Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Release Date: June 9, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Amazon |  Goodreads

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

So I have been in love with Sophie Kinsella and her witty books since what feels like the beginning of time! When I found out she was going to be coming out with a Young Adult book, my fave genre, I flipped! In the best way of course! ;)

Sophie's books have the most entertaining character's, that literally have me laughing out loud until I have tears running down my face. If you've never read anything by her, check out her Shopaholic series, it is hysterical!

While this book felt much more middle grade than YA, I really did enjoy it once I got into it. It wasn't as laugh out loud funny as some of her other's, but it was cleverly entertaining none the less!

The main character, Audrey has gone through a pretty traumatic event, which causes her to just retract into herself. For the first time in her life, she is dealing with some pretty big issues, like anxiety and depression. I personally suffer from both, and found her descriptions and the lengths someone suffering from these disorders will go to to avoid interaction or uncomfortable/unfamiliar situations, totally spot on! I wish this book had been around when I was teen! This is not a subject that is featured in very many YA or MG works, and I love that Sophie Kinsella took this on with her witty and entertaining style!

My favorite things about this book, besides the wit and humor, were the character's! They were so vivid and colorful, and delicously entertaining! Particularly Audrey's family, who are every bit as quirky as she is! I loved pretty much every scene with her mother and laughed hysterically at her antics. All in all this managed to be a fun, light hearted, and quick read despite the serious nature of the main character's issues.

If your a Sophie Kinsella fan, a YA or MG fan, or are just looking for a lighthearted, fun read, with a bit of depth, I highly recommend this one!

Swatch & Review : BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Eyeshadow Palette

Hi Lovelies!

I am here today with a swatch and review of the BH Cosmetic's Galaxy Chic eye shadow palette. I recently placed my first order with BH for the Carli Bybel (look for a review and swatch soon!) palette, and was amazed at the fantastic quality at such an affordable price! I just had to order more!

Now that I have moved out on my own, I have to be so much more conscience of my budget. Gone are the days of blowing a paycheck at Ulta or Sephora. *cries* Anyhooo....fortunately for me, there are some incredible brands out there that deliver loads of bang for your buck, and BH Cosmetics just happens to be one of them!

While I have not tried all of their products, I am loving all of the palette's I have ordered from them so far. The Galaxy Chic palette contains 18 baked eye shadows that come in a range of colors from neutrals, to smokey tones and vibrant colors.  I love the range in this palette because I can do an every day look for work or running errands, a smokey look or a bright super fun look. Whatever I'm in the mood for!

So let's get to the swatches!

From top to bottom we have Aphrodite, Prometheus, Jupiter, and Sun.  

From left to right we have Mars, Mercury, Cosmic and Milky Way

From left to right we have Neptune, Earth, Comet and Meteor

From left to right we have Asteroid, Mercury, and Mars

And our last 3 from left to right are Pluto, Moon and Electra

As usual, BH Palette's are very pigmented and go on very nicely! They are so fun to play with and are priced well! And the best part, since these are baked, you can apply them wet for an even bolder look!

I can't wait to really play with this and have some fun! I think the blue's are going to make an amazing mermaid look! Ahhh!!!

You can grab this palette by clicking on the picture below . It is on sale for $12! If you grab one, make sure you let me know how you like it! And feel free to share pics of any looks you created with it.

Until next time...

XOXO

Cristina

The Dawning of a New Era, or, Something Like That...

Hi Lovelies!

It's Cristina here with some exciting news and changes! By this time you will have noticed quite a few changes. From my blog name, to the design. And there's even more to come!

If you've been following me from the beginning then you know that this started out as a book blog. For several years now I've been on a hiatus. I was dealing with an inner struggle about a year into blogging. While I adore books, always have and always will, there is so much more to me than just that! I felt like my blog sort of put me into a single box and I felt very stiffeled!

I had many a conversation with my closest blogging friends about this. I had a a cooking blog, a nail art, blog as well as my book blog, and I just...felt like I couldn't ever be MYSELF. I have so many interests and things that I want to share with you, but I felt stuck.

That was really all my own fault, and how I had chosen to brand myself. While "the Princess of Storyland" was a perfect fit for me in that first year, as I continued to grow as a person and as a blog, it no longer seemed to be the perfect fit. I'm not sure why it didn't dawn on me sooner, but the solution was as simple as a name change!

A light bulb moment later, and "the Princess of Everything" was born. *sigh* I feel like now I can be myself! I can use my blog as an outlet to share ALL of the things I know and love! Books will still be a part of this blog, and always will be! But now, now i can finally share all of my other passions as well!

This blog is a little mix of everything! Beauty and Skincare, Hair tutorials, book reviews, crafting and DIY, recipes and so much more! I was very young when this blog started, and I've grown in leaps and bounds since then. I want this place to be home, not just for me, but for each of you as well. I want it to be a -place where we can talk about the latest trends, our favorite movie and tv show of the moment, our current read, as well as what in the heck are we going to make for dinner tonight?!?!?

I hope you continue to read my blog, and interact with me! Please feel free to chat, share your favorites with me and just make yourself at home! If you have any suggestions for content on my blog, or things you'd like to see, please feel free to let me know! This after all, is your blog too!

XOXO
Cristina