Book Review: The Halloween Tree

This weeks book is of course The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. I couldn't think of anything more fitting for the day before Halloween.



This book follows 8 boys in a small fictional town on Halloween night as they try to save their friend Pip and discover the meaning of Halloween. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud takes the boys on an adventure to find out why they're dressed as witches, monsters, mummies and skeletons. He shows the boys not only the why and the how's of Halloween, but how far they'll go to save the greatest boy that ever lived Joe Pipkin.

This book has absolutely no flaws for me, being both written by Ray Bradbury, and a huge part of my childhood. I'd even say that this book has a lot to do with where I live, which is a small town very much like the book where "there wasn't so much wilderness you couldn't see the town. But on the other hand there wasn't so much town you couldn't see and feel and touch and smell the wilderness."* Mr. Moundshroud was the first character to show me that sometimes you couldn't be sure if someone was your friend or a villain until the end. And Pip, oh pip. I hope that by the time he's 12 my son is just like and has friends as loyal as Joe Pipkin,' the greatest boy who ever lived, and on the day he was born all the Orange Crush and Nehi soda bottles in the world fizzed over."*

Final Verdict: I wholeheartedly, full stop, recommend this book. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you love Halloween, you'll love this book. Ray Bradbury's words take you into the world of that Halloween Tree and you find yourself racing with all the boys, and willing to do anything to save Joe Pipkin.

I thought of dressing up in costume this week, but I honestly haven't worn a costume for Halloween since I was 21. It's just not my thing anymore. So I decided to wear some of my favorite cozy clothing.



I'm wearing a gray stripey sweater from Gap, Glasses from Kate Spade. Victoria's Secret Most Loved Yoga Leggings and Pink and Pepper boots. I love this sweater because it's long enough to cover my butt and make these yoga leggings acceptable for public wear. And there's howl being adorable with his Owl toy from Martha Stewart's Petsmart Line. I really love that line for dog clothes and toys.

Bonus: Pinterest Told Me To  blogger Sheaffer recently did a post about Mixing Black Brown and Gray and I totally agree with her. It's an amazing combination.

 



My makeup is super simple, just Rimmel's new Stay Matte Liquid Mousse foundation that I received from Influenster, Nars Deep Throat Blush, Rosebud Salve Strawberry Lipbalm, Nyx Skinny Eye Marker, and YSL Baby Doll Mascara.

My Necklace is a Tiny Owl that I have no clue where I got, and not pictured are my Kate Spade Gumdrop Studs in Clear Silver.

Howl decided to get into the Halloween Spirit:



He says he should totally play a Hell Hound on Supernatural. I keep trying tell him he's too adorable and Hell Hounds are invisible.



He then said he's not adorable, he has Fangs and is Majestic and Ferocious, and the resemblance is striking.

What are your Halloween Plans? I plan to take my son trick or treating and then come home to curl up with Bitter River which I'll be reviewing next week. Happy Halloween.

 

 

Scariest Thing Tag

Today I've decided that since I haven't done one in ages I'm going to do the Scariest Thing Tag.



1. Scariest Real Life Experience?
A. I'd have to say it's when I first moved into my own apartment and my husband had gone to work, and at the time he went to work at 2am. I was alone with our baby and someone started rattling the door and trying to get in. He was very drunk and screaming to be let in. It turned out he was the last tenant in the apartment and was so drunk he'd forgotten he'd moved. In retrospect it's a simple mistake, but when you're living all on your own for the first time, it's down right terrifying.

2.Scariest Paranormal Experience?
A. I can't say that I've had one. I used to believe in ghosts, but at some point, from watching shows like Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State I realized that I thought it was absurd.

3. Have You Ever Known Anyone Convicted Of A Violent Crime?
A. Yes, unfortunately. A person I went to school with killed someone in a car accident, and another person I went to school with is in jail for drugs.

4. Are You Afraid Of The Dark? Why Or Why Not?
A. Yes, but it's actually not the dark I'm afraid of, I actually like the dark and night time. But I am bloody terrified of what might be in the dark that I can't see.

5. Does Your Home Town Have Any Scary Legends?
Yes, but if I tell it to you then you'll know where I live. But if you are looking for scary stories about places then I'd check out this article from priority one jets

6. What's Your Favorite Urban Legend?
I actually have a few. My favorite website is Snopes. I'd have to say that my favorite is either The Hook or The Boyfriends Death.

