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Book Review- Finding Kyler

Finding Kyler by Siobhan Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.0 Stars 

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book as provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated.

Okay, so if you've read the blurb you kind of get the gist of what's going on within the pages. There's drama, sex, friendship, secrets, lies, and family. And sometimes, the lines get blurry. I'm talking...really blurry. But if you aren't afraid to dive into some taboo subject matter then lets get started.

This story is mainly centered around Faye and Kyler who are cousins. Yes you read that correctly. She is the girl who lost her parents in a tragic accident, and he's the bad boy who comes from a very wealthy (and really dysfunctional) family. Her uncle, and his family are all news to Faye because up until that point she didn't know she even had relatives. Kyler has 6 brothers, and just being introduced to them in this book lets you know that they are ALL trouble in some way. So of course, Faye gets thrown into the family drama due to the death of her parents. Now, there are a handful of other side characters that definitely help move the story along too. So if the main guy & gal aren't exactly your cup of tea just know that there's much more going on within this story that you're bound to find a character or two that you just can't help but love. Wait until you get to Brad.

Now, this story was dripping in drama. I mean, one thing right after another just seemed to keep happening. Mean girls that seemed to come right out of a fight club rather than high school. Some major sexual tension between relatives, and definitely some sexual advances between them as well. Some of the conflict I wasn't a big fan of, and there were some instances when I really wanted to just kick Faye between the legs. Miscommunication seemed to be a big thing with these characters, but then again it is high school. One of the more irritating things though was the hostility towards people who may not agree with Faye and Kyler's attraction. Some of the things that they BOTH say to third parties were so eye rolling that I felt like smacking them both. YOU'RE COUSINS. AND FIRST COUSINS AT THAT. THERE'S NOTHING COMFORTABLE ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. Still, the story kept giving me enough to keep my interest.

What Worked for ME:

From the moment we are introduced to Kyler I'll admit that I kind of wanted to punch him (were he an actual person). And not exactly sure what this says about me, but I dug it. He was hot, arrogant, sexy, rude, and forward. That woods scene was...well...you'll see. But there are instances that the author gives you a glimpse of what he's really like underneath all of that messy upbringing. So, you can't help but understand how conflicted he feels, and why exactly things with Faye might not be his biggest concern/priority. Faye as a character was okay for me. She started off really strong, with a "no shit taking" attitude that I was completely psyched about! THOUGH towards the end of the book I felt like she wasn't as strong as she had started out. Still, I have high hopes for her. I absolutely adored the brothers. Especially Keaton. Even when some of them were being down right dirty. Each had their own secrets, and I'm actually really excited to see where the author takes each of them. And that ending?! Oooh, things are going to get interesting...and that's all I'll say on that front.

What Didn't Work for ME:

Some of the drama was a bit excessive. Some of the offense that was taken was completely unnecessary. I mean, when you start feeling something for your cousin, there are bound to be people that find it gross. So don't get all butt-hurt when they let you know as much. Am I right?

All in all this was a pretty decent read. If you like a lot of high-school drama, with some steamy scenes, then this will definitely hold you over. Some of this book reminded me a lot of Fallen Crest High, but definitely more on the "forbidden" side. So I recommend it to readers who enjoyed that story. And the last thing I have to say is that I'm hoping for more growth, and maybe more stability in the next book. If the author can narrow down the conflict in the next book I get a feeling this series is going to be a pretty great one!

Wordless Wednesday

Recent Skin Care Routine

When I was a teenager I hardly ever had acne issues. Usually only small breakouts around that time of the month. I didn't spend much time outside during the day, but if I absolutely had to be outdoors I wore sunscreen. My beauty routine consisted of powder foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and tinted lip gloss. Easy peasy. I believe that contributed a lot to my healthy skin, and minimal break outs. In recent years all of that has changed. I really started to notice my breakouts in pictures, and I was getting some serious blemishes underneath the skin that hurt to touch. Once they were gone I could still see spots that they left behind. I know that I definitely wear more make up now, and my stress level has tripled since those younger years. Pair that with some not so great eating habits, and it's definitely not the greatest combination for healthy skin. 

This is why I started to look into products that might help improve my skin's overall appearance. Now, I'm not big on things that are time consuming. I need something that's fast with very little mess. I'm a working mom that's usually not prepared for the next day's morning if that makes sense? So, I don't have time to put on seven layers of cream, or to let products absorb into my skin over a long period of time. And I have even less patience for masks that are required to stay on my face for ten or more minutes. Then there's the fact that I'm also on a budget. I can't afford to splurge on anything fancy. Would I love to get my hands on some GLAMGLOW? Hell yes! Am I going to fork over $70+ tax on a 1.4 oz jar? NOPE. So, today I thought I'd share my skin care routine which is budget friendly. I've been on this particular regiment/schedule for three full weeks now, and I've been able to see a difference. Before I continue let me just say that water helps your skin out a lot. Cutting out sugar also helps tremendously. I know it can be hard, but it really does help. So those are two of the most important things you can change up to see result. Now, let's start shall we?

