Hollar is Christmas Gifts Galore

Merry Christmas!!! Well it's almost Christmas. And f you are like me finding those perfect gifts and stocking stuffers is a bit hard. Enter Hollar! I absolutely love this online store and it has so many things that is just perfect for the people you love this Holiday season.

From high end makeup to Disney toys Hollar really does have everything you need to make your December 25th Merry and Bright.

When you are a new customer you get $5 off your first purchase and free shipping! The minimum purchase as to be at least $10 so let's say you buy a fantastic $10 toy after the $5 discount and the free shipping you are getting that toy for $5 shipped! They have cute little Disney dolls and American girl block sets so with the extra low pricing you would get both of those for just a little over $5! They also have loads of Christmas and Holiday decor as well for as little as .50 each!

Last night I was able to purchase a twin sized Captain America blanket for $2.50 shipped after a special code and a $5 discount! They release special codes all the time to help save money. I received a shipment just a few days ago. It was 11 items for just a little over $20 shipped and I'm expecting another shipment any day now that I spent $3 on for about 6 tems. So as you can see this is a great way to save money!

You can join Hollar here! Let me know what you buy and have fun!!
  

Product Review: Lapothicell's A.C. Daily Calming Peeling Booster

When I opened the box....

Good morning world! 

For my very honest review, 0.8 Liter has sent me Lapothicell's A.C. Daily
Calming Peeling Booster. It took a while to arrive but I was so excited to receive the box...it had been leaking all the way from Korea! So it was a hot mess. I had to clean it up as best I could and a good amount of it had leaked out but there was still a lot in the bottle.

It arrived in a pretty midnight blue box (soaked, but pretty). All the instructions were in Korean but there was a slip of paper in there to tell me how to use the product. But the instructions were kind of hard to read. I can tell someone tried to translate as best they could. So I googled instructions. lol.

Here goes nothing!!

It's the same thing as a toner, this one has AHA and BHA solution. It was 200 ml (6.75 oz) so it was a large bottle! And the liquid itself is thin and clear. It almost looks like water. But you can tell when you open it that it isn't as it has a slightly citrus-y sent to it.

Looks good! Feels nice! I like it!

I absolutely, positively will admit a bit that I was a bit afraid to try it because the instructions weren't in English and I didn't want to do something wrong but all you do is wash your face very well and smooth this over your skin. I washed my face very well (it was 5am in the morning!!) At first it felt kind of tracky but it quickly soaked into my skin. And I was pretty happy with the results. My skin felt pretty soft and there was a brightness to it. After using it a few days, my skin has definitely kept the softness and I've noticed that some of the redness has lifted from across the bridge of my nose.

I have not had any negative skin reactions so I was happy about that of course. It's definitely a bit different then any toner I've ever tried as it's not as harsh. I do recommend giving this a shot! It's lovely.

Product Review: Lumene Moisturizer with SPF = I'm In Love!

My Original Instagram Photo

As a natural red head, I have very fair skin. My skin tone tends to be uneven with some redness on my cheeks and nose. I usually have some rough pages underneath my eyes or on my forehead. So imagine my excitement when I received a very nice large sample of Lumene Valo (Light) Day Moisturizer SPF-15. I absolutely love trying new products and anything that can my skin FEEL better is lovely.

On Thursday I started my new job and I woke up at 4:20am. I took my shower, washed my face and was standing there looking at my face wondering what to use as nothing ever seems to work. When I

Very thick, fragrant cream.

looked over on the counter top there stood this little box I had received earlier in the week of Lumene and the packaging is adorable. So I thought WHY NO? right? I opened it up and pulled the tab off the top and it showed me some gorgeous thick white cream that smelled DIVINE. It smelled like a morning breeze in a citrus garden. I loved it. A little bit goes a long way as I soon learned when I spread wayyyy too much on my face but I cleaned it up and although I was shinier then normal I was still a bit red but that's normal for me. I did notice one very cool thing (at least to me) This product was NOT oily. I've tried some moisturizers that literally melted off my face from my front door to my car, but not this. This was beautifully set into my skin. I absolutely loved it.

Day 1 - Before Product

Day 1 - After Product

The next day I did the same thing. Woke up at 4:20am, showered and used that lovely cream. The redness was fading and I really hadn't taken notice until Saturday came around. But my skin feels like silk and the rough patches are gone. So here I am sitting on day 4 and my skin looks amazing. It's not nearly as red as it was though I still have a few patches and I'm hoping by the time I finish the little tub that my face is smooth and clear. 

This product is amazing. I want to try the whole line now. I'm not a skin care product fanatic. I try things and hope for the best but this blew me away. Note: I'm 37 years old. lol. I do have fine lines around my eyes and laugh lines. My skin is changing the older I get. I hope this review helps!

Day 4 - Less Redness,
Silky Skin.

I did receive this as a sample, it was a larger sample than normal at 1.7oz. I was not paid to do this or encouraged in any way actually. The sample page was open for every one and I was able to select the one I wanted. I had expected a tiny little pouch but was surprised to receive the large box instead. So thank you Lumene for providing me with this sample and I seriously hope I'm able to purchase more from you or even pick up another sample. :) 

If you are interested in the Ingredients in their products then you'll want to click here. And here is the direct link to the product I have been using so you can read all the product details CLICK HERE.  

