and magic is involved too (YEAH) and one of the things that I loved is how Harper tries to be a Southern belle among all of what is going on, all the time.  Well, not only that, she does try to protect her family too and that is also amazing.  And her town is so important to her too, especially her school, and her friends?  Don't event think about messing around with them.   I don't know why it took me so long to read this book, I had read nothing but great things about it, but then again maybe I was afraid to be disappointed.  So glad I read it because I loved it and gave it 5 out of 5 stars and totally recommend it.

So, what are you waiting for, if you haven't read, go and read it because you will love it.

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Book Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

Guess what?  It's another book Tuesday review time, YEAH!!!  And today's book is about...drum rolls please: Aliens.  I don't read a crazy amount of Alien books, I like to pick and choose them and so far all the ones I've read,  I've also loved, and this one is no exemption.  Okay, time to get to the review...you know before I just start to babble and babble away lol

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion



Our main character is seventeen year old Emma, but don't think she is your typical teenager.  She is actually taking care of her very sick boyfriend Lucas, who was diagnostic with cancer and is on the brink of death.  All his family has resigned and accepted that he is dying, but Emma hasn't, she hasn't given up hope that Lucas may still have a chance of survival and she is willing to do anything to make that happen.  So when Lucas miraculously returns from his brink of death, Emma thinks that her prayers have been answered. But have they?

Just as Lucas is coming slowing back to health, Emma finds a mysteriously object on his family's farm and the worst is when some government agents show up at his home to collect it, claiming that it belongs to them.  Emma begins to suspect that something is not right, so she doesn't give them the object in question.  But she realizes that object is the key to setting things right.  Another thing that doesn't seem right is Lucas, he is and isn't the boy that she has loved all her life, at the same time.  Will she find out what is truly wrong with Lucas?  Is he the same boy she fell in love with?  Or is he someone else?

You will see Emma on a mission with "Lucas" and a little help from "A Distant Star" to save the boy that she loves and a lot more.

That's all I can give you on this book without give too much away, and you really should go and read this book without knowing too much about it.  That is the right way to read it, for you to truly enjoy it and love it and feel and the right feelings.  I loved Emma and Lucas and that "distant star" and a couple other side characters too.  You will laugh at some parts in this book and there are parts that you will cry too, I did.  I really enjoyed Karen McQuestions' writing style, it was easy to read and follow and she knew how to get you to follow in love with the characters and that's a plus in my opinion.  4 out of 5 stars, great stand alone and the end was really nice wrapped up.  Totally recommend if you love a good romance with some aliens thrown in.

XOXO,

Nelia

Monday, August 24, 2015

Back to School Series: Fashion and Makeup Essentials

Welcome back to another Back to School post, today I'm bringing you a Fashion and Makeup Essentials post. This week, there will be 2 Back to School posts as last week there were none, sorry about that, I did not have a great week, I had a really bad week of PCS headaches and even though I try to be superwoman, my brain does remind me that I'm not...so I'm just a weak human like everybody else lol.   Let's get started with this Back to School post?

Here are my Top 5 Back to School Fashion Essentials:



1. Boots: Oh Yeah, I love me some boots and I'll give you two reasons why I think they are essentials: 1. They are comfortable. 2. They are Fashionable. Agree?



2. Skinny Jeans: Who doesn't love skinny jeans?  I've lost the count of how many skinny jeans I own, and I don't regret buying any of them.  They are easy to throw on and easy to dress them up or down, right?



3.  Sweatshirts: But not just any kind of sweatshirts.  Buy some with cute sayings, or some from a place where you recently visited and a conversation will start from there.  Or get ones with some bling and now you are dressed up.



4.  Cool Backpack: There are some many cute ones now a days.  I love this one I recently got and if I was still in school I would totally be using this one.



5. Necklace/Jewelry: I love wearing some jewelry and necklaces for me totally complete an outfit.  Here are a couple of my favorites.




Here are my Top 5 Back to School Makeup Essentials: 



1. Concealer:  There is a reason why this is number 1.  No sleep?  Well, this baby will take care of it.  I don't think I ever leave the house without my concealer.



