ScentBird

I was itching to try something new for the month of August, or as my mother would say “money was burning a hole in my wallet” and I wanted to be adventurous! I’ve seen alot of ads on my phone for ScentBird (you know how these phones listen to EVERYTHING WE SAY!) and decided to give it a try!.

Scentbird offers monthly subscriptions to new fragrances for perfumes and you can also get candles! (My Bath and Body Works people will love this).

I ended up choosing Bright Poppy which was recommended based on my favorite scents. From the description of the scent I thought I would like, little did I know I would LOVE it. I was so amazed at how great it complimented me and accurate the scent was described.

It’s been an entire month and there is STILL perfume in my travel size “sample” ( I used quotations because honestly this is more than just a sample ). If your like me enjoy new beautiful scents, I highly recommend Scentbird. You will not be disappointed with this $15.99/month being spent.

Check it out today: https://www.scentbird com/r/d/scentbirduser13776258

BoxyCharm September Box

I got my September box in 5 days ago but never had time to actually use any of it until today! Rough rough week and this was the perfect down time pick-me-up. Makeup is a beautiful peaceful escape for me that lets me explore different sides of ME.

Anyway onto the Box! I’m happy to say that I’m still in love with BoxyCharm and the value of the products I get. I’m pretty sure I will never have to re-use eyeshadow brushes if I keep receiving them in my boxes every month!! Not a bad thing in my opinion.

1st product: Violet Voss – Essentials Eyeshadow Pallet, the colors are beautiful but you will definitely have to use primer before applying. MSRP: $29.00

Moda – 5 Pc Brush Kit: angled perfectly, the tips are soft and they are skinny! I have had really thick brushes and they don’t get the job done as well. MSRP: $27.95

Hank & Henry – Blickity Black Eye Liner: the felt tip feels like velvet and stays a deep black throughout the day with out fading, it’s honestly better than the Stila liquid eyeliner I bought and would be half the price! MSRP: $20.00

Dr Brandt – Hydro Biotic Sleeping Mask: this creamy mask was perfect for my skin, I have problems with irritation and redness and when I woke up my skin was soft, smelled great, a free of irritation. This is definitely worth it’s price and hands down the best things in the September Box. MSRP: $52.00

Last but not least, Billon Dollar Brow – The MicroBlade Effect: Brow Pen – I am not the best with eyebrows at ALL but this was beyond easy to use. I am in AWE at how fitting this pen was for my eyebrows and actually looked like hairs. MSRP: $18.00

If all of this sounds amazing to you (which it should) head over to BoxyCharm.com and start a subscription, don’t forget to us my code Nicole-ZMJATEVB

BoxyCharm Look #1

So I want to make this SUPER clear upfront, I am not a MUA! A make up enthusiast? Yes, Amateur? Yes lol I recently wrote about my first experience using BoxyCharm and why, if you haven’t read it please do!

I never got around to showing off the makeup itself on me. Before applying my foundation I used the Illuminating Face Oil by Wander Beauty. Did you know it’s shimmery pink? Kinda crazy, kinda cool, I really enjoyed plus it had a beautiful scent. Setting my face with the Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder was lovely, I didn’t feel cakey because it was very light weight AND it didn’t get all over my bathroom floor which happens to me a lot with other products.

I decided to use the Natural Goddess eyes shadow pallet by Butter London, all of the colors were to die for and the shade Femme Fatale (like a turquoise) kept calling my name. All of the shades are nicely pigmented but for me there was a lot of fall out. Still had no problems using the pallet

I used my very hot pink eyeshadow from Ace Beaute in the corners of my eyes. Truthfully I thought it was going to be a little lighter but still worked for me. I can definitely see myself doing my entire eye lid this color 🔮 I accentuated them with the Tarte – Big Ego Mascara.

I am extremely happy with the August BoxyCharm Box, can’t wait to keep using, exploring, and growing with this make-up. Check out more of my looks @ReadWriteThruMe and @NikkiNikkiNikki___ on Instagram 🥰💋💞

Oh! And by the way, MY NEXT BOX IS ALMOST HERE!

BoxyCharm BoxyLuxe

I’ve always been into make up and I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to it lol. I LOVE high end make-up, it’s what I splurge on but it’s definitely become a bit much. I started looking into other way’s to get the make-up quality I love with a better price for my budget, cause honey… I’m a single mommy of two who can’t keep spending money on her face!

