Book Review: The Dinner by Herman Koch

I had seen this book at Target numerous times. I like to take a walk in the book section of Target to see what's new and what's popular. This book, The Dinner, had been catching my eye for awhile now. I went home and decided I would place an electronic hold for this book from the public library. I was 1 out of 56 on hold for this book so I became more excited. As soon as I got notification that I was able to borrow the book I quickly downloaded it on my nook. Here is what I thought!





First impression: "Wait that's it?!" I kept pressing the next button hoping for more of the book. It wasn't because I fell so in love with the story but instead felt like there needed to be more things explained.

Overview of the story without giving anything away: main character is the one speaking to us and we are exposed to all of his intimate thoughts and feelings. If you have read the book Gone Girl, the story gives you something that's happened and it backtracks to then explain what is how it happened. For example, they are at the dinner but we only later know why these two couples met for dinner. I think the author does a great job with this. The story does take place at a dinner in a fancy restaurant which initially i though how in the world can this be a book, but give it a chance it may surprise you! There is a total of four characters and you get to know each one and how they relate to the main character. There is a twist in the story that leaves you with 'Well where is this going now?' But develops and has you wanting more. As the dinner goes on the main character is flooded with memories that place personalities to the characters at the dinner. The story becomes more intense and there is a murder involved. There is somewhat of a who done it type of feeling but by no means is it like Clue where you keep guessing who the murderer is. The story does touch on some personality/mental disorders along with issues that normal families can face. It can be a little emotional but the other does not go into much detail which i wish he kind of would have done because then there may have been more of an impact. Overall I would place this book in the category of crime/drama.

Characters: there are 4 important characters that are at the dinner and the main character with whom we explore his world and develop a relationship with each of the attendees at the dinner.

The Good: I like how the story backtracks almost like the movie the Hangover. You get to know what's happened but then the story does a wonderful job of combing back through the main characters thoughts and beliefs leaving you the reader saying 'aha' to yourself.

The bad: I felt a little jiped! I wanted to know more of what happened and what the future will hold for these characters. I had to retread the last chapter to make sure I didn't miss something but I felt as though I was involved with the characters enough to want to know what happens now!!


I will give this book 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I definitely think its worth your time. The book is about 286 pages and can be read quickly. Took me about 4 days but that's because I have a 5 month old keeping me busy. It's not a book that is a classic that I will come back to over and over again or one that I simply fell in love with the characters but I think it's worth a read! I highly recommend this book for the beach or a plane ride. It's not a story that you need to pay close attention to and so if you get distracted for one reason or another you can just catch up fairly quickly!
Hope you guys will benefit from the review!
Xox
MissVickybee
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Maybelline dream fresh BB review

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB!!!

Ok so I'm not behind on this product. I have actually been using this product a fair amount. I didn't think I needed to do this review until I noticed how much of this product I had been using. This has quickly become an all time favorite and something I find myself reaching for day after day. 

       The formula of this product is so light weight and easily smoothes out your face and very easy to apply. As a new mom I needed something to put on my face so that I would feel better about myself and could face all the visitors coming to see the baby with a face that I was not embarrassed to show people!

The packaging is wonderful. I small sleek plastic bottle. You can throw this in your purse easily. Makeup bag, it doesn't take up too much space. You get 1.0 FL OZ of this product. The color selection is kind of a general guess but the product sheers out so beautifully that as long as you are within the ball park of your skin tone then you will be fine.  There are 5 tones that this product comes in.

The product claims to do the following:

An 8-in-1 skin perfector

-blurs imperfections

-brightens

-evens skin tone

-smoothes

-hydrates

-enhances

-protects with SPF 30

-0% oils and heavy ingredients

So I can agree to some of the above.  I would say that it evens skin tone, but you will for sure need a concealer if you have blemishes.  It does hydrate your skin and leaves a very pretty glow to your skin. I would not say that you are dewy by any means but you do have some glow to the skin.  I think that the SPF in this product is a definite benefit.  This is great for the summer because it's such a light product and you can wear it outdoors and be protected from the sun.

Now I have very very sensitive skin and I can say this did NOT make me breakout. It's one of the main reasons I really love this product.  

Will I repurchase this product??? ABSOLUTELY!!

To give you an idea of products that I have tried and how my face reacts to it: Clinique even better foundations is very greasy on my skin and I look extremely shiney.  Neutragena healthy glow is one of my favorites and looks beautiful on my skin.  Nars sheer glow is a perfect foundation for me and I even used it for my wedding day!  Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer really did nothing for my face so I had to give it away.  Make up forever matte velvet works beautifully on me.  So there is an idea if those work for you this product will as well!

(above) the light/medium on my hand

 (above) sheered out on my hand

Overall, a wonderful product. For the price and what the product does definitely worth it!!

Sigma Eyeshadow bases!!

Omg!! Now I'm not an insider for Sigma or anything but I did watch a video recently posted by TiffanyD and noticed that she was using one of the creme eyeshadow bases from Sigma. When i checked my email I noticed an email from Sigma and saw that they are being released on February 4th!!! They have them in sets as well as individual ones!!
I am most definitely going to get one so look forward to a review and some swatches from me!!

