reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.
After 323 days in Syria, Jimmy came home on July 12.
It was one of the best days of my life and I wanted to document the moment here.
Beautiful photographs are by my friend Tina at Tina Wood Creative. They make me weep and I will treasure them for the rest of my life.
xoxo
♡This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only become an affiliate for products I TRULY believe in, love, and use religiously. Thank you so much for helping to support my little family!♡
Hi y’all! WHEW! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? It feels good to be back.
A couple of weeks ago I did an IGTV video on all of my beauty faves and y’all loved it.
YOU CAN FIND THAT RESOURCE HERE.
I also got lots and lots of questions. So I thought it would be fun to do a blog compilation so that all of the resources are in one spot.
Disclaimer: This is what works for ME. I am not a beauty guru or a makeup artist or a dermatologist or an esthetician. These are just things I LOVE. Note: I have normal/sometimes sensitive skin. I can’t speak to other types of skin.
THIS is how I have learned almost everything I know. 20 years ago I was reading Kevyn Aucoin articles, watching interviews, and reading his message boards. Now it’s YouTube and IG tutorials guiding the way.
These are YouTube gurus that I especially appreciate because they are either close to my age OR speak to women close to my age. Those 20 something makeup experts are lovely but that full-coverage look just doesn’t work for my 42 year old skin.
YouTube:
Lisa Eldridge – ALL HAIL THE QUEEN! I’ve learned how to do 99 percent of my makeup looks thanks to Lisa.
Gothamista – skincare based.
Mixed Makeup – skincare based
Instagram:
@nicolachapman
@cherwebbmakeup
@whatkatefinds
I’m sure there are more and I’ll come back and add them as I think of them.
For actual step by steps and a how to, please watch my video linked above!!!
A Good Scrub for the shower
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Face Self-Tanner Towelettes
Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer
Jergen’s Natural Glow Body Mousse- I use Deep Bronze
Kabuki Brush – I use this to apply tanner on my hands and feet
NUMBER ONE FAVORITE – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. Mix this with a tinted moisturizer for a beautiful glow. I have this in two shades. Fair and Light/Medium (for when I self tan):
Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer
Glossier Cloud Paint // Flower Beauty Blush Bombs are an AWESOME dupe
Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter (rose gold specifically)
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze + Glow
So there you go! A very basic primer to what makes me G L O W!
Hope you found it helpful. Have a beautiful day!
Stephanie
♡This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only become an affiliate for products I TRULY believe in, love, and use religiously. Thank you so much for helping to support my little family!♡
Now, more than ever, I’m turning to reading for comfort. Books are my escape during these crazy times. And if you are stuck at home, it’s a great time to try to read more. Yes, I have five kids and a deployed husband…and I’m telling you this is a good time to read more. Even if it’s five more minutes a day, reading can be so good for your mental health.
If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, or if you’ve ever spoken to me…you know that I LOVE LOVE LOOOVVEEEEE Book of the Month Club. Like, I’d literally shout it from the rooftops or stand on my soapbox to tell you how great I think it is.
I love the company, I love the people behind the company (they sent me a box of books when J deployed), and I believe that it’s the most helpful form of self care available to a book lover.
I’ve been an ambassador for a while BUT I was a subscriber almost from the beginning. It is worth every penny.
What is Book of the Month Club?
A monthly book subscription club. You pay a monthly fee for a book (or books) delivered to your door. The books are new (or new-ish) release hardcovers.
How does it work?
BOTM chooses 5 books every month. These books will be different genres. Literary fiction, Contemporary Romance, Thriller, Historical Fiction, ETC.
You choose one (or more) at the beginning of the month (the books usually go up a few days before the end of the previous month, actually). I’m waiting on an official answer from my friend as to when the books go up. It seems like it varies. I always just check a couple of days before the first of the month.
Once you get your 12th box, you get BFF Reader Rewards!
How much does it cost?
Your first month’s book is just $9.99. After that, it’s $14.99/month. Sometimes I have coupons to share. Read until the end of this post for codes and deals.
What are add-ons?
Extra books you can add to your box. You can add up to two. You can select past BOTM selections too.
Why would I do this over just buying my own books?
First of all, I implicitly trust the people who choose these books. My friend Siobhan is an editor at BOTM and she is a rock star with incredible taste. You wouldn’t even believe how many ARCs she reads in order to give you guys selections you’ll love.
