Labels are NOT everything!

Bad and Bougee on a Budget

(Shoutout!! Title idea came from my aunt!)

So, I have never ben that person so caught up on appearances that need everything to have a designer label. I will never understand those who make fun of people for not having designer clothing or accessories. No lie, I can rant on the ridiculousness of it all. Some cant afford it, or can but rather spend that money elsewhere.

Don't go broke trying to keep up with the Jones'...

I believe you can find deals on cute clothes everywhere! Some of the pieces I get complimented on the most come from Walmart, Walgreens, and Family Dollar. Sounds cheap and lame to few, but oh well I still look cute LOL!

Yes, I do have some expensive items that honestly came my way as gifts. If they weren't I bought them as a random well-deserved "treat myself" moment. How much something costs doesn't excite me. IT STRESSES ME!! Like what if something stains, rips, breaks it??? I'd have a little internal crisis over that ruined money. Dramatic but lowkey true!

Anywho... here are a few low budget looks that are extremely comfortable to my body and wallet! Some of these items were less than $10 and others only a couple over at maybe $12!

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS OR PLAY VIDEO!!!

• Dress:  Family Dollar. It was a size XL and I would've gotten a Medium if it was available. It is sleeveless, but the jacket is because I just left church. (Yes, I was shopping as you can see in the background!)
• Jacket:  Goodwill (my mom got 2 for a reason maybe... I'm not complaining)
• Shoes:  My mom's, but she got them at JCPenney (under $20)

• Pants:  Walgreens... I need to get at least 2 more because they are the most comfortable pants EVER! Can dress up or down.

• Top:  Family Dollar, same time I got the dress from above! So comfy and cute! I wish I got the other color too!
• Shorts:  Walmart. Basic blue jean type that you always need. They stretch well around my thighs and such. It comes with a brown belt I will definitely use simply because my waist is much smaller than what I need to fit over... the thickness.

I do love clothes and putting together outfits, but I hardly take full pics or videos soooo... I'm always short on items to include. I will do better from now on though!

Don't forget to comment and subscribe below!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Liar, Liar,

High School... the place of social status, gossip, and DEATH

My Summary:

Every school has the classic lineup right? Of course they do, because what would high school be without it. We know what circles they run in, but do we actually KNOW who they are? Everyone has secrets...

The Brain: Bronwyn
The Beauty: Addy
The Athlete: Cooper
The Criminal: Nate
The Outcast: Simon

All five (5) of these students knew exactly who each other was, by label that is, but one weird incident brings them all together.

They go into detention as five, but only four (4) make it out alive. Simon died that day after school in front of them, yet it wasn't an accident. It was deemed a murder. Each student is claiming innocent, but which one of them is lying?

Simon was more than just an average outcast. He was the creator of Bayview High School's gossip app 'About That', which posted nothing but facts about every student featured. It's no secret Simon ruined lives with his app, and that many wouldn't mind to see him go. Questions remain though...

Which one did it? Was it a pair? Was it the whole group?

They all make perfect suspects, outside of them being the last in the room with Simon. Apparently, he was planning to release a big expose about each 4 of the other students. It effectively would've ruined their lives, so the police are working day and night and pulling no punches. Since they are all seniors, they're ready to be tried as adults.

My thoughts:

This book was a complete page turner to the end! It takes you through all of their different perspectives through the course of this investigation. Some of the supportive cast characters even intrigued me with their reactions, which makes the story even more realistic. Nothing about this was a simpleminded conclusion, because the title of the book is constantly on your mind...

"One of us is lying"

The best way to describe this book is that it's a mix of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Breakfast Club. MUST READ!!!

Catch y'all is the comments and on the next post!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Long Time No See!

For My Girls

Hey y'all, it has been a long time! After my last post I took on a month long commitment that left me utterly drained EVERYDAY! However, that is all over now, so I can let my ideas flourish. So here's to me getting back into the groove of things.

Below I will be sharing images of public figures to represent diversity and positivity ONLY!

The Never-ending Trend

Weight loss seems to be the majority of our conversations. It is definitely something to be celebrated when you have someone who has worked so hard to make changes. There are so many feeds dedicated to such things, and especially in these summer months.