Night Time

Step 1: Makeup removal. This is probably the most important step for us heavy makeup users. On the daily we're putting so much into our pores when we layer products, and mists. Add dirt and oil as the day goes by, and you have your self a nice recipe for breakouts. I use the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water in the blue bottle. It's for all skin types, and removes waterproof make up as well. This stuff is very refreshing, and leaves my skin feeling clean. Dries really fast too. I've had mine for the three weeks, and I'm no where near the half-way mark. Cost is $6.96. 

Step 2: Cleansing the skin, or exfoliating. I put both of these down because I alternate days. On cleansing days I use Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser. This stuff gets anything that the remover left behind. It feels really nice on the skin, and my face has a nice glow to it afterwards. It's very light weight in feel, and the scent is also very subtle. Cost is $6.94. A little of this goes a long way. I've had this bottle for about four months though I've only recently started to use it regularly. To exfoliate I use Equate Beauty Blemish Control Apricot Scrub. I've tried the St. Ives brand as well, and honestly I didn't see or feel a difference. Maybe the ingredients don't match up 100%, but they're close. This stuff smells amazing, and I like how the scrub makes my face feel really soft afterwards. This step is normally done in the shower on most days. Cost is $1.97. 

Step 3: Moisturizing the skin. I'm about to be thirty this year so keeping my skin feeling fresh, and hydrated is really important. I use Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream before bed. This is a small jar, and when I saw the price at first I laughed. But believe me when I say that a small amount of this goes a really long way. I dab two fingertips and place a dot on both cheeks, my forehead, and neck. Then I smooth it over my neck, and face. It dries fairly quickly, and like the cleanser it has a really light scent. Cost is $12.34. 

Morning Time

Step 1: Overall acne treatment. After having the night cream on there are days when I wake up feeling like my skin is just a bit more on the oily side than usual. So, I started using Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent first thing after waking up. The smell is on the stronger side which helps to wake me up. Bonus point. And after looking at the cotton ball I can tell that its removing any extra dirt or oil that I had left in my pores. It leaves my face feeling dryer, stripped of the excess oil, and soft. If I notice a cluster of blemishes starting to pop up I normally leave the cotton ball over them for a few seconds longer to really let it soak in. Cost is $3.86.

Step 2: Moisturizing again. Now, I consider this the first step before putting on anything makeup related. I like to use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture With SPF 15. I like this because it has sunscreen in it which I feel is really important. But I think my favorite thing about it is how light weight it feels on the skin, and how it doesn't leave your face feeling/looking greasy. I tried the Naturals moisturizer, and it left my face feeling really slick and gross. This one on the other hand dries really fast. I can put it on while in the bathroom, and by the time I get to my room (about five steps away) it's dry. This one is also a bit more on the pricey side, but again a little goes a long way. I use about a half pump for my entire face. Cost is $9.97.

Now, if you care to splurge I have another product as well as an optional acne treatment to recommend. Clinique's Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream has quickly become a favorite of mine. I actually got a sample jar for free, and it has lasted me four months. It comes in two full sizes, and ranges between $45-$65 a pop. Pricey, I know. It's not something I could ever see myself forking over money for so it'll be a sad day when I run out. But I will say that this stuff has helped a lot around my eyes in regards to wrinkles, discoloration, and dark circles. The second product is Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment for the days that I do breakout. I'll dab some of this over a blemish or pimple before bed. It helped to reduce the redness, and cut the healing time by about two days. This little tube costs $5.98. 

So far my skin has reacted really well. Obviously these don't have the miracle power that some higher end brands do, but they're within my price range. And most importantly they do what they claim to do. At least for me. Obviously a lot of this is dependent on one's skin type, and sensitivity. I've noticed that my skin has brightened up, and no longer has an ashy dull tone. My breakouts are starting to become less frequent, and I've noticed that my dark spots have faded a bit. Not counting the two optional products I mentioned these all cost about $45. Which is less than the one jar of GLAMGLOW. And I spaced out my purchases so it wasn't hitting me all at once. You might be able to find some of these products cheaper elsewhere though. Anyway, that about wraps it up. If anyone has any suggestion for products I'm all ears too. I definitely enjoy trying new things. I hope everyone has a lovely Monday! 💜

*I linked all of the products to Walmart because it's the only place close to me that offers all of these at an affordable price. But I know a majority of these can be found on Amazon. ALSO, I was not paid or compensated for this post.