Product Review: V8 V-Fusion Energy Drinks: The Real Deal

I love being a Bzzagent. I get to try new products and share my experience with them, some are great and some not so hot. I have to admit though the V8 V-Fusion Energy drink is AWESOME. I was sent three cans in the flavors Pomegranate Blueberry, Orange Pineapple and Peach Mango.

Now they do have other flavors such as Baked Apple Cinnamon and Raspberry Vanilla and you see all the different options they have (EVEN DIET!) by clicking HERE.

I really liked the Orange Pineapple but I LOVED the Pomegranate Blueberry. Both of those had a fantastic taste that just goes well with breakfast or could work for on the go. I did feel a burst of energy that lasted pretty much all day. I'm not a coffee drinker so I can't really compare it to that, but I do know I was more alert than I had ever been for morning activities (such as calling the IRS, which is what I'm doing today!)

I do recommend giving these a shot, it's very healthy, with expertly blended fruit, veggies and green tea and contains no added sugar or artificial colors, so you can feel good about feeling good. And it's only 50 calories! Not a bad deal at all.

I loved it!  Try it! Tell me which flavor you tried and how you liked it!

Nora Roberts' Blood Brothers: A Spooky Review

I have been reading Nora Roberts books ever since I was about 14. I have read all her romances whether it be her contemporaries, her forays into historical and even the Harlequin novels. I have enjoyed most of her novels (there are a few that I didn't like but this isn't one of them). So I knew that Nora has a dark side to her, come on now we all do, but when I read through this novel it brought images of Stephen King, psychotic nightmares and the Grudge to mind. I mean come on there is a creepy kid running around with sharp teeth, long dark hair and red eyes. There is blood dripping out of trees instead of sap and people dancing while blood pours on them. One spooky ass read!

Now imagine me trying to sleep after that? It ain't happening!

This novel starts out innocent enough with three kids going camping in the woods to push the boundaries on their 10th birthday. (10 people, that means they were 9 when they went into the woods with beer!) So after you get beyond children drinking and smoking you get to the root of the problem, the kids opened up a portal and out came a demon who terrorizes the town every seven years on the seventh day of the seventh month. (July). People kill each other, people kill themselves, animals mysteriously die, people go chaotic. Kinda like an M. Night Shyamalan movie, only with love and sex scenes. Well this is book one, so it focuses on a writer named Quinn who comes to town to dig into the lore and legends and the mystery that is Cal's small town. (Cal was one of the kids, ok?) So we got grinning demons with their faces pressed against the windows and blood...good grief, don't get me started. Anyway, the two of course fall in love (it's a freakin' romance novel so don't act like I shocked you and ruined the end) but it cuts you off at the end and then you got to go scrambling for book 2 which is The Hollows. I have it somewhere in the house I know I bought it, no I just got to find it so I know what happens with Fox. (Fox is another boy, well...man now).

I will say this, Ms. Roberts scared the bejesus out of me and now I can't sleep so I'm writing about it here. I did enjoy the book, it was heavy in the spook factor and you couldn't help but like the characters, and feel sorry for others.

Excerpt is here (this is from her website so no one needs to think I'm out infringing on copyrighted stuff.

From Nora's website: "In the town of Hawkins Hollow, it’s called The Seven. Every seven years, on the seventh day of the seventh month, strange things happen. It began when three young boys—Caleb, Fox, and Gage—went on a camping trip to The Pagan Stone. And twenty-one years later, it will end in a showdown between evil and the boys who have become men, and the women who love them."

Author: Nora Roberts (website)
Print Type: Soft Cover Book
Romance Type: Paranormal, Horror
How Hot: 5 out of 5 scares

Easy A: A Quick Review and a Rant

Last night my sister and I went to see Easy A starring Emma Stone with Amanda Bynes, Aly Michalka and Lisa Kudrow. Totally cute movie, I enjoyed it. The movie kind of goes hand in hand with The Scarlet Letter. Emma's character Olive gets caught up in a lie that keep growing. She told her best friend (played by Aly) that she had lost her virginity when in actuality she did not. She just didn't want to go on a camping trip with Aly's characters parents (Aly character is Rhi). Apparently Rhi's parents are nudists and quite weird.

Well, once she tells the lie it gets out of control (as spread by Amanda Bynes Character, who is a Christian and kinda nuts). Ultimately Olive doesn't help matters she kind of makes it worse by taking on a lot of lost causes, she finds herself friendless, ostracized and alone. It was a very funny movie and I do love anything that kind of spits in the face of society, and this movie definitely does that. I love Olive's parents, I find them hysterical as well as her favorite teacher played by Thomas Haden Church. The funniest part of the movie is when she is pretending to sleep with a gay guy.

So yes, I liked the movie! Totally a chick flick of course but it does get some laughter. It's a big step away from Emma's The House Bunny.