What about those who just aren't satisfied though?

Body positivity is something females struggle with everyday (males are not to be excluded from this struggle, but as a female I won't speak for them) but we still try to find that 'comfortable' place. Yeah, there are models and fitness gurus saying to "love your body, and they aren't perfect either", yet it's hard to receive it from women already deemed what 'should' be beautiful or #GOALS.

You're always looking to improve something rather than appreciate what you have. Our body types are all different, so it's unreasonable to think we all will achieve the same 'ideal' shape... well naturally do it at least. We gain, lose, and tone at various rates/places, so love what you have regardless of the next person. No, it wont be an overnight quick fix to be at peace with yourself, but don't hinder the process by comparing yourselves to others. Some bodies are just meant to be thicker, skinnier, or curvier no matter how hard you exercise and diet.

If you don't learn to love your body you'll never be happy with it at any stage of your life. Oh, and lets stop saying we'll be happy once we reach that goal weight! It's your mindset/soul that dictates your happiness. Make sure whatever you're doing with your body image is for you and not based on what 'society' says you should look like, or your friends, family, boyfriend, etc. says either.

You are the only one who lives your life, so make sure you love it!

This topic has been on my mind for a while now, and it was kinda hard to actually sit down and right this out. So, I'm sure it's not perfectly stated, but I hope y'all understand where I'm coming from.

Remember to comment and subscribe below! Also, you can follow me on my Instagram @k_macole and Twitter @TheKMacole (#RatchetMonday: #LHHATL, #BasketballWives is my thing)!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Do You Really Know A Person?

Nothing Is What It Seems

Book Summary: Aeree Cahill has always been an outdoor type of girl and she is thrilled when her husband Mitch surprises her with an adventure getaway into the Green Mountains for their anniversary. Perfect weather, a cozy campsite and four other couples who seem nice enough promise to make this an epic weekend.
When a sniper starts to hunt them down one by one, the majestic backdrop will become a deadly trap. Friends will turn into enemies. In the end, there is only one thing left to do... SURVIVE.

My Summary: Bruh! Trust no one, because they all are shady!!! Okay now that I got that off my chest, literally everyone has a back story with secrets you're supposed to take to the grave. Main girl Aeree endured a tragedy that she never recovered from, so she copes with it in unhealthy ways and becomes consumed in her husband. He is handsome, in charge, and loving. So, when they go on this trip it's meant to be a relaxing getaway; however, once she gets there Aeree isn't feeling it. Intuition is REAL! The couples are split up in groups doing activities when the first bullet hits and kills one of them.

  

Panic ensues and Aeree is equipped for this thanks to her father's military training, but where is Mitch, and why is this happening? Who will survive? Will help come? Is help really help? Can they make it home without this tragedy following them there? Aeree's past comes full circle in this chaos, but this time her father isn't here to help with his team like last time.

Book Summary: On a bitterly cold January evening, Tracy Ellis went for a jog along Chicago's snowy lakefront and disappeared. Her body is discovered days later, her beautiful face bashed in with a rock. Police determine her brutal death to be a mugging gone wrong and drop the matter into their cold case files.

Over a year later, Tracy's sister, Sondra, still can't come to grips with what happened. She throws herself into her work as a documentary filmmaker to try and forget the cruelty of her sister's death. However, a chance encounter with a man from Tracy's past rips the wound open and sends Sondra on a desperate search for answers about the secrets from her sister's life that may have led to her death.

As Sondra struggles to uncover what happened to Tracy, she's launched into a tangled web of deceit and danger that put her on a collision course with life and death...

My Summary: My mind is still in pieces. Everything is so perfectly intertwined that you really think you know what is happening. WRONG!!! Sondra and Tracy were inseparable sisters, almost like twins. So, when Tracy is found brutally murdered Sondra couldn't accept it. Her sister's life was absolutely perfect. A great job working in journalism and on TV, beautiful, just married, and looking forward to children. Over a year had passed since her sister's murder with no conviction, but it seems like it was yesterday. Tracy's husband Phillip has moved on and remarried, and sent the family a picture of him and his new wife Paula. This, combined with a random run in, spurred Sondra to take her Award-winning documentary skills and investigate the murder. Philip came out of nowhere, and he always struck Sondra as odd. She soon uncovers several new pieces of information that blows the case wide open.

