I'm having a reallyyy hard time writing a review for this book.  I finished it this afternoon and I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it.  It took me two tries and nearly two months to finish this book.  I just couldn't get into it in the beginning.  In fact I wasn't a fan of the whole first half of the book... It was nearly torturous to get through.

Gone Girl is a story about a woman, Amy Dunn, who goes missing on her 5th Wedding Anniversary.  The entire first half of the book is about the investigation of her disappearance.  Which is heavily leaning towards her husband, Nick Dunn as being a bad guy.  The story is told by Nick && Amy [via her diary] in a take turns every other chapter format.  I don't normally mind this format, however, Amy's chapters were incredibly boring to me.  I found myself skimming them.  You're supposed to feel sorry for each one of them for different reasons as they describe to you the problems in their marriage.  The problems themselves were trite and could only be classified as "first world problems".  I didn't find myself empathizing with either of them.  

The second half of the book slaps you in the face with a dark twist.  I admit it caught my interest at this point.  Mainly because I was trying to figure out how we were going to drag this out for another 50% of the book, after revealing that big of a bombshell.  Both characters are revealed as deranged, which was exciting.  It still just fell short for me.  

The ending [which I obvi won't reveal] was far more twisted than I expected.  I think it was slightly depressing, but fitting.  When I hit the last page on my kindle, I looked up at my son and said "that sucked".  However, as the day went on && I reflected on it more, there's a part of me that really enjoyed the ending.  

Overall, I just didn't get the hype of it.  The writing itself was great, the story was just missing something.  I'm anxious to try another book by Gillian Flynn though, and will probably see the movie in October.  It has Neil Patrick Harris, of course I'll see it!  Aha!

[myyy goodreads rating for Gone Girl: 2/5 stars]

Have you read Gone Girl?  What was your thoughts?  

sodastream review

I was recently sent a SodaStream* starter kit via House Party to hold a party and essentially advertise the SodaStream Source.  It was NOT a requirement that I make a blog post on this, but I'm just so obsessed with my new SodaStream I had to share myyy thoughts!  

House Party is a neat website that you can sign up for to hold "parties".  Basically they send you a free item, and you commit to having a party with your friends to try out the item.  I was incredibly lucky to get in on the SodaStream party!  When my SodaStream arrived I fell in love instantly.  I've seen them in stores but never would have purchased it for myself.  However, after playing with one I definitely would have ended up buying one.  Several people from my SodaStream party have ordered one already ahah!  

REVIEW:
So far I cannot find anything negative to say about this unit.  It's easy to use, makes wonderful drinks, and is environmentally friendly.  What more could you ask for?  My favorite flavors include: Orange Soda, Ocean Spray Cranberry, Dr. Pete, and Diet Pink Grapefruit.  I will warn you, all of the flavorings have a sort of "artificial sweetener" taste to them.  None of the flavorings are made with High Fructose Corn Syrup, and the diet flavors are made with Sucralose instead of Aspartame.  The non-diet flavors do seem to be made with a mixture of Sugar & Sucralose.  This keeps calories lower than regular store bought soda brands, but something to keep in mind if you do not like to consume artificial sweeteners.  They do offer regular Cola flavoring without artificial sweeteners, it's made with 100% Pure Cane Sugar.  I haven't tried this one, so I am unable to tell you how it tastes.  There are other flavorings as well in their "Sparkling Naturals" line that are made without artificial sweetener.  

CONCLUSION:
If you don't mind consuming artificial sweetener, and are looking to cut calories, SodaStream would be an amazing option for you.  Even just using it to have plain sparkling water!  If you prefer pure cane sugar drinks, but want to limit your intake of High Fructose Corn Syrup, I'd say this would also be a good purchase for you.  The only downfall to the latter is that they don't have as wide of a flavoring choice for the no artificial sweeteners.

I took my sodas to work to have my party.  Nearly all of my friends are my co-workers and it was just easier that wayyy.  We had a great time tasting different flavors and even made rootbeer floats!  

