Monthly Favorites
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05 February 2014

January 2014 in Music!

If it weren't for music, I couldn't get a lot of things accomplished. Including life. I _love_ music. And because of that, my favorites are constantly changing. Here are the top 20 played songs that I played during January 2014! In parentheses are the number of times listened. This only included my iPod and not the amount of times I listened on my phone or CD. After this post I'll reset the plays on my iPod and start over for February!
To listen to the songs & fall in love with them too, simply click the song title!

ENJOY!!

Top songs of January:

  1. “The City” by The 1975 (26)
  2. “Chocolate” by The 1975 (26)
  3. “Someday” by VIXX (13)
  4. “LA Song” by RAIN (12)
  5. “Amazing” by B1A4 (11)
  6. “Story of My Life” by One Direction (11)
  7. “Ringa Linga” by Taeyang (11)
  8. “DOOM DADA” by TOP (11)
  9. “대답은 너니까” by VIXX (11)
  10. “30 Sexy” by RAIN (11)
  11. “Honeymoon Avenue” by Ariana Grande (10)
  12. “내가 니 남자였을 때” by BTOB (10)
  13. “Window” by G-Dragon (10)
  14. “상사병” by SHINee (10)
  15. “Goodbye 20” by Lim Kim (10)
  16. “비밀노래” by 유성은 (10)
  17. “Pressure” by The 1975 (10)
  18. “Miniskirt” by AOA (9)
  19. “니가 뭔데?” by G-Dragon (9)
  20. “Move” by Little Mix (9)

I think it's fairly obvious that I was loving The 1975 this past month. Their debut album is just so good! I can't wait ot hear more from that group. And the K-Pop group, B1A4 shocked me with their recent album "Who Am I?" It is so so good. I highly recommend it if you're a K-Pop fan or maybe a fan of 1D!

Can't wait to see what my faves are for February!




01 July 2013

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:
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. ^_^"


01 April 2013

Monthly Favorites - MARCH!

1. BOOKS: Just One Day by Gayle Forman
I had originally planned on buying this book, but wasn't quite sure if I wanted to... Now I wish I had. It deserves to be on my shelf. It was soo good! I loved the flow of this book, the characters, the writing, the life, the scenery, the timespan, everything! I cannot wait to read Just One Year(which just got a lovely cover) from Willem's POV. If you haven't read this one yet, run to your nearest bookstore & buy it! Read my review here. (Sorry it's such a poor review that doesn't do it justice!)

2. BEAUTY:
  • Olay Fresh Effects Shine Shine Go Away Shine Minimizing Cleanser (Well, that is a mouthful. This has quickly become one of my favorite cleansers... ever. I have very oily and acne prone skin and this with my entire[days worth] routine has helped not only the current acne, but the scars from my previous breakouts. I love that I feel so fresh after using this. When I first started using it, I learned that I was using almost 3x more than I needed for a full, thick and rich lather. And I love the light smell as well!)

3. MUSIC:

  • Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience Album [Target Deluxe Edition] (I don't think I need to say more. But I am falling in love with songs I didn't care for when I first listened to this album, like "That Girl" and "Strawberry Bubblegum". So good. And I cannot wait for Part 2 of this album. Read my review here!)
  • JoJo - Can't Handle the Truth (Even though there is absolutely too much talking happening on this , the actual songs are so so good! And this one may be my favorite. This link takes you to the site to download the album free and legally!)

4. FOOD:

I think I already know what will be in my April favorites!! :) What were your March favorites? Anything in these categories, or whatever. Leave a comment! :)


11 March 2013

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?!


04 February 2013

Monthly Favorites - JANUARY!

  1. BOOK:  The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
    Okay...... This book tugged at the heart, was sexy, and real, and beautiful. There was just the right amount of push and pull. The romance and sexiness was not overshadowed by how dark the book was as well.
    The ending though.... That cliffhanger was horrible!!! I cannot wait until the sequel comes out! [Full review to come.]
  2. TV SHOW:  Chicago Fire, Pretty Little Liars, Beauty & The Beast, The Mindy Project, & Go On.
  3. DRAMA: 이웃집 꽃미남 (Flower Boy Next Door) and Substitute Princess.
  4. SONG: "I GOT A BOY" by Girls' Generation
    I'm not even that big of a Girls' Generation fan... at all. In fact I find most of their music borderline stupid and annoying. But because I like a lot of the members [9 in total]. I'm always tempted to just listen in hopes that I'll like something. And this is finally that song. There are 3 other songs on the album I like as well!
    "I Like That" by GLAM
    I loved their debut song, "Party (XXO)" for the lyrics and how fun it is, and though I liked it, I was glad to see they had a more upbeat, less bubble gum vibe with this song!
  5. APP: Dramafever& Viggle.
I recommend you check any and all of these things out asap!! I'll try to think of all new things for February.What are your favorites from January?!


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Maira Gall