ALIEN ILLUSTRATED BOOK

I was sent Alien The Illustrated Story and it's amazing! The color pages are vivid and crisp. It essentially follows the storyline of the movie so it was very familiar. It did bring another level to the story though.I really enjoyed it and well I knew exactly how it would end because I've seen the movie so many times. If you love Alien and comic books, this one is for you!

Archie Goodwin and Walter Simonson definitely did the franchise justice and really brought the movie to a whole other dimension.

Six days?!

Sorry guys I haven't posted anything for 6 whole days. I've been a horrible person haven't I? Well I have been super busy finishing up Christmas shopping because well...umm I waited till the last minute again. Wait you were finished back in Aug? Well I for one like the hustle and bustle and that extra push before Christmas. So I'll be posting some book reviews, beauty reviews, and product reviews. I'll be looking to do some giveaways as well. Keep an eye out and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Merry Christmas?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 So as we inch closer and closer to that dreaded, I mean joyous two week vacation for Christmas I've just realized something. I am NOT ready for them to be home for 2 weeks in a row. It feels like it was just yesterday that they were coming home for summer vacation, a whole 2 months I might add. I wish there was a second school they could be sent to. Oh wait yes there is, sort of. Holiday camp! Yup they have camps for everything because parents just don't have to time to spend with the kiddos. But then isn't that the whole point of the holiday season? To spend time with your family, to eat, play, and be merry together? Well yes, but I'm sure that person wasn't stuck with 3 teens and 1 pre-teen. Oh not to mention a 10yr old who is very emotional and 2 furry kids, 1 of which is basically a two yr old on sugar. How can I be merry with the noise, the fighting, and the mess that threatens to devour any who get too close? You try cooking for 5 kids, 2 adults and still be merry afterwards. It isn't easy that's for sure. Then of course you have the fighting afterwards over who ends up washing the dishes, cleaning the table, etc etc. Who needs all that day after day?  As much as I'd love to send them off on a two week long vacation to the north pole I just can't. For one it would be too expensive to send them all, and well I kind of do love them. Yea...just a little bit.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all you guys! Try and stay merry and keep your sanity!

Broken Build by Rachelle Ayala

 BROKEN BUILD

BY RACHELLE AYALA

This is the second book I've read by Rachelle Ayala and it certainly didn't disappoint. It was very different from the first book, which was on the religious side. Broken Build is full of suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Broken Build is about Jen Jones who is a software programmer, but her programs keep failing, or creating "broken builds".  She has a rocky criminal past that she is desperately trying to keep quiet, but her ex-boyfriend's brother isn't making it easy.

Jen Jones was formally Jennifer Cruz who went to far as to get plastic surgery to get away from her past. She somehow ends up getting a job for David Jewell, a man she hurt years ago. He of course doesn't recognize her, but that doesn't keep the feelings that they had from resurfacing.

This is a great thriller and seriously one that you should put on your list. I think it is really far from the Christian theme in her first book, and I have no problem with that. I don't read books because they're written by the same author, I read them because they have a style I like. It was fairly easy for me to draw a distinct line between this book and Michal's Window. Broken Build was well written, stayed in line as far as the plot went, and the characters were well developed. I can't wait for the next book from Rachelle, I'm sure it won't disappoint me either.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

PetSmart Pin It For Pets

PetSmart's "PIN IT FOR PETS" 

For every holiday pet photo we receive from Pinterest with the #pinitforpetsmart hashtag, $25 will be donated to PetSmart Charities^® to help save the lives of homeless pets.  So all you have to do is share your holiday pet photos on Pinterest and you help save the lives of homeless pets! So get pinning!!

COVERGIRL FLIPSTICK REVIEW

I was so happy to be chosen for the COVERGIRL blastflipstick BzzCampaign. I don't wear much lipstick, but was really interested in seeing how the blastflipstick actually worked. Every flipstick comes with 2 different shades, one matte and one shimmery.

There are thirteen duos to choose from:

1. Whisper
2. Flashy
3. Tease
4. Snap
5. Intense
6. Pucker
7. Vixen
8. Cheeky
9. Smooch
10. Glimmer
11. Perky
12. Stunner
13. Minx

I was given Vixen, Stunner and Minx to try out. All 6 colors were very pigmented and went on easily. It was really fun playing with all the colors so let's get started!

The first duo is Stunner which includes a rich bright gold and a bright pink/orange. This is the color that Sofia Vergara is wearing in the photo. I played with this color and it really wasn't too hard to achieve the same look. I would suggest getting a lip brush as it is just easier to use one when outlining your lip with the darker shade. Then you can use a separate brush to slightly blend the two colors more smoothly.

The second was Vixen which included two different shades of pink. A burgundy/deep pink and a shimmery pearl pink. I wasn't sure that I could pull this duo off. I've got darker colored skin and pink is just, nuh uh for me. When I tried it I was amazed at how great it looked! It was really fun to play the different ways to place the two colors. I tried the lighter pink on the edges with the burgundy inside, well it was just beautiful.

Last was Minx and I have to say this was my favorite duo out of the three. It has a rich deep brown with a dark gold, this duo definitely compliment each other. I took the darker shade and used it only on the outer edges of both my top and bottom lip. Then I took the gold and filled in the rest making sure to add a bit more in the middle of my lips. I then took a brush and slightly blended the colors. I was pretty happy with the result (see above right). This duo went really well with my skin color and definitely highlighted the shape of my lips nicely.

