the book club. Authors and Books I Love

I love to read, always have. Here is a list of authors and books I love. When I get into an author I usually read their entire work collection.

Jennifer Weiner  - especially Good in Bed and The Guy Not Taken
Sophie Kinsella for  Remember Me?
Emily Giffin - Something Borrowed and Something Blue
One Day - David Nicholls 
Fifty Shades of Gray Trilogy -E L James   1st one my favorite
Janet Fitch - White Oleander
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy -Stieg Larsson
Janet Evanovich when I need feel like a breezy romance read

and for my non-fiction reads:

Travel and Cruise books -Frommer's   oh yeah I read these like novels
Cookbook - Five Ingredient Fix by Claire Robinson

happy reading
xx luverly

pin it up!

DIY Message/Inspiration board

I love to craft and be creative. I wanted a message board for my room because I like to tear pictures out of magazines or hold on to important notes or lists. While I use Pinterest,  (you can follow me at www.pinterest.com/luverlyann) I wanted to add a nice visual for my room.  The idea to create my own message board started when I could not find a print or pattern that I liked at a really good price.

Here is my message board! I cut those flowers from a 2012 planner. 

You will need:

• Frameless cork boards  (I got mine from Target for $10)
• 1 yard of fabric  ( I used a good canvas material @ 40% off at Hobby Lobby!)
• Iron-on fabric tape or hem tape

First I cut the fabric with enough space to cover the board surface, the sides, and enough of the back to grip the fabric tape. I trimmed the four corners to remove excess fabric (taking triangles off).  I placed a strip of the fabric hem tape on the back edge of the board and pulled the fabric. I pulled the fabric taut and used my iron (read your hem/fabric tape instructions to get an idea on iron temperature) to adhere it to the board. Repeat this step for all sides and tuck in fabric if you have to or trim it. If your board has anchors in the back for hanging, be sure to cut slits in the fabric so you can hang it up!

Mix it Up!

I used one fabric for this project, but you could mix it up with different colors and patterns. Add ribbon or embellishments like buttons or rhinestones. When you're done you can use colorful pushpins or tacks that match.

happy pinning

xxluverly

my Keurig : I didn't know I needed it review

I was gifted the Keurig mini plus for Christmas. I was surprised to receive it and I had no idea I needed it in my life. My morning coffee routine (I drink a cup most mornings) consisted of a Folgers single bag, adding the water to the cup and microwaving it for almost two minutes. Then I would dunk the bag for at least 30 seconds and hope to carefully remove it without spilling.

The Keurig has simplified that for me as well as giving me more coffee flavor options. Now I just add water, insert a K-cup and let this magic machine do the work.  Now I can't live without it.
My favorite K-cups so far are :

• Green Mountain Coffee (GMC) Pumpkin Spice
• GMC  Gingerbread 
• GMC English Toffee
• GMC Nantucket Blend
• GMC French Vanilla
• Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate
• Gloria Jean's Hazelnut

I will say K-cups are pricey for the amount of coffee you get but I have some ways to save.

• Coupons from the Sunday paper. I've seen $4 off two boxes.
• Bed, Bath, and Beyond 20% off coupons.
• Purchase the Keurig My K Cup and refill with your own coffee 

Stay caffeinated!

xxluverly 

DIY Bright Geometric Nails

I am loving the DIY nail trend. It might take a little practice or trial and error, but it's great to be able to achieve some great looks at home and for a fraction of the salon cost. For this nail look I wanted a bright nail using the geometric/art deco trend.

How to:

1. Apply two coats of a bright blue polish. I used Avon Nailwear Pro in Aqua Fantasy (it was limited edition 2012 - a bright robins egg blue will work)
2. Use scotch tape and stretch it across a paper plate or use the tape roll its on.
3.  Apply a gold color to the scotch tape (non-sticky side). I used a gold polish from Sinful Colors Professional (in Cloud 9 I believe- they need to label their polishes!) It took me three coats to get the finish I wanted.
4. Use scissors to cut out triangles. You want the largest ones for your thumb and the smallest for your pinkie.
5. Apply the triangles to your nails (tweezers help). Then apply top coat.

Happy Polishing
xx luverly

March Haul Madness : Victoria's Secret Fantasies

This purchase came about because I was tired of the same Bath and Body Works fragrances and I had a $10 off a purchase and free cotton hiphugger coupon to Victoria's Secret. So I wanted to give Victoria's Secret Fantasies a try. The deal breakdown is below.

So here is what I purchased ...

Victoria's Secret Fantasies Mini Haul

•  VS Fantasies  Strawberries and Champagne Body Mist 
•  VS Fantasies Coconut Passion Body Mist
•  VS Fantasies Coconut Passion  Eau de Toilette 
•  VS Fantasies Aqua Kiss Shower Gel
•  VS Fantasies Amber Romance Shower Gel  

The Deal Breakdown 

    

The Victoria's Secret in store deal was  5 for $30
with the $10 off a purchase coupon                -10
                                                                          $20 
plus a free cotton hiphugger   a value of $8.50

I got my five body care items for $4 a piece, if you throw in the free panty thats  $3.33 an item. 

