8 Shows You HAVE TO See

Gosh, sometimes it astonishes me how much great content there is in this world. And, I, like most other people, love snuggling up in bed to watch a good TV show, so I thought I'd share some of the ones I like the most with you :)

1. Sherlock

To me, Sherlock isn't really a TV show but more more of a series of movies, as every episode is 1.5h long. I love Benedict Cumberbatch in this show, I love how he can string together long lines at an amazing speed and not mess up. I also love Sherlock's relationship with his partner-in-crime, John Watson. BBC does a very accurate modern interpretation of Conan Doyle's books. If you haven't seen the series, you must.

Avatar

By Avatar, I'm talking about both The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra. The first thing that I really noticed with these two shows is the different art styles. Legend of Korra seems to have a very comic book art style, while Last Airbender looks more like an anime. 

Even though these two shows are meant for children, it still has a very gripping storyline, one that I would say is better than some of the adult TV shows I've seen. While I was watching these series, I found myself wishing that magic like this existed, that I, too, could be a bender. It's the perfect mixture of serious action and comic relief. If you want to watch this show (which you really should), I recommend clearing up your schedule, because you will not be able to stop at just one episode.

Scandal

Yes, yes, I know this is not the most recent show, but I started about a week ago and I must say, I'm hooked. I'm not even done the series yet, and I already know that it's one of my favourites. I love how many powerful, smart, and cunning women there are in this series, I love how the main character is a strong independent black woman. This show has a way of conveniently leaving out crucial information that the plot needs and ends every single episode on a cliffhanger, which only makes me want to see the next episode even more, and thus the reason to my binge-watching behaviour for the past week.

As a person who is a sucker for corny endings, the love triangle I found myself in was perfect to keep my eyes peeled to the screen. I can't properly review this one, as I haven't finished it, but there is something truly amazing about this show, and if you were to watch even one episode, I think you'd see what I mean.

Gossip Girl

Another oldie, but another goodie. The story starts when the super rich and super popular Serena Van Der Woodsen arrives back in the Upper East Side of NYC. There, we meet her best friend, Blair Waldorf. Blair, who is by far my favourite character is so sassy and cunning; her remarks make my entire life.

As we watch, we get entangled in the drama of the Upper East Side, watching as an anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl, leaks everyone's secrets. If, like me, you've dreamed about living lavishly, with more money in your bank that you could imagine, this show is for you. Side note: this show contains one of my favourite ships everrr XD

The Vampire Diaries

Don't judge till you've seen it, okay? I know the vampire fad died out a long time ago, after Twilight, but, this show is nothing like the die-hard romance you find in many other vampire series. Even though this show is mainly following Elena Gilbert and her love interests, it's so much more than that. Through The Vampire Diaries, a whole new world is created, a world whose history seems to all surround in Mystic Falls. While I ship Blair and Chuck so hard, they have nothing on Delena. Delena forever!!

InuYasha

I have no shame in admitting that I am in love with this children's series. Honestly, I don't even understand how this was meant for children, the storyline is so bloody and gruesome sometimes that I would rate it PG 13 at least. If you're going to watch this, I recommend watching it in Japanese with subtitles. That way you can really see the exact words of each character and their intended tone.

From the beginning, you can tell Kagome and InuYasha were destined to be with each other, but, for 99.9% of the story, they remain only friends, and I love that about the story. There love for each other is completely emotional and not tinted by physical attractiveness at all and that hits me right in the feels. Not ashamed to say that they're my OTP <3 <3 (insert crazy fangirl noises here)

Suits

Canadians represent!!!! I feel so proud of the fact that I can recognize some of the sets in Suits because it was shot in Toronto, even though the story itself takes place in New York. Suits is about an illegitimate lawyer who is a super-genious-mastermind and the lawyer that hired him. As their relationship grows, and drama surfaces, we learn that they would go to any lengths possible for the people they love, especially each other. This is another binge watching worthy show, so set aside a lot of time for this one, folks!

Once Upon A Time

Why don't I hear people talking about this more often!?!? This show is golden! I can't be the only one who still loves a good fairytale... This show starts when Emma is taken to Storybrooke by Henry, a son she had and gave up for adoption. Henry tries to convince Emma that she is the daughter of Snow White and that all the fairytale characters were stuck without their happy endings. Emma is the Saviour, she is the one that will bring back all the happy endings. But, being the normal, sane adult Emma is, she doesn't believe Henry. 

