Monday, January 31, 2011

January Book Reviews



"Heroes don't have to be public figures of any kind. Heroes are right in your family. There's amazing stories in all of our families, you just have to ask, 'and then what happened?'"

700 Sundays by Billy Crystal. I heard from a couple different websites that this book was funny, and since I enjoy a funny book, when I saw it for $3 at Big Lots I decided to give it a shot. While it wasn't the funniest book I'd ever read, it was humorous, but more than that it was sad and surprising and heartwarming all at the same time. Billy Crystal's childhood spent around famous jazz musicians was something I was very surprised to learn about. I mean, Billie Holiday took him to his first movie and he watched a Yankees game from Louis Armstrong's seats at Yankee Stadium, really now. It was heartbreaking reading about how he lost his father when he was a teenager, but encouraging how his family dealt with it. It's definitely a book that shows you the importance of family and that's what I loved most about it.







"Irenka, my dear girl, war makes men animals. You must not let this ruin your life. God has plans for you. He did not let you die. God has plans for you."

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke. I must state that Holocaust memoirs are my favorite books to read. Not that the subject matter, or reading about people dying, is one of my favorite things to read about, but I find them infinitely interesting. I am so intrigued by World War II and the unthinkable things people went through, and the amazing stories that came from it. I feel that these people's stories deserve to be heard, and even though they are extremely upsetting, you can always take away the strength and courage of the human spirit that these people show.
Other than just reading memoirs about the war, I like reading different perspectives of it. This one was a Polish Catholic girl's story. It spans from ages 17 to 23 and the many, many events that happened during those years. From being imprisoned by the Russians, to being Forced to work for the Nazis to risking her life to help a dozen Jews escape execution, this book will astonish you. I found myself laying in bed, unable to sleep because I needed to know what happened next and before I knew it, the lamp on my nightstand was on and the book was in my hands. I talked to everyone I knew about it after I was done reading it. It is simply amazing what one person went through and the strength and determination she had to make a difference. It is truly inspiring. I cannot recommend it enough.







"Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true."

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer. While I stated above that my favorite books to read are Holocaust memoirs, I had no idea this was going to be (but not really) a Holocaust fictional book. I actually bought it not knowing what it was about or what to expect. It's a book made up entirely of fictional letters between numerous different characters. From an author to her publisher to her best friend and ultimately to the members of a literary society on the island of Guernsey in England that formed during The Occupation. It takes place after the war, in 1945, when the Nazi no longer had control over the island. At first it was a bit confusing trying to keep all the characters straight and remember who the letter was being written to, and written by but after awhile everything kind of straightens out.
While I love the idea of it being about books and literature and the war and that it's entirely made up of letters, the book just kind of fell flat. It didn't really seem believable, and it read like a movie to which you could predict the ending. It was entertaining, but when I read about the war and the people in it, I'd rather it be true.

Did you read anything good in January?

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Picking up the pieces





I've got some good news, and I've got some bad news. The bad news is my laptop got the blue screen of death yesterday and I haven't been able to get it to start back up. I've been so careful with that computer, too because I didn't want anything to happen to it, and all of a sudden that happened. The good news though, is that I'm using my mom's Mac (which I kind of hate because it's foreign to me-- I actually had to google how to copy and paste) but hey, it still lets me blog and upload pictures, so beggars can't be choosers.

Shirt: Ebay
Skirt: Made by me
Shoes: Kohl's

Other outfits you've seen these pieces:
Jersey Necklace one The First in a Long Line Spectacular

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Beauty Awards 2011

I thought since it's Award Season in the real world (if Hollywood is considered that) maybe I should have an award season on my blog. The academy is made up of myself. (Perhaps readers could be considered the foreign press and we could get a Golden Globes awards follow-up post.) So this first awards post is for Makeup. These are pretty much all the products that take the cake, in my opinion. There may be awards for skincare and beauty products and haircare to follow. and without further ado, welcome to the 1st annual Le Quaintrelle beauty awards! *cue symphony*




Best mineral powder

And the winner is:


Laura Mercier Mineral Powder

Best liquid foundation

and the winner is:


Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear

Best cream eyeliner
and the winner is:


Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner in True Black


Best pencil eyeliner


and the winner is:


Benefit's Bad Gal Liner

Best Blush

and the winner is:


MAC's Well Dressed

Runner up:



Benefit's Dandelion


Best Mascara
and the winner is:


Urban Decay's Skyscraper Mascara

Best eye primer

and the winner is:



MAC's Paint Pot in Soft Ochre


Best Highlighter


and the winner is:


MAC eyeshadow in Nylon

Runners Up:



Benefit High Beam




Benefit Creaseless Shadow in Tattle Tale


Best Lipstick

and the winner is:


MAC's Myth


Runner Up:


MAC's Russian Red

Best Lipgloss
and the winner is:



Revlon's Lilac Pastelle

Runner Up:



MAC's Lipglass in Oyster Girl


Best Concealer

and the winner is:



Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

runner up:



Benefit's Boi-ing



Have a favorite beauty item you'd like to nominate? Fill out the ballot, and email it in!

  • Best powder foundation:
  • Best liquid foundation:
  • Best cream liner:
  • Best pencil liner:
  • Best Blush:
  • Best Mascara:
  • Best Primer:
  • Best Lipstick:
  • Best Lip gloss:
  • Best Concealer:

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Minis in January





I promise it's still winter here in California, we've just been having cloudless days with temperatures in the 70s. Also, I thought I lost this shirt since I've been looking for it forever-- turns out, it was just taking a vacation in my mom's closet. Never again, chambray shirt! Never again!

Shirt: Kohls
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: Steve Madden

P.S. I was featured on Lagelle! I answered a couple style questions if you want to check it out. Thanks, Lagelle!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Foxtrot

foxes



Shirt: Christmas present from my bestie
Skirt: The Limited via hand-me-down from sister
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Ross

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Gaslamp

dress1

gaslamp



Tonight my family and I went to the Gaslamp District down in San Diego to have dinner and say farewell to my brother-in-law who will be on a boat for the next month (he's in the Navy).

I didn't get a great shot of my outfit while I was down there, but I had a picture of the exact outfit from when I wore it before. That's why my hair's different in the first picture. That's not cheating right? I tried taking a picture after dinner, but I just feel so awkward and embarrassed having someone take multiple pictures of just me in a public setting. I feel like people are passing by thinking, "what is this girl doing? does she think she's a model or something?" Does anyone ever have a hard time taking your outfit pictures in public and/or in front of people? I wish I could get over it because I'd much rather have photos of when I'm out as opposed to the ones in my backyard before I go out. Well, this is my outfit nonetheless.

Dress: Target
Jacket: H&M
Boots: Charles Albert from Marshalls

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

And the winner is...

The random winner of the Orient Watch Giveaway is... SAGE61!

Here's her joke: Did you hear about the skeleton that walked into the bar and ordered a beer.... and an apron?

I'll be honest, it totally goes over my head, but that's part of the reason I thought it was funny. 

So Sage, email me with your shipping info! Thank you everyone for posting your jokes, you honestly had me in stitches! 

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Vintage Bridal Gowns

I've been becoming obsessed with wedding dresses lately. It might have to do with some stuff I have coming up in the near future (no, I'm not getting married) but I've decided I must become a wedding dress model-- they need women who are 5'4" right? =) I just see all these gorgeous dresses and think "I need to wear that--without it meaning I must commit my life to someone" Long story short, I came across the vintage bridal gallery on The Frock, and became absolutely smitten with these wedding dresses from eras past. I had to share.






























I don't think I could ever get married, just for the simple fact that I could never pick out just one dress. I want to wear so many different kinds: short tulle ones and long simple Grecian ones, and satin mermaid ones and long sleeve lace ones. They would all be so lovely to wear. Must stop drooling now.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

It's the Weekend!



GO CRAZY!

This is what happens when I forget my take-5-shots-at-a-time self-timer is on. I sabotage all the pictures. hahaha

Thursday, January 13, 2011

My Shoe Collection


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I found a really good deal on a bookshelf at Big Lots the other day, and I thought it would be a perfect way to display my shoes. Well, some of them, at least: all my sandals, flats, tennis shoes (TOMS, Vans, etc.) are in my closet, but the pretty ones I like to keep out. Unfortunately, 5 shelves does not provide a sufficient amount of space for my near-100-pair collection. So I chose the prettiest of the bunch to be proudly displayed on the bookshelf. I love the way they look all lined up-- it makes me want to wear each of them more. I should try to plan an outfit around every single pair I have, hmm... I might be on to something here.
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