2. Lipbalm:  And this is another problem that I'm obsessed.  Lipbalms, but it is an essential, especially during winter months.



3. Mascara: And this one?  Well, mascara is a must if you want to look alive, even on those days that you don't have time to wear makeup, apply some mascara and guess what?  You look human again lol



4. Tinted Moisturizer/BB Cream:  And when you are in school, let's admit, there will be a lot of times that you will not have TIME to apply foundation, but if you have tinted moisturizer or BB Cream?  Well, this baby is easy to apply and you will look put together in minutes.



5. Eyeliner: Just to get you to that next step and look more up together.  An eyeliner will do wonders, just a simpler liner or a winged line, anything you want, just go with it.



And that's it.  What are you Fashion and Makeup Essentials for school?  Especially on your lazy days?
Let me know...

XOXO,

Nelia


Friday, August 21, 2015

Weekend Reads: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

It's Friday again...another week over and another weekend to enjoy, right?  And with summer ending soon, at least it ends sooner here in New England than the West Coast, I'm just going to enjoy the weekends to the max.  It's time to enjoy boating and beach more than usual, I already to that a lot, but now it will be a ridiculous time at the boat and beach, lol.  If you live here you would understand...This weekend will not be a sunny weekend here where I live but I don't care, I'm going to my boat and read.  There is nothing better than read inside a boat when it's raining outside, right? hahaha

I'm finally getting to one of the books that I've been wanting to read all summer, it's about mermaids so I think it's very appropriate lol...it will be the right trilogy to end the summer, right?  And did you see that cover?  It's GORGEOUS!!!

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks



What are you doing this weekend?  Are you sad that summer is almost over too?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Book Review: Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

It's time for another book review and today I'm bringing you a third and final book of a trilogy.  Actually one of my favorites trilogies: His Fair Assassin Trilogy.  I loved reading this trilogy, it was dark at times, really strong girls for main characters and when I was done with this book, I wanted more.  I ended really well, but I'm sad that it's over and there is no more of this world.  I'm going to stop, as usual, I start babbling in the beginning of my posts before I get to the reviews, let's get to it.

But first, if you haven't read this trilogy, please start from the beginning to understand.  I have a review on the first two books: Grave Mercy and Dark Triumph.

Okay, now I'm ready for the review, let's do this:

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers



On the first two books we heard a lot about Annith, both Ismae and Sybella talk about her and I couldn't wait to read Annith's story, it was time.  Annith has been waiting her whole life to serve Death, she came to the convent when she was just a baby and was raised by the nuns there and training her whole life on how to be an assassin.  She has watched for the longest time her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain.  She has waited and waited patiently for her own turn to serve St. Mortain but for some reason the abbess sends someone else ahead of her ALL the time.

And then one day, she discovers that she is to be groomed to be the next Seeress of the convent and she is not happy about it. Why?  She has spend her whole entire life training to be an assassin and she is one of the best at the training exercises, if not the best. It's just not fair and something just feels fishy about it too.  Annith feels betrayed, so she decides to strike out on her own, so she leaves the convent without anyone knowing and take measures on her own hands.

She  decides to go and find Ismae and Sybella, but the travels are not easy and it will take a long time to get there, but she isn't afraid, she is one of the daughters of St. Mortain, right?  On her way there she meets a group of "certain men" who are not quite from this world who decide to help her, they allow her to travel with them and help her get to her final destination.  She isn't sure at first but she decides to take the offer, as they are part of the Morgan world too.

That's all I'm going to tell you about the book, besides telling you there is romance and from the three books, this may be my favorite romance yet.  Well, I loved Ismae romance so...it's a tie between that one and this one.  The politics is still going on in this book and you get to see how everything gets wrap up.  Pretty nicely too, I loved how it all ended in the political world, well done.  Of course we got to see Ismae and Sybella and I was SO HAPPY, it was nice to see how they have been doing and how they were still helping out.  And we get to see why Robin LaFevers named this book Mortal Heart, it totally made sense when the story was evolving.  And the twists?  Be prepared, because there will be a few twists in this book, bigger ones than the other books,  I was not expecting them that's for sure.  At first I wasn't sure if I liked the twist but it totally made sense and really like how everything pieced together.

