I’ve been in a reading mode lately thanks to a little-known (nowadays), fantastical place called “the library.”
LOL.
So many books, so many stories to discover. Oh, and the smell of real, actual, honest-to-goodness old paper pages? Don’t mind me — I’m the person standing in the aisle with a book pressed up to her face inhaling and exhaling a little too enthusiastically. Feel free to stare and get your freak fill for the day.
By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care ($60)
Anyway…in order to ensure that this blog post is at least marginally related to makeup, 🙂 here’s the bougie lip balm I’ve been putting on at night lately before I start reading: By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care. It’s rich, moisturizing and lightly rose scented (tastes a bit like roses too).
I like it just as much as the Nuxe Balm I’ve loved for years, but it’s shockingly expensive ($60!), so despite my fondness for it, I’ll be moving on when I finish the pot…unless I win the lottery, of course.
And if that happens, then BRING ON THE BOUGIE, BABY!
“An ultra-glamorous, multi-protective and nutri-plenishing SOS treatment for double use: lips and nails. Ultra-rich, it soothes the driest and most delicate areas. This precious balm is creamy, non-sticky, humectant and silky and features a delicate rose fragrance.”
❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4 out of 5 hearts.
Now, onto the books…
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
This has been my favorite of this latest batch o’ reads. It’s about mothers and daughters and moving on and living with the consequences of our mistakes.
At the center is Aviva Grossman, a young, ambitious congressional intern who gets caught up in a scandal that forces her to make big changes in her life.
Each of the main characters in the story — Aviva’s mom Rachel, Aviva, Aviva’s daughter Ruby, and the wife of the congressman — each take turns as the narrator, so you get to see the events unfold from different perspectives, and each voice is so crystal clear that you feel like the characters are right there with you.
Cravings by Chrissy Teigan
Yes, I read cookbooks before bed…and yes, that’s ill advised when you’re hungry. And yes, this was written by the same Chrissy Teigan who’s also a Sports Illustrated model, a mom to two babies, John Legend’s main squeeze, and the person who collaborated with BECCA to create one of my favorite palettes of all time.
She’s a big foodie, too. I haven’t made anything from the book yet, but I will. It all looks so good… If I had a 3D food printer (you know, if they existed), I’d make the scalloped potatoes, the Frito Pie bar, the basil chicken and the coconut rice for my lunch today.
(Also, if you can tear your eyes away from all the melted cheese, you might notice that Chrissy’s makeup is totally on point throughout the book.)
You Were Made for This by Michelle Sacks
An easy beach read if you’re keen on suspense. The main characters, Merry and her husband Sam, are New York transplants living in rural Sweden with their infant baby boy when Merry’s childhood best friend, Frank, comes to visit.
There are affairs and a murder, and early on you realize that *all* of the main characters are lying about things. It’s your job to figure out who’s telling the most truth.
The writing isn’t overly complicated, and the plot moves at a good clip. I got sucked in and read the whole thing in a day!
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent
I kinda want to tell you to read this…but I also want to warn you against reading it at the same time. Stephen King loved it, which is why I took a crack at it, but it’s heavy and brutal, and I most definitely will not be reading it again.
At the same time, I couldn’t stop turning the pages because I desperately wanted the main character, Turtle, a tough-as-nails 14-year-old girl, to survive her terrible life and her abusive sociopath father.
Even with the difficult subject matter, the book has beautiful moments and vivid writing, especially in the descriptions of coastal California and the area around Mendocino, and in the poignant, funny scenes with her friends Jacob and Brett.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love the Cravings cookbook! Her second cookbook is available for pre-order. I definitely recommend the roasted cauliflower, feta and orzo salad. And if you’re looking for something decadent or to make for a large gathering, her mac and cheese is delicious!
Hi Kristen,
I was thinking about making her mac and cheese this weekend to have with bbq’d chicken. 🙂 What else have you made from her book?
The thyme-roasted carrots are really good too. There’s also a seared scallops recipe in there that looks delicious but I haven’t tried yet.
My husband recently bought me Joanna Gaines’ cookbook and I love it! That’s one you should check out if you haven’t already. Really simple recipes that are tasty, and a lot of comfort food!
$60 lip balm?!??!?!!??? Nooooo. Just. no.
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/p/rose-salve-the-classic-all-purpose-salve-020044669.html?cm_mmc=BingPLA-_-Paid%20Search-_-Shopping%20-%20All%20Products%20-%20Non-Brand-_-All%20Products&utm_source=bing&utm_term={keyword}&utm_medium=cpc&ef_id=WeiaSgAAAnaDLe17:20180626181534:s
Thanks for all the book recommendations! My local library is under major construction so I’ve been getting a lot of books online. I enjoy reading a good book while I take the cats outside for a walk. 🙂
That’s the life, girl!
What are you reading these days?
I’m currently reading “The Flight Attendant” by Chris Bohjalian. I’ve read several of his books and they’ve all been good.
I’ve heard good things about the Chrissy Teigen book. I’ll have to add that to my list!
Did you ever get a chance to read “Crazy, Rich Asians”?
That looks like a good suspense book. I’ll see if I can find it tomorrow! Do you have a fave from his novels?
And no, I still haven’t read Crazy, Rich Asians. I’ve decided to follow Kim’s advice and watch the movie first so that I don’t get disappointed by it!
Good idea to watch the movie first! These are some of the books I’ve liked best:
The Sleepwalker
Skeletons at the Feast
Midwives
Another good suspense one I read a while ago was “The Good Girl” from Mary Kubica.
I also read “The Woman in the Window” but I wouldn’t recommend it. The plot was interesting at first and then it just got kind of slow and I wasn’t even that interested in what happened at the end.
