This list of favorites doesn't have many new things on it; much like last month, these things were already favorites that I just happen to use often. It's not one of my more interesting lists, but here it is anyway. lol
Aquafina Flavorsplash Lip Balm in Berry Loco, Wet 'n Wild Matte Topcoat
The last little snap of cold weather we had left my lips feeling like I ran them across a shredder so I've been on the hunt for a good lip balm and I finally found it with this Aquafina lip balm. I'd tried a store brand before that, but it left my lips with a thick, waxy feeling so I scrapped it. The Aquafina is much lighter on my lips, leaves them feeling moisturized for much longer than other balms, is a good base for my lipsticks, and smells great. It also doesn't leave a thick buildup on my lips, and it's helped to repair the cold weather damage.
I'm not going to talk too much about the topcoat because I'm going to be reviewing it in-depth in an upcoming post, but it works really well on all kinds of polishes and it's been a fun new polish to play with. It's worked great for different polish finishes and I love it.
Beyond Top Secret by Robin Lubitz
This book isn't from a genre that I usually read, but this was one of the books that I requested last month for LibraryThing's Member Giveaways and I loved it. If you like government conspiracy novels, then check this one out. In this novel, a series of men all come home and kill their families before committing suicide on their 60th birthdays. The cases seem isolated as the men are in various parts of the country, but to one man who is aware of all the situations involved, he knows that these are far from coincidences. Sworn to secrecy about the truth behind these situations, he gives an anonymous tip to a newspaper reporter and tries to wash his hands of the entire matter. Unfortunately for Ryan, he ends up more involved than he originally intended when the woman he loved and lost over a decade ago is brought to the front burner when she is accused of murdering her husband on his 60th birthday. Against his better judgment (and the warnings of the CIA), Ryan has to confront his demons and fight different levels of government officials to save Alana from going to prison for a murder she committed in self-defense. In doing so, he must reveal the conspiracy that the CIA is trying so hard to keep hidden, and revealing all could endanger both his and Alana's lives.
I loved this book because instead of explaining things from one perspective or the other, this book gives equal insight into both the story behind the conspiracy and those who are being dragged down because of it. I love government conspiracies and I think this one was an excellent look into both sides of one. Of course you root for the hero and reluctant heroine, but at the same time you understand the repercussions of these things getting out from the government's side. There are enough plot twists to keep everything from going stale as well as a bouncing viewpoint from the various main characters, corruption, violence, love and death, all the good stuff. lol If you'd like to download the book, here's where you can do so:
Cooking shows
I love food. Love eating it, love serving it, especially love cooking it. I randomly fell on the discovery that cooking and the hospitality industry was where I belonged. There's a long story connected to why I fell in love with food in general that I'll probably touch on in the 'Random' category, but I'm in the beginning stages of researching local food trucks, so I've been watching more cooking shows lately to get some inspiration.
This month wasn't very experimental for me, so what's on the list are apps that I use most often. My Kindle Cloud Reader is my primary book storage and reading app. All of my Amazon-purchased books are there, the books that I read for review are sent to my app's email address and I get to access them from the Cloud Reader, and because I have so many books, the app has been a godsend. I don't often use the Chrome version of the Cloud Reader, but it works just as well as the app.
I usually use the Network via my PS3 because the picture quality is better there than on my phone and I have more control over the app in general, but it's gotten a good deal of usage this month. I've had more than a few late nights while I was trying to get posts up, and wrassling has kept me company. Not too much else to say. The PS3 app that I was excited to try was the new Spotify app, which syncs most of your PC/mobile account onto the PS3 platform, enabling you to listen to your favorite playlists whenever you want. The best quality of the app, however, is reserved only for PS4 players, which is the ability to listen to Spotify in-game. I was a little irritated by this at first, until I remembered that I actually like the music in my games, so this wasn't too much hair off my back, but it still irks to know that the PS4 players have one more thing that I do not. LOL
I usually use the Network via my PS3 because the picture quality is better there than on my phone and I have more control over the app in general, but it's gotten a good deal of usage this month. I've had more than a few late nights while I was trying to get posts up, and wrassling has kept me company. Not too much else to say. The PS3 app that I was excited to try was the new Spotify app, which syncs most of your PC/mobile account onto the PS3 platform, enabling you to listen to your favorite playlists whenever you want. The best quality of the app, however, is reserved only for PS4 players, which is the ability to listen to Spotify in-game. I was a little irritated by this at first, until I remembered that I actually like the music in my games, so this wasn't too much hair off my back, but it still irks to know that the PS4 players have one more thing that I do not. LOL
The Journal (by Journey) app is actually a Chrome app that I have on my laptop, and it's very simple, easy to use, and lets me record my thoughts to my heart's content. It has an uncomplicated interface (I hope that's the right word LOL) and saves to Google Drive from the app. I don't have many requirements of my writing apps; let me write and let me save it are the only things I ask. This one fits the bill and I like it.
