Once Upon A Time - #2014BloggerChallenge

This week's topic is suppose to be book...as in singular..but that's not really how I roll. Anyone that knows me or that has followed this blog long enough knows that I am a romance reading junkie. I couldn't pick one single book to be my favorite if my life depending on it. So, instead I'm going to talk about a few of my favorite romance authors and their books.

[ONE] Kresley Cole

Her 'Immortals After Dark' series is 15 books in. I know, sounds like a lot! But when you create a fantasy world full of funny, sexy, strong, stubborn, ancient, magical beings..it's only fair to try and give each of them their own story. I'll admit I'm behind in this series. I get so emotionally involved that I get a little sad when I think about a series ending, so I stop reading..just so it never has to really be over. Not really rational, but that's how my brain works.

[TWO] Tara Janzen

Hot guys. Hot cars. Enough said. The first book I ever picked up by Tara Janzen was 'Crazy Sweet', which..at the time..was the latest in her 'Steele Street' series. I always manage to do that, pick up the LAST/latest book of any given series. After reading it, I immediately devoured the books before and every book after. The gang from Steele Street have a very, very dear place in my heart. These are the only books I actually kept when I went digital with my first Kindle. They hold a place of honor on my bookcase.

[THREE] Jill Shalvis

Funny. Quirky. Heart twisting. Listen to me, people, you must..MUST..pick up a Jill Shalvis book. I don't even care which one or from which series. They are all good. Lighter reads then my normal fair, but they are so funny and sweet that I can't stop myself. A good place to start is her 'Lucky Harbor' series. Lucky Harbor is full of quirky characters that will make you laugh and WISH that they really did have a Facebook page. But, for real, I'm not kidding, any of her books..ANY OF THEM..are good. Oh, and speaking of Facebook pages..you really need to like Jill's page.

[FOUR] Lara Adrian

Did someone say sexy vampires? 'The Midnight Breed' series follows the stories of "Breed" warriors, super sexy alpha vampires. Lara has put one of the most interesting spins on the whole vampire story line, savage alien beings that crash landed on earth centuries ago. It's really a very clever way of re-telling vampire folk lore. Anyway, don't expect any sparkling skin or teenage angst. These guys would kick Edward Cullen's ass all the way back to Washington.

[FIVE] Pamela Clare

I started with Pamela's 'I-Team' series. Romantic suspense, based around a team of investigative reporters in Denver, Colorado. Her stories get your blood pumping, action packed and smoking hot. But don't stop with the 'I-Team' books because she writes historical romance as well. The 'MacKinnon's Rangers' series is about three brothers...sexy, loyal, smart, strong. Hold on, I have to fan myself just thinking about them. I dare you to read the books and try and pick a favorite MacKinnon brother. Double dog dare you. Pamela's fans are also very vocal and active on both the 'I-Team' group and 'Camp Followers' group on facebook. She hosts book discussions and polls..and there may or may not be eye candy shared.

So, there you go. Five of my favorite romance authors. Please check them out and pick up a book or two or a fifty. Just read. Honestly, just pick up a book...any book..and read. Authors pour a little bit of their souls into every book. There is no better way to pass an afternoon than by reading their books.

Skincare - #2014BloggerChallenge

I am going to be straight up with y'all. I don't take very good care of my skin! I mean, I want to. I think about it. Sometimes I even buy a product or three. But it always comes back to routine. I get lazy. I forget. And those products either go to waste or last me forever because I never use them on a regular basis.

However...

For Christmas my mom gifted me with a Clarisonic Mia. It's been on my 'want' list for about a year or so. One of those many things I think about, but never quite get around to buying for myself. I desperately wanted to find a way to fit the Mia into my routine. Remember, this is the important part for me and I didn't want my gift to go unused (my mom would have been very unhappy). Luckily, this facial brush is water-tight. That means I'm able to bring it into the shower with me without ruining it..or killing myself.

So, now I keep it in the shower. It stares me in the face every morning, kind of hard to forget about it that way.

And another good thing about it is that the cleaning cycle is timed. One minute...that's it! I use my normal facial cleanser, Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser (which I still haven't been using on the regular), and just let it go for a minute while I focus on covering all parts of my face.

It's gentle. It hasn't made me break out. It makes my skin feel amazingly smooth.

I have combination dry/oily skin. So I will admit that fresh out of the shower my skin is a little more dry in some spots and a little overly oily in others, but that's all fixed by a slathering of Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer (again, needs to be more routine ANYWAY) and a super light dusting of E.L.F. Translucent Matifying Powder.

And that, my friends, is about as labor intensive as I get with my skincare.

I'm really hoping this routine sticks. My skin isn't getting any younger and I want it to look as good as it can, for as long as it can.

New Years Inspiration - 2014BloggerChallenge

This isn't a resolutions post. I don't really set any "New Years resolutions". But I do think about what I want out of this new year. And what I want is to be more giving of myself and less expectant of others. No one else controls my happiness but me..I'll have to keep reminding myself of that this year, especially during the bad times. I don't want to be hateful or spiteful or resentful or envious, those emotions serve no good purpose in me.

Instead I want to be more loving and thoughtful and caring and thankful and healthy and happy and content. Here's to making it happen.

Oh HHEEYYYYYY!

With the first topic of #2014bloggerchallenge revealed, I realized that I might have some new visitors to my little bloggy blog. First off, welcome and thanks for stopping by. I can't say that I post on a regular basis. I probably should..but I can't force it. So, I blog what I want..when I want. Feel free to poke around..there are six years worth of blog posts for your viewing enjoyment!

Here are a few other places you can find me {all my social media links are available via the icons on the upper right hand side of my blog}:

Facebook: A Girl in the Real World
Pinterest: Just Jinny
Instagram: Just Jinny
Twitter: The Real Jinny