the Fading series review...

I love to read. It's one of my favourite hobbies. Sometimes I'll read five books in one week and get so caught up in the stories that I have to remind myself what is real life and what is from the pages of the books that I've drowned myself in. I am definitely one to get major book hangovers. It's the worst feeling when you finish an amazing novel and are so depressed because you felt such a connection with the characters; it's as if the've left your life. I felt this recently with an amazing book series by an author who wrote such a strong, heart wrenching story in three completely different perspectives. 

E.k. Blair is the author of three amazing books, "Fading", "Freeing" and "Falling". The "Fading Series" is the story of a college student/ dancer named Candace who experiences something horrible in her life and the journey she takes to overcome her fears. The three books are based along the same time line that the event occurs, but are told by three different people. "Fading" told by Candace, "Freeing" told by her gay best friend Jase, and "Falling" told by Candace's lover Ryan. The three different point of views are about how they all dealt with Candace's tragedy but also about events in their own lives that they are dealing with.  

What may seem like a drag to read the same story three different times, is totally amazing and leaves you wanting a fourth or even fifth book. E.k.'s ability to tell the same tale in three unique and interesting ways is a talent in itself. I never got bored reading these books, I never felt like I was reading the same story over and over. E.k. was able to write the perspectives of three different characters and make you fall in love with each of them. 

Candace, a strong woman who experienced something no person should have to experience, took you through a journey of her healing. You were able to feel and experience with her the pain, regret, agony and hurt that she was feeling. When I was reading her story, I cried many times for her and with her. I've never read a story where I was so opposite and different from a character, but also connected with her so well. Candace is an inspiration to everyone who has been through something and thought that their world had hit rock bottom. She is the woman who inspires someone to power through the wound that is affecting them and realize that this is not their end, their story continues on. 

Jase is a character that many can relate to whether they are like him or not. In his point of view, you see that he is not only the best friend that a girl can have but also such a kind and caring man who'll do anything for someone he loves. The admiration I have for his character is endless. The patience and understanding he had for Candace was unlimited and I loved his own personal story of the struggles he was experiencing at the same time. 

Ryan is any girl's dream man. From his strong demeanour to his soft and gentle heart, this man is a combination of perfection and a pure hero. The love he has for his mother and Candace warms my heart. The patience he has with Candace to overcome her fears was touching. His story showed you inside what made him the way he is and the reason for some of his actions. It showed the transformation that a girl as fragile as Candace helped Ryan make of his life. 

I recommend this book series to anyone and everyone. You will cry, laugh, hurt and smile and you'll love every page of it. This book series is utterly beautiful and will change your life. You will not be able to stop thinking about it for months and you'll go back and re-read parts of it multiple times. I can't and probably will not ever find a story that affected me as much as this one has, and I hope I don't. 

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." 

one happy thought a day...

At the end of 2012, there was this idea that was spreading around the internet where you take a jar, and every day you write something good that happened to you, a quote, a happy thought, a song lyric or anything you felt you wanted to remember from that day.
I loved this idea so much so I got a jar and on January 1st, 2013, I wrote my first 'happy thought.' Of course, five days later, all was forgotten and by the time I knew it, it was December 31st, 2013 and I only had about six entries in my jar.
So, I decided that 2014 would be the year that I went through with the 'happy thought jar'. So far, it's January 30th and I have 30 entries in my jar. Yay!

This is what my jar looks like!

First, I took an old candle jar and peeled the label off. Then, I took an index card, flipped it onto the solid side and with nail polish, designed it how I wanted it. Then I taped it on the inside of the jar, and voila! My '2014 jar!'

I use colourful sticky notes to write my thoughts on and I just fold the stick part over so that they don't get stuck together inside the jar. I also date the notes so I'll know what day it was when I go back and read them.
Hopefully I can stick it out and have 365 notes in my jar!

Take the challenge with me!

my Grammys best dressed picks!

There's nothing more that I love than award season. I'm talking SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Emmy's, Oscars and of course my favourite, The Grammys. I love everything to do with award shows: the pre-red carpet, the red carpet and of course the show itself. I love seeing the arrivals and the beautiful gowns that the stars wear and I'm always amazed at the hairstyles, jewellery and even the manicures that stylists put so much work into.
The 2014 Grammy's was pretty awesome this year with some amazing collaborations, a thirty-three couple marriage that made history and Jay-Z announcing that he's, "Got a new gold sippy cup for baby Blue." Although the show was amazing, I want to talk about the amazing outfits that appeared on the red carpet.
I'm going to tell you who was on my 'Best Dressed List of the 2014 Grammys'.