Any amateur graphic designer has to have a list of the best sources for free fonts, graphics and vectors, and for me, FontSpace is near the top of my list for the best free fonts on the web. There is a huge variety of different fonts in an array of styles and themes, and although I don't see too many new additions often, it's still a great font library to utilize if you're just starting out. Anytime I'm looking to add a new font, FontSpace is one of the first places I look and with me trying to upgrade the fonts I use for my blogs, I've been on there quite a bit.
GoFundMe isn't a typical website addition, but I wanted to bring attention to it because it highlights a worthy cause that I recently donated to. The effects of the first earthquake in Nepal were absolutely devastating, with more than 4000 among the dead. Another earthquake hit Nepal within the last couple of weeks, which thankfully wasn't as bad as the first but still dealt a blow to the ongoing relief efforts. I donated to help rebuild the country and even though the goal has since been met, I still thought it was important to give it some attention. There is no feeling quite like donating to a cause to help those with less than you, and I encourage everyone to do it at least once. I'm grateful for my position in life, but there were many times where I wish there'd been someone in my corner that way. It's nice to see people coming together with what they have to spare to be that 'someone' for others who desperately need it.
GoFundMe isn't a typical website addition, but I wanted to bring attention to it because it highlights a worthy cause that I recently donated to. The effects of the first earthquake in Nepal were absolutely devastating, with more than 4000 among the dead. Another earthquake hit Nepal within the last couple of weeks, which thankfully wasn't as bad as the first but still dealt a blow to the ongoing relief efforts. I donated to help rebuild the country and even though the goal has since been met, I still thought it was important to give it some attention. There is no feeling quite like donating to a cause to help those with less than you, and I encourage everyone to do it at least once. I'm grateful for my position in life, but there were many times where I wish there'd been someone in my corner that way. It's nice to see people coming together with what they have to spare to be that 'someone' for others who desperately need it.
Home cleaners, inspiration boards, nerd-related fashion and/or decor
Every spring when everything thaws out, for some reason bugs like to try and push us out of our house by attempting to take over it. My mom is a beast with cleaning supplies and as an asthmatic, not only can I not deal with the fumes, I have a strong fear that one day one of her concoctions is going to blow up the house. LOL So I've been trying to find cleaning supplies that are strong enough to clean and can do some double duty in case one of the little suckers comes back around, but won't close up my lungs and kill me in the process. lol I like the concept of natural cleaners but I have some doubts about their strength, so I've been trying to find cleaners that are both heavy-duty and natural without costing an arm and a leg.
Inspiration boards have been on my favorites list for the better part of the last year, but I finally got around to making one this month. This is more of a self-reflection inspiration board. What I mean by that is that rather than this inspiration board being a collection of outer things that inspire me, this is a visual of what I want to be inspired by within myself, character traits that I would like to possess or already do that could potentially push me to do the other things you would normally put on an inspiration board. It's coming along well and has already started to do its job of inspiring me to do and be better.
Finally, nerd-related fashion and decor has always been something I've been interested in, but I've had this serious DIY itch lately and it's been related to integrating my favorite video games into my decor or fashion choices. If you like nerd-related home decor, Our Nerd Home is a fantastic source and has also been a huge source of inspiration in the types of things I'd like to create.
Inspiration boards have been on my favorites list for the better part of the last year, but I finally got around to making one this month. This is more of a self-reflection inspiration board. What I mean by that is that rather than this inspiration board being a collection of outer things that inspire me, this is a visual of what I want to be inspired by within myself, character traits that I would like to possess or already do that could potentially push me to do the other things you would normally put on an inspiration board. It's coming along well and has already started to do its job of inspiring me to do and be better.
