Lifestyle – Page 21 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Lifestyle

Book Review | Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

Posted on September 24, 2015September 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

Published by Crown Archetype on October 14, 2014

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Humor

Format: Paperback

Pages: 291

Source: Blogging for Books

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened?

Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in “aUtobiography”? Then look no further than Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! In this revolutionary, Joycean experiment in light celebrity narrative, actor/personality/carbon-based life-form Neil Patrick Harris lets you, the reader, live his life. You will be born in New Mexico. You will get your big break at an acting camp. You will get into a bizarre confrontation outside a nightclub with actor Scott Caan. Even better, at each critical juncture of your life, you will choose how to proceed. You will decide whether to try out for Doogie Howser, M.D. You will decide whether to spend years struggling with your sexuality. You will decide what kind of caviar you want to eat on board Elton John’s yacht.

Choose correctly and you’ll find fame, fortune, and true love. Choose incorrectly and you’ll find misery, heartbreak, and a hideous death by piranhas. All this, plus magic tricks, cocktail recipes, embarrassing pictures from your time as a child actor, and even a closing song. Yes, if you buy one book this year, congratulations on being above the American average, but make that book Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography!

REVIEW

I’ll admit it – I’m a sucker for the celebrity memoir. I even have a separate space on my bookshelves where I keep celebrity books because it makes me laugh to see my pop culture obsession physically stacked in one place. That being said, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t expect much out of the celebrity memoir in terms of quality writing. I’m excited to share my thoughts on Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography, as NPH proved that not all celebrity books are created equal.

Of course, Choose Your Own Autobiography is written in its classic style, allowing readers to control the story’s order by choosing to which pages they turn at the end of each chapter. This allows the book to be read in a variety of ways, making each reader’s experience different. I chose to read the book chronologically from cover to cover, and while that may be breaking the rules a bit, I found that my reading experience was still logical and enjoyable. Thus, no matter how you choose to live NPH’s life, the book is organized so that your adventure is always a great one.

Similarly, NPH’s writing voice is extremely well done (and I say that recognizing he’s not the only person credited as author). His writing is witty, and I was laughing at his cleverly inserted one-liners throughout the entirety of the book. He mixed fact with fiction so seamlessly that sometimes I couldn’t even differentiate between the two. At the same time, NPH shared a great deal about his life, including many intimate moments. Despite not following his career closely before, I feel like I know him personally after reading his book.

Moreover, I have a few minor critiques. While the experimental writing style works well for the majority of the book, there is one lone chapter that fell flat for me. Choose Your Own Autobiography is written in the second person, placing the reader into the role of NPH. However, one chapter is written in How I Met Your Mother style, with NPH speaking in the first person to his children Gideon and Harper. I can appreciate how he’s using the familiar trope in the book, but I felt like the switch in perspective was unnecessary and detracted from the otherwise uniform writing.

Finally, Choose Your Own Adventure needs more page numbers! The entire premise of this book is allowing the reader to flip to the pages of her choice to continue the story, but each new chapter of the book does not contain a page number. Many chapters are only a couple pages long, so there can be a few pages in a row without a page number. That makes flipping to the correct page number a bit annoying and time-consuming, and takes away from the enjoyment of reading when one has to stop and find the proper page before continuing. If this book is printed again, I highly recommend the publisher include a page number on each and every page.

Those small critiques aside, I truly enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography. It is a fun and thoughtful read, and great whether you’re a huge NPH fan or simply looking to learn a bit more about him. Plus, the book includes recipes, magic tricks, and even a chunk of photos in the middle. It truly has something for everyone.

BUY THE BOOK

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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.

Fall Fashion featuring Beautiful-Scarves.com | Dressy Casual Day Outfit

Posted on September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Fall officially beings tomorrow on September 23, so I thought today would be a good time to share one of my go-to fall outfits with all of you. I really enjoy wearing casual clothing, but I still like to look polished (pun intended). Plus, fall is the perfect opportunity to start breaking out the jackets and scarves! I received a new scarf from Beautiful-Scarves.com to review for all of you, so I figured I would share my entire fashion look. Let me show you the dressy casual fall outfit I styled!

Outfit: Beautiful-Scarves.com Black & White Patterned Scarf, Jones New York Blazer, Express Portofino Blouse, Mossimo Jeggings, Sole Society Wren Sneakers, H&M The Shopper Handbag, Firmoo Glasses.