The flipside to this story though, is we are seeing life through the eyes of Paula, Phillip's wife, yet things are severely off. Where did she come from? Why is she like this? Why can't Sondra find Phillip? Who is Phillip really? Who killed Tracy? 

These are real page turners I tell you! Well, scrollers since its an app, but you know that by now. Sally Mason and Bianca Sloane are amazing writers, so much so that it will be after 2AM and you'll realize you have not moved since you started reading. Why, because you HAVE to find out what happened! Very few authors keep me on my toes when it comes to guessing the endings. These two women are phenomenal and show you exactly why this website/app is so great! I'm thinking about hitting y'all with some romance next time to switch it up, so stay tuned in!

Much Love,

Khariah

Summer Pick-up!!!

Shining... or Greasy?

Ulta NYX Cosmetics aisle is my favorite pace to be! It is a cheaper brand with a great quality product, which lasts me a long time! I picked up the following 2 items before my graduation, and I swear I would've been down bad if I didn't!!

Setting Powder

• Price: $10
• Application (1): I used it to "bake: on graduation morning! Center of Forehead, Under eye area, Chin, Under the cheekbone (make the contour pop and last), and possibly a little on my nose somewhere. I put this on after foundation and applying my contour kit. This sat on as I did my eyeshadow, which was in case of any fall out of colors under my eye! I also applied my lashes (which went of perfect, and I was grateful). Brushed the powder away afterwards, and went on with my final touches.
• Why/Performance: I may have done the most, but I wanted to make sure NONE of my makeup started to shift on my face! My makeup stayed just as applied ALL DAY, until I fell asleep for a 3hr nap at like 7pm (I still only had to lightly blot!). That day and the day before were extremely long! The graduates stood outside in the heat for a hour and a half (HOT), and then we had a 4hr long graduation inside! My face was not greasy or sweaty in any pictures!!
• Application (2): Morning of important matters! This time I put a little bit of foundation on (less that usual), and then targeted my main oily areas on my face. Center of forehead, ALL around my nose, and lesser amount on my chin. I let it sit for a few minutes, and then blended it in/away with my flat-end sponge or brush (One of them was closer and I used that). I followed up with the remaining amount of foundation left on my blending sponge, which was minor, and evened out my complexion better.
• Why/Performance: I really get the oil going in that straight line down my face, and wanted to see about just really focusing there. My foundation works really good for me, and I don't need much to achieve the base I'm aiming for. The reason I kind of layered was accidental, but hey it set amazingly! I was in and out of my blazing car and my body definitely felt it and began sweating, but my face held up by staying dry! Super late at night I forgot I even had anything on my face, and when I pat around I found absolutely no greasy areas! 

Matte Liquid Liner

• Price: $7
• Application: Above my upper lid, and accomplished a nice winged look!! Was it even? On this day I made sure I was!!
• Why/Performance: Wore it on graduation day! As you know from above I went through A LOT, yet this liner literally stayed in place until I wiped it off with my dab of Vaseline on my face! I wanted to try it out because other liners tend to take time drying, and they may not even dry completely! This leaves too many minor smudges to check for throughout the day, and some even start to fade. I like my liner PITCH BLACK! Also, I follow NYX Cosmetics on social media and love how they looked on every face presented.

• Total: $14 and some change! Buy 1 get 1 50% off, which is why I love NYX! There is always some type of sale going on! Plus, remember with makeup, after the product has been out a while, the price will drop! This makes way for the new items release(d).  

What will I review next? Books, an app, makeup, skin hacks, hair accessories, clothes???? Tune in Friday to find out! And always feel free to drop a comment or subscribe! Also, to confirm the subscription you MUST open the FeedBurner e-mail and hit confirm!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Feeling Brand New!!!!

I Graduated Y'all!!

Soooo.... I graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice (grades were poppin' too), but honestly it is a weird feeling! I am proud of myself, yet the feeling won't really sink in until the school year comes back around. I'll be sitting back sippin' my drink and flexing with my degree LOL! Real life I will be working, but I will still fantasize a little!