This show is so friggen good. Unlike Disney, where everything is super duper happy and everyone is fine and dandy, Once Upon A Time tells these fairytales in such a real and heart-wrenching way. The producers almost make you believe that this could have indeed happened, in a far away land, in another reality. This show is the perfect mix of magic and the real world. If you really like princesses, and fairies, magic, and adventure, this show is the one for you!

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Yeah, when I started to write this post, I didn't realize it would end up just being a massive fangirl session for me. So, sorry if I don't make sense at some points; it's only because I am so so so excited and passionate about these shows. They honestly are the best ever. 

If you have any shows that you think should have made this list, please comment below, because binge watching shows is one of my all time favourite activities ;)

--J

Massive Book Review!

After school was over, I decided it was time to get back to book reading. As a child, I absolutely LOVED reading, but slowly, as I got more and more homework and other stuff, I stopped. But its long overdue that I start again.

So I went to the library and signed some (a lot) of books out and I thought I'd share them with you. Going from left to right is a short review for each book.

Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen

Garden Spells is about a woman named Claire Waverley who loves structure and things that stay. Throughout the book, she finds that the best things are found in things (or people) that don't have definite structures, and things that might not last forever. You find out why she's so terrified of uncertainty as old faces come back into Claire's life, and new ones appear. This book of magic realism is one where people find where they belong.

I've only read 2 of Sarah Addison Allen's books thus far but I love how she incorporates magic into normal daily life and how all the main characters are in at least their late 20s and still trying to figure out who they are. It really reminds you that you don't need to have your whole life planned out before you finish high school.

Rating: 4/5

The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen

This book made me cry! I was reading this one late at night, and parts of it really made me feel the feels. Josey is 27 and lives a life where she is constantly trying to right her wrongs from childhood. As a result of this, she doesn't really have a social life. She learns the importance of forgiving herself, and in doing so, she creates a life that she wants and finds meaning in the word "happiness." 

I love how Allen makes you get attached to all the characters, not just the main one and how all their different storylines mix to make one. Again, like Garden Spells, magic is incorporated smoothly into daily life.

Rating: 4.5/5

A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray

Gemma has immense power that most would not be able to even imagine. On her 16th birthday, Gemma suffers the loss of her mother, a death that she was able to witness in a vision. She is then sent to the Spence Academy to learn to become a proper lady of the 19th century. There, she finds out more about her mother, and learns about the responsibility and power that sits on her shoulders. This book is part of a trilogy (I am currently reading the other two books, reviews coming up!)

Rating: 3.5/5

The List of my Desires - Grégoire Delacourt 

Jocelyne lives an ordinary middle-aged life, wishing for something better. Suddenly, she is given the choice to change everything, to go from ordinary to extraordinary. Sadly, she spends too long debating what it is that she wants, and the choice is taken out of her hands in the most startling way.

For me, what really resonated with me is that sometimes, if you are given a chance to change something you don't like, you should just go for it, carpe diem! Jocelyne spent too much time thinking, and lost hers.

Rating: 3/5

Every  day - David Levithan

Imagine waking up to a new body and life everyday, but loving the same girl. This is the life that was given to A. Is it possible to sustain a relationship with such bizarre circumstances? This book explores topics of gender, sexuality, and the importance of outwardly features. As A dabbles with his affection for this girl, A learns what it means to truly love someone.

It was a really interesting concept, and I appreciate that the ending was as realistic as it could be (even though I am a total sucker for over-the-top corny endings hehe)

Rating: 4/5

The Five People you Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom

This book is an interesting approach to what happens after life, the 5 people you meet are people that wil help you understand your life. Eddie is a war veteran and maintenance guy at an amusement park; it was just another normal day— until he dies. The 5 people he meets help him realize that his life wasn't a waste like he thought it was and helped him understand why things happened the way they did.

Rating: 3.5/5

Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding

This diary is a peek into a 30-ish year old woman struggling with obnoxious people asking about her non-existant love life. Along with that, we also take a look at her perception of her body, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption.  We get to read a time-accurate break down of her life from January to December, trying to find love before it's too late. 

I'd just like to mention that I found it extremely weird that sometimes she would have like 54 cigarettes a day (like how!?!?!), also I found it a bit annoying that Bridget wrote in a very brief way and sometimes did not use proper grammar.

