Confession Friday!!

 

1. Your name

I am Jacquie, although I did write under the name of Angel (a nickname) for a really long time. I still use it for my Angel Reads series.

2. Where you're from

I was born in Upstate NY, Lived in Columbia SC, and now am in Memphis TN

3. What do you do with your days?

I work front desk at a hotel full time, as well as am a full time Student at The University of Memphis.

4. Tell us about your family (photos are great!)

Gosh there is a lot to tell, My parents are divorced, my mother has remarried and so I have that side

From left to right, My step-father, mother, jujube, me (getting jabbed in the side by airforce’s cell phone holder) Airforce and Kensei.

and my dad. With my dad I have several friends who are considered family, like Eri, and M.

This one is a little more complicated, the back row from left to right- My daddy, Airforce and Penni Puppy, Kensei. Then in the front we have Eri, her boyfriend, Jujube, Tori-Story, me, M, and her Fiancee.

There is my sister Jujube,

and brother Airforce as well.

5. What are your dreams and goals

I want a big family, and I want to be secure in myself and who I am.

6. Why did you start blogging?

I needed a release for my thoughts and bottled up emotions.

Birchbox Jan 2014!!!

 

So here is what I got in my Birchbox this month. I was pretty happy with the samples and sizes I got.

 

 

 

What did you get in your Birchbox this month??

January Ipsy Bag

So the lip balm, is not really a lip balm just more of a color, and I can’t figure out a way at all to use that foundation.

What did you get in your Ipsy Bag this month?

If you want to sign up for Ipsy please click on my link, I don’t get paid but I do get bonus points that I can use for bag extras!

Hey It’s Okay….

 

I don’t think this is a link up anymore, but I feel like posting one today.

 

It’s Okay….

That I spent most of last night at work hoping that school would be closed this morning… It   wasn’t.

That I talked to my professor about the fact that I need to make some changes in my life to make it balance out more.

That my Psych Professor decided that we would Listen to Kenny Rodgers The Gambler and John Lennon’s Imagine for the first 10 min of class. It was an interesting start to a tiring day.

To wonder where the heck all the girl scouts are? I used to go door to door to sell my girl scout cookies and I seriously need some thin mints and shortbread cookies!!

However it is NOT okay that I found out the daily allergy pills I take, I was actually allergic to…. I still can’t get over the fact I’m allergic to my allergy pills.

#BeautyIs

I have posted my reaction to the Dove beauty campaign before, In fact I wrote an entire post on when I stopped feeling beautiful. But I do feel like even though Dove is attempting to get a good message across the base message is “Buy Dove products, that way you can be pretty too”

So The Dove “Real Beauty” campaign came out with another video, Selfie, where a bunch of highschoolers and their mothers take selfies and then those selfies are shown at a photo exhibit.

Yes, love yourself is a wonderful message. Yes the things that we don’t like about ourselves are sometimes the things that make us unique and special, BUT none of these girls really had any of their self doubt feelings helped in anyway. Oh they got nice messages at a gallery showing, no one would write mean ones because they were being recorded and they knew who the girls were, its not like the internet or instagram where anonomous people tear down girls for fun.

Dove is also trying to get popular YouTubers into the show, Mr Kate, a DIY/beauty guru on YouTube just posted a video on what she thinks #BeautyIS

It again is a nice message but still not something that actually HELPS people feel more beautiful.

And just for a little comparison, Did you know that the company that makes Dove, also makes Axe? So lets look at a few Axe commercials and see if they are showing the same #Beautyis concepts, (hint ummm nope)

Okay so some mildly risqué words but nothing too bad right? How about this one?

 

So what do you think about Dove’s Real Beauty campaign? Do you think the surface message is what people should be focusing on? I would love to know your opinions on the videos and messages!!!

A Photo An Hour

 

I really like this Idea and I might do more of these and maybe make it an every 2 month or monthly thing. What do you guys think? Would you be willing to do a Link up of these once a month or two?

I honestly should have started this earlier BUT I didn’t start it until AFTER work ( I worked 11pm on Monday night to 7 am Tuesday morning) So it really is what I did on Tuesday hour by hour!!

 

7:30 Am

barely awake after work and in class

8:34 AM

Notes in Psych Class

9:33 AM

 

Walking Around Campus

10:33 AM

Watching the end of Season 3 of Lost Girl at the campus restaurant

11:30 AM

Playing with my Birchbox

12:30 PM

Walking into the Smoke. This is one of my favorite areas on campus, I honestly have no idea why, but every 3 or four feet is a vent where smoke pours out of, I think it just looks super romantic and pretty!

1:05 PM

Waiting on Kensei to get out of class and decided to take a nap under the HIGHLY over priced blanket I picked up from the school bookstore.

1:47 PM

It’s very hard to see but there are tiny snowflakes coming down

2:48PM

School Supply shopping

3:29PM

Got Kensei a gift from Teavana

4:15 PM

feeling sick, so I picked up my favorite feel better meal. Chickfila Chicken noodle soup and lemonade

5:30 PM

Nice clean hair.

