Read: Hush, Hush series

My favorite thing about my ipad is the Kindle app. I love being able to read books on it and take it with me on the go. There is less waiting for holds at the library and more reading to be done! I can read in the car even when it is dark or late at night in my bed. Lately I have been hooked on the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. It is about a young girl who falls in love with a fallen angel. I love it because it is an entire new set of characters than what I am used to and it is different from anything I have read lately, no silly love triangle either! I am currently on the fourth and final book of the series. Let's just say I haven't been able to put these books down and I got my aunt hooked on them as well. If you are looking for a new series I highly recommend this one.

Check it out!

Read

I love to read. Like seriously, love it. I hadn't read a book in a few months so when the book club that I am a part of (but have really been slacking at attending) mentioned they were going to read The Dark Unwinding I was intrigued and immediately borrowed it from my neighbor. It is about a young girl in 1850 Great Britain who is sent to her Uncle's estate to send him to the insane asylum so that her evil Aunt can gain the inheritance. After spending time at the mysterious estate she learns more about her strange uncle and the magical/scientific world that he has created. I was not sure about the book at the beginning but really fell in love with the story and cannot wait for the sequel to come out in September of this year. Check it out!

 

Must Have- Face Moisturizer

It is no secret that it is DRY in Utah. I mean, we live in a desert. The winters are particularly dry and my skin, especially my face, does not do well. (Especially when our water softener decides to take the day off on some days.) There is one product that I absolutely cannot go without.

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion by Clinique

 

 

I am a long time Clinique user and was finally introduced to this product about 5 years ago. Let's just say it is a life saver. Even in the summers when the weather is super dry too. I put it on and it immediately makes my skin feel smooth and healthy. It's like a drink for my skin! Applying makeup is easier when I use this and I really cannot go a day without it.  What are your skin/makeup must haves? Please do share!

 



What I'm Reading

Last month I borrowed the book Matched from my friend for some reading material while on the airplane to San Francisco. I loved it. It is a book that takes place in a dystopian future where Society arranges and makes every life decision for you. The Society takes "data" and matches you with a marriage partner they think is best. I couldn't put the book down, it is so well written and captures you at every twist and turn.

 

After finishing the first book I immediately needed to get my hands on the second book, Crossed. My friend had that book but was lending it to someone else so I literally ran to the library to get it. I couldn't wait  for that person to finish it! I needed the second book now. Crossed is about the main character's journey to find her love and search for something outside of  the Society. I heard that it didn't get as great as reviews as the first book but honestly I liked it just as well. I love being able to continue the story that I am already involved in.

 

 

I finished Crossed and was hungry for more but Oh, Wait! The third and final book didn't come out until November 13th. I got my mom hooked on the series and as soon as the book was on sale we went to Deseret book to buy it. I started reading it the other day and haven't been able to stop. I love it and cannot wait to see how the author ends the series.

 

 

Obviously I don't want to give away too many details because I want YOU to go out and start reading this series. If you loved Hunger Games or Twiligh you WILL love this series as well. It is probably more like Hunger Games but such a fun and easy read. Oh, and I hear rumors that they will be made into movies. Can't wait!  As soon as I am finished with the series I will need something new to start. What are you currently reading? Any suggestions?

 

 

Mascara

I've worn the same mascara since probably 8th grade and I love it. I never would buy anything else because it was always too heavy too clumpy and way too flaky. If you are understanding that I am quite picky about what goes on my eyelashes yet stingey enough too not try every kind just for fun or spend my money and the expensive makeup, then you are understanding very well.
Sadly my lifetime, or so I thought... of my favorite mascara, covergirl red bottle with a metallic blue strip. ran out on me this week. Boom goes the dynamite my life was over. I didn't want to have to go buy some random mascara that wasn't going to work.

