Thursday, October 31, 2013

Inspired By: October's Best Selling Novels

Happy Halloween! 
For October's best selling novels, I picked four with a horror or crime-edge to them. What better day to do it than Halloween, right? What are you guys doing tonight? I'll be handing out candy to kids or hanging out with a friend at Starbucks. 

Remember my book goal? I wanted to read 28 books this year, well I'm already onto book 31! I didn't even realize it until I checked Goodreads

This month I read four books: Stealing Polina by Danielle Villano (check out her blog!), Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, and The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. I would recommend all of them! Stealing Polina is a modern day retelling of the classic myth of Hades and Persephone. It's a sexy and fun short story! 

Insurgent is the second book in the Divergent trilogy and although the main character Tris was so angsty and pessimistic and way too willing to sacrifice her life at the drop of a hat (whereas in the first novel she was a bad ass to prove herself), I enjoyed the quick pace and all the drama. It kept my attention and the ending definitely made up for it. 

I read Eleanor & Park, which is about two awkward teens who fall in love, which was so cute and romantic. The main characters felt like real people and had believable everyday problems. Although they doubted their love way too much that it got annoying, I still liked reading it and getting into the mind of both teens.

Lastly, because of Maria of I Believe in Story's recommendation, I picked up The School for Good and Evil. I love retellings of fairy tales and this one did not disappoint! It's about two very different girls, one who looks evil and one who looks beautiful, who are swept away to a school where teens learn how to be heroes and villains, but the girls land in the wrong schools. The characters were interesting and the story kept me guessing. (Watch the book trailer.)

Doctor Sleep
Inspired By: Doctor Sleep

Written by Stephen King, Doctor Sleep is the sequel to The Shining. Danny Torrance is now a middle-aged alcoholic. He uses his psychic abilities to ease the passing of his terminally ill patients, which gives him the name Doctor Sleep. A tribe of people called the True Knot are quasi-immortals living of the steam that children with the shining produce when they are tortured. Danny protects an 12-year-old girl named Abra, who has a powerful gift.

For a girly look, wear a red cardigan, red lacey dress, stone necklace, black tights, and black heeled booties. Or you could try a red tunic, jeans, black pointed flats, bottle necklace for Danny's alcoholism, knot ring for the True Knot, and cat ring for the cat that is Danny's friend. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The Wolves of Midwinter
Inspired By: The Wolves of Midwinter
Written by Anne Rice, this novel is set in a world of wolfen powers. In Northern California in December in an exquisite mansion, Reuben Golding is infused with his wolf gift and living under the tutelage of the Morphenkinder. Out of the shadows comes a tormented ghost and Reuben wants to help this presence.

For a cozy, girly look, wear a tribal print cardigan, blue dress, leaf necklace, and brown booties. Or for a tougher look, layer a black moto jacket over a blue sweater, jeans, wolf ring, and black boots. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Identical
Inspired By: Identical
Written by Scott Turow, Identical begins after Cass Giannis is released from prison 25 years after killing his girlfriend Dita Kronon. His identical twin brother, Paul, a state senator on his way to becoming a mayor is implicated in the murder by his brother and a new investigation begins and all bets are off.

If you want to look put-together (like a politician), don a brown blazer, black lace dress, polka dot tights, spike stud earrings, and black wedges. Or for a killer casual outfit, wear a red cardigan, a shirt that says "I love you to death," a spike ring, and red sneakers. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Police
Inspired By: Police
Written by Jo Nesbo, Police is the 10th novel in the Harry Hole series. In Oslo, a serial killer is murdering police officers at the scene of the crimes that they investigated, but failed to solve. Harry has investigated numerous crimes, so he knows that he can't protect his friends, or himself.

If you're prowling the night like a criminal wear an all-black outfit with a red scarf, red flats, black gloves, and an arrow ring since the police officers are the target. Or wear an outfit featuring a black hat, striped dress, red necklace, lacey brown boots, and gun earrings. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

What books did you read this month?

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Ipsy Glam Bag (October 2013) + Sponsor: Datevitation

This month's Ipsy Glam Bag has some interesting things, most of which I really like. I like the words on the bag: "Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art," but I'm not of fan of the plain white bag. It's kind of boring. I do like that the theme is the Art of Beauty. 

