Book Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

GoodReads Synopsis:

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence—creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

My Thoughts:

If I were to rate this book, I would give it 3 stars.  You read the whole book as if you were reading someones emails. I got board though most of it. The closer I got to the ending, the better it got. It wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but It wasn't the best either.  It was meh.

Have you read it?

I'd love to hear what you thought!

June Ipsy Bag

I was EXTREMELY pleased with the June Ipsy bag!!!!

1. Altchek De Puff Eye Pads

2. It Cosmetics Brow Power eyebrow pencil.

3. Tre Stique mini shadow crayon

4. Aurora gel effect nail lacquer 

5. Smashbox photo finish foundation primer

Do you subscribe to Ipsy? 

Have you used any of these products?

I want to know what you think!

DIY Poppy Wreath

I went to Hobby Lobby the other day and bought a bunch of supplies to make a wreath. Actually, I bought a TON of supplies! (Flowers were on sale!!!)

I decided to make a poppy and fern wreath. 

 I first started out with two fern leaves and attached them with floral wire.

Next, I took filler flowers and attached them with floral wire a few inches before each tip of the fern leaves.

Floral wire is thin and easily bends.

I then took the poppies (4 in all) and cut them a few inches from the top and bent them. (I set them aside)

I then attached the bow in the middle of the ferns and filler flowers.

Finally, I attached the flowers.  Two on the top, and two on the bottom and secured them with hot glue.

... It's that easy!

Book Review: Close My Eyes

Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie

 

 

GoodReads synopsis:

When Geniver Loxley lost her daughter at birth eight years ago, her world stopped… and never fully started again. Mothers with strollers still make her flinch; her love of writing has turned into a half-hearted teaching career; and she and her husband, Art, have slipped into the kind of rut that seems inescapable. For Art, the solution is simple: Have another child to replace Beth. For Gen, the thought of replacing her first child feels cruel, nearly unbearable. A part of her will never let go of Beth, no matter how much she needs to move on.

But then a stranger shows up on their doorstep, telling Gen the very thing she's always desperately longed to hear: that her daughter was not stillborn, but was taken away as a healthy infant. That Beth is still out there, somewhere, waiting to be found. A fissure suddenly opens up in Gen's carefully reconstructed life, letting in a flood of unanswerable questions. How could this possibly be true? Where is Beth? And why is Art so reluctant to get involved?

As Gen delves into the darkest parts of her past, she starts to realize that finding the answers might open the door to something even worse, a truth that could steal everything she holds close. Even her own life.

With Close My Eyes, Sophie McKenzie weaves a breathless thriller that digs in its hooks without mercy and twists without warning, confirming her place among today's most exciting new voices in psychological suspense.

 

My thoughts:

This was a pretty good English (British) book! I have no idea how I would feel if I were in Geniver's position.  In the beginning, you go back and forth in her head; wondering if she is going insane or if all the little clues that start adding up are legit. The whole book keeps you on your toes, wondering what she will uncover next, and if it's really the truth.  The end is a complete and total twist you didn't see coming.  I could definitely see this becoming a Lifetime Movie!

 

Have you read it?

Please tell me your thoughts!

DIY Cheap Bra Rack

 

My dresser drawers are small, I am constantly getting my bras bunched up and ruined.  I have a bad habit of hanging them on door knobs or the hook on the back of the bathroom door. I have so many bras that I was keeping them in a basket since I had no room for them. I kept forgetting about all the awesome bras I had! I finally had enough. I wanted a way to hang all my bras and not look completely unorganized, so that's when I came up with this idea! I'm not very handy with a saw, so the boyfriend volunteered to make it for me. It was super easy to make!

 

1. We went to Home Depot and got a 1x4 board and measured it to fit in my closet.

2. Measure, mark, saw!

 

3. Next, sand.

 

I wanted to stain the wood.  I originally wanted to do a dark stain, but I found this weathered gray and loved it!

4. Staining! we used a cut up tee shirt instead of brush.

 

Let them completely dry.

 

 

 

5. Next, we screwed in the hooks.

 

6. Hang up and enjoy being organized, yet out of the way!

May Favorites

 

1. Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF!!!!

I have been wearing this every single day!!! It is the perfect moisturizer that is lightweight on the skin.  I hate how most moisturizer with SPF make your skin feel slightly oily.  This does not do that! It's awesome!

 

2. Too Faced Natural Eye eyeshadows

I have had this for years, but it is one of my absolute faves I keep going back to.

 

3. L' Oreal eyeshadow in Violet Petal

This is perfect on the lid for when I wear purples. Very shimmery and beautiful!

 

4. Rock Your Hair root lift

I usually put this in my hair once I towel dry it off.  I love the volume it gives me!

 

5. Klorane Dry Shampoo

I got this dry shampoo in my Ipsy bag.  This has to be one of my absolute favorite dry shampoos! Unfortunately, I have no idea where to purchase it once I run out!

6. Mario Badescu Healing & Soothing Mask

I love putting this mask on in between the times I put on Glam Glow. If you're not careful, Glam Glow can be drying. This makes my face feel amazing!

Have you tried any of these products? If so, what did you think?