Beautiful-Scarves.com

The scarf you see in this blog post was sent to me for review from Beautiful-Scarves.com. It is an on-trend black, grey, and white checkered pattern, and is made out of a super soft material. I love how the scarf feels, and it is very warm as well. I wish the scarf were longer, because I really love oversize scarves. However, I can wear it as shown in the pictures, or by tying the ends together and looping it in an infinity design. Plus, this scarf can be worn with practically any outfit, and is unisex. I also love the $11.99 price tag! I was really impressed when the scarf arrived carefully packaged in this gift box, too.

Sole Society

I also wanted to feature the sneakers that I’m wearing in this post. I made my first purchase from Sole Society this month, and I am beyond impressed. I was nervous to buy shoes online, because I wasn’t sure how they were going to fit. Because Sole Society offers free returns, I figured I would go for it and order the Wren Slip-On Sneaker. I was super excited when my order arrived and the shoes fit perfectly! Plus, they are really comfortable. I love the faux leather detailing, and the textured fabric is perfect for fall. I am definitely going to be purchasing from Sole Society again in the future! If you would like to save 20% off your first order, please use my referral link HERE.

I hope you enjoyed taking a look at what a typical outfit is for me! I never want to sacrifice my comfort, so I always choose pieces that look a notch dressier than they really are. Plus, a blazer is perfect for the slightly cooler temps of fall, especially when layered with a scarf. I’ll be living in this look all fall long! Be sure to let me know in the comments what you are excited for in terms of fall fashion. Will you be rocking any trends?!

Some of 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 | Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (The Illuminae Files #1)

Posted on September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 20, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 608

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

REVIEW

I knew Illumiae would be a unique reading experience ever since I picked it up at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May. This brick of a book is 600 pages, yet flies by due to its experimental writing style. Illuminae is told through a series of hacked documents and presented to the reader as one large case file. From email logs, to video surveillance summaries, to government documents and more, Illuminae is experimental writing done right.

The story chronicles Kady Grant and Ezra Mason, a young couple who breaks up on the same day their colony is attacked by a giant corporation. Kady and Ezra escape on spaceships, with Kady being on the Hypatia and Ezra on the Alexander. Illuminae chronicles this duo as they discover the reasons behind the attack and the fate that is in store for their community. What follows is a terrifying tale featuring a petrifying virus taking over the population and a human-like artificial intelligence program called AIDAN, which is controlling the fate of everyone aboard the spaceships.

I was immediately captivated with the story, though I did find it a bit difficult to understand everything that was going on at first because of the book’s set-up. While the world-building could have been stronger, the characters were instantaneously likable, and I was rooting for Kady and Ezra from page one. I was amazed with how connected I felt with the characters in Illuminae. Kady, in particular, is an impeccable heroine.

The breakthrough star of Illuminae, though, is AIDAN, the artificial intelligence on board the Alexander. While AIDIN may be just a machine, his words and feelings are so human that it was easy to forget he was created through computer code. AIDAN’s character is creepy and intriguing. His ability to know and see everything around him is disturbing, and his ability wipe out the entire community with one command is terrifying. AIDAN’s role in Illuminae stirs up a dialogue about what it means to be human, and the dangers of technology if we continue to let it dominate our lives.

Moreover, Illuminae’s design is done extremely well. As the story continues, page design plays a big role in the reading experience. The color of the pages, font, and word placement help to build anticipation, and I’m very impressed with the careful attention to detail. Some pages in the book are truly works of art, and it does not go unappreciated.

Finally, the ending of Illuminae is very well done. While it was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it nonetheless. The story is completed while still setting up for book two. I can’t wait until the next installment in this trilogy comes out, though I’ll have to do so – it won’t be released until sometime in 2016. Until then, I highly recommend you pre-order Illuminae so you can experience this adventure as soon as the book hits shelves in October. Don’t be intimidated by the page count – you’ll fly through Illuminae with ease.

BUY THE BOOK

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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.

Book Review | The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester (The Curiosity House #1)

Posted on September 15, 2015September 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

The Shrunken Head (The Curiosity House #1) by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books on September 29, 2015

Genres: Children’s, Middle Grade, Mystery, Urban Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 368

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester.

