A new perspective thanks to the novel, ‘Girl, wash your face!’

“Stop believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be” -Rachel Hollis

For the past couple of months my Facebook and Instagram feed have been flooded with posts about this incredible novel written by Rachel Hollis. Girl, wash your face! has been alllll the fuss with my girlfriends, and I finally got my hands on it! I was so excited to give this book a try. I am a huge fan of self help, health related books. I love the kind of read that is going to get my ass in to gear. This EXCEEDED my expectations and this is a must read for ALL females.

4 major things that I took from reading this novel:

1. Your dreams are NOT stupid just because they’re challenging to reach

Oh man. This right here. The novel is written all about the challenges and struggles Rachel Hollis has struggled through herself, and how she has come out on the other side. This was a huge point that I took from reading through each chapter. The individual that you are so envious of because they are a successful owner/operator of an amazing business — do you realize how many times somebody slammed a door in THERE face, or said NO? Instead of accepting it, instead of declaring defeat, they pushed on??? They wouldn’t be called your dreams if you didn’t have to work for them. If they weren’t challenging, they wouldn’t be so damn rewarding! And another thing: just because somebody doesn’t understand what your dream is, or where you want your life to go, that doesn’t mean that you are WRONG. Chase the hell out of what you truly want and don’t stop until you get there.

2. It is totally okay to be a girl boss — own that shit

Ok but for real. This was one of my favorite parts of the entire novel. The chapters that she wrote outlining the fact that she built a company from nothing, she has multiple employees that help her run her company who answer to HER. She works her ASS off — and she is PROUD of it! That right there. She is PROUD! All us woman should feel the same way for each and every one of our achievements. You do not have to be one thing or the other! You can be an amazing mother, and have an incredible career. You can be whatever you set your mind to because we’re amazing. It doesn’t matter. You rock, and work your butt off. Remember that.

3. I can be whoever I want to be, because I say so

It doesn’t matter what kind of childhood you may have had. It doesn’t matter the opportunities that you may have missed out on. Yeah ok, it sucks. We can acknowledge that. But the only person in control of your life is YOU. The only person in control of your attitude is… YOU. Do not waste your time and energy focusing on the negative, and make a better life for yourself. Do well because YOU deserve it. Make yourself PROUD.

4. My goals are not hard to reach as long as I am willing to put in the work

One of the biggest points she tries to make in her novel is the fact that we need to stop giving up on ourselves. She says something along the lines of, “how many times have you broken a promise to yourself? Oh, I won’t eat that junk food for a whole month, only to fall short within 5 days? Stop quitting on yourself. Stop throwing in the towel, and put in the work. It is that simple. You want results? Then you need to work for it!

So am I right or am I right, about this novel? It was seriously the kick in the ass I truly needed. It is such an empowering read. And I also love that I have been able to keep up with her motivational talks, and conversations as she has a live stream on Facebook daily right now with her husband. I also love that I can stay connected by listening to her podcast.

After reading this novel I have set new goals for myself in hopes of achieving them; I am determined! What is one goal for yourself? Hop on this journey with me. And pick up this book — you seriously won’t regret it. What a game changer.

Where you can find Rachel Hollis:

All The Good Things—- I LOVE THIS STUFF

Hello, Hello, Hello! I hope everyone is enjoying their day.

Today I wanted to do an ‘I LOVE THIS STUFF’ post, since September is officially over. So lets just get in to this, shall we?

Beauty stuff:

Urban Decay – All Nighter Foundation

Foundation

So if you guys saw my review for this foundation you won’t be the least bit surprised that I included it today. I have used this foundation religiously during the month of September. You guys should check out my review that I have on my page for allllll the details, you won’t regret it!

Precisely, My Brow Pencil

Brow Pencil

I have been LOVING this eyebrow pencil. It was a newer purchase for myself and was a bit out of my comfort zone at first. But the product is amazing, and works wonders. The only issue that I will say is that I bought a shade too dark,so the next time I purchase it I will have to go a shade lighter. But otherwise, a great product!

Hair Brush

Ok, so this brush. Let’s just take a moment…

I purchased this from Sallys Beauty Salon years ago and completely forgot about it. It works WONDERS on easily tangled hair!

