What I'm reading + NOTD pt. 51

If you've been reading my blog for a while you know I like good crime novels. And I think that Jo Nesbo fits in this category. I find that I have a soft spot for Scandinavian crime novel writers.

The Snowman (original title Snomannenn) is the fifth book of Harry Hole series translated in Slovene.

The night the first snow falls a young boy wakes to find his mother gone. He walks through the silent house, but finds only wet footprints on the stairs. In the garden looms a solitary figure: a snowman bathed in cold moonlight, its black eyes glaring up at the bedroom windows. Round its neck is his mother's pink scarf. Inspector Harry Hole is convinced there is a link between the disappearance and a menacing letter he received some months earlier. As Harry and his team delve into unsolved case files, they discover that an alarming number of wives and mothers have gone missing over the years. When a second woman disappears Harry's suspicions are confirmed: he is a pawn in a deadly game. For the first time in his career Harry finds himself confronted with a serial killer operating on his turf, a killer who will drive him to the brink of insanity. 

The nail polish is Deborah Pret a Porter with the name Emerald Bijoux and it needed three coats for full opacity. With two coats it just didn't look nice. Other than that, no problems with the application. On the picture you can see that the top coat didn’t protect the nail polish from bedding prints and it usually does. It must be because of the three layers.

Happy New Year!

What I'm reading + NOTD pt. 50

I put the book The Awakening of Miss Prim (original title El despertar de la Senorita Prim) on my reading list after reading the back cover. But while reading it I had a constant thought in my mind. The thought was What is this and do I need to read it? But I stick to it, because I rarely don't read the books till the end and also because it was on my reading list. If it wasn't maybe I wouldn’t read it.

In The Awakening of Miss Prim a young woman leaves everything behind to work as a librarian in a remote French village, where she finds her outlook on life and love challenged in every way. Prudencia Prim is a young woman of intelligence and achievement, with a deep knowledge of literature and several letters after her name. But when she accepts the post of private librarian in the village of San Ireneo de Arnois, she is unprepared for what she encounters there. Her employer, a book-loving intellectual, is dashing yet contrarian, always ready with a critique of her cherished Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott. The neighbours, too, are capable of charm and eccentricity in equal measure, determined as they are to preserve their singular little community from the modern world outside. Prudencia hoped for friendship in San Ireneo but she didn't suspect that she might find love nor that the course of her new life would run quite so rocky or would offer challenge and heartache as well as joy, discovery, and fireside debate.

You see, the description is so nice, that I thought I will love the book, but no, I didn't. I have a few problems with it. First, when is the story happening? There are computers, and cars (no sign of mobile phones tho) but the protagonist talks like she just came out from Jane Austen novel. I mean, who talks like this nowadays? Miss Prim constantly uses words like sensitiveness, virtue (might be just the Slovene translation, but we don't use words like this anymore in everyday conversations). Then she is offended by everything, she is always lifting her nose. In one of the conversation with her boss she makes a remark about the prettiness of a woman. The boss says that the woman is indeed pretty, and then she is offended, because, which man compliments another woman when he is in company of another woman. I mean, really?

Second, there we have the idyllic village of San Ireneo de Arnois where everyone can make a living just by their hobbies. All the people there left their old lives to pursue happiness without the stress of everyday lives. Well I think to myself, they must've had pretty good paying jobs to afford such luxuries. So if I sum up, I'm pretty disappointed with this book. 

The nail polish is from H&M with the name Blue My Mind. I don't think you can still get it. The formula is ok, the brush is average, but good enough for decent application. The colour is the best thing about it, I must say that it was hard to photograph because the colour in real life is darker. 

Here is another photo, it's blurry, but here you can see the true colour of the nail polish.

Have a nice day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt. 49

I think I did it. I managed to read every book of Agatha Christie that was translated in Slovene language. What now? Read the rest of them in English.

In They Do it with Mirrors is Miss Marple solving the crime. A man is shot at in a juvenile reform home - but someone else dies...Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in a Victorian mansion which doubles as a rehabilitation centre for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when a youth fires a revolver at the administrator, Lewis Serrocold. Neither is injured. But a mysterious visitor, Mr Gilbrandsen, is less fortunate - shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building. Pure coincidence?

The nail polish is a recent limited edition Neo-Natured from Catrice. The name of the nail polish is WALDEN's Leaf Letter and it was my boyfriend bought it for me, just because. Now, if he would read my blog I would day how nice of him, but as he doesn't bother, why bother with the praising him :D 

I really like the colour, but the brush strokes are visible, like it has some kind of frost finish, but it's not as bad, which is a plus. Two coats were needed for full opacity, no problem with the application.

