Monday, January 11, 2016

The Martian by Andy Weir




Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate the planet while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded on Mars' surface, completely alone, with no way to signal Earth that he’s alive — and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone years before a rescue could arrive.

 Armed with nothing but his ingenuity and his engineering skills — and a gallows sense of humor that proves to be his greatest source of strength – he embarks on a dogged quest to stay alive, using his botany expertise to grow food and even hatching a mad plan to contact NASA back on Earth.

How Would I describe the book: Funny and completely stressful. Someone I goodreads described it as Apollo 13 meets Castaway (and I would agree). I am really not a fan of science fiction but this is one of the best books I've read in awhile. 

What did I like about the book:
First, There are several interesting themes in the book such as the instinct for survival, and the need for each of us to feel connected instead of alone.There was also an interesting thought brought up that recalls The Diary of Anne Frank 
If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are a@$%@ who just don't care, but they're massively outnumbered by the people who do.”  
This idea pops up throughout the story. As humans this ability to care, and empathize is what sets us apart from other animals.

Second, The main character is hilarious. Mark Watney is smart and actually pretty witty . He's one of those fictional characters that is interesting enough to draw you in and make you wish he was real so you could be friends. I just appreciate his drier personality

The screen went black before I was out of the airlock. Turns out the “L” in “LCD” stands for “Liquid.” I guess it either froze or boiled off. Maybe I’ll post a consumer review. “Brought product to surface of Mars. It stopped working. 0/10.” 

“Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum. Duct tape works anywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped.”

Third, some readers might be wary of the science, but not to worry. The science seems to be well researched and it is written in a very realistic, natural manner. I found that even if you don't grasp every single detail of this issue or that, you will always get the gist. Don't let that keep you from reading the book.

***The only caveat or warning I would give is that this book does contain some strong language. 

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Favorites of the Week (Now Favorites of the Month) #45

Sorry, I haven't posted since Thanksgiving. Now, my weekly post of favorites is now my monthly favorites.

First, my Christmas present I have been dying to open. Betsey Johnson Be Mine Satchel.
Its tall and will fit my ipad when I travel and I love the quilted heart pattern. Plus there is the cute bow and the front pocket to hold my phone where its easy to find.


Honey by Marc Jacobs

I just ordered this perfume and I am so excited. First, how cute is this bottle?
Second, The notes: Pear, Juicy Mandarin, Orange Blossom, Peach Nectar, Apricot, Honeysuckle, Honey, Golden Vanilla, Smooth Woods. Yummy!

Plus I got 50% of this 3.4 oz bottle from Amazon.


Remington T-Studio Ceramic PEARL Professional Curling Wand

I got this last week and I am loving it. I have been previously been using my regular curling iron, wrapping my hair around the barrel and using it as a styling wand, however it did not heat my hair evenly and the curl wouldn't hold.
This patent-pending technology provides the most advanced ceramic surface for the smoothest glide on the market. Your hair is left smooth and silky with a luminous luster. This must-have styling tool offers easy-to-read digital controls and heats up to salon-standard 410 degrees so you get picture perfect curls that last all day. The multifunctional tool has a cone shaped design offering a variety of dimensions to meet your style needs.
This last part is a blurp from the website product description. It is all true. The cone shape make such prettier curls and they last for at least 2 days. 

Joy

I know everyone has been to see the new Star Wars-I still haven't yet-but I did go see this movie yesterday.
Joy tells the story of a divorced Long Island mother, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who invents a detachable, self-wringing mop and overcomes significant obstacles to develop a wildly successful enterprise, first with QVC and later with the Home Shopping Network. 
Although the plot is a classic underdog story, I was entertained the whole time. Jennifer Lawrence is always amazing and I think it is inspiring that the movie feature a strong woman in business. 
I would recommend it. 

Carly Rae Jepsen


I keep hearing great things about this album-and its being named one of the best album of 2015. I will be listening to it this week.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Weekly Favorites #44

Adele-25


Adele's  new album came out. on Friday. She is so incredibly talented and  she really can sing anything.  I hope that I get to see her live someday.
I really loved her entire new album. My favorite tracks are Hello, I Can't Love you in the Dark, and All I Ask.
https://youtu.be/I-96iakvyvs
All of it is so Great

Cowboy Caviar-I forgot how much I love this simple dip. 
This recipe is from the Six Sisters Stuff  Recipe. and it is delicious with Tortilla Chips 
or Fritos/Corn Chips


Ingredients
5-6 roma tomatoes, diced
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 oz) can corn, drained
½ medium onion, diced (I used a purple onion)
1 avocado, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons diced jalapenos (more or less, depending on how hot you prefer it)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¾ cup Italian dressing 
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Mix together tomatoes, black beans, corn, onion, avocado, green pepper, and jalapenos in a large bowl. Sprinkle garlic powder on top, then stir in dressing and cilantro. 

Donder Tee from Downeast Basics
I love the bold stripes and both color combinations.




Blemish Control Facial Scrub-
Clarification-I am using the Walmart "Equate" brand but I am still getting great results with my skin.
I don't have really oily skin but I like that the scrub is oil free and has natural exfoliants. 
It is gritty so make sure you scrub and rinse it off really well.