Any who, we are here today to discuss college in a few key tips! This is for the people reminiscing, still attending, or just about to head in.

1. ALWAYS be true to you! Sounds cliché, but it really is easy to get wrapped up in other people and the glitz and glamour of college. Many drop out or are kicked out, because their grades went down hill! Also, peer pressure is real, so if you don't want to do it, then don't do it. It is not the end of you.
2. BE OPEN to new things! Yes, I jut said be true to you; however, growth isn't some magical thing that just happens to you. You have to be willing to put yourself out there with new people and situations. Oh and it all won't be a beautiful experience, because remember the struggle can breed greatness!
3. RELATIONSHIPS do and don't matter! The connections you build tend to come back on you in either good or bad ways. Those amazing friendships that are truly cherished, can pay you back with a lifetime of support, advice, and possible networking connections! But that person you did wrong could be your only help someday, and they just may leave you out to dry. On the flip side, if someone doesn't like you, there is someone else on campus who will. Now romantic relationships.... they are sweet, but taboo. If you get it right then good for you. Get it wrong and it can become a distraction, emotionally/energy draining, or various heartbreaks. Logically speaking though, you will meet that special someone you create memories with... how that all pans out between y'all, is something I can't speak on. Remember, getting a partner or maintaining one is not the top priority in college, because that degree is only yours to earn!
4. GRADUATE! There is no other feeling like accomplishing such a hard goal. Yes, college is hard because you are hit with many new experiences. You will be happy, sad, angry, excited, tired, joyous, etc. The struggle will get real, but you will come across on the other side stronger! You will be a new person from how you started, and it will be absolutely breathtaking!

Well, if feels good to be back on here with y'all!! Miss me too much you can follow me on IG (@k_macole) and Twitter (@TheKMacole)! Especially Twitter where I live tweet #RatchetMondays (tonight): Love and Hip-Hop ATL and Basketball Wives, because who doesn't want a little nonsense/fake entertainment every once in a while.

Much Love,

Khariah

What Comes First???

Check Yourself!

Hello my lovelies it has been a good while, but I'm still in the last stretch!

Just something that has been on my mind with finals and social media is that, we need to check ourselves! I'm speaking on our health. We stress so much that we assume what we are feeling is just apart of the deal. Heachaches/migraines, cold like symptoms, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and so on. It is ridiculous what we go through without realizing it, until our body forcefully does it for us (in a shocking manner). Now, I am not about to go all super health guru on you because for 1) you know yourself better than I do, and 2) I am not certified in that manner! So basically, don't blame me LOL!

Anyways... You don't need a certificate to know that when your focus is shot, you need to walk away and take a break. Feeling absolutely no motivation to do anything (could be stress, depression, or anxiety), start by actually giving yourself a moment of solitude to relax; however, go out and do at least one activity to jumpstart yourself back up. Utter exhaustion, take a nap!! Being sleepy isn't a badge of honor, but more so dangerous. Swear my head gets to swimming and my eyesight starts getting shiftier... Yes, it's already touch and go! *Sigh*

Oh and body soreness is no joke, because when you harbor all this tension it is flat-out painful! Go see an affordable spa about a massage; I found a place that offers 20mins for $20. Or have someone with experience, and who you're comfortable with, to massage/pop your back (my back is always my problem area) for you. We only have one body, and to be honest we overwork multiple aspects of it every single day!

Lets drink our water, take naps, and feed ourselves... mind, body, and soul!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Timeline Theme!

Relationship Views Today

Hello there my lovelies! This post will be a little different, because my other beauty ideas require a little more planning and assistance. Plus, my energy is limited right now due to: finals in a week, graduation in 2 weeks, and all the extra to accomplish in between! My life is just a haze at this point.

So, I scrolled through social media and spoke to a friend about post inspiration, and the most common theme is relationships. Honestly, it is big in everything we read and watch, since we are so fascinated with the concept of love. Now, I feel like I should be the ghost writer for The Single Girl Chronicles, but this is my perspective and slight experience with this subject.. The College Edition!