   To start off, I absolutely love this Alex Perry dress worn by Giuliana Rancic. That burned orange colour compliments her tanned skin beautifully and for being such a tiny woman, I think the dress hugs her curves in all the right places. I usually am not a fan of the halter top style on gowns, but this one looks great on Giuliana. Once again, for being such a small framed girl, the halter top accents her shoulders and makes her neck look nice and long.
I think she also chose a great hairstyle to compliment the gown. Giuliana has a large forehead and sometimes choosing to pull the hair back can work against her. In this case I think because the top of the dress is a little busy, it was nice to have her hair away from her face so that she didn't crowd the gown too much. I also love the dark eye makeup. I think her eyes really go well with the clutch she is carrying.
Love this look!

My next pick is Martina McBride in this stunning navy blue David Meister gown. It's so simple and elegant. This dress is as plain Jane as dresses get but she rocks it. That saying "less is more" totally applies here. This gown gives such a simple and beautiful shape to Martina, and the jewels and clutch she chose give it that little sparkle it needs. I am so glad that she went with silver accessories because it's bold against the dress but still looks classy and elegant.
Her hair is very simple as well and I'm glad she left it down because with the simplicity of this gown it adds a little 'oomph' to the ensemble.
I love the way her eye makeup is done here because it really brings out her blue eyes which match and compliment the gown. The glossy, light pink lip was another great choice because her eyes get all the attention.
Simple, yet classy!

Here's a close up on her amazing clutch by Oroton. The Swarovski crystals are captured incredibly by the camera.

My next pick is Kacey Musgraves in Armani Prive. So I have to say that I am not at all a big fan of these types of dresses. I find that they always look a little kiddish when worn and I just don't like the layered look, I think it always ends up looking way too busy. Although, Kacey's dress is my one exception. I think she looks absolutely stunning in this gown. I love the soft pink against her olive complexion, and the glitter accents give the dress such a delicate look. The top part of the dress is so beautifully put together and because the skirt has so much going on, I'm glad that the top is almost a transparent material that doesn't draw too much attention.
Her hair, a simple side bun, goes perfectly with this look. I'm glad she chose this hairstyle because in my opinion, if she had her hair down then it would possibly ruin the softness of her look.
I also love the soft makeup she has on. She has such a fresh face and the natural look with a pink, glossy lip completes the exquisiteness of her ensemble.
The minimal amount of accessories she chose to wear was a very good decision as well.
She looks like a fairy princess!

 Taylor Swift in this gold and silver metallic Gucci gown is phenomenal! This is definitely one of my ultimate favourite looks of the night. With her tall and slim figure, this dress looks as if it was made specifically for her body. There's sort of that unwritten rule where you shouldn't pair silver and gold together, but this dress totally breaks and conquers that rule! The silver accents around the waist, arms and neck stand out, but completely compliment her and the dress. The mesh top gives it that appear to be a sexy strapless dress, but doesn't give too much skin away. Her simple jewellery match the colours of her gown beautifully.








Her hair, a simple pony tail, doesn't simplify the dress at all. It allows us to see the gown without any distractions but from the back, creates a little excitement.
Her makeup is done perfectly as well - an elegant silver and grey smokey eye which brings out her amazing blue eyes. She looks exquisite!

Paris Hilton in Haus of Milani was my top pick for best dressed of the night! I can't get over this dress. Many people didn't like it but as soon as I saw her on the red carpet, I was in awe. To me, Paris' confidence is what makes the whole look. Her stance and her smile tell everyone that she knows she looks good. I love this about Paris.
The high neck is my favourite part of this dress. I think this look paired with her faux hawk up-do are a beautiful match together. I'm also in love with the design of this dress. The front is incredible - solid white with lots of glitter that catch the attention of the cameras. Then you have the back with amazing cut out designs that give it that "business in the front, party in the back" illusion. Her choice in minimal accessories - stud earrings and a ring was the perfect choice for this busy and extravagant look. That beautiful smokey eye gives her a little edge to go with this angelic themed look and it's not at all too bold. Paris, you get the Grammy for best dressed in my books!

