Favorite Reads of 2012

My ideal morning is waking up when the sky is gently lit by the sun and going for a morning run. And after jumping in the shower and making breakfast, I enjoy getting back in bed and reading a good book. The feeling is even more amazing when there's heavy rain that can accompany my books. So since 2012 is coming to a close, I thought there would be nothing better than to summarize my 2012 by telling you my favorites reads. 

Back in March, I decided that I wanted to read 50 new books by the end of 2012. Since then, I've changed the contingencies a bit. I decided to allow rereading books since discouraging the act of rereading was a bit ridiculous. With that strict rule, what motivation would I have had to reread The Hobbit, the book I read over a decade ago? Or, Fahrenheit 451 which I probably read about 8 years ago and barely remembered. I realized the rule was slightly too limiting so I changed it to this: books can count towards the 50, as long as they have been unread for at least 1 year. (So despite the numerous times I have read The Fault In Our Stars in the past 12 months, I counted it only once.)

I won't be listing all 50 books since 1.) a list isn't incredibly interesting unless I am able to comment on all the books in some way and 2.) that would take far too much time, and 3.) there were some books I read that I really don't care for and therefore don't want to waste time talking about them.

So the main thing I wanted to accomplish in this post was giving you 10 of my favorite NEW books that I read this year. Keep in mind, this was a difficult list to assemble and there were many books that I wrestled with adding/deleting from this list so if you know I read a book this year and didn't include in on this list (ie: The Casual Vacancy, The Handmaid's Tale) don't assume I didn't enjoy it as well.

But without further ado, here are my favorite books of 2012!

2013 New Year Resolutions

When it comes to New Year resolutions, I'm definitely of the kind who believe that it doesn't need to be a new year in order to set new goals. But a new set of 12 months are great markers for change and improvement. And if something can motivate individuals to change for the better, why not embrace it?

( runner, Nike photo)

So without the lengthy introduction that I'm prone to supplying, here's my new year resolutions for 2013! (subject to editing if I can think of more)

NOTD: OPI "The One That Got Away" + Zoya "Kissy"

Today's notd is very much inspired by the fast-approaching new year. It combines a beautiful shimmery magenta, OPI "The One That Got Away" (Katy Perry Collection) with a fun Zoya glitter, "Kissy" (Gem & Jewels Holiday Collection).

([L-R]: OPI "The One That Got Away," Zoya "Kissy")

25th Day of Christmas: OPI "Goldeneye" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Here I present you the last manicure in my 25 Days of Christmas Manicure Series. I knew that for the last manicure I had to do something that just screamed Christmas, and nothing does that more than an incredible gold polish, and an eye-catching holiday glitter!

24th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Manhunt" + OPI "Pirouette My Whistle" + China Glaze "Techno"

Today's manicure is a dark blue with some shimmer and matches my pajamas. It involves China Glaze's "Manhunt" with two glitters, OPI's "Pirouette My Whistle" and China Glaze's "Techno."

23rd Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Phat Santa" + Sephora by OPI "Be-Claus I Said So"

I'm actually surprised by the small amount of red holiday manicures I have done. So for the 23rd Day of Christmas I have a red manicure utilizing China Glaze's "Phat Santa," and Sephora by OPI "Be-Claus I Said So."

22nd Day of Christmas: OPI "Gone Gonzo"

For the 22nd Day of Christmas I have yet another single-polish manicure for a chunky glitter from last year's OPI Muppets collection, "Gone Gonzo."

21st Day of Christmas: OPI "Excuse Moi"

For the 21st Day of Christmas Manicure I have another single-polish manicure for OPI's "Excuse Moi" from last years Muppets Collection.

20th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Champagne Kisses"

For the 20th Day of Christmas I have another single-polish manicure from the newest China Glaze holiday collection, China Glaze's "Champagne Kisses."

19th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Frosty" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Today I have a festive manicure that looks very delicate, yet fun, if you're headed to a Christmas party. It incorporates one of my favorite holiday glitters, China Glaze's "Party Hearty" over a frosty white, China Glaze "Frosty."

18th Day of Christmas: Essie "Borrowed and Blue" +

For the 18th Day of Christmas, I have for you a manicure that, to me, screams "winter wonderland." It combines a pale blue, Essie's "Borrowed and Blue," and a silver glitter, OPI's "Pirouette My Whistle."