7. What Is Your Scariest Nightmare?My nightmares are usually really strange. I once had a bad dream that someone cut up my Hunter rainboots. Mostly my really terrible nightmares either involves someone being murder or someone being stalked to be murdered.

Stylish Sundays: Plaid Leaves

I've been sick for a little over a week, which means I've been wearing lounge wear since my last outfit post. So when I woke up on Saturday and it was crisp and I was feeling a bit better, I decided that proper clothes were in order and I pulled out my favorite skirt.



I'm wearing a White Oxford from Gap, Camel Tie Back Sweater from Loft, Plaid Leather Trimmed Skirt from The Limited, Hue Black Tights and Studded Asos Booties.



For my Jewelry I only wore my Kate Spade Gumdrop Earrings.

On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Nars Blush in Deep Throat, various Lancome Eye Shadows, Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon, Benefit Watts Up, Benefit They're Real, Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick in Madame Tulip.



I adore these booties, they're probably my favorite shoes ever, and they're so comfortable.



Here's Howl looking quite dapper in his hoodie. I love him in little shirts and things like that, but this is one of my favorites, next to his raincoat which is just plain adorable.

Since this post is going up late, I've decided to include some of the better outtakes, because we all know I don't look this fabulous on the first try.





and I'll end on an adorable outtake, Howl blinking during his close up:

Me: Right Now

If you know me, then you know I spend a lot of time sick. Most of the time I can fake it and put on real clothing and makeup and function like a grown up. Because at 27 with a 7 year old who even ill has their button stuck on go that's what you do.

But then there's days like today where I'm texting everyone because unless I'm in the process of swallowing something warm, it feels like there's a torture device from a horror movie rotating in my throat. I feel feverish and cranky and my first thought on waking up was how much dayquil can you drink before you o'd?



So I pulled on my favorite Victoria's Secret Leggings, grabbed my favorite Gilly Hicks hoodie and scraped my hair into a ponytail with an Emi-Jay Hair tie. Skipped the makeup because my face is a bit swollen and I don't even want to touch it (those of you with sinus issues totally get this one) and when I got a bit cold threw on my navy blue Bearpaw boots.



I adore my Jack Skellington mug that my husband got me a few days ago when I was massively stressed out over our son's Halloween costume. It was the perfect way to remind me that Halloween is my favorite Holiday.



Detail shot on the hoodie. I bought this last year during a Gilly Hicks sale along with another one, and I definitely have plans to get more. Victoria's secret may do the best leggings, but Gilly Hicks has them beat on cozy hoodies.



My boots are Navy blue Bearpaw boots that my husband gave me for Christmas a couple years ago. I got these instead of Uggs because I hadn't decided yet if I wanted to spend that much on a pair of boots that I probably won't wear out of the house all that often. However I'm full on in love with the ones that have bows on them so I'll probably be asking for a pair in the Classic Chestnut color for Valentines day.

1,2,3,4,5

If you're a fan of this look for laying around your house sick then then I made a wishboard of the same or similar items that are available now. Just being this cozy and surrounding myself with all of my favorite things has made me feel so much better.

Me Right Now by fashionandhappythings featuring a purple hooded sweatshirt

Book Review: Dark Visions

 

L.J. Smith is known for the Vampire Diaries, but she has some other amazing books as well. Dark Visions is one of them. It's a trilogy which focus on Kaitlyn Fairchild, who has psychic abilities and is believed to be a witch. She's offered a place at the Zete's institute along with the other 4 top psychic teenagers in the country. While there she and the other students uncover a plan to use their abilities as a weapon and spend the next two books trying to escape and defeat the head of the Zete's Institute, Mr. Zetes.

I really loved these books when I read them, they're YA books and I went through a phase a few years ago where I was obsessed with Supernatural YA books. This is one of the few books I kept from that phase, and one of the even fewer that I've made the time to reread.

My Final Verdict: I definitely recommend this for my younger readers. The trilogy is probably just a bit longer than the longest Harry Potter book, but doesn't drag at any point.It's a quick and fluid read.



This week's outfit is a Cable Knit Sweater from Macy's, Black H&M pants and Red booties from Old Navy.

How is wearing a Glow in the dark Boo Tee from Martha Stewart's Petsmart line.



On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Nars Blush in Deep Throat, Lancome Shadows, Benefit's Watts Up, Benefit's They're Real and Pomme Cider lipgloss from BBW.



My bracelets are two Da Vinci charm bracelets, available at Hallmark Stores and my Alex & Ani October Birthstone Bracelet.