Finally, nerd-related fashion and decor has always been something I've been interested in, but I've had this serious DIY itch lately and it's been related to integrating my favorite video games into my decor or fashion choices. If you like nerd-related home decor, Our Nerd Home is a fantastic source and has also been a huge source of inspiration in the types of things I'd like to create.
Chapstick, cooking, journaling, fitness (wtf?)
As I mentioned up above, Chapstick was the #1 must-have on my shopping list this month. It was awful. It's a good thing I'm single, because if I'd had a boyfriend before I got that Aquafina I would have probably sliced up his lips just trying to kiss him goodbye. LOL I'm exaggerating, but dry lips are a massive pet peeve for me so it really was of the utmost importance that I correct the situation ASAP.
When I was younger, cooking was not on my radar. At all. I was kind of an ass who thought cooking was for moms, wives and the occasional romantic meal. I thought I'd be one of those chicks they show on tv, the ones who magically have the money to eat out everyday and never use their beautifully styled kitchen for anything other than spontaneous sexytimes. LOL My struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia eventually led me to cooking shows, which relaxed me. That turned into a desire to learn to cook, which turned into a desire to cook and cook often. It was during the time I was stuck indoors that I discovered where my passion laid, and in an ironic twist that would make my 17-year-old self cringe with disgust, it was in the kitchen. It's my #2 favorite place in the entire world. The first, of course, is my bed. LOL Anyway, cooking is usually on my mind, and with my desire to have a food truck at some point in the future, I've been getting the itch to test out some new recipes.
When I was younger, cooking was not on my radar. At all. I was kind of an ass who thought cooking was for moms, wives and the occasional romantic meal. I thought I'd be one of those chicks they show on tv, the ones who magically have the money to eat out everyday and never use their beautifully styled kitchen for anything other than spontaneous sexytimes. LOL My struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia eventually led me to cooking shows, which relaxed me. That turned into a desire to learn to cook, which turned into a desire to cook and cook often. It was during the time I was stuck indoors that I discovered where my passion laid, and in an ironic twist that would make my 17-year-old self cringe with disgust, it was in the kitchen. It's my #2 favorite place in the entire world. The first, of course, is my bed. LOL Anyway, cooking is usually on my mind, and with my desire to have a food truck at some point in the future, I've been getting the itch to test out some new recipes.
Journaling, as I mentioned earlier, has been helping me in both a general sense and in the wellness challenge that I'm doing for the month of May, and I recommend it if you're ever in the need of a little self-reflection or self-therapy. It's relaxing, gets all the thoughts out, and can help immensely if you don't have anyone you can vent to about certain things.
Finally, fitness (wtf?) is a new one for me. When I was younger, I used to love working out and running, partially thanks to my stepdad. From around the age of 10 until I was 15, my stepdad gave me martial arts training and he used to take me to the gym with him, which is where I first learned to love working out. But I got out of the habit as a teen then became too weak as an adult because of some of my health issues, until an important realization came to me awhile ago. I realized that I ask God to take care of my outer life, but I'm not taking care of myself internally, even in the conditions I'm in. So I wanted to improve things for myself. The wellness challenge is meant to implement some sort of daily aerobic activity in my life, whether it is walking for a certain period of time each day, doing a structured workout, or doing sporadic reps on various body parts throughout the day. It's been challenging, and as the initial 30-day challenge begins to wind down, I'm left with a lot of questions but I've learned so much throughout it that I'm also encouraged to continue in some fashion after the initial duration is over.
Documentary Recommendation: Kink
I know this is a rather risque choice for a documentary recommendation, but if you've ever been curious about the BDSM lifestyle or have a set opinion on what you think it and/or fetish porn are about, Kink can give you some educated insight without making it look indecent or feel seedy. (omg no pun intended. LOL) I think this is one of those documentaries that can give birth to a great debate, if that's your thing. I love having discussions about these kinds of things, so not only was this a good conversation topic for me, but it really did give me new perspective on what I already knew and was able to learn from the documentary about the BDSM fetish.
Well that wraps things up for this month's list of favorites. Like I said, I know it wasn't one of my more interesting lists, but again, that's me. Next month will probably have a few new additions, but April wasn't a very interesting month and it clearly showed in this post. lol See you soon!
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