17th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Mistletoe Kisses"

Today's Christmas manicure is less loud than the previous ones. It's a single-polish manicure featuring China Glaze's "Mistletoe Kisses."

Matched: A Book Review

There will be NO SPOILERS in this review. Enjoy! (:

I finished Veronica Roth's Insurgent a week ago and heard that Matched was another decent book in the realm of teen dystopian novels and decided to pick it up.

(photographed: Ally Condie's Matched)

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

16th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Frostbite" + China Glaze "Snow Globe"

Today's nail of the day is a blue one. I've been meaning to disrupt the red and green repetition with a blue manicure and am finally doing so. This manicure uses two China Glaze polishes, "Frostbite" and "Snow Globe."

15th Day of Christmas: Zoya "Elisa" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Today's nail of the day is another incredibly festive one. It uses one of my favorite glitters, China Glaze's "Party Hearty," over a red base, Zoya "Elisa."

14th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Glittering Garland" + China Glaze "Winter Holly"

Time for a green holiday nail of the day!

Today nail of the day reminds me of wreaths and Christmas trees. I'll be combining China Glaze's "Glittering Garland" (though any dark green base will do) and China Glaze's "Winter Holly," the star of today's notd.

13th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "White on White" + Sephora by OPI "Be-Claus I Said So"

Today's nail of the day is a fun one. It combines a basic white, China Glaze "White on White" with a chunky red glitter in a clear base, Sephora by OPI's "Be-Claus I Said So."

12th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Mrs. Claus"

Happy 12th Day of Christmas Manicure! We are officially halfway there! (technically .5 days to go, but that's not entirely relevant in these terms so I'm going to say we're halfway anyway). And for today's nail of the day, I have a single-polish manicure, China Glaze's "Mrs. Claus."

11th Day of Christmas: OPI "Warm and Fozzie" + OPI "The Living Daylights"

Christmas is only a few weeks away and today I have for you another nail combination that involves OPI "The Living Daylights" from the Skyfall collection. I layered it over OPI's "Warm and Fozzie" from last year's holiday collection and I really like the turnout.

10th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Jolly Holly" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Get ready for another glittery notd featuring China Glaze's "Party Hearty." This time, I am layering it over a green polish, China Glaze's "Jolly Holly."

9th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Phat Santa" + China Glaze "Ring in the Red"

I mentioned in my Holiday notd yesterday that I would would be doing a notd today for what I considered to be the classic holiday manicure. And what I have for you is a gorgeous glittery red manicure using China Glaze 's "Phat Santa" and "Ring in the Red." These two combine to make an eye-catching manicure that is relatively easy to wear, and is a must in the holiday season.

8th Day of Christmas: OPI "Just A Little At This" + OPI "The Living Daylights"

It's the 8th Day of Christmas Manicures, and I have for you a combination of a deep wine creme and a chunky glitter to put you in the holiday spirit.

Divergent: A Book Review

There will be NO SPOILERS in this review! Enjoy (:

Even though I said I probably wouldn't be posting book reviews for a few more weeks, I couldn't resist. I stumbled across Veronica Roth's Divergent about 1.5 years ago when I was looking for a book that would satisfy my Hunger Games pangs. In passing, I even mistook the flame on the cover for the mockingjay symbol, but I hesitated and put the book out of my mind- until recently. On a whim, and after reading some Defoe, Austen, Radcliffe, and Burney I was itching for something fun (not that society/manners/British culture aren't fun, but you know what I mean). And by now my Hunger Games pangs have dissipated so Divergent didn't have much space to fill. So, why not?

(photographed: Veronica Roth's Divergent)

And because I'm always wary about giving book descriptions (I often give too little, but fear giving too much) here's the description straight from Amazon:

"In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her."

7th Day of Christmas: Sephora by OPI "Self-Maid Millionaire" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Here's the 7th day of my 25 Days of Christmas Manicures. It's a combination of Sephora by OPI's "Self-Maid Millionaire" and China Glaze's "Party Hearty."

6th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Tinsel Town"

If you haven't already noticed, China Glaze has been featured in almost every single one of these holiday manicures, which just goes to show how much I love their Holiday Collections. Aside from this year, China Glaze usually takes the crown for Holiday collections. Today's holiday-inspired manicure is a basic one-polish manicure, "Tinsel Town," from last year's holiday collection.