Lip Products

This has been my favorite lip combo lately. It is a clinique lipstick (so old), and this OFRA lip liner in Silk.

Nail Polish

I was feeling in the spirit for Halloween, so this combo seemed like a given. I love having my nails painted!

Books:

Dorothy Stevenson – Sarah’s Cottage

I have been such a fan of Dorothy Stevenson’s writing. This has been the 3rd-4th book I have read by her, and it was SO good.

Andrew Morton – Diana Her True Story

I have an obsession with Princess Diana. This book was by far the best novel that has been written about her life. I found it respectful, informative and REAL.

Food:

Snacks

These. Are. So. Freaking. Good.

They are free of many things, so they are friendly to all different types of people and conditions. Vegan, gluten free, dairy free, the list goes on. They are so yummy and easy on the stomach.

Coffee

I have been loving this coffee I purchased from Costco. It was so much cheaper to buy a big bag of coffee beans like this in bulk. But it was a serious bonus that it tastes so darn good.

Household Items:

DIY knife holder

This is the before! I was going to throw it out to be honest. But then I figured I would try and attempt to up-cycle it.

This is the after. I am honestly so proud of how this turned out!

So I have never had a new knife set, ever. We finally picked up a brand new knife set at Costco… I am in love!!!!!!!!!!

Fashion:

Fall/Winter Coat

I really enjoy this coat for the cooler seasons. I am not one who enjoys being extremely warm, I never have. But this coat has a fur liner in it, so it’s plenty warm enough but still airy. It also cinches in at the waist, so it’s very figure flattering.

Star Wars tee

This shirt though…. I freaking love it. Everybody needs a staple comfy tee. This is definitely mine!

House Decorations:

This Bath & Body Works candle smells like Fall dreams!!!!!!!

These cute little pumpkins and acorns are from the dollarama. They were super cheap, but so darn cute!

Gadgets:

This thing is so cool. My boyfriend actually gave this to me, and I use it SO much. I am a note taker, no matter what I am doing. So this is perfect for me! It has a pen to be used only on this board, and it is just so easy and fun to bring along.

What did you guys love this past month? Let me know in the comments. I am always looking for new things to try!

Talk to you all again soon ♥

TWO books that took me less than 48 hours to read!

Hey guys!

How are you today? I wanted to review three books that I’ve read recently for yous, because they deserve some credit!

Books I’m reviewing today:

The Kreutzer Sonata – Leo Tolstoy
Miss Buncle Married – Dorothy Emily Stevenson
The town – William Faulkner

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The Kreutzer Sonata

This novel was published in 1889; a very long time ago. That is why I was able to read through this novel and all the narrow minded opinions it expressed. This mind set is of knowing it was published many moons ago, is what allowed me to really enjoy this book. Otherwise, it would have been a very painful read.

I picked this novel up by chance. I recognized the author and anticipated it would be an okay read, but other than that I was flying ‘blind’.

Pozdnyshev is telling the story of what led him to murder his wife to a fellow passenger. This book is about the jealous rage this man felt towards his wife, and the events that led him up to killing her. It talks about the hatred him and his wife portrayed towards each other, and the demons that pozdnyshev is fighting mentally.

It’s philosophical fiction, and is written SO incredibly well. The opinions that Pozdnyshev had, were sometimes difficult to read. Discussing how woman use their beauty to a man’s disadvantage, manipulating them, using them. ETC. Most of the opinions Tolstoy demonstrated in this novel are ones that would typically rage me as a female. BUT it dates back to the 1800s, and was written so well. I had to finish it; I could not put it down and be left wondering!

I would 7/10 recommend this novel. I really did enjoy it for the most part. It’s less then 150 pages long making it a nice short read!

Miss Buncle Married

Miss Buncle (Barbara) and Mr Abbott begin to settle in their new roles as husband and wife. To escape the endless parties and bridge with their friends, they move to the country and start a new life. On fluke, when she meets at the lawyers office to discuss their new home, Barbara is mistaken for a local noblewoman and is given a draft of said lady’s will, and reads it. This information is important because it is brought back to her attention later on, when the ‘soon to be heiress’ and Barbara’s nephew become romantically involved.

First off, I just want to mention that this book was written as a sequel. I actually never read the first book, and still was able to enjoy this second book ‘Miss Buncle Married’, with no issues!

Now, where do I even begin? Besides the fact that I could not put this book down… seriously. Every chance I had, I was picking up this book so I could read on.

Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best selling Scottish author and had unremarkable talent.

The story line is exciting, entertaining, and so intriguing. She made the roles of husband and wife and the challenges they face every day, SO fascinating. The role of Miss Buncle is an elegant lady, with a fierce personality and an ‘I can so I will” attitude.

10/10 most definitely recommend. A book that is hard to even review because it was just such a great novel all around. And hard cover — love that as well!

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The Town

This novel was written by William Faulkner and was published back in 1957.

Each chapter is narrated from the point of view of one of three characters: Chick Mallison, Gavin Stevens, or V.K. Ratliff. Which was the first thing that I disliked about this novel. I know William Faulkner is an incredible author, and he has beautiful work. But I had the most horrendous time trying to figure out who was saying what, what was being said and WHY. By the time I caught myself up and figured out the story line, I was lost again.

I believe that I’m honestly not intelligent enough in regards to literature, to be able to make sense of this story to really TRULY enjoy it. That’s the honest to god truth, it has nothing to do with the book itself.

This book is one of the originals that I was able to read from my Library. How cool, right?

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Thank you guys so much for sticking it through and reading my book reviews today. I really enjoy doing these for you guys as reading is such a passion of mine. It’s so fun to share this interest of mine with so many other people. I feel so fortunate to have so much literature available all around me!

As always,

Share my content, like, comment! Let’s start a conversation. ♥

Talk soon xo

Book Review Numero Deux

Hello beautiful people!

I hope everyone made it through the dreaded Monday yesterday. It’s up hill from here –Friday is getting closer!

I recently joined the Public Library here in Saint John and checked out 4 books. I’ve had my nose stuck in said books for the past week/weekend, and just barely finished reading them yesterday. Before I go and return these books, so I can check out new ones — I thought I would do a review on one of them today. I love reading so much, and enjoy talking about the books I have read!

Book I’ll be discussing today:

A Complicated Kindness

‘A Complicated Kindness’ captured my attention for the entire read because it was such a captivating story.

Teenager Nomi Nickel’s narrates this story about the Mennonite community she has been brought up in. Her thoughts are often humorous but they also reveal a young woman who is struggling to cope with the sudden and unexpected departure of her sister Tash and her mother Trudie.

Her sister left three years previously with a boyfriend, and her mother soon departs after.

It shows how The Father and Nomi try to cope with every day life, and the grief they are encompassed with. Nomi is a strugglin teenager growing up in a very religious village. She lacks guidance, and because of this she acts out regularly.

“Nomi’s tragedy is the slow realization that not only will she fail to bring her family together, but she will have to change her nature in order to find a place in the town she loves. In the end, her father Ray makes a sacrifice so that Nomi can be free.”

Source: Wikipedia

This was the first book I read out of the 4 I borrowed from the library. Wow! Such a GREAT read.

The mystery that is continued throughout the novel creates just enough curiosity to make you want to read more and more. The mystery of their family and the child Nomi, who is telling the story — is SO intriguing.

Throughout the novel you as the reader form many questions about what is really happening. Although the author, Miriam Toews, gives continuous hints and insight into their lives and who they are, you are still left with this curiousity. She gives just enough details for you to form opinions and thoughts on these individuals but still leaves you questioning — “Ok, who are these people? What the heck is really happening!” Creating this continuous curiosity, making you read on…

Something I really enjoyed about this novel is how it started with the big event. The big life altering event — her sister and her mother leaving. And then throughout the novel it goes through the series of events that led to this happening. Nomi goes back and forth from talking about what is really happening in that moment, and discussing past events that occured to make her mother and sister leave. You are left wondering what the real reason for their depature is until the very end of the novel, where you finally find out what happened. Followed by a very surprising plot twist, to finish the book off.

Beautifully written.

10/10 review from me, EASILY!

I would highly reccommend this book to anyone seeking a good read!

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review today!

Share my content, like, comment! Let’s start a conversation. ♥

Talk soon xo