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

REVIEW

I got in a line to meet Lauren Oliver at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May and came away with this book, of which I knew nothing. What I got in The Shrunken Head is a fun children’s story that takes place in New York City in the 1930s. The setting is Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, which just got in a new and exciting oddity – a shrunken head. This head wows audiences and drives crowds to Dumfrey’s until it is stolen. The story follows four children who live and perform at Dumfrey’s as they run around New York trying to find the head and figure out why so many people have mysteriously died since the head’s disappearance.

The Shrunken Head is perfect for fans of Clue and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, as it combines these genres in a new way. Our ‘freaks’ in the story are: Pippa, a mind reader; Thomas, a boy who can fit into any space no matter how small; Max, a knife-throwing girl; and Sam, a scrawny strongman. These four unite to save the museum they call home, and make a great cast of characters. Each child has a well-developed personality individually, but work together really well. In addition, The Shrunken Head has an extended character list that is easy to follow and keep in line.

Moreover, The Shrunken Head is very well written. I loved the funny lines thrown in, and how the mystery aspect of the story is well-crafted. There are just enough hints along the way that make the book fun for adults as well as children. That being said, I do think the storyline is a bit dark for its intended audience of 8-12-year-olds. The Shrunken Head is a murder mystery, so there is a bit of violence, and a discussion of murder and suicide. While there is nothing too graphic, if you are a parent of young children I would keep the subject-matter in mind.

One thing I do really love about the story, though, is the overall message. I think it’s great that The Shrunken Head discusses body image and being different, and how what makes a person good is not what he looks like on the outside. I definitely look forward to seeing the children in The Shrunken Head in another book soon, especially considering the ending of this one!

All in all, I really enjoyed The Shrunken Head. It is a cute and fun story, and can be enjoyed by a wide audience. I look forward to seeing the final version of the book upon its release on September 29, 2015, so I can see the beautiful artwork that is to be included (I only got sneak peeks in my advanced copy!). I definitely recommend The Shrunken Head if it sounds like something up your alley!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

Pipsticks Sticker Subscription | Unboxing + Coupon Code

Posted on September 12, 2015September 2, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to share with you a new sticker subscription service called Pipsticks. This service sends a bundle of stickers and other stationary supplies to your door every month for just $15. As you may know, I absolutely love to decorate my Erin Condren Life Planner with stickers. Plus, I like to send out snail my to my family and friends, and I always include some stickers on the envelope. I reached out to Pipsticks and the brand graciously sent me a welcome kit to review, and is also providing a coupon code for all of you! Let me show you what to expect in a Pipsticks Subscription!

ABOUT PIPSTICKS

Pipsticks is a monthly sticker subscription with three different plans. The Kids Club and Pro Club (for adults) are each $15, and the Family Club is $35, and includes three times the amount of goodies as the Kids Club. I got a Pro Club kit to review, which comes with at least 15 sticker sheets, a quote card, a stamped postcard, and other goodies. The stickers are curated from all over the world, and I love that Pipsticks does not include character stickers. In other words, you won’t receive Disney stickers or Minion stickers. I think that is a really smart business move, because you always know that Pipsticks is including unique stickers!

UNBOXING

Let’s take another look at everything inside my Pipsticks subscription! I’ll talk a bit more about what I’m loving, what I’m not sure about, and how I plan on using the stickers. First are the stationary products: the quote card, stamped postcard, and vintage inspired postcard. I love how versatile these items are, and I think it’s amazing that the postcard comes in every kit. That way you can design a new postcard every month, and send it to a different family member or friend!

Next up are the vintage inspired stickers. I absolutely love these two sheets! Each one would be great for a weekly planner layout in my Erin Condren. I am already envisioning the washi tape and color palette I would use! The quality on all of the stickers in this kit is beyond excellent as well.

The next batch of stickers I would label fun and trendy. I’m not really loving the sheet of faces on the left, but I think the emoticons and popsicles are awesome! In addition, the Polaroid Deco Stickers are great for decorating photos, coloring in, and more. I really like how Pipsticks has such a variety!

Speaking of variety, I think these kawaii stickers are beyond cute! The full sheet will work really well in my planner, and the ‘Don’t Forget’ sticker is perfect! I’m not sure how to use the little faces yet, but they are great for journaling or scrapbooks. While I don’t use 3-D stickers often, I’m excited to discover a new creative way to do so!

