Don’t you just love the days where you open your mailbox and you get the stuff you ordered online, your magazine subscriptions AND an awesome blog contest gift!?
That was my day today.
The most exciting part? My lovely blog contest prize from the beautiful Michelle over at Lipstick Rules (if you haven’t already, go check out her blog, she’s the lipstick guru of the blogosphere!)
Here’s what I got:
I’m so very excited about the pretty colors in the Anabelle eyeshadow trio, the Lise Watier blusher and the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfolitor. Michelle was sweet enough to throw in some extras too! Thank-you again 🙂 Can’t wait to try out all of these goodies!
I ordered a bunch of books from Amazon.com too! First up, Tori Spelling’s new book, “Uncharted Territori
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Can I just say that I absolutely LOVE Tori Spelling? I didn’t care for her at all in her 90210 days, but for some reason I decided to read her first book, “Stori Telling” out of curiosity, and what followed was a love affair.
I just cannot resist her. She is so cute, and funny and real. Judge away! I love her. I also think we have a lot in common…from her type-a, everything-has-to-be-perfect personality, to her obsession with home decor and other pretty things, to her turbulent relationship with her mother, I feel she is really relateable. I also love how she is with her kids (from what I’ve seen on the show) and how well she takes criticism. She never seems to lash out or act inappropriately. I just like her, OK? (and you might too if you read her books!)
They are just too cute…and her’s kid’s names, “Liam” and “Stella”- perfection! Anyways, her newest release is waiting to be read…perfect for a pool day!
I also purchased the fertility bible “Taking Charge of Your Fertility
.” I recently read in a magazine (maybe Glamour) that 90% of a woman’s eggs die by the age of 30. THIRTY!?!? I’ll admit that really freaked me out. I’ve always wanted to have my first child before the age of 30…but 90%? That’s crazy! I just had no idea.
.” I recently read in a magazine (maybe Glamour) that 90% of a woman’s eggs die by the age of 30. THIRTY!?!? I’ll admit that really freaked me out. I’ve always wanted to have my first child before the age of 30…but 90%? That’s crazy! I just had no idea. Anyways, I’m a planner. I don’t like surprises and I don’t like to go into things uninformed. So I’m reading the fertility bible now, so I can understand how my body works. I’ve read reviews of the book- and it’s not just for women who eventually want to have children. Every woman should read this book to better understand how their body works.
I also got the latest issue of SELF in the mail with gorgeous Anna Paquin on the cover (pic from JustJared.com)
How cute is that Betsey Johnson bikini!? I saw Jennifer Love Hewitt in it as well in the latest issue of US Weekly (which I also subscribe to…OK I subscribe to like 6 magazines)
I just love that bikini! Jennifer is looking fit and trim as well. Good for her! OK, now back to Anna Paquin. I just love her. I‘m pretty much obsessed with True Blood now. My husband and I had never watched it before and then one weekend he saw it on our HBO on demand and we thought, what the heck, why not. We became so immersed in the show that we spent the next two weekends watching the entire first few seasons. Love.
BTW, you can check out Anna’s workout here, or just admire her beauty, here. She’s definitely unconventionally beautiful and doesn’t have that Hollywood face look (a la Heidi Pratt, or even more recently the gorgeous Megan Fox, who looked better in her before photos, IMO.)
Share your summer reads with me below!
xoxo,
Veronika.
Haha, I see what you mean about Tori. When I look at her show I like her to! I don't like the stealing of husbands though.. and I don't like how her husband left his new born son to be with her. Also, I am worried about how skinny she is getting… yikes!
cheating is never good…but I read her book and I kind of almost sympathized with her (not so much with him, but with her.) I don't know if you read her first book, but it kind of explains everything with the whole cheating thing. I still think it's wrong, but I also get what happened.
I too love Tori! Didn't care for her in the 90210 days, but after watching THS on VH1, you can't help but love the gal! SHe seems very down to Earth and genuine. I haven't read her books, but have put them on my "to read" list.