Have a great day!

Essence Matt Matt Matt Lipstick in 02 Perfect Match

With the recent update of the Essence assortment (but I think the spring /summer update will be here soon) we got a new line of lipsticks. As you can see from the name, they're supposed to be matt. There are eight shades in the line, mine is the second lightest.

Essence says that the light, creamy texture of the new lipstick range unites a high colour-dispersion with a matt finish.

The packaging is the same as the Sheer & Shine lipstick range with the difference that here the lid is matt. I like it, it is a step up from the packaging of their first lipsticks (remember the packaging for kiddies? :) )

The smell is also quite pleasant, I can't describe it properly, but at least is not that artificial smell that their first Longlasting lipsticks had.

Even if this lipstick is matte, there are no claims about the longevity, even though being matte we presume that it will last rather well. And in this case I can say it does. After four hours of not eating (chocolate doesn't count, ok) and after lunch (not very greasy, I have to admit this), the lipstick is still on my lips and it looks ok. It's not exactly like when I applied it, but it's close. Definitely still on the lips, and without that hideous liplining effect. So I'm satisfied with that.

It does apply smoothly, but to achieve the full colour I had to go over my lips several times, but it doesn't bother me. The lipstick is definitely matte and you can also feel it on the lips. So if you have really dry lips it could bother you. When you apply it looks satin matte, but after a couple of minutes the finish transforms into regular matte. After four hours it even looks like a liquid lipstick on my lips. But I have to say that I didn't experience any flaking and clinging on dry patches (like the feeling I have when I apply my Essence longlasting lipstick Velvet Matt 23). 

1. Bourjois velvet - Nude-ist

2. Essence - Perfect match

3. Sleek Matte Me - Birthday Suit

The colour is dusty rose with a hint of brown. I think it suits me and when I wear it it's not so in your face. A nice everyday colour. 

Have a great day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt.48

Finally! I made a reservation in library in April and got it in November. I read it really quickly because it has a nice flow and it's interesting and enough that will keep you going. Here it is, The Girl on the Train.

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar. Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train.

If you read my blog for some time now, you'd know that I like this kind of mystery and crime books. This was no exception. But I can't say that is the best crime book that I ever read. Some time ago I posted about Rosamund Lupton books and I find them better. But publicity does it's thing and here you go, you have a bestseller.

About nail polish, nothing new here. Another discontinued Essence, with the name I'm so very. Easy application, two coats for full opacity. The colour is a tomato red, which I like. 

Have a great day!

What I'm reading + NOTD pt. 47

If there is a sequel of a book that I read there is a great chance that I will read also the sequel. At least if I liked the first book. When I saw The Rosie Effect I knew I will read it, because I liked the first book The Rosie Project.

Forty-one-year-old geneticist Don Tillman had never had a second date before he met Rosie. Now, living in New York City, they have survived ten months and ten days of marriage, even if Don has had to sacrifice standardized meals and embrace unscheduled sex. But then Rosie drops the mother of all bombshells. And Don must prepare for the biggest challenge of his previously ordered life - while dodging deportation, prosecution and professional disgrace. Is Don Tillman ready to become the man he always dreamed of being? Or will he revert to his old ways and risk losing Rosie forever?

I found the first book really funny, this, not so much. My mother told me, the first one is better that this one. I do agree with her at some point. It's definitely less funny than the first one, but I perceived also some kind of sadness in the story. Like the problem with the lack of empathy with Don and the problems this could bring with the newborn child. And there are also regular problems that couples that are expecting a baby face. So I think this was a plus in the book. But I'll tell you this. I hope there will be no third book. 

The nail polish from Essence and it's not discontinued, I repeat, it's not discontinued. It's My hula hoop from the Gel nail polish line. The application is not problematic, but since it's a lighter colour I found I have to be more careful like with the darker colours. If not, the application could be uneven. The colour is nice, a light pink on the cooler side.

Have a great day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt. 46

I won't lie, I there was a bit of satisfaction when I finished reading this book. It's certainly not the longest, but bringing a book with 750 pages home, having just a month to read it and not be sure if you will like it (although is on my reading list) it's certainly challenging. But as soon as I started reading it I just knew that I will be hooked and that it won't take me one month, but much less.