We work in I.T. so we've all got headsets on :)  I'm not pictured because I was the photographer, and my other co-workers chose not to be photographed.  We had a fun time being sillyyy && just taking a break! <333

*All opinions are my own, I was not paid to write this post.  I was sent the SodaStream Kit by HouseParty.com, however, making a blog post was NOT a requirement by them.  I chose to write about my SodaStream on my own accord. 

veet easy roll-on wax

Veet Easy Roll-On Wax

My old full-time job was working in a beauty supply store for professionals.  I had a complete love/hate relationship with that job.  It was often fun && the discount was nice!  In our store we carried roll on wax just like this, but a much higher cost.  I was excited to see this "drug store" version, and curious to tryyy it out.

I filmed a quick unboxing video for you guys.  Please understand: I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL YOUTUBER! Ahaha!  I was on my phone, [I apologize for the video quality, or lack there of ha] and in the middle of renovations on my bathroom so I was a mess.  I just wanted to show the unboxing with a video because it's easier for you to see it!  <333 



I have tested the product and I was pretty impressed!  It worked exactly as I would expect it to.  Here's a tip... purchase muslin from a fabric store & cut into strips.  It's way cheaper than using store bought strips for waxing.  I did not film the actual waxinggg process.  I waxed my legs on the couch while watching Pretty Little Liars.  [See it IS easy to use]

book review [Safe Haven]

I'm not a huge Nicholas Sparks fan.  At all.  He's really not that great of a writer.  Every book has the same formula, with details changed.  However, they're good books when you want a quick read or are in the mood for something sappyyy.  Which is how I was feeling the day I picked up Safe Haven...

BOOK

I actually surprised myself with this book!  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I thought it was suspenseful, graphic, heart wrenching, && just the right amount of sap.  The ending was a shock to me, I totally didn't see that coming.  All in all, I have to admit I really liked this book.  Which leads me to the corner with my tail between myyy legs for all the years of dissing Sparks.

MOVIE

I was soooo excited to watch this movie after I read the book.  There was so much potential for this to be an amazing movie.  I've been a long time soap watcher since I was a child (my parents watched AMC && OLTL).  When I saw that Josh Duhamel was in the movie, I got even more excited.  This movie was AWFUL!  From the very beginning I found myself saying, "that didn't happen".  I know movies tend to leave stuff out from the book, but this movie added things and changed things to where it was almost unrecognizable.  I think I could've handled all that and still enjoyed the movie if the movie was actually good.  It wasn't.  The acting was terrible.  Absolutely atrocious.  I do NOT recommend this movie whether you've read the book or not.

.Vox box review

Hello!  Sorry I'm just now getting my Sugar & Spice VoxBox review.  I've had quite the health issue sneak up on me (I'll tell you about it in another post).  The positive thing is I've definitely had time to fully use and experience the products.  Let's get started:

Colgate Opti-White

• Product Claim: The collection of Colgate® Optic White® products whitens more than 3 shades* and results start in one week. With Colgate® Optic White®, the only accessory you need to look fabulous is your smile. *based on twice daily use for 4 weeks 
• What I loved:  I honestly LOVE these products!  I've even purchased several more toothbrushes for the family.  Now we're all using it!  The toothpaste I feel does a wonderful job at whitening (as much as an over the counter toothpaste can).  It's got a great minty taste that sticks with you for awhile for long lasting freshness. 
• What I didn't love:  I'm not a huge fan of the mouthwash.   I do use it, and love the way it works.  However, my issue lays with the "foaming action".  It foams so much it gags me.  It's not a pleasant experience for me, so I probably won't repurchase the mouthwash for myself.  I don't believe in waste though, so I will definitely finish the bottle.

Nectresse Natural Sweetener

• Product claim: NECTRESSE™ Sweetener has a rich sugar-like taste and is naturally zero calories per serving. How? We started with the deliciously sweet extract of monk fruit and combined it with the perfect blend of other natural sweeteners. It's 100% natural with nothing artificial. You're going to love the way it tastes. In our search to create the perfect sweetener, we turned to the place that does sweetness best: nature. We found our inspiration in the monk fruit. Hand-picked in remote mountain regions, monk fruit has been cultivated for hundreds of years and only recently re-discovered as a source of natural sweetness.
• What I loved:  I don't use many artificial sweeteners.  I pretty much stick to Truvia, and I don't even use it that often.  I have made myself become a black coffee and unsweetened tea drinker.  However, I do lightly sweeten my oatmeal with artifical sweetener.  While I did enjoy the sweetener, I didn't feel overly impressed or underwhelmed by it.  Nothing speical stuck out. 
• What I didn't love:  Again... I neither loved nor hated this product.  I know it seems odd to be completely apathetic about an articial sweetener, but I am. 