These booties are very recent from Old Navy, they actually still have them. My best friend got these for me as a belated birthday present and I kinda really adore them. Despite the heel they're really comfortable and I love the way they look.

 

 

Stylish Sundays: Superdry and Cozy

It was actually cold this week, which has me super excited for the upcoming colder weather. I love fall and winter weather.



I'm wearing Love Rocks sweater, H&M Black Skinny Trousers, Hunter "Huntress" Rainboots and Supedry Bobble Hat.



On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Nars Deep Throat, YSL Babydoll Mascara, Rosebud Salve Lip Balm.

Necklace: unknown

I adore this hat, I got it a couple years ago for Christmas after I told my husband how much I adored FleurDeForce's exact same one. It's super cozy and schnuggly and you'll be seeing it again several times this winter.

Howl is wearing a blue doggy hoodie with a bone on the back. He actually really likes this hoodie, until you put the hood on his head.

See what I mean?

It was really rainy and dreary the day we too these photos, which is exactly the sort of day I love. I'm looking forward to more and more days like this, and more days spent in my coziest clothes.

Halloween Costumes: I wanna be LeighannSays

I never really dress up for Halloween anymore. I mean I do still want to be Sailor Moon because my parents never let me as a child, but I'd only do that if I had a party to go to. I do remember when I was  a teen that many of my costumes came out of my own closet or a thrift shop. So when I decided to do a Halloween costume wishboard I decided to make it with that in mind.

Then as I was looking at PacSun for ideas, I saw holographic oxfords and immediately decided that if I were dressing up this year I would be Leighannsays for Halloween. Youtubers are the new CW stars. I look to them for fashion advice more so than anywhere else and I do have a few favorites. So I'm going to do a little mini series and make wishboards for youtubers I would be for Halloween. Then at the end of it I'm going to actually dress up and show you which Youtuber I decided to dress up as.

Today's Youtuber is Leighannsays:

Because who doesn't adore her and her "I do what I want" attitude. Leighann is someone to be admired not because she's pretty, but because she's smart and fun and her life is a little bit messy and she shares that with us.

When making this wishboard I tried to think about what things I've actually seen her wear.  I know that she was big on the Holographic shoe trend and has some super cute oxfords that she's worn and since the oxfords are what gave me the idea I had to include them. Then there's this black skater skirt which is adorable and I could easily see Leighann wearing and I'm pretty sure she has something super similar to this cross top. I should have added in more jewelry because I know that Leighann has said in the past more is more, but I wanted to keep the wish board uncrowded. I loved this arrow ring and skull bangle for this look and since she almost always wears studs I went with these because I know she has a heart pair that's she's worn a few times. Check out some of her hair tutorials for your hair and either recreate her Dirty Princess Bun or her Big Texas Hair and maybe her Fall makeup tutorial and your look its complete.

You kinda might have noticed that everything is from Pacsun. Once I started I got on a role and everything just fell together. If you decide to purchase any of these items make sure you check out TeenScreen.org first for coupons.

If it is cold where you live then I recommend switching out the skirt for the Leigh Jeans from Topshop and wearing a fitted sweater with an animal on it. Preferably from Target's girls section if it'll fit you.

What youtuber would you dress up as?

PacSun LeighAnnSays Halloween by fashionandhappythings featuring heart jewelry

Book Review: Dark Tide

This week's Book is Dark Tide by Elizabeth Haynes.

Genevieve has finally achieved her dream, she's left London and all it's stresses behind, bought her boat and is renovating it. All she had to do was watch a package for Dylan. But she hasn't heard from Dylan in over 5 months when her best friend turns up dead and now Genevieve's past comes back to haunt her. She never thought she'd have to tell any of her dock mates that she was once a dancer, or that the events that caused her night job and her day job to collide would catch up with her.

I was pretty surprised by this book. I wasn't sure that I was going to like it when I grabbed it out of my library's new section. However this book was absolutely riveting. Seriously, this is one of the best thrillers I've read and it's been added to my to buy list. I loved how they interspersed her past and present and how every thing flowed together fluidly.

Final Verdict: If you like thrillers or suspense novels then I completely recommend this.

This weeks outfit really had nothing to do with this book, but it's been kind of my uniform as the weather starts to cool down.



Outfit: Loft Sweater, H&M Leggings, Knit Scarf, and Pink and Pepper riding boots.



On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Benefit's Benetint, Benefit's Watts Up, Benefit's They're Real, various Lancome Shadows, Makeup Forever HD Setting Powder.



My bracelet is the October Birthstone Bracelet from Alex & Ani which I absolutely adore.