90% of your eggs die by 30!!!!!????? I need to get a move on if I want 4 kids (I'm 26 now) and want at least one kid before 30. Please do a review once you've read it, I'd love to see your thoughts.
Love, love, love Tori. From the Donna Martin days til now! Can't wait to read the book.
Thanks, I need something to read at the beach and I was running out of ideas!
First, YAY that the package arrived safely!! Please do let me know how it goes with the products. 🙂
I liked Tori as Donna Martin. Her relationship made with her now husband made big news here in Toronto because his former wife was a TV personality here. I might pick this book up to learn her side.
I read a similar article about fertility after 30. It did freak me out too but remember, there are lots of women having babies well into their thirties. I have to admit that I did read up on fertility etc. and how women's bodies work though as well before I had kids. I had my first when I was 31, and second at 34 (eek – am I giving away my age now?!)
I love True Blood too. Am loving this season so far!!
Anyway, I'm rambling! Talk soon.
Michelle
xo
Oh,I love Tori Spelling. I was always a "Donna" fan back in the day. I'm turning 29 in a couple of days, so I think I might need to buy that book and start planning! I'm getting married next June and wanted to wait about 2 years before having kids, but now I'm rethinking that plan. I'm not sure if you have ever read any books by Jodi Picoult, but I really love them. She writes about current controversional issues (i.e. stem cell research, sexual abuse, etc) and has a way of making her characters come alive. She wrote My Sister's Keeper (they made a movie of it with Cameron Diaz).
Jessica- thanks for the book recs, I haven't read any of her books but I might have to start!
Michelle- I thought you were 30, so there you go! you look fab 🙂
I love Taking Charge of your Fertility… it's very informative and I agree that everyone should read it regardless of if they are TTC!
I bought Tori Spelling's new book and I have to say that while it is still cute and the Tori style like her other books (which I've both read) this new one is a little bit disappointing to me. If you watch her show religiously ( I did!) then the book is kinda telling you a lot of the stories you already know. I still love Tori and think its a good summer read.
good for you getting a bag of colorful gift!
i have the exact same hat (by Eric Javits)in Jenifer Love Hewitt white bikini picture.
https://conservative-elegant.blogspot.com/2010/06/fathers-day.html
https://conservative-elegant.blogspot.com/2010/05/zoo-outfit-summery-turquoise.html
julia- great hat! just checked out your pics 🙂
I love Tori Spelling's books too. I've always loved Beverly Hills 90210, but I was surprised too by how great her books are. She seems like so much fun and I love that she is very honest.
I was never a Tori fan until I read Storitelling too! It was a really fun read and she is definitely relatable. I didn't even known she had a new book out, I'll have to check it out. Congrats on winning that makeup giveaway!
Ooh. I didn't know that book was already out. Need to get that on my book list! I helped do the flowers on her first wedding at the Spelling house. It was over the top. I love her show too, it makes me feel better that to know even celeb's have the same issue with life and relationships after kids.
I heard tons of chatter about Mac's Volcanic Ash when it first came out. Is it still available? Either way, let us know how you like it!
I love Tori Spelling too. I was so excited when I read online last week that she is starting a wedding planning show where she'll plan real couples' weddings! She plans beautiful events and is so entertaining to watch. I will definitely tune in, and it sounds like you'll be interested too!
I was never a fan of Tori until I, too, read her first two books and watched her reality show. I don't agree w/the cheating obviously, but she's not the only one in the world to have done it and I still like them. So who am I to judge?
I am excited to read her new one!
Um, you know that 90% statistic is slightly skewed right? It keeps getting thrown around without any reference to the number of eggs most women have. You should do more research.
Hi, this is my first time commenting, but I've been reading for a little while now. I just had to say that the "Taking Charge of your Fertility" book is awesome and should be read by every woman, reagardless of whether or not she is trying to conceive. It was SO informative and really helped me know what my body was doing every month… and knowing that helped me eventually get pregnant (even when Clomid never did) so I highly recommend it!
