Mini Walgreens Haul and Rant

Hello Lovelies,

So, I decided to break down and buy some Jordana products that I've been wanting recently and that I knew were "on sale" at my local Walgreens. I also picked up some Wet n Wild singles that I've wanted for awhile!

Weeeeee cosmetics

Items picked up: Jordana 12 Hr Made to Last Eyeshadow pencil in Continuous Almond, Fabubrow pencil in Taupe, and lipliners in Rock n Rose & Terra Kiss. Also, Wet n Wild singles in Brulee and Nutty. 

But, even though all the Jordana items were on sale, they didn't ring up as on sale! The liners came up a few dollars extra. I mean, yeah, I know it's only a few dollars, but I feel like the principle is important. It's happened before at this particular Walgreens, too. 

It's frustrating and borderline pisses me off, but... What can you do? I wasn't going to go all the way back for two dollars. 

xx

Alex

Hello, nasal vixen..

Fall is upon us soon and I'm utterly tired of seeing all the excitement. It isn't here yet, and you're jinxing it! Campus has been plagued with a monsoon of poor water drainage and fierce sideways rains and a sudden flock of white girls migrating to Starbucks. 

I am one of them. 

Also, midterms. Boo freaking midterms. 

And annoying nostrils that are both clogged and running at the same time! 

HAIL WINTER!

Book Review: A Game of Thrones

Hello Lovelies!

Can we just take a moment... I finally started A Song of Ice and Fire. Like, finally. I've only been following the season since it came out! And in spirit of the premiere of season four in just two days, let's talk about the first book! Because that's totally relevant, right?

Goodreads Summary: 

In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes of the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

So, we've all heard of A Game of Thrones by Mr. George Martin. The HBO series based off the novels came out a few years ago and everyone has kind of been in love since. Including me. I've heard so many people say, "The books are better! The books are better! You should read the books!" Well, I did. And let me tell you, the book is better.. But only barely. The first book follows the first season extremely closely (or rather, the series follows the book closely). There are differences, like Holy Heck, these characters are CHILDREN! That changes many-a perception whilst reading.

One of the biggest differences is that the series has left out some character-specific self revelations. Dany/Drogo, for example, is more intensely displayed in the text. Joffrey is more of a surprise dick-wad in the text, while you don't really hate Cersei *quite* as much. I could nit pick about subtle differences, like scenery and whatnot, but who's got time for that?

All in all... Rating: 5/5 You should have already read this! 

I will disclose that I have already begun the second book, A Clash of Kings, and tell you that it differs from what the series portrays. Therefore it's more interesting to read because it's got surprises!

If you like these reviews and want to see more, you can check out Fools Crow or A Streetcar Named Desire!

xx
Alex | Doubt1337

Book Review: Fools Crow

Hello Lovelies!

Since I began reviewing novels that I read that semester, I decided to continue with that trend. If you missed my last review of A Streetcar Named Desire, you can view it here.

The novel I want to talk about today is called Fools Crow by James Welch.

Goodreads summary: 

In the Two Medicine Territory of Montana, the Lone Eaters, a small band of Blackfeet Indians, are living their immemorial life. The men hunt and mount the occasional horse-taking raid or war party against the enemy Crow. The women tan the hides, sew the beadwork, and raise the children. But the year is 1870, and the whites are moving into their land. Fools Crow, a young warrior and medicine man, has seen the future and knows that the newcomers will punish resistance with swift retribution. 

There is a load of history within this text. Welch incorporated actually people and events and just developed a fiction around them. It definitely hits close to home and makes you as a reader realize how brutal some of American history is. Not only does Fools Crow open your eyes to history, it also is an amazing eyeopener to the spiritual and religious aspects of the Indian nations of the Blackfeet. Welch details vivid and intricate visions, dreams, battles, and missions that completely engross you - you actually start to believe in what they do.

Beyond all the scholarly stuff though, it's just a really interesting take on a "coming of age" story. I wouldn't necessarily say this is a kid's book, because there are some very real things, but it's definitely not 100% adult-only either. This book can be enjoyed by all, especially if you like historical fiction or Native American anything.

Rating: 5/5 You should read this.

xx
Alex | Doubt1337

Book Review: A Streetcar Named Desire

Hello Lovelies,

This past semester, I enrolled in an American Literature course. I really enjoyed the books we were required to read and, since I review books that I read on Goodreads, I decided I would do one here as well. I like more... friendly, laid-back? Here we go!

Summary from Goodsreads:

Blanche DuBois arrives at her sister Stella's New Orleans apartment seeking refuge from a troubled past but her ethereal spirit irks Stella's husband, the loutish Stanley Kowalski. Crudely, relentlessly, he unmasks the lies and delusions that sustain Blanche, until her frail hold on reality is shockingly severed.

A Streetcar Named Desire was written by Tennessee Williams in the 1940s. It's a play that became very popular, both on stage and in the theatres.

Marlon Brando, circa 1951 anybody??

Now, having to read this for a literature course, I had to really analyze a lot of different themes and aspects of this play. Imagination, realism/fantasy, animalism, and masculinity. Pheww.

Even so, though I really enjoyed this play. The characters are so intricate, even if you have to dig a lot bit. While reading, I felt like I could relate to the issues some characters faced - sympathy and empathy. Can we say love triangle, but not really? It's got a twist, but I won't spoil it for you! If you enjoy classics, I highly recommend this to you!

Rating: 4/5 - Worth the read.

Tip to self: Watch the movie!

xx

Alex | Doubt1337

Limiting Processed Foods

Hello Lovelies,

Since I've been off the college meal plan system, I've been thoroughly enjoying the ability to make my own food. Just last night, I made chili from scratch:

Mmm, nothing but dry beans, tomatoes, spices, and water in that (save for the macaroni). And it is delicious. 

I've been really considering cutting out most of the processed food that Mister and I eat. I even turned down toaster waffles at Food Lion. Agh. 

Of course... I don't expect for this plan to be perfect. I still plan to eat my "veggie" meat substitues that are really no more than infused soy and spice. Oh, and candy. I'm surrounded by leftover Halloween candy and... Lets just say, I can't resist. 

But I'm going to try! Is anyone else trying to slowly give up the processed poo we call food? Share with me!

xx

Alex | Doubt1337

Oh, Sickness, Wherefore Art Thou?

Hello Lovelies,

I've officially come down with a lovely first allergy/cold/head thing of the season. It's not that fun, believe me. I've got all the sniffly, sneezey,... Wait, I didn't buy Nyquil - I got off-brand! I'm trucking through!

On account of such, it's freezing outside! Or, at least as much as it would feel when the realm of nature desides to skip fall and delve straight into winter. I haven't even gotten a pumpkin yet (does butternut count?). Is anyone else obbbbsessed with pinterest right now? I'm definitely going to be digging me some barley soup. Amirite? With them hole-ripped jeansss, boots with the furrrrr, the whole campus lookin at herrr. Amirite?

Whosy-doosel, I'd like to leave with a thought: Does striving for something that many people warn against mean you're determined to achieve or desparate to prove wrong? Hm.

xx
Alex | Doubt1337