Belvita Breakfast Biscuits

• Product claim: belVita Breakfast Biscuits are made with delicious ingredients and carefully baked to release nutritious sustained energy, all morning long. They are a good source of Fiber and B-vitamins, contain no high fructose corn syrup, have 18-20 grams of whole grain per 50 gram serving and taste great, which makes belVita Breakfast Biscuits perfect for when you are on the go. Facts:• Nutritious sustained energy all morning• 18-20 grams of whole grains per 50 gram serving• A good source of both energy-releasing B-vitamins + fiber• No high fructose corn syrup• No artificial flavors or sweeteners. 
• What I loved:  Ack, here's another product I don't have a whole lot to say on.  It is not Gluten Free, so I was unable to test it myself.  I let my teenager test it.  He ate it all in about 2.5 seconds, and said it was good, then walked away to find more to eat ;) 
• What I didn't love: That it wasn't gluten free.

Dickinson's Oil Controlling Towelettes

• Product claim: New from Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel, Oil Controlling Towelettes. The first ever individually wrapped towelette with Original Witch Hazel to gently remove dirt, oil & impurities while eliminating shine – even on the go. Perfect for even the most sensitive skin, each towelette is touched with aloe to help restore essential moisture. The result is a clean, refreshed, and blemish free complexion anytime, anywhere. Oil Controlling Towelettes are conveniently wrapped for active lifestyles and perfectly sized for travel, complying with strict TSA requirements. Benefits of Oil Controlling Towelettes-Gentle spun lace cloth helps extract trapped dirt & oils, tones and protects skin-Original witch hazel is perfect for sensitive skin-Non-drying like many other oil removing products-Simple efficacious ingredients-The small size is convenient to travel with and bring anywhere – the home, office, beach, sporting events and gym-Cleans and conditions on the go .
• What I loved:  Ladies & Gents, I've been using Dickinson's witch hazel for years and years.  As an oily & acne prone person, witch hazel is a must for me.  I loved the convenience of the travel towelettes.  I've even used it to remove makeup in a pinch.  These are wonderful & I will definitely repurchase.
• What I didn't love:  N/A, loved everything about them!

Vaseline Spray & Go

• Product claim: • A convenient 360° continuous spray lotion that moisturizes deeply and absorbs in seconds (less than 10)• Skin feels instantly soft – not sticky or greasy• Contains multi-layer moisture complex and infuses moisture across all layers of skin* – at the top, the core and deep down• Fast to apply, quick to absorb, so women can put their clothes right on after moisturizing• Targeted spray (width of woman’s wrist) dispenses lotion quickly and evenly• To apply simply spray up one side of your body, switch hands, spray down the other side, and then rub in with a few quick rubs (“Up, Switch, Down, Rub”)• All over body coverage• Also comes in Total Moisture®, which contains pure oat extract and leaves skin feeling healthy and soft, Aloe Fresh which contains pure aloe and leaves skin feeling healthy and fresh and Cocoa Radiant™ which contains pure cocoa butter and leaves skin feeling healthy and glowing **Stratum corneum (multi-layer surface skin)
• What I loved: This product was interesting... I found that it was very easy to use and soaked right into the skin with minimal hand/lotion contact.  I use it out of the shower after shaving.  I hope out, dry off, spray it on, and by the time I'm ready to get dressed it has soaked into the skin.
• What I didn't love:  I wasn't crazy about the scent of the one that was sent to me.  However, I have seen more of these in the store with different scents.  So there's more options for you to try out.

All in all I'd say it was a very successful VoxBox!  Here are my product ratings:

• Colgate Optic-White~ A+
• Nutresse~ B
• Belvita~ A
• Dickinson's Towelettes~ A+
• Vaseline Spray & Go~ A