Everyone around me (based on my timelines) is either getting married, having children, and moving into homes.. OR posting negatively on how relationships are near impossible to keep or trust. I am genuinely happy for my peers moving on up, so no hate or shade there. Now, my other peers I'm 50/50 with y'all on your complaints. There is so much more to be said that I won't cover, but that's why we have the comments! LOL

We are living in the age of side chicks/dudes being glorified, as if it is cute, but turn around and get mad if we get played (Oh and please stop KNOWINGLY being a side, nothing to be proud of!!!). These are the fake "I don't care", "It's gonna happen anyway", etc. types who are just scared inside. Screwing over people's feelings is no joke, so stop being so self-centered about your actions like you're the only one needing to be pleased. We like to fall back on our sob stories (which can be very much valid) but never get passed that and stay a victim. At this point, sadly, everyone has a story to explain why they are the way they are. However, this explanation is not to be an excuse, because we choose how to go forward with it no matter how hard the road to better may be. It is best to be honest up front to say what it is you're looking to gain from the new person you meet. May sound like an a**hole to some, but it's better to not ruin a person for the next by playing games.

Then we have the super sweet people pleasers who put themselves out there way too much. It is good to being selfish with yourself sometimes in a positive manner. Taking it too far will get you in that paragraph of hot mess above. Establish what you feel and your boundaries more often instead of just going with the flow, because the other person will never understand what you're going through unless you speak on it. I 100% understand how hard it is to bare feelings, since I have a wall up around me, but I am learning to get better. I suffered more (in general) by being complacent because it just built a bigger wedge between us. Since everything has a catch, don't go overboard knit picking, because you will feel annoyed with people in life at some level no matter what. This is when you check in with a friend to see if you are being petty or not. I have to call my mother because she knows I can be blunt and petty like no other.

Feeling alone is a hard road, and before things get better (your life period, not another person bringing "meaning" to you) it's going to get worse. I think you have to allow yourself to really feel all those emotions, so you know what you can handle for the future. Always have that safe person to go to, whether it be a friend, family member, or counselor. This person can keep you from being completely consumed in all the negative aspects. When that next potential partner comes around you aren't so ready to jump into it and get hurt because you're trying to keep up with everyone else or feeling a void that isn't meant for them. Don't fall for any and everything with just anyone to pass the time. Now, I'm not saying only test for that true love and long lasting relationship (because who knows what that looks like in the beginning), but get to know people and go out on a couple of dates to reacquaint yourself and see what you're in to. You know, try not to do things you will regret, but hey... you live and you learn. People are unpredictable, so no matter how "good" you're being you can't safeguard against everything.

We are always harder on ourselves, but I have faith that when the time is right certain things will come to us, and we will be blessed! We get so stuck on superficial things and social media, we don't actually get to know ourselves or the other person involved. At the end of the day you have to enjoy yourself and your life, so those actions and the role you're playing in someone's life (and vice versa) matters!

Much Love,

Khariah

Blast From the Past 2.0

At fourteen they asked me what I wanna be..

(Schoolin' Life reference!)

With all things I was interested in when growing up, and still am honestly, I am definitely going down the right career path! I promise you I wanted to be a spy so bad! You know, there is just a special appeal of undercover justice and being able to lay someone out in 2 seconds... Batman would approve. Also, look at the shows I watched: Powerpuff Girls, Totally Spies, Kim Possible (same initials and everything), Justice League, Spider-Man, Teen Titans, Static Shock! Me being me, it was more than just the shows, but books as well. I'm telling y'all I was (am) a nerd, but it is what it is LOL!

Squad Series:

I found this at the local library (free unless you rack up late fees of course lol), and I was initially turned off. I am not the cheerleading peppy type of girl, so I was wondering how cornball-ish this was going to be. I was wrong.

