Monthly Favorites - JUNE!

1. BOOKS:  The Keep by Veronica Wolff
I have read and loved all three previous books in The Watchers series by Veronica Wolff. When I received the book in the mail with a paper insert saying this was the final book, I prepared myself for an epic finale... but was left with a very very open ending with too many questions for it to be the end. So I turned to Twitter to ask the wonderful Veronica Wolff herself about a next book and she responded with this...[click here]! So yeah.. I'm pretty excited! :) Read my review here.

2. BEAUTY:

•  Wet n Wild Megalast Polish in "I Need a Refresh-Mint" (I don't think I've ever used a nail polish as frequently as this color! It is the perfect minty color without being too bright. It's subtle and perfect for the summer. I have it on along with the their polish in "On a Trip". The brush is wide and flat which is only a bonus. I hate skinny brushes!
• Wet n Wild Fergie Centerstage Collection Shimmer Palette in "Champagne Glow" (These names are ridiculous. Anyways... Though this claims to be highly pigmented, I find that you really have to get a good amount on before it starts to show. Even with that, I love the slightly rose gold color it gives for a highlight. So it looks like you have color as well as a nice glow.)
• Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (I've mentioned before that I have oily very acne prone skin. I have used many cleansers, but have recently learned that salicylic acid doesn't work as well for me as benzoyl peroxide. I loved the premise of this being both a cleanser and mask. I have only used it as a mask once, but a cleanser every morning and love the feeling. Sometimes--for a little extra oil control, I'll use my Olay Fresh Effects Shine Shine Go Away Cleanser with it and I feel my skin is perfectly balanced all day.) 
• Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil Free Makeup Foundation (This foundation is perfect for me. It doesn't clog my pores, feels light on the skin,is super matte, and because it has salicylic acid in it--it's fighting acne as it's hiding it. Though this specific bottle is a little too orange & dark for my skin, I mix it with my Revlon Nearly Naked foundation to get the perfect color.)
• Garnier The Radiance Renewer Cleansing Gelée (I bought this on a whim. It was in a pump bottle, had a lot on the cover, but what drew me in was the promise of renewing dull skin and the fact that it had citric extract and hydroxy acid in it. It also says the cleanser is a "cushion-gel technology." Well, I didn't understand it until I used it. It comes out as a gel and becomes a very latherous foam that smells and feels so good. I really feel like it has been helping with the dark spots and bringing...light back to my skin!
• Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Matifying Oil-Free Moisturizer (This stuff smells strongly [but I like it] of aloe and bamboo...because they're both ingredients. I believe that this is the first lotion that has given me moisture and actual kept me matte. I'm a sucker for packaging, and the bold yet simple box is what drew me in. I had never heard of this brand before and bought it on a hunch... plus WalGreens had it marked down to $3! I don't think they'll be selling it anymore and I wish I bought another while they had some left. But I believe that ULTA will be selling it. *crosses fingers* I'm super intrigued to try other products from this brand. The only let down is that there isn't any SPF.
• Alpha Hydrox Cream (I read that Alpha Hydroxy cream was very good for preventing fine lines and wrinkles as well as helping scarring and dark spots. So, I bought this. I know that it's helping my acne scars heal clearing, but very very old scars and dark spots are taking longer. I will say that this stuff kind of burns when I put it on... but I don't mind. Because anything with AHA makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, you must apply a sunscreen. [I add some when I'm going outside to my Formula 10.0.6 lotion.])

3. DRAMAS:

• Nail Shop Paris (This drama just finished, so expect a review sometime this week! By far the weirdest drama I've ever seen!!!!!!!)
• Monstar (Ugh...!! So so good! Joon Hyung from BEAST/B2ST plays the lead, and before this drama I didn't think twice about him in B2ST... now he very well may have become my bias! He is perfect!! *currently airing* Pic to the right of Yong Joon Hyung and Ha Yeon Soo, leads.)
• Love Around (Yay...!! Another Taiwanese drama to love. Of course, with any drama I love in the beginning... somewhere they lose steam and fall flat, but I'm crossing my fingers with this one. I love the two leads chemistry! That could also because they were in a previous drama together called Love Now....I think I need to watch it for their chemistry alone!)

4. MUSIC:

• "하.니.쁜. ADTOY" by 2PM (Best song from these boys since "Hands Up"... hands down. Heh.)
• "LOVE" by EvoL (Mannnnn I love these girls. Soo fun and addictive!)
• "Tarzan" by Wonder Boyz (Can I just say how horrible their debut song was... yeah well, this one is far from. Even my little brother plays this song over and over!)
• "Hold on For Dear Love" by Bridgit Mendler (After watching Good Luck Charlie, I was surprised this girl could sing! And I love the whole album, but this is by far my favourite song.)
• "Love Will Tell Us Where to Go" by Bridgit Mendler (Again... love this album and love the vibe of this. I feel like it's in the middle of pop, r&b and jazz... but more pop. If that makes sense!)

Soooo that's it. I know it's a lot, but I haven't had enough for one month since March, so I decided to combine them in this month. Next time, I'll narrow it down a bit, but this is that. ^_^"

Monthly Favorites - FEBRUARY!

1. BOOKS: The Edge of Never  by J.A. Redmerski

Another one of those characters that I related to so much! A great story from beginning to end. And the guy was not a bad boy, just tough and sexy and sweet! Even though you're left with a fairly satisfactory ending, there will be a second book. I can't wait to read that!

