Friday, January 29, 2016

Favorite Things {January 2016}


I feel like I've been looking for a natural-looking concealer for ages and I finally found it. Glory Boon's Heal & Conceal cover up is amazing! You'd think that a concealer that only comes in one shade would be too dark for me and too light for others, but it blends seamlessly while still covering up redness and spots. This thing is like magic! 

I love Luna Lovegood! She's strange and free-thinking and sees things that others tend to overlook, so she's also been one of my favorites, so I had to get this adorable magnetic bookmark of her. 

 A few fun links:

 20 free resources for creatives.

 Secrets about Central Park.

 How to help someone who is grieving.

 Solo female travel tips: 20 things you should know.

 10 ways to actually stick to your healthy eating resolution.

 Why I taught myself to procrastinate.

 Mascaras that live up to the hype.

 10 books to make 2016 your best year yet.

 Sponsor Love:
I didn't have any sponsors this month, but I want to talk about two companies, one that was just featured and one that will be featured soon:

  • Qtee is website where you can customize the colors on any piece of clothing; shirts, sneakers, hats, tote bags. I've worked with them a few times now and they're a laid back company with fast shipping. (Get 25% off with code "GETCUSTOM25.")
  • Novelly Yours is a new shop with literary-inspired candles made with eco-friendly soy wax. One of the candles is called Loyal, which is based on Hufflepuff! (You can get $4 off four or more 8oz tins with code "STOCKUP4.")


Do you have any cute magnetic bookmarks? 

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Outfit: Dream Chaser {with Qtee}

I picked this shirt from Qtee because I like to think I'm a dream chaser. I'm currently writing one novel and editing another, which is all for my goal of one day being a published author. I want to go to my local Barnes and Noble and see my book among the shelves and hear people talk about my book and see my novel in people's pretty bookstagram pictures. So I write and I edit and I write some more. This notebook is the one I'm hand writing my novel in. 

As you can see the feathers on my Qtee "Dream Chaser" shirt are purple and blue, but it wasn't originally that way. On the website you can customize any shirt and hat and sneaker and phone case with any colors you want. It's a nitpicky person's dream come true!

I've never had Ugg's before and now I know why everyone loves them. They're SO comfy!
Jacket: Old Navy | Shirt: ℅ Qtee | Jeans: Hollister
Boots: Uggs (gift) {similar} | Notebook: Ban.do

What's your big dream?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Pocket Book Reviews {January 2016} + Giveaway

Well, 2016 got off to a great start reading-wise! I read seven books this month: four novels, two graphic novels, and one audiobook. According to Goodreads, I'm at 12% of my goal and four books ahead of schedule. I like how that sounds. 

Also, how cute is this unicorn that lights up?!

A Frozen Heart
 (4 out of 5)

By Elizabeth RudnickTold in alternating chapters from both Anna's and Hans' perspectives, A Frozen Heart takes a sophisticated look at events of Frozen, exploring the couple's backstories, motivations, and doomed relationship. 

If you love the Disney movie, Frozen, and want to know more about what was going on in Anna and Han's heads and what happened in Arendelle while Elsa and Anna were away, then this is the book for you. Anna's side was really a rehash of the movie, but it was nice getting more into her thoughts. The part that I really enjoyed was getting to know the baddie Hans, to see his motivations and learn about his past. 


The Marvels
 (4 out of 5)

By Brian SelznickTwo seemingly unrelated stories--one in words, the other in pictures--come together. The illustrated story begins in 1766 with Billy Marvel, the lone survivor of a shipwreck, and charts the adventures of his family of actors over five generations.

The illustrations in this book are amazing! I'm in awe of the detail in these illustrations and the emotions that pencil drawings can evoke! The first half of this book (the illustrated part) is where this book really shines; it's historical and about family and Shakespeare plays and it's delightful. The second half (the written part) isn't as gripping and lacks the emotional punch of the first half, but towards the very end I started to enjoy it. If you like 

Redshirts
 (5 out of 5)

By John Scalzi; Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid in the year 2456. Andrew is thrilled until he realizes that on every away mission at least one low-ranked crew member is always killed. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is.


Absolutely loved it! Low-ranking crew members on the starship Intrepid discover that something really weird is going on and that people in red shirts tend to die for no reason whatsoever. What they discover about the ship and their own lives is so meta and hilarious and such geeky fun! I laughed out loud so much while reading this! Any fan of Star Trek, or science fiction in general, will love this!


The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson #3)
 (4 out of 5)

By Rick RiordanAnnabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains, and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster. Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of them will survive.

