Tag Archives: Valentines Day

Book Review: The Never List

Sarah and Jennifer are really careful, trusting their never list to keep them safe. A list they created after a horrible accident, one that made them more like sisters than friends. But one night they accidently break the worst possible rule they could on the never list and it costs them their freedom. Ten years later, Sarah is still trying to cope with the fact that Jennifer didn’t make it out of the cellar with her, and that the man who kidnapped them might be getting out for parole. Sarah decides she needs to find more evidence to keep that horrible man locked away.

The Never List by Koethi Zan was released early this year and I grabbed it while I was in a hurry at the library solely based on it’s title and the cover. I had absolutely no clue what it was about when I checked it out. I enjoyed this book. It’s dark and twisted, with plenty of things that you absolutely do not expect to happen. I think what made this book a bit darker for me, is that I have my own Never List of sorts. I grew up being very aware of the terrible horrible things that could happen to me. I still follow some of those rules I made up for myself, while others have proved to be unnecessary. However, reading this book, where these girls did everything they possibly could to keep themselves safe and they still ended up in this situation, absolutely horrified me. They were so careful, and they didn’t even mean to break the rule, it just happened.

Final Verdict: I fully recommend this book, I adored it and it’s going on my books I’ve read but want to buy and read again list.

Today’s outfit is actually a variation of one that I made a wishboard for last year.

I’m wearing a sweater from Gap, and the Victoria’s Secret Most Loved Leggings, my socks are from Target’s $1 section last Valentines Day.

On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia, Nars Blush in Deep Throat, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla and YSL Babydoll Mascara. Hair tie: Emi-jay. Glasses: Kate Spade

This is definitely an outfit that is cozy and comfortable, which was necessary because I sat down with this book and finished it all in one go. I like to be really cozy and comfortable when I read thrillers or horror novels, because it’s much easier to deal with the horrors of the world if you’re safe and cozy at home. I mean that’s so obvious that even Tool has a song about it.

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Valentines Day Tag

Happy Valentines Day Readers,
I was at a loss for what to blog about this week, but Blair Fowler posted this tag and since she left the tag open ended I decided to take advantage. So thanks for inadvertently tagging me Blair!

As you guys may or may not have guessed I’m way in to Valentines Day. I know is a greeting card holiday for teens in puppy love, but really I love, love. I’m a bit of a Holiday Head though I get excited about and put way to much effort into all holidays. Okay my whole family does it (seriously Dad, extra Cabbage this year for St. Paddy’s Day!). It was so much fun growing up anticipating holidays and their movies, and little treats or traditions my family had, that I want to keep that alive, not only for myself, but for my son, and my husband who kinda thinks I’m nuts. Thankfully he also thinks I’m adorable, So I’m fine with that.

But I digress, so lets get into the Tag:

1. What is your favorite Valentines Day treat?
Heart Shaped Doughnuts from Dunkin Donuts, I’m a huge Doughnut fan though so any kind of Doughnut for any holiday and I’m happy

2. Sweethearts or chocolate covered strawberries?
Chocolate Covered Strawberries, I actually really love fruit, so I’d be happy with the strawberries with out the chocolate too.

3. What was your favorite Valentines day memory?
Our first Valentines together my husband and I were broke, so he made me a scavenger hunt that led to card he made himself complete with a glittery heart. It was kinda amazing and I remember one of the clues was a C.D. with the song that he would always sing to me on it. You can hear the song here.

4. What movie would you rather watch on Valentine’s Day: Pretty Woman or You’ve Got Mail?
You’ve Got Mail. It has Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, The Little Shop Around The Corner, the big mean bookstore, and old school AOL. It’s just one of my all time favorite movies, I remember seeing it in Theaters with my Aunts and my Grandmother

5. What celeb would you not mind having as your Valentine?
Daniel Radcliffe, what can I say I like short, smart guys who are into punk, for Gay Rights. (Much like my husband except he’s better because, to paraphrase Paul from 500 Days Of Summer, he’s real)

6. What would you do on your perfect Valentine’s date?
I would spend the day getting coffee and heading to a bookstore. I love books, and there’s no better way to celebrate a day, than with a stack of books. Then finishing off the night with a film either out or at home

7. Red or pink lips on Valentines Day?
Pink, I haven’t found the perfect pink yet, but I think YSL’s Glossy Stains might have it.

8. What is your ideal Valentine’s Day date outfit?
If I’m going to the bookstore or staying home, then a pair of great skinny jeans, converse, a casual top and a jacket.
If we’re going to a fancier date then a gorgeous dress, flats and a trench.
For both outfits the Kate Spade Be Mine Necklace and Earrings

9. Homemade or store-bought gifts?
I like a Mixture of Both, Make me a card, buy me a present. I’ve gotten some great homemade gifts, and some amazing presents bought, guess it depends on the year

10. Would you wear your hair up or hair down for a date night?
It depends on what I’m wearing but mostly up and probably curly.

So I know you’ll be answering late, but Tag you’re it.

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What To Wear: Valentines Day Night Out

Valentines day is coming up fast, it’s in just a little over two weeks. If you haven’t done your shopping yet, I have a gift guide for girls here and one for guys here.

Whether or not you have a sweetie, or will be painting the town red with your girls, it is the perfect opportunity to get dressed up. So I’ve put together my perfect going out valentines outfit to hopefully help inspire you if you’re at a loss as to what to wear.