I was happy and sad with the end of this book, it was nice ending don't get me wrong, I was so glad to be back to that world and it was so easy to dive back in.  But it was sad to say bye to that, I'm going to miss those girls, I wouldn't mind to keep following all of those little girls as they grow up and become assassins too, right?

I gave a 4 out of 5 stars and totally recommend this trilogy.  Love it!!!

XOXO,

Nelia


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Book Review: FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell

It's Book Review Tuesday and it's time to review another book and I'm just going to jump right in on this one, because I don't want to talk too much about it now, I'll all the rambling for the end.

FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell



Cath and Wren are twin sisters and they are starting college.  Cath is our main character and she is having a hard time with this new chapter in her life.  Okay, just starting college is huge, but they are going away for college for starters and Wren has informed Cath that she doesn't want to be roommates.  What?  What is the point of been twins?  Wren is convinced that she wants to experience this college journey on her own and that Cath should do the same.  So now, Cath is away from home with a roommate that she has not a clue what she will be like.  And did I mentioned that Cath is a Simon Snow fan?  And that she writes fan fiction?  Wren used to love Simon Snow too, but she has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath?  She cannot let go and she doesn't want to.

When Cath first gets to college, she doesn't think she can't make it.  First there is her roommate, she is not bad, she is very friendly and she has a very HOT boyfriend who is ALWAYS around.  Or is he her boyfriend?

Then her fiction-writing professor thinks fan fiction is the end of civilized world, and tells her that she shouldn't be doing.  Seriously?  Doesn't she know how many people follow/read her stories?

Also, there is a very handsome classmate who only wants to talk to her about words and wants to write stories with her?  It's okay, right?  Or not?

Her sister is acting weird by the minute, should she worry about it or just ignore her?  It does look like Wren is the one who is enjoying the college life the right way, right? 

And then there is her father, she cannot stop worrying about him.  He is left behind all alone, and he is never been alone, alone before.  And he can be fragile at times.  Is she reading too much into this?

Cath is left facing a lot of decisions on her own for the very first time in her life and the big question is: Can she do it?  And can she do it on her own, without asking for anyone's help and not having to hold someone else's hand?

You will find out all the answers to these questions throughout the book.  It was a really nice read,  I had read a lot about this book before reading it, so my expectations were...really high and this may get some people mad but I was disappointed a little bit.  I was expecting more, I don't know WHAT exactly, but more.  First of all, it took me a while to read this book, I actually read books in between reading FanGirl.  I put it down a couple times and started reading other books, until there was a weekend when I didn't have anything planned and I just sat outside and finished reading it, because I just wanted to finished with it. 

I gave it a 3.75 stars out of 5, it was pleasant, I really liked the romance actually, the family issues was interesting and I wish there were more of it instead of the little bits of the Simon Snow pages.  I did enjoy Rainbow Rowell writing style; this the first book I have read from her, so I can't wait to read another book by her and see if I like it.   Have you read FanGirl?  What did you think of it?  If you haven't read, I do recommend it but I wouldn't say for you to drop everything that you are reading right now and read this one right away.  But do read when you have a chance and let me know what you think.

XOXO,

Nelia


Friday, August 14, 2015

Weekend Reads: Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

Happy Friday!!! Yes we did it again my friends, it's Friday again and let's enjoy another weekend.  I actually don't have anything planned for this weekend.  Well, I have some work on Saturday but besides that, I'm going to rest and read a little bit.

Here is what I'm currently reading:

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins


This is the second book in Rebel Belle trilogy?  I've heard that this one is not as good as the first one, but I really loved the first one so I want to know what really happens next.  And there is a third one coming out next year, so I need to read this one, right?  And the cover is Gorgeous!!!

