Kristin Hannah: Fly Away (2013)

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Hi! I can't believe I'm already writing a review for Kristin Hannah's Fly Away. It's felt like forever since I read the book's predecessor, Firefly Lane, but it's only been a month, and I've read three books - and part of my own - in between. I thought I would have read plenty more books before sitting with Fly Away,  purely because Firefly Lane left such an impression on me. 

And I probably would have done that if it weren't for my mom, who fell in love with Firefly Lane after I recommended it to her. Unlike me, she was eager mere minutes after finishing the book to jump into its sequel. As such, I bought Fly Away much sooner than planned and, well, read it. 

You can read my review for Firefly Lane here, but in a nutshell, this book held so deeply with me that I had nearly nothing negative to say about it. The story was heartfelt and painfully real. I wasn't sure how Fly Away would stand up to it. 

With that being said, I think Kristin Hannah did a magnificent job, though as is per usual with sequels, the first is always the best. 

Lips: MAC's Lipstick in "Nearly Nude" (Amplified) (LE) [Nudes & Metallics 2013]

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Hello! I want to start off by apologizing that I've been reviewing mostly MAC lipsticks for the past few beauty reviews. It wasn't intentional; I've simply been using my MAC lipsticks frequently and wanted to get reviews up for them while they're at the top of my use list.

While this lipstick is one that was part of a collection last year (so, as it is limited edition, I have no idea what the availability of it is at this point), I wanted to review it (a) because I really like this color, (b) I often look at my reviews as a kind of archive of the products that I've owned and tried, and (c) I'm waiting with great anticipation for the upcoming April collection, Playland, whose lipsticks are a majority in the amplified finish, like this one.

I remember that I found this lipstick on MAC's website by chance. I was just getting interested in nude lipsticks and I wanted to try another lipstick in their amplified finish. When I saw a set of nude lipsticks released under a collection called Nudes & Metallics, settling on "Nearly Nude" was easy.

EOTD: March 29, 2014

White background!!! :(

Hi. :) I'm going to try to write some reviews today that I took pictures for this past Wednesday, but for now I thought I'd make a quick post about an eye look I did today. A basic eye look, no doubt, because I am by no means good at applying eye makeup. I'm still trying to understand how to properly work with my eye shape.

The palette I used today was the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette that my brother got me for Christmas last year, and I also broke in a new mascara. So this post is by no means a review, though I'll mention some initial thoughts here and there as I describe what I did.

Empties #1: Skincare Staples

LEFT: Lypsyl's Intense Protection LypMoisturizer
RIGHT: Vivite's Replenish Hydrating Cream

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Hi! Today was finally warm (40's) and semi-sunny but...because of all the ice that's accumulated the past month and a half, the landscape has still been a nuisance with deep puddles everywhere. And ever since I got back from California, my disgust for NYC has only gotten worse, but oh well. Onto the content of today's post!

If you've read some of my other beauty/The Ice Block posts, you may have heard me rant about my skin many, many times before. Over the past 2 years, my skin's sensitivity has gone to a whole new level. It started with heavily chapped, peeling lips, turned into two incidents of a full-face rash, with skin peeling around my eyes, cheeks, chin, and mouth area, and finished with random incidents of dry/itchy/flaky areas specifically near my chin and between my nose and upper lip, as well as random hormonal breakouts (oh the joys of having oily skin THAT STILL FLAKES!) and incidents of hives that turn into dry patches.

In short, my skin has been a war zone. While I still, to this day, have yet to pinpoint the exact cause (except hives, which are always food-related for me), I've managed to find two products that have helped me put up a winning fight against whatever that cause is: Lypsyl's Intense Protection LypMoisturizer and Vivite's Replenish Hydrating Cream.

This is my first "Empties" post and I guess you can call it a combined review of two or more products that I've clearly developed an opinion on. After all, I've used them up completely.

Face: Milani's Coming Up Roses Powder Blush in "Flora Passion" (LE)

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Of all makeup products, I think the category I have the least experience with is 'face.' Even though my eye makeup skills are fairly mediocre, I at least have an idea of how everything is supposed to be. When it comes to face makeup, my knowledge stops at BB cream - mostly because handling my skin is like walking on thin ice.

But lately I've been branching out in terms of face makeup, and aside from finally figuring out the method of application that works best for BB creams/foundations, I've also finally started playing with blush. The first blush I used - which is what I call my 'comfort zone' blush - is a baked blush from the drugstore brand Milani. For today, though, I'll be reviewing a different blush from one of their limited edition collections: the Coming Up Roses Powder Blush, in the color "Flora Passion." This collection was actually released last year, but it seems appropriate to review the product now because these blushes will be available again for the upcoming spring.

