Spring Pasta

Just a quick picture of the lovely meal I was able to make. Pasta with fresh asparagus and Alfredo sauce. Very simple, paired with a nice white wine. Spring. Welcome.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Review : Baker street nail polish

Hello

So in my March Glossy Box (still waiting on April') I was given a lovely blue nail polish. I have not tried nail polish for Nails inc before so this was a nice surprise. I have a few blue nail polish, but most of them have a sparkle to them.

Nails inc, is based out of London, England. The company stays on top of the latest trend sand colors. Offering everyone something to wear.  There are colors ranging from taupe to cobalt blue.

This small bottle has 4 ml or 0.13 Fl oz in it, which is the deluxe sample size. Per bottle is 9.50 USD, that is no a bad price  The  applicator is a little tiny so my fingertips did get int the way when applying the polish.  I was able to make it work.
This color is very saturated. Once applied it took a bit of time to dry. the company did not make any claims to the polish being quick drying. Two coats of this polish was more than enough to get a nice rich color.

As for drying time, it longer than many of my other polishes to dry between coats. To help with this process I might have to buy a small nail lamp.

In general it has a lovely color and nice saturation. The down size is the drying time and it can stay tacky for a good 20 minutes. It is a little pricey compared to other brands such as OPI.  It still like the color and love the name of the polish. I am not sure if I will but it myself, but I will give it another try.

Pros
Lovely Color
Good Coverage

Cons
Pricey
Little hard to apply


Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Green and lavender

Today is a great day. I finished my final exams for spring semester. Only  four more semesters to go. It is nice to have them out of the way. So I celebrated with a lovely brunch of strawberries, sharp white cheddar cheeses and tiramisu. Washed it down with a nice chocolate wine. It was a nice brunch. Luckily, I did not work until evening. 

 Once I was done enjoying brunch a good four hours later. I went to work. One glass of wine is fine during the day. I will enjoy the rest of the bottle some other time. I wore a simple dress and sweater combination to work. Not pictured are the cream tights I put on at the last minute.The temperature dropped rather quickly today, and I figured it would br colder tonight.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Dress Target and Sweater New York and Company 

Book Review: Queen Victoria's Book of Spells: An Anthology of Gaslamp Fantasy

Queen Victoria's Book of Spells: An Anthology of Gaslamp Fantasy

Editors: Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling
Publisher:  Tor Books
Publish Date:March 19, 2013
Book Rating 4/5
Amazon /  Goodreads / Barnes and Noble

Publisher's Description 

“Gaslamp Fantasy,” or historical fantasy set in a magical version of the nineteenth century, has long been popular with readers and writers alike. A number of wonderful fantasy novels, including Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and The Prestige by Christopher Priest, owe their inspiration to works by nineteenth-century writers ranging from Jane Austen, the Brontës, and George Meredith to Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, and William Morris. And, of course, the entire steampunk genre and subculture owes more than a little to literature inspired by this period.

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells is an anthology for everyone who loves these works of neo-Victorian fiction, and wishes to explore the wide variety of ways that modern fantasists are using nineteenth-century settings, characters, and themes. These approaches stretch from steampunk fiction to the Austen-and-Trollope inspired works that some critics call Fantasy of Manners, all of which fit under the larger umbrella of Gaslamp Fantasy. The result is eighteen stories by experts from the fantasy, horror, mainstream, and young adult fields, including both bestselling writers and exciting new talents such as Elizabeth Bear, James Blaylock, Jeffrey Ford, Ellen Kushner, Tanith Lee, Gregory Maguire, Delia Sherman, and Catherynne M. Valente, who present a bewitching vision of a nineteenth century invested (or cursed!) with magic.