I looked into IPSY and FabFitFun, but in the end I choose to subscribe to BoxyCharm. When looking through the months previous boxes (a tool that I love) I got to see the different brands and the actually products they put into each box. It’s was better than either of the other two PLUS, it guarantees I get full size products! That was definitely a winner for me

What through me off during the process was the shipping, I thought I would have to wait a minimum of 15 days to receive my boxes but I misread that guideline and got it in under a week. If your anything like me, you hate waiting and when you pay for something you want it now “ITS MY MONEY, AND I NEED IT NOW”

I’m going to continue my subscription and keep updating the success or mishaps I have with BoxyCharm but for NOW, I’m extremely impressed. We work hard for our money and I don’t feel cheated at all.

So here is my August 2k19 box: Natural Goddess Eyeshadow Palete by Butter London, Gaea 3 piece brush set, HYDRA-MIST & Refresh Powder by Becca (my fav), Wander – Glow ahead illuminating Oil (wowowow, I have wanted this), BigEgo Mascara by TARTE, Glimmer Shadow Duo by Ace Beaute (very new brand to me, I’m liking so far) and last but not least Hollywood N Vine – Velvety Touch Smooth Khol Eyeliner

So if you are interested in trying out BoxyCharm go for it and Use my referral 💋

Nicole-ZMJATEVB

Everything, Everything + The Sun Is Also A Star – boxed set book review!

My little sister had been bugging me to read Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon before the movie came out so I decided to finally buy it. I got a BEAUTIFUL deal on getting the boxed set of her first two novels for like 13 bucks (a steal).

Ive never seen covers of books more beautiful than both Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also A Star! Once you read the book the covers make even more sense and mean even more to me than they did before

I decided to read Everything, Everything first since it was the first book she wrote and I quickly became a fan, falling more and more in love with her conversational writing style with every line. Each character in her books are unique and tell the perfect story through their point of view.

Spoiler alert: Love is worth everything. Everything.

Madeline a 17 year old girl has lived the safest, serene life inside of her bubble of a house. Suffering from a severe combinded immunodeficiency, the bubble baby disease, she spends her day reading books, new and freshly packaged just for her (any book bloggers dream).

I’ve read more books than you. It doesn’t matter how many you’ve read. I’ve read more. believe me – Nicola Yoon, Everything, Everything

For a long time books are the only thing she needs, she is complete and satisfied. Until her life gets turned upside down when the new neighbors move in and she finds herself falling in love with a boy named Olly. Olly is relentless, Olly is real, he opens doors she never knew could be open. But the problem is once there open they can’t always be closed again.

I was happy before I met him. But I’m alive now, and those are not the same thing.

This story is such a refreshing twist on “bubble boy” and Im happy it’s not another sad sick teen dying novel, but more of a coming-of-age romance. The ending will knock you on your a$$! lol

4.5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟

The only thing I really didn’t care for was that it felt like a book that was made for a movie. That sounds weird right? But when you read it you’ll understand, each page could have been called “act 1” “scene 2”

Still this book is definitely worth the read!!!

On to The Sun is Also A Star,

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is my favorite of the two, a full 5 stars for me here. It’s honestly just because this storyline was deep on so many aspects, Fate and forgiveness is a constant concept in both books and I’ve never wondered more about my “divine plan” and what love means to me more than when I read this book.

Natasha is soon to be deported (this is not even a spoiler, trust me) and she is fighting to find a way to keep her and her family from going back to their homeland of Jamaica. She does not believe in fate, destiny, or divine plans by an unspeakable force. She believes is facts and science, love is the last thing on her list.

Daniel’s waiting for fate to kick in and change his destiny. His parents expect him to go to Yale and become a doctor. His artistic souls speaks for something more fulfilling. Korean heritage runs deep through their veins and since “perfect son number 1” doesn’t want to follow it, they expect Daniel too. The world gives him what he ask for, a sign, and the sign is Natasha.

