Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Book Review | Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending to Be a Grown-Up by Grace Helbig

Posted on November 1, 2016November 1, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending to Be a Grown-Up by Grace Helbig

Published by: Touchstone on October 21, 2014

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

Format: Paperback

Pages: 240

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★

“One of the sharpest, funniest voices on YouTube” (Forbes), comedian Grace Helbig offers an irreverent and illustrated guide to life for anyone faced with the challenge of growing up.

Face it—being a young adult in the digital era is one of the hardest things to be. Well, maybe there are harder things in life…but being an adult is difficult! So Grace Helbig has written a guide that’s perfect for anyone who is faced with the daunting task of becoming an adult.

Infused with her trademark saucy, sweet, and funny voice, Grace’s Guide is a tongue-in-cheek handbook for millennials, encompassing everything a young or new (or regular or old) adult needs to know, from surviving a breakup to recovering from a hangover. Beautifully illustrated and full-color, Grace’s Guide features interactive elements and exclusive stories from Grace’s own misadventures—like losing her virginity solely because her date took her to a Macaroni Grill—and many other hilarious lessons she learned the hard way.

Amusing and unexpectedly educational, this refreshing and colorful guide proves that becoming an adult doesn’t necessarily mean you have to grow up.

REVIEW

I’ve been a big fan of Grace Helbig’s YouTube videos for years, and was very excited to find out she was releasing her first book, Grace’s Guide, back in 2014. I was so excited, in fact, that I attended her book tour and got to meet Grace at Housing Works Bookstore in New York. For some reason I waited two years to read the book, and finally picked it up to read for my 2016 Popsugar Reading Challenge. Unfortunately, Grace’s Guide was a big disappointment for me, and I am so sad I didn’t enjoy the book more.

Grace’s Guide is a nonfiction book designed to give millennials life advice on everything from college life to finding a job to dating in the 21st century and more. My main problem with the book is that none of the advice Grace gives is anything but common knowledge. In fact, I did not learn one new thing while reading this book even though I am in the target demographic. Perhaps some of Grace’s tips can be nice reminders for some readers, but I honestly don’t think anyone will learn much from this book.

Similarly, I found Grace’s Guide to be a huge gimmick. For instance, most sections of the book end with an unhelpful acronym to help readers remember Grace’s advice. However, it became clear that some of the tips in the book were added in simply to fit within the acronyms. An example of this is spelling the word clean with a K to fill in the phrase “Work Poot” at the end of the chapter on the workplace. In the same way, while I enjoyed the plethora of high quality photographs in the pages of Grace’s Guide they felt too much like filler for lack of actual content.

I would love to think that the reason the advice in the book isn’t more helpful is because Grace’s Guide is supposed to be comedic. Unfortunately, the tone of the book is not very strong. While I did have some laughs while reading, the book isn’t funny enough to be deemed pure comedy, and it’s not serious or helpful enough to be a true guide book. Thus, Grace’s Guide falls somewhere in an uncomfortable middle state.

My favorite parts of the book, on the other hand, are the personal stories that Grace shares about her life. I really like learning more about Grace and what she’s experienced. I think Grace is a person with whom a lot of us can easily connect, and that’s why I wish we got more of Grace and less of the gimmicky acronyms and photos. Plus, I still felt like Grace was holding back a lot of herself, and her story got a bit jumbled due to this. For example, at one point Grace mentions that she moved in with her boyfriend after college, but two paragraphs later she is moving in with her college roommate after college. It seems things don’t add up because a lot of information is left out of the narrative.

For all of these reasons, I don’t recommend picking up Grace’s Guide unless you are a Grace superfan who wishes to support her by buying a copy of her book. I will not be reading her subsequent book entitled Grace & Style, because I feel like it will be in the same vein of this book. That being said, if Grace ever releases a memoir or a book of personal essays, I would consider giving that a read because I did like learning more about her. It’s a shame that I did not enjoy this book, but I still love watching Grace’s videos and will continue to support her career.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Zoya Nail Polish Enchanted Collection | Holiday 2016

Posted on October 27, 2016October 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! The holiday season is right around the corner, and Zoya Nail Polish just released the new Enchanted Collection. This six-piece line contains four PixieDust polishes and two metallic polishes with color-flip properties. Zoya describes this collection as holiday magic combined with the wonders of winter, and I think that sums up these polishes perfectly! The Enchanted Collection has a polish for everyone, and I’m excited to share my swatches with you today.