Rating: 3/5

Faerie Wars - Herbie Brennan

The storyline of Faerie Wars takes place in two different worlds, ours, and the Faerie world. It's a story of a rebel prince, Pyrgus who is in danger. He finds himself lost outside of his world, and in ours, and meets a boy named Henry. They, along with other allies, work together to find out who is coming after the prince and his family. Pyrgus learns what it means to be a prince, as he avoids death time and time again, and finally steps into his responsibilities.

This book had quite a slow start for a few chapters, but once it picks up, oh man, does it really pick up. I could not put it down! It is the first book in a series by Brennan, so again, I will be reading the rest of this series and maybe doing a full series review.

Rating: 4.7/5

This One Summer - Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

I don't usually read graphic novels, but when I do, I apparently pick very good ones haha. Perhaps one of the things I love most about this graphic novel is how Canadian it is. Written and illustrated by Canadians, there are little references to Canada everywhere (eg. Tim Hortons, UofT, Niagara falls etc.) Seriously, if you're Canadian, I would say read this just to see if you can find all the references! 

Patriotism for my country aside, the art completely blew me away. I am in love with the art style, how everything looks to be a cross of watercolour and charcoal, and how the ink is an off black-ish purple, the font, and how detailed everything is.

The story follows one family on their vacation to Awago Beach. For as long as Rose could remember, they always came to Awago Beach and has many great memories there. This summer, however, is different. Her parents are fighting, and she gets in a mess of her own. This story is a great one of transitioning from childhood to teen-hood. 

Rating: 4/5

China Rich Girlfriend - Kevin Kwan

This isn't in the picture, but I also signed it out (I returned it before I took the picture, sorry!!) But here's a picture from the web:

China Rich Girlfriend is a sequel to Crazy Rich Asians. In this book, we have a detailed description of the lives of people so rich, you'd get a headache just trying to fathom how much money they have. A hilarious read about scandals and problems you'll never have, but somehow, Kwan still makes the characters so darn relatable.

Rating: 4/5 (I'd rate Crazy Rich Asians 4.7/5 though, I remember it being amazing)

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I have a plan to read as many books as I possibly can before school starts up again, so expect many many more to come! If you have any book suggestions, please leave them down below, I would love to hear what you've been reading, or what books you love. 

As always, thanks for reading,

--J

5 Must Have Skincare Items to Survive Winter

From left to right, top to bottom: lip balm, body butter, FAB moisturizer, Clean & Clear moisturizer, face mask, exfoliator

During the winter, my skin looks basically like a dried up pavement with like a billion cracks (horrific, but true). So, without these things, I don't think I could make it through the cold Canadian months, haha. They're essentials to me!

1. Lip Balm

If I go even a night without lip balm, my lips will start crusting and cracking, and all-round looking disgusting. The one I've been using the most often is one by eos. I love the waxy consistency (even though some people hate it), I just think it seals in the moisture really well. I think the flavour I have is called Peppermint Vanilla (I forgot, lol, if I'm wrong, I'm so sorry)

2. Facial Moisturizer

A moisturizer is so important to me, like, if I don't use it for even a day, I will notice dry flakey patches (not pretty) on my face. The one I use at nighttime is the "First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream." It's really thick and creamy (duh), but the thing I kind of dislike about it is the smell. Although it's not strong, it's definitely not something I would call pleasing.

In the mornings, my favourite is one by Clean and Clear called "Morning Burst, Hydrating gel Moisturizer." Oh my god, the smell is amazing. It smells like melons, and from a person who doesn't even really like melons, it still smells like heaven. It's a really light formula that goes on really easily and sinks in real quick.

3. Face Exfoliator

I don't exfoliate every single day (that would be too much!) but when I do, I use the "Acure Brightening Facial Scrub." It has argan stem cell and chlorella growth factor, and because of those ingredients, it kind of looks like you're putting seaweed mud on your face. Sounds gross, but I swear, after, your face feels like a baby's bum. 

4. Body Butter

I've got a huge tub of the "Shea Body Butter" by The Body Shop, and if there's still anyone out there who hasn't tried it (I swear, everyone has, by now), The Body Shop body butters are like really thick moisturizers. Usually, I find them kind of gross and sticky, as they tend to be very oily (especially in the summer), but in the winter time, I'm so dry, I literally could not care. The thickness and oiliness actually goes to help my skin be "normal." 

5. Hydrating Face Mask

Again, this is something I don't use daily (more like weekly), the one I have is the "Amino Herbal Hydration Mask" by OZ Naturals. I tend to use this in conjunction with the face exfoliator mentioned above, and the combo gives me what feels like new skin. If you ever see me stroking my face like a weirdo, you know what products I just used on my face, LOL. This mask is a clear gel that you just apply to your face, and as it dries, it gives you this cooling, tingly feeling that's really nice. The mask also has hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and vitamin E, which are all super great for your skin.

