On My Reading List

Since I started grad school, I haven’t had very much time at all for reading, which is tough for someone like me who used to read a minimum of one book a week!

Since my reading time will be limited for the foreseeable future, I’m collecting a list of books I really want to read so it’s ready whenever I have some free time. Here’s what’s on my list:

(In no particular order)

•Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – I’ve read a few Le Carré novels before. He is regarded as one of the best spy novelists of all time. Id eventually like to read his whole collection.

•The Maze Runner – my dad recommended this one to me. Who doesn’t love a teen dystopia novel?

•The Quiet American – another oldie but goodie. I actually read half of this one in college but didn’t ever have the chance to finish it. Can’t wait to dig out my copy and delve into this great spy novel again.

•If I Stay – this seems like such an interesting concept, something out of the box.

•Luckiest Girl Alive – (comes out in May 2015). As a huge fan of Jessica Knoll’s writing style, seen in her blog Love Sex Pizza, I’m anxiously awaiting the release of her first novel!

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2015? My list is pretty short, so I could use some suggestions 🙂

Fabulous Fall Coats

As reluctant as I am to admit it, fall is upon us here in New England. Gone are the days of tank tops and shorts, except maybe for that late fall heat wave Massachusetts always seems to get. The good news is, cooler weather opens up all kinds of new fashion options. It’s time to break out the fall wardrobe, a staple of which is the coat!

As I see it, there are 6 types of outerwear for the fall. While you don’t have to have one of each, I would definitely recommend getting at least a few different styles so you’re ready for any occasion.

1. Raincoat. While this depends on where you live, a raincoat is a must for those drizzly days, especially if you’re wearing white! I love the trench style raincoat as it looks more professional for the workplace.

2. Leather. Or in my case, faux leather. This style adds a little edge to your outfit, so it’s great for weekends or a night out on the town. I have one in this color, but black or gray would work as well since they’re all neutrals.

3. Denim. They may have gone out of style for a while but they are definitely back! It’s a great casual look for the weekends, with a dress, colored jeans or printed palazzo pants.

4.Trench. A shorter trench in a funky color or style is great when working in the city. You can look stylish while maintaining warmth as you walk from the train to the office and even out for drinks after work.

5. Puffy Vest. I personally have never been a vest girl, but I have seen it look great on so many other people that I had to include it. Pair it with a long sleeve tee or a light sweater for extra warmth.

6. Peacoat. You may not need this one until closer to winter, but this classic look is a wardrobe staple. It’s great for the office, a night out, fancy events or just running errands on the weekend. There are different weights as well – I have a pretty purple lightweight peacoat for fall and a heavier one (with a hood!) for when the snow starts falling.

I must admit, I have 5 out of these 6 styles in my closet. (I just can’t pull off the vest look, sadly.) The good thing is, I am ready for fall! Are you? What’s your favorite fall coat style?

Organix Coconut Milk Hair Products

When it comes to hair, I must say I’m pretty lucky. My hair is naturally wavy, so I can curl or straighten it very easily. Lately I like to just wear my hair naturally, with a hint of curl. My biggest hair problem is that is gets frizztastic some days, especially in the humidity.

A few months back, I had a coupon for a hair care line I had never tried so I gave it a shot and boy am I glad I did. Organix Coconut Milk is now my go-to for hair products.

(source)

I currently only use the shampoo, conditioner and mousse, but even with just those products I feel a difference in my hair. It’s smoother, silkier and much easier to manage. Plus the smell is divine – I feel like I’m on a tropical island with every use!

I can see how it works differently for different hair types though, so if this product isn’t the best for your hair, check out some other Organix lines. They have a variety of products so just about every type of hair is covered.

Organix can be found at most local drugstores. The price is a little higher than some other hair care products but I’ve found it’s definitely worth the price.

Investment Worthy: Aruba Aloe

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had incredibly sensitive skin. While acne breakouts were never a huge problem, I always had to be concerned about having a skin reaction to any new beauty product.

In recent years, I’ve had trouble finding a sunscreen I can use without breaking out. And since I was heading to Aruba for my anniversary, I was really worried…

Luckily, the first day of our trip, we wandered down to the shops near our hotel and came across an Aruba Aloe store. Boy, am I glad we did!

(source)

Aruba Aloe offers a variety of skin care products, including lotions, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, lip balm and more. Their products come from an aloe factory on the island, which you can tour along with their museum.

Their website allows you to buy and ship their products to the US, which is great for anyone who can’t make it to the island (though I highly recommend visiting!). While the prices can seem a little high, the quality is absolutely worth it.

I purchased the very water resistant SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen and immediately fell in love. Unlike other sunscreens which can feel greasy, I felt like I was just applying regular lotion. And it has a great scent, which is an added bonus.

So, if you are looking for a quality sun care product for the beach this summer, definitely check out Aruba Aloe. And let me know what you think!

Recommended Reading: Gone Girl

I am a strong believer in the fact that the book is almost always better than the movie. So whenever I hear that a popular book is being made into a movie, I try to read it before it hits the big screen.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is scheduled to hit the big screens in October of this year. Lots of my friends had recommended it to me and since I needed a break from my usual trashy romances, I decided to give it a try.

(Source: Amazon)

Like many of the other books I’ve recommended on here, this book is a mystery and a thriller – full of unexpected twists and turns. Without giving away too much, the book is about a man, Nick, whose wife Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick is insistent upon his innocence to readers, but it is clear that he isn’t being completely upfront. By the end of the book, you’re left questioning whether you really know the people you love. It delves into the complexities of marriage and relationships in a way that I’ve never experienced in a novel before.

This book hooked me. I have to get up pretty early in the morning for work, so I’m usually in bed by 10pm. But I wanted so badly to see how this book ended that I was up until after 1:30 in the morning! I paid for it the next day at work, but I would say it was worth it.

My one complaint is that the book seemed to drag in some places. It is a psychological thriller more so than an action thriller, which I personally prefer, but it definitely got a little slow on occasion. But the major plot twists and surprising turns made up for this in the end!

I’m interested to see how the movie will turn out though. It’s been said that it won’t be told in the same manner, and I’ve also heard that the author has been asked to write a different ending for the film version. It will certainly be interesting to compare the two!

Have you read Gone Girl? Do you have any other thriller to recommend?

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Recommended Reading: Before I Go to Sleep

If you’re looking for a bit of a thriller full of twists and unexpected endings, Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson is the perfect book for you.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to think when I first borrowed this e-book from my local virtual library (to learn more about that, click here). As I might have mentioned before, I’m a total hopeless romantic so trashy romance novels make up the majority of my reading. Which meant that this book was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I’m so glad that I tried it!

To give a little overview without revealing too much, the main character, Christine, wakes up one day with no recent memories. She learns from Ben, who says he is her husband, that she was involved in an accident nearly twenty years ago that left her with both short and long term memory loss. She is unable to retain any memories from the day before once she goes to sleep.

Christine tentatively accepts Ben’s explanation, but once he is at work, she finds a journal hidden in the closet. Written on the very first page are the words “DON’T TRUST BEN”. It turns out Christine has been keeping a daily journal the last few weeks and the entries she reads leave her confused as to who she can really trust and it’s up to her to save herself.

I read this novel in one sitting and truly did not want to put it down. It’s definitely a book that keeps you guessing and leaves you questioning your own gut instincts. I absolutely recommend this book to someone who is interested in a psychological thriller that leads you to question your own black and white definition of right and wrong.

Oh, and something I just learned — this book will be released as a movie next year, starting Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. Can’t wait!

Have you read this or any other great thrillers? As I always say, I am constantly on the hunt for a new book!