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Happy Birthday, Little

I could write this long post about you, but nothing would be enough to do you justice my love. I cannot explain in words how much I love you. I can't fully explain all of the ways you have made me a better: Person, mother, daughter, and friend. How even on some of my worst days you can make everything troubling fade into background noise. You're laughter, your voice, and yes even that banshee scream of yours can snub everything else out. You, my dear, bring good with you wherever you go. I am grateful, everyday, for the gift God gave me when he chose me to be your mother. Only he knew exactly how much I needed you in my life. To save me, to teach me, and to love me. Even when I fail. When I'm scared. When I'm confused. You constantly bring me back without even knowing it. 

You are a free spirit that has taught me to laugh at myself, and be silly. To dance in the middle of grocery aisles, and rain storms. You've taught me to not be afraid of trying something new. To sing songs on every car ride. You've taught me to see the art that lies within everything. To see the beauty in even the most odd of things. You've shown me the necessity of bare feet, wild hair, and long trails. You are forever my wild thing, and I am so thankful for that. 

So, here's to seven. Here's to you. Here's to many more adventures that lay ahead. I can only hope that I'm allowed to see it all. To be blessed with a long life in order to be apart of it. Happy Birthday, my little. 

Te quiero mucho mija. Con todo mi corazon. Nunca lo olvides mi amor. 💜

Wordless Wednesday

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Blog Love - To The Sea

I'm super excited right now you guys! When I first started writing on this blog I never really thought about other bloggers. I wanted it to be an outlet, and a way for me to document my life as a new mom. In a way, that's still very much the same. But as the years went by I started to read other blogs. There was this network of men, and women who were sharing their lives just like I was. First time moms and dads who were experiencing similar things: Sleepless nights, teething, birthday parties, pregnancy, and so much more. Products were recommended, tips were offered, recipes shared, and pictures posted. I've seen several children and adults grow/change, and let me just say that it's really remarkable. It's now several years down the road and some have stuck around while others have taken breaks, or left it all behind. But for some of us the connections that were made through it all have remained. And to me, Erica over at "To The Sea", was always someone I considered a friend even though we've never actually met in person. So, you can imagine how stoked I was when she let us know about her knew adventure.

She's started her own photography business, serving the South Texas and Mexico area, which you can see more about here. One of the main things about her blog that originally drew me in were her pictures. She has a love for nature, the beach, surfing, and the outdoors that just captured my interest. You see all of that shining through in every picture she takes. And along with that she's decided to start blogging again. So, Erica is officially back, y'all!! 😍

I definitely recommend that you guys check her out. She's one really cool chick, and I'm truly glad that I came across her blog when I did. You get to see her love for the planet, good food, travel, and parenting. If you browse through some of her older posts you'll see that she's lived in several different places. I think my favorite location that she shared with us was of her time in Tanzania. She showed such a colorful, and stunning side that not everyone gets to see. And now she, along with her significant other, have started a nonprofit called SurfVive.org here in Texas. There mission is to: "spread the LOVE of surfing and strengthen our community from the roots through local food, music, and art." She truly puts her beliefs into practice, and cares about the community (as well as those in it). Pretty cool, right? So if you get the chance, go on over and check her out. I've basically linked everything in either the pictures, or wherever her stuff is mentioned. Enjoy! 

Wordless Wednesday

Currently

Now that I'm at the end of a pretty nasty cold my allergies have kicked up a notch. I feel so stuffy, and my throat hurts every morning. At this point I'd just give anything to feel normal again. No aches; no dizziness. I can't wait for the day. Until then, I thought I'd share some of the stuff I've really been into lately from books, music, articles, and apps. I'm warning you now that this gets to be a bit long. I blame it on being a pretty decent English Writing student back in the day. So due to my professor's praises I make sure that everything that I write about has a good amount of detail. You're welcome. Anyway, here we go:

Playing: Here are just a few artists that I've really been feeling as well as their current albums. In the hip hop genre I have Silence by Russ, and SweetSexySavage by Kehlani. We saw Russ live last year, and he puts on such a great show! He's always putting out new songs too which rarely leave me disappointed. Everything you hear, is all him. Now, Kehlani's first album didn't do much for me. Unpopular opinion, but it is what it is. Recently she dropped her new album and I was hooked from the intro. A really great album about self love, learning from mistakes, owning what you want, and knowing your worth. Truly stunning. In the alternative realm I'm digging Night People by You Me At Six.  These guys were the band that I usually only listened to the singles they put out. But I heard great things about their most recent album, and after checking it out I spent an entire day just listening to everything they had put out over the years. "Night People" definitely sounds like they've grown, and have taken the time to craft their sound. And finally in the country category I've been listening to the self titled album by Kane Brown. He's an up and coming younger artist which I came across by accident on Facebook. I'm not that familiar with him, but in April my sister-in-law and I will be going to see him perform. Pretty excited to see how he does. 

