Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Book Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Summary:  Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.  (-back of book)


Review:  My very first glimpse into the mystical world of fays.  Although, The Iron King did not dissapoint, neither did I find it amazing.  I felt Megan was a weak heroine, compared to other leading ladies like Katniss (Hunger Games) or Yelena (Poison Study).  In fact, Megan was quite aggravating... the idea of  'me against the world'.  But I think that is what makes Megan unique to this story,  because soon enough she does grow on me as the story continues.  She becomes more self less and a bit more concern about others and I was pleased to see her change of heart and her maturity level grow.  Still, her qualities are far less than desirable in a heroine.  Her stubbornness and inability to make a rational decision maddens me to the core.

I am baffled by Puck's (Megan's best friend) and Ash's (Prince of the Winter Court) attraction to Megan.  The author never really quite reveals why either of these two, swoon worthy characters, would feel any flicker of love interest in Megan.  Puck is mischievously delightful, and down right lethal.  Ash?  He's witty, dangerous, mysterious, yet vulnerable.  With that said, this is the first time I am conflicted with which male character I'd be rooting for.  I am leaning towards Ash, but I find myself cheering for Puck most time. 

While the story-line is unimaginative, her world is vivid and Mrs. Kagawa does a darn good job with attention to details, which makes her quite masterful when it comes to bring the characters to life.  Megan's missing memory has got the best of my curiosity.  The duel and bantering between Puck and Ash is amusing and witty.  The well-paced romance between Megan and Ash  is fresh and not your typical lust or love at first sight.   

Within the pages of The Iron King, you definitely get the feel of Alice in Wonderland-esque with the cat, Peter Pan with the Nevernever, Romeo and Juliet with the forbidden love of Megan and Ash both residing on the opposite end of the courts, and Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream with Puck, King Oberon and Titania.  Obviously, a lot of influences and inspiration drawn from differently folklore and tales from around the world.

I was teetering between the rating of 3 and 4.   Three simply because I felt that although it was a good book, it was not great.  Four because a good book got me interested in wanting to pick up the next book, that counts for something right?  I have to say it's a book worth reading if you want to give faeries a shot.

Rating:  3.5/5  

Puck or Ash?

Philosophy Cosmetics at Big Lots

On my last 'Current Favorites' post, I included Philosophy's the color of grace eyelighting shadow duo in Heaven Earth as my current favorite deal.  I went to Big Lots looking for mini mirrors for a classroom project that the students were going to be doing the following week.  While browsing the beauty aisle I couldn't believe I could not find a single mirror without the magnify x 10 effect -_-  I just about gave up because I also tried the Dollar Tree with no success.  I passed by this wall of pink cosmetic packaging lined up with stocks and stocks of perfectly new Philosophy cosmetics.  I love Philosophy's Purity facial cleanser, so I could not believe it when I saw bulks of philosophy make-up taking up a whole shelf at Big Lots... and at $3 a piece, what a deal right?!  I grabbed one of everything and went through the products like a kid in a candy store.

There were cream blushes, eyeshadow quads and duos, make-up palettes, face powders, concealers, bronzers, face luminizers, lip glosses, and kabuki brushes.  Out of everything that I could have gotten, the only product that I thought I would use was the eyelighting shadow duo in Heaven Earth because I have been looking everywhere for a light neutral duo. 

Its soft and subtle texture glides on like butter.  I love it for the sheer and natural-looking spring/summery go-to-eye.  It's a light sandy champagne color coordinated with a light taupe brown, and both shades have a light fresh sheen finish with a slight hint of ultra fine shimmer, and I mean really really fine, which is why I think I love it so much.  Honestly, it's impossible to make a mistake with this duo because the texture is so bendable, under-blending or over-blending, not the case here.


Both photo swatch without primer

  The look for the past several days...

Products:
                Philosophy shadow duo (Heaven Earth)
                Black eye shadow as eyeliner
                Diorshow Blackout mascara (one coat)
                Amazing Cosmetics concealer (pin size amount) 


  No make-up (left eye), shadow duo with liner and mascara (right)

Notice the difference.  See how it just brightens the entire (right) eye area.  It even covered up the freckles on my lid.  I applied the champagne color over the entire lid and inner corner.  A light sweep of taupe on the outer corner and under lash line.  Lined the upper lash with black shadow, and mascara.  Dab a pin size amount of Amazing Concealer on the under eye area.  Fin!