6:50 PM

Snuggling with a sleepy puppy before passing out for the night!!

 

Let me know if you would be interested in doing this maybe once a month or every 2 months with me!!

A Little Sicky….

 

So I am feeling a little sick. I’ve been feeling this way for a few months now, but this last week has been REALLY bad.

A little history for those who don’t know, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) when I was 14 years old, the doctor I had at the time literally just diagnosed me, there was no talk of treatment or how to manage it. Just a “Hey, This is what’s wrong with you.”

About 6 months later I contracted a form of Mono called Epstein-Barr, This put me out of commission for a long time and remains in my body, periodically resurfacing and causing me to be ill again. (I Don’t think this is the problem this time)

I also get chronic ear infections (just fyi)

My family also has a REALLY strong history of diabetes, which is particularly bad in my case because of the connection to PCOS.

I have severe migraine headaches, to the point where the smallest amount of light makes me hurt so bad I cry, and I am nauseous for at least a day after the headache.

I used to only get the headaches MAYBE once a week, now I get them at least 3 times a week, can’t keep anything down for 3ish days a week.

I have no clue what’s wrong with me and unfortunately can’t do the doctor thing, (thank you so very much American Healthcare) and kind of just wanted to vent about it a little.

 

So how are you feeling today?

5 Things

5 Things

I haven’t done one of these in a while so here’s a new one!!

…You’ll Find in my bag:

1. My wallet
2. A LOT of medicine.
3. 2 bags filled with lip products
4. a ton of change
5. Pepper Spray

… You’ll Find In My Bedroom:

1. a lot of unfolded, not put away clean clothes
2. my cell phone and ds charger
3. copious amounts of hair products
4. as many pillows as I can get Kensei to let me keep on the bed
5. My ratty old teddy bear

 

… I’ve Always Wanted To Do:

1. Visit Europe
2. Spend a few weeks without having to worry about work/school
3. Get a photo into an art show
4. Write a Book
5. Get Marries

…Things I’m Currently Into:

1. Doctor Who
2. Playing Pokémon X
3. Playing Civilization V
4. Reading as many books as I can
5. sleeping as much as possible

… Quirks I have:

1. I don’t like to organize, but I hate being disorganized.
2. I can’t stand when people act like they are better than other people and put them down
3. I can sleep just about anywhere and usually fall asleep with out issues.
4. I hate when books change covers in the middle of a series….. it REALLY annoys me.
5. I can’t go into my room at the house with out first making sure the gas stove knobs are completely turned off, even if no one has used the stove that day.

Because I have the attention span of a child.

 

I go to conventions a lot with Kensei. He and I are members of a Memphis based steampunk group called The Clockwork Mechanalists. It is a pretty fun group and so we go to most of the conventions to represent it and to hang out, Plus Kensei works at one convention called Anime Blues and every January they have a small one day convention called Anime Blues Remix

This year we went to the remix. It was pretty fun and we saw some nice cosplays This is Captain Robert of the Midsouth Buccaneers and Our captain of the Clockwork Mechanalists. and a VERY nicely done Wind up Clockwork doll!! Plus because I am a child at heart I played Pokémon X, and then I got the CUTEST Necomimi Ears... They move!!

So what did you do this weekend???

Psych The Musical!!!

Still seriously rocking out to Disney’s Frozen but I’ve also been cycling through Psych The Musical’s Soundtrack… My only issue with it is that they didn’t include the speaking bits in the soundtrack…. It would have added a lot more!

The opening song!

A classic opening for a psych adventure, Shawn against Lassie!!

I had to include this because with out the speaking bits this song isn't nearly as good...

 

 

A Little Stressed Out Venting

 

So as most of you know I moved to Memphis to live with Kensei last November, and while things haven’t been great they are not bad at least not between him and me. My issues lately have been with his Father. Kensei’s dad lives with us, which is not what I would consider Ideal for a couple starting their relationship together, but nothing unsurpassable.

What is really bothering me lately is the fact that Kensei’s dad drinks a LOT, and his health is pretty bad. He was in the hospital in November of this year with severe cardiac arrest, and water in his lungs. The doctors told him to stop drinking so much and to limit his salt intake to 1000 mg per day.

I went out and bought several different no salt seasoning substitutes for him to try, (he hasn’t) and he disregards a lot of what they told him. This stresses out Kensei and in turn me, because when I try to say something I get yelled at.

95% (and that’s rounding down) of the time his father is plastered, and yelling. All of MY things are in a storage unit currently because his dad doesn’t want me to move anything so I can unpack. I try to cook healthy food and get yelled at and neither one of them will eat it, and I honestly don’t think my cooking is that bad, in fact M and Eri use my go to recipes to impress people and people who eat my food are always telling me to open a restaurant.

