Audible - Need Suggestions

Woohoo, I made it to spring break (barely)! I almost didn't pass my math class, but my final saved me, surprisingly. Theatre class was easy, though. If you've been wondering where I've been, which I'm sure you haven't, I've been trying to not fail out of school.

But now that I'm on break I have a little bit of time to post before the shit storm starts again!

We had to read a few plays for my theatre class, and being the cheapo that I am, I did not buy the textbook. I either found the plays in the library, found them online, or listened to the audiobook. That's how I finally downloaded Audible. I've heard so many rave reviews about Audible and I finally had to break down and download it. I got to download the play I needed for free with the free trial, so yay!

We had to read Buried Child by Sam Shepard, and in my case I listened instead of read.

I'm not sure how I feel about Audible yet because I just used it for this one play. And I'm also not sure if it was the play's fault or if I just don't like audiobooks. If you've never read it before, just know it's an absolutely absurd play. I found myself zoning out and kind of losing what was going on, but that may be the fault of the play.

So, I have 1 more credit to use and I don't want to give up on Audible yet. I'd like your audiobook suggestions. What are some of your Audible recommendations? 

How To Be Happy

After having a tough day, I realized I've had many tough days lately. Some for ongoing reasons and some just because something crappy happened that day. I just wanted to do a post reminding you all to still be happy and do something that makes yourself happy at least once a day. If you're reading this, you probably enjoy reading blogs. You're off to a good start!

1. Find something you enjoy doing, even if you're not good at it. I really enjoy drawing, even though I'm not very good at it. It still calms me down and gives me something to focus on for a while that doesn't involve whatever is troubling me. You don't have to showcase your drawings if you don't want to, just do it if it makes you happy. Play around with colors and draw some happy images. Or even if they aren't happy, whatever comes to mind. Maybe you need to let out some anger by drawing some hardcore skulls or something. Whatever you need to do, do it.

2. Listen to music. I feel like this is a given in any post on how to be happy, but I figured I'd include it anyway. Fleetwood Mac always seems to make me feel better. Find an artist(s) that you can listen to forever and not get tired of, and start listening!

3. Singing the music will put you in an even better mood. Make sure you have a playlist on iTunes or Spotify or whatever you use just for happy music. Search for more happy songs and add them to the happy playlist as you listen to it.

4. Take a shower, put on some music, sing your heart out, and get some aromatherapy going. Hot showers are relaxing, and music just adds to the bliss of it. I was browsing the Fortune Cookie Soap website last night and noticed they had a product I'd never heard called "Steam Me Up Scotty!". They come in a set of 3, and you put one cube on the floor of the shower and let the steam take care of the rest. If you aren't in the mood to belt out some songs, take a hot bath and light some candles.

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5. Read a book. It can take you to a place that's far from what's troubling you. Just be careful not to pick a sad book! 

6. Stop checking Facebook so often! Seriously, delete the app on your phone if you have to. You're dealing with troubles in your life, and people on Facebook tend to only post the highlights of their life. This makes you feel insecure because they make life seem so lovely while you are suffering. Especially stay away if you're insecure about your appearance. People sometimes spend so much time trying different angles and editing to get the perfect picture. You're just as beautiful as they are! 

7. Be nicer to people. Even if they are treating you like crap, maybe they are having a bad day, too. Don't immediately reciprocate by being rude back. If people see how nice you are to them, they will be nice to you too. Unless they're just a bitch, then they probably won't be nice back. But you still have an opportunity to make yourself feel better by not stooping to their level! 

8. Talk to people who are troubling you in your life. Maybe you disagree with the way your significant other is treating you lately, or how your best friend is ignoring you, or some other relationship problem in your life. It might be hard, but you won't regret it in the long run. If they are a toxic person in your life, you'll find out quickly if they don't listen to you. If they want you to be happy, they'll listen to your concerns and talk to you about possible solutions. 

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You don't have to be happy all the time, but it's important to be happy overall with your life. Taking a few minutes out of the day for yourself and forget about your problems is a great thing to do. Retail therapy is always an option ;) Just be careful with that, too. Don't wanna run up a credit card bill! 

What do you to to keep yourself happy and sane, despite the crazy things in life? What are your favorite songs to listen to when you need cheering up? 

Another Haul + Giveaway Preview!

Apologies for yet another haul post, but there are a few exciting things I got this week that I wanted to share. I'm also having another small giveaway and I want to go ahead and show you the the prize (No, it's not all of this haha. Sorry!)

1. Lady Gaga Critical Mass Fashion by Lizzy Goodman

I'm a bit obsessed with Lady Gaga. My boyfriend and I had to go up to North Carolina yesterday, and on the way back we stopped at a big mall in Myrtle Beach. We went in Spencer's and we found this book, which I probably wouldn't have bought if it wasn't on sale for 50% off, but I'm so glad I did. I haven't read much of it yet but from what I can tell it has some awesome pictures which will be great for some makeup inspiration and for making this year's Halloween Costume.