For the month of October, I received:
 Zoya's Nail Polish in Giovanna (full size $8)
 Big Sexy Hair's Blow Dry Volumizing Gel (full size $17, travel size $5)
 Buxom's Lip Polish in Dolly (full size $19, sample $9)
 LA Fresh's Oil-Free Scented Face Wipes (full size $10)
 Nourish Organic's Coconut & Argan Body Lotion (full size $10, sample $2)

This month's bag was worth about $32!
MINI REVIEWS:

Zoya's Nail Polish in Giovanna

This color is so gorgeous and perfectly on-trend since emerald is Pantone's color of the year. The polish glides on smoothly and only needs two coats to bring the color out. I've never tried a Zoya nail color before, but I've always wanted to, so I'm really happy I received this. I'll be wearing this color a lot. 

Big Sexy Hair's Blow Dry Volumizing Gel 

This is the one item I will definitely not use. Not only do I never blow dry my hair (hello lots of frizz), but I never use hair gel. I can see many women getting a lot of use out of this product because it smells fresh and keeps hair in place without making your hair crunchy, it's just not for me. 

Buxom's Lip Polish in Dolly 

There are so many things I love about this lip polish: the cute packaging, the rosy pink color, the very subtle flecks of gold shimmer, the sweet but not overpowering scent, and the fact that it makes my lips tingly. It also glides on smoothly and doesn't feel gross or tacky. This is a perfect color for me. 

LA Fresh's Oil-Free Scented Face Wipes

Before bed, I use Almay's oil-free makeup remover pads to wipe off all my make up, but they're not big enough to wipe away both my eye and face makeup. These LA Fresh wipes fit in my hand, smell so fresh, and get off all my makeup. They're also biodegradable, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and contain cucumbers, papaya, pineapple, marshmallow, jojoba, and vitamin's C and E. I can see myself buying more of these wipes. 

Nourish Organic's Coconut & Argan Body Lotion

I'm glad I got a nourishing body lotion before winter starts because my chin and elbows always get dry when the seasons change. This 100% natural, USDA-certified organic lotion is a great moisturizer. It's not greasy or oily at all and absorbs so quickly, leaving my skin smooth. It took me a little while to get used to the scent because at first smell its weird; the mix of coconut and argan is a strange one. But once you blend it into your skin its smells lovely and freshly sweet.


Welcome my new sponsor Datevitation!

Datevitation, the world's first custom love coupon book platform made for lovers, parents and kids, is a family business run by the husband-wife ream of Alex and Olga Karpman. You can get to know them on the Datevitation blog, where they offer video guides to date ideas and romantic gestures. You can even watch Alex propose to Olga in a video they posted on Youtube as a Save The Date, and now has over 1.5 million views (you can view the video here)!

Use the code SINCERELY10 for $10 off your order plus free shipping!
To ensure you get your Christmas Datevitation, make sure you order by December 13th!


What new beauty products are you loving right now?
What do you think of Datevitation?

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Outfit: It's All About the Polka Dots

A cardigan + purple + polka dots? This sweater is like a dream come true! It's pretty much all my favorite things, so when I saw it in T.J. Maxx I obviously couldn't pass it up. And ever since I got it a few weeks ago, I've been wearing it all the time. It's the perfect thing to throw on over a plain t-shirt and jeans, but doesn't look too boring because of the giant polka dots. When it gets colder, I'll throw on a printed scarf and my favorite brown leather jacket and go about my day. 
Cardigan: T.J. Maxx | Tee: Walmart {simiar} | Jeans: Hollister | Boots: Aeropostale
Necklace: gift | Scalloped Ring: Forever 21 | Knot Ring: gift 
Lipstick: Maybelline Color Whisper in Strike A Rose

Do you love polka dots?

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Monday, October 28, 2013

Looks I Love {Autumn}

I'm really excited that it's chilly in New York! The past few days it's been in the 50s and 60s, which is colder than normal for October, but I don't mind. I like wearing sweaters and jackets and bundling up with scarves. Soon I'll have to break out the tights and tall boots! Yay!

 Floral + navy + yellow + brown 

Cute gray dress & cat ear hat

 Dark florals with a brown leather jacket and red pumps

 Cute casual outfit with pops of purple

 White dress with cardigan, tights, and boots

 Leather-sleeve jacket, distressed jeans, and booties

Love this simple but chic outfit!

