Book Review - "Elements of Style" by Erin Gates

Elements of Style by Erin Gates

Erin's Elements of Style blog was one of the first interior design blogs I stumbled across when I first discovered the blogosphere, and have been following her ever since.  She's got a great eye, fabulous style and feels like a friend with her candid writing.  So when she announced she was writing a book, I couldn't wait, in fact I pre-ordered the book way back in March.  It was worth the wait.  I devoured the book in a day.  It's a great mix of stories from her life and gorgeous photos from her projects.  It's chock full of inspiration, laughs, honesty and beauty.  Plus it looks gorgeous on display (with that stunning striped spine).  If you are an Erin fan or just love looking at gorgeous spaces, then this is the book for you!

Book Review - "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

I liked Fangirl so much I immediately checked out this one:

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Another great book, again classified as "young adult" but this was was a bit darker and more serious than Fangirl.  The story is told in a back an forth switching between Eleanor and Park's point of view.  Eleanor is sixteen and comes from a very difficult home situation.  Park is also sixteen with a more stable home life and an established reputation in their school.  When Eleanor has to sit next to him on the bus on her first day at their school, they slowly start to form a relationship that evolves into first love.  The story is funny at times, heartbreaking at other times.  The ending is tough, you really want her to write a sequel at some point.  Ms. Rowell's characters are so wonderfully well developed that you feel their pain, joy and hope.  A movie is in the works as well.  If you loved books like The Fault In Our Stars and The Age of Miracles then pick this one up!  

Book Review - "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell

I'm switching things up a bit around here.  If you are a regular around here you know I keep a running list of books I've read (and my thoughts on them) on the "Books I've Read" page.  But the list is getting out of control and I want to be able to search my book list more easily.  Plus, let's face facts, I'm not posting as much on the blog as I have been and I feel the blog is evolving a bit.  I mean, I love sharing my reviews of products why not add my thoughts on books as posts too?  So along with the usual posts I'll be posting my book thoughts as well.  Starting today!  I went on a bit of a "putting books on hold" binge at the library over the past few weeks and they have started pouring in. So let's get started.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Oh my, I LOVED this book so much.  It's technically classified as a "young adult" book but I found it totally relatable.  The story centers on Cath and her first year of college.  She has a twin but her twin decided that they shouldn't room together, she wanted to be her own person and thinks that Cath should want that as well.  Cath is a popular (albeit anonymous) fan fiction writer for a Harry Potter-type series of books.  It's her escape, her passion and part of her identity.  Her home life is complicated with an absentee mother and a father who has mental health issues.  I totally related to Cath, the story brought back those "first year of college, coming of age" issues.  Just finding your way into adulthood, crossing that bridge.  I highly recommend this book, it's a light, easy read that satisfies!

What I Bought - October 2014

We had a wedding to attend this month so I had to buy a new dress and a clutch.  I can honestly say I had not one dress in my closet that wasn't a summer "beach trip" dress and my beloved vintage clutch that I usually carry has started to fall apart (that's what happens after 10+ years of special occasion use).  Here's what I brought home:

1. J.Crew tee (on super sale) - $10.49
2. J.Crew tunic (in the most perfect green, also on super sale) - $13.99
3. H&M dress (mine is cobalt blue - color not available online) - $39.99  - this dress is absolute perfection, it looks way more $$ than the cost, it's structured, yet stretchy and comfortable.  Plus it made me look 10 lbs thinner!
4. DVF clutch - $156 (25% off promo on Piperlime but it's now sold out there) - got this clutch after Jessica raved about it.  She's right (she's pretty much always right BTW - love her blog), it's gorgeous and holds enough for a night out.  Totally glam and will be chic for years!
5. Nike sneakers - $70.17 (on sale - so they might go quick) - $20 (FabFitFun gift card from Fall box) = $50.17
6. Beauty Blender - $19.95 - swear by these!
7. Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation - $47 - a little more coverage than my regular foundation, yet still not heavy feeling. Really liking it.

Total spent out of pocket - $337.59

Go forth and shop responsibly!

I'm linking up with Budgeting Bloggers over at Franish!

Reviews - PopSugar September Must Have Box & Fall FabFitFun Box

Starting with the September PopSugar Must Have Box:

This was my first PopSugar Must Have box and the reason I pulled the trigger was the spoiler of the scarf.  I wanted that scarf.  So the rest of this is gravy.  

Here is the scarf - it's gorgeous, buttery soft, light as air and HUGE!  It did not disappoint!  (some similar patterns from the same brand here and here).

The other items I've used are the earbuds and I've framed one of the cards.  I'm going to use the $20 Nike gift card too - just have to figure out what shoes I want.  I need some new gym shoes badly.  Overall I was pleased.  I did end up cancelling my subscription (but not before the October box was billed - the box still hasn't arrived though).  The only complaint I've had with this box is that it took FOREVER to get to me and customer service was so slow to respond to my questions.

Now for my (usually) favorite box - the FabFitFun Fall box:

I have yet to be disappointed with this box, until this one.  The only thing I've even used are the Great Soles Ballet Barre Peds, they are awesome!  I mean there are some good things in the box, but they just didn't appeal to me.  I'm going to be passing most of this on.  I'm hoping the Winter box is better, if not I might rethink continuing with the subscription.  If you are interested in subscribing then go here (use code WINTER5 for $5 off your first box).

Shopbop Friends & Family Sale - 25% Off Sitewide 10/14-10/16/14

It's that time of year again, Shopbop's 25% off sitewide Friends & Family event - use code FAMILY25 - the sale runs from today 10/14 - 10/16/14 at 11:59 pm PT.

It's a great time to start your holiday shopping (in fact I just bought these earrings as a gift).  Also, this necklace has been on my wishlist for well over a year now and I might just have to snap it up!

House of Harlow 1960 Sunburst necklace - $58

Here are some of my other picks from the sale (all under $100)!

Review - L'Oreal Superior Preference Mousse Absolue Hair Color

L'Oreal Preference Mousse Absolue - $14.99

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I'm an at-home-hair-color fanatic.  I've dyed my hair at home (off and on) for 20+ years and I love trying new products when they hit the market!  I was super excited to try out L'Oreal's new Mousse Absolue - this is a no-mix product that can have up to two applications (depending on your hair length).  So I booked it over to Target and picked up color #654.  I was a little disappointed in the red range - I always want more options, I'm so picky and super specific with my reds.  I rushed home and applied it.  This is by far the easiest hair color I have ever used.  No fussing with mixing, you just shake and go.  The application is along the lines of any other mousse, not drippy and really easy.  I have just below chin length hair and I got two full applications out of this - score!  The color was easy to rinse out, even and had great shine.  In fact when I went to get my hair cut at the salon a couple of weeks after I colored, my stylist commented about how gorgeous my hair color was.  She asked what I had used (she knows I do it at home), she was super impressed.  It did fade a little quicker than some other colors I've used, but not enough for me to balk at using it again.  I highly recommend this product!

Check out my other hair color reviews here, here, and my most read disaster post here.

Have you tried this product yet?  If so what did you think?