::UPDATE: Nouveau Cheap recently posted information about this year's collection here. All four colors are brand new. "Flora Passion" is not being released again, however the actual Coming Up Roses Powder Blush product is being released, in 4 new colors.::

I'll be reviewing my Milani baked blush eventually, but for now I thought it'd be best to get this review up for those that missed the collection or are hearing about it for the first time and are curious about the product color/texture/performance.

Lips: MAC's Lipstick in "Hug Me" (Lustre)

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Hello! Second post of the day, wee! I have pictures for a lot of posts, actually, since I've been gone for a while. Anyway, here is a post on another MAC lipstick. Hurray (I guess?) for falling into the majority for once and enjoying MAC lipsticks the most. They've grown on me as I've tried colors across their board of available finishes. Today I'm reviewing "Hug Me," one of their lustre finishes.

Up to this point, the cremesheen finish has been my favorite of MAC lipstick finishes - you can see my very first MAC review here. "Hug Me" isn't the first lustre I've bought (it's the second, if you want to be precise), but it is the lustre that made me give lustre finishes a second look. And now, after trying more lustres from a recent color collection, I think it's a finish that ties for favorite. I'm extremely excited to review the lipsticks from the new collection, but I wanted to write a review for the lustre finish in general first, using a color from the permanent line.

While "Hug Me" isn't the most interesting color - nor is it my favorite by any means - it is my go-to, most used lip color, as you will see in just a bit.

Lips: MAC's Lipsticks in "Punk Couture" (LE) and "Instigator" (LE) [Punk Couture Winter 2013]

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Hi everyone. I remember when I heard about MAC's Winter 2013 collection, Punk Couture, back in October. It was being released alongside another collection, Magnetic Nude, on December 26, 2013, and I was not surprisingly looking forward more to its partner collection than this collection itself. Why?

Simply put: the stars of this collection are four limited edition matte lipsticks in dark, vamped/gothic colors - a finish and color range I typically don't wear.

As I started seeing pictures of these lipsticks, however, I decided to try some because the colors were unique for me and different from all the colors I already own. I've been open to experimenting with new looks and colors, and these lipsticks fit the bill. I also wasn't too scared of trying MAC's matte lipsticks after having so much success with their retro matte formula.

The colors I purchased were "Punk Couture" and "Instigator."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello hello. I know it's been a while since I've posted on here, but I wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family, or whoever you are close to. I also want to thank you all for taking the time out to read my blog, and comment on my posts. It makes my day to know that my reviews and experiences may be helping someone, even if it's with something small.

November is coming to a close and so is NaNoWriMo. You can view my progress here, if you're interested. I feel pretty confident that this time around, my novel will be complete in under 75,000 words (obviously I'll only be at 50,000-ish by the end of this competition but I've been structuring it to reach an end by 75,000 or less). In any case, this month has been tiring, and I know things won't ease up much once this competition is over because then the holiday season will be full-blown and my job is going to be insane.

With that being said, I do have reviews waiting to be written. I know I post mostly beauty reviews, so I won't go into detail about those, but I do have two music posts coming up as well, each regarding two of the artists I speak about the most on here (Sakamoto Maaya and Late Night Alumni). I still don't know what's going to happen with my idea for the separate health blog. If it doesn't come around, I'll probably just post updates here and there under my IceBlock section. We'll see.

Anyway, be safe during Black Friday. I won't be doing any shopping and in fact have to work tomorrow (tonight?) night. Either way, at least the weekend is right around the corner. :D

We will be in touch soon! ('<>')>

~nikki

Eyes: Lancome's Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara in "Excessive Black"

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Hi everyone! I'm actually pretty exhausted of writing...haha. If you read one of my previous IceBlock posts, then you know I had planned on participating in NaNoWriMo 2013. Honestly, I didn't think I'd really pull through with it considering I have this blog and my full time job. But I'm happily surprised to report that I'm right on track, and 11 chapters into my book!

But that means I've been writing a lot everyday, too, lol. x_x

Anywho, today I decided to review a product I received in a Lancome holiday bonus giftset last year - you can view my post here to see what else came in the assortment of beauty minis. I think my opinions on this product are pretty fleshed out by now - even though the product I'm reviewing is a deluxe sample, I got about 4 months of use out of it and finished using it this past August. Clearly this review is overdue. :D

The product is Lancome's Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara in the color "Excessive Black" - a mascara I've heard quite a few good reviews on. I was excited to try it as it was my first high-end mascara, and one that I got as a gift.

Let's get right to it, then.

Lips: MAC's Lipstick in "Flat Out Fabulous" (Retro Matte)

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Hi! If you read my previous MAC lipstick review here, you'd be wondering why I even own the lipstick featured in this post. Retro matte, a new formula/finish by MAC, is described as the driest formula they have to offer, as well as the most matte. And I'm usually here reviewing glossy, creamy, and (more often than not) moisturizing lip products.

