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.

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.

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?

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

First up if you’ve got a bit of cash you can spend and he didn’t get one for Christmas an iPad is a pretty sweet gift. They can be a bit pricey though so on the less expensive end of the spectrum I recommend a Nook HD or a Kindle Fire. 

If he’s already got one or he’s one of those rare technophobes then you could go with the always classic guy gift a book. Which book you buy depends on what he’s into though. A big seller right now would be The Hobbit, because it’s out in Theaters and since it’s in 3 parts he might be a bit impatient to see how it ends. If he’s a big reader though he’s probably already read it though, so you could go with something off the best seller list, or a humorous book such as the Ask a Ninja book or  the Monster Hunter’s Handbook.  Those last two are iffy and not very romantic.

A more romantic gift would be a cologne, and I’m definitely recommending Spicebomb by Viktor and Rolf. It’s the companion fragrance to Flowerbomb, and like Flowerbomb it smells absolutely amazing.  If he’s not into Spicebomb, then I recommend Burberry Brit for Men, it’s another personal favorite of mine and if you haven’t then I recommend you go smell it, immediately.

Tickets to a future show it a pretty sweet gift, or if you’re the sort of couple that prefers nights in, then I suggest a “Movie Night In” kit complete with a snuggly blanket, popcorn, and a movie, my husband recommends Kill Bill, but my favorite Tarantino movie is Pulp Fiction.

A skincare set is always nice and you can go for the Core Collection from Jack Black or a classic brush shaving kit from The Art Of Shaving. You may think he wouldn’t use it or he’s already settled into a routine, but you’d be surprised how many men are willing to try something new, and better shaving cream really does make a difference. I bought my husband the Surpreme Clean Shaving Cream in the Jet Set Traveler Kit from Jack Black a while a go and a tube lasts him nearly a year and he says he prefers it to drugstore shaving creams “by far, it’s a whole other level”.

If you’re looking for something simpler, or you haven’t been dating long a nice sweater, or quirky tee from his favorite brand is a good idea because he’ll think of you every time he pulls it on, and whenever someone asks him where he got it. ThinkGeek has some great quirky tees and if you’re looking for a good sweater I’d hit up Macy’s or Nordstrom.

Or you can follow the old proverb “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” and give him an IOU to take him out to his favorite place on you, or if you’re handy in the kitchen you could whip up his favorite meal or dessert for him.

Finally if you’re short on cash or none of these ideas are hitting the spot an Itunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble or ThinkGeek gift card is a great option. It lets him know that you’re thinking of him, but wanted to make sure he could get exactly what he wanted, or if you know for certain he really wanted the new “so and so” album then you can mention that in a note on the Itunes or Amazon card to let him know this wasn’t just a last ditch effort gift. Awhile ago I bought my husband a Barnes and Noble Gift Card so he could pick out his own nook case because I just couldn’t decide.

Bonus Note this is my 100th blog post and I’m quite proud of myself for keeping up with it. For awhile I was really bad about posting consistently but I think Blogmas cured me of that. Now if I go more than 4 days without posting I feel like I’m being neglectful.

As I’ve said in my last few posts I love, love. Now if you haven’t been clicking that link in each of my posts it leads to Inches and Falling by the Format which is one of my all time favorite songs, so go give that a listen.

A big part of Valentines day is wondering what to get your loved one, I did a post on that last year, so of course I’m going to do one for this year.

Consider this a cross between a gift guide and a wishlist post. I have a variety of things I’m interested in this year so it’ll be spanning that.

I like cozy things so I think either one of these Wildfox Baggy Beach Jumpers would be perfect. First is their now iconic Sparkle Heart, or there’s the You’ve Met Your Match, which I think is just adorable and just perfect if you’re a more established couple. The Sparkle Heart Jumper does tend to loose it’s sparkles, which is another reason I love the You’ve Met Your Match one, no glitter means no shedding.

Also on the cozy front is this Arctic Pop Windcheater from Superdry. It’s still winter where I live, so a snuggly coat, accompanied by a romantic walk through the park, or maybe a hike if your sportier than I am sounds like an adorable gift to me. I love that this one is pink and black, but if pink’s not her color don’t worry, Superdry has their windcheaters in multiple colors.

Also on the warm, dry and cozy front a pair of Hunter Rainboots with wellie socks are always a lovely gift, because as you know I’m completely obsessed with them. Hunter’s come in a multitude of colors and styles but the ones I’m currently in love with are the Original Short Gloss Rain Boot in Pillar Box Red. 

If you’re looking for a more classic gift than I think Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf is a lovely luxurious gift. It smells amazing and I haven’t met many people that don’t love it. It’s even mentioned in If My Heart Was A House by Owl City.

Or if your looking for an equally lovely perfume that isn’t as costly Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck (which I have and adore) or her newest Enchanted Wonderstruck, both are lovely and more reasonable priced.