Here's the look under brighter lighting...

 No make-up (left eye), shadow duo with liner and mascara (right)

 No make-up (left eye), shadow duo with liner and mascara (right)

I am loving this duo and I'm thinking about picking up a few more to stock up and give to my sisters and girlfriends.  If you have to pick one out of the bunch, I think the Heaven Earth duo is a steal.  I swatched the quads and did not find anything special about them, truthfully the quads, in my opinion, sucked.  The pigments were weak, and the colors did not blend well at all.  When my boyfriend saw my arm while standing in the cashier line, he said, "why do you have dirt all over your arm?"  @_@  Pretty much sums it all up right?  I laughed at his comment because I thought the same thing when I swatched the colors.  At $3 per quad, the quality was bad and the colors were nothing you might not already have.  Save your money even if $3 sounds to good to be true, it is...which is probably why they ended up in Big Lots in the first place.

But the Philosophy eyelighting shadow duo in Heaven Earth rocks!

What Philosophy product did you get and loved?  Or did you go wild and pick up one or two of each? 

Friday, May 18, 2012

Current Favorites

Favorite Decor (vintage storage box):
Favorite Fabric (light-weight & breezy):
Favorite Past Time (reading):
Michaels Craft Store: Vintage storage box $9.99
Closet: Top $9.99
Book: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Favorite DIY:

Favorite Quote: 

Do you see the beauty in everything?

Friday, May 11, 2012

Dusty rose with white polka dots nails

China Glaze nail polish: Lap of Luxury
Favorite print:
 Target: Blouse $10

Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere...

I love polka dots because it's retro, flirty, whimsical with a sense of youthful flair, yet remains timeless.  I for one, feel that I can not pull off wearing bold and vibrant polka dot patterns, so if you're like me, try something a little more soft and subtle.  I opt for a dusty rose top with semi-sheer mini dots.  A splash of polka, but not loud.

But if you're totally diggin' the dots and having trouble incorporating it into your wardrobe, try accenting your nails with bold and vibrant dots to start off this playful punch.

Do you dig the dots, but can't seem to wear it? 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Cross-Body Bag

My biggest issue with purses and bags is that they always tend to slip off my shoulders.  If I'm out for a long time, the straps start to dig into my shoulders, painful right?  Shoulders get really soar, I'm carrying things in my bag that I don't really need to be carrying around all the time.  My last 3 bag purchases have been cross-body bags.  I have always been a large bag kind of girl.  I tend to purchase bags that are just big enough for me to slip a thin cardigan inside.  Living in L.A you never know when you'll need a cardigan when you're out and about.  It could be 90 degrees outside, and then you walk into a restaurant or the movies and the air-con is on blast... COLD.

My newest addition...
Elliot Lucca: cross-body bag $49.99

My current fashion favorite and here's why... 

Style.  Comes in designs for just about anyone: vintage, chic, casual, sporty, rocker chic, sophisticated, to the glits and glamorous.  Just because they're called cross-body doesn't mean you have to always wear it across your body.  I know cross-body bags can fall between the chest in the most unflattering way, with that said, the one-shoulder look suits just as well.  But you'll always have the option of pulling it over your body when needed.
 
Convenience.  Not only are they stylish, they are hands-free in times of need.  Those dreaded grocery shopping bags that causes your purse to slip off every time you bend your knees to gather up those bags.  Just slip it over your body and worries-free.

Security.  Knowing your purse and important belongings are always with you.  One less thing to worry about.  Especially during travels, crazy fun events, parties and amusement parks.

Normally, I steer away from bags that have logos and names embedded anywhere on the bag.  Even though this bag had Elliot Lucca right smack in the center, I could not veer my eyes away from the look and feel of the bag.  The design has a little everyday luxury and classy look, does it not?  The leather is soft and subtle, the woven detail on the flap is pretty, and the strap is adjustable!  I could shorten the strap to a shoulder bag for an entirely different look.