I honestly had no interest when the Retro Matte collection - an addition to MAC's permanent line of lipsticks - was released. But after seeing swatches of one of the collection's colors, "Flat Out Fabulous," I fell in love and decided to take the risk of knowingly buying a lipstick in a notably dry formula.

The IceBlock [17]: A Series of Changes

Hi everyone! I've done a terrible job posting, but some of it I have no control over, not that that's an excuse or anything. I'm here sharing this post with you now to provide updates on some pretty big (at least for me) changes that have happened the past week.

Most of them are health-related, which is peaches and cream since there seems to always be something annoying going on with my health, lol! Never serious things - just annoying, seemingly-unnecessary ones.

The rest of the updates are related to other projects I'll be working on in the near future. One is pending and the other is certain, but either way I thought I'd give you a heads up!

Lips: Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter in "Invite Only" and "Provocative" from The Evening Opulence Collection (LE)

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*This post is picture heavy and has a slightly text-heavy rant under the "Hype (and Claims)" section.*

I have a rash on my face, and didn't sleep well last night, but when I saw the sun shining and the temperature widget reading 80 degrees F, I had to, had to, HAD TO get pictures for this review. I am SO eager to share this post with you - it just had to be done.

For reasons.

This is unfortunately my first post on the ever-so-popular Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. The colors are "Provocative" and "Invite Only," limited edition stars from the fall/winter 2013 The Evening Opulence collection by Gucci Westman. And holy crap do I have an opinion on them.

I'm going to try and make this review as organized as possible, but I can't promise anything.

Sarah Addison Allen: The Girl Who Chased the Moon

Hi everyone. I'm really excited about this post, because the book I'll be talking about is one by an author that I've never read before, but whose writing I've fallen in love with. It's the kind of excitement I usually experience when I discover new music artists that I want to follow. With books, the feeling is much rarer.

The book is The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and the author is Sarah Addison Allen. I actually came across this book while browsing the Barnes and Noble sometime last year. What caught my eye was the book's title, since I adore the moon, and its cover, which you see above and will see again below in just a bit. But I ended up not getting it for reasons I can't even remember - and didn't get it until I stumbled across it in person during my trip to San Diego.

And I'm so glad I did. I'm normally a mystery/horror reader, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. But the book's synopsis captivated me - more on that later - by presenting a world both realistic and fantastical, and the story was one I enjoyed thoroughly. I finished the book yesterday and was eager to review it as soon as possible so that I could begin reading a second novel by Allen that I just purchased on Friday!

Sakamoto Maaya, Part 2 of 2: Countdown Live 2012-2013 - Tour "Mitsubachi" Final (DVD) Commentary

From the Mitsubachi Diary.

To view Part 1, where I go over the packaging and first press bonus details, click here.

Hi all. Ten billion years (3 months) ago I wrote about Sakamoto Maaya's latest concert DVD release, Countdown Live 2012-2013 - Tour "Mitsubachi" Final. A link to that post is above.

Today I am here to finally share my thoughts on the performances with you.

As much time has passed, I contemplated whether or not there was a purpose to following through with this post. I wrote notes on the performances as I watched the DVD. It seemed appropriate to share what I thought about each performance. But then a month passed, then two and three, and I was stuck wondering what the point was. Who cares what I thought about the performances? The songs are songs we know already, there's nothing new, so why?

Well a friend convinced me to do it anyway (shout out to you dear Maxi) so here it is. But this will be briefer than originally planned because, again, why?

EOTD: September 7, 2013 - Beginner

Hi all. I thought I'd do a quick 'Eye of the Day' kind of post using fairly new products (new in general as well as to my collection). I would call it a 'Face of the Day' if I actually finished my entire face and...well...I guess missing blush shouldn't determine that, but for now I'm going to call this an EOTD regardless.

For upcoming EOTD/FOTD posts, I'll aim to include pictures of the actual products used. But, for this one, there will only be pictures of the look itself and a description of what product is used and how/where.

The IceBlock [16]: A Gift

Hi everyone :) I got home later than usual today, and was really stumped about what review to write, so I thought I'd do an IceBlock post instead. To be honest, since this post is going to be all about what's photographed up there, I don't really think labeling it as an IceBlock post is very appropriate, but...well, if I happen to make more of these things, then I might do a 'crafts' section or something, but for now it seems excessive to give it its own tab on my blog.

Anyway, my boyfriend's birthday is coming up, and I really wanted to do something special for him. I think it's funny that I always gravitate towards more artsy activities, whether I'm good at them or not. When my brother and I were younger, he was the one into art, and I was the science nerd. He's still ridiculously talented when it comes to art, but it seems that my multitude of interests have shifted to the arts over the past few years - interests I'm both good and bad at. I find writing to be my strength, with music performance coming second, but when it comes to drawing, painting, sculpting...pretty much creating something out of nothing, I fail.