For your more fashion loving bookworm there’s My Favorite Dress by Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer, Robert De Niet, which is a pretty coffee table book about the emotional attachement to dresses women have.

If she’s a big tea or coffee drinker then a tin of her favorite blend and a nice mug from Anthropologie are a great personal but inexpensive gift. 

If you haven’t been dating long, or are looking for something to go with the classic chocolate and flowers then gift cards are great. If you don’t know where she normally shops, some good general ones are Itunes, Amazon, Zappos or Barnes and Noble.

Well that’s all the ideas I have for now, but I‘ll be back tomorrow with a for him guide after talking to my husband for some more ideas.  

The design would be perfect for Valentines Day, if it were executed better. If you’re good at nail art then this is perfect for a super simple but sweet Valentines Day mani or pedi if you perfer.

I used OPI’s Sweet Heart which I bought because Blair Fowler said it was a nice neutral pink like OPI’s Bubble Bath, but it was better because it was easier to work with and opaque in 2 coats. It is opaque in 2 coats if you do it right, I’ve only been able to do that once, so I usually have to use 3 coats. Still better than the bajillion that bubble bath takes so I’m happy with it.

I actually did end up going out and buying a red shimmery polish, actually I ended up buying two polishes, it’s an obsession. The first one is the one I used and that’s OPI’s The Spy Who Loved Me from the recent James Bond Collection.

The other is Gettin Miss Piggy With It from the Muppets Collection.

I know I said I was planning on buying more expensive polishes and less OPI’s but I hadn’t bought a new polish since before Christmas and OPI is easily accessible where I live. I have to drive an hour on the other hand for Lancome or Deborah Lippmann or anything other than OPI, Essie and China Glaze.

The design I did is a red heart (The Spy Who Loved Me) on a light pink background (Sweet Heart)

Please excuse the dings and creases, I did these right before bed and didn’t let them dry all the way. I painted the hearts on using a tiny paint brush and am really amused that the better hearts are on my right hand. I’m holding my iPad case which is by Kate Spade. I like how this turned out and any proper photos of my nails will likely be taken this way.

This lasted on my nails for about 2 days, then I had to take it off. I like Sweet Heart and can see myself using it again, but not with the design and only because it’s decent for when I want a milky pink. I really don’t like having to use 3 coats of anything though because it seems to chip easier. I feel like Essie might have some better light milky pinks and Lancôme has one in their spring line right now that I’m hoping I can get. If that’s the case then Sweet Heart may end up in the to be given away box.

If you notice on the Pinterest board that the date they’re pinned and they date they say they were used don’t match, well that’s why I’m dating them. I’m a bit lazy and or it’s been used but it’s new so it hasn’t been photographed and uploaded yet. Sorry about the discrepancies but I promise that the date written in the description of the pin is correct.

Since Valentines day is in a little over a month, and I love love, I decided to go with Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not, and then because it wasn’t quite children’s craft hour valentine enough I added a coat of Nothin Mousie ‘Bout it on top, both by OPI. The result is very pretty.

and here it is on my nails:

The upside and downside of any kind of nail art is that I get bored of it very quickly. I just can’t help it, I’m definitely not the girl to walk around with palm trees or cherry’s on her nails for a week, or if I’m being honest even a day, hearts will last a bit longer, but I don’t think I’ve ever kept them on long enough to chip off the nail.

Today I’m going to be doing another Valentines themed mani, with Red Glitter and a nude base and I’m kinda very excited about it. It might mean a new polish but if I can avoid it it won’t. I need a glittery red, but I don’t actually have one. I might use actual glitter on the nail but I don’t know, we’ll have to see what I come up with.

Are they are Reader? Try this crazy adorable bookworm and a gift card to Barnes and Noble.

Total Music Junkie? Then try these earbuds, these headphones which are also in Mustard, Raspberry and Grass or even better this completely adorably amazing earbud splitter.

What about a hardcore Tea Drinker? How Sweet are these infusers? Seriously a heart or a robot, totally precious. Then there’s also Tea for Two sets and a whole bunch of adorable, floral, buggy, and more tea cups.

Then there’s the world traveler.  You could pick them up a cute, vintage, luggage tag or one of these toiletries travel bags.

Maybe your love is saving up for a Rainy Day, totally obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, or baking all about fashion, or wondering how certain dresses may have changed the world.

I know all those links except one link back to Modcloth.com.  No, they didn’t pay me to write this blog post, I just really love the site and how versatile all the stuff on the site is. These are obviously just suggestions I also notice that most of these gifts are geared towards the ladies, that was kinda unintentional but the same concept applies.

There are tons of different kinds of people, and there are a bazillion different ideas.  Just think about all the things you remember your partner doing and chances are if you remember it then it’s something they do a lot and most likely like. You can base your gift off of that.

Happy Shopping Ladies and Dudes.