October Uppercase Box review: If & Then by Emma Mills

October Uppercase Box Review

When I signed up for Uppercase Box I didn't know what to expect.  I thought that it would be a gimmick, but I was so excited when it got here.  I may not use the tattoos until next summer, but I love them!  The Alice in Wonderland is a fun treat, and so are the tin of mints.  They will be nice to keep in my purse.  

First & Then.  This is a book that I have never heard of.  I didn't know what to expect with this book.  However, I was pleasantly surprised!  There were extra insights that you get through uppercase.  There are little sticky notes throughout the book to let you have extras.  Turned out to be fun addition to the book.  

The author wrote part of this while she was still in high school.  So of coarse this book was based in a high school setting.  It kept a strong female character throughout, and tied in a bit of Jane Austin into it.  I found the Jane Austin bits to be trivial and not necessary for the story.

Yet other aspects of the story resonated deeply within me.  We all had those awkward crushes in high school, and I just happened to relate to this particular dynamic a ton!  It talks a lot of the girl being smitten with her best friend, and I was cursed with this.

The author did include a lot of curses, but for some reason it didn't bother me with this book.  Perhaps it was just the fact that it is high school.

One thing that seemed dated to me was the author brought it watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.  That is something my generation (30's) would know, but not high schoolers today.  Since this book is written in a high school lifestyle, it should have correct references.  Teenagers today have probably never heard of Bill and Ted's excellent adventure.

I really liked this book.

Beauty Review: The Ritual from Perfectly Posh

As you may have seen in a previous post, I took the plunge to join Perfectly Posh.  I love the products, so I figured I may as well get a discount....right?  Well, when you be come a Perfectly Posh consultant, you are given this face mask called "The Ritual".  The only time you will ever get it is by becoming a consultant.  You can't reorder, you can't beg.  It's only the one container that you will ever get your hands on.

Today is National Bosses Day, so I figured I may as well pamper myself!  I love being my own boss.  I love my photography gigs.  I love Jamberry.  And I love Perfectly Posh!  So why not celebrate myself?

Here you see "The Ritual" in it's box, and on my face.  It's a pink creamy face mask that has a touch of tingle to it.  I followed with moisturizer, and my face is sooooo incredibly smooth!  The consultant kit alone is worth it! If you want to get your own Ritual follow the link!   www.perfectlyposh.com/melodypharmon

Book Review: Spelled

For my birthday I was given $25 to spend from my mother-in-law.  Normally I would spend it at the wool gathering, but I missed it this year.  Instead I made a trip to Barnes and Noble.  My son picked this book off the table for me to read.  I loved to cover!  I mean....what girl wouldn't love those shoes?  However, I regret buying this book.

I tried really really hard to like it.  I made it 60 pages in before calling it quits.  It was supposed to be a popular YA novel, but it seemed extremely juvenile.  The first chapter was enjoyable.  There was a lot of play on words.  That is how the whole book seemed to be designed.  It had potential, but I have trouble tolerating the same lame writing over and over.  It just seemed to be a lot of fluff.

It's probably perfect for a 15 year old, but not an adult that likes reading YA novels.  I will be giving this to my niece.

One thing that you should be aware of is that there is a lot of "cursing" in it.  The author made the character swear A LOT, but changed them to fairy tale swears.  I know some parents have issues with variations of swearing, so I figured it was of note to mention.  

New Perfectly Posh Consultant!!!!!

If you have been following my blog for any length of period you would have noticed that I am a fan of perfectly posh.  I love that they are a more natural approach to beauty products.  Plus they don't have lanolin in them (I think I am beginning to react to it).  Since I am spending so much money on it, I decided that I would sign up!  Please support my new endeavor and place an order!  Click here for my party link!  Here are some of my favorite products.

Cackle Spackle is AMAZING!!!!  It's a beautiful blend of mint and charcoal.  Love it!  You need to buy it soon because it is expected to sell out any day now.  For good reason too!!!!!

In this photo you will see the sample of both stripper and the snarky butter.  Both I love!!!!  I'm a fan of face masks, so stripper is wonderful!  Snarky butter may my skin feel like a baby's bottom.  Then there is caramel cray cray and rah rah raspberry lip stuff.  Lanolin free!  :D  

This is Kale Face.  It made my skin so incredibly soft!  

Book Review: The Princess Academy The Forgotten Sisters

I stumbled upon this book a few weeks ago.  I didn't realize that there was a third installment to the series.  I quickly bought it and read it in about 24 hours.  I had just finished a heavier book, so having something nice and light to read was refreshing.

This book follows Miri as she goes to become a tutor for some unruly swamp girls.  It seems an insurmountable task, but she knows that she must succeed because when she does they will own Mount Eskel.  There are lots of twists and turns, and funny moments throughout the book.  It was truly a delight to read.  I am sad that this is the end of the Princess Academy books.

Book Review: The Invasion of the Tearling

The writing in this book is phenomenal. There were a few times where I had to grab a dictionary to look up a word that I didn't know.  It's been a while since something like that has happened to this avid reader!  I loved the challenge.

This is the second book in the Tearling series by Erika Johansen.  The first book was part of my book club book club, but I had to continue the story.  However, I failed to realize that this is part of a trilogy (or more?).  I was 25 pages from the end when suddenly I realized that there was no way this book could end in the span of those pages.  So I looked up, and sure enough book #3 is coming out in June 2016!  Ugh!  I wish I had known.  Needless to say....I have already pre-ordered the next book!  I wish it were out now!  The suspense is going to kill me!  I finished this yesterday and am still reeling at the possibilities of what  could happen.  It's going to be a long almost year!

This book will capture your attention.  More-so than the first book.  There is an element introduced to the story that makes it so much more complex than Queen of the Tearling was.  I don't want to leave spoilers, but just be assured that it is worth your read!

What I don't like about the book is the element of self-harm.  I didn't feel is was essential to the plot to have not one, but TWO self-harming queens in the book.  This is such a touchy subject that I don't understand why the author threw it in there.  Unless she herself struggles with self-harm and views it as a positive thing.  As someone who has self-harmed in the past, I can see how it can be a major trigger for someone else who struggles with it.  This made me very disappointed in the author.

Other than that.....it's a good book!

Beauty Review: Cackle Spackle

I've you have been following my blog for a while you may have noticed that I am quickly falling in love with Perfectly Posh.  I love face masks, but never had a good track record of finding ones that I liked.  So far I have liked each mud mask that I have tried!  

This one is Cackle Spackle.  It's a mix of peppermint and charcoal.  It is WONDERFUL!  It is so refreshing!  AND it made my skin soft as a baby's bottom!  I can't say enough how much I love this stuff!  This is a holiday exclusive item, so you might want to get yours before they are gone!  www.perfectlyposh.com/melodypharmon