Reading: In fiction I've been reading Evelyn, After by Victoria Helen Stone. I actually won this ebook over on GoodReads. The subject matter, according to the blurb, was relatable to me so I entered. I didn't think it would be so hard to get through though. And not because it isn't good. It's because of what it's about, and how I've been in those shoes. Felt those same feelings. I had to stop a bit in order to get myself in check. In non-fiction I've been re-reading The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz. I originally bought it per my counselor's recommendation. I go back from time to time in order to soak it all back in. As a reminder on the low days. If you're feeling lost, or confused about who you are I definitely recommend this book to you. One of the main takeaways I received from this book was that I am only in control of myself, and my choices. What others do, and choose is not something I have a say in. It's about them, and not about me. As is everything in life. 

Blog Posts: I hardly ever get online these days. Sure my twitter gets some sporadic use, and I normally post a photo to Instagram once every week or so. But when it comes to reading material, I stick to my blogger feed when I log on and that's about it. But on occasion something catches my eye, and it's either fascinating or misleading. Today I want to share two posts I found over on Scary Mommy: What My Single Mom Taught Me About Strength And Resilience, and This Is What Parenting With Anxiety Is Like. Lately, I had been experiencing this feeling of failing. I had a tiny little melt down one day over what kind of mother I was. What exactly were my actions teaching my daughter? Was I really enough? Then I came across that first post, and it felt like I was letting out a breath I had been holding. No matter what I want my daughter to see that her mother did her best, and always cared for her. Loved her truly, and was able to do so because she loved herself. Flaws and all. The second post on anxiety hit really close to home for me. Though my anxiety tends to come and go, with some pretty big spikes when it does, this post basically put into words what my worst days are like. I know several people suffer from this, and some more sever than others. But it was still nice to see it written; to know that I truly was not alone in it.

Watching: I finally watched the Pride and Prejudice series with Colin Firth in it. And again, unpopular opinion, I enjoyed the 2005 version better. Matthew Macfadyen is my Mr. Darcy. Though I will admit that the most recent version skipped a lot, and rearranged some of the story to flow better within the time frame it was given. The mini series stays true to the book so if you're a lover of all things authentic I definitely recommend you watch it. Hulu has both up to stream if you want to check them out. Another great movie is Love At First Fight. You can find this film over on Netflix, but be warned that this is a french foreign film. I have always enjoyed foreign films as well as independent ones, and this definitely satisfied both for me. It's a different love story, and I enjoyed how the lead female character came off as hard & awkward. It's worth mentioning again that this has all the aspects of an indie film so you've been warned. Not sure if it was popular on the other side of the world or not. AND finally I started to watch Lo Que La Vida Me Robo because I'm a sucker for a good novela. This is a Spanish soap opera with over 180 episodes, and Netflix has them all. I had already seen some of this novela with my parents a few years ago, but once I started it from the beginning last weekend I decided I had to finish the whole thing. So, the journey is still on. 

Phone Apps: Twinbody App has been my go to for motivation on my current weight loss/healthy living journey. It takes your numbers (start, current, and goal weight), and shows you others who have similar goals, body types, and stats. You can branch out by checking out those that don't land in your range too if you'd like. This community is beyond amazing though. The support, the motivation, and the tips are great! You can share pictures, motivational stuff, recipes, and more. I have no idea why I didn't sign up sooner. I think the only thing missing is the ability to share videos, which I hope will come later. But the best thing of all is that it's free! So if you need that extra bit of encouragement to keep you on track I definitely think it's worth checking out. 

And that concludes the currently for this month. If you have any film suggestions be sure to drop me a line either on here, or other social media outlets. Links are all at the top. I'm always on the look out for new artists, films, or books. Next time I do one of these I'll try to shorten it a bit. Until then, Happy Tuesday everyone! 