Second of all, it’s way cheaper than buying these books on your own. And many times books are offered that aren’t even released yet!
Third- BOTM helps me read outside the box. I have read SO MANY books I never would have found or chosen on my own. And although all of them weren’t five star reads, all of them enriched my heart in some way. And I’m grateful for that, because I kind of only choose one kind of book if left entirely to my own devices. HA!
Often BOTM pairs up with Oprah, Read with Jenna, Reese’s Book Club etc. So you can grab their choices through BOTM. Win, win!
Last, and certainly not least…this service brings me incredible JOY. Seeing the blue box on my doorstep makes my heart go pitter patter. 15 dollars a month for self care, joy and happiness? Yes, please. I move every two years. I don’t have roots. But books? Books are my heart and my therapy and my friend. Books are my home. Book of the Month makes me happy. End of story. It’s that simple. I never once regretted signing up when I was a subscriber. And here I am, years later, still finding pure joy when I see that box.
What if I already have a sub? How can I take advantage of the deals?
I personally think that this subscription would make you the best gift giver ever. Buy a sub for a child (YA sub, y’all!) or a partner or a parent. You will be making that person happy year round.
What if I don’t like any of the choices?
Choose a book or choose to skip. If you hit the “skip button” you won’t be charged and you will not receive a credit. If you just don’t choose a book and don’t take action, you will be charged and a credit will be added to your account.
Thanks to a friend (and current subscriber) for clarifying this a little more for me. You are actually charged first, before the book choices release. So, if you choose to skip a month, you do have a book credit – but it’s forwarded to the next month (and the next until you use it). You are then not charged again until you use your credit. I misunderstood this the first time I skipped, so just wanted to share my experience. I also LOVE this feature.
How long do I have to make my choice?
I got the answer to this one straight from a contact at the company:
So basically we recommend that members order their books by the 6th in order to receive their books with enough time to read them that month.
But we keep the selection period open until the 21st, especially so that new members who join after the 6th can still order that month’s books before the 21st.
What do you do with the books when you are done?
I always keep 5 star reads. I give the others away. I donate to libraries (many won’t take BOTM books but it doesn’t hurt to try), shelters, and little free libraries. I give to friends (giving books is my love language). My FAVORITE thing to do is donate boxes of books to USO lounges at airports!
(Limited offer) CLICK HERE to get your first month for 5 BUCKS!
Get your first book for $9.99 using code TAKECARE
Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you find this post helpful. If you have any more questions, please ask in the comments and I’ll answer there and add to the post as well.
Have a beautiful week!
xoxo,
Stephanie
♡This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you so much for helping to support my little family♡
Another excellent reading month in the books!
My favorites this month were In and Instant, The Girl with the Louding Voice, and The Authenticity Project!
Number of physical books read: 11
Number of library books: 6
Number of ARCs: 1
Audiobooks: 1 ( The Authenticity Project)
Kindle: 3 (the first two UNSUB books and In an Instant)
Here are my thoughts! As always, please share your favorites in the comments. Happy Saturday!
Truly, Madly by Heather Webber – I read this one for the “cozy mystery” category on my 2020 Bloom Reading Challenge. A sweet and fun cozy mystery. Just a feel good book – it was a pleasure to read without thinking too much. The mystery element was fun. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis – I just finished the last page of this book and my stomach hurts and my heart aches. What a tragic, heartbreaking account of addiction. The author writes the story in such a realistic manner, you can almost feel the rush of the heroin as you turn the pages. Terrifying and haunting, it’s a heavy read but I believe it’s an important one.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn- This book seems like it would be crushing and heartbreaking and just too heavy. And while it is all of those things, don’t get me wrong, what it is really about is tender, imperfect love. The kind of love that doesn’t hold grudges or keep score.This book both broke my heart and filled it with joy. And man. The unexpected joy I found in the pages brought me to tears. It’s just a message of pure, unadulterated love.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
UNSUB Series (UNSUB,Into the Black Nowhere, The Dark Corners of the Night) by Meg Gardiner- A crazy, high octane, goosebump-inducing, twisted ride. If you like serial killer mysteries (think Hannibal Lecter) , then this series is for you. Be prepared to sleep with the lights on. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reputation by Sara Shepard- Goodness gracious. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book more full of antiheroes and jerks. I literally hated almost every single person in this book. That said, it was an entertaining read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Followers by Megan Angelo – This reminded me of the Bryce Dallas Howard episode of Black Mirror. Horrifying because there’s so much truth in it. A compulsive read, but I think it was just too long. And for some reason i just couldn’t keep the characters straight. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen (Advance Reader Copy, available 3/3)- I really enjoy novels with the setting as a main character and Atlantic City is definitely a MC in Please See Us. Decaying and seedy with glimpses of beauty, the city is the perfect backdrop to the cast of characters who have fallen from grace. Ostensibly a thriller, this book is also a slow burn character study and I felt almost uneasy seeing the underbelly of the city and the characters. But ultimately, Mullen finds beauty in the decay. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle – This middle grade novel packs a punch. It covers heavy topics such as poverty and abuse. This is a retelling of Ogle’s youth so it’s gritty and realistic- it will break your heart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson – I’ll be honest,this book didn’t capture my attention immediately. I put it down and almost didn’t pick it back up, but oh am I glad I did.
THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK is a love story. In the classic sense, but also in many other ways. It’s a love story about perseverance and endurance and overcoming persecution. It’s a love story about the power of books and the healing medicine of reading.
I fell in love with Cussy Mary and the book’s colorful cast of Kentuckians.
It might have taken a bit for this book to get in to my heart and under my skin…but oh did it ever. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley- Oh, my heart. I simply adored this book. It has all of the makings of my favorite kind of book… Memorable characters with flaws, lonely hearts that just need love, and the common thread is acceptance and community. I’m so sad it’s over – I want more time with these people! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart- I enjoyed this middle grade book as an adult but I would probably not read it to my children. It is way, way, way too heavy for a middle grade read in my opinion. That said, Dan Gemeinhart is the king or grand adventure stories with an endearing cast of characters and this is no exception. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare – “Everybody in the whole world be speaking different. We all be speaking different because we all are having different growing-up life, but we can all be understanding each other if we just take the time to listen well.”
“God has given you all you need to be great, and it sits right there inside of you. Right inside your mind, in your heart. You believe it, I know you do. You just need to hold onto that belief and never let go. When you get up every day, I want you to remind yourself that tomorrow will be better than today. That you are a person of value. That you are important.”
There are no words for the way this book moved me. It made me laugh out loud, it made me cry, it enraged me, and it filled me with hope.
I will most likely remember Adunni for the rest of my life – her story has impacted me in immeasurable ways.
Read this book- I promise it will move you, too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
♡This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you so much for helping to support my little family!♡
What a MONTH for reading! Kicking 2020 off with a bang.
The reason I read so much this month was because we were all sick nonstop and it was too cold to leave the house buttttt at least there was a good side to that…I read 15 books this month!!
As always, you can follow along with my reading in “real time” on Goodreads, Instagram, and in my reading community on Facebook!
These are in no particular order, BUT the first two were my favorite two of the month by far!
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano (literary fiction) – This was a tender, beautiful, sweet, and respectful exploration of grief and these pages settled into my heart and bones. Certain passes cracked my chest right open and broke my heart. I found myself nearly breathless by the end of the book. Staggering and stunning, it feels wrong to say I “loved” a book that covers such a heavy topic…but man am I glad I read this. It will stick with me for a long, long time. 5 stars.
When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald (up lit)- Things this book is not: Light, easy, simple, purely humorous.
Things this book is: Endearing, heartwarming, sad, hopeful, quirky, wonderful. I fell in love with Zelda and her tribe. Some of the portions of the book made my heart hurt and some of the themes are dark. But oh man…does love ever win. This for sure earned a spot in my “favorites of up lit”.
Similar to Eleanor Oliphant, our heroine will make you root for her and the pages will fly as you are praying that Zelda gets her happy ending. I don’t want to spoil the story so I’ll just say I’m a better person for knowing Zelda. 4.5 stars
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Ellie and the Harp Maker by Hazel Prior (up lit) – Well this is exactly what my heart needed. What a simply sweet, love filled, adorable book this was. If you love up lit with quirky and lovable main characters, then this one will be for you. Precious. 4 stars
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The Right Swipe by Alisha Rae (contemporary romance) – I love the chemistry in this book. Great diverse representation, and kudos for the strong female characters. I also love the gentle giant Samson. I look forward to the next book in the series! 3 stars
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The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake (romance/women’s fiction)- This book is absolutely precious and adorable and sweet and will leave you feeling cozy with a big smile on your face. It was perfect for me to read in January in Alaska. It made me want to put on my coziest socks and wrap myself in my warmest blanket and light some candles! My only small gripe is that the book ended too abruptly… But other than that it was perfect! 4 stars
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Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn (romance/women’s fiction)- This book was sweet and charming and as someone who loves both planners/lettering and reading…it was a dream combination for me. I loved how the heroine pictured words as signs and letters as emotions, I just adored the descriptions of fonts and colors and signs.