2. Pretty in Pink print by Emma Kisstina

Since I'm somewhat redoing my room, I've been on the hunt for some cool artwork to hang on my walls. I found Emma Kisstin'as Etsy shop and absolutely fell in LOVE. She has the BEST girly prints I've ever seen, it was so hard for me to choose one. Seriously, check out her shop if you like fashion or makeup prints. She even has some amazing Breakfast at Tiffany's prints! I'm going to buy some more makeup ones to hang over my vanity when I get paid again. She was nice enough to send a smaller version of the print I bought to give away to one of you! More info on that below.

3. Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette

So I told myself I wasn't going to buy this because I REALLY don't need it, but I follow Christine (Temptalia) on Twitter and she tweeted that it was available on Ulta, so I freaked and bought it. I haven't had a chance to play around with it yet, but they colors look great! The only problem I have with it is the packaging, I kind of hate it! Everybody else seems to love it but it just doesn't work for me. It gets finger print-y so easily and it's driving me crazy. Also the plastic holding/surrounding the colors is purple and mirrored. When I'm trying to look at the colors it makes it hard to see the true color, and the light reflects off of it and I just hate to look at the colors. But it's probably just me being picky.

4. Chanel N5 pocket mirror

Also by Emma Kisstina, I bought a cute little pocket mirror to keep in my purse/makeup bag. I got the Chanel N5 design, but she has some other really cute ones too (Manolos and Louboutins? Yes!)

5. A boring pair of shoes--that were on sale!

I have a pair of black suede flats that I wear to work everyday, but in the middle of my crazy room designing and moving, I've seemed to have lost one of them. The only other work friendly shoes I have are WAYY to small for my feet, and after putting through that torture for one day I was NOT going to do it again. So 15 minutes before work I ran down to Nine West and got these babies on sale for $17! Yes, it did hurt to wear brand new shoes at work, but not nearly as bad as the way too small ones.

Now, the giveaway preview! Official details coming soon!

Emma Kisstina included a smaller version of the print I purchased to give away to one of my readers! I got the medium print of a pink MAC lipstick, so one of you will receive a small print of the pink MAC lipstick. The print is 5.1in X 7.1in (I think? I used a cm to inches converter. 13cm X 18cm) so be on the lookout for details on that :)

Well that's all for now. If you have the UD 15th Anniversary Palette, please let me know if you're annoyed by the packaging too or if it's just me, haha. Also stay tuned for giveaway details!

Book Recommendation: Shoo, Jimmy Choo! by Catey Hill

Last semester in algebra we had to pick a book relating to probability, finance, economics, or anything math-y really. I was pressed for time, went to Barnes and Noble, and picked up some random probability book. I didn't even bother to read the whole thing, it made NO sense to me. However, I let my friend read it and he loved it and understood it all, and now uses probability to win arguments (ugh).

Anyway, this semester I decided I wanted a book I could actually benefit from and use in life. Again I went to Barnes and Noble, looked around in the economics and finance section, ...boring...boring...boring...pink!! Yeah the pink cover caught my attention

image from Catey Hill's blog (see below for link)

This book is so freaking useful! I do have credit card debt, and this had amazing tips to help me get out of it and how not to get into unnecessary debt anymore. I also learned that I am an impulsive spender and an absentminded spender, sometimes emotional spender. (I did learn a LOT more than that, but I'd rather not re-write her book on my blog)

This book has charts to fill out, and help on just about any financial situation (cars, taxes, retirement, debt, budgeting, and so on). The best part? Its easy to understand. I was never one to understand financial things when people explained it to me, but this girl can do it. (She also loves designer clothes like some of you I know out there).

If you are in debt, or even if you aren't in debt and you want to learn more financial tips that you can actually use, I definitely recommend this book!

She also has a blog that has a few tips.

Book review: L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad

I'd heard mixed review about Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy. But I decided I would read it for myself to judge, basically because I like LC and I needed an easy beach read for the summer.


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I won't give out details or spoil the book for those who want to read it, but I still think I have mixed feelings about the book, even after I read it. I kind of felt like I was just reading an episode (or, more like a couple of episodes) of The Hills.

I think my english teacher spoiled me, I'm used to deep-thought provoking books with lots of symbolism and beautiful flowing sentences (which I used to hate but have grown to like). And I wasn't really expecting any of that in this book, but it was strange to read a book where everything was so straight forward for once.

It was cool though, to see how things worked behind the scenes and such of "reality" shows such as The Hills. But while I was reading I couldn't forget the fact that it was written by Lauren Conrad and I kept trying to figure out which characters in the book were most like the ones from the show.

It is a series, so there is a second book, Sweet Little Lies. I don't want to read the second book, but I do because I want to know what happens. This series is like the Twilight series for me; I don't like reading them but I can't stop because I want to know what happens.

So, it's definitely not on my list of recommended books to read this summer. Maybe a few years back it would have been, but not now. LC should stick to TV and fashion.

Have you read L.A. Candy? If so, are you going to read Sweet Little Lies? Let me know your thoughts on this book.