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Saturday, October 26, 2013

REVOLT Week 3

I did really good at the start of the week; did my exercises and drank lots of water, but I didn't do so well at the end of this week. I was busy and forgot to drink from my large bottle of water, but since today is the end of this week I'm going to do two or three of the exercises to make up for it. I got to sweat it up! 

I wanted to show you what I wear when I exercise, but of course I forgot to take pictures. Next week I'll show you my exercise gear.  

Goal: Exercise even when I don't want to! Power through it!

This Week: I need to keep my ice trays full, so I can have ice cold water (my favorite) and then I'll actually want to drink my water! 

Weight: 126

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Friday, October 25, 2013

Favorite Things

Free Hugs hoop (from a Hallmark card), Chef's Cupboard chicken corn chowder, 
Zoya Giovanna nail polish (from Ipsy Glam Bag) & Maybelline Color Whisper in Strike A Rose}

I've been lighting that WoodWick candle everyday since I got it. It makes the room smell like a campfire and it makes a soothing crackling sound when lit. What I'm really saying is that you should all get one of these candles. I'm also loving thick soups, cute new heels, a free hugs hoop, a color whisper lip stick for fall that's my lips but better, emerald-teal nail polish, and the changing leaves.


A few fun links:
♥ Donate to Bloggers Think Pink to help raise money for breast cancer awareness!

The new series Emma Approved (from the makers of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries) just started!

♥ These comics are so cute! And loving this one too! Also, this comic is wonderful!

♥ Small ways to have peace of mind.

♥ Can you read emotions? Take the test and leave a comment with your score! I got a 32/36.

♥ 40 must see moments from the past.

♥ What your coffee order says about you.

♥ Loving Lix Hewett Photography's nature photos on Etsy!

♥ Have you tried BeauCoo's #BoPo (body positive) app yet?

♥ This amazing mix of Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" and Mumford & Sons' "Little Lion Man."

♥ Sponsor love: Donate to Faith in Families to help make a difference. Six reasons why you should read and blogging with passion and creativity by Ten Penny Dreams.


Have a lovely weekend!
Any fun plans?


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Thursday, October 24, 2013

Inspired By: The Classics Vol. 2

With Halloween around the corner, I knew it was only fitting to build outfits around those famously creepy and Gothic classic novels. Below I took inspiration from Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Macbeth

Dracula
The Classics -- Dracula
Written by Bram Stoker, Dracula follows Jonathan Harker, who journey's to Dracula's castle in Transylvania to provide legal support, but soon Harker is a prisoner and realizes that there's something off about Dracula's noctural-only life -- he's a vampire. 

For a sexy look go for a blood red dress, moto jacket, heart locket, and buckled booties. Or wear a tough girl look by putting on a lace navy top, studded faux leather skirt, fang bracelet-ring, and combat boots. 

Buy the book: Amazon

Frankenstein
The Classics -- Frankenstein
Written by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who as a young man wants nothing more than to prove to himself and to others that he can create life from nothing. He goes to extreme lengths (using dead bodies) to test his theory and in the end is successful, but wants nothing to do with his creation, which he calls a monster. 

For a cozy, layered look, wear a green jacket over a striped sweater, black jeans, lightning bolt bracelet, and tie dye green sneakers. Or instead wear a brown faux leather jacket, dress dress, safety pin necklace (because the monster is "sewn" together), and brown boots. 

Buy the book: Amazon

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Classics -- Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
In this dark novel written by Robert Louise Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll wants to remove the "darker impulses" from his personality, but in doing so creates a version of himself without a conscious, a Mr. Hyde. As Mr. Hyde grows stronger, Dr. Jekyll tries to make a potion to remove Mr. Hyde. 

If you're inclined to dress like a Victorian lady or the good doctor, don a lace-y red dress, black blazer, red earrings, black tights, and black pumps. Or for a more modern look that's inspired by Mr. Hyde, wear a gray sweater, distressed jeans, bottle necklace, and black boots. 

Buy the book: Amazon

Macbeth
The Classics -- Macbeth
Written by William Shakespeare, this play tells of the rise and fall of Macbeth, a man, who after hearing a prophecy of his life by three witches, wants nothing more than to see himself become king as was foretold. Macbeth believes he can never be overthrown because "no one of woman born" can kill him, but the road to remaining king is not easy. 

For a cute fall look, wear a brown belted jacket, white lace dress, pointed ring, red necklace, and crochet boots. Or far a darker outfit, put on a black moto jacket, black maxi dress, red infinity scarf, sharp necklace, and red flats.  