Well one thing lead to another and I was at the Ulta store looking at all he mascaras they had. I kept going back and forth back and forth trying to look for just the right brush and then a waterproof version of the kinds I liked. I settled on a Neutrogena Healthy volume mascara- waterproof. I had my doubts because I have such fine thing lashes and are straighter than a door nail. And I will be the first one to admit I use an eyelash curler. It is a must. The only problem is, is that sometimes even with curling mascaras are so heavy on my fine lashes they go straight back down. Life is tough. I finally got to trying my new mascara. And I'm. In. Love. My lashes look thicker and fuller  without being clumpy. It separates each of my lashes. They have such a natural curl because it doesn't weigh my lashes down. It doesn't flake on my or smudge. I also love that the brush is the traditional brush none of the silicone flimsy brush you know. I honestly forget I'm wearing mascara. Which means I don't pick at my lashes. I didn't know you could fall in love with mascara but I did all over again.  I would for sure recommend this to a friend.

nicole

Made for Each other

A few months ago Nicole blogged about her love for the Aladdin cup. I thought the cup was pretty cool but didn't understand what the big fuss was all about. Then, for easter my mother in law gifted me with my very own Aladdin cup.  Immediately I fell in love. I never knew I could drink so much water in one day! The cup made drinking water desirable and fun. Ever since I was given this cup I have been using it everyday. (Yes, I do wash it!) A few weeks ago I babysat for my neighbor and when I walked in we laughed because we were both drinking out of the same cup. Then she introduced me to the perfect partner to my aladdin water cup...

It is a calorie free water enhancer. YUM. I tried every flavor and Strawberry Watermelon was my favorite. It is pure bliss drinking Mio flavored water out of my Aladdin cup, the perfect couple! Drinking water has so many health benefits and I am glad that I found a way to make me drink more water every day! If you haven't tried Mio you definitely should...and it wouldn't hurt to get yourself an Aladdin cup as well!

XOXO,
Whitney

Happy Easter Peeps!

Happy Easter! I hope that everyone is enjoying their Easter as much as I am. The weather is perfect outside and I get to spend the day with my cute little family. My baby girl was pretty excited when she woke up and saw her Easter basket. She insisted on wearing her new easter bunny socks and new sandals all morning long. Her basket was filled with treats galore, new shoes, socks, swimsuit, Easter dress and even a duck stuffed animal. In her basket was a classic Easter treat:

Peeps

 So I am not a huge fan of Peeps at all. But the Easter bunny brought me a grown up version of Peeps; Dark Chocolate Peepsters.

 Um, seriously. AMAZING. Best peeps I have ever had, probably because they are nothing like peeps.

They are my new favorite Easter treat. After a beautiful morning we got to go to church together as a family and celebrate the real reason for Easter.







Happy Easter Everyone!

XOXO,
Whitney

Nano

As many of you remember, it was my birthday 2 weeks ago. I have been holding on to some of my leftover birthday $$ trying to decide what to do with it. I thought about spending the rest all on clothes .I did buy myself some really cute mint skinny jeans from Kohl's.

I love them! And I also bought some cute yellow capris from Kohl's as well. I am all into the colored denim right now!! I want every color. I was feeling pretty happy with all my new clothes purchases but wasn't sure I wanted to spend the rest of my bday money on more clothes. Trust me, a girl can never have too many clothes. I saw the new 6th generation Ipod Nanos and fell in love. I already have an ipod classic which I love. It has a huge capacity... and it is also big. I decided that I wanted something small and sleek to use while running. Plus, since I am training for a marathon I think the less weight I am carrying with me the better. I was at Target yesterday with my mom picking up some items for Easter and decided to check them out. I fell in love with the bright green one and so I bought it. It was kind of on an impulse but I am so happy with my decision! I've been listening to it all day today. I love that it has radio on it and a fitness tracker. And it is so tiny. The only thing I'm worried about is losing it since it is so small, but overall I couldn't be happier. Now it feels like I have extended my birthday!

XOXO,
Whitney

Something

I have to take a time out from talking about my fab Madrid trip and talk about something. That something is Draw Something, and its amazing. I'm totally obsessed with it and I seriously laugh every time I am both drawing pictures and guessing what has be drawn. My favorite is that even when you trash an image your opponent still gets to see it. Let's talk about how I'm a horrible drawer though, as well as guesser... I could have sworn Whitney had drawn R2D2 come to find out was a sink and the word was plumber. And clearly I'm an incredible drawer as pictured above.... you really can't deny how good of an artist I really am.

nicole

Spot it!