Well, enjoy your weekend!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Book Review: Gone Girl By Gillian Flynn

It's time for another book review and today's review it's a thriller; it's not a genre that I usually read if you have been following my blog and reading my reviews for a while now.  But, this is how I got to read this book; I was at work and 2 of my coworkers started talking about the movie Gone Girl and they were recommending it to me to watch it and of course I cannot watch the movie without reading the book first, so...I picked up the book and read it in a couple days.  And it was a very interesting book, let me tell you...let's get to the review:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn



The morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne gets a call from a neighbor telling him that his front door is open?  And that's strange, because that is never left open, is his wife Amy home? Asked his neighbor.  Nick tells him that he is going home to check it out.  When he gets home, not only he finds his front door open, he doesn't find his wife anywhere and worst, his living room is torn apart.  First he looks for his wife all over the house and outside in the backyard, when he finally realizes that she isn't home and that something may actually have happened to her he calls the cops.  When the cops arrive they check the whole house again, question Nick a thousand times and then they leave.  But Nick is not off the hook.  

As the days progress and Amy is nowhere to be found, the cops keep coming back to question Nick, and they start questioning the neighbors.  Amy's friends start revealing that she was afraid of her husband and that she was keeping secrets from him.  Nick denies it all.  The cops keep investigating; they find strange searches in his home computer which he also denies it.  Nick also keeps getting persistent calls on his cell phone, who are they from?

At first, people believe Nick is innocent but as the days drag and more evidence show up against him, people start to believe that maybe Nick is to blame?

But is it true? What really happened to Amy?  Where is Amy?  Is Amy really who we all think she is?

Be prepared to get twist after twist in this novel.  I went totally blind reading this book and if you haven't read or watched the movie, please go blind too.  Because you will love finding out the twists, well maybe not LOVE it, but you will get to experience all the feelings that you should to understand and love this book.

5 out of 5 stars for this book, loved it.  Really well written, I didn't see where it was going at all and loved how it was played out.  The end?  Well, I wasn't too happy about it, but wicked that it was.

XOXO,

Nelia


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Back to School Series: Skin Care Essentials

It's another Back To School post and today's it's one of my most popular post ever:

Skin Care Essentials

 

Life is hectic and there is no else better than me to tell you this, I'm married, have two kids and I'm still recuperating from a concussion so yeah I know just how hectic life can be.  And yes, there are many, many nights that the only thing in my mind is just to crawl under my bed and sleep or at least try to sleep.  But, I'm a true believer in skin care and I ALWAYS, always wash my face and do my skin care routine every night, even if a just these 4 easy steps instead of my 100 steps lol.

These steps are SO easy and quick, you will be done under 10 minutes, I promise you.  Let's take a look at these steps, shall we:

 
1.Wipes: Start by removing your makeup with makeup remover wipes.  I love these ones by Simple, they are effective and sensitive for your skin.  And why use wipes first?  Because they will remove 80% or more of your makeup making the next step much quicker.  Doesn't your skin feel cleaner already?

 

2.Cleanser: You would think that you don't need to wash your face because you used your wipes, WRONG.  Wash your face and your face will Thank You.  And now that your face is cleaned doesn't it feel SO GOOD. It was worth it, wasn't it? My current cleanser is by Simple and I'm loving it, super easy on my skin and it removes ALL the remaining of my makeup.


 
3.Toner: A few years ago, I didn't do this step and once I started doing this step and seeing how my skin improved?  Now it's a must do step, I never skip this step EVER.  I love my toners.  One of my favorites is one by Olay, but I just discovered this one by Neutrogena and OMG, this stuff is AMAZING.  It's just like my favorite one by Olay.  A toner is great to close out your pores after cleansing your face to prevent breakouts, I'm a true believer.  


 
4. And the last step?  Moisturizer; of course: You can do all of those steps and forget to moisturize your face, right?  All of these steps are all important so don't forget to moisturize, especially after you use your Toner.  Your skin will Thank You for moisturizing, and your skin will be kept younger by moisturizing too. And don't forget to use a moisturizer with SPF during the daytime.


 
And that's all you have to do.  That was easy, right?  And when you are running around like crazy this Skin Care routine will be a life saver, trust me.

Now you know what to pack for Skin Care!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Book Review: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

It's Book Review Tuesday and today's review it's a book that it's not even out yet.  I feel so giggly right now, first because I got this eARC from NetGalley and ACTUALLY read it before it came out.  I actually read this book in June that's how excited I was about it.  And second because I'm actually getting to do the review before the publication date, YEAH.  But don't worry because I'm not doing it TOO much in advance, so you won't have to wait too long to read this book.  Now, I'm going to stop babbling and get to the review, let's go...


Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon



This book follows our main character and lovely girl Madeline, who is unfortunately allergic to EVERYTHING.   She lives inside her home and never, ever gets out, I mean NEVER.  Because she is allergic to the outside world, so she has spent living her living pretty much in a bubble.  She only people that she has met personally and interacted her whole entire life is her mom and her nurse Carla.  Her home has a decontamination room right at the entrance for every time her mom and nurse leave the house and have to come back in.  And if a visitor comes they need to go thru a serious of medical examinations and the decontamination room before they are allowed into the house.  Did I mention that Madeline's mom is a doctor?  Yes, which makes it easier in a way because she is the one that takes care of her so there are no other doctors taking care of her, just her mom and Carla.

Carla has made peace with the life that she has to live, she has gotten herself a pretty collection of books to keep herself busy and entertainment and she goes to school online.  But everything changes the day she hears a moving trailer next door to her house and she gets up to check it out and there she sees a family moving next door to her.  And a boy, her age is part of that family and he sees her at the window and everything changes. 

That boy?  His name is Olly and he isn't shy at all, and Madeline learns that really quick when he finds her online and friends her and starts asking her questions and soon they become friends.  Soon he starts calling her Maddy and sooner they start feeling a lot more that friendship.  And on those emails they put their hearts out, Maddy tells Olly about her illness and he understands and stands by her and emails her everyday to talk to her.  And in return he tells out about his day, what he does at school, what it feels like to be outside, they share their days, they thoughts and soon their futures.

But soon their secret is out, and expect more secrets to come out and twists and twist that will only ruin this book if I told you now.

What I loved about this book is how many different writing styles it was incorporated, there were graphics, emails, illustrations and much more.  You never new what was coming next, and the more you read and the more you wanted to read.  You wanted to find out what was on the next page and also to find out what was going to happen.

Maddy and Olly are amazing, everything they were interacting it was refreshing and cute at the same time.  You will be rooting for them from the beginning.  Even the side characters were writing perfectly, I loved her nurse Carla.  But there was another nurse involved that I just wanted to slap her in the face.  Nicola Yoon has a really incredible writing, I connected with the characters right away and the ones that you were suppose to hate OMG you I so wanted to slap them in the face, more than once, let me tell you.  Thank You for that. lol

5 out of 5 stars.  If you love contemporary novels, you will love this one for sure.  And it's not out yet, but don't worry, as I said you don't have to wait too long, it's coming out September 1st. 

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, August 7, 2015

Weekend Reads: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

It's Friday!!! It's Friday!!! It has been a very long week, that's for sure and I'm just glad it's Friday and the weekend is here!!!  Now it's time to enjoy the weekend, relax a little and read a little too.

Here is the book that I'm actually starting tonight; I just finished reading Salem's Vengeance last night (Thank God that book gave me nightmares lol).  And now I'm ready for something else; wait that I remember these books by Rosamund Hodge has a dark world too...AH more nightmares lol

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge



I've heard that this one is even better than Cruel Beauty and I LOVED that one.

Happy Weekend!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Happy Thursday and it's book review time!!! And I'm reviewing a contemporary book today, WooHoo!!! I don't think I read and review a lot of these and this one was...AMAZING.  Let's just get to it:

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson



First of all, I think I was on the 10% rate of the people that hadn't read this book and I just couldn't be on Instagram of watch You Tube anymore and just read people talk about this book and not know what it was about, so I remedied it and read it.  And now let's get to the review of this wonderful book.

This book is all about friendship and what a perfect book it was for it.  Emily is our main character and you will fall in love with her from chapter one.  Sloane is her best friend, they have only been best friends for a couple years but they do EVERYTHING together and Emily doesn't see her life without Sloane in it, so can you imagine when Sloane and her family just leave town and don't come back again?  And that's not even the worse part, the worse part is Sloane just leaves and doesn't say anything at all to Emily, she just disappears...Emily is heart broken.

Until a letter arrives, and it's not a typical letter it's just To Do List and not just a To Do List, it's one with 13 Sloan inspired tasks that Emily would never do.  But what if this list could bring Sloan back?  Emily has the whole summer vacation to do the list and that's what she does.