The Line-up:
“The Fairy Enterprise” by Jeffrey Ford
“From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvelous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire)” by Genevieve Valentine
“The Memory Book” by Maureen McHugh
“Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells” by Delia Sherman
“La Reine D’Enfer” by Kathe Koja
“Briar Rose” by Elizabeth Wein
“The Governess” by Elizabeth Bear
“Smithfield” by James P. Blaylock
“The Unwanted Women of Surrey” by Kaaron Warren
“Charged” by Leanna Renee Hieber
“Mr. Splitfoot” by Dale Bailey
“Phosphorus” by Veronica Schanoes
“We Without Us Were Shadows” by Catherynne M. Valente
“The Vital Importance of the Superficial” by Ellen Kushner and Caroline Stevermer
“The Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown” by Jane Yolen
“A Few Twigs He Left Behind” by Gregory Maguire
“Their Monstrous Minds” by Tanith Lee
“Estella Saves the Village” by Theodora Goss

Book received:  Rented 

Why I Picked it up:  This is not Steampunk with a touch of magic or a side of Fae. You have been warned. Glasslamp Fantasy is set in a very specif time. This one is wonderful. 

Why I finished it: 

Who I would give it to: 

Book Review: Fox Run

Fox Run

Author: Robin Roseau
Publisher:  Robin Roseau
Publish Date: April 27, 2013
Series:  The Madison Wolves  #1
Book Rating 4/5
Amazon /  Goodreads

Publisher's Description 

Michaela Redfur is a were fox living a quiet life in Bayfield, Wisconsin. She has a quiet job that gets her out of doors and avoids the werewolves as if her life depended on it. Which it does.

That all changes early one morning when Lara Burns, the Madison Wolves alpha, introduces herself, much to Michaela's chagrin. Lara explains to Michaela that "we only want to talk", but when a werewolf comes knocking on a tiny, delicate foxes' front door, Michaela knows talking is the last thing in the wolfy mind.

This novel is 93,000 words and is the first in in The Madison Wolves Series.

Book received: Bought

Why I Picked it up: i enjoy a good paranormal story and there are not enough about foxes. This had the  makings to be something new. It draws you quickly and at time you find yourself yelling or fussing at the wolves. They are dense at time, okay most of the time and often find that good intention do not make things okay or right.  The wolves often labor under the idea of might is right, but foxes do not and should not. 

Why I finished it: I enjoy novels  with many different types of heroins and sets of values. I am glad that that this novel is out there. also is is great read, fast pace story and it get you invested in to the characters quickly and keeps you invested. 

Who I would give it to: To fans of Patrica Briggs. 

Book Review: The Queen's Army

The Queen's Army

Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher:  Tor
Publish Date: November 20, 2012
Series: Lunar Chronicles # 1.5
Book Rating 4/5
Amazon /  Goodreads / Barnes and Noble/

Publisher's Description 

It is time. The boy must leave his family to serve in the Queen's army. To be chosen is an honor. To decline is impossible. The boy is modified. He is trained for several years, and learns to fight to the death. He proves to the Queen—and to himself—that he is capable of evil. He is just the kind of soldier the Queen wants: the alpha of his pack.

Free read here

Book Received: Read online

Why I Picked it up: This is a story about Wolf or as we ill know him Z. This is about how a boy was turned into a monster, to serve his Queen. The story starts many years before Cinder, yet the placement of this story in the series is just after Cinder. In this story Wolf is taken from his family and thrust into a world that makes competitive fighting look easy. 

Why I finished it: This book makes you want to read the next one and quick. The worldbuilding  well we get to see Luna and Lunar society up close and personal. It gives light to the nuances in Scarlet. 

If you want to know more about Lunar History go here. 

Who I would give it to: Everyone

Book Review: Freak of Nature

Freak of Nature

Author: Julia Crane
Publisher:  Valknut Press
Publish Date: January 9, 2013
Book Rating 5/5
Amazon /  Goodreads / Barnes and Noble

Publisher's Description 

Donate Body to Science. Check.

When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.

Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can’t get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.

*For mature teens due to some sexual content.

Book received:  Bought

Why I Picked it up: I read a sample of this book and then bought it.  I read this whole book in one sitting  at time wondering how far off are we from achieving this level of technology. THe story is about a girl trying to remain a human girl. It provokes the questions: What make use human? And dose some one have the right to change us? How would we react to it? 

Why I finished it: The world was my own and place i knew. It was not too far off and I felt for Kaitlyn. I wanted to know how she would overcome everything set in front of her and could she still remain human. 

