LUXE LIFE // SMALL BUDGET -

What I Read: March 2024

April 13, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

I’m not sure when it happened, but with my reading I’ve seemed to have made the switch from “romantasy” (romance fantasy) back to thrillers again. I’ve always loved a good mystery and appreciate a well-thought out twist, so it’s not the most surprising trend!

March’s reads included four thriller/psychological suspense novels (some of which were SUPER disturbing) and two non-fiction picks:

-The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Anne White
-Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
-The Brain’s Way of Healing by Norman Doidge, MD
-Dear Child by Romy Hausmann
-Raise Your Game by Alan Stein, Jr.
-The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

Let’s get into the reviews!

REVIEW: OWYN Non-Dairy Protein Shake

March 25, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

As I’ve talked about before, I’m always on the hunt for a simple, tasty way to boost my protein intake.

While I tried (and enjoyed!) the Blogilates Sculpt & Debloat Protein Bars with Probiotics, I don’t really go to Target enough to be able to buy them consistently.

So, when I spotted the OWYN protein shakes BOGO at my grocery store, I decided to take a chance on them!

What I Read: February 2024

March 4, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

I can’t believe how quickly February came and went. It’s like I blinked and now we are multiple days into March! I’m definitely in one of those phases were the days seem long, but the weeks go quickly.

Despite a lot going on, I was able to fit in quite a bit of reading, finishing up 8 books in February:
– Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
– Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
– Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
– The Wicked King by Holly Black
– The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
– A Friend in the Dark by Samantha Bailey
– The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
– One Person, Multiple Careers by Marci
Alboher

As you can see the choices are a bit all over the place. Let’s get into the reviews!

BEAUTY REVIEW: Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

February 12, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

I’m so excited to be writing this beauty review! I’ve been on a book review spree lately, so it’s nice to change gears and focus on something completely different.

For the past couple of months, I’ve incorporated a vitamin C serum into my daily skincare routine. I’ve never previously used any vitamin C serum products, so I went with the Timeless brand based on a recommendation from my mom (hi Mom!).

Let’s get into it!

What I Read: January 2024

February 4, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

Are we a full month into 2024? Yes.

Did I still type 2023 when writing this post? Also, yes.

I hope everyone’s 2024 is off to a good start. Mine’s certainly off to a busy start. Between changes at work, changes outside of work, my car needing an oil change, my yearly doctor’s appointment, etc., I’m in a survival state. You know those periods in your life where you’re just hanging on and hoping it’ll pass? That’s where I’m at.

But that didn’t stop me from escaping into books with this month’s read included an interesting mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and non-fiction:
– The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
– Running with Purpose by Jim Weber
– Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
– The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallway
– Kill Show: A True Crime Novel by Daniel Sweren-Becker
– All Systems Red by Martha Wells
– Artificial Conditions by Martha Wells
– Fate Calls the Elf Queen by J.M. Kearl

YEAR IN REVIEW: A Breakdown of My 2023 Reads

January 6, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

I’ve been looking forward to writing this post!

It’s like a “Spotify Wrapped”, but for the books I read. I’m a bit of a nerd and love diving into all of the numbers. How many books did I read? What genres did I choose? What were my favorites?

According to my book journal, I read 79 books in 2023!! That’s an all-time record for me.

Let’s take a look at the breakdown and my top 10 picks from the year!

What I Read: December 2023

January 1, 2024 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

And just like that we are tying a bow on 2023.

I really don’t know where the time went. I know you always hear that the years go faster as you get older, but it’s so weird to experience. 2023 really did fly by.

December proved to be a strong month of reading, which included finishing up an 800+ page book that’s been on my list for a while:
– The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
– Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
– A City on Mars by Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith
– The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
– Long Live the Elf Queen by J.M. Kearl
– The Only One Left by Riley Sager
– Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Time for the reviews!

Personal Rambling: Use the Fancy Soap

December 29, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

Did you get something special for Christmas this year?

Some fancy soap? A special bottle of wine? Cozy socks that you don’t want to wear because they’ll get dirty? An expensive perfume you feel like you can’t wear on a daily basis?

Use it. Daily. For no reason at all. Enjoy it. Don’t wait.

What I Read: November 2023

December 7, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

How are we already in the last few weeks of 2023? It’s like it was January, I blinked, and now, suddenly, I’m thinking about New Year’s resolutions again.

November wasn’t my biggest month of reading in terms of number of books, but several of these books were thick! (I also put a big dent in another 800-page book that will probably be included in my December recap).

Here’s the list:
-The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
-Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
-Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
-Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
-Up To Speed by Christine Yu
-What About the Baby?: Some Thoughts on the Art of Fiction by Alice McDermott

Oddly enough, I am maintaining my near-even split between non-fiction and fiction even though I consider myself largely a fiction reader.

Let’s get into the reviews!

What I’m Into: November 2023

November 8, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

It’s that weird time of year where Halloween is behind us and everyone is in disagreement on whether to focus on Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year, it seems like Christmas is winning. Holiday jingles have already started playing over store speakers and the displays are largely red and green.

With the change in season, I wanted to update my latest obsessions. I love looking back at these posts and being reminded of past joys and interests, and I hope you enjoy them too and maybe find your own inspiration!