Happy Shopping 
 xx luverly  
 

TGIF Outfit of the Day

I think an Outfit of the Day is in order for this Friday. I wore this outfit on Saturday and It was cold and rainy here and I spent four hours outside at a Pig Pickin'. A comfy sweatshirt and jeans were in order.  

Sorry it's not the best pic, but I will find a better way to take pics.  

The outfit 

• I'm wearing a necklace and earring set that says "LOVE" from LC Lauren Conrad from Kohl's clearance. 
• Blue cropped sweatshirt top from Hanes at Walmart.
• Underneath it is a dark navy blue cami/tank from J. Crew outlet.  Got this for $6.00 .
• Jeans are Levi Bootcut from Kohl's.  

Have a great weekend
xx luverly 

Flower Cosmetics On Your Mark Liquid Eyeliner

“It wasn’t logic,it was love.”~Carrie from Sex and the City

A brand of high-end quality products at low Walmart prices ? um yes sign me up.  That is how Flower cosmetics are presenting themselves. With no advertising they are able to keep prices low.  They are not the lowest priced drugstore cosmetic brand but I am more interested in the products being comparable to high-end brands.  Flower cosmetics are only sold at Walmart and Walmart.com. 

Today I am reviewing the On Your Mark  liquid eyeliner in Black.  I picked up this eyeliner at Walmart when Flower cosmetics had an end-cap display. The complete line is now available.  The eyeliner is $6.98 and comes in Black or Brown. The eyeliner is said to have "all-day wear", is "smudge-proof", and the "exclusive tip allows thick to thin lining".  

The eyeliner applies smoothly and it does last all day. After seven hours of wear I noticed only slight fading. It has much longer wear than my cream pencil liners and is virtually smudge proof.  The only problem with the marker tip is when it is applied over eyeshadow some of the powder sticks to the liner tip and makes it harder to apply.  This gets a 4.5 rating.

Here it is applied 

 Before

After

Have a great day!
xx Kristen aka luverly

(mid) January Empties

Alright ... let me get my January Empties posted before February is half over.

January Empties

Any product mentioned that I have used for awhile gets a  1-5 rating. It helps me to compare products and I believe the reader as well. 

1. DKNY Pure Fragrance Mini  - clean, light vanilla scent (not pictured)  . It's an easy to wear day scent ..but nothing excites me.  I rate this a 2.

2. Victoria's Secret Heavenly  - almost the same story as DKNY Pure. It's vanilla, lemon and musk to me. There is nothing off with the fragrance, but I like a little more body.  I rate this a 2.

3. Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive Repair and Healing Hand Cream -  This is my most repurchased Avon product. I was my hands often due to my job.  When I use this cream on a regular basis it helps to clear up my roughness and really does a good job with my nail area.  I rate this a 5.

4. Avon Naturals Strawberry Ice Cream Scrub -   mmm I can't count how many times I wanted to eat this scrub. It smells exactly like Strawberry yogurt or ice cream. EXACTLY. The scrub isn't the best you can get, but it's good for a light scrubing. This also comes in Chocolate and Vanilla - those may be next.  I rate this 4 1/2.

xx luverly

P.S.  The Flower cosmetics line is almost completely set up at my local Walmart ! 

new year new color

"I've got my red dress on tonight "  - Lana Del Rey

 It has been awhile since I have done a full hair color change. I am a natural brunette/auburn. I was introduced to Lana Del Rey's music last year and ever since I have been inspired by her hair, makeup and style. I decided to go red or blonde this time. Red won <3  My sister is a hairstylist and she did the color at her salon. The color is a mix between light red and brunette. We also colored my brows to match.  I love the new hair color and I may keep it around for awhile.

 I did change my makeup a little and I've been wearing more green eyecolors and peach lip products.

xx luverly

the makeup I use

I use a mix of high-end and drugstore cosmetics. I would say most of my makeup is drugstore or anything that is good quality at the price I want to pay.  I'm currently trying to branch out and try new lines and products. 

The current brands I have in my collection : 

Almay
Avon and  mark. by Avon
Bare Escentuals : Bare Minerals 
Revlon
IT Cosmetics
L'Oreal
E.l.f.
Ecotools
Physician's Formula
NYC
Rue 21 beauty
Sally Hansen
EOS
CVS brand
Flower
Hard Candy
O.P.I
Essie

I spotted the new Flower by Drew Barrymore beauty line in my Walmart today and I purchased the On The Mark Liquid Eyeliner in Black (also comes in Brown). They had an end-cap display of part of the line. Lip products, mascara, eyeliner and the nail polishes were available.  Review coming soon.

Comment below if there are any reviews you would like to see on the above brands!


xx luverly

shiny new thing

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
Audrey Hepburn

My name is Kristen and welcome to a luverly place

I am from Charlotte, NC , in my mid twenties, and I'm obsessed with youtube beauty videos. I won't lie; a good five hours of my week are spent watching something on youtube.  In my blog you should expect to see beauty reviews, fashion reviews, how to find good deals, crafting, cooking and whatever I think needs to be out there on the web.