So Kensei just got a call from his fathers Cardiac doctor, saying the blood work they drew on his dad the other day is showing an excess of salt and that his kidneys are not functioning properly because of it, so I don’t know what to do, we can’t force his dad to do what he should, and short of putting him somewhere where they will take care of him (which Kensei says no too) I am out of options… what do you guys think I should do? Stay quiet and let them deal with it however they want? I really need advice here.

Give it 100

 

I have my 101 in 1001 and I have been working on completing it, but I decided that maybe it is time for a tiny challenge for myself. I have signed up for Give It 100, where you dedicate yourself to doing something for 100 days.

I decided that I would make mine at least a 10 min work out per day, whether that means 10 minuets of walking the parking lot at my job or 10 min of working out at a gym, it is something I need to do for myself and my own outlook on myself.

If you want to give it a try, I’d love to follow your 100 leave me a comment below!!

Do you guys think I can stick to it? I hope so!

My Give it 100 Videos!

Also Laney from Night Owl Venting has started a blog hop!! Head on over and check her out!

Frozen!!

Yes I know its not Monday but I really wanted to post this one! I’ve been obsessing over some music lately, first off, These two songs from Disney’s Frozen!

The volume is a little low on this one so you might need to turn it up some! I mean come on… Do you wanna build a snowman??

And this song in particular has been on constant repeat, but only the Idina Menzel version… I’m not to fond of the Demi Lavato version.

What have you been listening to?

Angel Reads: Elizabeth Boyle’s Rhymes With Love Series.

 

 

Hi guys!!! I haven’t done one of these in a while and I wanted to review an entire series instead of just one book, each book will have a little bit about what I thought about it though!

I just finished book 3 (4?) of Elizabeth Boyle’s Rhymes With Love series.

First off I want to say I am not fond of the current trend to release half books, and mini books in only eBook form, I have an eBook but if I hadn’t gotten the 1st and 3rd book free from amazon kindle I never would have known about book 2.5 and been super confused in book 3.

I did have one major issue with this series and that mainly occurred in the 2.5 and 3rd books, they jumped around so much from past, to present to future that I lost where I was and was so very confused that I had to stop reading a few times so I wouldn’t get a headache.

The first book, Along Came A Duke,  I liked, it introduced us to all of the main characters and the prank that leads to the second book, and the little town all of the Heroines are from. It was a little formulamatic BUT it was in a good way.

You pretty much knew where the story was leading letting you enjoy the development of the characters.

In the second, And The Miss Ran Away With A Rake, the prank that was played in the first book, where the nephew posts an add in the paper for his uncle to find a bride, really kicks in. The two have been writing for a while now and neither know they are Dales and Seldons a la the hatfields and McCoy's or the Capulet's and Montague's. I liked this book best out of the series, although I do wish that it contained flash backs in the start of the book so we knew a little more about why the two family's hated each other so.

in 2.5 Have You Any Rouges I started to get a headache, first of all its another Dale and Seldon story which was nice, but if the two main characters cared so much for each other, why did they despise the family members in the first book so much? and the story had good potential, but the flash backs and short story really didn’t leave it anywhere to develop.

and now we have book 3. If Wishes Were Earls. This one is another book that just jumped to much, it jumped from character to character, from past to present, from the hero and heroine to his parents, add that in with missing diamonds, and an odd engagement it was almost like 3 or 4 stories in one book and just to much.

I did enjoy the series and if she comes out with another for this series, (which I have heard there might be one or two more books, as a set of twins was introduced in the first novel) I would be willing to give it a shot.

 

Have you read this series? What did you think? Do you want to read the series?

Books ‘N Bloggers Swap!!!

 

This is my absolute all time FAVORITE swap of the year! I am sooooo excited to be a part of it one more time!

If you don’t know what the amazing wonderful best swap ever is, here ya go!!

Your Swap Objective

Send your partner THREE books:

1. A book you love
2. A book you haven't read but are interested in
3. A book from your partner's wish list

Books 'n' Bloggers Swap Rules

• Packages must contain 3 books that fit the criteria stated in the Swap Objective.
• Send books that fit your partner's genre preferences.
• You must respond to emails from the swap hosts within a timely fashion.
• Books MUST be mailed on or before February 1st, set to arrive by February 5th!
• You must send a tracking number for your package to your partner and to us at Chaotic Goddess Swaps.
• You MUST post and link up your swap reveal post. This is non-negotiable.

 

sounds fun right???

Here are some important dates!

Important Dates to Remember

• Sign-Ups Close on January 14th, 2014

• Partners Assigned on January 15th, 2014

• Packages Ship between January 31st and February 1st, 2014

• Swap Show-Off Post/Linky goes life on February 5th, 2014

So go sign up!! Maybe we will be super lucky and end up as partners??!!

January Goals

So I haven’t post any goals since October, and I felt the need to fix that!

 

My January Goals are as follows

1. start off the semester right, study and work hard to keep getting As and Bs in my classes.

2. read at least 13 books

3. Post reviews on at least 3 books.

4. Join a gym because the boot camp thing didn’t work out

5. get a dress for the Steampunk Ball in March

6. look into my wedding dress

 

What are your goals this month?