So I choose to do those very things when I want to do something special for someone.

Lips: MAC's Lipstick in "Pink Pearl Pop" (Cremesheen)

The product being reviewed in this post was purchased by me with my own money. The opinions stated further are my own opinions. I am not affiliated with the brand featured in this post.

Hi everyone. :) Today's post is on a lipstick that I've owned for almost a year now: MAC's lipstick in "Pink Pearl Pop." It feels appropriate to start my reviews of MAC lipsticks with "Pink Pearl Pop" since it is the lipstick that acted as a first impression of the brand for me. And its first impression was successful: I've since purchased a few other colors/finishes from the MAC line of lipsticks.

MAC is popular for its lipsticks. In fact, in the lipstick description box on their official site, MAC writes that their lipsticks are "what made MAC famous." When I first got into makeup years ago and glosses were my thing, I did venture into the MAC brand with some lipglasses and lustreglasses. But I never tried any of their lipsticks until my first visit to California last year, when I finally decided to see why their lipsticks were so popular. It was kind of inevitable, really, considering my soft spot for lipsticks ever since I started with makeup again.

While "Pink Pearl Pop" was never a standout favorite color for me, it introduced me not only to a new line of lipsticks, but to a finish that has since remained my favorite: cremesheen.

Nails: Mariah Carey Liquid Sand Collection (LE) by OPI in "Get Your Number"

The product being reviewed in this post was purchased by me with my own money. The opinions stated further are my own opinions. I am not affiliated with the brands featured in this post. 

Hi all. This is one of my posts that was due a loooong time ago - the pictures, in fact, are from when I still worked at Duane Reade, back in April. OPI is a brand that I consider high-end for nail polishes, though I've since realized that the price is actually average when compared to other brands such as Deborah Lippmann. I never even looked at their products until one of my favorite YouTubers, FrmHeadToToe, published a blog post about one of the polishes from their limited edition Mariah Carey Liquid Sand Collection (I don't know what the 'official' name of the collection is - sorry!), which I'll link for you here.

The color Jen reviewed was "Get Your Number" which - tada! - is the color I'm going to talk about today. The gorgeous blue and interesting sparkly-but-matte formula in her pictures had me curious and, I may as well put it out there now: OPI's liquid sand is now my favorite formula/finish of nail polish. I only own two colors because of the price, and there are other nail polishes with similar effects that I have yet to try, so my feelings may change, but for now that's the bottom line.

Anyway, onto the review!

Sakamoto Maaya: Hajimari No Umi (LE) + First Press Bonus Details (07/31/13)

**I am a CDJapan affiliate and this post contains affiliate links.**

Hi all! Hooray for Sakamoto Maaya's newest single, Hajimari No Umi, which I would've reviewed sooner except its release date was 07/31/13, and I didn't get my copy of it in the mail until 08/01/13. Super quick delivery as usual, but I was leaving for California the day after! I literally snapped some pictures of the sealed album in crappy lighting the same day so I could open it, and then transferred the songs to my computer. As for the DVD, I watched it at the last minute - probably 2 A.M. or so.

As per the title and some details above, I bought the limited edition version of this single, which differs from the regular edition in the fact that it comes with a second CD: a DVD with the PV for the single's main track, "Hajimari No Umi," and footage from her Countdown Live 2012-2013 - Tour "Mitsubachi" Final (CDJapan refers to it as a "digest" on their website). And, as usual, because I preordered the single when it initially became available for preorder on the CDJapan website, I received the first press bonus.

This post will include pictures of the single itself and the first press bonus, as well as my thoughts on both the songs in the single and the content of the DVD. So, if you're interested, you know what to do. =P

Stephen King: Joyland

Hi again. Time for a book review, yay! And a King one at that.

When I heard that Stephen King was releasing a book - Joyland - that had to do with murder, ghosts, and theme parks, I was thrilled. I love murder mysteries (hence my loyalty to the deceased Agatha Christie), I love horror built around ghosts (which feels like the most believable kind of horror, to me anyway), and I think that theme parks/amusement parks/carnivals - however you want to call them - are the perfect setting for anything horror. They have so much life flowing through them that there are as many happy memories in them as there are chilling histories. In carnivals, ghosts are inevitable.

So when 06/04/13 came around, and my preordered copy came in the mail as a gift from my boyfriend, I couldn't wait to start reading it. Of course, I was working on another book that is way longer and more complex to read at the time (and I have yet to finish), so I didn't get the chance to read Joyland until my flight to California. I finished it in about 3 sittings, though, and the reason is simple: King knows how to write.