Of course, the kit also includes some functional stickers, which are some of my favorites. I would love to see Pipsticks include more functional stickers in the future, but the ones I received are definitely great. The stars are perfect for highlighting important events, and the small ones can be used as bullet points. I know I’ll be using all of these in my planner!

Last but not least are these little samples of Russian nesting dolls! I love these, too! They are so cute and colorful. I use small stickers of this size to seal envelopes all the time. The little bear is especially adorable.

FINAL THOUGHTS & COUPON CODE

All in all, I’m really impressed with Pipsticks and I think it is a great value for the money. If you love stickers and stationary, this is an affordable way to receive a bunch of goodies in the mail every month. Many Etsy shops put out monthly subscriptions or kits for the same price, but you receive a lot less stickers. With Pipsticks you are still supporting a small business, but you are getting a better value. Of course, I still love Etsy shops, but if you are really on a tight budget, I think this is a great option. Pipsticks is also providing all of you with a 15% off coupon code! Use code POLISH15 at checkout. If you’re in the United Stated, shipping is included, but international subscribers will need to pay an additional shipping fee. Nonetheless, I hope you will consider trying out Pipsticks! I think it’s a ton of fun!

FIND PIPSTICKS

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

Firmoo Glasses Giveaway | Choose Your Frames!

Posted on September 10, 2015September 1, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am excited to announce a giveaway being sponsored by Firmoo, an online store specializing in affordable glasses and sunglasses. I’ve reviewed three pairs of Firmoo glasses in the past, and now they want to give a pair away to one of my readers thanks to your support! I’ve really loved the glasses I’ve tried from Firmoo, especially the sunglasses. They are great quality, come in a variety of trendy frames, and arrive with a soft case, hard case, and mini screwdriver. It’s an amazing company to shop with when you are on a budget, but need prescription glasses! Let me show you the glasses I’ve tried, and then we’ll get onto the giveaway!

Jet Away June | Prescription Sunglasses from Firmoo.com [LINK]

Fall Office Fashion with Firmoo Sunglasses [LINK]

Firmoo Hipster Glasses Review + Work Outfit [LINK]

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Firmoo is giving away one pair of glasses with free shipping to one of you! The winner will get to choose from the Blogger Collection (found HERE). Included in the prize are the frames and standard 1.50 index single vision lenses. This giveaway is international, but you must reside in one of the countries to which Firmoo ships. You can view the full list of applicable countries HERE. Please read the full Terms & Conditions in the Rafflecopter widget below before entering. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. Thank you for your support! It’s your follows and views that allow me to give back to you with the help of brands. I really appreciate it!

This giveaway is sponsored by Firmoo, which means they are providing the prize. I am not being compensated. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Posted on September 8, 2015August 14, 2025 by Adventures in Polishland

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Published by Broadway Books in June 2012

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Format: Mass Market Paperback (Movie Tie-In Edition)

Pages: 555

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★★

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy’s diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media–as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents–the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter–but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

REVIEW

Wow. Gone Girl is my new obsession. Despite being late to the Gone Girl train, I managed to avoid spoilers and still find myself completely invested in this absolutely brilliant novel by Gillian Flynn. I’m sure you’ve all heard of this thrilling book in which Nick Dunne’s wife Amy suddenly goes missing on the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary by now, but I couldn’t resist sharing my thoughts with you nonetheless.

I typically avoid long books, and Gone Girl is a chunker at over 550 pages. The beginning was a bit slow at first, but once I hit around the 200 page mark, Gone Girl had completely taken over my life to the point where I couldn’t put the book down, and even carried it in my purse hoping to squeeze in a few pages whenever I got the chance. At the time of writing this review, it’s been two days since I completed the novel, yet I’m still thinking about it, and probably will be for a long time.

I’m amazed at how Flynn has created the two unlikeable characters of Nick and Amy, but still manages to make me feel sorry for them. Nick and Amy both had difficult childhoods that shaped their personalities in different ways, and while neither of their actions are excusable, I still find it hard to find them totally despicable, or even annoying. It’s rare for me to read a book in which I don’t like the characters, but still enjoy their personas.

Moreover, I am blown away by Flynn’s ability to craft a novel in the way she did. Without giving anything away in this spoiler-free review, suffice it to say that as the story developed, I was sitting there thinking “Brilliant!,” “Of course!,” and “Incredible!” at the amount of thought and detail put into the story. Flynn includes just the right amount of predictable to allow the reader to have an inkling of what’s going to happen, but still managing to stun and surprise at the same time. This is truly an impeccable piece of writing.