I listened to the first two books last year and now I'm continuing my read of this series for the first time. The third in the series is great and I enjoyed meeting all of these new characters, like Zoe, Bianca, Nico, which made up for the fact that Annabeth was missing for most of the story. I found a few things in the story kind of dumb and Percy took too long to figure out obvious things, but then again it is a middle-grade book. Looking forward to the rest of the series!


Just Ella
 (3 out of 5)

By Margaret Peterson HaddixElla dreams of going to the royal ball and marrying Prince Charming, but after she is chosen to marry the prince life with the royal family is not the happily ever after that Ella imagined. The royals try to mold her into their vision of a princess. Ella's life becomes a meaningless schedule of protocol and Prince Charming's beautiful face hides a vacant soul.

A fast and fun read about how life as Prince Charming's betrothed isn't all it's cracked up to be. I liked Ella because of her spunk that she wants more than to just be a princess, she wants love and freedom. Her tutor Jed is kind and smart and not your typical hero because he's more concerned with strategy than with heroics. However, I did have a problem with how none of these characters (except for Ella and Jed) seem to have a mind of their own; they all felt like caricatures, which in a way is supposed to be the point, but it made the story dull in parts. 


Ms. Marvel, Vol. 3: Crushed
 (5 out of 5)

By G. Willow WilsonLove is in the air in Jersey City as Valentine’s Day arrives! Kamala Khan may not be allowed to go to the school dance, but Ms. Marvel is by crashing it in an attempt to capture Asgard’s most annoying trickster, Loki! 

Ms. Marvel never fails to entertain! Kamala is witty and real and a bit of a nerd (a superhero who plays video games!), which makes following her adventures that much more fun. I loved hipster Loki in this and that Kamala gets a crush on a boy. Some of the story felt disjointed and underdeveloped, but I loved this volume nonetheless. 


Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Kick in the Teeth
 (4 out of 5)

By Adam Glass and Ryan BenjaminThe story begins with the Suicide Squad defeated, imprisoned and being interrogated about their newest mission. Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot and company must make it out alive without revealing who's pulling the strings behind their illegal operations. 

In preparation for the new Suicide Squad movie, I decided to take a stab at this series. Following wise-cracking villains parading as heroes who don't care about anything, except themselves and completing the mission, is a hell of a lot of fun. Reasons I liked this: the members of the Squad all have distinct personalities (crazy Harley Quinn is the best), the fun dialogue, and the plot is interesting, though at times cliche. 

Add to Goodreads

Enter to win a copy of Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1! International giveaway. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What did you read this month? 

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Friday, January 22, 2016

Inspired By: Books Turned Movies

A new crop of books are coming to the big screen this year! I'm so excited to see some of my favorites (like the ones below and Through the Looking Glass and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children) in the movie theater and experience these stories in a whole new way. 

I am SO pumped for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and even created a bookstagram picture around the book (can you tell I'm really proud of this picture?). What books-to-movies are you excited for? 

The 5th Wave
The 5th Wave

Written by Rick Yancey; Four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated and the population dwindled to almost nothing. Cassie is on the run and desperate to find her younger brother. As the 5th wave comes, Cassie teams up with a young man who may be her final hope.

Fight aliens in tough and comfortable clothes: an olive jacket, a yellow top, destroyed denim, a yellow scarf, and lace-up boots. Or if you're in the military, wear a green shirt, black jeans, a green backpack, and fold-over boots. (January 22)

Add it on Goodreads

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
Written by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith; A mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. 

Mix Georgian flair with modern styles because it's hard to kill zombies when you're afraid to muddy your hem! Throw on a floral fit and flare, tea cup earrings, heart ring, and gray booties. Or wear a white and blue floral dress, red scarf, and navy booties. (February 5)

Add it on Goodreads

The Choice
The Choice
Written by Nicholas Sparks; Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life, he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. 

Wear outfits that are laid back but cute: a moon phase top, distressed denim, a black watch, and black sneakers. Or a striped sweater, green jeans, gold cuff, a blue necklace, and blue sneakers. (February 5)

Add it on Goodreads

How To Be Single
How To Be Single
Written by Liz Tuccillo; Fed up being single in Manhattan, Julie sets off to find out how women around the world deal with this dreaded phenomenon. From Paris to Rio to Sydney, Julie falls in love, gets her heart broken, sees the world, and learns more than she ever dreamed possible. 