Toby Klein was far from "that type" of (airhead, popular) girl, but mainly because she relished in being different. She was a brilliant hacker, who despised her cliché high school that was centered around the jocks and cheerleaders. Well, one day she got a note from one of the cheerleaders to tryout for the team, but it wasn't just a regular piece of paper. It was double coded to the max, and once she accidentally discovered the hidden messages, she decided to see what was up with them. She meets these varsity girls and soon realizes she was the shallow, uninformed one. Long story short, each girl had an elite skillset in weapons, combat, intelligence, agility, etc. They were covert government operatives that could easily go undetected. Who's checking for the dumb cheerleaders? Toby realized that what they are doing isn't just basic assists, but uncovering deadly schemes and information that is detrimental to the nation's security. Now all she has to do is not mess up. She does actually have to the whole cheer thing, which she absolutely could do with out. Getting up at the crack of dawn to work on the case, and then practice right after, followed up by classes. Just NO!! 2 books, with enough variety and relatable attitude, to keep you turning those pages!

• Terrorist threats!
• Mission gone bloody wrong!
• Captain now rogue?
• Homecoming court (boy) drama of course!

Gallagher Girls Series:

Enter Gallagher Academy, an all girl prep school for only the elite of America. Special focuses on grooming these young women into being the greatest spies we have ever seen. Bruh.. If I could have found this school in real life I would have been their IMMEDIATELY!!

Cammie Morgan is one of the best in the school speaking, 14 different languages, taking martial arts as PE, and could kill a man with a few well placed noodles (Ehh she's a beast)! She is really known around campus as a chameleon, because she only lets you see her when she wants to be see. While she is tactically trained, Cammie doesn't really know how to interact on a "normal" level. As life goes, she begins to fall in love (she's like a sophomore and it's so funny now, because poor thing really thought it was love) but isn't sure how to handle it. He is just your average guy she wants to get close to and experience more than what is taught at Gallagher Academy. This guy though, is he really average? Where did he come from? HE's too good to be true, and we know how that goes. Well, Cammie is about to have a serious life lesson here on who to trust and let in, especially when you have access to some of the most valuable information and connections in the world. There are 6 books in this series, and boy does it get crazy!

• The school's security gets breached, and Cammie is looking like a prime suspect. Also, there is a merge with the boy's covert spy academy. Why guys and girls don't get along... we are to competitive!
• Mom's acting suspicious, ex-boyfriends popping up as if they never knew you, and school consequences looming.
• Kidnapping ordeal with her and her best friend (whose father is up for Vice President of the US), so that's a big deal. Who wants to take out this family and why?
• terrorist organizations, trusted ally being a rogue double-agent (fake friends everywhere I swear)!
• Months of memories forgotten, which are detrimental to everyone's survival. Which means... who really is the "good guy" in all of this?
• And the climax in the last book tying all of these events together!! Why has Cammie been hunted? Who started this and why? What does this mean for her, and this country?!

FUN FACT!!!!

I absolutely LOVE comic books!! I unfortunately do not have a collection, but do have some left over from my childhood. I am partial to Marvel, but honestly will read any and all of them. I get way too hype when these movie adaptations come out, but every kid hopes to see their favorite characters on the big screen some day! Stan Lee just needs to stay around forever for me, I enjoy his cameos in all the movies LOL!

Much Love,

Khariah

Thank You!

I Dedicate this to You..

I just want to thank everyone for all their support on this blog (and don't forget my cousin Jillian a.k.a. Juice blog)! Doing this is definitely a self-discovery process. I'm making time to sit down and really discuss what I enjoy to do, and sharing a piece of myself with you all! There is something about taking a step back to really see yourself, and how these things contribute to making you happy. I'm the type, that no matter the subject at hand, I generally take away something from it (good or bad), and it gives me some form of new perspective. Basically, I love to learn in a more flexible sense and variety. I am a beast in the classroom too though, so don't get it twisted! LOL! 

As the semester is coming to an end, specifically with me finishing my undergrad, things are at crunch time! So, there may be more breaks between posts as I continue to gather my life, because it's all getting SUPER REAL! The idea behind my blog is to be relatable and give a break from more serious matters for just a moment. I am very conscious and caught up on current affairs/events, but also understand how oversaturation can stress a person. So, I'm just here trying to give a little break in the day, that can be possibly helpful and entertaining. I appreciate every subscription, comment, and view! I also notice when you share my blog on social media, as it just warms my heart! So, again thank you for riding this wave with me, and stay tuned for more posts to come!

P.S. Ratchet Mondays are lit on Twitter! Sue me, I enjoy bad reality TV sometimes. My line up: Love and Hip Hop ATL, Basketball Wives, and The Family Hustle.