As for the ending, though quite unsettling and a bit off-character, I find it the perfect ending to Gone Girl. While the ultimate “winner” is not desirable, I can only imagine how things will go for these characters in the future. Flynn instills the proper feeling of fear and apprehension in the reader as her intense and unbelievable novel comes to a close.

If you were like me and waited to read Gone Girl, do yourself a favor and pick it up as soon as possible. I’ll be sure to read Flynn’s other works in the near future, and will certainly pick up anything else she releases going forward.

BUY THE BOOK – LINK (affiliate link)

Is Erin Condren Worth the Price? | #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on September 5, 2015September 5, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have a new #PlanWithPolishland post for all of you, and I am really excited about it. I’ve been using my Erin Condren Life Planner for a little over two months now, and I am really loving it. I can honestly say it’s helped me make a change in my life, and I’m so glad I invested in it. You can learn more about the planner I purchased HERE, but today I want to talk about whether or not the Erin Condren Life Planner is worth the money. A standard 12-month Life Planner costs $50, and that price tag sounds quite expensive at a first glance. Let me show you how the Erin Condren breaks down in terms of cost, and share my thoughts on whether I think it is worth the price.

ERIN CONDREN LIFE PLANNER BY THE NUMBERS

First and foremost, let’s break down the price of the Erin Condren Life Planner (“ECLP”). For this post I will be basing my numbers off of the 12-month Ready to Ship Life Planner purchased by a first-time Erin Condren customer. If you are debating about whether or not the ECLP is for you, I’m assuming you are a first time purchaser. If not, these numbers will need to be adjusted a bit, but you are still getting a fantastic deal! The ECLP retails for $50.00, and shipping is $9.95. However, you can receive a $10 off coupon for your first Erin Condren purchase by signing up for a free Erin Condren account using my referral link HERE. Once you create your free account, you will receive an email with your coupon code. Your $59.95 purchase is already down to $49.95!

Next up, let’s take a look at all of the freebies and accessories included with every Ready to Ship Life Planner! These add up to a retail value of $22.70!

Perpetual Calendar – $5.00 [LINK]
Party Pops Snap-In Bookmark – $4.00 [LINK]
3 Compliment Cards – $1.50 [LINK]
Do-it-All Dots Sampler Sheet – $0.67 [LINK]
1 CoilClip Connecter – $0.58 [LINK]
Coupon for a FREE Cover – $10.95 [LINK to the cover design I chose]

Your first order from Erin Condren will also include two additional freebies! They have a retail value of $20.87.

Coupon Code – $10.00
10 Gift Labels – $10.87 [LINK]

If you’ve been keeping track, so far all of the freebies and accessories add up to a total retail value of $43.57. Every Erin Condren Life Planner purchase also comes with a free sticker and postcard. I would estimate the value of these goodies at about $1.00-1.50. That makes the total amount of freebies included worth $45.00! That is an excellent investment considering you only paid $49.95 out of pocket!

ERIN CONDREN LIFE PLANNER QUALITY & USAGE

Of course, the price of the Erin Condren means nothing if the quality of the planner isn’t good. Take it from me – the quality is amazing. The covers are very sturdy and laminated, and snap in and out of the planner easily. The pages are very thick and sturdy as well. The tabs included on the side for separating the months are also laminated, so I haven’t had any issues with those bending or getting damaged. Finally, the coil is very strong, too – it doesn’t bend or get messed up like regular notebooks. As you can see, the quality is top notch!

In the end, I think the Erin Condren Life Planner is 100% worth the price so long as you are going to use it! Make your planner your new best friend, and it will treat you well. After just two months of using my planner, I find that I am more organized than ever. I immediately add appointments, bills, and events to my planner, and that way I never forget about them. I also use the notes pages for shopping lists, and the monthly calendar to track my blog and YouTube posts. I am so happy I finally made the investment in an Erin Condren Life Planner. If you’ve been thinking about it, DO IT! You will not regret it.

Do you use an Erin Condren Life Planner? Tell me how in the comments or use #PlanWithPolishland on social media!

August 2015 Favorites | Monthly Favorites are Back!