So those are my picks for best dressed at the 2014 Grammy awards! Next up, The Oscars!

my thoughts on nail lengths...

So I currently have my nails grown out long and filed them to have a bit of that stiletto look. I've had them like this for a couple months now, and I really like the look of it. (I think it looks really cute when you are holding a cup of coffee. Haha)
Thankfully they haven't broke or started to split. I always have nail polish on and my nails never break or split. If your nails do that I suggest constantly keeping your nail polish fresh and non-chipped. If you don't like colour on your nails, put a base or clear coat on, this way there's at least something that is protecting your nails.

This is what my nails look like currently.
I wanted to get a dark, solid, non sparkly blue and it sounds like a simple colour to find but holy moly it was not.
Every brand I looked at either had glitter/sparkles or wasn't the right type of blue that I wanted.
Finally I came across this colour that was perfect and exactly what I wanted..
The colour is "Royal Vendetta" from Avon.
It's a "Gel Finish" which I love because it looks like I put a top coat on but I didn't. I literally threw on 2 coats, let it dry for 15 minutes and the end product is gorgeous.
This "Gel Finish" line is new from Avon and from trying this first one out I'm definitely going to buy more colours.
It says it's a 7 benefit in 1 polish including base coat, top coat and a strengthener. So you get all the benefits of a salon mani, with only 2 simple coats!

I love having long nails and sometimes when I want them right away without having to wait a week, (my nails grow pretty fast) I put fake nails on. I have never gone to a salon and gotten nails put on I always put them on myself with the ones from Target or Walmart. I rarely even do this because even the store bought ones I believe ruin and weaken your nails.

This is what my nails look like with the fake ones I bought from Target. I just filed them into this round stiletto look. The nail polish I have on is "Black Satin" by Rimmel London. I also put a Matte Top Coat on which is from Revlon.
So whenever I put fake nails on I can only manage them for about a week and then I end up taking them off because either I've had to re-glue a few multiple times and they start to get a nail glue coating underneath, or I just can't stand them anymore. I always notice that when I take them off, there's lots of glue stuck on my real nails and my nails have also gotten very soft. I hate this because it takes me a while to re-grow my nail until it's strong again. Also, if you notice my middle finger nail has a space and looks moved forward because like I said my nails grow quite quickly therefore resulting in that ugliness.
It's fun to have them on for a while but then after a while I'm so done with them!!!



I also love cutting my nails short and filing them square. I find that I can do things a lot better like type, text my make-up and even write. It's funny because recently when I've been in class and taking notes, my long nails start to dig into my palm and I leave class with little dents in my hand! Ouchie!
This is why I have been thinking about cutting my nails short again.

 

Here are my nails when they are short. The nail polishes I used were "Vixen" by Revlon on the fourth nail, "Black Satin" by Rimmel London on the rest of the nails, and then a Matte Top Coat over all of them by Revlon. I also put these little silver and gold studs from this stud nail kit I got from Forever 21!
Things are definitely easier with my nails short. One thing I find easiest is texting and typing. I'm currently typing with long nails and the amount of times I've had to backspace is hilarious...
Also, when I'm texting with long nails, auto correct has a field day.







So the dilemma is real people..
Short or long nails?
Should I keep them long so they look pretty or should I cut them so that I can actually function?
The sad thing about cutting them is that then one day I'm going to spontaneously feel like having long nails again and I'll have to wait another week an a half.

Oh darn the troubles of being a girl...

hello!

Hello!

So I've always wanted to start a blog because I love writing and I love fashion, makeup and celebrities as much as the next person and I also love to state my opinion on things! Basically this blog is just going to be me telling my thoughts to you about anything and everything! 

First I'll tell you a little bit about myself...

My name is Alexandria, Alex for short, I'm 19 years old and I live in Toronto, Canada. 
I love anything to do with fashion, makeup, beauty, hair, nails, clothes, photography, magazines, books, celebrities, movies, music and basically anything else girly. 

My mother always tells me that I talk way to much and I have opinions about everything, so instead of tiring her with my rants and stories, I thought I'd write them out and hopefully make someone smile, laugh or even think!

This is me! ^  Except I don't actually have a cross tattoo.. I just really want one but at the moment I'm not allowed, so I like to pretend I do by using a wonderful, black permanent sharpie! (It's actually kind of fun if you think about it because you can give yourself a "tattoo" and then once you get tired of it, you can remove it and give yourself a different one!)