Travel the world in style like Julie by wearing a white zipper sweater, gray jeans, fuschia earrings, and fuschia strappy heels. Or throw on a bright yellow dress -- either an embroidered one or a lace one -- with pearl earrings, and beige booties. (February 12)

Add it on Goodreads

Have you read any of these books?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Outfit: Wine All Day, Everyday

I'm not a big wine drinker, but I will wear wine-colored clothing all day, everyday! I've said before that it's one of my favorite colors and as you can see I'm kind of obsessed with it (here's the evidence!). 

Even though I like the color of wine, I don't drink it all that often. Sangria though? Yes please! Dessert wine? Sure, especially if it's Bartenura Moscato! Hard cider? I'll have a glass! I think you can see a pattern here: the less it tastes like alcohol, the better. I'd much rather drink iced tea or soda. Anyone else who agrees? Or am I just a weirdo? 
Top: Modcloth | Necklace: Efy Tal (gift) | Jeans: Hollister
Bag: Target | Booties: Forever 21 | Fitbit Charge

Are you a wine drinker?
What's your favorite wine?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Influenster Marc Jacobs #VelvetNoir Mascara

If you saw me after I opened this Influenster box, I would've been really embarrassed because I ripped open this box and then jumped up and down like a crazy person. I was so excited to get a Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir mascara ever since I got my email saying that I would be a part of this campaign. And let me tell you: this mascara does not disappoint! 

The packaging is so classy and cool; it almost looks like a long onyx gemstone. I like that the only words on the tube are "Marc Jacobs" in silver (there is a tiny sticker at one end that says it's the Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara). 

So what about the actual mascara? I got this mascara about a month ago and ever since then I've been using it almost every single day. It's the mascara I reach for the most right now because it's lengthening, thickening, and perfect for every day. But with an extra coat or two, it's super dramatic for a night out. You can see in the pictures below that my lashes look much better with a few swipes of this mascara.

It's definitely on the pricey side ($26), but if you feel like splurging I'd say go for it!


**I received this mascara from Influenster for free. All opinions are my own.**

What mascara do you use?

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Friday, January 15, 2016

Inspired By: Pantone's Colors of the Year {Rose Quartz & Serenity}

I'm sad to see Marsala go because it's a beautiful, rich color, but Rose Quartz and Serenity are so lovely and fresh. Pantone says they wanted a softer take on color and that they picked these two shades because they're a "balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue."

Dresses
Color of the Year: Dresses
These colors will be absolutely perfect for spring, don't you think? All of these dresses work for the office or a cocktail party. I think Rose Quartz looks so feminine when paired with nude pumps and Serenity when paired with a bright burst of orange from the bracelet and clutch.

Tops
Color of the Year: Tops
Give Rose Quartz a more masculine feel with a bit of navy; pair it with a striped skirt or bracelet or navy flats. On the flip side, make Serenity feel more feminine by pairing this casual outfit with bright purple accessories. Aren't those earrings so pretty? 

Outerwear
Color of the Year: Outerwear
If you really, really love these colors then you should show it by wearing a Rose Quartz and/or Serenity coat. You'll definitely stand out amongst all of the gray and black. I think Rose Quartz looks really pretty with Marsala and I know I have a ton of burgundy clothing. Serenity looks super classic and cute when paired with gray. 

Accessories
Color of the Year: Accessories
Want to get these colors in small doses? Accessories are the way to go! Grab Rose Quartz and Serenity as a handbag, shoes, a watch, or earrings. I also think spicing up your home with pretty coasters or a mug is super cute. I would love to get a pair of Serenity-colored flats for the spring. 

Do you like Rose Quartz and Serenity? 

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Outfit: Read More

Sometime last year, I decided to start collecting Pride and Prejudice. I had one pretty copy that I found in the Strand, then I got an unfolded version at BookCon, and then something just clicked, so I've begun to collect beautiful copies of the book since I love the story so much. I now have this copy and this illustrated version you see here, but I would love to also get this one and this one. What do you collect?  

If you're wondering what that pink bracelet is in the last photo, it's my Fitbit Charge. I had a black one, but the rubber started to peel, so they sent me a new one and I decided to get the burgundy color. Because duh it's burgundy. 
Top: Target | Necklace: Efy Tal (gift) | Jeans: Hollister
Boots: Amazon | Pin: Kookoo Bird | Lipstick: Forever 21 

Bloglovin ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Pinterest ♥ Instagram
 photo SincerelySaraPostButtonShort_zps1f3e9c17.jpg

Pin It!
Pin It button on image hover