I got a little annoyed with the author’s personal vendetta against “bloom where you’re planted” which was mentioned over and over in the book as being dumb and pedestrian and lame. Of course this has always been my mantra as a military wife and it’s even the name of my reading group on Facebook. So that part kept needling me and ruined my enjoyment a bit, because I don’t like being made to feel like I’m silly or unfashionable…but I realize that’s a highly personal critique and didn’t deter from my rating.
If you are looking for a fun, simple, somewhat steamy book with some great chemistry this one is for you. Especially if you love hand lettering and fonts. 4 stars.
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain (fiction/historical fiction)- Diane Chamberlain is a master storyteller. Her novels just draw you in and captivate you and this one is certainly no exception. The dual storylines complemented each other beautifully and weren’t at all confusing… I found both of them equally interesting. I didn’t expect this to be a page turner at the beginning but I was wrong. I stayed up way too late finishing it and I found it immensely satisfying and intriguing. Masterfully written and one I’ll think about many times in the future, I’m certain. 4.5 stars.
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Someone We Know by Shari Lapena (thriller) – What a convoluted mess. First of all… I genuinely hated every single character in this book. Second of all, the story was unbelievably repetitive. Just a pretty generic thriller. 2 stars
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Stolen Things by R.H. Herron (mystery/thriller) – Too vulgar, dark, violent, explicit and brutal for me. Just too, too much. Bad cops, sexual assault, rape, prostitution…with a random sprinkling of social justice? Just not for me. 2.5 stars.
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The Last by Hanna Jameson (dystopian fiction) – Holy cow did this book terrify me. Goosebumps, constant dread, pounding heart…you name it. Nuclear war, dystopia, an isolated Swiss hotel, and a murdered child. What a freaky combination. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the other shoe to drop. Haunting and chilling and gritty, this one isn’t for the faint of heart. I have to say I was super underwhelmed by the ending. I know endings are hard but this one was just disappointing to me. Nevertheless, this was one crazy ride. 4 stars
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Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff (thriller)- Dude. What a screwed up, crazy story! Bioethics and kidnappings and hidden identities and insane twists all rolled into one. 3.5 stars
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The Nanny by Gilly MacMillan (thriller) – Just OK for me. I was really into it the first half or so and then I realized that Hannah seemed like a cardboard cutout to me. I couldn’t get a good feeling for her personality or imagine her in my mind. And her speech was so odd and stilted. Also… It’s such a pet peeve of mine when mothers believe everyone but their child when the child is telling them they are in danger. 3 stars
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You are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (thriller- Advance Reader’s Copy, publication date 3/3/20) – WOOOHOO! What a twisty, turny, WTF-inducing thrill ride! I loved this fast paced, entertaining romp and I devoured it in a day. Make sure to block off some reading time for this one because you won’t want to put it down! I thought I had it all figured out but boy was I wrong. Also, I just want to say that I am sooooo tired of twisty just for the sake of being twisty. I’m over books that have twist after twist after twist after twist. I love thrillers like this one. Good, solid books with a solid twisty ending. I’m all about it! 4 stars
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The Wives by Tarryn Fisher (thriller)- polygamist thriller say what? But for some reason this one just didn’t grab me, though everyone else seems to love it! The “twist” had me scratching my head and saying “Huh? That’s it??” 3.5 stars
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We Met in December by Rosie Curtis (romance)- Sooooooo slow. I wanted to like it but it just dragged on and on. Also, don’t assume this is a good wintry/holiday book based on the title and cover. 2.5 stars.
WHEWWW! What.a. MONTH!! So what do you think? Have you read any of these and what did you think? What was your favorite read this month?
Happy (almost) February, ya’ll…and HAPPY READING!
xoxo
S