I know there’s no such thing as meant-to-be, and yet here I am wondering if maybe I’ve been wrong. – Nicola Yoon The Sun Is Also A Star

Ugh. This story. Spoke to me. Not only does Nicola Yoon take you on an epic adventure she slowly makes you fall in love with EVERYONE. Her writing is the same with both books, short chapters full of bliss and detail. I absolutely love her breakdowns of a characters emotion. Not only this but she gives a point of view FROM the emotions. What Fate has to say, what the Future has to say, even the past, it is simply brilliant.

I am anxiously waiting for this movie to premiere I will be pre-ordering tickets! But I hope you get a chance to read the book before hand and love them just as much as I did

P.s – this book has Quotable sayings for DAYS! it was really hard trying to pick my favorites to put in this review without overdoing it 🤣

Survive The Night – by Danielle Vega : BOOK REVIEW!

I had to find what books I liked inside the YA genre since it is pretty broad. I love a teen coming-of-age love story and teens getting murdered with a little bit of sci-fi action. Therefore I love Danielle Vega ! She satisfies all of that and more.

We’ve all heard stories of the sewers. They’re never sweet and usually makes you think twice about flushing a pet down the toilet drain. Casey, Shana, Sam, Julie, Woody, and Aya find a sewer monster like no other. Now they have to firgue a way out and fast before another friend dies.

Casey, fresh out of rehab, desperate to shed herself of her new identity of being a pill popping junkie, dives back into her friends arms. The not so good friends who convince her she doesn’t have a problem. As they journey through the night finding fun, daring things to do they land in a private rave, Survive The Night Rave. She knows she shouldn’t go but her ex boyfriend Sam will be there and there’s is nothing she wants more that to reconcile their relationship. Now they must literally try to Survive the night from the monsters that lurk below.

The book was good.. You really have to tap into your imaginative side to enjoy it, which I can. The concept of the lurking monsters was amazing but it felt soo rushed and I had so many questions! Still, the suspense was uncanning at times, and although I may never know what the creature was, I have a vivid assumption in my head and it it’s terrifying.

I watch in horror as sharp grey claws burst through Woody’s chest. They carve through muscle and flesh, and crush his bones as easily as if they were toothpicks.

A little more on the cons of this book, it was very simple. I mean that in every way, writing, plot, characters. I read it in a little under 48 hrs and I could feel something was missing. The suspense was there but it grew stagnant as the same things happened over and over.

Still I would recommend this book as a quick fun read

⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

Bill Hodges Trilogy: by Stephen King – Book Review

I took a hiatus from social media for a while but recently got back into twitter, the writing community is one of my favorites there. Today i seen a tweet asking “What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading?” Instantly i thought of the Bill Hodges trilogy.

I’ve read a lot of books even as a tiny teen, TV wasn’t much of an option with 6 siblings fighting over TV time so Stephen King was my refugee. Being a favored author of mine i jumped at every book he put out. This Trilogy was the tipping point of the ice berg to make me talk non-stop about fictional character’s to people who didn’t even like reading. I believed, and still believe that even if you are not some one who like’s to read, you will certainly find the love of reading through these books.

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A dark, twisted, beguiling thriller. Mr. Mercedes had me shuddering from the very beginning. The depraved scenes that caught my attention were exactly what i was hoping for in a Stephen King Novel. As Bill Hodges obsession with capturing nemesis Brady Hartsfield grows, so does your’s. With the perfectly woven moments between the two, setting up all your hopes then heart breathtakingly tearing them down. Brady seemingly getting away with his heinous acts needs more. Tantalizing Detective Hodges until he has no choice but to do the right thing, knowing hes the only who has a shot at stopping him. When he gets involved, he will stop at nothing to bring down Brady. The race against the clock has started because Hartfield’s will stop at nothing to make a name for himself.

5 stars – loved this book! i really didn’t think it could get any better.. and then i found out there was more books.

Finders Keeper (Part 2 of the Bill Hodges trilogy)

I actually read this series out of order and still loved this book. It was amazing by itself, seeing repeat characters is the cherry on top. After reading the 1st part of the series (second) it made even more sense and was even more exciting.

Brady Hartsfield’s first act of terror killed many people and crippled the a city that was already going through a financial crisis, only adding more fuel to fire for families, especially Pete Saubers.
Morris Bellamy is set to be released from prison soon, a day every prisoner is hopeful for, but unlike other prisoners, Bellamy will be going home to his hidden treasure… or so he thinks.
Pete Saubers, a bright student with a bright future knows college is a far sight with the financial troubles his family is going through, college might be but a dream, until he stumbles on a gold mine.
Now its Pete and his families live’s that are on the line that Bill Hodges and his idiosyncratic team have to save from the vengeful, menacing Morris.