Are there any items that are absolutely essential in your winter skincare routines? Leave them in the comments below, as I would love to find more gems, haha.

Thanks for reading!

--J

Blue Neighbourhood||A Review

Blue Neighbourhood is an album by Troye Sivan, released on December 4th, 2015. It's Troye's first album, and kind of a follow up after his EP, WILD. The deluxe album features 15 tracks.

I love the ENTIRE album, but I thought I would share some of my favourites. :) (Oh gosh, it's going to be so hard to pick, they are all literally the best). This list is ordered by the way they appear on the official track list.

1. Fools

Fools has a really nice melody, and its about a relationship that's going downhill because of something Troye did. It's a song that unfortunately I can relate to on a personal level. My favourite lyric is "I don't give a fuck, I'm not giving up, I still want it all."

2. Talk Me Down

Talk Me Down is about an innocent love, as depicted by the lyric, "I wanna sleep next to you, but that's all I wanna do right now." This song has a really catchy melody, and its the kind that you'll find yourself humming hours later.

3. Heaven

Heaven has what I think is the most powerful lyric of the entire album, "Without losing a piece of me, how do I get to heaven? ... So if I'm not losing a piece of me, maybe I don't want heaven." He wrote this song because so many religions say that to enter heaven, you cannot be gay. Troye spent his whole life worrying about having to change himself to get to heaven, because his present self wasn't good enough. But, one day he realized, maybe he doesn't need heaven if the cost is changing who he is.

4. Youth

This song just has a super duper catchy tune (the kind that makes you want to dance), and really cool instrumentals. (His fans like to call him a dancing noodle in that video LOL)

And, yeah, yeah, I know no one gets CD's anymore, but I just really like having physical copies of things. (Plus, one day they'll be vintage, like vinyls are)

If you were to go listen to just a few songs off Troye's album, I definitely recommend those four (they're even linked for you already!).

If you've listened to the album, what are your favourite songs?

--J

Get it here

GIRL ONLINE: ON TOUR || REVIEW

Why does it look like my right hand is a claw?

"Girl Online: On Tour" was published by Zoë Sugg (aka Zoella) on October 20th, 2015.  "Girl Online: On Tour" is a sequel to Zoë Sugg's Girl Online.

The book is a continuation of Penny's life after the online scandal of the first book. Penny, 16 and obsessed with her rock-god boyfriend (who wouldn't be, if they had one at 16?) has been invited to go on tour with him for the summer.

Very quickly, what went from looking like the best summer ever became a summer filled with anxiety, haters... and, you guessed it, boy-drama. In her summer on tour, Penny learns that a relationship isn't always warm and fuzzy, and sometimes, there's nothing she can do to fix that, no matter how much she tries.

Viewers of Zoella (like myself), have known that this book was coming for a while now, and have anxiously waited as we watched her talk about writing it in her vlogs. To be honest, I thought that this book was so much better than its successor. Zoë certainly seems to have matured in her writing style quite a bit since then.

My only real complaint about the book is that Zoë seems to make the characters behave in a way that almost seems unrealistic to me. I don't know about your life, but almost no one is nearly that over-the-top nice in my life (maybe I just have a sucky life haha). For example, Elliot, Penny's best friend often refers to Penny as "Princess P" or "Pennylicious" even in text messages! I don't think I could keep that habit up, it just takes too much effort (please tell me I'm not the only one). As well, I don't know anyone that ends all their texts with "xx" or "xxxxxxx." I dunno, I don't think people are like that in real life, and it almost made me want to roll my eyes a little bit.

I really did enjoy the parts of the book where Penny goes through tough times, and my heart throbbed for her, as I'd gone through the same things, and I think Sugg depicted those emotions nicely.

Overall, this book was muuuuch better than her first, and I really would recommend it to everyone who's read the first one.

Rating: 7/10

Zoë signed it!!!!!!!! (still excited)

Thanks for reading!