First up is Elphie, a deep emerald green PixieDust with a green shimmer. Elphie has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. I recommend letting each layer of PixieDust polishes dry completely before adding onto your manicure. Luckily, PixieDust polishes tend to dry rather quickly, and you can tell when the finish becomes textured and matte in appearance. Elphie is a gorgeous shade for the holiday season, whether worn alone or in nail art.

Next up is Olivera, a duochrome polish that shifts from green to purple. Olivera has a good formula that is opaque in two coats, but I did find it to be a bit messy to work with due to its rich pigmentation. Nonetheless, this polish is beyond stunning! Olivera is perfect for the Halloween season, and it a great option if you want dark nails without going for a plain black. I just love when a polish can look different depending on the change in lighting.

The next PixieDust polish is Lorna, a berry shade with a burgundy shimmer. Lorna is one of my favorites in this collection, and it also has an excellent formula. This is a unique take on the standard red nail, and one that works really well for the holiday season. If you want to step outside of your comfort zone without changing your manicure drastically, Lorna is a great stepping stone!

If you prefer lighter shades, Alice is a nice option! This PixieDust has a periwinkle base with blue and magenta shimmer. Alice has a great formula and is opaque in two coats. I really like the mix of colors within this polish, as it adds a lot of dimension and is unlike any other nail polish I own. Alice is also a great transitional polish for after the holiday season!

The other color-flip shade in the line is Saint, a periwinkle blue with a magenta shift. Saint does not have as strong a duochrome effect as Olivera, but it is an amazing polish. The formula is on the sheer side, so I applied three coats to achieve opacity. I am blown away with how gorgeous Saint looks on the nails. If you’re only going to buy one polish from this collection, I think Saint is a stand-out for me.

Last but not least is Waverly, a dark sapphire blue PixieDust with blue shimmer. Waverly has a good formula that is opaque in two coats, and I am obsessing over this blue shade. It’s no secret that I love blue nail polish, and Waverly is no exception. I think Zoya made the right choice in keeping this polish all blue right down to the shimmer!

All in all, I am quite impressed with Zoya’s new Enchanted Collection for the 2016 holiday season. This line contains a variety of shades in both dark and light tones. Plus, the formulas are unique and unlike the polishes already in my collection. I must admit that I am still unsure about the PixieDust resurgence, but it’s undeniable Zoya creates high quality polishes season after season. You can purchase each polish in the Enchanted Collection on Zoya’s website HERE for $10. As always, please let me know in the comments which Enchanted polish is your favorite!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

Posted on October 18, 2016August 17, 2025 by Adventures in Polishland

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

Published by Thomas Dunne Books

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: eARC

Pages: 352

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

As the daughter of a meth dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. Struggling to raise her little brother, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible “adult” around. She finds peace in the starry Midwestern night sky above the fields behind her house. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father’s thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that asks tough questions, reminding us of all the ugly and wonderful things that life has to offer.

REVIEW

I wanted to pick up All the Ugly and Wonderful Things as soon as the book began getting buzz. I was instantly intrigued with the story. This book follows a young girl named Wavy. She is the daughter of a drug dealer and a mentally ill mother, and spends her childhood trying to care for her younger brother Donal. One day, Wavy meets a man in his twenties when he crashes his motorcycle near the farmhouse in which she lives. His name is Jesse Joe Kellen, and the two begin a friendship. Kellen buys Wavy groceries, registers her for school, and helps care for her when no one else will. Their relationship is at first innocent, but as time goes on the two fall in love despite their age gap. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things chronicles their story.

I want to first mention that although this book deals with a controversial topic, I do not think that should preclude you from reading it. Some scenes are are quite difficult to read, but the story as a whole is worth stomaching a few uncomfortable moments. In fact, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is extremely captivating, and I was pleasantly surprised with how easily the story flows. I was turning pages quickly to see what would happen next in Wavy’s life. I even had to force myself to put the book down at one point to get some sleep!

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is written in a multiple perspective format, so we get to hear from a variety of characters in the novel, including Wavy and Kellen. The majority of chapters are written in the first-person, with just a few being written in the third-person. I wish that the entirety of the book was in the first-person to provide uniformity in the narrative. I definitely see why having multiple perspectives is very important in telling the story, as we get to see Wavy’s life and her relationship with Kellen from the outside. However, it felt like the chapters in the third-person were random and I couldn’t see any meaning in the change of voice.