Who I would give it to: anyone who like robots, cyborgs and the Lunar Chronicles   

Anime Review: Last Exile Fam, The Silver Wing

• Director: Koichi Chigira

Actor: Ai Kayano
Actor: Aki Toyosaki
Actor: Aoi Yuki
Actor: Carrie Savage
Actor: Jad Saxton 

Release Date DVD: August 3, 1996
Artist: CLAMP

Series  Rating 3/5

Completed 

Amazon /  Hulu

Publisher's Description 

Taking place two years after the events of Last Exile, Last Exile: Fam, The Silver Wing is set on Earth, the original home world of the colonists of Prester. The new story focuses on Fam Fan Fan and Giselle Collette, two vespa vanship pilots who work as Sky Pirates, capturing and selling battleships for a living.

Fam and Giselle get into an adventure when they and the Sky Pirates rescue Liliana il Grazioso Merlo Turan and her younger sister, Millia Il Velch Cutrettola Turan, Princesses of the Turan Kingdom, from the clutches of the mighty Ades Federation. The Federation, led by Empress Sārā Augusta and Premier Luscinia Hāfez, is on an all out war against nations who descended from immigrants who came back to Earth by Exile ships. As Ades being the only nation to stay on Earth when it was in a state of chaos and ruin, Luscinia believes that the Exile immigrants have no right to return to Earth since their ancestors abandoned Earth when it was in chaos only to return when Earth was viable to live on again and force the original inhabitants of Earth off their lands to form their own nations. To return these lands to their original inhabitants, Luscinia leads the Ades Federation to conquer the immigrant nations and destroy their armies, with Turan being one of them.

After Luscinia kidnaps Liliana, who has the ability to control an Exile, Luscinia summons an Exile to destroy Iglasia, the capital of Turan, killing its soldiers and the King of Turan, leading to the surrender of Turan to Ades. With everything she cared for lost, Millia is given refuge by the Sky Pirates, where Fam promises to help Millia regain her kingdom.

Series Received : Own

Why I Picked it up:I want to s see what happened after Last Exile. 

Why I finished it: There is a new cast and it is just a wonderfully don as the first one. 

Who I would give it to: Steampunk lover. 

Anime Review: Last Exile

Director: Eric P. Sherman

Actor: Michelle Ruff
Actor: Kari Wahlgren 

Release Date DVD: April 7, 2003 
Studio: Funimation Prod

Series  Rating 4/5

Completed 

Amazon /  Hulu

Publisher's Description 

It's the dawn of the Golden Age of Aviation on planet Prester, and retro-futuristic sky vehicles known as vanships dominate the horizon. Claus Valca - a flyboy born with the right stuff - and his fiery navigator Lavie are fearless racers obsessed with becoming the first sky couriers to cross the Grand Stream in a vanship. But when the high-flying duo encounters a mysterious girl named Alvis, they are thrust into the middle of an endless battle betwenn Anatoray and Disith - two countries systematically destroying each other according to the code of chivalric warfare. Lives will be lost and legacies determined as Claus and Lavie attempt to bring peace to their world by solving the riddle of its chaotic core.

Series Received :Christmas gift

Why I Picked it up: I was given this as a gift.

Why I finished it: Every character is memorable form the two children to the mechanics on the Silvana. The story draws you in. I had all the disc but hte last one and we went out and bought it that night to finish it. Each character come across as more than the sum of their parts. It is beautifully drawn and wonderfully made.  

Who I would give it to: Anyone who wants Steam punk anime. 

Anime Review: X/1999

Director: Eric P. Sherman

Actor: Crispin Freeman
Actor: Steve Cannon

Release Date DVD: August 3, 1996
Artist: CLAMP

Series  Rating 5/5

Completed 

Amazon /  Hulu

Publisher's Description 

Kamui Shiro is a young man who was born with the power to decide the fate of the Earth itself--a destiny he can barely bring himself to believe. But as other players in the prophecy begin to gather around him--the "Seven Seals," with the power to protect the Earth, and the "Seven Harbingers," who are fated to destroy it--he has no choice but to come to terms with his fate.

Series Received : Own

Why I Picked it up: I wanted to watch ans see how close the anime was to the manga. 