Jackie

Sugg, Zoë. Girl online: On tour.  London: Penguin Random House,  2015. Print.
Get it here

Ipsy Bag Review | August 2015

Briogeo Volumizing Spray (mini), OZ Naturals Mask (mini), Trust Fund Nail Polish (Elegantly Wasted), Hikari Lip Gloss (Merlot), Doucce Eyeliner (Black)

August was the first month I've ever received an Ipsy subscription, and it was pretty good. I don't think I'm going to do it again, though, since, for me, living in Canada, it is a bit pricier. (The Canadian to US Dollar SUCKS right now, and I also have to pay shipping :( ) Maybe I'll do it again around Christmastime.

Side note: I do love how everything appears to be vegan and natural! 

The Flops

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Volumizing Blowdry Spray

This didn't really volumize anything, for me. Maybe it's because I have such long, heavy hair, that it pulls it down anyways.... It does smell nice, though!

OZ Naturals Amino Herbal Hydration Mask

This mask has many ingredients that work together to supposedly hydrate your face, but I personally didn't see any ground-breaking results after using this. 

My Favourites!

Doucce Cosmetics Eyeliner

This thing is AWESOME. Maybe it's because I don't have too many kohl eyeliners and my standards are lower, but I really enjoy using this. Its dark, goes on smoothly enough, and waterproof, making it perfect for the waterline/tightline!

Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted

This nail polish has one of the nicest formulas I've ever tried. Elegantly Wasted is a two-coater that evens itself as it dries, making my job much easier, as I don't have to worry about uneven streakiness that I sometimes have to with other nail polishes. :)

Hikari Lip Gloss in Merlot

This lip gloss is a dark reddish colour (the picture above isn't that accurate in terms of colour, it is closer to the first picture above, sorry!) Even though this is kind of an "out of my comfort-zone" colour for me, I was pleasantly surprised when I put this on. It somehow doesn't look as bold as a dark red would, and I can't wait to start wearing this more often when autumn comes!

Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the bag :( If you want to see what it looks like, go here.

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Thanks for reading!

Jakie

6 Drugstore Beauty Product Fails

This is my first official post, and I hate to start things off complaining, but I can only write about what I know, right? And as a poor student, I haven't really had the money to buy too many luxurious products, so I've come across a few drugstore products that have disappointed me.

This list comes in no apparent order (I just couldn't figure out which was worse :P )

1. Revlon Lash Potion "Blackest Black"

In Canada, this bugger costs around $11 (which is significantly more than most Maybelline mascaras) and I did whole lot of research before buying this. From the reviews I read, it seemed to be either a love, or hate thing, and I decided to take a gamble.

After wearing it for a few months, I decided that this mascara is only "meh." Most of the time, it applies really heavily, causing lashes to clump, which is a no-no for me. But, a good thing about this mascara is that it doesn't smudge or "go south" on the bottom lashes.


2. Essie "Fiji"

This is my first ever Essie nail polish ever! After reading a couple of review on Fiji, many of which said that it was a perfect opaque, pale pink. Some sites even said it was a "one or two coater."

While a pretty pale pink, opaque is a word I'd use to describe this polish, the first coat is streaky, and after the second, you can still see your nail underneath.

One last thing, I don't know if it's just me, but this bottle of polish seemed to dry out faster than others... Is it just me?

3. EcoTools Concealer Brush

This brush came in EcoTools' starter pack of 5. While all the other brushes in the pack were super soft and all-round amazing, this one was a little too scratchy for the undereye area.

When using, there's just one or two bristles that poke the wrong way underneath the eye (it's okay everywhere else, where the skin is less sensitive)



4. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer "230 Light"

First, the brush applicator isn't very soft at all, when it's used on the skin close to my eye, it can sometimes hurt at contact (maybe I just have really sensitive undereyes D: )

And second, I know it's supposed to be "light coverage," but this seems to be too light. As in, sometimes I think it does nothing to cover my dark circles.



5. Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo

I bought this one after Zoella raved about them, and after I read reviews on Makeupalley.

For someone like myself, with super black hair, this tends to leave those white casts on your air, making you look a few decades older than you actually are. (But I guess if you're blond, you should be fine, lol)

Also, this is just personal preference, but I think the scent of this dry shampoo is just way too strong.

6. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

I bought this on a whim at a Shoppers, after seeing it on sale.

This is probably the weakest makeup remover I've ever tried. Honestly, it's like water, it doesn't remove much at all. The bottle says "it removes even waterproof mascara!", and... Well, it doesn't. :(

I still use it occasionally, though, to remove lipstick or to clean my eyelash curler, so it's not a complete waste of money


If you're still reading, thanks for sticking with me all this way, haha. If you enjoyed this, stick around for more!


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Rawr,

Jakie