In the same way, I am really impressed with the author’s decision on whose voices we get to hear in the novel. For example, we never get to read from either of Wavy’s parents, and I think their absence in the narrative mirrors their absence from Wavy’s life. One of my favorite characters is Renee, who we meet later in the book. I really love how she grows and changes because of her relationship with Wavy. They are a unique pairing, and I am being purposefully vague so as to not spoil anything. However, I did want to mention how Renee really made an impact on me, and her character development is so substantial in just a short amount of time.

Moreover, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is so emotional, and one of the most heart-wrenching books I’ve read in a long time. It makes me so sad to think that there are real children, like Wavy and Donal, who have to grow up in such horrid environments such as a meth ring. This book brings up so many important topics, and asks you as a reader to think about things that you might have considered universal truths. I appreciate that there are no conclusions on whether Wavy’s relationship with Kellen is right or wrong. It is up to the reader to grapple with that choice, and it is a very difficult one.

I absolutely loved the reading experience of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, and highly recommend it. This is a great pick for your book club, as there are many interesting topics to discuss. I know this book will stick with me for a long time, and I hope to read it again in the future.

BUY THE BOOK from Bookshop.org HERE (affiliate link) and support independent bookstores

My Recent Manicures | October 2016

Posted on October 12, 2016October 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I wanted to share with you some of the nail polishes I’ve worn lately. I’ll be completely honest when I say that I haven’t worn nail polish much at all for the past two or so years. I would swatch polish for this blog, but not wear it in real life. I just got out of the habit of painting my nails! I really wanted to start wearing nail polish again, so that’s why I spent the time going through and decluttering my collection (you can learn more about that HERE). It is now so much easier for me to find a nail polish in my stash, and I’ve been having so much fun painting my nails! Let me show you the recent manicures I’ve worn so far this October.

First up is Milani Cosmetics High Speed Fast Dry Nail Polish in the shade Rapid Orchid. I was in the mood for a dark purple nail polish, and this was what I found in my collection. I really enjoyed this line from Milani, and it turns out that it is vegan while the new Milani polishes currently in stores are not. I also find it interesting that when I was decluttering my collection, my older Milanis held up a lot better than the newer ones. Unfortunately you cannot purchase this exact polish any longer, but Zoya Casey appears to be a similar option. I wore Rapid Orchid for about a week, and even reapplied it when I found a few chips. I love this deep purple shade!

My love for dark nail polish continued with LVX in Dahlia. This is a deep red-toned polish with a jelly formula. I did need three coats because this polish is a bit sheer, but I don’t mind that at all. I don’t own many polishes from LVX because it is a more expensive brand at $18 per bottle. However, I absolutely love this brand and its high quality shades. Dahlia is beyond stunning, and I highly recommend picking it up on the LVX website HERE.

Last but not least is Zoya in the shade Taylor. I had every intention to put on another dark nail polish today, but when I took a look inside my stash I changed my mind and went for a lighter shade. Taylor is still perfect for fall because it is a warm-toned polish in a cozy beige shade. The formula is really nice, and I layered on three coats for a perfect finish. I haven’t been wearing top coat lately, so that’s why I’m being a bit more particular with the finish of each polish. Taylor is really close to my skin tone, so I find it looks really sophisticated on my nails.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my recent manicures! I think this type of post is a fun way for me to share about my nail polish adventures, because I can tell you how I decided on wearing each polish, give you an update on the formula, etc. I hope to put one of these together once per month, or maybe once every other month, depending on how often I paint my nails. Please let me know in the comments if you enjoyed seeing my recent manicures, and also share what’s been on your nails so far this month!

The products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

September Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Now that September is coming to a close, it is time for an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project. September went by so quickly for me, and part of that is because I did some traveling in the middle of the month. Thankfully, I still emptied out a good amount of products! I’ve really been concentrating on using up products, and haven’t purchased anything new in a while. I hope to continue doing that for the rest of the year! Let me show you the products I did empty out this month!

MAKEUP REMOVER

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes – 1 travel pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I purchased this pack of wipes for my vacation in Los Angeles. I loved having this on my trip because they helped refresh my skin during the day, and also made for a simpler cleansing process at night when I was exhausted. I had a few left after my trip, so I took the pack home to finish.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe! I liked these, but I do prefer the Yes to Cucumbers wipes.