Why I finished it: It brought the story to life. It was also less on confusing to see than to read. It had great music and movement

Who I would give it to: Someone wants to see the end of the world. 

Manga Review: 1/2 Prince

Author:  Yu Wo

Publisher:  Ming Significant Cultural  & Tong Li Comics 2004  

Publish Date:   August 9, 2009October 4, 2004 -August 15, 2005 

Book Rating 4/5

On going in US

 Goodreads / Ten Manga/ Prince Revolution

Publisher's Description 
The story takes place in the year 2100 A.D. where humans have developed highly realistic virtual reality games. The protagonist, 19 year-old female college student Feng Lan, is challenged by her twin brother Feng Yang Ming to play the newest popular virtual reality game - Second Life - without using the advantages of being a female character in the game. She decides to play as a male character and prove her skills as a swordsman. In the game, she makes many friends and her adventures begin

Manga Review 4/5

Book Recevied : online

Why I Picked it up: The idea of this one just drew me in. In playing online games I found the premise fun. 

Why I finished it: The story get deep quick. The main arc goes form light to and silly to heavy. It runs the gambit of emotion. 

Who I would give it to: This is for the gamer's

Manga Review: X/1999

Author:  Clamp

Publisher:  Viz

Publish Date: May 1992

Completed 


Manga Rating 5/5

Amazon /  Goodreads / Manga Here

Publisher's Description 

Kamui Shiro is a young man who was born with the power to decide the fate of the Earth itself--a destiny he can barely bring himself to believe. But as other players in the prophecy begin to gather around him--the "Seven Seals," with the power to protect the Earth, and the "Seven Harbingers," who are fated to destroy it--he has no choice but to come to terms with his fate.

Book Review

Book Recevied : Bought

Why I Picked it up:I picked this up because it was one of the first few mangas that could be bough tin the US. The artwork was lovely and the story was rich 

Why I finished it: I the story is amazing and hreatbreaking. The art depicts the emotions of the charaters and allows you to love them 

Who I would give it to: Anyone. 

Book Review: The Summer Prince

The Summer Prince

Author:  Alaya Dawn Johnson
Publisher:  Arthur A. Levin
Publish Date: March 1, 2013

Book Rating 5/5
Amazon /  Goodreads / NPR

Publisher's Description 

A heart-stopping story of love, death, technology, and art set amid the tropics of a futuristic Brazil.

The lush city of Palmares Três shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that’s sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June’s best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will stage explosive, dramatic projects that Palmares Três will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government’s strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, unfortunately in love with Enki. Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.

Pulsing with the beat of futuristic Brazil, burning with the passions of its characters, and overflowing with ideas, this fiery novel will leave you eager for more from Alaya Dawn Johnson.

Book Review

Book Recevied : Bought

Why I Picked it up: I read the review for this book at NPR. Then I went to my bookstore and read the first few pages. After going back and forth to the bookstore over the next few days. I bought the book. I finished it in one night. The culture of Palmares Três is rich and lush in imagery and life.  The characters move and dance off the pages. 

Why I finished it: I want more. I do not know if there will be more. THere has been some room left open for a squeal  I hope she writes one.   

Who I would give it to: Jess, she would devour this book form cover to cover. 

Book Review: Shades of Milk and Honey

Shades of Milk and Honey 

Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Publisher:  Tor Books
Publish Date: August 3rd 2012
Series: Glamourist Histories #1
Book Rating 4/5

Amazon /  Goodreads / The Book Depository

Publisher's Description 

Shades of Milk and Honey is an intimate portrait of Jane Ellsworth, a woman ahead of her time in a version of Regency England where the manipulation of glamour is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality. But despite the prevalence of magic in everyday life, other aspects of Dorchester’s society are not that different: Jane and her sister Melody’s lives still revolve around vying for the attentions of eligible men.

Jane resists this fate, and rightly so: while her skill with glamour is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face, and therefore wins the lion’s share of the attention. At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Jane has resigned herself to being invisible forever. But when her family’s honor is threatened, she finds that she must push her skills to the limit in order to set things right–and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.