Buy the play: Amazon

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

BeauCoo: A Body Positive (#BoPo) Community

**This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.**
Get the FREE app: iPhone & Android

BeauCoo is an inspiring, non-judgmental, body-positive (#BoPo) place where women can share their outfits and recent fashion finds. It's not just an app or website, it's a community for women that focuses on feeling good while also looking good. We all want to look good, but I've always believed that looking good comes from feeling good about ourselves too. 

It's so refreshing to go onto the BeauCoo app and find women who are the same size as me. It makes me feel included instead of insecure about not being skinny. While I love Instagram and Pinterest, all I see are skinny girls in beautiful clothes who make me feel bad about the body I have. Those thoughts of, "Why don't you look like them? Why aren't you thin?" start to invade my mind. When I go onto BeauCoo for outfit inspiration, it genuinely makes me feel amazing to see women who look like me. If those lovely ladies who have the same measurements that I do are confident, then it shows that I can also be just as fierce and self-assured. 

BeauCoo makes me feel honored to have this busty, curvy, petite body of mine!
Not only does the BeauCoo website and app, and the women who use it, inspire me, but they also give me new ways to dress myself every morning. If a dress looks good on someone with the same measurements, there's a pretty good chance that the same dress or a similar-looking one would look good on me too. BeauCoo is helpfully ridding us of the problem of ordering ill-fitting clothes online by having its members show us what size to get before clicking the buy button.

You can post your own outfit photos to hopefully inspire someone else, and can also include fitting room pictures to rave about a particular piece or warn people before buying something. Wouldn't you like to know if that shirt you've been eyeing fits wonderfully, or if it's too tight in the arms? I sure would. 

You can "like" other people's photos and even "want" what their wearing, so that you have inspiration for later. One of the best things about the app is that you can browse by fit match (you know if the person is a fit match if they have the little pink measuring tape in the corner), by everyone, or by clothing type. BeauCoo makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for. 
As part of BeauCoo's devotion to body positivity, they have started The Stories Project, a place where women share inspiring stories and messages. In these videos, women reveal their poignant and at times funny thoughts on clothes, media, and self-image to encourage others to live a more body positive life. 

I want to invite you all to take the #BoPo Pledge! What is the #BoPo Pledge? On BeauCoo's site, it says: 
By signing the Body Positive Pledge, you agree promote acceptance and to be a body positive warrior. To stand up against body shaming, stand up for women and share the message to anyone and everyone you can. 
Take the #BoPo Pledge here and watch the video on the meaning of body positivity!

Be sure to follow me on BeauCoo!

sincerelysara22


Will you be downloading the app? 
Have you taken the #BoPo Pledge?

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Sponsor Spotlight: Ten Penny Dreams

Hello, everyone! Today Amy of Ten Penny Dreams is taking over my blog!
As a writer and book lover, I’m addicted to words.

Words are magical: they allow us to craft stories, convey meaning and emotion, make connections and express ourselves. The right words can have a powerful effect on how we choose to live our lives or how we perceive the world around us.

That’s why I love to incorporate words into my daily life in unusual ways. Literary jewellery is a big favourite of mine.
This is one of my most worn pieces of jewellery. The quote is from Wuthering Heights, a book that I’ve never been keen on, but I find this line really speaks to me. I bought the necklace during a difficult time in my life and wearing it every day reminded me to be strong and believe in myself.

Like most of these pieces, I bought this on Etsy from Jezebel Charms who has a fantastic range of similar pieces, all inspired by classic literature.

Our wedding last year had an unofficial literary theme and this necklace fitted perfectly. I’m not really a sparkly, glittery girl and I wanted to wear something different. I saw this necklace on Etsy in the COGnitive Creations store and fell in love with the vintage look.
These necklaces actually feature tiny notebooks and were ordered from Romania from Ksurdnasjournals, who also makes beautiful leather bound journals.
Perhaps not immediately literary themed, this necklace is a new purchase. The image is by a photographer called Nicola Taylor who captures self-portraits inspired by fairy tales. I particularly love her work as she is based only a few miles from where I live and many of her photographs are taken in beautiful areas nearby, including this one.

Do you have any literary inspired jewellery?

Be sure to check out Amy's blog, Ten Penny Dreams, and tell her I said hello!
Have a lovely weekend!

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