The strap is skinny, but its not digging into my shoulders because the bag is small enough where I barely feel the weight of it.  I never thought I would be one for cross-body bags, now I have 3 completely different styles. 

Lastly, I love it because It has helped me with my posture as well as limiting me to carrying the essential things.  The weight is literally lifted off my shoulders, and I hardly have shoulder pain any longer.

I'm a total 'cross-body' convert.  Are you into cross-body bags?    

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Avon Nailwear Pro Nail Polish: Spring 2012

Avon's latest nail colors for Spring...

On trend with Spring 2012's pastels, Apricot Mystery is a lovely peachy pink cream.

Nude & Infused is nude with the slightest hint of pink and shimmer. 

with natural sunlight 

without sunlight
Perplexed Purple is the perfect name for this color.  Depending on the lighting, it can look lighter or darker, making it very difficult to capture the color accurately.  Quite perplexing, I can hardly describe this color, but will go with simply purple with shimmer.  Reminds me of Revlon Perplexed, as if the name did not already give that away.  I find Avon Perplexed Purple is more purple compared to Revlon Perplexed.  This would be a fun night-out color to rock.  I can see this color making it through this Fall as well.


Illusion is a unique grey, drawing out a cast of soft green.  Laced with a subtle illusion of delicate pink shimmer in the sunlight.  Delicately complex, as I have never seen any color like it.  I had to take a bazillion shots just to capture that hint of pink.

Each of these color are two coats, no base or top coat.  The application is easy, smooth, and it dries quick.  And I have to say, the formula is super.  The longest I have gone without chipping was 7 days, and 9 days with minimal chipping.  By the 10th day, I just had to take it off because it started to peel in the shower.

Looking to pick up a color or two, click here or visit www.youravon.com/nancychu

Which color is your favorite?

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

FancifulChaos 150th Etsy Sale


Today my little etsy store received its 150th sale!  Thank you so much to the etsy community and to all the creative minds and talents out there.  I'm blessed to have hearts out there that admire my art.

   SO MUCH!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Coral & gold nails

Essie nail polish: Tart Deco

Right now, I'm celebrating Spring by adding a dose of color and sparkle!  Ridiculously pretty for Spring and well into Summer.

Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Summary: Set in the 1960's.  Three characters, their lives, and their journey to write a book about the stories of the maid of Jackson, Mississippi... all the bad, the ugly and the beautiful moments. 

Review: I may just be the last person to finally say that I have read, The Help.  I picked up the book a year ago, started reading, and put the book down because I was on over-drive with fantasy, paranormal romance, and sci-fi novels.  Yes, I am disappointed that I decided to pick up the book again over a year later, because it is a great book.  I liked this book because of its "story-telling" effect it had on me.  The writing is brilliant and well written.  The story-telling itself is not necessarily about the plot, but really the characters and their world.

The book is written in perspective of the three main characters, Skeeter (a 22 year-old college graduate), Aibileen (wise, and a woman of strength), and Minny (Aibileen's best friend, and the sassiest woman of Mississippi).  Books that have chapters told from one characters' perspective, usually has me drawn to one character in particular, but not this one.  I cared, cheered and rooted for them equally.  Even the minor characters, I couldn't help but feel curious about Celia, and the love-to-hate, Miss Hilly.

In an unequal world of segregation, the story takes you back and gives you a sense of what it would have been like to live in such a time.  The characters feel real and made me wish that Aibileen was my grandmother or care taker when I was a child.  This book keeps you in wonder, even far after you're done reading it.  We're there a lot of maids like Aibileen in the real life of 1960's of Mississippi, where black women loved and cared for white children?  In the end you're left with happiness, a reflection on life and empowerment.

A spoonful of serious, a dash of comical, with a sprinkle of attitude equals a light hearted story that I can recommend to anyone looking for a smart and inspiring read. 

Rating: 4/5

Have you seen the film adaptation of The Help?  Will you watch it?  What did you think?

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Current Favorites

Favorite Nail Color:
Favorite Print:

Favorite Bag (cross-body):

Favorite Project (gardening-my Zinnias at 2 days old!):

Favorite Feeling:

Favorite Words of Wisdom:

Feeling blue.  What is your favorite quote when things are not going well for you?