5th Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Frosty" + "Snow Globe"

For the 5th Day of Christmas I have a manicure that I loved wearing last winter and still love for this coming winter as well. The combination of China Glaze's "Frosty" and "Snow Globe" really create the effective of a gorgeous, glimmering snow globe.

4th Day of Christmas: OPI "Goldeneye" + OPI "The Living Daylights"

Today's 4th Day of Christmas Manicure is fun combination that uses two polishes from the newest OPI Skyfall Collection, "Goldeneye" and "The Living Daylights."

3rd Day of Christmas: China Glaze "White On White" + China Glaze "Party Hearty"

Today's manicure is for one of my favorite holiday nail combinations and it is the pairing of a white polish, China Glaze's "White on White," with my second favorite holiday glitter, China Glaze's "Party Hearty."

2nd Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Frosty" + OPI "Gone Gonzo"

Hello there!
I have for you today the 2nd of the 25 Days of Christmas Manicures. This combination is of China Glaze's "Frosty" and OPI's "Gone Gonzo."

1st Day of Christmas: China Glaze "Twinkle Lights"

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. (:

Today is the first day in my new series, 25 Days of Christmas Manicures, and I have for you a simple single-polish manicure, and my all-time favorite Holiday polish, China Glaze "Twinkle Lights." This polish is THE BEST Holiday polish. It's a full-glitter polish that exudes holiday spirit. Whenever I wear this polish, I always get compliments without fail.

25 Days of Christmas Manicures

Happy Black Friday everyone!

I wanted to make a post now that Thanksgiving is officially over and the winter holiday festivities can commence and introduce a fun idea I had for fun holiday-themed manicures.

If you can tell by the post title, I intend to do 25 holiday-themed manicures before Christmas, beginning tomorrow. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then think of it as just a title. The manicures are simply inspired by the colors associated with the winter holiday season.

Giving Thanks, 2012

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and as big holidays approach I always think back to what I did last year and how much/little things have changed.

So, I wrote this whole post about each person I know who I wanted to give individual thanks to this Thanksgiving, but it was too touchy-feely for me and I'm just going to be a horrible person and say this: to those of you in my life that I talk to (that includes anyone I text/call/actually meet up with in person, because I don't often voluntarily talk to those I don't like), I am thankful for your existence. Yes, sadly, that is the best I can do. Pathetic, you don't have to tell me. I'm not amazing at expressing how I feel. It's a problem that will probably come back to bite me in the ass, but if you're important to me, hopefully you understand that without my having to write out an entire paragraph dedicated to why that is so. Aren't I super cheery?

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Get those elastic-waist pants on!

The Hobbit: A Book Review

This book review contains NO SPOILERS. Enjoy! (:

I am overwhelmed with excitement to write today's book review, because it is a book I read over a decade ago when I was in the sixth grade. I was anxiously awaiting the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and my sixth grade teacher, who saw my impatience, lent me her copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and told me to read it and I'm forever grateful she introduced this book into my life. I'm ashamed to say that in relinquishing the copy of The Hobbit back to its owner, I never sought out to get my own copy and, frankly, I don't know what took me so long to finally pick it up and reread it. Books like The Hobbit lead me to years of writing amateur adventure stories and drawing maps of uncharted, imaginary lands, similar, but less sophisticated, than the ones Tolkien offers.

(photographed: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit)

For those of you unfamiliar with The Hobbit, here is the back cover description of J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing prequel to the Lord of The Rings trilogy:

"Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse, unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo- alone and unaided- who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside."

China Glaze "Harvest Moon"

Today's nail of the day for China Glaze's "Harvest Moon" is one that I find very appropriate for the Autumn season (despite it's release in the Spring Hunger Games collection). This polish is a gorgeous bronze that is hypnotizing to look at.

(photographed: China Glaze "Harvest Moon")

Tuesdays With Morrie: A Book Review

This book review contains NO SPOILERS. Enjoy! (:

The book review I present today is the first Mitch Albom book that I ever desired to read. And like I do with food, I wanted to save the best for last, so I started a few years ago by reading Albom's other well-known novel, The Five People You Meet In Heaven. Though I did enjoy the book, I wasn't thrilled and my desire to read Tuesdays With Morrie dissipated. On a trip to one of Border's final closing sales, I picked up For One More Day at 40% off and read that just this year (if you're interested in that review, you can find it here). That book didn't fuel my desire for more Albom either. However, I decided to finally pick up Tuesdays With Morrie once and for all, and here is my spoiler-free review.