The list is already weird enough for Emily to complete, for example she has to kiss a stranger, HELLO???  And Skinny-Dipping?  Come up...but things do get weirder for Emily, because she ends up getting the help of Frank Porter.  At first it was just Emily thought that she was going to help Frank and Frank was going to help her with the list but as the days and weeks went by things got deeper and they fall for each other without meaning too.  But of course things are not easy, there are some complications.

What are those complications? Well...my friends for that you will have to read the book.  And does Emily complete the list?  Ah, won't you wish to you.  And does Emily find Sloane again?  That's the big question, isn't it?  Again for all this questions you just have to read the book and you will love it.

I gave 5 out of 5 stars, I loved this book and I finally understood all the hype about.  Morgan Matson is a great writer, loved her writing style.  This is not a small but, but once you start reading this book you just don't want to put it down because you just want to know what happens next and you want to know what next item Emily is going to complete.  But most importantly I loved how friendship was portrayed in the book, job well done again to the author.  What more can I say?  Only if you haven't read it, please do yourself the favor and read, because you will not be disappointed.

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Back to School Series: Dorm Essentials

Back to School Series is back!!! Last year I did this series all in one week, this year I'm doing it a little bit different, I'm going to do one post every Wednesday for the month of August.  What do you guys think?  I'm actually excited about this series, I loved doing it last year and can't wait to do it again this year, so let's get to it?

And to quick off I'm starting it off with Dorm/Apartment Essentials:

1. Makeup Organizer:  That's pretty essential for me and I love my Muji makeup organizers; I have had them for years and they are still going strong.  And they are clear acrylic so easy to find what you are looking for.

MuJi Organizer 


2.  Shower Caddy: If you live in a dorm these will be very essential, you can find them anywhere these days, from Target to Bed Bath and Beyond to Amazon.

Shower Caddy


3. Coffee/Tea Maker:  I think you are either a coffee drinker or a tea drinker and will need a coffee/tea maker while away from home.  Yeah, definitely...


Coffee Maker
Tea Maker



4. Mini Fridge: A must, in my opinion...snacks, snacks and more snacks.  Especially at night when everything is closed and if you live in a dorm; a mini fridge will be a life saver.

Mini Fridge


5. Closet Organizer: Another life saver?  A closet organizer, these things can make your life so much easier, so get one or two.

Closet Organizer


6. Lamp:  Especially if you have a roommate and they like to sleep with the lights off, this way you can have your own light and there are a lot of cute lamps out there these days.

Lamp


7. Organizers:  I love organizing, so for me organizers are a must and this way you will know where everything is and easier to find things later, right?

Organizers


8. Whiteboard/Cork Board:  Go crazy decorating these, or organize your life more lol

Cork Board 


9. Books/eReader:  If you are a booknerd like myself, you will need to bring your Kindle/eReader or even some books with you.  This is the new Kindle Paperwhite that I have been eyeing and I'm thinking about buying really, really soooon :)

Kindle Paperwhite


10. Hand Sanitizer/Febreze:  This is important, keep things clean and sanitized PERIOD.


Febreze



What are will be Dorm/Apartment Essentials for you?  Anything else that You would recommend?

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Book Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass

Welcome back to another Book Review Tuesday and today's book is:

The Heir by Keira Cass




It has been 20 years since America Singer entered the Selection and won Price Maxon's heart.   She's now the Queen and a MOM and she is lovely as usual.  One of the first things Maxon and America did as King and Queen was change the laws; for their first born to be King or Queen no matter if it was a boy or girl and good thing they did that because their first born was a girl.  Well, they had twins but the first one coming out was a girl, Eadlyn followed by her brother Ahren and from then on Eadlyn was trained to be the next Queen.

But not only was Eadlyn trained to be the next Queen, but she also reminded herself everyday of her life that she was the most important person of the world and that will hurt her in the future.  Ahren has been the most supported twin brother ever, he is always there for her and he supports Eadlyn in everything that she needs, but he is in love and he will do anything for the woman that he loves.