Social Media:
IG @k_macole
Twitter @TheKMacole

Much Love,

Khariah

Vampire Academy Vol. 2

My Homegirl Rose is BACK!!!!

I told y'all last time, Rose is down with the action and takes no mess! Her and the crew (names below) survive the deathly crisis at the end of book one, but it creates new wounds. Rose is partially in denial, but aware something big is brewing, yet she can't explain it. The end of book one really gives us the key players of the series (I'll toss in relational ties as well).

The Crew:

• Rose- Guardian trainee, Lissa's bf/protector, Love/hate friendship with Christian (sibling like), Mason and Eddie's friend, and Dimitri's.....? (Things got very heated in the last book *sips tea*)
• Lissa- Royal moroi (last of her line with a rare power), Rose's bf, Christian's love
• Dimitri- Certified guardian (OG), teacher/protector of all students, His "Roza's"....? (Is that a pet name he has for Rose *pours more tea*)
• Christian- Royal (yet shunned for controversial reasons) moroi, Lissa's love, love/hate friendship with Rose (sibling like)
• Mason- Guardian trainee, Rose's friend (has a crush on her), Eddie's bf
• Eddie- Guardian trainee, friends with everyone, Mason's bf
• Mia- Moroi, frenemy?

More Power, More Problems

Book two is entitled Frostbite. It is the dead of winter and close to the holidays when everyone should be relaxed and cheery. Rose and Dimitri are on their way to see one of the most legendary guardians of all time, for her Qualifier exam. Each guardian much pass this in order to take the next steps in their official studies. (Think passing finals to move on to the next grade, only it makes or breaks her whole life plans)!!! When they arrive to the royal home the legend guardian is working in, they come across more than they bargained for. The home is a blood bath and everyone, moroi and guardian alike are dead, and it is baffling. Strigoi must have attacked, but like I said in the first post, they don't work in groups. Well, to kill so many people in this home at least 6 or 7 had to have organized this attack. The only problem that they note is, Strigoi LITERALLY couldn't have touched the house.... so how did they get in and passed several guardians??

Nowhere to Hide

The academy is in uproar and parents are concerned about the safety of their children. They are shipped off to a fancy ski resort with the royal families, so everyone can be protected in one place. I clearly went to the wrong schools! Lissa is concerned, but since she is also recovering from her physical and mental issues from book one, Rose is sheltering her. They try to work on Lissa's newly named power of spirit, which can bring life to the dead. Well, flashing back in time we note a fatal car crash took Lissa's family, but she did manage to save one person from the dead without even realizing it... Rose. We now know why Rose is starting to change, but she doesn't, and the question is will she be able to save herself? Especially when the strigoi attack their safe ski trip killing another royal family!

She Has Risen!

Their society is in uproar, and fights are breaking out left and right amongst friends, relationships, and moroi. This leads to an overzealous bunch wanting to desperately prove themselves worthy, to track down Strigoi without any real experience, or a guardian present. Once again Rose is always the person who realizes ish has hit the fan, and doesn't understand why these fools wont listen to her! She goes to bring them back to the ski lodge, but sees what they don't see... They found the Strigoi's lair and plan. Naturally, she's trying to make moves out the place (she said she ain't no superhero!), but they end up getting captured. Time ticks by and the Strigoi are taunting and torturing them for days, but Rose finally has risen when she witnesses a death that breaks her heart and soul.

The story is not even close to being over, because whatever issues that have stayed to the side, are now bringing themselves to the forefront. Your heart and mind goes on a ride it never imagined. REMBEMBER: these snippets nowhere near summarized all the juice in these books!! HAVE TO READ ;) 

Much Love,

Khariah

Love the Skin You're In!

Take Care

This is for the people who really struggle with maintaining a routine really. There are also some who don't feel like buying too many products, or can't afford it. I find it hard to have a face routine for some reason, but I am working on it!