(P.S. I also have that strapless ruffle cover-up dress from Target and really like it – especially for under $20!)
Glad you started reading it. I really do love it BUT got a tad discouraged a little ways in when I read to do the whole charting thing you have to take the basal temp every morning at waking before doing ANYTHING, even going to the toilet. Plus it wants you to just lay there for a minute after waking up AND it has to be done at the same time every day to compare. I'd fall back asleep! My problem is also that I do not wake up at the SAME time for work every day…hmmmmm. Sometimes 7am and sometimes 10 am!! Big range. I'm going to have to figure this one out. lol.
annnd, I am also reading that SELF too. I love self. It really morivates me. This issue is good too.
and plus also. I got mail goodies today too. Mac 🙂
I'm reading Rachel Zoe's style book at the moment – it's interesting but nothing life-changing LOL! I've purchased Scott Barnes' About Face (he does JLo's makeup) and InStyle 'New Secrets of Style'(have the earlier edition of this as well).
A surprisingly good book was Victoria Beckham's 'The Extra Half Inch' – great style tips – fun reading and pretty pics.
I've reserved sTori Telling at the library – now I'm curious to see if I'd like it…I never thought I would – but I'll give it a shot.
hi! …my first comment to your blog even though i've looked at your wedding blog and now this blog for months and months. your wedding was beeeeautiful by the way! i went looking for inspiration for my own wedding, happened upon yours and have been keeping up with your blog ever since!
tori is my favorite (along with the kardashians, can't help it! lol) they both remind me a lot of me and my husband! i've read stori telling and i'm working on mommywood. can't wait to get her new book! i'm sure it'll be just as good as the others!
Oh my gosh, I totally read the same thing about our eggs being 90% gone by 30 and I was like 'Eeekkk!! I need to find me a husband!' lol I haven't yet purchased a fertility book. . . I'll find a man first! ha
I love Tori, I liked her back in the 90210 days but I never *LOVED* her until I started watching her show with Dean. I don't agree with how they got together, but I feel like she is real and relateable. I haven't read her books but I'm thinking I need to pick them up asap! I'm actually going to the library used book store tonight and have a list that I'm looking for, I'll add her older books to it.
anon- obviously the 90% number was something I read from a magazine that was part of medical research. I'm not saying it's 100% accurate, but even if it was 80%, that is still significant and reason to do more research (as I will be doing, by reading TCOYF.) thanks.
Hey, I posted about how I curl my hair today. I know you've asked me in the past so I hope it's helpful! xoxo
MissK- thank goodness! can't wait to read your tutoiral! your hair is fab!
if you love the show, you'd love the True Blood books! like you, I had never watched it until recently (On Demand), and also picked up the books as well… and I am totally addicted to both!
congrats congrats on winning that loot!!! seems like all the goodies are so nice! 😀
Animated Confessions
I love it how when people have to disagree they go as anon…of course right…
april- I find it kind of sad that someone can't say what they really feel unless it's anonymously. It just makes me think they aren't confident in what they say. If they truly believed in what they thought and said, they would do it using a real login.
I didn't write the anon comment, but I think it's kind of sad that when someone doesn't agree with all of you, that you guys think they are "jealous" and "insecure". "ANON" was actually right. There are plenty of women out there that have safe pregnancies in their 30's and 40's. I think if you only listen to the "positive" comments, you will never grow as a person. Yes, some of the "negative" comments are wrong, but a few have been right. I think a lot of women on this board seem to put a lot of importance on their weight, hair, and makeup. I think it has to do with the fact that most of you are in your 20's. I hope that as all of you age, you will see there are more important things in life. If you are lucky, when someone says," you are so pretty and so thin, it won't mean as much as hearing, "you are so smart and funny".