Talking about love and doing everything for the people that we love, Eadlyn ends up in a very tough situation when her country hasn't been doing very well and her parents decide that it's time for her to hold her own Selection.  At first she is against it 100%, she doesn't believe that she will find love like her parents did, but she is willing to make a little sacrifice for her country and she ends up making a deal with he father.  What is the deal?  Well, you will have to read to find that out.

Once the Selection starts Eadlyn hates it and doesn't think she can do it, but some circumstances makes her realize that she has to try a little harder for the sake of her country and her family and harder she tries.  And by trying that little harder she soon realizes that the Selection is not as bad as she thought and that finding her own happily ever after may even be possible.

I'm not going to lie, Eadlyn is spoiled, she is nothing like America and there are a lot of people that hate this book because I think they are just comparing mother and daughter way too much.  But then you have to realize how America was raised and how Eadlyn was raised, both totally different, one had to earn money to have some food to eat and the other was spoiled to the bone, which made her a spoiled brat.  And yes, Eadlyn is annoying sometimes in this book and yes, there are times that I wanted to slap her too, but she did grow on me thru out the book and guess what?  By the end of the book I wanted more and now I wanted nothing more than Kiera Cass to write more Selection stories, because it doesn't matter how many people complain about these books there are just something about them, you pick them up and you just read until you are done with them.

5 out of 5 stars, if you are asking why?  Because I loved seeing Maxon and America back first of all and I'm dying right now waiting to know what it's going to happen.   I'm really enjoying Eadlyn's love story, mostly because I have no clue where it's going at this point.  I totally have a favorite, but it could go anywhere so...and Ahren?  I want to see more of that too lol...

Have you read The Selection series?  What do you think of them?  Have you read The Heir?  Did you like it?

XOXO,

Nelia

Saturday, August 1, 2015

August 2015 TBR

Alright, now that it's August 2nd and I've kind of accept that summer is almost over (I just have to enjoy the rest of it to the max, right?) here is my TBR for the this month:

1. The Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin: I'm going to continue to read this one and hopefully finish it this month.



2. The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker: I've actually started reading this and I'm loving it, it's going to be a quick read...I may be done with it today. lol



3. Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin: Because when I'm done with The Witch Hunter I'm going to be craving some more witches and I have this one from NetGalley on my Kindle for a while so it's time I get to it.



4. Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt: Another Alien book, what can I say?  I love me some Alien book and Benjaminoftomes recommended and every Alien book that he has recommended I've loved so...I'm going to read and period.



5. The Queen of Tearling by Erika Johansen: Because I keep hearing nothing but good things about this book and I got it when it was for $1.99 on Amazon and now I don't have an excuse for not reading it.



6. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare: Gotta continue with this series, right?



That's all I'm putting on my TBR for this month, but things can change as usual and I am add more books as the month progresses.  Follow me on Goodreads/Instagram/Twitter to find out throughout the month what I'm reading.

What are you reading this month? 

XOXO,

Nelia

July Wrap Up

Happy Saturday and Happy August?  I mean, where did the month of July go?  It's August people, it pretty much means it's the last month of really hot summer days and that is not fair.  I need more summer days, who's with me?  I LOVE summer and it's seriously too, too short.  And I'm going to stop complaining for now and get to today's post.  It's August 1st and it's time to do my July wrap up, I actually did pretty good, I read 7 whole books, 1 Graphic Novel, 1 Short Story and started reading another book, so...10.25 books for the month of July?  Not a bad reading month.  Let's check out the books I read:

1. FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell 3.75 Stars



2. Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers 4.25 Stars



3. From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion 4 Stars



4. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins 5 Stars



5. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han 5 Stars



6. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 4 Stars



7. Dream the Impossible Dream: Volume 2 by Gavin Aung Than 3 Stars



8. Lois Lane: Cloudy With a Chance of Destruction by Gwenda Bond 4 Stars



9. Dreamwalker by Rhys Bowen 4 Stars



10. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin-Started Finally and Yes I'm loving an I can see why people love it, will continue to read an hopefully finish it next month.


And that's my July wrap up, what books did you read in July?  My favorite book this month was Rebel Belle, I LOVED.  What was your favorite book that you read in July?

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

XOXO,

Nelia