The Name of the Wind is the first book in The Kingkiller Chronicle series. The book is narrated in first person, the narrator is a young man who grows to be the most notorious magician his world has ever seen. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime- ridden city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, a powerful coming-of-age story of a magically gifted young man, told through his eyes.

If I would have to describe this book really quickly I would say that is a mix between Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. At least in my eyes. The second book is also translated in Slovene, so I can't wait to get a hold on it.

The nail polish is from Catrice, a discontinued one with the name Plum Play With Me. I have in mind this one as the one with the troublesome application, but having applied it now, I can say that the application is normal. The brush is easy to handle, nothing bad here. Here I have two coats, but maybe one would suffice. 

Have a great day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt.45

Ferdinand Brun hasn't always been a grumpy old man. Many years ago, he was a grumpy "young" man. Now he d much rather spend time with his canine companion, Daisy, than any of his nosy neighbours. But as his behaviour becomes increasingly peculiar, his daughter grows concerned and begins to consider moving him into a retirement home. In order to maintain his freedom, Ferdinand must submit to an apartment inspection by his long time enemy, the iron-fisted concierge, Mrs. Suarez. Unfortunately, he s never tidied up a day in his life. His neighbours, precocious ten-year-old Juliette and vivacious ninety-two-year-old Beatrice, come to the rescue. And once he lets these two into his life, things will never be the same. 

Out of Sorts (original title Meme dans les orties) reminds me in some ways to A Man Called Ove and The Elegance of the Hedgehog. but not so funny as Ove and not so original as Hedgehog, but it's a nice read that will have you occupied for a day or two.

The nail polish is an oldie from Essence (of course discontinued a long time ago) with the name Most wanted. And it's perfect for autumn, we could say that it's a perfect autumnal shade (as much as I love autumn, I hate the world autumnal, so read it with a sarcastic voice ;) ) It's brown but it’s leaning towards taupe. So I really like this colour. The application I don't like as much, because my brush is a little bit wonky, so I need to be extra careful when applying the nail polish, but it's manageable.

Have a nice day :)

L.O.V nailpolish in 200 Beautiful Berry

There is a new makeup brand on the market and you can also find it in Slovenia. Cosnova launched a new brand, that is targeting a more mature consumer, so the packaging is more elegant and classic and the prices are in the range of Bourjois for example.

The packaging is indeed beautiful and the minute I saw the pictures of nail polishes I knew that if I would buy just one thing from the brand it would be a nail polish. The colour selection is classic, no crazy colours there, but nonetheless the choice wasn't easy, so I chose I colour that I don't have in my stash.

The colour is a dusty darker pink or vintage pink and on the nails is darker than what it looks like in the bottle. On the nails is indeed a berry (although light) shade. Just right for autumn.

The application is easy, the brush is perfect dor my nails and the cute lid is removable so the application is even easier. I have nothing bad to say about this nail polish really. Well there is the price, for 11 ml you pay 5,99 €, so not the cheapest, but that is to be expected due to the target consumer of the brand L.O.V.

Have a great day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt. 44

The novel by Jan van Mersbergen Zadnji pobeg (original title De laatste ontsnapping) is not translated in English. If I translate the title for you it would be something like The last escape.

"You are my father" the voice on the phone says. It belongs to a ten year old boy Deedee and he is speaking to his father Ivan for the first time. At this moment Ivan’s world begins to change. This is how starts a sensitive story about the relationship between a father and a son, the story about parental love and the price of freedom.

The nail polish is Kiko Quick Dry line, with a fascinating name 858. It has a foil finish, but you have to be careful how you apply it, if you don't want visible brush strokes. The colour in the bottle is silver and pink, but on the nails it leans towards pink. The application is not problematic.

Have a great day :)

Catrice Matt Lip Artist in 050 Fashion REDitorial

Here I'm with another review of a red lipstick. You could see the lipstick in my post Recent beauty purchases and now you will see it on my lips.

On the Catrice site it says that "the Matt 6hr Lip Artist covers the lips in intensively rich colour without smudging. At the same time, the non-drying formula feels pleasantly light and velvety-soft on the lips. Additionally, the handy retractable stylo pen allows an accurate application and perfect definition."

It's true, the application is very easy, no tugging of the lips and doesn't feel dry. And it's also true that the pen allows an accurate application, at least I had no problems with it. In my previous post I said that I find the finish velvet matte and not true matt. Now I would say that it has a matte finish (not the extremely dry and matte finish that liquid lipsticks usually have, but regular matte finish). 