2. BEAUTY:

• Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation (I am in the color Nude. Love this foundation. The lightest I've ever used and it doesn't start feeling heavy by the end of the day. I have oily, acne prone skin and though  this is light to medium coverage, it smoothes out and evens out my skin tone!)
• Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action (I had stopped using this for awhile and couldn't remember why... until I opened the bottle. It smells soo strong like men's cologne. But it works really really well for me, so I'll get over it!)
• As I Am Coconut CoWash - (This stuff is awesome. It cleaneses your hair without stripping it, but doesn't leave it feeling heavy and limp. In fact, my hair hasn't looked so full and voluminous in a very long time. It's supposed to be for ethnic hair, but my mom [who is white] uses it and loves it as well. You don't need a conditioner with it, but I use one anyways, which only adds to the benefits! You can get it at Sally's.)
• Sinful Colors Nail Polish in Amethyst - (These colors don't last very long and I'm not a fan of the brush, but I love the variety of colors. Especially this one. I got in purple, but it's kind of awesome that it's called Amethyst since that is my birth stone.... ^_^" The website is a bit misleading, the color is more true to purple.)

3.DRAMAS:

• Substitute Princess - (A Taiwanese drama that has completely won me over! I highly recommend this one. Not too heavy in the comedy, but not a sad/sappy drama either! Super fun theme song that I fear if I download, I'll never stop listening to it.)
• Level 7 Civil Servant - (I talked about this one and why I loved it here. Yet another Korean drama I can't pull myself away from!)

4. FOOD:

• Oranges - (Seriously, I've probably had a billion this past month & I'm still eating them like crazy. I've had 2 today of the Cara Cara variety.)
• Lipton Iced Tea in Pomegranate Blueberry - (I hate tea unless it's premade and fruit flavored. Love this kind!! It has just enough of the tea taste without being over powering. I hate tea.... hate.)
• Red Velvet Cupcake Coffee - (My  mom got it for me for my birthday and I've had it almost every morning. I mix it with regular coffee to not use it up and you can still taste it. It's true to name... sooo good!! No link, sorry. I can't find id on the interwebs.)

5. MUSIC:

• "BizzyTigerYoonMirae" by MFBTY  - (Yo! The beat, the lyrics... TASHA... Just perfect! Add this to your workout playlist!)
• "Ring Ma Bell' by Two-X - (Fun, girly, a bit too girly at times. But I like it. I LOVE LOVE the colors in this music video, their hair, makeup and outfits. Everything. I enjoyed their debut song "Double Up" which was less girly, something I usually like, but for some reason, I like this one a little better.)
• "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - (I'm late on this train. But I hate this song. I love this song. I can't help it. I love the lyrics, the beat and the flow of the rap. So, yeah... I'm addicted. I think Macklemore looks like Jeremy Scott's little brother.)
• "있다 없으니까 (Gone, Not Around Any Longer)" by SISTAR19 - (I didn't love this song as much as their other, "Ma Boy", but it is still a beautiful song. Though the dance is predictable. I love Hyolin's voice and Bora's subtle/sexy rapping! And can I please have their legs & shoes? Please? 제발?)

I recommend you check any and all of these things out asap!! I'll try to think of all new things for March.
What are your favorites from February?!

Nail Color: Merry, Merry Quite Cranberry (1)

Merry, Merry Quite Cranberry

This color is inspired by Christmas. . .Specifically cranberries! Now, I don't eat the canned cranberry "sauce" but I do enjoy a tart, fresh cranberry every once in awhile. I have been looking for a deep red color forever & could never find the right one. . .(still can't). . .So I decided to make my own and make it festive.

*Note: I name all of the color combinations I come up with so you can not find the color in stores!

Though you can't really tell by this picture, this is a very glittery color.

I will definitely be wearing this color on Christmas day, and most likely have an eyeshadow combination to match. :)

Colors you'll need*:

• AVON Nailwear Pro  in Midnight Plum (click to purchase)

• AVON Nailwear Pro in Ruby Slippers (click to purchase)

• Any good top coat in clear.

How to get this color:

1. First and foremost, I recommend you always apply a good base coat to your nails.
2. Apply a coat of Midnight Plum to each nail, let dry 3-5 minutes.
3. Apply a second coat of Midnight Plum to each nail, bringing it over the edges. (This will give the end color a deeper look and last longer) Let dry 3-5 minutes.
4. Apply a coat of Ruby Slippers to each nail, let dry 3-5 minutes.
5. Apply a second coat of Ruby Slippers to each nail, bringing it over the edges. (You do not need to do two coats of the Ruby Slippers color, the second coat brightens it up more, giving it a redder look. If you do not do a second coat, make sure to bring the the color over the edges the first time.)
6. Apply one coat of top coat to your nails, carrying it over the edges. 
7. Because you have applied so many coats of polish on your nails, your nails may take longer than "normal" to dry and could smudge easily. Be careful!

I am kind of obsessed with layering nail colors and rarely ever paint my nails one color, and of course, naming them is fun as well. 

I like to paint my nails every other week, personally my nail polish color lasts a long time (I use top coat twice a week) so I don't need to do them that often.

I will be doing a Thanksgiving/Fall color soon and will show you what I did & give you the color soon!

Hope you enjoyed. Leave a comment & let me know what you think! 

If you do this color, send a picture! :-D

*If you do not have these colors or cannot order them I recommend getting a matte color in a deep plum to replace Midnight Plum and a very bright, very glittery red to replace Ruby Slippers.
Recommendations:
Midnight Plum: Scandal by Pure Ice (WalMart: click here)
Ruby Slippers: Red Glitter Nail Polish (Hot Topic: click here)