Saturday, November 14, 2015

My Favorites This Week #43


Pentatonix-That's Christmas to Me
These people are so talented. They have some beautiful original songs, some classics, and a familiar Disney tune. Its all Acapella. I know this came out last year, but they released deluxe version with a few new songs. Check it out. 


This is one of my favorite originals. 


Hair Removal-Tinkle Razor


I know the name is kind of ridiculous, but I am loving this product. Its perfect for all us women who have unwanted upper lip and facial hair.

The first option for getting rid of facial hair is shaving. You might think that in time shaving makes the hairs grow thicker and in a bigger number but it doesn’t. It’s just a myth. 
You can use a special razor for upper lip hair removal without any worries. And for other parts of your face. 
The name makes me laugh, a lot, but it’s the perfect razor if you want to remove facial hair. It’s not advisable to use razors that you would normally use on your body.

When using the Tinkle, you don’t need to wet your face or use a shaving cream. 
Just make those hairs go away on dry skin. The shape of the blade is perfect and the blade is not that sharp so, there’s no risk of cutting yourself. It doesn’t cause razor burns or irritations.

Whether you have peach fuzz or coarse hair, the Tinkle is going to handle them perfectly and instantly. Don’t forget to moisturize after because shaving your face also implies a bit of exfoliation. Therefore, you don’t want to have dry skin. 

The bonus is that it removes dead skin cells, makes your skin feel incredibly smooth, and it rejuvenates.

Shaving your upper lip takes less than a minute. It’s incredibly fast, there’s no faster method for upper lip hair removal. And no pain! You can use this as often as you need.
You'll us it more often than you would say waxing strips but its, quick, easy, painless and very affordable.
 Check it out on Amazon and read reviews. 

Ultra Soft Crew Neck Sweaters From Target.
Like the name suggests, these sweaters are soft and very very comfortable.
They are about half nylon, half rayon.
They come in solid colors and stripes, all beautiful so you are bound to find one you love. Or maybe not just one. I think I just bout 4 different colors. 
I believe they also come in a v-neck.
Check them out at the Target website.




Bath and BodyWorks-Holiday Scents
These Lotions are like pure silk and they smell delicious. I was able to run to the mall to take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free deal.

Wrapped in Comfort: Almond Creme, Soft Cashmere, Blackberry Rose
Vanilla Bean Noel: Vanilla Bean, Caramel, Sugar Cookies, Whipped Creme, Snowkissed Musk
Jingle All the Way: Iced Clementine, Sparkling Snowflakes, North Pole Vanilla, Holiday Poppies, and Blue Spruce.

These lotions have shea butter and cocoa butter. It doesn't feel greasy and it leaves your skin so soft. 








Sunday, November 1, 2015

Weekly Favorites #42


We Love Disney
We Love Disney is a 2015 compilation album and third entry in the eponymous series, featuring cover versions of Disney songs by American musicians from various genres. It was released by Verve Records and Walt Disney Records in United States on October 30, 2015. Two editions of the album were released: a single-disc standard edition, and a digipak deluxe edition, containing two bonus tracks.
After a successful run with localized versions in France and Australia, David Foster decided to produce a new compilation album for the United States market. During development, Foster created a wish list of American music artists for the album.Foster often choose the song he felt fit the artist's style and vocal abilities.

Rascal Flatts version of Let It Go with Lucy Hales is actually kind of cool.
My favorite that I've heard is Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo.

Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies.
(this is a Subway Clone Recipe)
Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 Tbsp shortening
1/2 c.brown sugar
2 eggs
2 (7 ounce) boxes Jiffy raspberry muffin mix
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. white chocolate chips

Instructions

Beat together cream cheese, butter, shortening and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until combined. Add eggs beating after each addition.
Mix in muffin mix and flour until just combined. Add white chocolate chips and stir until incorporated.
Chill dough in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with Silpat mat or lightly grease baking sheets.
Scoop cookie dough mix onto baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown on edges.
In between baking batches of cookies make sure to store the dough in the refrigerator.






















New Jamberry Manicure




Wednesday, October 28, 2015

4th Annual Crook Refunion Part 2


Here are the teams for our first Challenge. 



This was superfun. We had a certain amount of time and limited amount of money to spend. 
We had a story that outlined things we needed to take pictures of, and certain items we had to purchase. The goal was to get as many things crossed off the list with time limit and money we were allotted. So we headed off to the outlets at Park City
This was my contribution:

Luggage or  Carry On

 Talking on the phone


Something Slow-I got two of them. 


We also had to purchase an island frock, an exercise outfit, something to bake with, something that had the name Tommy. Man I wish I could remember everything. It was super fun. We had to make sure the little kids were involved. We earned points based on meeting back to the meeting spot on time and how many items we collected. 

We went out to celebrate India's Birthday



 Her Cool Birthday Shades



Sombrero and Dessert
















White Elephant 

A Book and Banana Slicer

Wolf T-shirt

Moustaches

This are electrical clamps or something handy like that. 

A boatload of Shaving Cream
and a matching Hat. Doesn't dad look thrilled.


Dr. Pepper Tshirt

Giant Playing Cards


A nice duffel bag



Perfume or makeup Samples



Brooklyn 99-Such a funny show.

This Keith Urban Guitar was in my possession for about 30 seconds before it was stolen.



Make up samples