"Taking charge of your fertility" has TRULY changed my life!!! I couldn't believe how much I didn't know about my body—SO glad that you ordered it, too! I've been telling all my friends to read it because seriously its SO interesting! The author is funny, too–"they didn't teach you this stuff in 5th grade!" 🙂 🙂
anon- you are taking this post completely to another level. I am not saying that the 90% stat is accurate, nor am I saying that older women can't have healthy pregnancies!!! where in my post did you see that? I am reading this book to EDUCATE myself about fertility, obviously I am not an expert. This is not a debate. If you have a problem with the stat, write to the magazine who published it.
Also, I don't mind negative comments on my blog, as long as they are not said anonymously. If you have something to say that you believe in, say it using a real login.
And yes, I am aware that there are more important things in life than hair and makeup. Obviously most women who take care of how they look also have other aspects of their lives that they very much prioritize over their looks…like their careers, family, personal growth goals etc. You are reading a fashion and beauty blog…those are the topics covered here, and it's a very small snippet of someone's life.
PS- you can be both pretty and thin, and smart and funny, and I've hear all four compliments from the many people in my life who love and care about me. You don't have to exclusively be one or the other. You can have all of those characteristics.
I have an idea for a future post. All the women on here shoud go a whole week with their hair pulled back and no makeup. Then we should all blog about how differently strangers and the people we work with treat us compared to when we are all "dolled" up. Do you think you guys would be interested in doing that? It will be our little social experiment.
Anon- you are definitely welcome to try something like that and let us know how it goes. Personally, I don't feel like I would look professional and polished without my hair styled and a little bit of makeup.
I have posted makeup-less pics here before though and that felt good. It's just not something I'd want for my everyday life.
Unless you cake it on, makeup only really enhances your natural features, it doesn't make you look like a different person.
I agree with the point you have- that people are treated and piercieved differently based on how they look, and this would be a combo of things including their hair, makeup, clothing, weight etc.
I know that you are going to get mad at me for saying this, but I think a little blush, mascara and gloss "enhances". If a woman is naturally pretty, why does she need anything more than that? I think more makeup than that does make women look totally different. Have you ever watched QVC, when they do the makeup segments? 99% of the time, the models look like different people.
anon- why do you think I'm going to get mad at what you are saying? I respect and appreciate that everyone had a different opinion on what constitutes "a lot of makeup"
What if a woman is not "naturally pretty" as you say? What if a woman has rosacea or acne that makes her feel insecure about her skin? What if a woman has very light lashes or eyebrows and doesn't feel good without mascara and eyeliner and also filling in her brows?
Every person has their own definition of what it means to look and feel beautiful, and I don't really think it's up to anyone to try to make someone feel bad for how much (or how little) makeup someone chooses to wear.
The fact of the matter is that women have different interests when it comes to their apperance. Some women prefer how they look with no makeup on, and others like to wear makeup. What does it matter? How does someone else's choice affect you and your everyday life?
It shouldn't matter what a woman chooses. If a woman feels empowered by going makeupless or wearing minimal makeup, more power to her…but the same goes for women who do wear full makeup…they should be free to do so without judgment or shame.
Oh my, 90 % sounds scary. But, let's not panic! 🙂 I'm sure you have already read about this in more details, but just to calm myself down (and possibly someone else), here is what I found while googling, it's from yahoo.answers (surely not a perfect source but still):
"All the eggs you'll ever have were present at birth. It's usually around 1.5 million. Most of these will never be used – think of it as over a million back-ups.
When you begin menstruating, you release one egg every 28 days. (Every once it's a while, you may release two eggs – resulting in non-identical twins. Certain meds can induce even three or four eggs to be released at a time.) So, if you began menstruation at age 15 and continued up to age 55, you released around 522 eggs. You will NEVER, EVER, EVER run out of eggs. However, by the time you reach menopause age, most of those eggs aren't much good to you – they're tough and wouldn't fertilize well.
Menopause has nothing to do with the number of eggs. The ovaries are old and don't function well anymore, and stop making estrogen and progesterone."