Book received:  Rented 

Why I Picked it up: The cover of the sequel, Glamour in Glass, caught my eye one day when I was browsing in the library.

Why I finished it:  I enjoyed the book and the strong women in the book. They were reminiscent of Jane Austin’s women who tried to remain true to themselves in the face of society.

Who I would give it to: I would give it to, my co-worker who loves Jane Austin novels. They would become immersed the details of the everyday life, form the painting, sewing, dancing and magic. 

Shakespeare's Birthday (black and white)

Today was a good day. I used yesterday's outfit as a springboard for today's. Same basic pieces but a blank and whit printed top. Also chainmail pearl necklace. Today is Shakespeare's Birthday . Happy Birthday to the Bard on the Avon. It is also World Book Night. this year I was able to participate as a giver. So, that means i had out twenty books to strangers.People who viewed themselves as non-readers or light readers. After, picking up my books at the local library I took them out in to the world. I was giving out Code Name Verity. 

This is a wonderful book. The books are special in that they are printed with new covers just for this one night. These books are not to bought or sold only to be given. It is great. Today I was able to twenty random acts of kindness. I even had a couple people said I made there day, which in turn made mine. 

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Pants JC Penny, Top and Sweater New York and Company 

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!!! Today was a lovely almost rainy day. Perfect to garden or go outside and read. A last, there was work and exams. Yay, one final down, one more to go. So, for Earth day I went planted some seeds. It was on a whim, so there are no pictures. I also turned off everything in house and unplugged everything. Just for an hour. I went outside, with all the pollen and enjoyed the beauty of the Earth. This lovely planet that we have been gifted.  What did you do for Earth Day? 

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Pants JC Penny, Top and Sweater New York and Company 
Necklace you can find similar at here and here

A cup of tea

It is late. The day is done and tomorrow we do it all again. Life, feels like it s dragging on, and dragging us with it. Our hearts feel heavy and burned. But we can open them up. Open them up to care. To care and to let go. Something’s can not be changed. They are as, they are. Be accepting and tolerant. Be strong and kind. Kindness is strength. You need to know yourself. To know your own person and what can allow, while still being accepting of others. This dose not mean, you allow for other to hurt you or abuse you or use you. Deception happens. It happens when we trust. When we open ourselves up to others. But understand, life can be very lonely, take a chance and learn. The people that are meant to be in your life will come to you and never leave. We chose to care. Caring is wondering. Ego can sometimes times get in the way of caring. Let go of ego. Care for others. Fix problems. Let things get better. Life goes on. It dose not stand still. Move, let go. Enjoy it all. BREATH. Care about those who care form you. The others who take up space in your mind. Who live in your head and heart rent free. The ones that poison you, with every breath you take. Evict them. Evict them for head and your heart. Evict those who despise you. Who hurt you! Give them their notice and let your loved ones in.  The ones who love you. The people who matter. 

Love them. Love them and fill your soul with love. Until it is brimming over. Until it shins from your fingertips. 

Love, Love, Love! Love yourself. Fill everyday. Every moment that you can with incandescent Love. 

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Easter baskets

Easter baskets and Easter Morning, just seem to go hand in hand. So I was given a a cute little Easter basket.I had a lot of  foot products from Avon. I also received a bunny from build a bear.

 Once I removed the cup there  was chocolate. Chocolate!  along with a magic wand.
Really Easter bunny!? Halloween chocolate. Well I hope it is still good. More chocolate for me.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Loot Crate

During a very busy day a wonderful package arrived in the mail. Our first Loot Crate. It is a monthly service like Glossy Box or other monthly box subscriptions. This one is tailored more to the geeks and gamers.

It was dragons this month. Above are a few of the cool things we received. The guys really enjoyed it. I was hoping to hide it until Easter, but they got to the door before me. Ah well. Almost. I am just pleased that they enjoyed it so much. I am wondering what next month will bring. As for myself after looking at the past crates I was a little disappointed. Loot Crate is starting to have many different items made of them, so I am not sure about the cost of each item. There were two exclusive pieces so that was nice, but it did not have the variety that I was expecting to receive in the box. The nord form the new Elder Scrolls Online was nice, we also received John Snow.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún