Tasty lips with e.l.f. Berry Bordeaux and Plumper

Couldn’t wait to get my hands, or should I say lips, on e.l.f.’s Velvet Matte Lipstick  and Primer & Plumper.  I applied the primer, then the lipstick, and finished it off with the plumper. The cinnamony flavour of the plumper is something I like, and I was pleasantly surprised that the lipstick has a slight cinnamon taste too. The strongly pigmented colour goes on well and looks good on my pale complexion. I’ve worn it also without the plumper, for more of a matte look. Some touch up’s were needed after eating. Colour remained at the end of the day, which comes off with makeup remover.



Berry Bordeaux is a perfect autumn colour. Nice to see that the bottom of the lipstick isn’t just the colour being displayed. The bottom of the lipstick tube pops off to reveal a secret lip balm! Kudos to e.l.f. for adding this extra feature!

Overall, even when converted to Canadian dollars, these e.l.f. lip products are a great value.

Until next time,

Kara

Excited over e.l.f.!

If there’s one thing I’ve always loved is a good bargain. So when I saw ads for e.l.f., I was curious and had to check them out. Their very reasonably priced lipsticks is what got me.


I easily have 10 lip products on rotation each season. I enjoy trying everything; matte, glosses, stain and liners. Different types of face cleansers are another goodie I collect. My Mr. has asked many times why I need to have so many in the shower? (He doesn’t understand my need for variety.) For my sister Wanda, it’s all about the eyes. She likes to experiment with all kinds of eye shadows, liners, and creams. So we easily found many options on e.l.f.’s user friendly site. They included mystery gifts with purchase, and I do like surprises.  Plus, everyone’s favourite, free shipping, so really, we couldn’t go wrong!

This is the Halloween Treat that came with our order, which we were pleased to open. We divided the treats and began using everything right away. Reviews are next up…

Until next time,

Kara

Fearless Flavia is back to find who done it

           

Full disclosure: I don’t read murder mysteries. Perhaps it’s because the typical format of a mystery doesn’t keep my interest. Many twists and turns, and characters to keep straight. It’s the same with mystery tv series or movies with plots that are difficult to follow. I don’t like to press pause too often to get a recap from my Mr.  I like escape while I’m reading, not to have to work hard, you know?

So I wasn’t sure how the latest in the Flavia de Luce Novels, Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d, would work with my short attention span. This was the type of read I did have to give my full attention to if I really wanted to grasp the story line & characters. Once I set aside all distractions and focused on the unraveling story, what I most enjoyed was Flavia’s flare. The unique voice of 11 year old Falvia is wise beyond her young years. She reminds me of a curious cat. Fearless, keen and silly. She makes for a quick witted amusing protagonist.  As well, Alan Bradley is my kind of author. He is a highly descriptive writer. I appreciate when an author creates a piece of art through generous detail. There are many clever comparisons, and humorous situations and dialogue. I found myself smiling a lot, which is a wonderful feeling to receive from a book.

Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d is the kind of story directors and producers would be itching to bring to the big screen. I could easily imagine Flavia bicycling all over town and the hi-jinks she gets herself into. So I wasn’t surprised when I learned there is a Flavia de Luce British series, which I will be checking out.

Mystery lovers will adore Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d, but I wouldn’t limit it to only those who read that genre, as it sure passed the “test” for me.

I received Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d in a GoodReads giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

How I Became Free

 

I have long heard about the deplorable conditions many North Koreans live in, and Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un’s twisted nuke loving attitude. But North Korean itself has remained elusive, because we are shown only carefully chosen images of “real” life in that country. Krys Lee’s How I Became a North Korean gave me an inside look at three people trying at all costs to get to the safety of South Korea through China.


The trials of characters Yongju, Jangmi and Danny are compelling and heart wrenching. This trio’s shared quest for escape & freedom fortunately finds them together. Of particular interest to me was Jangmi who had to use her good looks to get by in her sad, desperate life in North Korea. The double edged sword that is her beauty lead her to be in the lowest, most victimizing situation she could be in. The emotional and physical chaos she goes through is painful to read, but it kept me hoping for her eventual escape.  

Lee’s fluid writing style is a joy to read, and she is able to depict three very different points of view with ease. For a truly unique and educational read told by distinct perspectives, How I Became a North Korean is surely it.

I received How I Became a North Korean in a Goodreads Giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

When one can’t be monogamous

 

From the rather ominous beginning where we read a mother left her story behind for her daughters, to the very last chapter with the revealing twist, Serial Monogamy captivated me.


Sharon’s story is a sad cliché- her middle aged professor husband has an affair with his student. To add to her devastation, she has cancer. Al comes across as a typical spoiled, inconsiderate, selfish cheater. He doesn’t deserve Sharon’s forgiveness or his family life. But it’s not about Al. It’s not a look into why someone is unfaithful. This novel delves into the mind of mistresses and a wife being cheated on.

I enjoyed the Nelly Ternan (Charles Dickens mistress) chapters as much as the modern day story of Sharon. Perhaps even a bit more. It was a good lesson to hear why Nelly gave up having a regular life and became a mistress instead. In the 21st century, we question why anyone would chose being a mistress, but it made sense in the Victorian era. Nelly’s story wasn’t a happy one, but I came away thinking wasn’t Shay’s equally as sad? Something to consider.

Kate Taylor’s pleasant, easy writing style made this a quick book to read. Serial Monogamy kept my interest throughout, and I would recommend it if you’re looking for not an ordinary read about relationships.

I happily received Serial Monogamy in a Goodreads giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

Intensity & inspiration from this incredible young woman’s story

Maria Toorpakai’s life story is unique, and one that should be read by all, particularly in these racially charged times. Growing up in a progressive, non traditional family in a fundamentalist tribal area of Pakistan, it was constantly a wonder that she and her family weren’t killed. I held my breath many times when Maria described whenever she left her home as a young girl. Posing as a boy was the only way she could live in their oppressive world.


The most heartbreaking depiction to read was the stoning of a 16 year old, told from her mother’s point of view after she got married. The unjust treatment of women in Pakistan was a predominant theme for me throughout A Different Kind of Daughter, and I was always expecting the worst for Maria, and her educated sister and mother. Her discovery of squash was her savior. You don’t have to be a sports enthusiast in order to follow her journey with the game. It’s not about squash, it’s about how playing it makes her feel. She also devotes several chapters to her interesting family, whom she describes in lovingly details.

The writing style of Maria’s “scribe” Katherine Holstein was very pleasing. Dialogue and narrative alike were well done, and made this book not easy to put down. You can’t help but root for Maria and cheer when she got out of Pakistan. This will make a compelling intense movie, which I’m sure is in the works.
I was very pleased to receive A Different Kind of Daughter in a Goodreads giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

Ooh, what have we here…?

My birthday ring revealed in my Charmed Aroma Sweet Pea Valley Candle! Happy birthday to me!
 Ring Reveal on YouTube!
I was very pleased with the style and fit, I wear it all the time. Check out my

What did you uncover from a Charmed Aroma candle, bath bomb, or hand cream? Share your experience in the comments.

Until next time,

Kara