Honestly if i could rate this book a 10 it would, it deserved more than 5 stars and is going down as one of my favorite books. ❤

The End of Watch (3rd book in the Bill Hodges trilogy

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You would think after being knocked into a vegetative state, where doctors say full recovery is slim to none, Brady Hartsfield’s reign of terror would be over. But it is just a new beginning. Stephen King brings the super natural, thrilling nature out of this crime novel full storm. Although on the outside, Brady seems done for, he is still in there. Mind strong and working diligently to finish what he started. If Bill Hodges and his gang don’t figure out something it will be their lives and the lives of children on the line. The mind is a powerful tool, this is heavily prevalent with the “End Of Watch”. Seeing the evil that lies behind the mind and influences that cause destruction.

By the sea
By the sea
By the beautiful sea
You and me
You and me
Oh how happy we’ll be

I did really like this book, and i gave the 1st two 5 stars… but 4.5 stars just because the ending wasn’t as great to me!! It got a little dull at times but was still amazing. ❤ Stephen king is a genius.

These books have a place high on my book shelf and i hope you take the time to read and love them too!

Read more reviews on my Instagram and twitter: @readwritethrume

Finding Me (diary)

How can we all come into this world so confidently and end up so confused. As babies fresh out the womb we felt no shame, no judgement, maybe just a little bit pissy seeing as our whole way of life has just been shifted and we find our selves in a cold world full of lights, but in an instant we were back happy.

I want to get back to this point. Not the whole baby thing but the idea of just being happy and willing to learn, willing to love, and willing to be freely me.. kicking and screaming included.

Somewhere between day one and year 25 I became a cautious, fearful, introverted freak. And I can say this because in order to change the parts of me I want to change, I have to recognize them and acknowledge that they are apart of me. I’ve always wanted to be the person who had many people they could talk to, yet I never struck up any conversations first, sadly. So this year I decided to start many conversations by making my thoughts public and allowing myself to let more people (maybe a shit ton of people) into my thoughts. Not only that but pushing myself to actual react with others on social media. This may seem small or stupid but I’ve never been more honest, and as much damage as social media can cause it has been my gateway into connecting with people who think, feel, and love the same things I love 💕. The little interactions lead to meaningful conversation with strangers who have turned out to be friends, my “digital village”.

My confidence is on 8 right now, and that’s on a scale of 10. Most people don’t realize the strength it takes to be open and honest in a harsh world without caring about the consequences. It’s easy for some, especially people growing up in this technological age but it took me a while to get here. I had to break out of the routine of making sure everything was perfect before 1. Posting a picture, 2. Writing something I really wanted to write about, and 3. Speaking my truth. What I mean by speaking my truth is not being nasty or deliberately trying to hurt others feelings but saying what I am and am not going to put up with.

“ no you can not have my last piece of chicken.”

“Yes I do mind if you move my stuff with out asking me.”

“Would you like to hang out sometime of coffee!?”

All in all I’ve stopped being so passive aggressive and I love myself for it. I love the people who stuck around even after finding my voice. People who understood where I was coming from which was a surprising relief.

Coming to fruition that my passive aggressiveness came from not wanting to lose the people in my life was the first step. Second was allowing myself to see that i didn’t want those people in my life if they couldn’t understand I was no longer going hinder myself by putting other people’s thoughts and feelings so highly above mine all the time. Third came the relief and another step of freedom.

The willingness to love myself more now than ever is a process, I, like everyone else, will always be a work in progress. Complete acceptance of everything that I am is the ultimate goal. I’m not a person who likes to believe other people can tell you how to love yourself or love others but I’ve opened my self up to the possibility. It’s one of the best things I’ve done for my self. Recently read a few self-help books that reminds me everyday of the person I’m trying to become and the importance in loving and believing in myself. I strongly suggest you pick one up if you have been trying to do it in your own and are not quite succeeding.