I started with this gorgeous lace black dress from awear.com. It comes with a red belt, but you can easily switch that out for one of your own, since the belts that come with clothing can be a little shoddy. I like this one from The Limited.

For shoes I picked these completely impractical but lovely Chiffon Booties from Chinese Laundry. I adore these and even though I’m terrible in heels I think these shoes need to find a new home in my closet.

For your Mani, I would go with this bubble gum pink Groove Is In The Heart by Deborah Lippmann. Pink looks so good with red and it will definitely pop on your nails. Plus who doesn’t love that song?

For Jewelry I’d start with this Be Mine Necklace by Kate Spade (which would also make a super cute present), Love Edge Studs by Marc By Marc Jacobs and a cute cuff bracelet, the one pictured is by Mango but it’s out of stock. This one from Brahmin is similar and just as cute.

What are your Valentines plans, are you going out or staying in?

valentines by fashionandhappythings featuring chinese laundry pumps

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How To Wear: Converse

Okay Readers, I know I’ve been talking about Converse for the past 3 days now. Like I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I love converse almost as much as I love Hunter boots, but the difference is my love affair with Converse is pretty much reserved for the warmer months. While Hunter’s a year round love for me, I just don’t see Converse as practical in the dead of winter. Spring and summer though is a different story.

Since I’ve been talking about them so much for the past couple days, and because I’ve been obsessing about them (see above), I’ve decided to show you guys how I would wear white Converse.

I don’t actually have a white pair, I want a pair and have asked my lovely husband for a pair for Valentine’s Day. I think they’re probably the present I put on my wish list that I’m most excited about. It should be noted that they are not listed on my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide…. for her, because I hadn’t quite become that obsessed with them yet.

I do own a pair of pink high tops and a pair of black low tops Converse, both of them being the Chuck Taylor All Star style. The brand does other styles but the Chuck Taylor style are the most well known.

Enough of my yammering though and onto the outfits. (with more yammering to follow)
how I wear: converse

As I mentioned in my post The Romance In Traveling and showed in my post How Shoes Change The Attitude Of An Outfit I like wearing Converse with dresses. The first dress option I have is from American Eagle and is a casual dress that I plan on purchasing this spring because it’s adorable, and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of it this summer. I’d pair it up with the Be Mine Pendant from Kate Spade and this Buckle Enamel Bracelet from Michael Kors.

The next outfit is much dressier and it’s this cute floral shift dress from Atelier 61 with these Earrings by Topshop and a Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac in Black. I’d probably wear this on a date or to a cocktail party where the guest list wasn’t so stiff. Or if you’re still in school a dance is a great option, that way you can dance all night without having to take off your shoes. I’m kinda really in love with this look.

Then I have a Chambray from Madewell with a a Skater Skirt from Topshop and a Kate Spade watch I’d probably wear this more early spring or late fall, but I think this is a darling outfit for a bookshop excursion or brunch at a bit of a nicer restaurant, not fancy, but not hole in the wall either.

The last outfit is a Slub Knit Tee from Topshop, American Eagle Colored Denim Midi Shorts with a the Hold The Phone Pendant from Kate Spade and some Lacquered Spade Bangles. This is pretty much my summer uniform, American Eagle Shorts are my favorite, and I tend to wear them all summer long, then all you need is a comfortable tee and some colorful Jewelry.

I’m sure you noticed that most of the things are either Topshop, Kate Spade or American Eagle, I’m kinda obsessed, but if you’re a regular reader you already knew that. Everyone has their favorite brands though, weather they realize it or not.

How do you wear your converse readers? Or are you anti-converse?

how I wear: converse by fashionandhappythings featuring pendant jewelry

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Rainbow Honey and Equestria!

Okay I’m a tiny bit obsessed with Nail Polish, I mean I only have 131 bottles, but something in my brain says that I need more. Lots more.

It probably doesn’t help that one of my favorite blogs Nails In Nippon blogs about nail polish and she swatches the most beautiful colors. But usually it’s something I own, or I own something similar and I don’t really decide that OMG I kinda need that right now. Until her post on Rainbow Honey. Somehow I didn’t know indie nail polish was a thing, and why I didn’t I’ll just attribute to me living under a rock, or something like that.

But I digress, it is a thing, and it is amazing. After reading the blog post, which is about polishes that aren’t yet for sale, specifically from the Sweet Talk collection, I wandered over to the Rainbow Honey website to see what she had for sale currently and that’s when I discovered the Equestria Collection, and kinda died a bit. Then I sat down with my son and guessed by the names of the polishes which ponies they went with.

Then I decided as soon as I can I must buy the full Equestria Collection. Which comes in two sizes Full size 15 ml for $10 each or $80 for the set or half size 7ml for $5 each or $40 for the set. I’ll probably be investing in the 7ml sizes, because I have so much polish. I actually really love that she sells them that way because it looks like she does all of the colors that way, and sometimes you just don’t need a full size bottle. Most of the time I don’t need a full size bottle, but if there was a particular color that ends up being my favorite I would probably invest in a full size.

I promise I’ll do a review as soon as I pick the colors up!

Side note: I was wearing Lancôme’s Noir Caviar with Orly’s Shine on Crazy Diamond until recently and later tonight I’ll be painting them with Deborah Lippmann’s Putty in your hands and OPI’s I Lily Love You, because I saw the dress Lea Michelle wore to the PCA’s and I think if I use that combo it’ll look like her dress-ish

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