The selling point of the Blast Flipsticks is their customization and they do deliver. I have read other reviews stating that their lips get dried out, I didn't have that issue. There are 13 different duos, 26 different colors, and tons of combinations between them all. You can use any of the colors together and create all new duos allowing you to have an even wider range of customization. The lipstick wore really well throughout the day, whether I combined the colors or didn't. The duos go for about $8.50 each, which is a pretty good value. 

BzzAgent - Sally G
#GotItFree

Disclaimer: I received these products from BzzAgent and Covergirl. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was given.

Assassin's Creed Comic Book

ASSASSIN'S CREED
3 COMIC BOOK SET
 

 I have been bombarded by awesome books this past month and this is another one, well actually THREE! I was sent the Assassin's Creed Comic Book set and I love them! The covers are great and really lend a mysterious feel to the books. It made me think of some long lost secret society and that inside is a secret that will get me killed. Assassin's Creed has a great wonderful thing that helps to push it to the forefront: a good story. The characters are believable and the world is just as real as ours. That's why this franchise has done so well, and that's why these books are so good.

VOL 1: DESMONDThe first book in the series is "Desmond", which obviously it tells you more about Desmond's life. You'll learn about how Desmond ended up in the lab, going through his ancestors' memories. They also touch on the mysterious subject 16. It's really interesting to read about the characters in the book and see how they are played out in the games. The overall style totally fits in with the game franchise. While the visuals aren't the same it has a style that lends to the overall story. The colors are warm, but can change drastically to a cold industrial feel. You can tell the artist had a very distinct style, and it definitely shined throughout the whole book.

Sometimes the book left me wondering and wanting more as it was kind of fast. I hope the next two books tie up any loose ends left by the first installment. If you haven't played the game it will leave you a little lost, but its still quite enjoyable.

 

VOL 2: AQUILUS

Volume 2 tells the story of Aquilus which is an ancestor of Desmond.  Aquilus was talked about in the first volume and was one of the loose ends. I'm glad that they decided to really delve into his story in the second book. The main story has Aquilus trying to get a certain rare artifact, which you'll read about in the third installment.

Not only do you read about Aquilus' story it also goes deeper into Desmond's life. You'll find out some things about his youth, as well as some love interests he had.

The style in this book is different from the first, but they don't battle each other. It's as if the artists new that a change in style would bring this story to life. It is still very detailed and crisp like in the first, so it does match the overall feel of the series, as well as the game. You can also tell the writer's took their time with

this one as the story didn't seem so fast. It had a great pace and I felt satisfied after reading it.

  

VOL 3: ACCIPITER
Accipiter is the last book in the series, sadly I might add. I was really starting to get into the story. Aquilus continues his story into this installment and wow is it good! He is still looking for that one artifact talked about in Vol 2, but he isn't alone this time. Another master assassin, Accipiter, joins him in his quest. The book starts off with them on separate journeys until their paths collide.

Desmond is still present in this book, but not so much so. They tease you a bit with a postcard at the end making you think that the story continues on in Egypt. Well if you've played the game you know it ended up taking place in Revolutionary America.

All three books were excellently written and drawn. If you are a fan of Assassin's Creed then you should really get these, if you haven't already. Or if you are a fan of games in general, its a great series to have on your shelf.

*Disclaimer: I was sent this book by Titan Books to read and review. All opinions are my own and no further compensation was made.

HALO 4 ART BOOK REVIEW

So I also had the chance to check out the art book for Halo 4, and I was definitely impressed. Now I've never been one for "Shoot'em up" type games as I totally lack the hand eye coordination for them, but this book swayed me...a little. I didn't buy into the hype of any of the Halo games, but seeing the pictures in this book, well they were pretty amazing.

This book has 192 pages filled with huge photos, sometimes spanning across two pages, that are crisp and vivid. The concept art is highly detailed leading you into a whole new world.

If you are a Halo Fan you will definitely love this book, it's a must have!

Awakening: Halo 4 gives you a look at new characters, creatures, and items that you'll find in the game. Of course it doesn't take any fun out of playing the game. You can even compare the scenes in the game from the sketches and drawings in the book. You can definitely tell the differences and how the look changed from the start to finish.

The guys over at 343 Industries must be filled to the brim with creativity. They paid so much attention to detail it's mind boggling how they were able to come up with so much lavish designs.

So if you love you some Halo, then you should pick this book up!

I received this book from Titan Books, and I love them for it! All opinions are my own and no further compensation was given.

Maybe I'll have to try playing Halo again and see if my aim has gotten any better.

I love that guy --> I'm sure he isn't too nice and would kill me in the game, but he is so ugly he is cute, no?

POLISH GIVEAWAY

RANDOM POLISH GIVEAWAY

So I've got a drawer full of polishes and well, I need to cut down on some of my stock. So my loss is your gain! Some of these polishes have been used a couple times, but all of them have been swatched. There will be 4 winners! So you won't be able to win if you don't enter. I may throw in some extra goodies so keep an eye out!

Also I haven't quite decided how I'm going to split up the polishes, so the pictures below are not how they will be given.

a Rafflecopter giveaway