(photographed: Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Morrie)

As usual, I'll start off with a quick synopsis. Since the back-cover of this book is simply filled with praise, and going onto Amazon to copy and paste the book description is far too much work for me, I'll write a short and sweet description myself.

Tuesdays With Morrie is a memoir that shares the story of an aging professor, Morrie, and his former student, Mitch, as they spend the remains of the man's dying days together pondering questions of life.

OPI "Warm and Fozzie"

Today's nail of the day is my favorite polish from OPI's Muppet Collection last year, "Warm and Fozzie." This polish was my runner-up polish to wear for Thanksgiving Day 2011 and is a brown foil with multi-colored shimmers. Even those words can't explain how amazing this color is.

(photographed: OPI "Warm and Fozzie")

The Handmaid's Tale: A Book Review

This book review contains NO SPOILERS. Enjoy! (:

Today I present to you a book review on Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. This book is one that I have heard whispers about from time to time. I think someone once warned me it was another dystopia novel, but somewhere along the way, I forgot even that. It was just another mysterious book I had on my list and decided to finally check it off.

(photographed: Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale)

And because I know I am unable to summarize a book better than the back-cover descriptions, here's this one:

"Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone ..."

China Glaze "Phat Santa"

Today's nail of the day post is for one of my favorites reds, China Glaze "Phat Santa." This polish was from the China Glaze holiday collection two years ago. I have never been a huge fan of reds and "Phat Santa" is the only true red I own. The rest are either in the berry/wine/blood red family. This polish is a bright jelly red that is perfect for any time of the year.

(photographed: China Glaze "Phat Santa")

OPI "Pros and Bronze"

Today's nail of the day is one of my favorite polishes from 2011, OPI's "Pros and Bronze" from the Serena Williams Glam Slam collection. "Pros and Bronze," unlike it's name, is not bronze relative to other polishes such as OPI's "Brisbane Bronze" or China Glaze's "Harvest Moon." It is a golden-orange foil with some multicolored glitter in it. It is a very unique color and I love it.

(photographed: OPI "Pros and Bronze")

Dracula: A Book Review

This review has NO spoilers. Enjoy! (:

Today I have for you a review that is long overdue. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a book I began for Halloween. Regardless of that, it is a book that is appropriate throughout the year. I had been meaning to read this book for quite some time. Not being a huge fan of modern Vampire novels I wanted a taste of a classic and used Halloween as my excuse to finally pursue this novel.

(photographed: Bram Stoker's Dracula)

As usual, here is the back over description:

"Count Dracula sleeps in a lordly tomb in the vaults beneath his desolate castle. His stony eyes are open. His cheeks have the flush of life beneath their pallor. On his lips are a mocking, sensuous smile and fresh blood. He has been dead for centuries, yet he may never die....Here begins the story of an evil both age-old and forever new. It is the tale of those who instill a diabolical craving in their victims, the men and women from whose blood they draw their only sustenance. It is a novel of peculiar power, of hypnotic fascination. The reader is warned that he who enters Castle Dracula may not escape its baleful spell even when he closes this book."

China Glaze "Ruby Pumps"

Today's nail of the day is for the polish that began my nail polish addiction, China Glaze's "Ruby Pumps."

Growing up, I was the kind of girl who painted her nails maybe once every month at the most. My view of nail polish was that there were fun shades that younger girls wore, such as bright blues and pinks, and the boring "mommy" colors that working woman tend to sport. It's was a naive point of view, but it was my point of view nonetheless. When I first laid my eyes on "Ruby Pumps" and read the name, being a Wizard of Oz fan, I was utterly taken aback by how creative nail polish brands can be with their colors. "Ruby Pumps" looks exactly like Dorothy's pumps and had a name to match! I knew I had to buy this polish. And thus began my love for China Glaze, still one of my current favorite brands, and my love for nail polish in general. 