ELF Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: At first I really loved these wipes because they are super soft and do an amazing job at removing all of my makeup. However, I then read the directions and noticed that you are supposed to rinse your face with water after using them! I know that makeup wipes are not supposed to substitute for washing your face, but many times I want to use them without needing to rinse afterwards. That extra step basically means the wipe is pointless for me.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: These pads are excellent at removing that stubborn eye makeup like mascara. That being said, I used these very rarely, and would like to find a vegan cleanser that is safe to use on the eyes so I don’t need an extra step like this in the future.

MAKEUP

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer – 1 sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked using this primer sample from Hourglass, but I’m not able to tell if I really like it based on one use. Perhaps I can try some more from my local Sephora at some point!
Would I Buy it Again? Not based on this one use.

Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm – 1 tube [no longer available]

Mini Review: I did like this concealer, but it is definitely not the best quality. In fact, I think this is a discontinued product! I used up the entire tube because it did the job, but I wouldn’t buy it again even if it were vegan.

BODY CARE

When on vacation I used up two travel sized body washes from my collection. Unfortunately I don’t have the bottles to show you, but I still wanted to give you mini reviews!

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a good body wash that does not dry out the skin. I appreciate that it gives a nice clean without being harsh. This is also a good option if you do not like scented body washes!

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This body wash smells absolutely amazing! I would have liked a bit more foam while washing, but I still felt clean afterwards. However, I do think this is a bit too expensive for what you get. A full size bottle is $16.00!

SEPTEMBER EMPTIES: 7

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 75

As September comes to a close, I am exactly on track to complete my goal of 100 empties in 2016! I am so proud of myself for really focusing on using up the products in my collection this year. I know I can get really excited about new product releases, and it can be difficult to refrain from splurging. That being said, if you would like to save some money, I definitely recommend giving yourself an empties challenge. It’s fun and it gets you to use your collection!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | With Malice by Eileen Cook

Posted on September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

With Malice by Eileen Cook

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 7, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 316

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

It was the perfect trip…until it wasn’t.

Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron wakes up in a hospital room, leg in a cast, stitches in her face and a big blank canvas where the last six weeks should be. She discovers she was involved in a fatal car accident while on a school trip in Italy. A trip she doesn’t even remember taking. She was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care. Care that includes a lawyer. And a press team. Because maybe the accident…wasn’t an accident.

As the accident makes national headlines, Jill finds herself at the center of a murder investigation. It doesn’t help that the media is portraying her as a sociopath who killed her bubbly best friend, Simone, in a jealous rage. With the evidence mounting against her, there’s only one thing Jill knows for sure: She would never hurt Simone. But what really happened? Questioning who she can trust and what she’s capable of, Jill desperately tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.

REVIEW

I picked up With Malice by Eileen Cook shortly after its release because I kept hearing so many positive reviews. This young adult mystery novel follows teenager Jill as she wakes up in the hospital not knowing how she got there. Jill spent the last six weeks studying abroad in Italy, but she was in a horrific car crash in which her longtime best friend Simone died. If that wasn’t bad enough, Jill is now accused of purposefully causing the crash to kill Simone. With Malice follows Jill as she tries to remember what happened in Italy and discover if she is Simone’s killer.

What I really liked about this book is the fast pace and addictive writing style. I flew through this captivating read because I just had to know if Jill was a killer or not! Jill is our first-person narrator, and I think that is a great choice. I wanted to instantly trust her, but I had to remind myself that she is unreliable because of the memory loss she suffered.

Unfortunately, the author takes a lot of liberties with the way she depicts the legal process in With Malice. While I know this is a fictional novel and written for entertainment purposes only, it was clear to me that either the author did not care to be legally accurate, or she simply failed to do proper research. For example, in one scene Jill’s lawyer mentions that the opinion of a lay witness would not be admissible because it pertains to the speed of the car during the crash. Anyone who has taken an evidence class in law school knows that is completely wrong – lay witnesses can give opinion testimony in this situation. I even did some research to make sure this is the same in Italy! Those without a legal background probably will not be as bothered by the plethora of inaccuracies, but it did take away a lot from my reading experience, as I do have a law degree.

Similarly, I was also disappointed with the way the ending of With Malice is written. All of the action takes place in the last 30 pages, rendering much of what was presented in the preceding 280 pages moot. While I did like the ending itself, it was quite frustrating that it had to be so rushed. The ending would be much more effective if it were longer and better explained.