The moment you’ve been waiting for is almost here! We are excited to announce that the new eye shadow bases will launch on Monday, February 4! The beautiful bases will be sold individually and in kits. Get all of the information you need to prepare for Monday’s launch here!




There will be 9 bases sold individually for $13 each (the shades are shown above). Made from a smooth and blendable formula, the bases achieve a long-lasting and pigmented effect. Each base is designed to reduce surface oil with its
water-resistant and light-weight formula. All of the bases in this collection can be paired with a wide range of colors to transform and enhance your existing shadows!




The Eye Shadow Base Kits evolve from our best-selling Bare, Dare and Flare eye shadow palettes. Each kit contains three bases and an F70 brush, all for $36. Here are the shades included in each kit:

Bare Base Kit: Sculpt, Pose, and Persuade
Dare Base Kit: Dash, Strike, and Unveil
Flare Base Kit: Pursue, Spy and Provoke

Click here to get your hands on these!! Make sure to use code BASE2013 to get 10% off your purchase!!  http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=90171

DIY Canvas Photo

I can't take full credit for this DIY because I had found it on Pinterest but I can't find the original person who had posted how to do this.

DIY Necklace with Rosettes!!

DIY Necklace with Rosettes!!!

So I think that Pinterest makes everyone want to be ultra creative and make everything in your home a do it yourself project.  Towards the end of my pregnancy I couldn't go back to work and so I had some time on my hands. What was I to do but look on Pinterest and get inspired. I love the DIY and crafts section.  I found someone who made little rosettes. I had seen them before and thought they were just adorable but I had never realized how easy they are to make. So this is how my pursuit to make this project began.  I made little rosettes and didn't know where to stick them.

              After thinking about it for some time I thought that it would make a great statement piece with an outfit.  I know bold necklaces are such a hit right now and I thought these could be boho but they can be very chic. So here is what I came up with....

I was able to get all my supplies at Micheals Craft store.  The supplies that you need are the following:

- felt (black color)

- Satin ribbon

- material ( I got quilting squares from joann fabric but any scrap material will do)

- embellishments ( small crystals, pearls, etc.)

- hot glue gun & glue sticks

I had filmed my adventure with making this wonderful project and I will insert that link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G8HDBFzlUo

I hope that you give this a try! I think it's a great statement piece and very easy to make!!

TARTE Amazonian 12 hr Clay blush review!!

                                               TARTE Amazonian clay blushes!!

                                     (The fantastic foursome, enthusiast set review)


Hi Everyone!!
I get so excited this time of year because of all the great beauty finds that come out. Recently Sephora was having their VIB friends and family sale. If you are unfamiliar with this sale, well in a nutshell: you get a card from Sephora and if you visit the store enough or order online you start accumulating points and then they start sending you things when sales are etc. During the VIB sale you get 20 % off of your purchases and you can bring a friend with you. I happened to go on my lunch break with one of my girlfriends and I found this little amazing deal!!

YES!!! Tarte amazonian clay blushes!! I own one of them full size and the quality of these is unbelievable!! Now a full size blush from Tarte is about $30 so to get 4 of them at $35 is incredible!! These are NOT full size but you do get a whole heck of alot of color that will last me a very long time. I also can explore different colors and if I fall in love with one of them I can get the full size!

The colors are simply stunning with these four!! And with these blushes you really do NOT need alot of product for the color to show. Also the staying power is amazing. I can vouche for a 12 hour day and the color still is on my cheeks when I get home fom work!

The back of the box also have a to and from so it makes for a great gift to a friend or you could even take them out of thebox and give them out individually with a candle or some other trincket!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

These colors are absolutely gorgeous!!! Going from the left to the right the colors are as follows: Stellar, Fantastic, Magic, Angellic.

 

 



 

Swatched on my hand. I only placed my finger on the color once so like I said a little really goes a very long way. The colors from left to right are just gorgeous!! Stellar has a beautiful shimmery nude color. On the cheeks it adds a beautiful glow and life to your cheeks.  The color Fantastic, is a beautiful fushia color. The color is very bright so just a little and it adds gorgeous color to your face.  Magic is a very soft baby pink.  It seems a little chaulky when I swatched it but then on my face it added a gorgeous shade of pink to my cheeks.  And lastly Angellic is a gorgeous shimmery champagne color. Oh this color is so so beautiful in person. The camera can not do this justice!!  This is my favorite color!! I did not wear this as a blush but instead as a highlight and it's just gorgeous. It works great as a browbone highlight too!!

 

Stellar

 

 

 

                                                                        Fantastic



Magic

 

 

                                                                          Angellic

You can purchase these from Tarte. I'm not sure if Sephora still has these available or not.  http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-fantastic-foursome-Amazonian-clay-12-hour-blush-set

Overall, I am so impressed with Tarte's blushes that I will keep adding more and more of their products to my collection. I think that the quality is amazing and Tarte offers alot of great deals especially around the holidays.  I have seen them featuring some great products on QVC as well.  Definitely worth it if you get these 4!! If you have never owned a tarte blush or if you are interested in this product I think purchasing a set like this will give you a great love for them and you will not be dissapointed.
Enjoy the holidays and the shopping that comes with it!!!!

xoxoox

Free shipping at Sigma!!

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