New Release Alert - Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

OMG! I can't believe that this book is finally here! You by Caroline Kepnes was definitely one of the standout books for me last year and was so unlike anything I had read before. It was extremely creepy and had me paranoid for days. Basically what I'm trying to say is that if you haven't already you should definitely go and check it out and then you can get started on Hidden Bodies straight away and you won't have the torterous wait that I had. This will definitely be the next book that I pick up and i'm currently in the process of mentally preparing myself for it. Guess I better get ready for another round of me questioning my own morals, being paranoid of every male around me and just preparing myself to enter that dark part of my mind that will no doubt surface with this book.

Goodreads Synopsis

Joe Goldberg is no stranger to hiding bodies. In the past ten years, this thirty-something has buried four of them, collateral damage in his quest for love. Now he’s heading west to Los Angeles, the city of second chances, determined to put his past behind him.

In Hollywood, Joe blends in effortlessly with the other young upstarts. He eats guac, works in a bookstore, and flirts with a journalist neighbor. But while others seem fixated on their own reflections, Joe can’t stop looking over his shoulder. The problem with hidden bodies is that they don’t always stay that way. They re-emerge, like dark thoughts, multiplying and threatening to destroy what Joe wants most: truelove. And when he finds it in a darkened room in Soho House, he’s more desperate than ever to keep his secrets buried. He doesn’t want to hurt his new girlfriend—he wants to be with her forever. But if she ever finds out what he’s done, he may not have a choice...

Amazon + Goodreads

The Day Late Weekly Update #1

My first official weekly update and it's a day late haha such a fail and that sadly wasn't the only fail of the week. I had a bit of an off weekend and slept most of it away which I had mentioned previously I wasn't going to do anymore but well the body needed it's sleep. For those of you who don't know my routines, myself and my husband get up each workday at 5 and get home somewhere between 5:30 and 7:30 at night so by the time the weekend comes around we just need sleep and lots of it. Not a great deal happened last week it was pretty much just full of work and family. We did have a family bbq midweek for a birthday so it was nice to go out even if we were buggered the next day.

There was plans to see Deadpool on the weekend but we didn't quite get there so we're planning to do that next weekend when we head up to Perth to see my husbands grandparents and mum. I watched a lot of tv last week because I am such a slack bitch. I watched quite a few episodes of Arrow cos i'm still trying to catch up to everyone else and I also watched another two episodes of Shadowhunters. I've given up on Shadowhunters though because the acting was driving me nuts. Good show and good story but the acting nope. I also hadn't realised that new episodes of How to Get Away with Murder were up so i'm trying to catch up on that show as well. 

Gaming wise it was a very mixed week. On my day off I played some Lego Batman and i've been playing Frozen Free Fall quickly each day because there are 3 achievements that I want to get before I shelve that game. I should mention that there will be two achievements that I won't be getting in that game though. I also discovered Hearthstone on my day off and I love it. I've been playing it just about every day and find it so relaxing and fun. It has been sidelined at the moment though as of yesterday as I realised that new achievements have been released for the Windows 10 Minecraft and I think some of the previous bugged achievements may have been fixed as well so i'm busy Minecrafting at the moment. 

To the bookish side of my weekly update it was a very slow reading week. I was reading The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza for most of the week and had a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. I then tried to pick up Whiteout by Nikki Jefford but found that I just couldn't get into it and was pretty much over the series. I think it went on for a book or two too long. I then started Once Taken by Black Pierce which was only just released and i'm loving it. It's even better than the first book and the first book Once Gone is still free on Amazon if you want to head over there and pick it up. I also read some more of Gotham City Sirens Book 2 which i'm really enjoying but I admit I preferred the art work in book 1. 

So that pretty much sums up my week. I was meant to start a new healthy eating and fitness regime this week but forgot to weigh myself and forgot to charge up the fitbit so I will be starting this next Sunday. I used to be really fit and healthy but then I met my husband and slowly as the years went by I gained weight and was exercising less so I want to rectify that this year and figure if I can include it in the weekly update it will keep me accountable. 

That's it for now I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Jazzy Nail Box Unboxing: February's Be My Valentine Box‏

I am such a terrible person when it comes to spending money and I have of course found another subscription box that I just had to have in my life. Today I bring you February's Jazzy Nail Box which is a subscription box for your nails. Each month for $34.90 you will receive not only high quality nail polishes but also high quality accents and accessories to decorate your nails. I actually spend my Sundays cleaning the house in the mornings and then have pamper sessions in the afternoon so this box is perfect for me. The nail polish brands that they send out to you are generally between $10 and $20 and are brands that I often use myself. They also offer tutorials on the site to give you all kinds of idea's on decorating your nails using everything that is in your box. Here is a look at what I received in my February Box which was a Valentines Day Box:

15ml Mariah 18K White Gold & Silver Top Coat Nail Polish by OPI: My god this top coat is so gorgeous with it's little gold flecks. I tried it on one nail at work to see what it was like and I can't wait to use it this weekend. Absolutely love it.

