{Saturday Spotlight} Bundle Monster Downtown Collection

February is almost gone, and spring will be here in no time. When I received the Downtown Nail Polish Collection from Bundle Monster, I knew I wanted to do one last dark winter mani before pastels and peonies take over! The collection features 6 cream polishes that are spot on for all of your fall/winter polish needs.

Bundle Monster Review // Novels and Nail Polish

From left you right you have Harlow (smokey navy), Eaton (dark teal), Oxford (neutral taupe), Bristol (maroon), Redhill (deep shimmering burgundy) and Crowley (deep purple). All of the polishes applied really well, and most are good to go in just one coat. My favorite color is definitely Redhill. I love the shimmer, and it looks so gorgeous on!

I knew right away I wanted to create a day-to-night multi-mani with these guys.

Bundle Monster Review // Novels and Nail Polish

For day, you can rock these five colors together no problem. Their rich pigmentation allows them to effortlessly transition from each color without looking harsh or out of place.

And while I love simple daytime looks, my favorite is definitely night.

Bundle Monster Review // Novels and Nail Polish

Bundle Monster Review // Novels and Nail Polish

A night on the town deserves a fun, sexy manicure to go along with it. I used striping tape to create a diagonal French tip with a bit of sparkle underneath. I wish the colors had a bit more contrast between the different shades, but other than that, I love the final result!

Bundle Monster Review // Novels and Nail Polish

Overall, I would say that if you don’t already own these colors, grab them! They’re easy to work with and not too expensive. Happy Reading!

 Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // shop the collection

**These polishes were provided to me in exchange for my honest review

{Man Crush Monday} Ransom Riggs

In honor of the release of Hollow City in paperback tomorrow, my MCM is none other than Ransom Riggs! As half of one of the most AWESOME literary powerhouse couples, Riggs is so much fun to follow on Instagram, and equally as entertaining of a writer.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was a breath of fresh air when I picked it up last year. Its story is unique, creative and, at times, creepy in the best way. I don’t usually read books that fall into the thriller/horror genre, so Miss Peregrine’s toed the line just enough to keep me on pins until Hollow City is released in paperback!

Miss Peregrine's Inspired Manicure // Novels and Nail Polish

Not to mention, the awesome vintage photos that come with it make your reading experience that much more incredible. Talk about picture books for adults, am I right?
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children // Novels and Nail PolishHave you pre-ordered Hollow City? If so, Happy Reading!

6 Truths I Realized While Rereading Harry Potter {Part 1}

I’m about halfway through my reread of the Harry Potter series (for the 4th or 5th time), and like always, I feel myself rediscovering the magic of this world and the talent of JK Rowling. Each time I revisit Hogwarts and the Wizarding World, the same feels and thoughts run through my head, so I’ve decided to compiled a list of these general facts. Enjoy the first installment of truths I’ve realized while rereading books 1-4.

Harry Potter Series Books 1-4 // Novels and Nail Polish

  1. “Oh snap, I hope the people around me don’t think I’m reading this book for the first time.”
  2. We laugh, we cry. But mostly, we laugh out loud. That is, until Cedric dies, and then the ratio dramatically reverses for the remainder of the series.
  3. Snape is actually a huge asshole. I love his devotion to Lily and triple agent status as much as the next fan, but in the first half of this series, he is RUDE.
  4. Oh hey, vanishing cabinet. I see you!
  5. Harry and Expelliarmus go WAY back.
  6. (This isn’t anything new but…) Every day I continue to die a little inside knowing that my Hogwarts letter hasn’t come yet.

What are some of the thoughts you always have while rereading HP? Happy Reading!

Vintage Vibes

Sometimes a color palette just appears in you head and you have to run with it. Case and point, this retro-chic pastel color combo I’m currently in love with. The colors are all soft and feminine, and together, they feel like they’re from another place.

Vintage Vibes Inspiration Board // Novels and Nail Polish

Inspiration collages like the one above have always been one of my favorite types of images on the internet. It’s definitely a goal of mine to put these together for more of my manicures!

Vintage Vibes Manicure // Novels and Nail Polish To achieve this fun, retro look, I combined some of my favorite pastel polishes from Julep, Mint and Essie. With the help of a little striping tape and matte top coat, the finished product came to life, and it was exactly what I hoped for!

Do you love pastels as much as I apparently do? Happy Reading!

hairpin image via brit & co.

Travel Tuesday: Winter Weekend Getaways

I spent the past two weekends taking mini trips to visit people I love. First, a quick trip to Seattle with a group of sorority sisters and second, a drive up to San Francisco to visit my sister, and they were both absolutely gorgeous!

While I haven’t had much time to read or paint my nails, they still find a way to make their way into my travel adventures.

Seattle

Julep beauties on my way to Seattle
Julep beauties on my way to Seattle
Wall of Julep Polishes at the Downtown Seattle Julep Parlor
Wall of Julep Polishes at the Downtown Seattle Julep Parlor
Book stacks outside of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Book stacks outside of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

San Francisco

Beautiful book from San Fran-based publishing company, Chronicle Books
Beautiful book from San Fran-based publishing company, Chronicle Books
Gorgeous day by the Golden Gate Bridge
Gorgeous day by the Golden Gate Bridge
Local San Francisco restaurant, Kitchen Story, brings the bill on a book
Local San Francisco restaurant, Kitchen Story, brings the bill on a book

Have you gone anywhere exciting yet this year? Happy Reading!

{Man Crush Monday} Harry Potter

I think every bookworm can relate to getting the HP reread itch once every year or so. Even when you have huge TBR piles staring you in the face, you can’t help but put everything else aside and pick up your old friends… 7 of them to be exact!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

That’s where I’m at, and I just embarked on the start of one of my favorite adventures, Year 3. And this is why today’s MCM goes out to none other than Harry himself.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHarry isn’t perfect, he isn’t the smartest or the strongest. But that’s why I think so many people love him. He’s relatable and you want to be his friend. And reading the first couple books over has reminded me how in love with him I was when I first read the series! There is no substitution for the honest-to-goodness warmth and joy that comes with rediscovering the magic of Hogwarts and the wizarding world time and time again.

“Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” – JK Rowling

Happy Reading!