Posted on September 1, 2015September 1, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It’s been quite a while since I posted about my monthly favorites, but I’ve decided to bring them back. Now that Adventures in Polishland has been dubbed (by me!) as a lifestyle blog with a beauty focus, I feel 100% comfortable sharing my favorites from all aspects of my life. Here you’ll get to see my favorite beauty products, but also my favorites in a variety of other categories. Let me show you what I’ve been loving all month long!

NAIL POLISH

Zoya – Sia [REVIEW] [BUY]

I am beyond obsessed with this gorgeous blue from Zoya. Sia is the perfect nail polish, and I can’t wait to wear it again and again this fall. The pigmentation is stunning, and the color is my kind of blue. You need Sia in your life!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’m also really impressed with the newly reformulated Miracle Gel Top Coat. It makes a huge difference in a manicure’s appearance, and can be used with any polish. I’m making this my go-to top coat from now on.

BEAUTY

L’Oreal True Match LUMI Powder Glow Illuminator in Rose [BUY]

I wanted to test out a highlighter from the drugstore, and squealed when I saw this rose gold packaging and product from L’Oreal. It was a bit pricey for the drugstore at $12.99, but 100% worth the price. It is such a beautiful highlight, and goes really welly with my fair skin. I highly recommend it!

Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos [BUY]

I got this blush in a Birchbox a few months back, and was a little intimidated by the bright tangerine color and pops of shimmer. I finally tested it out this summer and love it! I use a very light hand and find that the color is really flattering. Plus, the water resistant formula stays put all day. This blush is high end, but a great investment piece for your beauty collection.

elf Angled Blush Brush [HAUL] [BUY]

Along with the blush, I’ve been using this brush from elf. I am amazed at how nice this brush is for the price – it’s only $3! The brush is super soft, and applies blush really well no matter the brand. I’m definitely going to purchase more brushes from this line in the future. If you have any favorites, tell me in the comments!

FOOD

Nutella

I’ve loved Nutella for years and years, but I don’t buy it often because I have zero self control when it’s in my possession. My mom bought this for me as a treat, and the jar was gone in a few days. I ate it mainly with pretzels, but let’s be real, I took a couple spoonfuls as well. Nutella is an amazing treat, but that’s enough for me for a while!

STICKER SHOP

HelloAshleyann [SHOP]

My planner hobby is still in full swing, and my favorite place to buy stickers in August was HelloAshleyann on Etsy. I have a soft spot for this shop because it was the first shop I ever bought stickers from, but I also fell in love with the new, limited edition kits the shop decided to put out once per month. I’ve linked a Plan With Me featuring the Planner Nerd kit above, and although this kit is no longer available, I highly recommend you join her Facebook Group HERE to learn about upcoming kits. The sticker quality is amazing, and the customer service is, too.

SONG

Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon [BUY]

Last but not least, I love the song Shut Up and Dance! It is SO catchy in the best way possible. I don’t listen to Top 40 much anymore, but somehow this song came into my life and I’m so glad it did.

What did you love in August?! Tell me in the comments!

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

Back to School Week | How to Use the Erin Condren Life Planner for College

Posted on August 29, 2015August 26, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today is the last day of Back to School Week, and to finish things off I’m sharing how I would use my Erin Condren Life Planner for college. I’ve seen so many people on Facebook asking how to use the planner for school, so I thought I would go ahead and share a mock Plan With Me video with all of you. To go along with the video, I wanted to talk a bit more about the items I recommend here on the blog. Let’s get started!

WHAT YOU NEED

I want to begin by saying that you don’t necessarily need any of these things in particular to use a planner in college. Many colleges give out free planners, or you can buy one very inexpensively at your local office supply store. That being said, I highly recommend the following:

Erin Condren Life Planner in the Horizontal Layout – $50; save $10 on your first purchase using my referral link HERE
Erin Condren Snap-In To Do List – $4
Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Markers – $6.49 for the 12-pack shown on Amazon HERE
Colored Pens, my favorite being THESE from InkJoy (not pictured)
Darice Sticker Books – $1, find at your local Michaels Crafts

PLANNING ROUTINE

As you can see, it is really easy to use the Erin Condren Life Planner for college. The horizontal layout has tons of space to write down all of your assignments and other life events. The Snap-In To Do List really makes all the difference, and is a great $4 investment. I hope you found this post and video helpful as the school year begins! Of course, let me know your planning tips and tricks in the comments!

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