15ml Down to the Core-al Nail Polish by OPI: This colour is so pretty but it's not a colour that I would generally pick for myself. I'm more into the darker shades and steer clear of reds and pinks. This colour is a really dark orange and it will be interesting to see how this works for me.

15ml bottle of Feet Lotion by Beautiful Feet: I have a huge collection of foot lotions and treatments so i'm always happy to try a new product. I will use this one over the weekend for sure.

3 Nail Art Accents and Accessories: This month we received a sheet of heart nail vinyl stickers which are gorgeous and should be rather easy to use. A satchel of round rhinestones which are gorgeous but to be honest I always struggle with rhinestones and generally just make a mess so I may pass these on to someone. The last item was Golden Strip Tape which might seem like such a small thing but the things that you can do with the tape are endless and it won't take me long to use it all.

4 Nail Art Tools: We received two orange sticks, 1 buffer and a dual function cuticle remover. These are fairly basic and standard nail tools but are also tools that you can never have too much of. I will add these to the collection and work through them.

One Surprise Gift: I love that you also receive a surprise gift in your box and the minute I saw what the gift was this month I may have done a little girly squeal. It was a pair of black cat earrings. They were perfection and so totally me.

I have to say I had high hopes for this box and it lived up to it's expectations. The quality of the items in the box and the endless possibilities that you have with the items you receive is just amazing. I also love that if you do get stuck for ideas and need inspiration you can just go to the site. I will definitely be trying out all these items over the next couple of weeks and will be sure to upload some pictures in my weekly updates. If you are a nail polish fiend like myself then I would strongly recommend this box to you. 

Jazzy Nail Box

Wantable Unboxing: February's Accessories Box‏

Today I bring you my February edition of the Wantable Accessories Box. This is the most expensive box that I'm currently subscribed to but you do get 4 items of jewelry so you know it all kinda works out. Wantable is an american subscription service but luckily they do deliver to Australia as well. They offer five different subscription services including fitness, accessories, style, makeup and an intimates box. Due to the costs i'm only subscribed to the accessories box at the moment but if money permitted it I would definitely be signed up to the other boxes as well. The unique thing with Wantable is that you can customise it to suit what you like. For example with the accessories box I pretty much only ever receive two necklaces and two sets of earrings as this is my preference. The accessories box costs $40 USD per month plus postage to Australia and with the current exchange rate it works out to be about $65 AUD. Here is what I received in my February box:

Seraphina Necklace: This long worn silver necklace features an arrowhead pendant. Seriously an arrowhead pendant guys!! As a lot of you may know one of my favourite shows at the moment is Arrow so I was so excited to get this necklace. Retail price is $14.00

Alanis Silver Earrings: These earrings feature wavy silver bar details. These earrings suite my style perfectly and I love them. They seem to be pretty good work earrings so I can see these getting worn a lot. Retail price is $14.00

Winifred Necklace: This multi tone necklace features a tribal inspired pattern. This necklace isn't really my style but would be perfect for a number of friends or relatives so i'm going to save this as a present for someone. Retail price is $24.00

Theodora Silver Earrings: These antique metal earrings feature fringe and turquoise detailing. These earrings were the stand out item for me and as soon as the photo's were taken these were put on straight away. They suit me and my style perfectly. Retail price is $17.00

By the time you work out the exchange rate and postage you pay just about retail cost for these items but if you were living in the US I reckon this would be a fantastic value for money subscription box. I've received a few of these boxes now and have loved the jewelry that i've received. It is really good quality and I can't say that i've really had any pieces fall apart on me and let's face it i'm not the most gentle person. I'm a very basic jeans and singlet kinda girl so I love having cute earrings and necklaces to dress up my outfits. I always love receiving this box in the mail and the best thing about it being from the US is that generally nobody over here is wearing the same accessories as me. Can't wait to see what I receive next month. 