Items:

• Face scrubbie (y'all I don't remember the package name LOL)

• Dove Sensitve Skin bar soap
• Vaseline (or any good oil you like, I won't speak on coconut oil personally since it irritates my skin)
• Wash cloth (there is always one in the bunch that is "the face rag")
• Wipes (depending on makeup)

Steps:

1. If you have on makeup I always suggest using any sensitive wipe to get that layer off. Just because you see a lot of product on the wipe it doesn't mean stop here!
2. I found the face scrubbie thing in a 2-pack for around $3 at Walmart. I rub the bar soap on the scrubbie to get a good lather and scrub across my face. The feel is very nice since they aren't harm bristles, but EXTREMELY flexible and soft. It really exfoliates and rubs away any dry/peeling skin without a lot of work or redness. As far as makeup you will see the excess product lather up when scrubbing.
3. Vaseline depends on your makeup status in my opinion. When I have really tough makeup (formulas meant to last by being water/smudge proof). I will put a thin layer on my face, but not where I look greasy, and use my wet scrubbie. This gets those super tough products to completely come up without drying your face out. Follow up with soap and water of course to get rid of residue.
4. The wet washcloth is simply for that residue from the soap and Vaseline. I don't know about y'all, but a hot cloth feels amazing to the face.
5. After the wash, to moisturize the skin I use the Vaseline again. Now by NO means do I look like a greasy mess, but a little goes a long way. Again any alternative oils ,be my guest. Vaseline doesn't clog the pores and can be used literally head to toe. This keeps your face from being dry the next morning. Remember VERY LITTLE.

These steps are subjective to what your face is doing. If you don't have on makeup, then you can go straight to 2,4, and 5. All of this is what I do of course and just a suggestion. I'm a very minimal person the majority of the time and like to keep things easy and cheap. All of these that I have in my bathroom anyway (the scrubbie was new), and wanted to work on my face. My face isn't flawless, but I haven't had any aggressive redness, breakouts, or drying skin. I feel sensitive skin products are very good so it doesn't enflame anything you do or don't know about (allergies, scents, eczema).

Let's keep being naturally beautiful, and caring for the one skin we have, under our makeup fun!!

Much Love,

Khariah

End-Week Stimulous!!

Brain Relief and Refresher

Bookshots are like a little pick-me-up in my opinion, since they aren't as overwhelming with so many pages like other novels (more pages the better for me!!!). Fridays mean you want to wind down and relax, and I've expressed multiple times how I feel books are a mini escape. Even though we've reached the end of the week, we still gotta keep our brain pumping in some way! Like any other muscle, it needs to be worked out to stay healthy! So, pick these up in your down time on the weekend when you aren't busy or preparing to get lit that night! Remember: relieve and refresh!

Mitchum is back in Malicious! After dealing with the massive crisis of his cousin missing and bodies turning up in their small town, another issue has been brought to him (see "Mid-Week Brain Teaser"). This time his brother is coming to him for help. By now I know he feels like his family is WAY TOO problematic! Mitchum's P.I. "business" is just starting to open up with helping in more broad spectrums for his local community. He genuinely does it out of the kindness of his heart. He always wanted to be a SEAL, and even though he unwillingly became a dropout, that is still who he has always been. His brother called him about a homicide; their childhood friend has been murdered and the police in the next county over has decided not to investigate.

You see, Mitchum's brother Nathaniel (Natty) is a drug dealer, and their childhood friend got mixed up in the life as well. He hid it better than Natty, but his murder is not just some gang affiliate consequence though. Natty believes some serious people of status are involved here, so he calls his brother in to help. As Mitchum starts to investigate, the theories keep running back to his brother. Why would he call him to help though? But he does have solid motive, seeing as how he has been secretly sleeping with the dead man's wife. No one trusts a drug dealer, especially since they are considered to be nothing but "thugs" (I feel that is subjective thinking). However, you never know what led them to what they do, and they could redeem themselves... if that's what they want to do. Once again, Mitchum is being hunted down and having shots fired at him at every turn. A dangerous showdown happens and those who should be trusted are involved, and now Mitchum is worried if he'll make this one out alive.

The bookshots range in topics and series formats, but I am obviously partial to mysteries and crime stories, due to my major. I figured I might as well follow up with our man Mitchum, but I already have other genres of books on standby! Now have a great weekend my lovelies!!

Much Love,

Khariah