I have problems when it comes to describing the longevity of lipsticks. I don't know, it's just when I eat, no lipstick stays nice on me and I always feel like I have to reapply it. Yes, some stay better than others, but all disappear sooner or later when I eat. At this moment I ate an ice cream and this one is still nice on the lips, no need to reapply it, it looks completely presentable, but when I was wearing it to a party it was gone after a while (yes, the unwanted lip liner was there) and I was just drinking. I feel like I can't be comfortable while wearing a red lip and I'm always looking at the mirrors, checking if the lipstick is still there (and this is not just with red lipstick, but with all darker shades).

And I also changed my mind about the colour of this one. I said before that I wanted it to be brighter, looking it now on my lips I think is quite bright, brighter and warmer than my Rimmel one but it's true that the difference is minimal.

But in conclusion I have to say I like this lipstick.

Have a great day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt.43

Five month after I made a reservation in the library I got the book. But I don't mind the waiting, especially if it is a good book. I wouldn't say that (original title La verite sur l'affaire Harry Quebert) is the best book I ever read, not even in the crime genre, but it is a nice book nonetheless. In my opinion it has a little bit too much of everything, I wouldn't explain it further what I exactly mean, so that I don't tell you some spoilers.

In the summer of 1975 fifteen year old Nola disappeared. Thirty-three years later, her body is dug up from Harry Quebert, along with a manuscript copy of the novel that made him a household name. Quebert is the only suspect. Marcus Goldman - Quebert's most gifted protégé - throws off his writer's block to clear his mentor's name. Solving the case and penning a new bestseller soon merge into one. As his book begins to take on a life of its own, the nation is gripped by the mystery of 'The Girl Who Touched the Heart of America'. But with Nola, in death as in life, nothing is ever as it seems.

The nail polish is from O.P.I and I think is from a limited edition. The name of the polish is Thanks a Windmillion. And I had no problems with it. Easy application, great brush, two coats for full opacity. The colour is not as vibrant as the previous three; it's just like the weather these days, a little bit muted.

Have a nice day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt.42

If you are looking for a book that you could finish in one afternoon, here it is. Like Family (original title Il nero e l'argento) by Paolo Giordano features his trademark character-driven narrative and intimate domestic setting that first made him an international sensation. When Mrs. A. first enters the narrator s home, his wife, Nora, is experiencing a difficult pregnancy. First as their maid and nanny, then their confidante, this older woman begins to help her employers negotiate married life, quickly becoming the glue in their small household. She is the steady, maternal influence for both husband and wife, and their son, Emanuele.

I recommend also his other novels, The Solitude of Prime Numbers and The Human Body.

The nail polish (did you notice that this is the third pink nail polish in a row?) is from China Glaze, Beach Cruise-r. It's a vibrant pink with tiny violet and blue shimmer. There are two things that are wrong with this nail polish and one is easy fixable. The finish is not shiny, it's soft matte, like some kind of plastic finish and I don't like it at all, but add a top coat and you have a nice shiny finish. The second thing is the brush. It's very narrow which makes it very difficult to apply nail polish in a nice way and you must be careful that you don't make a mess, because the brush is so small I had to dip it at least two times in the polish for one nail to cover.

Have a nice day :)

What I'm reading + NOTD pt.41

On the first day of autumn I present you the most summery nail polish in my collection. But let's start with the book.

Richard Mayhew is an unassuming young businessman living in London, with a dull job and a pretty but demanding fiancée. Then one night he stumbles across a girl bleeding on the sidewalk. He stops to help her - and the life he knows vanishes like smoke. Several hours later, the girl is gone too. And by the following morning Richard Mayhew has been erased from his world. His bank cards no longer work, taxi drivers won't stop for him, his landlord rents his apartment out to strangers. He has become invisible, and inexplicably consigned to a London of shadows and darkness - to a city of monsters and saints, murderers and angels, that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations. He has fallen through the cracks of reality and has landed somewhere different, somewhere that is Neverwhere.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is well written and funny and if you like a little bit of fantasy this is just for you. 

The nail polish is China Glaze and it's a neon. In the bottle it looks a true neon pink, but on the nails it looks a bit like orange neon too. The name of this one is Pool Party. The application is not the easiest since my brush is wonky, and has shorter and longer bristles like it wasn't cut right. When it's dry it is matte, so I use a top coat for a nice shine, since it's prettier than matte.

Have a nice day :)