Now for my rant. What the hell are these people doing driving around town with little metal balls hanging from the backs of the trucks/cars/pimp mobiles? Why do you have that. It is indecent AND I find it disgusting. If I want to see a pair of balls I will go find me a man and say drop'em. It's tasteless and frankly makes you look desperate. Overcompensation much? I just don't get it. Would you want your 4-year old daughter seeing that? Not that I have a 4 year old daughter but if I did I'd be even more pissed off. Just a note to the tasteless: Grow your own set of balls and stop buying them off the Internet for God's sake.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Catherine Anderson's Early Dawn: A Review

Early Dawn last night but didn't get a chance to post the review until today, but I definitely wanted to get this out while the novel was fresh in my mind. I picked it up at Walmart for a pretty good price and since I have read a few of Ms. Anderson's books I knew it would be a good read, even though I had never read one of her historical romance novels. I was not disappointed.
I finished Catherine Anderson's

Early Dawn re-introduces us to the Coulter family, if you are familiar with any of Anderson's work you will recognize the name as she has written a several contemporary novels (Sweet Nothings, My Sunshine, Bright Eyes, Sun Kissed, Blue Skies and Phantom Waltz) featuring the family and also the Paxton family which she has written her historical novels around (Keegan's Lady, Summer Breeze)

The story begins with our hero tragically losing his wife when, after coming home from a picnic by a lake, he and his wife are brutally attacked by outlaws. Matthew Coulter almost dies however his mother nursed him back to health. He makes a vow to chase the outlaws down and avenge his wife.

Three years later, enter our Heroine. Eden Paxton is on a train heading towards Colorado from California when her train is held up by the same band of outlaws that attacked Matthew Coulter, and in the middle of the hold up she saves a child's life but the outlaws take her prisoner. She is with them for almost a week as they sexually abuse her (this will be hard for any woman who has ever been sexually abused I feel, it was a little graphic at times and can be slight uncomfortable, but don't worry ladies, Eden exacts her revenge!!) Matthew rescues Eden and they set out on a month long journey to escape the crazy gang of outlaws.

I thought the book was well written, it did drag on just a little bit while they were in the woods, but I licked the heroine and thought she had a backbone which is rare in romance novels. How many times can a lady swoon in some cases, however there was no swooning for Eden. I liked the hero too and the small comedy as he tried to figure out how to be more proper for Eden.

Even thought this is one novel in a series I didn't feel like I was lost for having not read the other two novels, I did read a few things at the end that made me want to read the other two of course (I think I'm in love with Eden's gunslinger brother). Early Dawn was a fantastic read and even though it is 417 pages I flew through the book in about three days.

If you are into books that have more drama then comedy and you love a good historical romance novel where their is no bodice rippers then definitely pick it up and give it a try. The characters were well developed and you get a good sense by the descriptions of exactly what everything looks like. I definitely am going to put the other two novels on my reading list/Find list. So pick up Early Dawn today and don't forget to tell me if you agree with my small review!

The Music of the Night: A Review

I picked up Music of the Night in a local Goodwill store (I LOVE Goodwill stores, you can get awesome books for a fraction of the price and you can find some real gems there). This is a historical novel, and basically, the story is about a former prostitute who gets caught up in a man's quest for revenge. I read a few reviews online that proclaimed this novel a winner and that it was a fantastic read, I have to beg to differ. It felt like it drug on forever, and Sarah Connolly, the heroine of the book is pretty much treated like crap through the entire book.

To be titled Music of the Night, there really was no music in the night. Maybe fifty pages before the end you fight out that the hero plays the piano, but really there was no music. Go figure.

Sarah finally got her life on track somehow, she wound up going to some school for girls, she had began prostituting at age 13 after being raped in a back ally. At age 16 she starts attending some school for girls (the book never really explains this satisfactorily) and then she gets a pretty nifty job as a companion to an old lady who doesn't make any demands on her.

In walks our Hero. I use that term loosely, trust me. Apparently he had an illegitimate daughter who was living with him (again not explained satisfactorily) and Sebastian Grimsthorpe, the Earl, was a pretty wild guy. He had a party at his house and his 12 year old daughter is raped by a friend, he belives. The villain, Bertrand de Lint laughs it off and denies doing it, but Sebastian is sure he's the culprit and sets out to exact revenge.

And this where the entire story moves from England to Venice. And Sebastian becomes de Lint's pimp and we learn the different vices of the villain. The daughter's tutor said that a woman with a scared face helped the rapist and Sebastian sees Sarah with de Lint's party in Venice and assumes it's her. (Oh another oddity, Sarah has a pock marked face, which she thinks makes her extremely ugly). This is where you start seeing Sebastian play mind games with everyone in the book.

In the end Sarah winds up losing her cushy job with de Lint's mother, almost gets raped AGAIN by de Lint, and winds up Sebastian's mistress.

All in all, Sarah was boring, Sebastian was kinda nutty, and de Lint grossed me out. Not what I was expecting after reading all the reviews online.

You can tell that Lydia is a good writer, she was very descriptive and I could imagine everything happening exactly as she describes, but the characters just sucked!

I'm starting a new book today. Susan Anderson's Early Dawn. I'll let you guys know how this one goes!