Ooh, I’m going to check for these at the library tomorrow. Thank you!
I also have the Cravings cookbook – I have many recipes dog-eared. So far I have made the chili, lemony arugula pasta and the sesame chicken pasta. My husband LOVES the sesame chicken pasta the most and has tears of joy whenever I tell him it’s in the menu for the week. So far, I haven’t been disappointed by this book and I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I have liked her recipes.
Ooh, how was the chili? I still have yet to find my go-to recipe and I’m hoping this is the one.
That Gabrielle Zevin book sounds like a good read, I am definitely adding to my book list. I have made a handful of recipes from Chrissy Teigen’s book, a favorite in my house is her cucumber pork soup, I get so full after eating it and I don’t feel guilty after either.
Hi Metta,
The cucumber soup is definitely on my list. I’m a little weirded out with the thought of cooking cucumber (I don’t know why?), but it looks so healthy and filling!
Have you read any good books lately?
I would love some By Terry products, but I have such a sensitive nose all that fragrance makes me gag. And $60 for lip balm? Sheesh.
I love Chrissy Teigen! Used to read her blog all the time. I follow her on Twitter. She’s so smart, funny and gorgeous!
OK so I’m low key obsessed with her at the moment! Did you know her mom lives with her? I’m waiting for that day and my invitation from Connor.
Hehe. My daughter always used to say she was going to be rich and famous and build a giant house for us all to live in together. Two months after she graduated from college she let us know she found her own apartment and was moving out. I’m still hoping that some day there will be a man willing to date and marry her, so that I can have a grandchild to babysit and spoil.
Don’t forget the cats. You’ll be there to babysit the cats as well. ❤️
I love book recommendations thanks Karen! Was just at my library book sale, will look for that cookbook. My coffee mug says bad ass girls read ?
You know I love my Nuxe balm. I can accept it’s $20 on ebay. I think for $60 I would want it to have lip filler in it lol
Ooh, nice mug! If you find any good books at the library sale let me know. I’m going back tomorrow for a fresh batch of books. Can’t wait!
So, is it just me, or is Nuxe harder to find in the US? I miss the days when I could go into Sephora and grab a lip balm.
I think Nuxe stopped it’s US distribution. As far as I know it’s not available in any of it’s old outlets. The last time I went to France I checked the expiration dates, quickly calculated how long the pot and stick balms lasted and stocked up on those and the Huile Prodigieuse.
They did stop US distribution. There are some French and Canadian websites that will ship.
Will do! Tomorrow is day #2 adult non fiction with 3 huge rooms opening. Connor Claire would’ve loved the childrens book room-a drummer was playing. Today just got a bunch of pocket type books that caught my eye (herbal gardening how to, Thich Naht Hahn “Mindfulness” an out of print edition ?).
Don’t you just love going to the library? Idk why, I still love picking out a book weekly. Going to check out Michelle Saks, that looks good!
Yes Tatiana is right sadly. Nuxe did stop U.S. shipping for now. I found a good eBay seller and I buy 2 at a time. Though going to France to stock up is way more exciting!
Oh she would’ve LOVED that! Your library sounds interactive and fun, and hi, if your book has any info about what to do with a sad, wilted dill plant please pass along the info. LOL!
I hope you like the Michelle Sacks book; I’m telling you, you’ll fly right through it. Whatever you do *don’t* start it at 10 p.m. because you’ll be up until 1 reading!
P.S. Shedding glittery tears about the Nuxe balm.
Lol exactly why I need a book on growing anything. My plants give up too quick. Dill&basil-nothing better than fresh herbs, I’m determined. I reserved Michelle Saks online can’t wait to start it.
Yes I live in such a great town for kids with a Main Street that’s very spirited activity wise. If you ever visit East, stop by! We have an awesome 4 screen movie theater that employs people with disabilities right next door to the library (https://www.prospectortheater.org/) so the kids walk from books to movies 🙂
Have a great night Karen, njoy the library tomorrow! Ps Will send you Nuxe anytime I’m hoarding it now lol
Your town sounds lovely… Kinda like the town in Gilmore Girls.
You are so sweet to offer to send the Nuxe, I’m good for now with this bougie balm if I change my mind I’ll most certainly let you know.
P.S. Fresh dill is amazing in potato salad! *drools*
I have Cravings, and so far everything I’ve tried is yummy:
Sausage meatloaf
Cheesy garlic bread – just over the top delicious
Mac and Cheese -outstanding
Dump & Done ramen salad – super easy and everyone asks for the recipe
Veg Tortilla soup – very good and light
Chicken noodle soup – great basic recipe
Yellow Cake Baked Oatmeal- delicious and great for a brunch
Hash Browns – just to die for, and the basic bacon recipe is awesom
Hi Kris,
Oh gosh! Thank you for your list. I can’t wait to try all of these!
I loved this post because I was just thinking about a couple of our favorite topics yesterday. Dry lips and books. HAHA! You know I’m with you on real books and their delicious smell. I’m sure I’ve told you that whenever I visit a printer, I always want “to see it on press” so I can smell the ink. There is something about it that I just love. I still have a bit of my favorite lip balm left for the worst days. I’m afraid to ask what’s in it because it’s unbranded and came in an American Airlines first class gift bag (the only time I’ve ever flown first class, so it was meant to be). HAHA! My second fave is also the “no longer available” Anna Sui clear lip balm jelly pot. I probably have 2 dozen other options, though. It looks like Pharmaprix still carries the Nuxe lip balm. I’ll grab some the next time I’m in the Montreal area. 🙂