Nonetheless, I am really impressed by the plethora of discussion topics that are brought up in this book. With Malice is perfect for a book club because the author brings up a lot of issues without giving strong conclusions to any of them. For instance, friendship plays a major role in the novel. Some of the questions that crossed my mind are: when is friendship true? Can you ever really trust your friends? Should we hold onto friendships simply because we’ve been in them a long time? I think these are questions that can be discussed with others for a long time!

Another topic that I found prevalent in the novel is that of the role of the media. Multimedia plays a role in With Malice, as readers get to see blogs, articles, police interviews, etc. and make their own conclusions as to what is true. This book really demonstrates how things can become twisted so easily. Does the media tell the truth, or are we supposed to find the truth based off of what the media presents? How does social media help or hinder the news? How does social media change the lives of others? Is anonymity online good or bad? I asked myself these questions upon finishing the novel.

Probably the most intriguing topic in the book, however, is truth. Jill is constantly trying to find the truth – did she really kill Simone, or is she being framed? With Malice helped me realize how we can almost never know the truth about something, and this goes for nearly everything in life! While scary, this is also fascinating. I’m grateful that this book evoked this curiosity within me!

All in all, I did enjoy my read of With Malice by Eileen Cook, even though there are some things about it that didn’t sit well for me. It certainly is a thought-provoking read, and I recommend it for any book club. I think it is also a great pick if you are looking to break into the mystery or thriller genres, as it reads very quickly. If you’ve read With Malice, I would love to know your thoughts on it! There is so much to discuss, so please leave me a comment!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

September Lifestyle Favorites!

Posted on September 26, 2016September 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! We have just a few days left in September, and I wanted to share with you everything I’ve been loving this month. It’s been a really great month for me, most notably because I got to travel to visit family in Los Angeles. As far as beauty products go, I’ve been working hard to use up all of the products in my stash lately, so I haven’t discovered anything new. That being said, I loved a lot of things about September, and want to let you in on all the goodness!

NAIL POLISH

LVX – Azzurrum [BUY]

I absolutely love wearing navy nail polish once fall hits, and my go to polish is LVX Azzurrum. This is a high end polish that retails for $18, but it is worth the splurge in my opinion. The formula is excellent, and this polish is really long-wearing. I always go back to this navy color, and think it is a staple for any collection. Plus, it’s always great to support a small business – LVX is made in the USA!

FASHION

Elect Your Local Cat Lady T-Shirt [BUY]

I was doing some clothes shopping at the mall, and the last thing I expected to buy was a graphic tee. However, when I saw this hilarious Elect Your Local Cat Lady t-shirt at Francesca’s, I had to get it! Not only is this shirt funny, but it’s really good quality and the softest t-shirt in my wardrobe. I love politics and cats, so this shirt is pretty representative of me. I also thinks it gives me a good opportunity to bring up politics in a lighthearted way when I’m wearing it!

FOOD

118 Degrees LA [WEBSITE]

Finding vegan food in Los Angeles was a breath of fresh air! I enjoyed so many delicious meals while on vacation, but one of the standouts is the Fried Avocado Rolled Tacos from the restaurant 118 Degrees. My family and I stumbled upon this restaurant, which just so happens to be raw vegan. I’ve never been to a raw vegan place before, and I was amazed! My tacos were amazing! I gobbled them down super quickly. The service was also excellent – the server had the chef prepare fruit salad and smaller portions for my nephew. I highly recommend checking out 118 Degrees whether you are raw vegan or not!

MUSIC

True Colors by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake [BUY]

You all know by now that I am a huge Justin Timberlake fan, so it’s no surprise one of his new songs from the DreamWorks Trolls soundtrack made it on this list. I am blown away by how beautiful this cover of True Colors is. I’ve had it on repeat since it was released!

TELEVISION

Dancing with the Stars

I am also loving the new season of Dancing with the Stars! It’s still early, but my favorites this time around are Calvin Johnson, Jr. and Laurie Hernandez. I feel like the judges have been very tough in the scores so far. I’m interested to see how things will continue this season! It’s still a bit too early to see any real standouts in the cast.

SPORTS

The fall also brings football! You might know I am originally from New England, so I am a Patriots fan. I wasn’t sure how things would go for the Pats with Tom Brady suspended for the first four games. It’s been a ton of fun watching the guys advance to 3-0 on the season! I hope they can continue to dominate on the field as the season continues.