The family first started playing this game in San Diego during the family vacation for the wedding. My sister in law Jenna brought it to the hotel and it was a hit with the fam. I didn't play it until a few Sundays ago. Mother Gram-J-Dawg (Grandmother) and I sat down to play it after dinner and it was great fun. It's easy to understand the game so you are quickly able to get into the competitiveness of this game as well. Definitely recommend this one to all.

nicole

Emerald

I haven't been eating as great as I would like to lately. I just have too many tempting things in my pantry. Like all the candy from Christmas & Valentine's Day. Not to mention all the delicious home made ice cream I have been making lately... so I have a bit of a sweet tooth. I decided that I need to cut out all the unnecessary sugar and treats that I have been snacking on so today while I was at the grocery store I stocked up on healthy snacks. I knew I wanted to get some almonds and I saw these Emerald to go canisters:

They are like heaven in a bottle. Dark Chocolate Roasted Almonds, HELLO!! Delicious. Plus, They only have 1g of sugar and they are packed full of sugar. Not to mention the fact that almonds are a healthy nut. Yum. Hoping these keep me away from all that bad stuff....

Aladdin

{Image Via}

Aladdin isn't just some Disney character it's a cup.... not just any cup, but a life changing cup. It sounds so simple to believe but this cup will keep your cold drinks cold even on hot days when left in the car, but it works. This cup is double insulated resulting in cold drinks staying cold and a no sweat feature, say goodbye to wet cups. My favorite is drinking smoothies from this cup because first of all they stay cold like they should, and second the straw is the perfect size to slurp up your favorite smoothie.

much love,
nicole

TVD Obesession

I've got to admit that I was a little bit skeptical when my friend suggested I start watching The Vampire Diaries. I have never really been a fan of any show on the CW channel but my Mr. and I had just finished watching Sons of Anarchy on Netflix and needed something new to watch so I decided I would give it a shot. Ummmm.....can I say amazing? It has action, vampires, a love triangle, werewolves & witches. Seriously, I love it.

I love her:

And him:

And I hated him at first but now? Love him:

The writers have done such a great job. There are so many twist and turns in the plot. It is never predictable or cheesy. We have finished watching season 1 and season 2 on Netflix and now we have to wait for season 3 or find some way to catch up. Where there's a will... there's a way! So if you are looking for something new to watch might I suggest THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. You'll thank me. Trust me.

XOXO,
Whitney

Static

{Image via}

I don't know if any of you suffer from staticy hair or not but I do. I even think I've blogged about it before. This winter though has been a dream thanks to my trusty little friend here Matrix Curl Boucles, Super Defrizzer. All you do is put about a peanut size amount in the palm of your hand and run in it through your wet hair, then blow dry. I never used to believe in blow drying but with this product I believe in it! My hair is never staticy whether I'm putting on a shirt or taking off a jacket or sweater, it just isn't a problem! I suggest you look into this before it's too late, it made this winter bearable.

much love,

nicole

Baby Lips

I caved... and got the ever so talked about Baby Lips by Maybelline.

I'm going to give it to ya straight. Baby Lips didn't meet my expectations. I bought the peach kiss in hopes of giving my lips that peach color that has been oh so trendy lately, and well it just didn't give my lips anything of the sort. On the flip side after the first application, my lips are now baby soft. I'm just loving the way they are feeling. So don't buy this product or at least the peach kiss in hopes of it giving your lips color, buy it in hopes of having baby soft lips. Did I mention it has SPF 20 in it as well... I believe that just made up for the lack of color. I'll definitely be buying another one of these soon.

Much Love,

nicole

Recommendations

Just thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite things.....

If you are in Salt Lake City looking for some delicious ice cream make sure to stop by Hatch Family Chocolates you won't be disappointed.

If you are in the market for that special someone this valentine's love a holiday day, let me recommend to you Sweet Talkin' Ken... He's quite dreamy if I do say so myself. I believe you can probably find him at your local walmart, shopko, target..etc those are obviously the only normal places you'd go to pick up your lover.

If you are in the market for new perfume I recommend you try Coach Poppy, it has a sweet smell and well it's just classy... Coach I mean come on it doesn't get classier than. I actually wore it on that hot date I talked about in this post and my date loved it. This perfume works.

I recommend the Xbox360 with Kinect to everyone. Probably the best thing ever. Watching each other play is just as entertaining as playing. 

Definitely make a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, because it is Amazing.

If you ever happen upon a chance to visit Lake Powell take it. That's all that needs to be said about that recommendation

Last but not least I recommend you rock a braid whenever possible.

 Happy Monday,

nicole