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You've Got This

This past weekend/majority of the week I spent it sick. After spending a good six hours hugging our porcelain throne you'd think I'd want nothing to do with food, right? Welp, you'd be wrong. I was sick; not dead. I wanted all of the comfort food. The homemade chili with crackers, and all of the fixings. The warm brownies and cookies. Limón flavored potato chips, and Ramen noodles. Hot chocolate, and mashed potatoes. If it was fattening, and I could go over my allotted calorie intake for the day in two bites you can bet your sweet cheeks I wanted it. So I wasn't in the least bit surprised to see the number on my scale go up. I won't lie to you I felt guilty for a few moments. I felt bad, and kind of like all of the progress I had made was for nothing. But then I just shrugged it off. Though I'll admit I wasn't always quick to react that way before.

Weight gain. Scales. Gym time. Falling off the wagon; getting back on. For some of us out here the weight loss journey can be a real struggle. I'm no stranger to it as you just read, and sometimes I feel like I'm letting myself down. Sometimes, I make some bad food choices even when I know that it's not the best decision. I regularly have 10 minute arguments with myself over why I should, or shouldn't buy the kings size Hershey Bar when I go grocery shopping. Spoiler alert: I usually toss it on the checkout counter right before the cashier totals me out. There are also times when I want to drink Pepsi with my breakfast, lunch, and dinner just because I'm tired of everything else. And then there are the really bad days when I'd rather eat a whole container of Little Debbie's while binge watching a TV series than going to the gym, or cooking. It happens y'all. And I'm not going to try feeding you that "once you make the life style change it gets easier" line because that's bullshit. Food was made to taste good. Preservatives and chemicals be damned. What I am going to tell you though is: Bro, it's okay. You've got this. Even with the mix of good, and bad days. You've got this.

I went from being 185 lbs, to 150 lbs in a few months. Then at the end of last year that number went back up to 168 lbs. Today, I weighed in at 164 lbs. It's like a damn hospital heart monitor going up, and down. Now I know maintaining a healthy weight is important. I know it's achievable. I know that I can drop back down to 150 lbs, and I know that it's best for me to make my way even further down from that. But guys, I like carne asada tacos. And sometimes I'm lazy. For the record it's worth repeating that I really really love food. So it's not always easy staying on track, and on occasion it may take me awhile to get back on. I'm not going to beat myself up over it though. And if you're dealing with weight issues, you shouldn't either. Progress varies for everyone. The changes can be easier to achieve for some, and harder for others. They're not always on the outside either. That's definitely something that took me awhile to learn too. I may not be at my goal weight right now, but I have more energy during workouts. I can squat 120 lbs, and I easily run 3.1 miles without keeling over in pain. I'm down from eight cups of coffee a day to two. I drink more water, and eat more salads now than I ever have in my life. For me, these are all good things. Positive changes. So even though the scale says one thing I usually (more often than not) feel differently. 

This filter is called "Taco"; see what I'm working with? 

Since the new year I've been switching things up in order to keep myself motivated, and I'd thought I'd pass some of these ideas along just in case: As soon as I get home from work I immediately change into my workout clothes so that I can't make an excuse not to go. I've committed myself to working out a minimum of five times a week for at least thirty minutes. Some days I go balls to the wall, and others I walk on the treadmill the entire time. Some activity is better than no activity. I always carry a 32 oz water bottle, and I make sure to fill that sucker up at least twice throughout the day. If I get tired of the taste I slice up a lemon, lime, cucumber, or mint leaves and toss them in. This can also help with bloating so that's pretty cool too. If you're the kind of person that can easily talk yourself into NOT doing something I definitely recommend finding yourself a workout buddy. I know it may not be for everyone, but I've found that it helps me. My dad is my gym partner, and on the days when I'm feeling like keeping my ass firmly planted on my couch he usually calls to tell me he's waiting for me at the gym. Now sometimes our work schedules get in the way, but for the most part he's there to hold me accountable. Weight lifting has also taken up a big part of my workout time. It's true when they say that strength training helps you out in other areas, so don't be afraid to incorporate it more often. And last, if I'm feeling bored, I'll take a class. My favorite is kickboxing, and it brings me a lot of joy. If you know me it makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? I've read that switching up your workout routine can also get you out of a slump. It throws your body off in a good way which helps if you've hit a "weight loss plateau". From personal experience I can attest to this being true. 

Now, I'm sure some of these you've probably heard of, or even practice yourselves. Still, I think it's worth mentioning how these little changes have been helping me stay on track. Even on the days when I fail miserably with my poor eating habits. Sticking to these choice every day have helped me to feel stronger. If I'm having a low day I make sure to carve out the time for myself because that's how I know that I'm really in need of it. If you have anxiety or depression then you know what I'm talking about. I definitely treat being active as a form of "self care", and it's working out pretty well for me. So here's to consistency! May it bring us health, happiness, and the ability to consume tacos to our hearts content. 

Wordless Wednesday