Wantable

New Release Alert - Once Taken by Blake Pierce

I got the biggest surprise when I opened up Amazon and found this little baby there waiting for me. I wasn't expecting this to be released until the 28th February but it showed up on the 14th as the perfect little Valentines Day present. Even though I don't like to read two crime books in a row i'm tempted to read this next because I loved Riley Paige in Once Gone. If you haven't already be sure to go and pick up Once Gone from Amazon especially while it's still free! Apparently Once Taken is going to take us on a journey through orphanages, mental hospitals and prisons so you just know that this is going be perfect for me. I also hope that the whole former serial killer story line will be resolved in this book cos I hate when minor stories drag over books especially when it was already such a minor part of the story in the previous book.

Goodreads Synopsis

Women are being murdered in upstate New York, their bodies found mysteriously hanging in chains. With the FBI called in, given the bizarre nature of the murders—and the lack of any clues—there is only one agent they can turn to: Special Agent Riley Paige. 

Riley, reeling from her last case, is reluctant to take on a new one, since she is still convinced a former serial killer is out there, stalking her. She knows, though, that her ability to enter a serial killer’s mind and her obsessive nature is what will be needed to crack this case, and she just can’t refuse—even if it will push her over the edge. 

Riley’s search takes her deep into a killer’s deluded mind as it leads her to orphanages, mental hospitals, prisons, all in an effort to understand the depth of his psychosis. Realizing she is up against a true psychopath, she knows time is short before he strikes again. But with her own job on the line and her own family a target, and with her fragile psyche collapsing, it may all be too much for her—and too late. 

Goodreads + Amazon

I'm back from my hiatus

It has been a couple of months since I have been on here but i'm happy to say that i'm back from my small hiatus. It will be a different looking blog this year with much more unboxings, general randomness and less book reviews. I found that with doing book reviews all the time I started to lose my love of reading and I was finding it hard to want to pick up books. I stopped doing reviews just after boxing day and this year i've already read 18 books so the whole not doing reviews thing, seems to be working really well for me. 

I found myself in a bit of a mental struggle after christmas and the new year as well and I don't speak of these things too often but i'm hoping that if I get back into the habit of blogging again that it will help sort out some of those issues as well. I've also been trying to get out of the house more on the weekends instead of just sleeping the weekend away cos you know that's not really an exciting or healthy way to spend your weekend.

I plan to do weekly updates every Sunday to let you know what i've been up to so this will be my first update. I only managed to read two books last week because work has picked back up recently and i'm not getting as much time to read, totally unfair I know!! The first book I read was the Hunting Season which is the fourth book in the Aurora Sky series by Nikki Jefford. I've really enjoyed this series but i'm finding that it's really starting to repeat itself and I think it's maybe becoming a series that is going on for too long. The other book I read was Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens and I absolutely loved this book. This would've been a solid five star read for me if it wasn't for the fact that the start of the book was really hard to get into. The issues in the book really hit close to home and I thought that they were written extremely well.

I've still been watching Arrow on Netflix and I'm a little bit into season two now. I'm really loving Felicity and Oliver but I hope that Black Canary comes back soon as well. I got 4 Arrow Funko Pops as a late christmas present and let me just say they are amazing and so adorable. I also just started watching Shadow Hunters on Netflix and I was super keen to start this series cos I kept trying to read the books but couldn't quite get into them. I've only watched the first two episodes so far and i'm really enjoying it. We had a bit of a movie weekend this weekend and watched Rooster Teeth's Lazer Team on Friday Night. Both me and my husband loved it but it was weird seeing all the guys in a movie. We also watched The Martian last night. I never got around to reading the book because I knew that my husband really wanted to watch the movie and I find that if I read the book then I can't watch the movie because it's ruined for me. It was an amazing movie though and I strongly recommend it.

In the gaming part of my life I finally finished Gems of War on the xbox and anyone who has all the achievements on this game would know what I mean when I say that I am so glad to be finally done with it. The last achievement was a brutal grind but was such a good feeling when I finally got it. That mean's i'm back to playing Frozen Free Fall cos you know inside i'm still a little kid and Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. Probably not going to get much of a chance to play any games this week but I will take what I can get.

Targeted Products for the Week:

Perfume: Daisy by Marc Jacobs

Candle: Coconut and Lime by Camirelli

Makeup Product: Max Factor Defined Rose Intensifying Balm

Body Product: Early Harvest Raspberry Body Butter by the Body Shop

Haircare: Toni and Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray

Nails: Avon Gel Enamel in Envy (toes) and O.P.I  You're Such A BudaPest (fingers)

That's all for this week guys. Sorry for the very long post. Obviously not every week will be like this. I just had a few things to cover straight off the bat. Keep an eye out over the next couple of days for my wantables accessories unboxing and I will see you all again next week xx