A few of my favorites

You Are A Badass Everyday – by Jen Sincero

She has a few books in the bad ass series but this short book is compacted with wonderful everyday pick me ups and reminders on just how great you are

The Gifts of Imperfection – by Brene Brown

I love this book, definitely a keeper, a reminder that you are good enough and tips to keep your souls in a good mood

UnFu*k Yourself – by Gary John Bishop

This title really says it all lol, and it is a great read, I happen to love the audio book and is great for listening to in traffic

Thanks for reading a part of my journey 🥰

Leave me some love if you feel like it

Twitter: @ReadWriteThruMe

Instagram: @ReadWriteThruMe

You Are A BadAss Everyday : short review/thought

✍🏻: Jen Sincero

Book: Your Are A BadAss Everyday

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5

This is the second book I’ve read in the bad ass series and I read it in one day (I might have read it wrong lol.) Not that I don’t know how to read or anything like that but I think this is the kind of book where you take the chapters day by day, not just in one whole sitting. Regardless, it was just as amazing as “Your Are a Badass how to stop Doubting Your Greatness and Live An Awesome Life”. You can read this book in a single day and get great advise BUT it is not a book I would just put on a bookshelf after I read it. It’s perfect for keeping in my purse, my desk, or on a nightstand for quick pick me ups and advise to realign yourself with the universe and your goals when you’re not feeling as “badass” as you should. The writing style is the exact same, as expected (it is the same author) with a witty fun undertone and the perfect amount of pick me up cuss words to get motivated and excited about life. If you are looking for a little more of a break down and a deeper understand I would suggest reading “You Are A Badass” (yellow cover) first. Can’t wait to read another 💕

Instagram: @readwritethrume

Twitter: @readwritethrume

Then She Was Gone – Book Review

I feel i must say this off the bat, this review like all of my others are not traditional, really just my thoughts and feelings and little something something about the book that may or may not entice you to read it lol.

I’ll put this rating in the beginning because I feel so strongly about it

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5 stars, yes 5 whole stars! This is right now, my FAVORITE BOOK I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell

If she could unwind the timeline, untwist it and roll it back the other way like a ball of wool, she’d see the knots in the yarn, the warming signs. Looking at it backward it was obvious all along. But back then, when she nothing about anything, she had not seen it coming. She had walked straight into it with her eyes open.

Laurel Mack loses her youngest daughter, her golden girl Ellie 10 years ago. She had her whole life ahead of her and in a blink of an eye everything changed. 10 years after the disappearance of Ellie police find her bones, The speculation that Ellie ran away does not sit right with Laurel because like any parent, she knows her daughter is happy and knows this is not in her nature. Still closure. Meeting the man of her dreams shortly after accepting her new life is everything Laurel deserves. Charismatic Floyd is seemingly perfect in all ways and quickly sweeps her off her feet, but when she meets his 9 year old daughter Poppy all of the unanswered questions of her daughters disappearance reappears, worry and terror spill back into her life, Why does his daughter look exactly like Ellie? And why doesn’t this little girl have a mother?

Lisa Jewell has written a master piece of a novel filled with intense thrill and bone-chilling suspense. Taking a traditional storyline and completely making it her own, teasing and twisting out details with every page turn, unwinding the ball of yarn with precision. I was captivated by her style. This is the first book by Lisa Jewell that I have read so i wasn’t sure what to expect but the flawless chapters spoke to me. You wouldn’t think a thriller novel could be so poetic but she pulled it off. I found myself taking my time while reading this book. Reading page after page and then digesting the new tale of the story. I put this book down a few times saying “WHAT THE F***, did that just happen!” – and I say this is the best most exciting way possible. Eveytime I thought I knew what was going to happen I next I was delightfully met with a new twist or turn, keeping me at the edge of my seat.

The Epilogue SLAYED me. The ending of the book was amazing but this gave me closure I didn’t even know I needed, I think I needed this more than Laurel Mack lol 😝 ❤️, thank you Lisa for writing this amazing novel

Side note: I ran across an article about the ending, how the author changed it and it gives the “original” version, check it out and tell me if you prefer it or not. I’m definitely into the official version but it was super interesting to read another side, the side we somewhat dream of but no it’s not right.

https://blog.whsmith.co.uk/rjsp18-lisa-jewell-ending-envisaged-gone-warning-contains-spoilers/

Add me on Twitter and Instagram: @readwritethrume