(photographed: China Glaze "Ruby Pumps")

Wet n Wild "Party of Five Glitters" Review

Today's post is going to be a review on Wet n Wild's "Party of Five Glitters." I have an addiction of glitters in clear bases, mostly for their versatility, and thought I would pick this one up since Wet n Wild polishes are relatively inexpensive.

(Wet n Wild "Party of Five Glitters")

Essie "Licorice" + Sephora by OPI "Traffic Copper Stopper"

With Halloween fast approaching, I thought I would squeeze in at least one Halloween-inspired manicure. I was tempted to buy this Orly polish from their Halloween collection but decided to combine Essie's "Licorice," a basic black, with Sephora by OPI's "Traffic Copper Stopper," a chunky copper glitter and save myself a polish I would wear once at year at the most.

(photographed [L-R]: Essie "Licorice," Sephora by OPI "Traffic Copper Stopper")

Essie "Mint Candy Apple"

The last two days in Northern California have been oddly warm for the end of October and has resulted in some changes in my dark nail polish trend. Today's nail of the day, Essie's "Mint Candy Apple," is an old reliable minty-green with a slight hint of blue.

(photographed: Essie "Mint Candy Apple")

Fun Halloween Reads

Realizing that it was the weekend prior to Halloween, I thought it would be fun to suggest a list of books to put you in that Halloween mood. And while I acknowledge most would rather be out partying as opposed reading, I thought the idea was still fun for those like me who like to curl up in bed with a good book on a cold Autumn night. However, with that said, I wish I had put more thought into this idea ahead of time. My list is rather short (partially because I'm not particularly drawn to books that will scare me), so feel free to add any theme-appropriate books you have!

(pumpkin carved by yours truly)

Battle of the Baby Pink Polishes

I have been meaning to compare my baby pink polishes for some time now, but seeing as I knew they were wearable through all seasons, I put it off. But here it is for you today! I intend to compare Butter London's "Teddy Girl," Revlon's "Pale Cashmere" from the Colorstay line, and Essie's "Fiji."

([L to R]: Butter London "Teddy Girl," Revlon "Pale Cashmere," Essie "Fiji")

Revlon "Vixen"

Today's nail of the day post is for one of the darkest nail polish colors you will ever catch me wearing, Revlon's "Vixen." This polish is one of those chocolate-cherry/blood red colors that is essentially an incredibly deep reddish-brown color.

(photographed: Revlon "Vixen")

Roxana: A Book Review

There are NO SPOILERS in this review. Enjoy! (:

For quite some time I have been meaning to read Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe but I often find myself more tempted by an author's less famous work over the well-known one (mostly because I enjoy saving the best for last). It's also why I tend to recommend others to read Looking For Alaska before The Fault In Our Stars if they want to read multiple of John's books. So, to get to the point I was trying to make, I chose to read Roxana as a way to introduce myself to Defoe.

(photographed: Daniel Defoe's Roxana)

The back cover description reads:

"Beautiful, proud Roxana is terrified of being poor. When her foolish husband leaves her penniless with five children, she must choose between being a virtuous beggar or a rich whore. Embarking on a career as a courtesan and kept woman, the glamour of her new existence soon becomes too enticing and Roxana passes from man to man in order to maintain her lavish society parties, luxurious clothes and amassed wealth. But this life comes at a cost, and she is fatally torn between the sinful prosperity she has become used to and the respectability she craves."

OPI "Goldeneye"

As we get to that time of year where holiday nail collections are released, my wallet suffers directly as a result. I am positive I buy more polishes in holiday collections than I do for seasonal ones, despite the fact that some are only wearable during that time of year. China Glaze's "Twinkle Lights" from last years holiday collection is a perfect example of this. I wore that polish continuously in the month of December but haven't touched it since then.

Anyway, I digressed. Today's nail of the day post is for, OPI's "Goldeneye," my first holiday polish purchase from this year's OPI Skyfall Collection. "Goldeneye" is a gold foil that leans slightly bronze.

(photographed: OPI "Goldeneye")

Essie "Penny Talk" + Sephora by OPI "Traffic Copper Stopper"

Today's nail of the day features one of my favorite glitters to use in the colder seasons, Sephora by OPI's "Traffic Copper Stopper." I decided to layer it over Essie's "Penny Talk" since both polishes are in the copper color range.

(photographed [L to R]: Essie "Penny Talk," Sephora by OPI "Traffic Copper Stopper")