And if you're wondering about my scarf it's an infinity scarf that I knit myself. There's is also a matching hat to go with it because I'm awesome like that, that you will probably be seeing very soon. I'm so excited for it to be getting colder and the season to bundle up.



I was pretty in love with how this outfit turned out and felt that the colors were perfect for fall.

I'm also incredibly excited about all the leaves and will be raking them up this weekend for leaf pile jumping.

Do I Smell Like An Angel Now?

Victoria's Secret had one of their 7 for $35 sales on their bodycare products, along with 3 for $24 on their haircare products. I've never tried their haircare before and I adored their bodycare products when I was in high school, since I needed some things I thought why the hell not. As you can see by the big bag above I took full advantage of the sale they had going on.

First up my hair dresser keeps telling me I have dry hair. I finally decided to listen to her (meaning I finally ran out of the Ojon products that I had) and picked up their So Sexy Nourish Healthy and Hydrated Shampoo and Conditioner.



For my third item I thought about going with their deep conditioning mask from the same range but at the last second I remembered I was out of Dry Shampoo so I got that instead. It's the So Sexy Clean and Go Dry Shampoo.


I love the way the products smell and will be doing a full review in the near future. It only takes a couple uses for me to decide if I like a hair product or not.

On to the bodycare products. Since my husband got me the Pure Seduction body spray for my birthday I decided to grab the lotion and body wash to go with it.



I also picked up the Body wash, Lotion and Spray in the scent Sensual Blush



and the body wash and spray in Such A Flirt.

I completely regret not grabbing the lotion that goes with this scent even though it would have put me over the 7 items.

All of these scents smell kinda Autumn-y to me right now, but I feel like they could still be worn all year round. I'm kinda really in love with all of them. If you're wondering how I can use such heavily perfumed products when I have such sensitive skin, it's because I usually develop an allergy when I constantly use the same scent over and over again. So I figure if I use several different ones then I shouldn't have any issue with it. I have 3 that I bought here, and my Aunt got me Love Spell (my all time favorite) for my birthday so that makes 4 to rotate until the next sale when I can add in new scents. It was actually my aunt giving me the Love Spell body wash that reminded me how much I loved V.S.'s body care in high school and made me want to give it try again. What's your favorite Victoria's Secret Scent? Or are you more of a Bath and Body works kinda person?

Oh and did you know they make men's scents now? I'll be checking them out and hopefully picking my husband up some the next time he needs shower gel.

 

Stylish Sunday's: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Every year my town has a Fall Festival that I always attend. It has a few carnival rides, standard fair food, but really I only go for the Hot Apple Cider. I only like one ride there and that's the Sizzler or Scrambler depending on which company is providing the rides. I usually am pretty lazy with what I wear since I'm running around with my 7 year old.



I wore a sweater from Hollister, a tank from The Limited, Victoria's Secret Most Loved Yoga Pants, and my Pink and Pepper riding boots. Not Pictured Alex & Ani October Birthstone Bracelet. I did say I'd do an outfit where I made these pants acceptable for public. This is one of them. The only issue was my sweater kept riding up and that was irritating because even though it was long enough, it didn't look long enough.



On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Nars blush in Deep Throat, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Benefit Watts up, Benefit They're Real Mascara, Various Lancome Shadows. Hair pulled back in a very messy bun using an Emi-Jay hair tie.

 



Howl was a bit apprehensive about a carnival in the fall. He's in good company though.


Howl wore his Worthy Dog Harness. I think he was just happy to be out and about.



A big reason why I like going to this festival is because it reminds of one of my favorite Ray Bradbury books Something Wicked This Way Comes. I know book reviews usually go up on Wednesdays, I really do recommend either this book or the movie for fall. It's about a carnival that comes to Green Town in mid-October called Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show. Mr. Dark being the true owner of the carnival is also the Carnival's illustrated man bearing a tattoo for each person bound to the Carnival. The Novel focuses on 14 year old boys (12 in the movie) Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade and Will's Father Charles. The boys are excited for the Carnival that comes so late in the year but Charles Halloway is apprehensive about what it could mean.

I adore this book, and have for years. As I mentioned before it's a bit hard for me to be unbiased when it comes to Ray Bradbury's writing because I've loved his books since I was a child, and The Halloween Tree is one of the very first books I remember reading. It's also the first movie I remember watching. I do recommend it though. Ray Bradbury is a famous Author for a very good reason and if you've never read his work before then this is a good place to start.