Book Club – Page 2 – Blondie Birdie

Good Evening, everyone! I hope you all made it through your Mondays unscathed. It feels a bit odd to be updating my blog at night as opposed to first thing in the morning, but I experienced a bit of technical difficulty this past weekend when my laptop- the one I’ve had and have been using since I started college (I’m a firm believer in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”)– finally died out on me for good.

After my initial freak-out, followed by a proper burial and a stunning rendition of “Taps” on trumpet (just kidding- I just packaged it up to have it taken apart by the manufacturer)– I had to make the switch over to my trusty little tablet for all my e-mail and blogging purposes. Of course, transferring all of my stuff took a little bit of time- hence this semi-late night post!

To start off this week of scheduled posts, I wanted to share what I received in this month’s POPSUGAR “Must Have” Box- which arrived at my doorstep late last week and prior to the aforementioned laptop implosion. It was another good one, which should come as a surprise to no one who has been actively reading my reviews of the service.

But let’s take a look inside!

This month’s theme/inspirations go hand-in-hand with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday: SWEET, GATHER, GRATEFUL, FAMILY and HOST. I only knew one spoiler for this month’s box thanks to POPSUGAR’s e-mail list- so I’ll go ahead and share that, first!

I don’t typically get invested in celebrity couples and never understood the media’s obsession with them- but I fully admit I thought Anna Faris and Chris Pratt were adorable- if only because they’re both so incredibly likable individually, as well. I was thrilled when I found out I’d be receiving a hardcover copy of Anna’s new book, “Unqualified”, where she offers up relationship advice based on her own awkward encounters and hilarious history over the years.

The foreword, penned by Pratt- is sweet and equally funny in it’s own way. I’m really looking forward to sitting down with this during the coming weekend to read it cover to cover!

One of my favorite items in this month’s “Must Have” box is this simple, chic and sturdy rose gold metal headband by Chloe + Isabel (in partnership with celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin). Forgive how messy my hair looks in the above-photo. I’d been out in that oh-so-wonderful Massachusetts rain/fog right before I’d taken it- but the headband still looks lovely, doesn’t it? It’s very comfortable and classes up even the messiest of ponytails!

I love, love LOVE Tarte products- so receiving their ‘PRO Glow To Go Highlight Contour Palette’ was like having Christmas come early this year! I’m a big fan of natural, subtle shimmer lately- and the shades in this palette are so pretty and complimentary against my skin tone. They’re easy to blend and create both bold and everyday looks with ease.

But wait- there’s more!

Time for a snack break! It’s that time of year when peppermint reigns supreme- so I’m really looking forward to munching on these dark chocolate and peppermint covered pretzel rods from Fatty Sundays at work this week when I take a much-needed break in the afternoons. I’m already confident they taste amazing- but it needs to be mentioned that they also look so pretty, too! Talk about Instagram-worthy.

Anytime I get gift wrap around the holidays is a time when I’m thankful indeed- especially when it’s a unique and interesting print that sets my presents for my friends and loved ones apart. Case in point- this newspaper gift wrap (where the pattern sort of reminds me of a rock climbing wall for some reason!) from Knot & Bow which I’ll be using for some of my upcoming Christmas shopping now that I’m getting more and more into the holiday spirit!

Finally, one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in a POPSUGAR “Must Have” Box (and are sure to be a hit at Thanksgiving!) are these chalkboard style paper placemat setting pieces from Hester & Cook– with the appropriate pencils to allow for freestyle doodling. My niece- who often sets the table at my family’s get togethers- is going to LOVE these. Designing the seating for some of the guests at Thanksgiving this year is going to be a dream come true for her considering how artistic she is.

I’m so excited to see the look on her face when she realizes what these are!

Now, I never really have problems with POPSUGAR because they almost always hit it out of the park with their “Must Have” boxes, but unfortunately- there was one hiccup with November’s assortment of items- and that was that something was missing. Apparently, I was supposed to receive a $25 voucher to BloomThat– but it was nowhere to be found- even after I turned the box upside down looking for it.

The voucher must have slipped through the cracks. It’s not the end of the world, of course- but it is a little disappointing since it would have been useful to pick up a lovely bouquet to set at my mother’s table for Thanksgiving.

Oh well.

Apart from that teeny, tiny setback- I loved November’s “Must Have” Box. It was fun, festive, and full of lovely surprises. Next month will be the annual Christmas box- and I can’t wait!

Enjoy the rest of your night, everyone! My posting schedule will be back to normal on Wednesday morning!

– Ashley-

Prior to becoming the dirty blonde babe that I am today- I was a redhead for just over nine years- having taken the crimson plunge when I had become so painfully bored with my naturally dark brown hair and desperately needed a drastic change to liven my look up all those years ago. It was nine years of fun, ruined shirt collars after every dye job, and multiple trips to Sephora when the red made it a little trickier to match my correct foundation shade since I looked a bit on the paler side.

Regardless- the red eventually became too time-consuming and too costly for me to manage regularly- and I couldn’t just sit back and let it fade to orange as it gradually began to grow out. I decided to make the switch to my current shade- and although I love it and have enjoyed being able to go longer between salon visits for touch-ups- I sometimes miss my faux-ginger curls. They were, and I suppose always will be- part of my identity.

I have all the respect in the world for natural redheads- and not just because they have to tough it out through all of the bad ginger jokes and typically have to apply way more sunscreen than other people. I also have to give a shout-out to the other dye-job redheads out there- because that upkeep and maintenance takes a LOT of dedication! Regardless of whether your reds are natural or courtesy of a salon or a box job- it can get downright frustrating from time to time!

Fortunately, I may have found a book that is perfect for my (former) fellow redheads!

I recently received an advanced copy of “The Big Redhead Book” Erin La Rosa at my door- and I couldn’t put it down until I’d read it cover to cover. Even though I’m not a redhead anymore, I could relate to so many things in the book- which covered redheaded depictions in pop culture, art and history throughout the years, the science and genetics behind red hair (which is actually pretty fascinating stuff! Did you know that redheads are harder to sedate during surgery and require 20% more general anesthesia than people with other hair colors do? Me neither!) and of course- dabbling into and de-bunking some of the rumors/myths surrounding redhead stereotypes- but it’s all done with sharp wit and surrounded by interesting statistics and fun quotes from notable figures and characters throughout time who have commented on ladies and gentlemen with red hair.

There’s also a chapter to assist redheads with those pesky makeup and wardrobe challenges that come with having a stand-out hue on the top of your head. Your freckles? Embrace them. Sunscreen? Don’t leave home without it applied to every inch of exposed skin. Hair care? Avoid those sulfates- and so many more helpful tips to make living your best life with the most challenging color to manage a little easier. And if you’re thinking of going red? Don’t worry- Erin has included a helpful guide to make that transition much smoother than standing in the hair dye section of your local pharmacy and staring in confusion at the boxes until you just randomly choose one and hope for the best.

The entire book is clever, funny, and informative. Even if you’re not a redhead and don’t plan on becoming one anytime soon- it’s still a good and enjoyable read- especially since there’s some tips on how to approach and talk to redheads, too. Believe it or not- there are some things that you can say or ask that could be taken offensively (like if the carpet matches the drapes. Never, ever, EVER ask that. EVER.)– so knowledge is power!

“The Big Redhead Book” comes out on August 22nd and is currently available for pre-order at Amazon!

– Ashley –

Tag: Book Club

POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review: November 2017

Book Fair: The Big Redhead Book by Erin La Rosa