EXPERIENCE

Visiting Los Angeles

I’ve been very lucky to visit Los Angeles, California several times now. In fact, this was my fifth trip in just over two years! As I mentioned, I have family in the area, so I go to visit as often as I can. I absolutely love spending time in person with my nephew. I might not be with him often, but I treasure the moments we get together. During this trip we got to visit the beach, the park, the LA County Fair, and much more. I miss him terribly when I come home, but there is always FaceTime!

That wraps up everything I loved in the month of September! I feel like so many exciting things happen in the fall, and we are just getting started with my favorite season of the year. I’ve already begun eating some pumpkin treats, so you can expect to see that on next month’s list! As always, please share your current favorites with me in the comments. You can also use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can find your posts! Here’s to a great October!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Library Book Sale Haul | 8 Books for $3.50

Posted on September 22, 2016September 21, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! I am so excited to be back from my blogging vacation and creating content again for all of you. I wanted to kick things off by sharing about one of my favorite events that takes place every year – the library book sale at my local library. My local library always has a book sale section, but once every year there is a huge sale where books are sold at extremely affordable prices. Last year I found some amazing books (see that haul HERE), and this year I couldn’t wait to see what I would discover. Let me show you the eight books I picked up for just $3.50!

I went to the library book sale twice this year. First, I went early on opening day to get the best picks of all the books. Then, I went back on the last day when the books were all $1.00 per bag. I am happy to do a separate blog post with all of my library book sale tips, so let me know if that is something you would like to see in the comments!

During the first day of the sale, all the books were $0.50 each! I picked up five, and the first two are hardcover books in really good condition. I’ve heard amazing things about The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, so I decided to grab it in the Exclusive Collector’s Edition. I think I am most excited about finding a copy of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. I’ve read a few of Oliver’s other books, and I’ve loved them. Plus, Before I Fall is becoming a movie, so now I can be ready for it!

I also found three paperback books on the first day of the sale. I have a mixed track record with the author Laurie Halse Anderson, but I’ve heard great things about Wintergirls, so I was glad to find a copy. Similarly, I’ve only read one book by the famous John Green, and I want to see what else he has to offer. I think Looking for Alaska is his most famous book besides The Fault in Our Stars, so I hope to get to it soon. Finally, I found a copy of Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. I’ve never read a complete book by this author before, but I would love to see how he writes fiction, as I’ve sampled his nonfiction in the past.

When I went back on the last day of the sale, I found three more books! As I mentioned above, the books were now priced at $1 per bag, so I spent just a dollar for these three books. First, I found The Virgin Suicides by Jefferey Eugenides, which I’ve heard very interesting things about and am intrigued to know more. Then, I grabbed a copy of A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. I actually own this as an Ebook and tried to read it a few years ago. I got halfway through, but then gave up. I’m hoping to finish it in physical form! Last but not least, I got a copy of Balance Keepers: The Fires of Calderon by Lindsay Cummings. I’ve followed Lindsay’s YouTube channel for years now, so I’ll be happy to finally read one of her books.

Those are the eight books I got at the library book sale this year! I’m really happy with my finds, and I think this is a decent size haul. I highly recommend seeing if your local library holds a book sale. Not only is it great for us as readers to score awesome prices on books, but it helps to support the library and community at large as well. I would love to know in the comments if you hit up your local book sales. Please share what books you’ve found recently, or your best find of all time!

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Upcoming Adventures | September Blog Chat + Announcement

Posted on September 4, 2016August 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! September is here, and it’s time to share everything you can expect to see on this blog throughout the month. This is going to be a transitional month here at Adventures in Polishland, and I’m excited to share my Upcoming Adventures with all of you. Let’s chat about all things blog related!

First things first, I want to announce that I am taking a planned blog and YouTube vacation for the first few weeks of September. I’m doing well, and I still love blogging, but it’s just time for a little break. For over a year now, I’ve blogged five+ days a week and created two+ YouTube videos a week without any break whatsoever. As you can imagine, that is a lot of hard work and dedication, not to mention hours. I think you can understand why I would like a little time away from the computer. I will most definitely be back, and I expect to return around the last two weeks of September. If that changes, I will notify you via my social media.

In addition, I’ve decided that once I return from my blog vacation I am abandoning my current content schedule. I feel like my current schedule (see HERE if you want more detail) is focusing on quantity rather than quality. Thus, instead of making sure I put out five blog posts in certain categories every week, I’m going to focus on sharing good quality content whenever I have something that is worth sharing. Adventures in Polishland will still be a lifestyle blog with a beauty focus, so the majority of my posts will be about nail polish, makeup, skincare, etc. However, I want to create more lifestyle posts for you, too. I will make sure to update you on what that means when I figure out what my new blogging routine will be!

One change in posts that I can definitely share is that I will not be reviewing books on my blog as much. I love writing book reviews, and I will still be going so. Every book I read will be reviewed on Goodreads, so make sure to follow me HERE to keep up with my reading. I will still be reviewing books on the blog, too, but will focus on newer releases and books for which I have a lot to discuss.

That wraps up everything I want to tell you! I hope you understand why I’m taking some time off, and will stick around for my return later this month. I really do appreciate each and every one of you and the support you have shown to me over the past four years. I’m excited to come back and create better content for you!

Keep up with me while I’m away from the blog on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

August Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on September 2, 2016August 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’ll be sharing my August empties with all of you, and I’m excited to do so. July was a bit of a fail – I only used up three products (see that post HERE). Luckily, I used up a bunch of products in August, and I hope to be back on track for my goal of emptying 100 products this year. Let me share with you all of the beauty, skincare, and more that I used up in August!

I wanted to give you a quick reminder before I jump into the mini reviews that I won’t be repurchasing any of the non-vegan products shown in this post. Thus, I will only let you know if I will repurchase a product when it happens to be vegan.

HAIR CARE

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Wild – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve had mixed experiences with Batiste Dry Shampoo in the past, but I grabbed this one at my local T.J. Maxx on sale. I got the Wild scent, which smells amazing, but is a bit overpowering. I like this dry shampoo, but I don’t love it. That being said it is the best dry shampoo I’ve tried from the drugstore.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes. I’ve repurchased the standard clean scent, which I’m currently using.

L’Oreal Blow Dry It Quick Dry Primer Spray – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely loved this heat protectant. It made my hair look really smooth and shiny without weighing it down, and it smells really nice. I got this on super sale at CVS several months ago, and used up the bottle really quickly. I think it’s because I really enjoyed applying this product!

MAKEUP

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I used up my holy grail setting spray this month! This bottle lasted me 9 months (yes, I checked by using my blog!). I always see a difference in the longevity of my makeup on the days I forget to apply this spray. It’s worth the price tag for me!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I already did!

NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe – 1 pencil [BUY]

Mini Review: I did enjoy this eyebrow pencil, and think it is a great product for the price. However, I think my brows are much better suited to brow powders. I have wide brows, but they are quite sparse, so I need to do a lot of filling in each day. This pencil was good for days I was in a rush, but not for a really precise look.

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying in Shell – 1 packet [BUY]

Mini Review: I got one use out of this sample foundation, and I’m really impressed with it! This is a true liquid to powder foundation, and I think it works wonders if you have combination or oily skin. I think I might need a different shade, as Shell seemed a bit off, though still wearable. I might need to head to Sephora to do a color match.
Would I Buy it Again? I’m not sure. I loved this sample, but would like to try it more before I invest in a high end foundation.

NAIL CARE

Berkley Jensen 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I used up another pack of cotton rounds that I buy in bulk from BJ’s! I use these to take off my nail polish and, sometimes, to wash my face. These are a necessity for me!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve used up as much of this base coat as I possibly can, but the bottle is not completely empty. I’ve used this product for several years, and think it is a great option for an affordable base coat. It is not a great top coat, however.

SKINCARE

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 pack

Mini Review: I really liked these towelettes for removing my makeup. They are gentle on the skin and do a great job at getting off all the stubborn makeup. If you are looking for an affordable option, you can find these at Target for just over $3!

Derma-e Hydrating Night Creme – 1 tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I love this night cream! This ultra-hydrating moisturizer is somehow really light on the skin. I can also feel some firming properties in this cream. It also smells nice and smoothing, too.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

ORAL CARE

Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste – 1 tube [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve used this toothpaste several times, and really like it because it leaves my mouth feeling really clean. Plus, the little breath strips are pretty invigorating. I’ve really enjoyed this toothpaste when I’ve used it!

AUGUST EMPTIES: 10

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 68

I am so excited to now be back on track with my goal of using up 100 products this year! It definitely helps to use sample products along the way. I recently decluttered all of my samples, so I hope to focus on using up the ones I kept. As always, if you’ve tried any of these products, please let me know your thoughts on them in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.